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Author Topic: Superman Returns Ian Price Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1714 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-30-2006 03:26 PM                     In defense of Robert Rodriguez "filming" in HD, he does it so he can stick it to the studios and make movies in his garage in Austin TX. I have no similar defense for George Lucas. He shouldn't have been experimenting with HD on a series like Star Wars. I think that 80% of films could be produced in HD, like every Adam Sandler film. It will make those 20% filmed in film with good cinematographer's look that much better. Frankly a film like Superman doesn't matter because all of the special effects need to be done in the digital medium anyway. And yes Superman didn't seem to fly so much as hover. I think Smallville worked because the producers said "It's Superman but no flying and no tights."  |  IP: Logged Mike Schindler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1039 From: Oak Park, IL, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 06-30-2006 04:33 PM                     quote: Ian Price I think Smallville worked There's your first mistake.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 06-30-2006 05:52 PM                        quote: Ian Price Frankly a film like Superman doesn't matter because all of the special effects need to be done in the digital medium anyway. But... Star Wars requires the same thing! Also, wasn't Smallville shot on film? To me it looks like the same guy playing Superman in both the show and this movie.  |  IP: Logged David Stambaugh Film God Posts: 4021 From: Eugene, Oregon Registered: Jan 2002 posted 07-01-2006 07:25 PM                        Today 7/1/2006 11:30AM, Regal Cinema World 8 in Eugene, House #4, some kind of digital sound. Attendance ~15-20. Looked great, sounded great except for a rattling sound coming from or near the right-front speaker whenever it had to pump out a lot of bass. "Superman Returns" comes with a LOT of baggage, and the first 45 minutes or so of the movie had to deal with that baggage. I found that part pretty dull. I understand they had to do that but still. Then things picked up and the movie got a lot better. Brian Singer does a good job with the material. Brandon Routh and Kate Bosworth are ok. The opening CGI titles looked cheezy to me. Disappointing. Some things are done better the old way. Although the print was in perfect condition, not even a lab splice, it seemed like the colors were "off" a little. Like people's faces looked pasty sometimes. It almost reminded me of a colorized b/w movie. Maybe that's intentional. John Williams deserves a nice big fat check from this because his Superman Theme is one of the best movie themes of all time. I'm feeling generous. 4 out of 5 stars from me. I hope it does well enough to spawn a sequel.  |  IP: Logged Lyle Romer Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1400 From: Davie, FL, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 07-01-2006 07:32 PM                     OK, first the technical stuff. The aliasing on the opening titles was pretty bad. Were they trying to make it look like CGI titles would have looked in 1978 if they used them instead of opticals? As for the overall picture quality of the "film" I thought it was pretty good. I was sitting about 2 1/2 screen heights back. The colors (especially flesh tones) aren't great all the time. The only funky thing I really notices was Lois' hair in the hospital scene when it was up against the window background. Her hair kind of stair stepped oddly. I saw it in 35mm. Great print, rock steady, in focus presentation. In some ways it looked better than super 35, notably the lack of the usual super 35 graininess. Now for the movie. I thought it was pretty good. There were many positives. I thought Brandon Routh was good. It was entertaining but it was about 1/2 hour too long. What happened to Bryan Singer? The first two X-men couldn't have been more than 1:40. Overall, I thought it was fun and entertaining. Definitely worth seeing. Probably not worth seeing multiple times. 3 out of 5 stars  |  IP: Logged Warren Smyth Expert Film Handler Posts: 158 From: Auckland ,New Zealand Registered: Aug 2003 posted 07-02-2006 06:21 AM                     quote: Michael Schaffer You should not support movies which undermine the integrity of the American borders I'm really sorry Michael, but superman has completely sold you all out. He doesn't even admit to the "American Way" any more. If news items are correct, he once fought for truth, justice and well, you know what, but now he fights for truth, justice and "All That Stuff". As you say, he must be a US alien. The director is reported to have said that the change of motto is deliberate. It seems that the film has to be acceptable to foreign markets and that Superman is a global citizen now. It seems that the man of steel has been gagged for the sake of overseas profit. Actually, the TV news item I saw said a lot more, but I don't wish to offend and afterall, politics is banned from the forum.  |  IP: Logged Michael Barry Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 584 From: Sydney, NSW, Australia Registered: Nov 1999 posted 07-02-2006 08:12 AM                     After seeing this, I truly despise the HD thing. To me, only close-ups were sharp (although not as sharp as they would have been had they been shot on film) whereas many group shots of people are just plain soft - out of focus. Now before the screening, the 'Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest' trailer played, and it was RAZOR sharp from corner to corner, so the projection was fine. Apparently, 1080 lines completely fails to provide adequate sharpness on a movie screen. $260 million dollars and they shoot the thing with cameras that max out at 1080 lines? Any reason for this...really? They managed to shoot 'Pirates' and 'Batman Begins' and 'Spiderman 2' on film and they all look superb...so what's the problem? Does anyone else find this movie just not sharp enough? Not only lacking in sharpness, but color and contrast as well? Again, the 'Pirates' trailer simply embarrased it in all areas of quality. Kicked the shit out of it. Ridiculed it and called it obscene names. To summarise, I absolutely HATED the look of this film to the point that I couldn't enjoy it. Ironically, the 1978 version is probably sharper! HD =  |  IP: Logged Justin Gorka Expert Film Handler Posts: 174 From: High Wycombe, England Registered: Apr 2006 posted 07-02-2006 06:16 PM                     Sems like you lot don't know a good film when it hits you in the face! Being in the UK I'll have to wait we get it (hopefuly not scratched USA prints) but I shall enjoy/hate it for what it is. Comparissons with reeve are now irrelevant with Smallville (wich is the audience the studio is aiming for). Who cares as long as it gets bums on seats and sells the popcorn!  |  IP: Logged Fred Georges Master Film Handler Posts: 257 From: Lombard, IL, USA Registered: Jun 2000 posted 07-02-2006 10:55 PM                     Slow & Lumbering. Could have been a decent 90 minute movie but as delivered it had me squirming in my seat & checking my watch. Too Bad.  |  IP: Logged Jason Winn Expert Film Handler Posts: 131 From: Mesquite, TX, USA Registered: Jan 2006 posted 07-03-2006 02:23 AM                     I've never really been a fan of Superman. I never read the comics. I've seen the original movies, but I don't really care much for them. I always thought they were kinda cheesy. But, I actually liked this one. It was a fun and exciting movie. It had a great cast. Kevin Spacey was awesome as Lex Luthor. At least it had a better ending than the original 1978 version. I mean, come on, Superman spins around the world and turns back time?! What the hell is that? Even to this day, I still say that is the worst ending of any movie ever made. It's like the writers ran out of ideas, so they just pulled that out of their ass. Superman Returns owns that crappy 1978 version. Oh, I got a question. That kid is supposed to be Superman's son, right? Well, if it's his son, how come Superman never payed any child support? I mean, what the hell? Superman knocks up Lois, then disappears for 5 years, and never pays a penny of child support? Man, that ain't right! If that was me, the govenment would be all over my ass. How come Superman can get away with not paying child support? What makes him so special? That's messed up.  |  IP: Logged Paul Mayer Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under! Posts: 3836 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Feb 2000 posted 07-03-2006 09:22 AM                        I'm not a fan either. This one was too long, too slow, and did nothing with what it had to work with. What a waste on all levels.  |  IP: Logged Mark J. Marshall Film God Posts: 3188 From: New Castle, DE, USA Registered: Aug 2002 posted 07-03-2006 10:07 AM                    quote: David Stambaugh John Williams deserves a nice big fat check from this because his Superman Theme is one of the best movie themes of all time. I agree. He also deserves a big fat "I'm sorry" for the horrible chop job the editor of SUPERMAN RETURNS did on his music. The original themes from SUPERMAN are awesome, but I cringe at certain parts of it in this movie, in particular, "Can You Read My Mind" in the end credits.  |  IP: Logged Dustin Mitchell Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1865 From: Mondovi, WI, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 07-03-2006 11:24 AM                     On the whole 'turning the Earth back in time' thing from the 78 version, I think there's a reasonable 'movie' explanation for that. In Superman Returns it is mentioned by a news anchor that it is believed Superman is traveling at near the speed of light. If Superman is indeed capable of flying faster than the speed of light then-at least in theory-he can time travel. In the 78 version we didn't see him turn the Earth around but rather saw the Earth spinning backwards because HE was going back in time. *shrugs* That's my read on it.  |  IP: Logged Lyle Romer Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1400 From: Davie, FL, USA Registered: May 2002 posted 07-03-2006 12:43 PM                     BTW, did anybody catch in the news report when they said something about violence "from _____ (forgot the first place) to Gotham"?  |  IP: Logged Kyle Anderson Film Handler Posts: 86 From: Tyler, TX, USA Registered: Dec 2005 posted 07-04-2006 03:30 AM                     Yes I noticed that too, Lyle... pretty cute  |  IP: Logged

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