Hello Class:
My aim for today is to offer five thoughts on the smallville finale.
1. The Lois and Clark scenes were great
I have to say that Tom Welling and Erica Durance have great chemistry. Their scene talking to each other from behind each side of the door was great. Erica Durance for my money is the best Lois Lane of all time. She has the beauty, brains, and attitude.
2. Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor was great
Ever since Michael Rosenbaum has had trouble replacing him. Eventhough Tess, Doomsday, Zod, and VRA were nice, the key to the show's success was always Clark's journey to Superman and Lex's journey to Superman's arch nemesis. Michael Rosenbaum's return felt as if he never left. He delivered his lines with the same fierceness and flare that we've loved about his Lex Luthor from the start of this show.
3. How did Green Arrow kill 3 New Gods with just 3 arrows
Green Arrow killed 3 new gods with 3 regular arrows. They're gods. They shouldn't be killed that easily if at all. I don't get it but that's Smallville for you.
4. Tess makes Lex forget his time on Smallville with a neurotoxin
Hated this scene because it made the Lex character moot. I would have loved to have seen a Smallville world where Lex knew the secret but didn't tell anyone. One of the problems with Smallville is that it attempted to fit into the world of the Superman Richard Donner films and establish its own mythology, never getting the two exactly right.
5. No Clark in the full suit
Sure we saw Clark rip open the shirt to show the "S" at the end of the episode but I wanted Clark standing on top of a building in the full Superman gear with the classic hero pose. Yes I saw CGI Superman save Air Force One and push Apokolips into space like a basketball but not what I really wanted.
Overall I loved Smallville tips of the hat to the mythology but I wish they were more like the Ultimate Universe in Marvel and established their own. The chemistry between Tom and Erica was great. Michael Rosenbaum defined Lex Luthor for a generation and was the best Lex Luthor to date even surpassing my favorite, Gene Hackman. I might get the Smallville episodes when they come out on DVD just because there are a few episodes I'd like to see again.
Class Dismissed!!
The Professor
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Thoughts on Smallville
Hello Class,
Today I'd like to offer some thoughts on Smallville. I've watched Smallville for the past ten years and I would say that despite some of its questionable storylines over the years, it remains DC/WB second strongest comic book property behind Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise.
I've never understood why Warner Brothers and DC didn't give more attention to Smallville. It could have been the property that launched Superman. Hopefully, the next Superman movie will launch Superman but I have my doubts.
MTV SPALSHPAGE had this article up on Friday's episode of Smallville: http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/05/02/smallville-season-10-episode-20-preview-prophecy-legion-of-doom/#more-51629
It shows a group of Supervillains sitting around a table including Black Manta, Metallo, and Solomon Grundy. I think any three of these villains would have made a bigger impact on Smallville if used during the past three seasons. The Smallville versions of Doomsday, Zod, and Darkseid seem to be watered down versions of Superman's best villains.
Of course that's been Smallville's problem, they like to water down Superman's villains and give them enough motivation to fill a 22-episode season.
And Clark should be in the suit but he's not because the show wants to stick to its creator's vision of this being Clark's journey of life lessons to Superman. Of course I feel like he's done that enough and should be in the suit. I think it would have been interesting to see a young Clark Kent of 23 or 24 as Superman and the mistakes he makes or how he juggles the dual identity.
Also, LOVE Erica Durance as Lois Lane.
Class Dismissed,
The Professor
Today I'd like to offer some thoughts on Smallville. I've watched Smallville for the past ten years and I would say that despite some of its questionable storylines over the years, it remains DC/WB second strongest comic book property behind Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise.
I've never understood why Warner Brothers and DC didn't give more attention to Smallville. It could have been the property that launched Superman. Hopefully, the next Superman movie will launch Superman but I have my doubts.
MTV SPALSHPAGE had this article up on Friday's episode of Smallville: http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/05/02/smallville-season-10-episode-20-preview-prophecy-legion-of-doom/#more-51629
It shows a group of Supervillains sitting around a table including Black Manta, Metallo, and Solomon Grundy. I think any three of these villains would have made a bigger impact on Smallville if used during the past three seasons. The Smallville versions of Doomsday, Zod, and Darkseid seem to be watered down versions of Superman's best villains.
Of course that's been Smallville's problem, they like to water down Superman's villains and give them enough motivation to fill a 22-episode season.
And Clark should be in the suit but he's not because the show wants to stick to its creator's vision of this being Clark's journey of life lessons to Superman. Of course I feel like he's done that enough and should be in the suit. I think it would have been interesting to see a young Clark Kent of 23 or 24 as Superman and the mistakes he makes or how he juggles the dual identity.
Also, LOVE Erica Durance as Lois Lane.
Class Dismissed,
The Professor
Monday, April 11, 2011
ANIMATED SUPERHEROES: THE BEST THERE IS AT WHAT THEY DO
Good Morning Class:
Today we are going to look at Animation of comic book heroes and how it serves to do better than live-action movies.
As a comic book fan I love the fact that my favorite superheroes are coming to the movie theaters. But personally I think that animation does a much better job than live action does in portraying superheroes in their correct light.
I was reminded of this two weeks ago while watching "Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Battle of the Superheroes." It's an episode where Superman and Batman do battle Dark Knight Returns style. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdVLMZL4ntY
And for those of you who want a taste of Thor before the movie comes out in May, check out this clip from the DVD "Hulk VS." with Thor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0yk_Na0ZJM
The reason animation is so great is because you can get to see dream fights from your favorite heroes and stories that make sense from creators and producers who care about the characters. This is why I will always love animation first and live-action superhero flicks second.
Class Dismissed.
The Professor
Today we are going to look at Animation of comic book heroes and how it serves to do better than live-action movies.
As a comic book fan I love the fact that my favorite superheroes are coming to the movie theaters. But personally I think that animation does a much better job than live action does in portraying superheroes in their correct light.
I was reminded of this two weeks ago while watching "Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Battle of the Superheroes." It's an episode where Superman and Batman do battle Dark Knight Returns style. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdVLMZL4ntY
And for those of you who want a taste of Thor before the movie comes out in May, check out this clip from the DVD "Hulk VS." with Thor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0yk_Na0ZJM
The reason animation is so great is because you can get to see dream fights from your favorite heroes and stories that make sense from creators and producers who care about the characters. This is why I will always love animation first and live-action superhero flicks second.
Class Dismissed.
The Professor
Monday, March 21, 2011
TNA: THE B.S. HIT THE FAN AT VICTORY ROAD
Good Afternoon class,
Our Aim today is to look at how the main event debacle at TNA's Victory Road could have been avoided
At TNA's Victory Road Sting defeated Jeff Hardy in a match that lasted about 90 seconds. Fans chanted Bullsh!t and Sting agreed. TNA could have avoided this by having Hardy drop the belt to a guy like Matt Morgan in November at Turning Point. The set up was perfect. Morgan stood up for an injured Ken Anderson and became the enemy of Bischoff and Hogan.
If Matt Morgan had won the belt at Turning Point TNA could have started a feud between Anderson and Morgan culminating at Slammiversary 2011 or Bound for Glory 2011. Unfortunately creative storylines aren't TNA's strong suit.
Since they don't have billions of dollars for marketing like a Vince McMahon or a Ted Turner they have to rely on name recognition of stars to push their brand.
Now the TNA title is on Sting and will probably go to Mr. Anderson....Anderson or RVD at Lockdown.
The problem is as UFC and WWE build new stars, TNA will still rely on former WWE/WCW/ECW stars to get recognition and sooner or later no one will care.
I hope I'm wrong but something tells me I'm not.
Class Dismissed.
Stephen Murray
Our Aim today is to look at how the main event debacle at TNA's Victory Road could have been avoided
At TNA's Victory Road Sting defeated Jeff Hardy in a match that lasted about 90 seconds. Fans chanted Bullsh!t and Sting agreed. TNA could have avoided this by having Hardy drop the belt to a guy like Matt Morgan in November at Turning Point. The set up was perfect. Morgan stood up for an injured Ken Anderson and became the enemy of Bischoff and Hogan.
If Matt Morgan had won the belt at Turning Point TNA could have started a feud between Anderson and Morgan culminating at Slammiversary 2011 or Bound for Glory 2011. Unfortunately creative storylines aren't TNA's strong suit.
Since they don't have billions of dollars for marketing like a Vince McMahon or a Ted Turner they have to rely on name recognition of stars to push their brand.
Now the TNA title is on Sting and will probably go to Mr. Anderson....Anderson or RVD at Lockdown.
The problem is as UFC and WWE build new stars, TNA will still rely on former WWE/WCW/ECW stars to get recognition and sooner or later no one will care.
I hope I'm wrong but something tells me I'm not.
Class Dismissed.
Stephen Murray
THERE'S A NEW WONDER WOMAN IN TOWN
As you may already know, there's a new Wonder Woman in town. Adrianne Palicki will play the Amazon Princess in the forthcoming NBC Show in 2012.
If you haven't seen the picture, here's a link: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/18/wonder-woman-adrianne-palicki-photo/
The picture reminds me of Superman's costume especially with the blue pants. I realize they're there for sensibility. Why would any Superheroine walk out without pants on?
Ms. Palicki doesn't strike me at first as what I picture when I think of Wonder Woman. Gina Carano probably fits it better when you think of Wonder Woman's physical stature mixed with her natural beauty.
If you don't know who Gina Carano is, do a google search. You'll be glad you did.
I'm not going to judge the Wonder Woman show based on this picture though. Hopefully the show will be good.
With Marvel taking over movie theaters this Summer with Thor and Captain America, and Smallville ending in May, DC Comics needs something to keep audiences interested.
Class Dismissed.
The Professor
If you haven't seen the picture, here's a link: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/18/wonder-woman-adrianne-palicki-photo/
The picture reminds me of Superman's costume especially with the blue pants. I realize they're there for sensibility. Why would any Superheroine walk out without pants on?
Ms. Palicki doesn't strike me at first as what I picture when I think of Wonder Woman. Gina Carano probably fits it better when you think of Wonder Woman's physical stature mixed with her natural beauty.
If you don't know who Gina Carano is, do a google search. You'll be glad you did.
I'm not going to judge the Wonder Woman show based on this picture though. Hopefully the show will be good.
With Marvel taking over movie theaters this Summer with Thor and Captain America, and Smallville ending in May, DC Comics needs something to keep audiences interested.
Class Dismissed.
The Professor
Monday, February 28, 2011
R.I.P DWAYNE MCDUFFIE AND THANK YOU
It was November 17, 2001. I was watching the two-hour pilot episode of Justice League on Cartoon Network. I had been a fan of Bruce Timm's work on Superman and Batman so I was excited to see what they would come up with for "Justice League." Of course Batman and Superman were on the team but I was surprised at other members that showed up.
I remember in one scene Batman and Superman are fighting the alien menace and they needed reinforcements. Superman calls for them and it ends up being Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Hawkgirl. I remember my mother walked into my room and saw what I was watching and said, "I don't believe it, a black Superhero!" She was referring to Green Lantern who in this series was going to be John Stewart. I was surprised also because I thought that Hal Jordan was going to be Green Lantern. I remember thinking that it was great that Bruce Timm was including a Superhero that was black in the lineup. At the time I didn't realize that was all due to Dwayne McDuffie.
Dwayne McDuffie passed away last Tuesday but the legacy he left behind will always be remembered.
He worked at Marvel Comics as an editor and created Damage Control. He started his own comic book company in 1992 called Milestone Media featuring black superheroes like "ICON", and "HARDWARE."
In 2001 he joined up with Warner Brothers and began writing on "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited." His work on "JLU" was incredible. There was something for everyone from 8 to 80.
Just recently he had written the script for the direct-to-DVD release of "All-Star Superman." For a full look at Dwayne McDuffie's life and career read this link from Comic Book Resources: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?id=30969&page=article.
Later on I read Dwayne's run on Justice League at DC Comics and got to see the Milestone characters "ICON" and "HARDWARE" in action. I loved it and wished he got to have a longer run with it but that wasn't to be.
Dwayne McDuffie was an activist who used comic books to not only tell great stories but also make a way for diversity in comics featuring a comic book line with different heroes and villains of different ethncities. He included a black superhero in Justice League Unlimited which featured the first interracial kiss between John Stewart and Hawkgirl. He was a pioneer whose work will live on.
Rest In Peace Mr. McDuffie and Thank you for inspiring me to write my own stories.
"The Professor"
Saturday, February 19, 2011
WILL THE REAL CLARK KENT PLEASE STAND UP
Good Afternoon Class:
Our Aim today is to look at Superman's dual identity
I was watching Smallville's latest episode, "Masquerade" and there was something that bothered me. At the end of the episode, Clark tells Lois that "The Blur" (he's not yet become Superman in this series) is his true self while Clark Kent is just a name and that his mask will be Clark Kent. This is a concept that has been in use since Superman's debut in 1938. And most recently, the comics have enforced as of late and I think it is a bad idea and makes fans lose out on the reason why Superman is so beloved and that's his alter ego, Clark Kent. Superman's alterego has evolved through the years but DC Comics won't acknowledge that.
I'm a diehard Superman fan as anyone that reads this blog or knows me will tell you. I was first introduced to Superman through the Chris Reeve/Dick Donner Superman movies. In those movies Clark Kent was the mask and Superman was the primary focus of the films. So I understand where Smallville and the comics are coming from but I still think they're missing out on a key element to the Superman mythos. Clark Kent as a valid character is just as important as Superman. No where was that more evident than in "The Adventures of Superman" series of the 1950's.
When I first saw The Adventures of Superman series, I was 8 or 9 years old. I didn't truly know what character development was but I did notice some differences between the George Reeves portrayal of Clark Kent and Chris Reeves portrayal. In the George Reeves series, Clark was more confident and self-assured. He was the logical counterpoint to Lois Lane's feisty, adventurous reporter. The reason she didn't see through his disguise was because the George Reeves Clark was pragmatic and focused which drove Lois crazy. His Superman was charming and mighty. In essence George Reeves validated both identities without making either one seem foolish or out of place. This concept would be repeated in the John Byrne series of the 1980's. Clark Kent was good and a nice guy but he also got the scoops and was a firmly established person alongside the Superman persona.
Now comics seem as if they don't want to use that concept anymore. Back to the old Clark falling down routine and no real life for this character. I wonder if the new 2012 movie will follow suit. I hope not.
In other Superman news, A Disney animator named Rob Pratt did his own one-minute Superman animated film entitled, "Superman Classic." It's a great short with all of the classic Superman elements of the 1938 Fleischer cartoons. You can find it in this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2WVlmNqMMs. It's characterization of Clark Kent is the "Clark' that runs away at dangerous moments and totally contradicts this article but it's done in a really nice way. Enjoy.
Class Dismissed!!
The Professor
Our Aim today is to look at Superman's dual identity
I was watching Smallville's latest episode, "Masquerade" and there was something that bothered me. At the end of the episode, Clark tells Lois that "The Blur" (he's not yet become Superman in this series) is his true self while Clark Kent is just a name and that his mask will be Clark Kent. This is a concept that has been in use since Superman's debut in 1938. And most recently, the comics have enforced as of late and I think it is a bad idea and makes fans lose out on the reason why Superman is so beloved and that's his alter ego, Clark Kent. Superman's alterego has evolved through the years but DC Comics won't acknowledge that.
I'm a diehard Superman fan as anyone that reads this blog or knows me will tell you. I was first introduced to Superman through the Chris Reeve/Dick Donner Superman movies. In those movies Clark Kent was the mask and Superman was the primary focus of the films. So I understand where Smallville and the comics are coming from but I still think they're missing out on a key element to the Superman mythos. Clark Kent as a valid character is just as important as Superman. No where was that more evident than in "The Adventures of Superman" series of the 1950's.
When I first saw The Adventures of Superman series, I was 8 or 9 years old. I didn't truly know what character development was but I did notice some differences between the George Reeves portrayal of Clark Kent and Chris Reeves portrayal. In the George Reeves series, Clark was more confident and self-assured. He was the logical counterpoint to Lois Lane's feisty, adventurous reporter. The reason she didn't see through his disguise was because the George Reeves Clark was pragmatic and focused which drove Lois crazy. His Superman was charming and mighty. In essence George Reeves validated both identities without making either one seem foolish or out of place. This concept would be repeated in the John Byrne series of the 1980's. Clark Kent was good and a nice guy but he also got the scoops and was a firmly established person alongside the Superman persona.
Now comics seem as if they don't want to use that concept anymore. Back to the old Clark falling down routine and no real life for this character. I wonder if the new 2012 movie will follow suit. I hope not.
In other Superman news, A Disney animator named Rob Pratt did his own one-minute Superman animated film entitled, "Superman Classic." It's a great short with all of the classic Superman elements of the 1938 Fleischer cartoons. You can find it in this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2WVlmNqMMs. It's characterization of Clark Kent is the "Clark' that runs away at dangerous moments and totally contradicts this article but it's done in a really nice way. Enjoy.
Class Dismissed!!
The Professor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)