5 Things I Want To See in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

Yes, I know.  It's been a LOOOOOOOOONG time since I have written an actual blog on Blogger.  I hopped on the podcast bandwagon and have been riding that engine ever since.  But I felt like a topic such as this one deserved my special touch.  So, I guess that means that from time to time you still may see me write an actual blog.  But don't hold your breath on it.

I am only a few hours away from watching a film most fanboys have wait years, if not their whole lives, to see.  Anyone who knows me, or heard me talk about Man of Steel, knows I had some major issues with it.  Though none of them had to do with their pick of Henry Cavill as Superman.  It's Zach Snyder's style I thought ruined the film, and ever since I heard he was not only continuing with Batman v Superman, but Justice League as well, I've been afraid of the entire DC Cinematic Universe expansion.  I loved the casting of Ben Affleck and Jeremy Irons as Batman and Alfred.  I hated the casting of Jesse Eisenberg and Gal Gadot as Lex Luthor and Wonder Woman.  I want to like this movie.  I'm trying my best to walk into it with hope and an open mind.  But even today, as I see bad headlines online, I am preparing for the worst.

While not a fan of the previous film it was not without merit.  Like I said, I liked Henry Cavill as Clark Kent, I liked Amy Adams and Laurence Fishburne as Lois Lane and Perry White.  And I loved the visual effects.  Seeing Superman and Zod fight, while very unnecessary, was cool to watch.  So in order to correct this ship that Man of Steel has launched I've thought of 5 things I'd like to see in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to get me on board with the DCCU moving forward.

1)  Superman must feel bad about killing Zod

I get that Superman kills every once and a while.  I've read enough comics to know he avoids it at all costs, but sometimes, it happens.  My main gripe with him snapping Zod's neck in MoS was tat it was the first Superman film of the reboot.  The audience didn't even get one film to establish his rule on not killing.  In Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy the first two entire films established that Batman went out of his way not to kill because it separates him from his enemies.  Is Snyder and writer David Goyer saying Superman has no quarrel with it?

I want Clark to draw the line in this film.  I want him to have thought about his actions and realized that Zod is the last life he'll ever take.  Jor-El sent Kal-El to Earth to "give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards".  Right now, Clark is down in the mud with the rest of us.  That isn't Superman.  Like Captain America, he is supposed to show us that the right thing to do is usually the hardest choice.

2)  Keep Doomsday's screen time minimal

When I saw that Lex was going to turn Zod's corpse into the villain known as Doomsday I was horrified.  And not by Doomsday's appearance.  It was that they took this iconic, powerful, villain and put him in the 2nd film of this cinematic universe.  Marvel has been teasing Thanos for 6 films!  In the comics, Doomsday took out the entire Justice League before killing Superman.  Now, it appears that a rookie Superman and Wonder Woman, along with Batman, can handle this force of nature.  Um.....no.  

However, if Doomsday shows up at the end of this film, and the Trinity realizes they can't take down this beast alone, so then they form the Justice League to help them.  I'd be on board with that.  If you're going to waste a good villain like Zod in the first Superman film, and then double tap that bad decision by turning him into Doomsday, at least make it worth our while. 

    

3)  Show me Darkseid

We've all seen the parademons and the Omega symbol in the Batman v Superman trailer.  So we can all guess that Darkseid will be the big bad guy in the Justice League film.  In the mid-credit scene for The Avengers we got our first glimpse of Thanos and had non-comic readers saying, "Isn't that Red Skull?"  I want a tease like that.  I've seen parademons; show me the big guy.  Show me the ultimate galactic villain that Warner Bros and DC thought it would be ok to have in the 5th film of their cinematic universe(Marvel is at 13 and still not fought Thanos).  I just wanna know what he looks like.  I figure the Justice League film will loosely be based on Geoff Johns New 52 storyline; Origin.  Or if you want to check out the animated film, Justice League: War to get an idea what the live-action film may be like, it's also based in Origin. 

4)  Lois supporting Clark

In several storylines we see that Lois is Superman's anchor to humanity.  I will also give some credit to Ma and Pa Kent.  Clark is a being who is so powerful he can take over the world; possibly the galaxy.  But his human emotions, like love, are what keep him humble.  Without them, he'd really think he was a god.  Governments and vigilantes are coming after Clark for the destruction of Metropolis.  He will feel ashamed.  He will feel like his mission is not worth it.  Lois has to be there to support him.  To know that world needs someone like him to give them hope.  And Lois needs to be there for him so that he doesn't have to be "Superman" all the time.  I love that Lois knows who Clark is right from that start.  So let's not waste it.

5)  Don't screw up Wonder Woman!!!!!

Ben Affleck has proven himself in recent years to be not only an accomplished actor, but a great film maker as well.  I have no worries that he will make a good Batman.  But giving the most iconic female superhero character in history to a model who is trying to start an acting career?  What were they thinking!!!!!  

Granted, I have been trying to hold off judgement on Gal Gadot until I see the film, but I have been VERY scared of this casting choice since the beginning.  The only thing I've seen Gadot in is the Fast & Furious films and I was not impressed at all.  Rumor has it WW isn't in the film enough to make or break it, but with her own solo film coming out next year I feel like the entire female superhero film sub-genre is on Gal Gadot's shoulders.  And those shoulders look like they can barely lift a lasso.

This 'Gone Girl' is Waaaay Gone

My wife is an intelligent woman.  And I'm not trying to score any points here.  We've been married for five years now, so I score points the normal way like getting her flowers, surprising her with gifts, and letting her pick out whatever curtains she wants for the bedroom.  That last thing is mainly just because I could not care less about curtains.  Going back to my first sentence.  After just seeing Gone Girl I am now TERRIFIED of my wife!

In the latest film by director David Fincher, Ben Affleck stars as Nick, a man whose wife disappears.  He's not happy in his marriage, and throughout the film we learn Nick made quite a few mistakes in his time as a husband.  But soon all the evidence points to Nick being the prime suspect in his wife's alleged murder.  I think that's about as much as I can tell you about the plot without giving away any spoilers.  And I didn't give away 'The Red Wedding' so I'm definitely not gonna ruin this for anyone.

Fincher has assembled a cast of epic proportion.  I believe a director's #1 job is to get the best performance out of his actors, and boy did he get it.  Affleck is becoming more popular as a director himself, but proves he's still a good actor in this film. The way I felt about Nick must have changed four times in the span of two hours.  Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris make cameos that aren't brief, but a little more forgettable than say Carrie Coon, who plays Affleck's sister.  She adds a wit to the film that can break the tension just by being real.  Let's be honest, we all have some insults about our in-laws loaded in the chamber.

  As great as Affleck is it's Rosemund Pike who steals the show.  I found her hot as a "Bond girl" all those years ago, but now I'm enchanted by her.  Granted, the possible Oscar nominated films have just started to roll out, but if she does not get a nomination I will be very surprised.  If I say anymore I'll have given too much away.  But after you see the film I'll tell you the four word sentence I kept repeating the whole drive home. And you'll agree with me.

This film has great story that was greatly executed.  From the beginning credits a tone was set that carried throughout.  I've been hearing how it's not a good date movie but somehow I feel it's terrific film to see with your spouse.  The tension breakers will make you look at each other and laugh.  It might even bring up a conversation you've been meaning to have.  Or, if you're a guy, you'll finally be inspired to open up that bar you've always talked about.

 RATING:  A-

DC's Potential Cinematic Disaster

A few weeks ago a rumor was leaked online as to the release dates of Warner Bros/DC Comics cinematic universe.  This is just speculation for now, though this was suppose be announced at next month's San Diego Comic Con.  In any event, this rumor has sent geeks everywhere in an uproar.  Every fan boy has their opinion about this news, and this fan boy is no different.

Marvel Studios has been kicking DC's ass in the movie making competition with each film getting better and better.  Meanwhile, DC has only mustered up Man of Steel after Green Lantern wasn't good enough to kick-start to their DC cinematic universe.  If this announcement is real then Warner Bros wants to pump out seven films in almost three years.  Marvel Studios has been putting out two films a year, adding to the Spider-Man and X-Men films Fox and Sony are putting out sporadically.  This whole schedule seems like Warner Bros is trying to overcompensate for them running behind in the race.  But not only is this rushed, but also, bad ideas!  Here's why:

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (May 2016)

Anyone who knows me knows I have serious issues with Man of Steel.  However, I do believe it does have some redeeming qualities that could carry over well to a sequel.  But of course we will never know, at least not for a while, because this is not the MoS sequel we thought we were getting.

When Ben Affleck was added as Batman we thought he would just make a decent cameo, but felt the focus was still going to be on the Last Son of Krypton.  Then Gal Gabot was cast as Wonder Woman, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, and Jason Momoa as Aquaman; allegedly.  This whole film started to sound like just a set-up for a Justice League movie.  Then the title came out.  Dawn of Justice confirms it is just a set-up for a Justice League movie and that it's officially not a MoS sequel.

This disturbs me.  Warner Bros couldn't go two films without their cash-cowing Dark Knight, and to me that says that they have no faith in any other DC property; no even Superman.  But the problem isn't the characters, it's who's behind the properties.  But I'll get to that.

Shazam (July 2016)

Out of all the rumored upcoming DC movies this is the one I have the most faith in.  Shazam is better known as Captain Marvel.  Little Billy Batson gains the powers of a god by saying "shazam" and becoming a superhero who rivals even Superman.  I think this film will work because it's a little boy who becomes a superhero.  What kid won't want to see this film?  However, Shazam can not be another sad and destructive Man of Steel.  For this film to work it has to be more Hook and less Passion of the Christ.  This is a story of a kid and it needs to target kids for it to work.  Any Disney executive knows if you make a kid movie then you get twice the ticket money because the parent has to take the kids to see the movie!

The ol' Zach Snyder style won't get it done on this one.  But with Warner's faith in the Goyer/Snyder duo I'm a little worried.  However, I'll hold off judgement until I see who they'll get to direct.  I'd just better not see Quentin Tarantino's name on the short list.

The Sandman (Christmas 2016)

The only thing known about this film so far is that Joseph-Gordon Levitt is set to star.  I'm not too familiar with this DC/Veritgo property except that I know it's the farthest thing from a Justice League tie-in.  It has to do with dreams, reality, and a lot of other trippy things that will be a nice break from the superheroes Warner Bros will be ramming down our throats for the next few years.

Justice League (May 2017)

It took Marvel Studios five films and four years to get to The Avengers.  Warner Bros is looking to get to Justice League with two films in four years.  This is a HUGE mistake!  No disrespect to Black Widow and Hawkeye but the Justice League has much better characters than just Batman and Superman.  You can't introduced Green Lantern, Flash, and Aquaman in a team film.  They all have complex and deep origin stories that deserve their own film first.  Granted, Hal Jordan has had his own film, but we all know Ryan Reynolds has about as much to do with Justice League as Eric Bana has to do with The Avengers.  Without knowing their origins this film will fall apart; especially since we know the film will just be about Batman and Superman. Well, just about Batman anyway.

Wonder Woman (July 2017)

I love Gal Gadot.  I loved her when she starred in....ummm.  Then she was great when she won an award for....ummmm.  Well, she had more than ten lines in....ummm.  The point I'm trying to make is that Gadot hasn't proven herself as an actress in ANYTHING.  The only thing I've seen her in is the Fast and Furious films and even then I was unimpressed.  Wonder Woman is one of the most iconic female characters in fiction history.  Her portrayal on screen has to be iconic.

Gal Gadot has not shown me, and many others, that she is worthy of carrying the Wonder Woman mantle.  We have yet to see her play Diana in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Given Warner Bros rumored schedule a Wonder Woman movie will be already in the production when audiences first see Gadot appear in Dawn of Justice.  If she is bad then the Wonder Woman movie could be put on ice and not see the light of day for many, many years.  Plus I feel that it could possibly ruin the entire DC cinematic universe.

Now don't get me wrong.  I really want Gadot to be good.  I am rooting for her to be good.  But I have yet to see anything that would show me she'll be good.  I hate to say this, but the future of movies based on DC Comics(except Batman) may hang in the balance with Gadot and Wonder Woman.

 Flash and Green Lantern team-up (Christmas 2017)

As much as I've griped about the other possible film this one has me the most worried.  Now, these two characters do go together.  They even had their own comic book; The Brave and the Bold. Hal Jordan and Barry Allen are good friends, so it would make sense that they'd have their own buddy-cop movie.  But we don't know that we're getting Hal Jordan and Barry Allen.  Warner Bros is trying to wipe away any stink of Green Lantern, which may include not having Hal Jordan as GL, but maybe the popular John Stewart instead.  Meanwhile, Barry Allen is already going to be the Flash in an upcoming television show on The CW.  Do you think they're really going to have one Barry on TV and one on the big screen?  They might as well go with Wally West as the Flash.

If course in changing who will be the new GL and Scarlet Speedster you've changed the relationship.  John and Wally have nothing to do with each other except that they're both Justice League members. No matter what characters they choose these two heroes are way to important to not get their own film; regardless of who is in the costume.   

Man of Steel 2 (May 2018)

So after all the other films, and five years after the original MoS came out, they're finally going to get to a sequel?  I can't decide if I'm disappointed or kind of OK with that.  Man of Steel was a let-down for me so I'm in no rush to see a sequel.  However I'm also of the mind set that Superman should have gotten his due sequel before Justice League.  Iron Man, the character who started the Marvel cinematic universe, got two films in before The Avengers.  Why can't Superman?  I actually like Henry Cavill and am interested in seeing more of his performance as Clark Kent.

With Zach Snyder directing Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice AND Justice League I wonder if he'll come back to do the Man of Steel sequel?  I hope not. Snyder's vision was main part of what was wrong with Man of Steel in my opinion and after several recent comments writer David Goyer made about a certain Martian I'm not sure I want him writing for the Man of Tomorrow either; or any DC property.  As a long-time Superman reader I was worried from Snyder right out of the gate, and i feel like I was right.  Superman is about hope, and Man of Steel had none.  And as of right now I don't see any for this DC cinematic universe.
But don't get the wrong idea.  They'll still get my $10 with every film and a little voice inside me saying, "please be good, please be good, please be good."  I'm just surprised that a Batman film isn't in this slate.  But I'm sure we'll find out next month in San Diego when Warner Bros confirms or denies this potential cinematic disaster.

The Man Without Fear is The Dark Knight?

So the decision has been made people.  The contest that has raged on for the last few months has finally ended, and a Hollywood star has come out on top.  Ben Affleck has been chosen to play Batman/Bruce Wayne in the next film adaptation of the character in Batman vs. Superman.  The film will be a sequel to this year’s Man of Steel and have actor Henry Cavill returning as the Last Son of Krypton.  Zach Snyder will also return to direct.  Social media has been a buzz and everyone has their opinion about this casting choice.  I’m more worried about the film itself.

A while ago I wrote a blog about the rollercoaster ride that is Ben Affleck’s career.  He started out winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay with his friend, Matt Damon.  Then we went on to do films that critics didn’t seem to enjoy like Reindeer Games, Pearl Harbor, and playing the Marvel character Daredevil.  Reindeer Games was mind-numbing entertainment and I liked Pearl Harbor, but anyone who criticizes Daredevil has only seen the theatrical cut.  Watch the director’s cut. I have it on blu-ray and totally redeems itself.  Affleck slowly rose from the ashes and ended up winning an Oscar again this year for directing the film Argo.  

That last part seems the most curious for me about Affleck’s agreement to play the Dark Knight.  He’s just now making name for himself as an accomplished director in Hollywood, so why would he play a superhero, possibly for the next few years?  That leads me to the second half of my worry.  I know Snyder and Warner Bros. were looking for an older, more seasoned Batman, similar to The Dark Knight Returns Batman, but didn’t they even think about the franchise?  When Marvel Studios signed Chris Evans to play Captain America he signed up for 3 Captain America films and 3 Avengers films, which will take up almost 10 years of his life.  I don’t think Affleck as made the same commitment, like Warner Bros. should have been looking for in an actor. They need an actor who will be Batman for the next decade, and play him in the upcoming Justice League movies Warner Bros. has planned. Of course I don’t believe Batman and Superman belong in a Justice League movie, at least not the first one.  But that’s a totally separate ramble for another time.

To me this announcement isn’t about Ben Affleck’s acting abilities.  I have always thought Affleck was a good actor and I think he’ll make a good Batman/Bruce Wayne, but about Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment not thinking long-term like their rival, Marvel Studios. Warner Bros. is trying to do what Marvel has done and make their own DC movie universe, but they’re f%cking it up!  They’re going for star power and thinking about each film, not how it will all flow together in the grander design.  They need an actor that is willing to make the signature of his career, and life, on being Batman.  That isn’t Affleck, at least not at this point in his career.  If DC and Warner Bros. was smart they’d take this older Batman idea and then turn it into a Batman Beyond movie; which they won’t.

Of course I had worries about this film long before yesterday’s announcement.  I’ve read quite a few Batman comics books in my day, but would never call myself a big fan of Batman.  Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big Superman fan, and if Man of Steel is the starting point for Batman vs. Superman then it’s in trouble from the starting block.  I did like Henry Cavill has the new Man of Tomorrow but I did not like Zach Snyder and David Goyer’s interpretation of the character. I  felt like they dragged Superman down in the dirt to satisfy a modern audience instead of making him the light in the darkness we should all aspire too be.

Affleck will now join the prestigious ranks of Ryan Reynolds and the late Michael Duncan Clarke who will have played both a DC and Marvel character on the big screen. So to kind of summarize this whole ramble, I think Ben Affleck will make a great Batman, but for the film and the future of the character on the big screen I don’t believe this is the right choice.  Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to have a Ben Affleck marathon.  I just can’t decide between Armageddon or Jersey Girl?   

The Trials of Ben Affleck

Last night, as I watched the 70th annual Golden Globes, a swell of pride came over me as Ben Affleck won not only Best Director, but also Best Motion Picture Drama for his film, Argo.  I've always liked Ben Affleck, even in his dark days when no one seemed to take him seriously and he couldn't make a good movie if Spielberg or Scorsese was directing it.  His perseverance has paid off though and now I feel he is on his way to transitioning from film star to a great film director, much like one of my favorite directors; Ron Howard.  It seemed like a very long road for Mr. Affleck to get to this point, with a lot of milestones, both good and bad.

I didn't know it at the time but I first saw Ben Affleck act when I was very young, a little film called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Written by entertainment god, Joss Whedon, Ben played "Basketball Player #10."  I went back and watched the film, and there his was; I'll be damned.  Next I saw Ben in School Ties alongside his best friend, Matt Damon.  Ben only had a small part in the film as Damon, Brendan Fraser, and Chris O'Donnell starred.  Damn, now I want to go watch that movie.  I wonder if it's on Netflix?

Anyway, next came the films by Ben's buddy, Kevin Smith.   If you know me than I've probably made you watch Mallrats because it's one of those films that "best describes me."  Affleck played one of the film's villains who liked to have sex with women in a very uncomfortable place; but not the back of a Volkswagen.  Mallrats did not have very much critical appeal, but when Smith put Affleck to star in his next film, Chasing Amy, the film created a buzz.  Affleck played a character who was in love with a lesbian; aren't we all.  It was low budget and very "indie" but was enough to get Ben noticed.  Finally Affleck's big break came.

With the help of Smith, Affleck got green lite a film for Miramax that he wrote with his buddy, Matt Damon.  Good Will Hunting earned Matt and Ben Oscar's for Best Original Screenplay in 1998 and from there both of their career's skyrocketed.  At the time he was dating Hollywood good girl, Gwyneth Paltrow, but soon started dating Jennifer Lopez, and what happened next was the 'Bennifer' nightmare!

Damon went on to have a great career starring in film franchises like the Jason Bourne trilogy, and the Ocean's Eleven trilogy.  Affleck went on to do blockbusters like Armageddon and Pearl Harbor.  On the set of Pearl Harbor is where I assume he met is future wife, Jennifer Garner, who only had a small part in the film.  The two would later go on to star in Daredevil together, based on the Marvel comic book character.  But at the time, the two were both seeing other people.

What followed was the "dark days" of Affleck's career, at least I'm hoping.  Armageddon and Pearl Harbor were box office hits, but critical failures, as well as was Daredevil.  But watch the director's cut of Daredevil, it takes the movie from a 5 to at least an 8 out of 10.  Ben kept starring in roles that didn't seem to click with audiences like 200 Cigarettes, Bounce, Forces of Nature, Reindeer Games, Boiler Room, Changing Lanes, and The Sum of All Fears, but Ben's relationship with JLO was all the rage.  He was getting more face time in the tabloids than on screen. The two were soon engaged and it seemed like 'Bennifer' would live forever.  The couple even starred in 2 films together.  Jersey Girl was directed by his friend Kevin Smith, which Lopez was hardly in.  The other, Gigli, was rated as one of the worst films of all-time!  I enjoyed Jersey Girl, and I guess I can blame JLO for Gigli. Thankfully, 'Bennifer' ended soon after!  But by then Affleck's career was in worse shape than Josh Hartnett at the end of Pearl Harbor.  Throughout this time Affleck continued to work with his friends Damon and Smith in films such as Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back; which to me made him still seem genuine that he still liked hanging out with his old friends.

The turn around for Ben, I felt, was Hollywoodland.  Affleck played the late George Reeves, star of TV's Adventures of Superman. Ben played Reeves with a such complexity that he made it a great mystery film to watch.  Of course Diane Lane was nice to look at too.  Anyone not seen Unfaithful?  This made it seem like Affleck was ready for more serious roles, and a more serious career.  Ben went on to play an un-employed family man in The Company Men; another good role for him in a good film.  From there Ben decided to give the big chair a shot; directing. 

His first feature film, Gone Baby Gone, starred his brother Casey Affleck.  By this time he was dating Jennifer Garner, if not already married to her I think.  I like them together.  Garner isn't a sexy sultress like JLO.  She looks and seems like the girl next door, who kicked quite a bit of ass on Alias.    Then came The Town, and then Argo, and now he's winning Golden Globes for directing, and Argo is nominated for Best Picture in the 2013 Academy Awards, but Affleck is not up for Best Director.  But that's a different blog about the Oscars and how Leonardo Dicaprio is always under-appreciated by those snooty pricks.

It's been a bumpy road for dear Mr. Affleck.  Although I feel some of his films like Daredevil(director's cut) and Jersey Girl were over-scrutinized he has had a few bad apple that spoiled his film making orchard.  But a new day has dawn for him; I hope.  He's got the hot wife, the great kids, and hopefully good buds who he'll continue to work with.  I don't know if this all seems like an E! True Hollywood Story or a stalker's rant, but I'm intrigued by the maturity of Ben Affleck's career and excited to see where it'll go from here!  Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go browse Netflix.