Supergirl (2026)

Being such a fan of Supergirl, you might have been wondering when I will be watching the new live action movie? Well, the answer was today! I got up early, drove through Durham traffic to make a 9:45am showing so I could avoid crowds and be able to watch the movie without my mask. Unfortunately, I think the reports from Hollywood are accurate. Supergirl, at least financially, is a box office bomb. I think maybe 2 other people were in the theater with me. Even worse, there were dozens of Supergirl popcorn buckets and Lobo variants still sitting on store shelves. Only the Masters of the Universe franchise still had more collectible buckets still for sale!

On film, I thought the film was fantastic! It was loads better than the 1984 stinker, although I still think Helen Slater was a great Supergirl. I tried to stay away from the reviews of others. But with social media, occasional opinions slipped through. One of the biggest complaints was that the film, which takes place in outer space, was too much like Guardians of the Galaxy. But I for one liked the lived in feel on James Gunn's DC Universe. Anytime you see Apokolips or Mongol's Warworld, it is the opposite of sterile Krypton. In Agro City, I think you could eat off the floor of any city street whereas in the places Kara Zor-El visits, you risk getting hepatitis A-Z just by looking at the locations.

The 2026 film is based on Tom King's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow maxi-series from 2021-22. I have that entire run but have held off from reading it because King has this annoying habit of killing our beloved characters from my childhood. But happy with the results that complete the film, I think that I might be ready to read the comic book. The story sees Kara and her dog Krypto on a planet orbiting a red sun. It's the only way she can get plastered as she attempts to escape the trauma of her parents dying from radiation poisoning and being sent to Earth to live with her cousin Kal-El.

It is on this planet that Kara runs into a young girl named Ruthye. The child witnessed her whole family murdered by a group of savage marauders led by the insane Krem of the Yellow Hills. Offering a sword made by her father, a fine craftsman whose weaponry was in high demand, Ruthye seeks someone to enact revenge on Krem. Supergirl is at first uninterested in getting involved. But when Krem shoots vulnerable Krypto with a dart containing a slow acting poison, Kara reluctantly agrees to help Ruthye in order to find the antidote which the gang leader wears around his neck.

There are some elements of True Grit with Supergirl playing the John Wayne role being hired by young Ruthye to avenge the death of her parents. Lots of great aliens and space vehicles, too. I feel that if Kenner was still in existence, the toys produced by this movie could have rivaled Star Wars!

Speaking of Ruthye; the actress who plays her, 14-year old Eve Ridley was fantastic. She brought forth so many powerful emotions. I know it's a long shot, but I really do think her portrayal deserves an Oscar nom!

As for the trolls comparing Milly Alcock to the cave person in 1970's Land of the Lost, do better Dean Cain! I might think you're a great Superman. Your Clark Kent inspired me for a brief time to explore being a newspaper reporter. But in real life, you're a total creep who confuses this country as being God.

My least favorite part of the movie was that of bounty hunter Lobo, played by Jason Momoa. The former Aquaman hams up the role. But I had to remember that in the 90s, co-creator Keith Giffen rebooted Lobo into a parody of the violent comic book characters such as the Punisher and Judge Dredd. But it seems like 2 different makeup artists worked on Momoa throughout the production because in the Czarian's first 2 scenes, you could tell that it was the former Game of Thrones actor in really bad white face. The black patches on his face looked less natural for his species and more like Surfer Dude Sting at the end of a match versus Ric Flair. His look appeared more natural towards the end of the film. But by then, the damage was done. 

At least I finally know how to pronounce the word 'bastiche.'

I really enjoyed the movie. Am I glad I went to see it in the theaters? Absolutely. But with my mystery illness, it's getting hard for me to sit still for 2 hours, even if the chair is a recliner! I think my days of going to the movies might be coming to an end. I wind up in just too much pain after going to the flicks. I just hope that regardless of how poorly the movie is doing in theaters, I hope this isn't what kills off Supergirl again for another 25 years!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Aquaman (2018)

I closed out 2018 going to see the latest superhero flick, Aquaman. Starring Jason Momoa, it really felt like DC now has a working man's hero to look up to. Momoa's Arthur Curry is rude, crude, brash but he also possesses a deep sense of justice and honor.

Aquaman is the story of the bastard son of Atlantis. The spawn of a human male and Atlantean princess, Arthur Curry learns at a young age that he can communicate with fish. Early in Arthur's life, his family home is threatened by members of the royal guard. To save her half-breed child from execution, Arthur's mother Atlanna, played by Nicole Kidman, returns to Atlantis to submit to her forced role as wife and Queen in an arranged marriage.

Thanks to secret training sessions by a loyal member of Atlanna's, as Arthur matures, he learns to fight and defend himself. But the young man has no desire of becoming king. Instead, Arthur drinks, fights, and saves submarines from underwater pirates. 

Of course, you know that Arthur is going to become motivated to accept his destiny and become the true king of Atlantis. The job currently is held by Aquaman's half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson). As ruthless as his father, Orm seeks to become the undisputed ruler of the Seven Seas, known as the Ocean Master. Should he obtain the backing of the other realms of the deep, Orm can mount his long-desired war on the surface dwellers. 

To challenge Orm's claim on the throne, Arthur must go on a global quest for a missing trident. Aiding him in this quest is Orm's betrothed Mera (Amber Heard). Along the way, the pair will run afoul of villains, monsters and ancient wonders. There might even be a little romance on tap...

There's basically two movies in this 2 hour and 20 minute picture. The first half of the film, as Arthur learns more of his Atlantean heritage, is a visually stunning masterpiece. The special effects kick the butt of both 2017's Justice League and anything Marvel put out this year. The costumes, which utilize sea life to the literal gills, were also quite stunning. 

Aquaman should receive some Oscar nods for both FX and costume design. It had such a classic and yet futuristic at the same time. That first half set primarily in Atlantis, reminded me of an underwater Blade Runner. If the movie had stopped at the middle mark, I would have no qualms with the overall quality of the film. While the second half was good, it wasn't as great as the beginning. 

The main issue with Aquaman's second half is that what Arthur must do to defeat his brother seems like a deep-sea Indiana Jones movie. Unfortunately, that entire mission is laid out in a speech by one of the characters within the opening half hour of the movie. So much of the last hour or so of film was quite predictable. And with about 30 minutes left in the movie, I actually found myself getting disgusted with the predictable nature of superhero films. I'm also getting tired of the slow-mo action scenes, which DC films can't seem to break away from.

This doesn't mean that Warner Bros. doesn't have a winner in Aquaman. This film surpasses Justice League and one main reason is Jason Momoa. He was the most interesting character in Justice League and he doesn't disappoint in the least. In fact, the character of Arthur is a lot like Mike Myers' ogre, Shrek. You think he's going to be this redneck kind of character. Yet by movie's end, he becomes an onion. His character has layers!!!

Aquaman overthrows Justice League as well in that this movie has much better villains. Along with Orm, fans are also treated to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Black Manta. There's an interesting Dread Pirate Robert's spin to Manta, who in my opinion has always been Aquaman's arch-enemy; not Orm! 

Here's my pros and cons with Aquaman. While a large chunk of the film is predictable and set out in front of the audience, it was an enjoyable watch. The acting was great and the villains were tons better than the overly CGI'd Steppenwolf of Justice League. The movie is total eye candy, but if you have vertigo, you'll need to bring a barf bucket with you. Between complete 360 degree chase scenes to the slower than snail pace martial arts, it will make you woozy.

Above all, Aquaman did something that I don't think very many comic book films have ever done: been extremely faithful to the comic books. True, Jason Momoa doesn't look like Mort Wessinger's blonde torpedo. But the costumes look perfect. The storyline is near flawless to the many Aquaman tales I've read. Plus, if you loved Aquaman's sonar ripples when he talked to fish on Super Friends, you will cheer by movie's end! 

Making me hopeful for what Warner Bros. has in store next year with Shazam and Wonder Woman 1984, Aquaman is proof there can still be great films about DC Comics characters getting made in today's Hollywood.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Justice League

Centuries ago the Apokoliptian war lord Steppenwolf sought to make the earth the latest conquest in the name of the Fourth World. But an alliance between the realms of men, Atlantis, and the Amazons resulted in his first ever defeat. Driven insane with embarrassment of his lost, Steppenwolf was exiled and his three mother boxes, called the Trinity were hidden away from the rest of the world. 

With the death of Superman, the time is right for Steppenwolf's return to conquer earth again. As mankind mourns the loss of the Man of Steel, morale is at an all-time low for the human race. Thus, fear and anguish are just what the New God needs in order to power his horde of Parademons for attempt #2.

Aware of a mounting attack, but hopelessly out-manned, Bruce Wayne seeks a to raise his own army of defenders. Aided by Diana Prince, Wonder Woman, the Batman has a list of potential helpers. But does the aging billionaire playboy have what it takes to recruit a speedster with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, an aquatic hippie, and a cybernetically enhanced teen who can communicate with Steppenwolf's mother boxes?

Justice League was been getting slammed in the press, mostly by critics and amateur online reporters that don't understand comic books. Everyone is making such a big deal of what Rotten Tomatoes has to say. That site is just an average of critics nationwide and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Back in my day, nobody cared what Siskel and Ebert thought about the movies. We just wanted to see them insult each other- and maybe throw a punch. Gene Shalit's mustache was more important to us than what he thought about films. The only critic worth listening to was Leonard Maltin. But he's more like Bob Costas in that his depth of film knowledge is so impressive, he's like the Stephen Hawking of movie history. 

Look, if you don't even want to read my review, that's fine. I do this blog because I like to write about geeky things and this is more like my personal reading and movie journal. If it inspires someone to give something a go- cool. If they decide not to consume something because of my opinion- that's fine too. But I am in now way the only opinion that should matter. I might be considered an expert in comics because of my 40-years of knowledge on the subject, but in the end- it's all up to you on whether to see the Justice League movie.

Anyways, now that I cleared that, here's my take on what went right and wrong with the film. 

Not Long Enough- The movie runs right at about 2 hours. DC is taking a huge gamble putting the League together first and then building solo films around it. They're having to play catch up to Marvel and the speedy pace is off-putting to many. Personally, I would have liked to have seen the movie about 15-20 minutes longer.

 I hope there will be a director's cut. But please DC/ Warner Bros, don't make it for Bluray only! I still have student loans to repay and can't afford one just right yet.

Music To My Ears- Composer Danny Elfman was behind a majority of the tracks in this film. Though he's been a bit of a dick about it, I did enjoy having the 1989 Batman theme and some of the Animated Series peppered throughout the film. It's a been a very long time since I left a movie wishing that the music store was open. I really do want the soundtrack to this. It's pretty great.

Lack of Heavy Hitters- Having Steppenwolf as the main bad guy is really not the best idea. Most people I talk to have actually responded to my naming of him by saying 'That 70's rock band?' I kid you not. Honestly, I was hoping for an appearance by Darkseid, Steppenwolf's master, but even he is less of a household name than the Joker, Luthor, or Penguin. 

Another relative unknown to many is that of Cyborg. Unless you are familiar with the New 52 Justice League or the Teen Titans, not many casual fans are going to be very knowledgeable of him. I had a Cyborg Super Powers action figure as a kid and I remember him from some version of Super Friends in the 80s and I thought newcomer Ray Fisher was really good as the reluctant hero. But for every 1 me out there who grew up with the character, there's probably 3 people who are asking 'Cyborg? Who's he?'

Hail to the King- Tapping into Kirby's Fourth World is smart. Jack Kirby's very short stint at DC sent the publisher into a quantum leap that rivaled Marvel. Honestly, I feel like Marvel's Infinity War stuff is way less interesting than Kirby's New Gods. The House of Ideas is banking on the creations of Jim Starlin to send the Marvel Cinematic Universe into it's next phase of films. But let's be real people- Jim Starlin is no Jack Kirby!

Casting- For the most part, DC got almost every character right. The dup of Gal Gadot, and Ben Affleck as Batman and Wonder Woman is perfect. As I said earlier Ray Fisher's Cyborg was great! And man I think I am in love with Jason Momoa. His portrayal as Aquaman finally made the character relevant and not the joke of the DC Universe.

But I have to talk about Ezra Miller's version of the Flash. I really don't think Miller's acting was terrible as that I think Zack Synder vision of the speedster is flawed. Miller's Barry Allen is hyper, socially awkward, and the comic relief of the team. That's not Barry Allen so much as how I would describe Allen's great-grandson Impulse (Bart Allen.) Maybe the heads at DC didn't want people to be confused between the Flash on Justice League with Grant Gustin's superior version of the Flash on the CW. But for a huge Flash fan like myself, I was a bit put off.

The Chuckle Hut- Finally, I want to talk some about the laughs. Apparently, Zack Synder's version of the film was too dark and so when he stepped down after a family tragedy, Warner Bros. called in Joss Whedon to beef up the lighter side of the film. I understand that the Flash was used ad nauseam for a majority of this. But did you have to turn Batman into a heavily armored version of Spider-Man? 

At about the halfway point of the movie, Batman starts making one-liners and kinds taunts both his teammates and the villain in a way similar to that of Peter Parker. We already had a great movie with Spider-Man and a billionaire playboy with lots of tech. We didn't need to morph the two together in the second act of Justice League.

I had a ton of fun with this movie. There's some great Easter Eggs and I personally have a theory about who the seventh member of the League is. All I will say is that he's already made a couple of appearances in the movie. But it will be some time before I post my theory as to not be accused of spoilers.

Despite the negative press, Justice League is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Though a bit scary with those Parademons, Justice League is a lot more fun for the whole family than current comic book movie competitor Thor: Ragnarok, which has quite a bit of innuendo and overt sexual content. So if you desperately need to escape the house with a nephew or cousin this Thanksgiving weekend for a little bit, flock to the theaters and check it out. In the end, after the two bonus scenes, I think you'll be glad you did. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.