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Agreed. When mom and I saw the movie, she mentioned she was a little put off by their appearance, and, initially, I agreed, but this post ☝️☝️says it all.

I absolutely adore how normal Clark's parents looked so normal. I realize the ideal of them is a strong farmer and his wife and that might be a beautiful older woman and her sturdy handsome husband. Nothing wrong with that. But Martha and Jonathan Kent in this movie were the kind of older couple I'd see at the grocery store in my own small-town. The kind of people at the community hall and auction grounds picking up hay bales for the cattle.

They were warm and just so normal it almost surprises you. They also don't resemble Clark at all which I think is important in driving home the fact that they aren't his biological parents. He stands out amongst them it's so clear he's different and special even. And my god do they love him.

The way they call for him and sit on a rusty bench outside the creaky screen door. That feels like home to me having grown up on the prairies. How authentic they feel only grounds Clark even more. It feels less like a dream or idea of a perfect farm family and is more two people who tried their best and will bake apple pie with calloused hands full of love

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☝️☝️☝️pass it on y'all

Superman isn't woke. You're just so evil that you see a man doing acts of kindness and you think it's a targeted political agenda

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Ohmygosh!! I couldn't quite understand what that song was saying but now that it's literally spelled out right in front of me? Yes!!! 🤘🤘Get it, Supes!

(Great art btw!!)

CAUSE I'M A PUNKROCKER YES I AM!

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It's almost like comics have been trying to tell us something for years... what's that phrase? About learning from history or being doomed to repeat it?

Ok, imagine you're comic accurate Clark Kent and you're a working-class immigrant raised on a farm. You grow up and dedicate your life to helping people while being a total malewife to your Pulitzer prize winner girlfriend. You're despised and targeted by an unethical, megalomaniacal billionaire who thinks his intellect and his power and his wealth entitles him to your inherent abilities and the adoration you've earned through years of nonstop altruism. YOU WERE CREATED BY TWO JEWISH MEN IN THE 1930S

And then people complain about a movie about you being too woke

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This. ☝️☝️ I don't think it was a very good movie all around, but damn if it (and James Gunn) didn't say something!

Only one person died. Only one singular person. In a superhero movie! The type that love to throw around casualty counts like it’s all a big game, waving off 70 people being killed in a handful of days like it’s no big deal, yet only ONE PERSON died.

And he was mourned. Superman cried for him—this stranger who gave him free falafel and, while facing death, told him that he still believed in him. Metamorpho, this cold-seeming man who is being actively blackmailed to do this, breaking down and taking the risk to believe in Superman, too, because seeing someone murdered right in front of him is devastating enough to take the risk. The newspapers run a front page article talking about how they’re going to memorialize him.

The stakes didn’t have to involve real actual loss of life. The threat of it was enough to convey the severity of the situation. Because human life is that important. All life is that important, at least to Superman who goes out of his way to save dogs and squirrels.

(Hawkgirl does kill SHEIN Netanyahu but genocidal dictators don’t count as human beings lol.)

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Yes you are ABSOLUTELY right, keep going!

This right here, folks! ☝️☝️☝️

excuse me for stating the obvious but like. james gunn outright calling superman an immigrant and doubling down on it when he got backlash (because he IS an immigrant, that's the point of superman) + the in-movie dialogue of "aren't you going to read me my rights?" "you're an extraterrestrial, son. you haven't got any rights to read." + the violence of his arrest and how they torture and mistreat him unapologetically, all under the guise of "protecting america", in a film releasing during the onslaught of violent ICE kidnappings and abuse... yeah it's really no wonder right-wing knobheads are crying about this being woke. they're being forced to look directly at the reasons one of the most well-known and beloved heroes of all time would not be on their side. and that's only ONE of the reasons this movie covers

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Thoughts on The Fantastic Four: First Steps

TL;DR? 8 out of 10, it's a fantastic movie all around! Some things could have been done better, but on the whole, it was pretty good. Also, fun fact: it stands alone, no MCU homework needed!

I'll be real, going into First Steps (the name I'll use to differentiate between Fantastic Four films), I was hesitant, but excited, much in the same way as I was for Superman. From promotional material alone, trailers and posters and whatnot, First Steps seemed to have promise! Great aesthetic, decent chemistry, adequate ups and downs... really, my only fear was that its flashy exterior was hiding a shabby interior. Marvel leaned HARD into the retro-future vibe of First Steps throughout its marketing and conception, and I mean, come on, what is that casting? Pedro Pascal the rising Hollywood hotshot, Joseph Quinn who exploded onto the scene as Eddie from Stranger Things, Vanessa Kirby and Ebon Moss-Bachrach?? If I were more negative, I'd say something about Marvel resorting to big names in an effort to refresh their brand...

Fortunately, my fears were put to rest, and in this next great race between Marvel and DC, I think First Steps succeeded where Superman failed. The idea that "we already know the story of the Fantastic Four" was clear, with expert usage of world-building and concise exposition. There is a balance between the lives of the superheroes and the lives of the people behind the "mask"; pacing is steady, if a tiny bit overdone in places; the actors work their roles well, capturing the signature style of each character without excess.

My only complaint after having seen the film? I just wish there was more! Part of that sentiment is definitely just a fan's desire to see more of the world of First Steps. What we see in the movie, in this curious new iteration of these characters, is JUST enough to make you want more! All the dropped hints and various context clues scream of details and stories waiting to be told! Seriously, this is one of the few movies I genuinely can't wait for a sequel for!

On the other side of that coin, I wish there had been a few more risks taken (though I understand why they weren't). Underpinning themes received the minimum in addressing and resolution, with most character work and key moments in the same boat. They were just fine, yet they could have been so much better with only a few additions or tweaks!

I can't say much more without going into spoiler territory. If you're interested, read on below the cut! Otherwise, that's the meat of my take on First Steps.

Good movie, just could've used a lil somethin' extra to make the stakes that much more worth it.

Alright, this is officially spoiler territory, so readers beware!!

I don't like comparing superhero movies like this, but given the similarity of their circumstances, First Steps and Superman are going to be the exception.

Both films run with the idea that the audience already knows the origin story of their character/s, and First Steps absolutely crushes its competition right out of the gate! Part of the opening is dedicated to a montage of news media clips and interviews of the titular Four, essentially offering a brief rundown on who they are, how they came together, how they got their powers, and how they're doing now. It's quick, concise, and just FULL of life! In contrast, Superman opens with a tiny bit of on-screen exposition followed by a jumpscare, diving straight into the plot. Then, the movie carried on with what felt like a dire lack of context. The audience gets dumped into a new take on a beloved world, leaving us confused as we try putting together pieces we think we know.

In other news...

If these two movies are supposed to be the big reset for DC and Marvel, I'd say their cinematic universes are in much the same way. DC's bumpy drought of successes and failures, beginnings and endings is followed by another of the same. Marvel seems to have a chance to really find their footing again after Endgame, flaunting a string of victories from Deadpool and Wolverine all the way to First Steps! The real challenge will be trying to keep that momentum going.

I LOVE the added emphasis on Johnny this time around! [Ok, I'll be real, I don't think I've ever seen the movie with Michael B Jordan. I genuinely forgot it existed, so I can't say none of the Fantastic Four films have ever shown him this level of attention...] Regardless, it's my favorite part of the movie! I knew something was up the moment he tried to confront Reed about an update to their space suits, and immediately, I was very curious! Why is Johnny so interested in going back to space? Instantly, my mind went back to the movie from the 2000s. Typically, Johnny's a thrill seeker. An adrenaline junky playboy, yeah? Maybe, even with super powers, there's nothing else that can compare to the breathtaking experience of outer space. Maybe he wants to do it again (perhaps without the infusion of cosmic radiation).

Then, it's small, but we follow Johnny as he snatches up Reed's signal record and leaves the lab. He goes back to his room and plays the record, staring at the disc so intently! It's such an odd thing for a character like him that it stuck with me. I applaud 👏👏 the moment when Johnny gets back from chasing the Silver Surfer the first time. He mentions that she spoke to him, like, actually spoke, albeit in her native, alien language. His suggestion that it might be useful is, of course, played off as a joke, as Johnny being infatuated by a hot, practically naked alien lady from outer space. He is effectively ignored, though he follows his lead in private, eventually deciphering the Surfer's language and using Reed's records as one of their best tools against Galactus and his Herald!

All this to say, Johnny's depiction in this movie is one of the coolest new adaptations of a classic character! When I used to think of Johnny Storm, he was always the textbook playboy, a hotshot narcissist who was along for the ride pretty much only because he's related to Susan. That's fine, there's always gotta be the token lady's man. However, unlike Tony Stark or Booster Gold of DC, the Human Torch never got much development on that end (as far as movies are concerned). He kinda just... stayed like that. For what it's worth, if I recall correctly, there was a single shot in Rise of the Silver Surfer that very much hinted at a humbling climax for Chris Evan's character, yet, again, nothing came of it.

In First Steps, Johnny Storm becomes a much more multifaceted character, as much as he can for his role in the film. He's got the snarky little brother attitude down pat, but people only give him the credit that's due. He's genuinely smart, even if he can't quite muster the words to properly say what he's thinking! He's constantly underestimated until it's HIS work that proves to be the turning point in getting the Silver Surfer on their side (or, at least, away from Galactus). The fact that he was able to work out Shalla Bal's language in a matter of days, even weeks, by himself is insane! And even when they come to a point of conflict, Johnny shows yet another side of himself. A kind, self-sacrificial hero who would do anything to save not just his family but the whole world.

Props to First Steps for making such a transformation work! 🥂 I'd say Reed Richards is in a similar, albeit smaller boat.

Recalling the early 2000s movie, Ioan Gruffudd's portrayal of Reed is very much the lanky, stereotypical nerd who just can't get the girl. In contrast, First Steps' depiction with Pedro Pascal gives off very neurodivergent/autistic vibes, where his directness and social ... ineptitude? is often misinterpreted. He frequently comes off as cold or uncaring when he isn't, which plays well into the more subtle themes of the movie... subtle themes being my next point.

Really, my biggest complaint about First Steps is its quick and shallow handling of its deeper, more emotional subplots. The Four each have a valid conflict to their name, except Ben "the Thing" Grimm, who pretty much just gets sidetracked altogether! If you've seen the 2000s movies (or read the comics, I hope), you'd know exactly what was missing for Ben! How his whole life flipped upside down after that fateful trip to space! But all he gets to himself is two, maybe three meaningful shots before his character arc gets steamrolled by the main plot. I refuse to call them "scenes", only one of those was even close to being long enough for that title...

As for Johnny, while I do love his arc, I can't help but feel disappointed. He gets so little resolution for all he did to turn the tables on the Silver Surfer, and! For being Sue's brother, there is shockingly little focus on him in the aftermath of Galactus' defeat. I understand focusing on Reed during that moment, but afterwards? Come on! Give Johnny the credit he deserves. Turns out he's not JUST bravado after all!

On a surface level, Sue's arc seems the most complete, yet so much is left to the imagination! Effectively, from what I gathered, her arc was one of personal sacrifice, tied intimately with Reed and Franklin. When the baby is born, as is the burden of motherhood, her world is no longer hers alone. Instinct kicks in, protective, defensive, but it also blurs the lines. The moment the Four first discuss handling Galactus (after they return from space), and every time after, Sue is vehemently against the idea of handing over Franklin. It's unthinkable! Of course it is. Reed knows that, too, yet Sue doesn't truly grasp that until she confronts the furious mob outside the Baxter Building. She makes a moving speech about family, and I think the moment that realization clicks for her is when Reed, Johnny and Ben join her outside. She meets Reed's eyes right as she says something about "something bigger than yourself", and everything seems to fall into place.

Mr. Fantastic's arc was a fascinating one to watch unfold, yet much like Sue's, it comes to a touching climax... and never gets touched ever again. I'm not great with words, so, disregarding my poor summation, I think Reed's arc was one of acceptance (and dismantling the toxic aspects of masculinity). Throughout the film, it's clear that <everyone> -- himself included -- piled the burden of responsibility on his shoulders. Reed is the man with the plan! The strategist! The leader! Reed knows everything! He'll know what to do! Then comes Sue, revealing that she's pregnant. Sure, he's run every test and scan in the books, but there's no guideline or precedent to help with this one. The Fantastic Four are living miracles, humans irradiated with cosmic energy the likes of which humanity had never before seen! And now he and Susan had gone and made a Fifth, something they didn't even think was possible. Then, enter the Silver Surfer, followed QUICKLY by the threat of Galactus. All things on a scale that Reed has little ability to handle. He might be the smartest man in his universe, but the scope of human knowledge only extends so far. When he finally breaks down and admits that he doesn't know what to do, THAT'S the final straw! It's terrifying! But guess what! Reed's scared too! They need to work TOGETHER to beat the threat facing their world, and it could have been executed so much more gracefully than it was. Instead, Reed finally admits what we've been thinking, then, like a light bulb suddenly turns on after his admission, another deus ex-machina occurs for the First Family and they manage to JUST defeat Galactus.

Simply put, if there had been a little more effort in the underlying themes of the movie, it could have gone over much better. Everything seemed to come so easily to the team, without much struggle or consequence, and while that just goes to show how well they work together, it makes for a more shallow experience. If only Reed had been allowed to show more of his inner turmoil; if Johnny had been recognized for his efforts; if Ben had gotten... yknow. Anything!

Anyway, that's all my big thoughts on the film.

Now I'm gonna gush about the little stuff.

Holy crap did I LOVE seeing Reed in action during the final bout against Galactus! He might not be as strong as Ben or as powerful as Sue or Johnny, but he's got his smarts and DAMN IT if he's not gonna use em!! The way he snatched up the light pole and aimed for the places where Galactus was wired up to his ship? Yes!!! Go for the life support!!! Hit him where it's gonna hurt!!!

Then Galactus gets a hold of him and good GOD did I get shivers remembering Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness. A lot of things turned me off of that movie, especially the stunts pulled for what seemed like just shock value... and the unannounced *body horror*... eughgghghh. The beholder in the beginning was bad enough, then Wanda's thorough thrashing of the Illuminati took the cake! Her methods of "eliminating" Black Bolt and Reed turned my stomach; creative, but holy hell!! I never thought I'd be asking for content warnings on a Marvel film!

Anyway. Yeah. Wow. Good stuff. I was worried how anyone was gonna stop G-man from killing Reed, but Johnny and Ben's reentry was great!

The rest was fine. I didn't see Susan's death coming. I thought maybe her powers would expand, but she'd be chronically ill from stressing her body or something.... but her resurrection by Franklin was obvious from like, a hundred miles away. They could have made it more apparent, though! I get the idea, let your newborn connect with mom one last time, but as the moment drew on, it just kinda looked awkward - until BOOM! Susan sits up, her eyes glowing with cosmic power! And... that's it. Small celebration, no awe or concern at the ramifications of that.

Also, on that same note: was anyone else SHOCKED when Sue just straight up told Johnny to KILL the Silver Surfer?? Hello?? What happened to heroes don't kill?? I think that moment is supposed to be rationalized by protective mom/ family instincts going into overdrive, but holy shit!

(Small side tangent: I hate criticizing birth scenes, but I feel like Sue going into labor should have been a LOT more chaotic. More screams of pain, sweat, nasty shit... also also, did Galactus like, trigger her labor at will?? The passage of time was relatively vague, but I didn't think she was THAT far along. I know they're a team, but surely if she was, none of them would want or allow her to join them on the trip to space? If Galactus DID trigger it, props to Marvel for a creative plot twist!)

So... after Sue was brought back to life... are we SURE that's really her? Or is it a copy of her, like, made from Franklin’s memories? Or some other fictional resurrection bullshit? Things to think about.

That first post-credits scene was interesting! Not as groundbreaking as I think Marvel wants it to be, but still interesting for a few reasons! There was at least 1 hint toward Victor von Doom that I can recall, but throughout the entirety of First Steps, he was never directly seen or brought up. That's super weird, considering, as far as I'm aware, Victor was WITH the Fantastic Four when they first traveled to space and encountered the radiation that gave them their powers! Cleverly, a majority of the exposition used to get the audience up to speed was scripted, just media and TV clips, so I'll fully admit this: Victor could have been edited out of their story for any number of unfathomable reasons...

Or. What if Earth 828 *doesn't have* a Dr. Doom? That would make the post-credits scene even more unsettling, and open up a thousand more questions that need answering!

One last thing.

I 👏 freaking 👏 love 👏 the 👏 aesthetic of 👏 First Steps! Gosh, we need more cinema, television, *whatever*, with the same level of creativity!! Makers of all kinds should not be afraid of embracing the world and designs of their projects! It makes for such immersive creations!

(P.S., gotta love Michael Giacchino doing the music for both The Incredibles AND The Fantastic Four! 👌Marvelous.)

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It's that time again folks! Miraculously, I have payday off, and you know what that means!

Mom and are hitting the theater again for The Fantastic Four: First Steps! Very curious, but I'm going in with about the same expectations as Superman... we'll see, though.

Local cinema has showings twice today. Probably doing the first, in 2hrs and 40. See y'all then!

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One more thing about Superman 2025...

What was with all the 3s in the first seconds of the movie? 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, I don't get it. I'm not expertly versed in Superman lore, still, I can't recall any important 3s. Braniac's emblem has 3 dots, but Braniac wasn't featured in the movie; DC has their "Big Three" in Supes, Batman and Wonder Woman, but two of them weren't anywhere to be found, either. Am I thinking too much about an arbitrary detail, or was it supposed to mean something?

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For those keeping up with my other reviews, yes! I do have more reviews coming, one for Captain America: Brave New World, one for How to Train Your Dragon (2025), and I also plan on finishing my review series on Daredevil: Born Again! I just got very distracted, and psyched myself out by expecting to write huge posts for each and every review... I think I've gotten over my writers block, though. Soon! Very soon.

Also, I've been catching up on other nerdery! My mom and I binged The Apothecary Diaries together, and we half finished The Falcon and the Winter Soldier show. We still need to finish that one.

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Thoughts on Superman (2025)

TL;DR? 6 out of 10. Overall, it was a decent experience, but I'm afraid the negatives overshadow the positives. Still, I'm ready to see what comes next!

How is James Gunn's Superman? It's ok! It's not amazing, but it's not terrible, either. You can VERY MUCH tell it's a James Gunn film, though! His signature style shows off with flying colors throughout his first big foray into the DCU, from music choices to camerawork and comedic bits. The world is realistic yet vibrant and full of life! Passionate supporting elements brighten the setting, however, the main points just don't hit like they should. Clark Kent and Superman feel steamrolled into one flat personality, while side characters demonstrate a far wider range of dynamism. Details about the world are presented as clear-cut and obvious, but there's hardly any exposition to explain... anything.

Basically, Superman 2025 has the vibe of a good sequel, but it did NOT earn that distinction. As a movie intended to kick off a new era in DC films, that's not a good thing. On a surface level, I'm very much entertained! The film is both pretty and flashy, but it needs more fleshing out.

All that being said, though, while there IS a lot more to be desired, I'm far more hopeful for the DCU in James Gunn's hands. I'll definitely be giving this cinematic universe a chance, but maybe not in theaters...

[!!!Spoilers below!!! Read on if you dare...]

The concepts, designs, and set-ups in Superman are all fantastic, but too many bit-parts and poor writing muck up what might have otherwise been a <solid> starting point.

As a whole, the writing wasn't actually that bad! I can't tell if it's the script or the acting that's the problem, because Lois, Jimmy Olson, Guy Gardner... every other part worked their role wonderfully, but somehow it's Superman himself that falls short. To me, both Supes and Clark Kent sound as though they're both just reading off of a paper rather than truly acting the part. There IS emotion in David Corenswet's voice, yet it lacks a certain something, and that really doesn't help when thematic, emotional moments come up. This problem is most clear when Superman gives his big speech to Lex Luthor near the end of the film. He makes a beautiful, impactful point, yet it feels as though he's parroting a teleprompter. Previously, when Superman and Lois are chatting after Lex leaked his parents' "full" message to the world, the sentiment of the scene gets lost behind the events in the background. A supposedly stirring dialogue is smothered by the blur of the world around them, because outside the apartment, the Justice Gang are fighting some inter-dimensional entity and...

I didn't know what to focus on! Pick a thing. Either let the sentiment of the chat between Lois and Clark take the stage, or let the dynamics of the Justice Gang steal the show. One or the other.

This leads me to another point: too much. A LOT of things went on throughout Superman 2025, and in large part, I think that's because they went with the "you already know this story" idea. We weren't retold the story of Superman's origins because <we already know> that story! Great! Yes! Respect the audience and our knowledge of the subject. Unfortunately, that extra time is packed with things that catch the eye and never get <any> amount of explanation whatsoever. I have more questions than I do answers! The answers don't need to be long or complicated, just like not all exposition has to be long-winded dialogue! Given the purpose of the movie, I expected <something>, not... nothing. Again, I assume there was so little explanation because "we already know", right?

That's all I've got for major criticisms, really. As for the smaller details...

I'm not a fan of Krypto. I don't dislike him, but I don't <like> him either. He just seems like another one of too many, primarily comedic bits. However, the Super Bots? Super Robots? The robot dudes from the Fortress of Solitude were okay! They're definitely an interesting original detail to bring to the table. I can't help but feel as though they're just being ripped off from The Fantastic Four movie coming out in 2 weeks, what with their retro style and purpose echoing H.E.R.B.I.E. a LOT.

Oh, and one of the COOLEST details about the Fortress of Solitude [in my opinion] HAD to be the solar focusing lenses! To be able to fine point and almost strengthen sunlight, what a genius idea for a guy who literally recharges via the sun! I'm curious if it "came with" the Fortress, or if it was added later...

Also, why can the Fortress of Solitude retreat into the ground and come back out? What even is that?

On a different note, I KNEW something was up with that Hammer of Boravia guy! When articles started flooding the internet about how Gunn's Superman is "weak", I knew it had to be clickbait garbage... everyone knows it takes a LOT to damage Superman that badly, so there are only so many possibilities. Magic? Maybe. Supergirl? Might be. Secret Kryptonite embedded in the armor somewhere? Likely.

I think the best play of the movie is when the Hammer of Boravia, AKA Ultraman, is revealed to be a clone of Supes. <That> is the kind of long-term cunning I know Lex Luthor to be capable of, and it explains how thoroughly it managed to thrash Superman AND open the Fortress of Solitude (if I'm remembering correctly, it has been a few days). Actually, after that reveal, I had hoped that might be a clue towards Super Boy, who, in Young Justice, was also a clone of the Man of Steel... then, Ultraman is obliterated in a black hole and my hopes went with him.

That moment made me kinda sad. Hawkgirl's thing about not being Superman, then proceeding to drop the president of Boravia to his death would have been a nice parallel to Clark simply defeating Ultraman (not killing him). I suppose Ultraman is one of those bad guys that you know just <won't> stop, EVER, but still, it's a nice thought.

Back to Hawkgirl. Since my days watching Justice League Unlimited with my mom and dad as a child, Hawkgirl has been in my top 5 favorite heroes of DC, if not the #1. The wings, the confidence and attitude, the backstory, (her romance/triangle with John Stewart and Vixen 👀), all of it just enthralls me! Of course, when she was revealed to be in Superman 2025, I got very excited, but also very nervous. I did NOT want them to do my girl dirty. I have to say, having seen the movie, they did her rather well considering her part in the film. I do have some questions and criticisms though.

Firstly, YESSS!!! The screeching!!! The way she shrieks as she dive-bombs to attack? She sounds like a freaking Night Fury!! I never thought of that detail before! However, I think it becomes a little too much, especially during the climactic final fight. Initially I thought the screeching was more a flavor thing, like an ambient sound, something her wings naturally did on their own or something... then there's that terrible closeup shot of her flying through the halls of the president's office, and I just cringed. Again, too much.

Second, are her wings real in this universe? Is this Shyera Hol or someone else? Everything seemed fine with her until the scene inside the Hall of Justice, where Lois confronts the Justice Gang. There, it looked like Hawkgirl didn't have her wings?? My assumption here is that maybe she has some tech or magic that hides them? Or maybe they're mechanical themselves, part of her harness that she just wasn't wearing...? I have no idea.

I'm very interested to see this version of Lex Luthor develop. While there's just something that doesn't sit quite right with me, I think I can give it a pass. This is the first we've seen of this world, of THIS Luthor. He, like all the characters, need time to grow and evolve. I'm very much used to a Lex that's quietly cunning and clever, a mastermind that takes calculated risks and is more than willing to use anyone in his way to get what he wants. He made a very risky decision during the climactic final act when he chose to overload the portal/boom tube thingy, but everything else felt really weird for Lex. As if he was too focused on the surface of his plans, rather than any true goal. His reliance on grunts surprised me, especially because I know he'd only ever rely on grunts for the most menial of labor, but again, I digress. He needs more time to grow, and it will be exciting to see him do so, given how well established he seems already!

Side tangent: what is WITH the amount of... um. Trashy looking ladies? Women with risqué taste? I don't want to say "hookers," but there were so many! I'm not judging, I just think it's a weird lil detail! Eve, the blonde woman who works with Lois at the Daily Planet, the whole street of women that Jimmy Olson walked past on his way to meet with Eve. It's not a lot, but it's weird that it happened... 6 times?

Oh. One last gripe.

I get it. He was likely playing up the truth of the matter to get the world on his side, but... how could even the world's leading experts on language both decipher AND confirm the contents of Superman's parents' message? It's in an essentially dead alien language that no one has ever seen (or heard) before! Regardless, I also understand that a majority of people probably would believe what Lex and his "experts" said, but Mr. Terrific too? It doesn't make any sense!

Gah. Again. I digress.

Although, I did just realize something. I assume Lex made up the last part of that message for his own benefit, and on that assumption, technically, no one actually knows what the last portion of that message says. Clark might believe the lie Lex came up with! And that's kinda worse... separately, though, I freaking love that the "message" they play for Clark at the very end of the movie isn't his biological parents... it's the Kents. That made me smile :)

Something about family don't end in blood...

(P.S. Recently, I saw an article that sums up my thoughts on Superman 2025 rather nicely, with just the title alone. "James Gunn's Superman launches a universe, not a character". It's totally accurate. The movie really should have been titled something else, but hey, they had to pick the name that would get the most fans into theaters, right?)

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Okie dokie y'all, mom and I are walking into Superman now! Tried to get dad, the resident DC dude, to join us but he declined...

Let's see how this goes!

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The fam and I are seriously thinking about going to see Superman (2025, James Gunn) tomorrow.

I really want DC to succeed in it's live action film endeavors just like Marvel, but they've missed every other stride they make! I wanna attribute that to a lack of a central plan or primary team of creatives behind the scenes, but I just don't know for sure. I'm hoping Gunn can restart DC for the better, but most of his portfolio has a very particular vibe to it, and not everything works with that style. Can it mesh with Superman? Can it vibe alongside the beloved Justice "Gang"? Well. We'll see...

Current Mood? Anxious, but hopeful 😬🙏

July 10th, 2025

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Something I forgot to mention about the Thunderbolts* ost: it perfectly fills in for any kind of ominous or menacing theme that the ambiance of other films have been lacking. I know lots of music that fits a variety of themes, yet it feels like nothing has really managed to capture forlorn uncertainty until Son Lux composed for Thunderbolts*. I'd always default to "cosmic ambience" or spooky, buddy video game songs that would always lean too far in one direction or another

Forest Memory, Maybe We'll All Get Out of Here Alive, It's Bucky!, Welcome to the Watchtower, send The Climb are all fantastic examples of Son Lux's emotional versatility (the entire album is gold, though 👌).

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I just started listening to the Thunderbolts* soundtrack last week, and ohmygosh, I still can't get over how GOOD that movie was! On so many levels!

It takes a special soundtrack to hit the way Son Lux's does. Few others have gotten me so obsessed, except for How to Train Your Dragon, maybe 1 or 2 besides that... the creation and blending of motifs, especially those that just hit so well, like Bob's theme, and the Thunderbolts team music (maybe just Bucky's, but it was definitely in the main trailer) having a tiny echo of the Avengers theme at the climax...

Never heard of Son Lux before, but I'm excited to hear more of their work!

[scratchpad-sagas]

I just realized something.

Alan Cumming is set to star in Avengers: Doomsday, ideally as Nightcrawler, although, who knows? His character could be a variant, or someone else entirely.

But, running with the most logical option, we'll get to see Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler. Which means a pre-Days of Future Past Nightcrawler. Which means the original X-Men team, not the "young" team with Sansa Stark and Michael Fassbender. No hate on the young X-Men! Just saying, the finer details of Doomsday (that we know of) are shaping up to be awesome, and so weird.

If there's any chance we get to see Wolverine, it's looking like it'll be a pre-Logan Wolverine! Or the variant from DP and W... either way, exciting stuff!!

I was going to say that a pre-Logan Wolverine was obvious because of the Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart casting, but those two are iconic. They've played Magneto/Charles across the timelines, so it really is up to the smaller details to point us in the right direction.

"Quicksilver" showing up in WandaVision might have also been an indicator of what exactly that direction is... but, again, Nightcrawler.

(P.S. can y'all imagine the insane comeback that would be for Wanda? I don't want to believe she's truly gone after Multiverse of Madness, so I have to hope she makes some sort of grand re-entrance in Doomsday... just in time for Magneto to see that there's a version of his daughter out there, somewhere, keeping up the family legacy of being the most powerful beings alive!)