Superman

This doesn't open today, so don't excited and think you can go see the dude in tights return to the big screen this weekend. But I have been unthrilled about seeing "Superman Returns." Superman does nothing for me.

He reminds me of some of my friends' boyfriends in college. They were cute, clean cut guys. Nice guys. Really good at school or sports or something. And they bored the pants off me. Same with Superman. He's got a great jawline. Saves the world. Really nice to Lois and Jimmy. Bores me to tears. Give me a tormented Batman any day.

When you were on Midday earlier this month, you mentioned that you weren't thrilled about the new Superman. But you didn't plug your blog on the radio! If you mention it during your next (State Fair?) visit, then folks who don't know about it will look for it. I can't get enough of your thoughts and reactions to movies, Stephanie Curtis. You're the best!

I agree completely, Stephanie! Superman has the pretty, vague charm that I never fit. I'm more of a Batman type of guy.

But I would add that superheroes are also defined by their villans. Batman also has far more interesting villans, from the Joker to Batman Returns' Ra's al Guhl, to the lovely Catwoman. Spider-Man's best rogues are also geniuses, their intellect twisted and bent toward villany. Sane is often less thrilling, and Batman and Spider-Man's villans are their dark mirror images.

Although I'm not sure if he appears in the comics, General Zod is my favorite Superman villan (as seen in Superman 2.) I find myself cheering against the Boy Scout in Blue every time I see him bent to the will of the escaped convict from his homeworld of Krypton. Lex Luthor is also a great character, but I don't think Kevin Spacey has what it takes to outcharm Gene Hackman's performance in the previous films.

Normally, I would agree. Superman hasn't been my favorite superhero. Mostly, I've been interested in the X-men and Batman as far as movie supers go. I just saw Superman Returns last night and I think, Stephanie, that you might find something you like in this one. While it doesn't perfectly portray the ultra-tormented hero (like Spiderman or Batman), for Superman, at least, you get to see how someone like him might be torn. Czech it out, and let us know what you think!

Dan

Don't like squeaky clean, eh? In the comics, Superman wasn't always portrayed as the do-gooder you've come to *yawn* dislike. Here's a site dedicated to Superman at his worst complete with smarmy commentary:

http://www.superdickery.com/galleries.html