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lonelywretchjervistetch · 2 years ago

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My DC Cinematic Universe: Superman (Part VI)

Chapter Six: Powerless Power

There are few villains better known than Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor. The archenemy of Superman, Luthor was meant to be the brains to oppose Superman's brawn. But this was never truly meant to be, as Superman himself kept changing to become more than just raw brawn. So, over time, Luthor also had to change. Because of this, we've seen a lot of version of Lex Luthor, From mad scientist and maniacal supervillain, to vindictive businessman with lofty ambitions. Luthor's been the leader of the Legion of Doom and Injustice League, as well as a member of the Justice League and a member of the "SuperFamily". His history is extremely complicated.

But even then, there are a few things that have always stayed the same with Luthor. His lack of hair, his incredible mind, his love of Kryptonite usage, and most important of all...his absolute hatred and jealousy of Superman. Sometimes this hatred is disguised in xenophobia, and sometimes it's a lot more personal, based on a shared past. Most of the time, though, it's raw jealousy of the Man of Steel and the power he wields. But, again, why? I mean, I'm jealous of Superman as well, but that doesn't mean I'm Lex Luthor, right?

Luthor has 82 years of comic book history to parse through, and that would take...a while. So for most of this post, I want to talk about how I see Lex, how others have seen Lex, and why Lex absolutely is not the main antagonist of this film. Surprising? We'll get there.

Lex Luthor: Mad Scientist

Lex Luthor was first introduced to the comics in Action Comics #23, in April of 1940. At the time, he was introduced as simply Luthor, and has a brilliant scientist and inventor with a hatred for Superman. He would steal devices from the government, hang out in flying cities and abandoned temples for his lairs, and would basically do anything he could to get money or take over the world. But every time, he kept getting stopped by fuggin' Superman. And at the time...y'know, whatever. Dude's an ass, but he doesn't hate Superman specifically. And, in early appearances, he has hair! But once World War II came, two things happened. One, his hair went away, forever. And two, with the birth of Silver Age, came Luthor's hatred for Superman.

Originally, fun fact, his hair was lost in an experiment that he blamed Superboy for, causing his permanent baldness and hatred for Superman. Which, yeah, is stupid, but this is the '50s and '60s at this point; comics were silly, and I'm here for that. During this time period, he became responsible for creating Bizarro as a clone of Superman, leading the Legion of Doom and Injustice Gang, stealing 40 cakes (which is as many as four tens, and is terrible), and entering an ill-advised team-up with alien computerized being Brainiac. That partnership would be revisited in the comics and adaptation many times over the years. And then...Crisis. Once Crisis on Infinite Earths happens, everything about Lex changes. While Lex kept the baldness, the insane intellect, and the hatred of Superman, he lost the mad scientist schtick, and gained a Fortune 500 company.

Lex Luthor: Businessman

Starting in the mid-80s, Lex Luthor is the leader of LexCorp, an is an evil executive with a FUCKTON of money. Based in part of Donald Trump and the Devil (NOT FUCKING KIDDING), this Luthor is a pure intellect, and used said intellect to be rich as FUCK. He clawed his way up from the dirt, from nothing, and became one of the richest men in the world, as well as one of the most prominent men in Metropolis. And this is at the root of his jealousy for Superman.

Put yourself in Lex's shoes here. You were raised in Suicide Slums, some of the worst parts of Metropolis. Parents were abusive, the environment was poor, and you were locked in a position that would've prevented you from moving out of your position. But you, with an insane amount of hard work and dedication, as well as some desperation and extremely high intelligence, claw your way from th very bottom and scale to the highest heights. You are as tall as a human being can be, inside of the tallest building in Metropolis which YOU BUILT with your hard-earned money...

AND THEN SOME STUPID IDIOT FROM ANOTHER FUCKING PLANET COMES HERE WITH POWERS THAT SHOULD BE RIGHTFULLY YOURS? The ever-loving FUCK did THIS asshole do to deserve that power? It should be MINE! LEX FUCKING LUTHOR IS THE REAL SUPERMAN!!!

That is how you would feel in Lex's position, and that's mostly how Lex feels. But that's sort of the obvious take; there's more to it than that. Because Superman is a hero. By all rights, he is a heroic figure, but also uses his powers responsibly. Lex, on the other hand, is not heroic. He's not good, he wouldn't do good things with that power. He would use that power to wrest control of the world, no matter the costs. And Lex is smart, he knows that. He knows exactly what he would do with that power. And maybe he'd try to justify his actions, but he definitely wouldn't do good things with it. And again, he knows that.

He KNOWS that. And he doesn't care. HE STILL WANTS IT.

Lex Luthor: The Man Who Has Everything

No matter how you slice it, Lex Luthor is an intellectual giant. The only thing that holds him back is his arrogance, and even that doesn't really hold him back. Luthor's hunger for power makes him one of the most dangerous men on the planet, and he uses xenophobia and hatred to project these desires onto Superman. Superman can't be bought, and Lex can't be Superman. But he;ll be damned if he doesn't try.

The real goal of Lex Luthor is this: to look down on everybody. Sounds satirical, but it really means that Lex doesn't want to acknowledge that anyone is above him in any way. And so, he's richer than the rest, and he's smarter than the rest. And if he CAN'T become for powerful than someone on his own, then that somebody's gotta go. To me (and for my version of Lex), Lex's hatred for Superman is partially jealousy, but mostly greed and ambition.

Lex Luthor is the man who has everything...and it isn't enough.

But if that's the case, why isn't Lex the villain of my movie? Easy answer: he's too smart for that shit. Yeah, maniacal laughter, ostentatious plots that lead to you as the perpetrator, a masterful crime with obvious fingerprints? Come on. Amateur hour. What does he look like, the Joker? No, no, no, Luthor is a behind-the-scenes villain. He'll fund villainy to get ahead in the world, but he won't be even a little obvious about it. Fact of the matter is, he should be Superman's worst enemy because Superman can't actually prove that Luthor is the villain. Clark Kent could be able to help uncover evidence, but it'd be extremely hard. Luthor should look squeaky clean to everybody, including Superman.

That doesn't mean, however, that Luthor won't be in the first film, or that he won't have something to do with the villains of the picture. In any case, he won't be the person who funds them directly. But indirectly? Absolutely. I will talk about those villains, I promise. But before I do that, I do want to go through some interpretations of Luthor. By now, you may have picked up on what I think makes the perfect Lex. In summary, those qualities are:

An unmatched intellect, above almost anybody else in this time, as well as the ability and propensity to invent scientific wonders

Money. So much goddamn money, and the power that comes from it.

Arrogance, and knowledge that only he can direct the world towards a proper path.

Hatred for anyone whom he perceives to be more powerful than him, in any way.

Power, and a hunger for more power.

And with that...

Lex Luthor: Adaptations

I'm not sure anybody's had as much fun as Gene Hackman had when playing Lex Luthor in the Reeves Superman films. And honestly, I have a lot of fun watching him. Taking a lot from the Golden Age version of the character, Luthor is a diabolical money-hungry supervillain with the arrogance to combat Superman's strength. He also uses Lex's favorite tool: Kryptonite. And he uses it pretty well, setting up a decent trap for Superman, while also being responsible for the temporary death of Lois Lane (in the first film). He also sides with General Zod and the Kryptonians, and creates the infamous Nuclear Man to take out Superman once and for all. Never works, but he always gives it the old college try.

More importantly, this Luthor is campy, but in a way that fits. Being arrogant, Lex shouldn't really care how he acts for people. However, I'd say that Lex has a public face, as well as a more diabolical private face and demeanor that people usually don't see. Like I said, Hackman has a really fun time with this role, and I really enjoy watching him. Not exactly my preferred version of the character, though.

Kevin Spacey takes over for Hackman in Superman Returns, and does a pretty OK job with it. Doesn't seem to take as much delight in being evil as Hackman did, but he definitely still enjoys himself. I honestly really enjoy this version of the character, and he takes the usage of Kryptonite to a much greater degree than any other version I've seen. He's in second place of the cinematic Luthors, that's for sure. And in dead fucking last...

Guuuuuuuuh, FUCK this version of Lex. Jesse Eisenberg's turn in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (STILL a dumb-ass name) is a very bad attempt to make a quirky, "millennial" version of Lex with a poorly-formed xenophobic motive to take out Superman. And the result is so bad, I blame it for helping destroy the DCU 5 years later. Eisenberg's Luthor, understand, is basically a take on the Gene Hackman Luthor...AGAIN. But in entirely the wrong universe and setting.

Is this Luthor threatening? No. He does threatening things, and he makes threats, but I'm never actually intimidated by him. Every time I see that stupid hair, all I can think of is "You want a Jolly Rancher?" or "Granny's peach tea." It's just silly. And maybe more importantly, he's not a smart man, he's just a homicidal maniac. Yeah, he manipulated both Superman and Batman into fighting each other; and yeah, he blows up a courtroom to frame Superman somehow; and yeah, he creates Doomsday (God, this is a shit movie), but none of these things logically should work. They rely only on the characters themselves being mind-numbingly stupid. And y'know, given that one of them is a DETECTIVE, I feel like that only worked because of bad writing. And, of course, it's obvious that it's Lex. That's why this is far more of a Hackman Luthor than anything else. Just doesn't work. Also, Eisenberg's acting is NOT good, for the record.

And yeah, I do like the Justice League after-credits scene with Luthor, hinting at the formation of the Injustice League. But that's a different story, and it's only a minute-long scene.

OK, before I get into my favorite Luthor, I wanted to highlight Jon Cryer in Supergirl and the Arrowverse shows. Because honestly, he plays a very interesting version of the character, and I would call him good! He plays off the xenophobic indignance and jealousy very well, and when he finally faces off against Superman in the crossover episodes, he's definitely effective. Cryer's Luthor really does seem like a megalomaniacal genius plotting against the Kryptonians at every waking moment of his life. I like it! And also, it's the first version I've ever seen with a beard, which is actually very interesting for some reason.

Where I struggle a bit with Cryer is that, while he's definitely a threat, he also looks like you could knock him over with a napkin. And it's true, I haven't seen all of his appearances, but he's definitely not physically threatening in any way. But you might be wondering why that's important. Well, let me point you to my favorite version of Lex Luthor. And this really shouldn't be a surprise.

Clancy Brown's decade-long take on the character in the DCAU is a marvel. Starting as a business man in Superman: The Animated Series, this Lex absolutely is a threat on first glance. Afraid of no one and superior to everyone, he goes toe-to-toe with Superman with no restraint, and constantly. Now, I mean that in terms of attitude, not physically, but he's also a powerhouse. See, Lex's arrogance, to me, should also extend to his appearance. If he really thinks he's better than everyone else, he should show it mentally and physically. In fact, in the comics, most versions of the character at least work out, with some versions doing a lot MORE than that.

But yes, this version of Lex begins as a well-built and threatening genius businessman. That all changes with Justice League. Despite mostly escaping the grasp of the law previously, this Luthor is allowed to dip into the true supervillain roots of the character, complete with Kryptonite-powered armor, supervillain organizations, and a life-threatening cancer caused by his constant exposure to a radioactive mineral! God, I love this version of Luthor so much.

And then, THEN, Justice League Unlimited comes along, and Lex is allowed to play BOTH roles. And this is where he hits his stride. Regaining his wealth and running for President throughout the series, he partners up with Brainiac in mind and body, then flees justice and joins the Legion of Doom. Eventually, he takes over and uses their resources to bring back Brainiac, only to kick off the events of the series finale. Lex Luthor in the DCAU is a versatile, plotting, intimidating bastard in the best possible ways, and I love him. There has not been a better version of this character.

...Oh, shit.

Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor...Jesus Christ, how do I even start this? Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor is an insanely complicated character, who we as an audience watch skillfully descend into abject evil over the course of several seasons. He goes from being Clark's best friend to his bitterest enemy, taking his loved ones away from him, and plotting against him in every possible way. He goes from being a victim of his father's manipulations and machinations, to...well, spoilers for how that story ends, but it's bad. Lex Luthor makes you believe he can be good...even though you know that he'll become one of the biggest villains the world has ever seen.

I'm sure that if you looked, you'd see a fuckton of essays written about this version of Luthor on here, because it genuinely is very good. The only thing holding it back, I think, is the realistic nature of the CW shows. This Luthor is definitely more of a businessman, whose genius lies in his acumen and strategy more than the sciences. In fact, this version of Luthor is not a scientist, hiring others to do those jobs for him and punishing them when they fail. He's a brutal mastermind, but a somewhat incomplete version of the character. He's also not quite allowed the came pomp and circumstance that other versions are allowed, never really becoming a supervillain. And I think that's something Lex should be allowed to do. Still, this is an excellent version of the character, and one of the few that you'll actually find yourself caring about.

And with all of that said...what is my version of Luthor? Yeah, let's get to that before I start talking about the other good versions of the character, like this one.

My Lex Luthor

When the film starts, it's apparent that Luthor is a force in Metropolis, as he should be. His central facility, LexCorp, looms over the skyline from the distance, and you should never truly escape its shadow. LexCorp should be all over the city, but this should still be a pretty peaceful city. That's because Lex's influence shouldn't be felt near any form of criminality. In fact, Lex himself won't even be seen in this film until close to the very end. Superman will never think of him as a villain, or see his seedy connections. There are maybe some investigations focusing on Luthor, but nobody's really onto him. Part of that is because he's subtle, and part of it is because he sends a representative, Mercy Graves, to investigate and control any dialogue against him. To pursue legal action, of course. Of course.

Anyway, Luthor is always around the periphery in the first movie. But by the time we get to the theoretical third movie, he'll be going toe-to-toe with Superman, in person. That's right, I'm proposing a trilogy, and Luthor is the central villain throughout and at the end. See, while he's in his ivory tower, he is indeed hating Superman, and the power that he holds over him. And Luthor has only one thing to say in regards to those with power: surpass them or remove them. But first, he has to observe the limits to this power, as well as any weaknesses that there may be. And his strategy begins with stress-testing this "Superman", and making him a little more necessary than he was previously.

Through multiple connections, and without a paper trail, he steals the unpublished blueprints for a powerful prototype weapon from an unknown engineer (John Henry Irons) working for a subsidiary of a subsidiary of a subsidiary (Amertek), and manages to get these designs smuggled to a local gang leader (White Rabbit, AKA Angora Lapin) in the less-policed areas of Metropolis. The result of this act is perhaps the first fight we see in this theoretical movie, as Superman stops a conflict between this gang and another. And yes, I just threw in some Steel Easter eggs in there, but that';'s a story for a different occasion, obviously.

However, this even has a surprising consequence. See, these weapons almost have enough firepower to hurt even Superman, but the ordinance isn't quite enough to really hurt him. Still, the potential for these weapons is noticed by the true villains of the movie: Intergang. And promise I'll get more into Intergang in the next chapter, but for now, let's get back to why this matters to Lex. See, Intergang's also got some connections. And those connections are able to supply them with upgrades and new weapons, as well as one MAJOR new weapon. Again, more on that later. But the major thing these guys bring into this universe is Kryptonite. Had to come from somewhere.

And that, of course, gets the attention of one Lex Luthor.

When Intergang's head soldier goes head-to-head with Superman, he seriously hurts him. However, the damage he takes in the fight will require some upgrades, which will be supplied by Intergang's benefactors. After the final fight, Luthor will have observed the effects of Kryptonite on Superman, and will probably have some ideas of what to do with it. In some of the last scenes of the film, we'll see the recovered sample of Kryptonite secretly make its way into Luthor's hands, marking his first actual appearance in the film.

So, while Luthor does indeed have a connection to the villains, his main goal doesn't crystallize (pun intended) until these final moments. We learn about Lex and get a hint into his plans. And what are his plans? Simple: use Kryptonite to find new ways to take out Superman. Oh...and to make some friends along the way. And he takes that Kryptonite to Infinity Labs, a subsidiary of LexCorp and a direct competitor to S.T.A.R. Labs. There, they'll experiment with the Kryptonite. In the process, they'll find that its unique radioactive and chemical signature can be used to harm Superman...and for other purposes. In fact, Lex Luthor will use this to make his own group of superhumans, whom he'll call Infinity, Inc. But we'll get to this version of the Superman Revenge Squad in the next movie (and in a couple of chapters).

But for now, for this movie, Lex is a behind-the-scenes villain. When the second movie starts, Lex will be put front-and-center, as will his opinions of Superman. I'll admit that putting Lex in the second movie was a smart move on Snyder's part, even though the rest of the movie is a fucking garbage fire. But I digress. Next time, we'll FINALLY look at the villains of this film, which includes the dangerous Intergang, and their own private soldier: Metallo.

And they're gonna FUCK up Superman.

Index: Superman

Part I: Why I Love Superman

Part II: On Lois Lane

Part III: The Kents

Part IV: The 'Rents

Part V: The...Frendts?

Part VI: Lex Luthor

Part VII: The Real Villains

Part VIII: Superman's Rogues Gallery

Part IX: The Story - Act One

Part X: The Story (Acts Two and Three)

Part XI: The Story - Climax

Part XII: Epilogue (Part One)

Part XIII: Epilogue (Part Two)

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whisperhillforo · 11 months ago

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#whisper hill #gráficos #Leena D. Kumar #Brendan D. Kelly #M. Alexander Kent #Freya L. Gunn

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romancomicsblog · 1 year ago

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Who should play Batman in the DCU?

This is a question that I think no one really wants to answer.

After the success of Matt Reeves The Batman, Michael Keatons return to the role, Kevin Conroy's Death, and Ben Affleck leaving it, I think it is safe to say people have had enough Batman, and enough good takes of the character.

Even so, Andy Muschetti is currently set to direct The DCU's Brave and the Bold, which will show a new Batman, now older and with his son, Damian Wayne.

Recently a popular fancast surfaced of John Krasinski for the role, to some fans love and some fans dismay.

Personally, I don't think he was suited for Reed or for Bruce. I can see him more as a Green Lantern. But this did get my wheels turning, hopefully to do better. And I got some picks. But first, we need to answer a few questions.

What live action versions are we pulling from?

We want to pull key elements from different versions, but there are so many iterations Jesus.

I am not going to go into all of them, I'll stick with 3. But know that I am a fan of most iterations of The Batman.

Ben Affleck

Love him or hate him, Ben Affleck's Batman was memorable. Personally he has a lot of things I want to incorporate into our DCU Batman. For one, he is our older Batman. Our actor should be similar aged to Ben.

He is also a complete unit. After being Batman for so long, he has had to make himself more of a unit in order to properly take out foes.

This is also the best voice, suit, and fighting style I've seen for a live action Batman. The voice modulator works wonders.

I think Ben had a presence that made it clear he was a leader of the team, if not Thee leader. I want our Bruce to feel the same.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson is a little weirdo. And I mean that in the best way.

This was the first time I think it was properly shown how uncomfortable it might be to be around such a presence as Batman. He is fear personified, and working with someone like that can and should be awkward.

Pattinson also took being Batman way too seriously, our Bruce should do the same. Batman's a religion to Bruce.

We need someone who can be a middle ground between these two as Batman.

Christian Bale

While those two perfected Batman, no one has done Bruce Wayne better than Bale.

Bale by far did the act of Bruce Wayne most convincingly. It is one of my favorite aspects of his films. We need someone who can pull off charming douchebag when needed, but slip back into dark loner.

Bale was also funny in a way Batman hasn't been in awhile. We need someone when comfortable be able to joke with Clark.

You can see why casting a Batman can be extremely difficult. Balancing all these characteristics are crucial to making it work.

What ethnicity is Bruce Wayne?

All iterations of Batman have been white.

Now, is there value in making him another ethnicity? Maybe. Making him a person of color could be part of why he doesn't trust the police and takes matters into his own hands. Perhaps maybe his parents being new money is why they are killed. Who is to say?

For now, I will say Batman can be any ethnicity.

Other Stipulations

The DCU Batman is confirmed to have a son, Damian Wayne. Assuming he has already raised Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and Jason Todd is already dead, this Batman has to be in their 50s. We're looking for an older actor.

George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson and Ben Affleck have all taken up the role, meaning we need a name. Someone who immediately you know, whether you like it or not. But we also need someone surprising.

We need someone who we can see doing this for awhile. At least 5-8 years. The DCU is just starting, so someone with longevity is a must.

He should probably be tall.

Finally, as always, someone not known for past superhero roles. Let's begin.

3. Jamie Dornan

Jamie Dornan may be the safest and most controversial choice for The Batman.

Like Pattinson before him, Dornan is known for playing the love interest in some pretty bad movies, but since has made a career for himself full of wins. Projects like Belfast, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar and the Tourist proves Dornan has the acting chops for it.

He is a little younger than we would like, but he can play older, and looks a lot like a classic Bruce Wayne.

I have two main concerns for Dornan. One, would he be better off as a villain? In the DCU, he may make a fantastic Gotham City villain like Harvey Dent. But in the MCU, does he have the making of a fantastic Doctor Doom? I think so.

Finally, the character he plays in Fifty Shades of Grey is BASED on Edward Cullen, who was played by Robert Pattinson, our current Batman. The comparisons will be built in from the beginning, and we something fresh.

I think Dornan can kill it, but there's too much against him for him to be my main pick.

2. Bradley Cooper

Now I know what you're thinking, he's Rocket Raccoon!

Yes he is, but the Guardians movies are now finished. And unlike his teammates, Cooper doesn't really show his face when playing the character. In a way, he is oddly detached from Marvel.

He has also worked with James Gunn before, is currently producing Joker: Folie a Deux, and has an incredible career to back up him as a pick.

From American Sniper to Nightmare Alley to A Star is Born, Cooper consistently delivers. He can do suave, he can do loner, he can do troubled, and he can do comedy. I think he could be a spiritual successor to someone like Ben Affleck, and lead the Justice League in a way that feels natural.

He'd also be useful behind the camera, as he was the director of A Star is Born.

My biggest concern with Cooper is whether he would want to do it. One of the benefits of playing a raccoon is you get to work from a booth for maybe a few hours and you're done. This would be a commitment.

There also comes the question of whether Cooper is bigger than the role. We want people to be lost in the story, so finding an actor who convincingly be Batman is crucial. Cooper might be just a little too big for this.

Of my three, I think Cooper is the most likely to land the role, and that may be for the best.

1. Alexander Skarsgård

If we're looking for a surprising pick, with range, physicality, a name that is big but not bigger than the role, I give you: Alexander Skarsgård.

Known for roles in The Stand, Succession, The Northman and Infinity Pool, Skarsgård is one of those actors who is often forgotten but people are excited to see when he pops up.

He is a dramatic actor who can do funny, scary, and anything in between. He's played fantasy characters in The Stand, a billionaire asshole in Succession, and a warrior in The Northman, all praised. He has all the making of a great Batman.

He is classically handsome, and at 6'3, 46 years old, he is just in the age range we're looking for, and towers over most heroes.

He doesn't feel like any other Batman before him either, which will help us stay away from those comparison conversations.

I don't think there really is a perfect answer as to who should be the next Batman. But of all my options, Skarsgård makes the most sense. I could see him and David Corenswet leading the league for years to come.

Thank you for reading! If you'd like to support me, you can find my socials here!

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badmovieihave · 1 year ago

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Bad movie I have Tv Classics It Has 14 TV episodes 7 Dragnet 1951 -1959 , 1 Burke's Law 1963-1966, 2 Peter Gunn 1958-1961, 2 Richard Diamond 1957-1960, 1 Mr.Wong, Detective 1938, and 1 Bulldog Drummond 1929

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bonniehooper · 2 years ago

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Top Picks of 2022

My Top 20 Favorite Movies - #20: Thor: Love and Thunder

Running Time: 119 minutes

Released: July 8th, 2022

Watched It: ^

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camyfilms · 1 year ago

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LOVE AND THUNDER 2022

It feels more like a promise than a curse. So, this is my vow: all gods will die.

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camo-wolf · 2 years ago

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#dc comics #comic books #dc #comics #james gunn #superman legacy #lex luthor #alexander luthor #Alexander Joseph luthor #dccu

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gameofthunder66 · 2 years ago

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-watched 2/21/2023- 3 stars- on Disney+

Silly Story! Good Ending!

As some already know, never skip watching any of the credits in Marvel Movies because you will miss seeing good parts leading up their next movies.

n Movies watched in 2022: Thor Love and Thunder

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dweemeister · 3 months ago

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Whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I.

Born to a turbulent family on a Mississippi farm, James Earl Jones passed away today. He was ninety-three years old. Abandoned by his parents as a child and raised by a racist grandmother (although he later reconciled with his actor father and performed alongside him as an adult), the trauma of his childhood developed into a stutter that followed him through his primary school years – sometimes, his stutter was so debilitating, he could not speak at all. In high school, Jones found in an English teacher someone who found in him a talent for written expression, and encouraged him to write and recite poetry in class. He overcame his stutter by graduation, although the effects of it carried over for the remainder of his life.

Jones' most accomplished roles may have been on the Broadway stage, where he won three Tonys (twice winning Best Actor in a Play for originating the lead roles in 1969's The Great White Hope by Howard Sackler and 1987's Fences by August Wilson) and was considered one of the best Shakespearean actors of his time.

But his contributions to cinema left an impact on audiences, too. Jones received an Honorary Academy Award alongside makeup artist Dick Smith (1972's The Godfather, 1984's Amadeus) in 2011. From the end of Hollywood's Golden Age to the dawn of the summer Hollywood blockbuster in the 1970s to the present, Jones' presence – and his basso profundo voice – could scarcely be ignored. Though he could not sing like Paul Robeson nor had the looks of Sidney Poitier, his presence and command put him in league of both of his acting predecessors.

Ten of the films James Earl Jones appeared in, whether in-person or voice acting, follow (left-right, descending):

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) – directed by Stanley Kubrick; also starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, and Slim Pickens

The Great White Hope (1970) – directed by Martin Ritt; also starring Jane Alexander, Chester Morris, Hal Holbrook Beah Richards, and Moses Gunn

Star Wars saga (1977-2019; A New Hope pictured) – multiple directors, as the voice of Darth Vader, also starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, and Frank Oz

Claudine (1974) – directed by John Berry; also starring Diahann Carroll, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Tamu Blackwell

Conan the Barbarian (1982) – directed by John Milius; also starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sandahl Bergman, Ben Davidson, Cassandra Gaviola, Gerry Lopez, Mako, Valerie Quennessen, William Smith, and Max von Sydow

Coming to America series (1988 and 2021; original pictured) – multiple directors; also starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, John Amos, Madge Sinclair, Shari Headley, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, and KiKi Layne

The Hunt for Red October (1990) – directed by John McTiernan; also starring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, and Sam Neill

The Sandlot (1993) – directed by David Mickey Evans; also staring Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Chauncey Leopardi, Marty York, Brandon Adams, Grant Gelt, Shane Obedzinski, Victor DiMattia, Denis Leary, and Karen Allen

The Lion King (1994) – directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, as the voice of Mufasa; also starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly, Niketa Calame, Ernie Sabella, Nathan Lane, and Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Jim Cummings, and Madge Sinclair

Field of Dreams (1989) – directed by Phil Alden Robinson; also starring Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster

#James Earl Jones #Dr. Strangelove #The Great White Hope #Star Wars #A New Hope #Claudine #Conan the Barbarian #Coming to America #The Hunt for Red October #The Sandlot #The Lion King #Field of Dreams #The Empire Strikes Back #Coming 2 America #Return of the Jedi #Darth Vader #Mufasa #Oscars #in memoriam

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broadwaydivastournament · 8 months ago

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The Finale: Sondheim! The Birthday Concert

At long last, someone has uploaded the full Stephen Sondheim 80th Birthday Concert in 1080p so that we can worship properly. You too can watch it at the link above.

Sondheim celebrated his 80th birthday at Lincoln Center with a truly jaw-dropping cast of Broadway legends on March 15 and 16 in 2010. Though he would go on to celebrate many more birthdays, no other event would ever be more sublime than this.

Directed by Lonny Price, conducted by Paul Gemingnani, and hosted by David Hyde Pierce, the event featured Karen Olivo, Alexander Gemignani, Jason Danieley, Victoria Clark, Nathan Gunn, John McMartin, Chip Zien, Joanna Gleason, Jim Walton, Mandy Patinkin, George Hearn, Michael Cerveris, Laura Benanti, all accompanied by the New York Philharmonic.

And as a grand finale, the Ladies in Red: Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Stritch, Donna Murphy, and Marin Mazzie, all Sondheim leading ladies who gave one iconic performance after another.

Victoria Clark ("Don't Laugh") Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley ("We're Gonna Be All Right") Joanna Gleason & Chip Zien ("It Takes Two") Bernadette Peters & Mandy Patinkin ("Move On") Patti LuPone, George Hearn, Michael Cerveris ("A Little Priest") Patti LuPone ("The Ladies Who Lunch") Marin Mazzie ("Losing My Mind") Audra McDonald ("The Glamorous Life") Donna Murphy ("Could I Leave You?") Bernadette Peters ("Not a Day Goes By") Bonus: Elaine Stritch ("I'm Still Here")

#broadway #musical theatre #sondheim #donna murphy #marin mazzie #bernadette peters #patti lupone #audra mcdonald #joanna gleason #victoria clark

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the-blue-fairie · 5 months ago

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(Some of) The Greatest Performances I Have Ever Seen

Since @thealmightyemprex tagged me in that "share a piece of acting that blew you away" post and it got me thinking about the best performances I have ever seen. I've now compiled this list and I wanted to share it. @ariel-seagull-wings @themousefromfantasyland @piterelizabethdevries @courtneysmovieblog @vulpinesaint

Linda Manz in Out of the Blue

An open wound of a performance that, even after a second viewing, is difficult to discuss because it is so raw in its portrayal of the effects of trauma and its devastating, empathetic hopelessness.

Isabelle Adjani in Possession

Adjani is hypnotic here. You will not be able to rip your eyes away. Every moment she is onscreen, she locks you in place and you cannot help but watch in awe.

Sheryl Lee in Fire Walk with Me

If Roger Ebert were still alive, I would hunt him down for his dismissal of this film. If the original series is all about the audience realizing that Leland is actually BOB, this film is all about Laura realizing that BOB has always been Leland. Sheryl Lee is phenomenal.

Rebecca Smart in Celia

Possibly the greatest performance from a child actor I have ever seen, and emotionally devastating. One of the few films to truly understand childhood and the trauma of existing as a child in a world that treats you as less than.

If any film gets childhood, this one does. Please, please see this film.

Emily Watson in Breaking the Waves

Lars von Trier can go fuck himself, but I still connect deeply to Watson's performance here. Nakedly vulnerable, sensitive, and heartbreaking. And a better Passion of the Christ than Mel Gibson's fucking Passion of the Christ movie.

Maria Falconetti in The Passion of Joan of Arc

Speaking of better Passion narratives in film, Falconetti's face is etched into my soul, detailed in extreme close-up that captures every glint of tears in her eyes.

Ewa Froling in Fanny and Alexander

Emilie screaming in the night over Oskar's bier has haunted me for years, and yet it is only one moment in this richly multifaceted performance. Her composure and presentment over Christmas. The confusion, shock, and horror when Oskar first collapses. The intensity of sober grief as he is dying, followed by those screams that hollow out your soul. The relatability of looking for something stable after deep grief and thinking you've found it, only to realize you have been manipulated and fighting back. The cold, ruthless defiance of a woman breaking free of abuse. The... all of it.

Emilie is done dirty in the theatrical cut. If you can see the Television Version, I implore you to watch it.

Gunn Wållgren in Fanny and Alexander

Liza, you may say, are you just going to list off every performance in Fanny and Alexander? I may not go that far, but the next few on this list will all be performances from that film. It is my favorite, after all, and I reserve the right to gush about it.

I love Ingrid Bergman, but I'm glad that Wållgren got the role. She brings an aching warmth to the role of a matriarch passing from mask to mask as she holds her family together.

Bertil Guve in Fanny and Alexander

Alexander will be haunted by phantoms long after he has grown. Another incredible performance from a child actor that I have connected with for many years now.

Jan Malmsjö in Fanny and Alexander

I love Max Von Sydow (the role of the bishop was originally written with him in mind) but he could not do what Malmsjö does here. There's an almost genial charm to him that Sydow could pull off, I guess, but it would be different... less disarming, less chilling. The kindness that does not extend to his eyes, that betrays the affectation of kindness as just that - affectation. The way his hand, extended to caress Fanny's cheek, curls into a fist when she turns from him. With just a hand gesture, without a glance at his face, we know so much.

Irene Papas in Iphigenia

Greatest final shot of all time. I'm pretty sure Agamemnon knows he's a dead man in this retelling even as he's setting foot on the ship.

Laura Dern in Inland Empire

I Do Not Know what I witnessed but I Do Know I would watch Laura Dern acting in this for another three hours, and that is a testament to an arresting performance.

#cinema #film

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