Semi-Heroic Reviews: Man of Steel

It seems odd to think of and look at Superman as a figure of controversy. But in our exceedingly social age little does escape controversy. And when the subject has been around for over 75 years, everyone has an opinion about how to tell their story right.

So when Superman returned...again, and the decision was made to not emulate iconic 30 year films, conflict follows.

Now, 5 years on, the "Internet consensus" would be happy to close the book on this film, and dismiss it. Man of Steel was bad. It's didn't work. It was made wrong. The movie got Superman completely wrong. End of story. Close the book.

And that seeming consensus has a strong hove to it. After Man of Steel's follow up, Batman vs Superman, came out, I found myself avoiding watching Man of Steel. I had enjoyed the film when I went to the theater. And when I rewatched it. And when I bought the DVD. The negative push that came after the release and over the intervening time had weeded it's way into my memory.

So let's keep that book open, and reexamine this film.

It wasn't until mid-2016, when I was rewatching Man of Steel that I was reminded how well this film worked for me. The re-imagining of Krypton. The lost and questing Clark Kent. Lois Lane sniffing out Superman before he even existed. Zod, and his unbending will, keeping Krypton's culture and ideology alive, no matter what it cost.

It was in many ways borrowing from the long history of Superman. And in other ways, it added new takes and ideas. A respect for lore, with a willingness to go beyond as needed. When it comes to beloved lore, it's exactly what is needed to help it live and grow.

Let's take flight then, and see the power of...

Man of Steel

The Horror Of...Halloween Night, Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem

Sitting down for some early morning nourishment. Have to head out on a trip. Perfect time for some Halloween Captain Crunch. I need to fill up on my...green.

Yeah, I know Scotty...

...but it's my cereal.

Anyway, with this I need something else curious. A more recent superhero take. A chance to ride with Batman...and his robowolf...

Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem.

The Horror Of...Halloween Night, Justice League Action - "Trick or Treat"

Another morning, another bowl of Count Chocula, and another chance to delve into superheroes and horror.

This time we can delve into a more recent DC series that would fit nicely into the old Saturday Morning format. Justice League Action.

And the shows has a Halloween episode!

"Trick or Treat"

The Horror Of...Halloween Night, Legion of Super Heroes - Fear Factory

You wake up on a weekend morning...or noonish, you need some Count Chocula and other vital nourishment, but then what do you watch to start up the day's Horror Marathon? You could go off the deep end with The Re-Animator or Hellraiser. But what about that ancient and forgotten ritual of the morning toons?

How about some superheroic fun and fright? And what fun it would be to find it in a future time, when you could rely on a legion of friends to back you up. It's time to take flight.

Legion of Super Heroes - "Fear Factory"

Semi-Heroic Reviews.

Time for adventure, time for larger than life heroics. Time for good to best evil. It's time for Semi-Heroic Reviews! ...It's the third name that popped in my head, and it amused me, so we're stuck with it.

"Holy Carpal Tunnel, Batman! Does that mean he'll review
us?"
"No. Just following our serial required 5 flow charts.
Reviewing us could kill a man."

It's time to head back to the thrilling adventures of yesterday year, or even this year.

Why? Because, like with The Horror Of posts, the point of talking about movies, TV, comics, etc, is to share things and talk about things I love and enjoy, not tear things down for fun. There's is so much out there that we can all enjoy, and some things that are under appreciated, or, even in the Internet Age Resurgence of Super Heroes, unknown to many.

So let's enjoy the bounty.

And to start us off, let's start a trek through the DC Comics Extended Cinematic Universe, and whatever acronym you use for it.

Yes, we will be heading back to 2013 with Man of Steel.

We'll move through the current slate of DC movies until we reach Wonder Woman, and then we'll have that review some time in the weeks to come, after I can see the film a few times and mull on it.

Wonder Woman Fun: Wonder Cookies!

As with all superhero movies these days, you can find a variety of companies and products to tie in. Toys are nice. Underwear and insurance are weird. But cookies...they may be the best.

Out for now in a store, hopefully, near you. Wonder Woman cookies. Wonder Cookies!

It's a fun box, that sets the stage for kids, or adults, to make some simple sugar cookies and have a Wonder Woman party...which is why I'll probably end up stocking up on some of these for when the movie is released for home viewing. (Though I suppose I could put some in a bag and sneak them into the film...)

From pre-prepped frozen rounds...

To warm cookie. (I found I need a full 15 minutes to get the cookies fully cooked and slightly brown on the edges and bottom.) The cookies are not big, they expand some from their initial look, but always remember, these are made for kids first.

After 15 minutes, you will find yourself with a tray, and some a plate, of yummy Wonder Cookies. (But remember, wait a minute or two before touching them after them come out of the oven. These cookies are fragile until they get a cool down minute.

So get out and try some, if it fits your tastes and dietary needs. Maybe even have them with a certain ice cream stores Wonder Woman themed ice cream?

And so are cookies.

And what else does this box promise?

Oh, I will be looking. I will.

The Flash Review Season 2

As we ready to see what comes in the 3rd season of The Flash, let's look back at Season 2.

It was a hectic season that started off with Barry Allen, Flash, dealing with the repercussions of the first season. The effort to stop the Reverse Flash from escaping to cause more harm resulted in the deaths of Eddie Thawne and the Reverse Flash. A large tear in space/time opened up over Central City, and the Flash and Firestorm went in to try and close it before reality was destroyed.

In the wake of closing it we learn that Firestorm died in the effort. Ronnie Raymond, half of Firestorm disappeared into the gash in reality, and he is gone. The other half, Dr. Stein, is left without the ability to access their powers.
 

The Flash struggled with guilt over this, pushing everyone away. He was given control of STAR Labs, so he could use it's resources. But he still lacked the support he needed to embrace.

Once he brought his team back together (with Cisco - taking the codename Vibe, Caitlin, Joe, and Iris) he was hit by a new threat. The rip in reality was still around, and 52 distinct holes existed around the city. And through those holes dangerous metahumans were coming. And they were all targeting the Flash.

Supergirl Season 1 Episode 1 - "Pilot" - Girl Super Power

This continues a look at the Supergirl pilot.

Now that we've had a chance to experience Supergirl's premiere, it's time to revel.

The show has a wonderful feel that is reminiscent of The Flash, but is unique for this character and her sensibilities.

I know when the first look came out for the show their were some that had a reflexive dislike. It wasn't drenched in machismo, which we are taught as kids to expect from superhero adventure. Instead there's energy, adrenaline, idealism, hope, optimism, youthful delight, danger, threats, and fun. It's weird to see the rebuffing it got, and that some gave this show.

Supergirl Pilot/Season 1 Episode 1 Review

It has been a heady time for DC Comics on TV. Arrow. Flash. iZombie. Gotham. Constantine...is gone, but it was good while it was here (And he will be returning on Arrow.) We had a short animated series for Vixen. Legends of Tomorrow is coming soon. And we still have a live action Teen Titans pilot coming soon. Plus we have Lucifer and Preacher shows upcoming.

But right now, we have a new comer to leading a DC series. Kara Zor-El. Supergirl!

The show is in a funny spot. It has sister shows with Arrow and Flash on the CW, while it's on CBS. And the costume reflects some of the look of the movie Superman that is part of the expanding DC Cinematic Universe. But, at least for now, the show is off on it's own. (We just need the Flash to start passing through the space/time portals around Central City and pop up in National City.

And seeing as the show is coming from the creative team behind Flash and Arrow, if the channels decide to please fans, I can't believe we don't see an eventual crossover. But Kara needs time to settle into her show and establish her own mythos.

But we know what we eventually want to see.

"Wanna race?"

The Flash Review Season 1 - Team Flash

With Season 2 of The Flash getting ready to start, let's look at where we find our heroes. The world changed at the start of Season 1, and at the end of the season it was near the end of it all.

Barry Allen has gained phenomenal powers, and is eager to make use of them. Through his experiences he gains a number of friends and allies. So let's look a little at his friends, then get back to Barry.

The Flash Review Season 1 - The Rogues

As the Season 1 turns to Season 2, and I've run behind on reviewing the season, let's take a breakdown of what's been happened.

Starting with the Rogues.

We've already seen Weather Wizard I, Multiplex and Simon Stagg, The Mist, and Captain Cold. Out of them, only Mist and Cold are actually still alive, one imprisoned and one on the run.

As the season progresses there are more Rogues to meet.


Plastique appears as a soldier who ends up merged with high explosives.It makes it difficult for her to touch thing, as it tends to lead to detonation.

It also gives an excuse to stick in a joke I had made for the episode review.

That was worth it, right?

Trailers In Short - Heroes Coming Back Edition, Part DC

Okay. Let's close out this look at our heroic tales with some DC Comics? We will stick with live action. Haven't even had a chance yet to watch Batman Versus Robin. But I do have some worries about taking this angle for doing the "Court of the Owls" storyline. ...We can get into that another time.


Still, it is fun to keep up on the DC series on now. Sadly, I am a little behind on viewing and reviewing. I do want to get caught up this week on Gotham and Flash, in some manner, so let's see where they are? (Also I'd like to do something for Constantine, to Remember/Hope For The Best For It.) And I want to get into iZombie, to get a sense of it. And Arrow's current season to.

I better hurry up in my homework, as we have additional shows making their way soon to TV, as we'll see.

Trailers In Short - Heroes Coming Back Edition

Back to the trailers!

And cue the triumphant hero music. For it is time to get back into the hero groove. And it's a time for that. The Empire of old needs some Rebellion. The Machines need to be Terminated. It's time for Max to get Mad again. And...Daredevil, Ant-Man, Fantastic Four, and the Rest.

Plus we should get into DC's Live Action Universe.


Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Suppose it's time to admit something horrible. I found the first teaser that was released for this movie to be a little meh. It was a series of shots that went by quickly with no sense of what anything meant. There were sights I knew, like updated Stormtroopers and X-Wings. And the Millennium Falcon did a quick pass. It was nice, particularly as the Williams music kicked in. But it was blur of "What?" I still didn't know what to expect.

And now we get this one. Let's be honest it is a rush of more images of things we don't really understand. But it's longer shots and more reveals of how this universe looks, is being filmed, and how the characters may actual connect to one another. And that makes me happy. I feel like I'm starting to figure out the movie.

Trailers In Short - The Tunes and Toons Edition

It's the time of year when we need some childlike fun, and some merry songs to tide us through blustery cold days.

Time for some fun from LEGO's take on the heroes of the DC Universe.Time for the five armies to meet. Time for Snoopy to...do whatever he does, And it's time for some song and dance with a musical witch. And, Galavant, again.


LEGO Justice League Vs Bizarro League

Ah. Another LEGO film. I have so far found the DC animated LEGO films to be quite fun. I like their take on the pantheon of heroes. The humor,animation, and characters feel like they all work together. (Honestly, the Marvel ones haven't worked as well for me. They just feel too goofy.)

But this time out we get a turn with Bizarro. And Bizarro has decided to create some friends. So that means, after so many, years, we get a look at Bizarro's take on the Justice League again.

I don't think I've seen any of them since the days of the Super Friends. I guess they've brought them back in some forms at times.

Though the logic of the Bizarro's is tricky. Do everything opposite. It's hard not to do without being very silly. They've turned more to be more tragic to me in recent years. Bizarro ends up being a strange confused unwanted outsider.

But that's why it's more fun to use the concept with LEGO, where everything can be tongue in cheek!

But I don't think we've had a Bizarro World for awhile. It's supposed to be a square duplication of Earth. Sometimes it seemed it had some variety of people. But often it was a lot of Superman duplicates (Hence why you often Bizarro with a "No. 1" medallion around his neck. He's the original and worst.)

But then you had the team.

Ah.

So we get a tale of them being created from LEGO, and how they end up helping the Justice League against Darkseid. We get to see the value of a Bizarro.

It sounds like fun.

And how can I now resist adding the DC Nation short with Bizarro?

The Flash - Episode 4 - Going Rogue - "How can something so cold be so hot?" *UPDATED*

We move on in this episode from less memorable foes to the main stage of Flash villainy. It's time for some Snart.

Halloween Fun With Gotham

The actors on Gotham have had some costume fun this Halloween.


Ben McKenzie, who plays James Gordon.

He went as Commissioner James Gordon.


Sean Pertwee, who plays Alfred Pennyworth. (And he's the son of Jon Pertwee, who played the 3rd Doctor.)

He dressed up as the 3rd Doctor, taking a selfie.


And some bonus fun...

Constantine - Episode 1 - Non Est Asylum - "To Edit a Pilot."

Finally we get to see the results of being John Constantine and Hellblazer to TV. I did touch a bit on what the show will be bringing from the comic, and adding, previously.

Based on what I've heard about the pilot, and know about the changes the show has gone through, it seems the episode is largely intact from the first finished product. But let's address this stuff as we look at this episode.

But, yes, the Dr. Fate reference is still intact. Yeah!

The episode opens with Constantine checked into Ravenscar Hospital. Constantine is locked up, by choice.

It's motto: Hey, we're not Arkham.

The Flash - Episode 3 - Things You Can't Outrun - "So what would he have become if they still hanged people?" *UPDATED*

Flash continues to pick up speed as Barry trumps a malicious multiplying monster, and now finds himself facing a dissipating danger which may be his end.

This week Barry faces a new type of trouble. An enemy that can become gas. In that form, he's poisonous as well.

With these abilities, he strikes out and kills a restaurant full of a mob family. Doesn't sound like the worst thing.

But killers are killers. So Barry and Joe need the science nerds of STAR Labs to figure out what they are dealing with. And they are excited to figure the new baddie out.

"You hang out with these people?" "I believe you left me with them for nine
months, comatose." "...Sorry."