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Reviews
Superman Returns (2006)
One of the greatest Superhero movies of all time....
I eagerly waited for Superman's return for many years. After witnessing the depressing and terrible excuse of a Superman movie in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) I realized that Superman may had been dead (eerily in 1993 my realization came true). When I heard that Superman was being resurrected as early as 1998 I didn't know what to expect. After hearing names like Burton, Smith, Cage, Kutcher, and Jesus Cheviezel himself, I was wary about what would happen to this beloved icon.
My dreams came true when I heard Bryan Singer came aboard. He delivered solid entry's into the comic book movie industry with the first two X-Men movies. After anticipating this movie for a year with sneak peaks, countless teasers, and obscure photos of unknown Brandon Routh in full costume. Finally, I saw the trailer, which only built my anticipation to heights only Superman could reach in flight.
On Saturday, July 1st, I sat in the Imax and watched the movie I Had waited decades to see. My final verdict was.... It not only met my expectations but exceeded them. Here are some of my thoughts on what makes this one of the greatest Superhero movies of all time.
Plot: The plot is quite simple...Superman has been absent for five years, and the world has become adjusted to living without their savior. However, the man of steel comes back and must reclaim his glory as the protector of people in need. Minewhile, Lex Luthor has a new scheme which could cause the death of billions. Superman must battle his greatest foe while rekindling a relationship with the people he left behind. The plot is simple yet affective, it serves as a reintroduction to the characters and the importance of a savior that Superman has become.
Acting: Brandon Routh deserves full credit for bringing the magic back into Superman. Several people say that he looks like Christopher Reeve, and although this is true, Brandon Routh carries this film in the similar vein Reeve did with his films. Routh also presents a more conflicted Superman who is torn between the world he knew and the world that has changed with his return. Routh as an unknown, is the best possible choice to play the greatest Superhero of all time. Kevin Spacey also deserves credit for playing a darker Lex Luthor, and his hench woman, Kitty played by Parker Posey clearly stands out in a great comedic role. Bosworth was a decent choice for Lois.
Score: The new score is decent, but Williams original score featured in the credits is the highlight when it comes to music.
Conclusion: This movie was wonderful, I loved the story which was completely engaging. I loved the acting, Routh was definitely a worthy new Superman, and I loved the music. Anyone who loves Superman should watch this movie as soon as possible.
Mama's Family: Best Medicine (1986)
Final Appearance of Daughter Ellen....spoilers
This is the final episode of Ellen, and pretty much final episode that links the old series with the newer reformatted one. In this episode Ellen visits Mama and the family with shocking news. She needs to have surgery and will be placed in the hospital. This upsets Thelma who feels that she has never had a good relationship with her daughter Ellen, and Thelma decides she must do whatever she can to make her daughter feel loved. Mama feels nervous that her daughter is seriously ill. She takes the family to see Ellen in the hospital, and of course the dumb family does nothing to soothe Ellen's nerves. Eventually Ellen tells her mother why she is in the hospital, she is having plastic surgery, Mama is upset as she thought Ellen was having a serious illness. She realizes Ellen has always been vain and that the surgery is just one more example.
This episode is an average episode, with some funny moments. However, it is nice that they bring back an older character. It is also a bit more serious as it deals with the turbulence of mother-daughter relationships.
Mama's Family: Where There's a Will (1986)
Themla must control her temper to get a hold of her sisters estate...spoilers
In the second episode of the newly formatted Mama's Family, Thelma deals with her sister Fran's will, who has left her a substantial amount of money to Thelma. However, in order to claim the money, Thelma must keep her temper low. Of course having the family she has makes that quite hard and Thelma looses control after she gets paint on the back of her dress, and is insulted by the lawyer who represents Fran's estate, causing the family to loose the money.
This is a good episode, and fairly funny. It is a nice carryover from the last episode still dealing with Fran's death. Mama's will not to loose control is very funny especially when she is being pushed by her family.
Mama's Family: Farewell, Frannie (1986)
Major Changes from this season on....SPOILERS
This is the first episode of the essential 'new' or revamped version of the show, which become much more funnier and comedic. This episode marks the first appearance of Iola, the quirky neighbor and Bubba the juvenile delinquent grandson of mama.
In this episode Mama and the family deal with the death of Aunt Fran
at first Mama is reluctant to tell her family about how she died. However, reluctantly she states that she had scared Fran causing her to swallow a toothpick and die. Mama is also upset that no one has showed up to the funeral. When they come home from the funeral they discover that all the food is gone, and the house is a mess. Bubba, Eunice and Ed's son has gotten released from Reform school and needs a place to stay
.Mama opens her home to her grandson, causing Vint and Naomi to stay in the basement.
This episode is meant as an introduction to the new format of the show and does a good job of introducing the new characters, and in a shocking move, kill off another.
Three's Company: Chrissy's Hospitality (1979)
A bump in the head
Plot SPOILERS After trying to put up a shower curtain, Chrissy slips and bumps her head on the tub. After almost fainting during the night, Jack and Janet believe it is best to take her to the hospital..there the doctor informs them that either this could be a simple bump or a serious head injury which can have fatal consequences...Jack and Janet are heartbroken to learn that their roommate may die, and spend the night reflecting on their friendship... Early the next morning the doctor and Chrissy are talking, and the doctor tells Chrissy she is healthy and fine. Chrissy begins to crack jokes and leaves the doctor in tears as he steps out of her hospital room and meets Jack and Janet outside, who end up believing that Chrissy will die soon... This leads to several funny moments between Chrissy, Furley with Jack and Janet.
Review This episode is not as good as most on the season, perhaps due to it being more of a serious episode, although it does have the Three's company trademark of misunderstandings... 3.5/5
Veer-Zaara (2004)
Very Well Made....but can't help to see similarities with DDLJ
This is a very good movie, which is well made...however at times it felt that it borrowed scenes from DDLJ. However, I liked how they took a story that has been done many times before and in some way made it different.
The story goes.... (SPOILERS) Veer (Khan) is a Punjabi army rescue officer, who lives to help save the lives of complete strangers. Zaara (Zinta) is a beautiful rich daughter of a Pakistani politician. When Zaara's Sikh nanny dies her last wish is for her ashes to be scattered in Kirtpur (A Sikh pilgrimage) in India. When an accident unites Veer and Zaara they become enthralled with each others countries and become fast friends. After spending a few days together Veer falls in love with Zaara but Zaara is engaged to a man in Pakistan. However, realizing her true love is Veer, Zaara tries to brake off the engagement. However, Veer cannot marry Zaara knowing the cultural differences are too great. From here the story takes a turn and Veer spends 22 years imprisoned by Zaara's finance, it is up to human rights lawyer (played wonderfully by Rani Mukerjee) to free Veer. In the process she wonders what has happened to Zaara?
SRK has given his best performance of his career, after playing the action hero of MHN, and the dying cancer patient in KHNH, SRK is playing a simple Punjabi boy who through the course of the film is turned into an old feeble man. SRK did a good job showing the pain he felt, yet maintained a character who saw the good in all negative things.
Zinta did an excellent job playing the lead heroine, she has definitely not looked as beautiful as she did in any other movie to date as she did in Veer Zaara. At first I was surprised to hear her take on the role of a traditional Pakistani girl. Zinta usually plays the westernized modern Indian girl. In this film however she did a great job.
rani mukherjee did a good job although she wasn't really showcased until the last 30 minutes in the court room but she shows she can do a great job even if it is a supporting role. Manoj Bajpai did a good job as the mean fiancé to Zaara. Divy Dutta did a good job as the comedic relief and Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini did a great job playing loving parents to a foster child Veer (sounds like Bagbhan).
Veer Zaara is very different than your typical Bollywood movie because it manages to be a very tragic love story...yet maintaining a positive and happy feeling at the end. The story has been seen before, but Chopra's direction is very good. There is great attention to ancient buildings. I still think no Hindi film has done a good job picturing Punjab as well as Veer Zaara. The music at first seems not very