Superman Review

After seeing Superman twice, initially on July 11, and then today on July 15th, this movie is definitely one that warrants a review like this as James Gunn created something truly special! I tend to write reviews for this blog when I absolutely loved something, be it movies or television, and Superman 2025 is certainly something that meets that criteria. When you think about iconic characters in pop culture, inevitably Superman will always be at the top of the list. Since 1938, the Man of Steel has entertained people both domestically and internationally, not only as a piece of comic book lore, not only as a superhero or divine figure, but as the embodiment of hope we all strive for as human beings.  When we look up with Superman, we're aiming for a better tomorrow, and this movie certainly embodies the ethos of Superman on a grand scale. 

I have enjoyed all iterations of Superman from Christopher Reeve to Henry Cavill. Everybody that's portrayed him has brought a memorable performance that helps to define and, in some cases, redefine what this character is all about helping the character to evolve, while also preserving the core values of what makes Superman timeless. However, it's the outstanding performance of David Corenswet that makes you believe he IS Superman. Corenswet's Superman is inherently good to his core. He portrays a truly humanistic approach that grounds the character, while also portraying his Kryptonian nature simultaneously. He is strong and vulnerable at the same time allowing the audience to connect with him in a completely authentic manner. Corenswet's Superman is a definitive babyface (pro-wrestling terminology for good guy). He cares about everybody and everything around him. He legitimately wants to make the world a better place. He may have come from Krypton and is undoubtedly, the most powerful being in this world, but it's who he is at his core that makes him as likable as he is. He identifies with his humanity. Connecting with people of multiple cultures, races and walks of life makes him the hero we all want and need. His speech in the third act about humanity shows how much he cares, and how much he's evolved over the course of the whole movie. Corenswet not only physically resembles what Superman looks like, but he fully embraces the ideologies of what makes Superman whole! Corenswet is the Superman we want and need, and he absolutely delivered in every aspect of what makes Superman the character we root for every time we flip through a comic or watch him in some form of media, be it movies or television. 

One of the best aspects of the movie is Superman's connection with Lois Lane. It's always been an important element to anything Superman related, and in this movie, you feel that emotional connection through the screen. Rachel Brosnahan is remarkable as Lois. She's inquisitive, intelligent and the one that always helps to ground Superman and balance him out, allowing his humanity to come through as Clark Kent. She's fearless in many ways here as well, utilizing her journalistic integrity and overall infallible efforts to gain the real stories of what's going on, protecting the good and innocent of the world, much like Clark, but in her own way. Lois just has a style of getting things done, and Brosnahan makes her an absolute bad ass at every corner of this movie. I'd like to say I'm somebody that likes a lot of sugar in my coffee as well as a side note. The sweetness drowns out the bitterness so well, and the symbolism of that is seen through every effort of exposing the true monsters and enemies that threaten us. Superman is the sugar, while the world around us is the bitter. Helping the world to realize that Superman is inherently good and the one that can protect us from all the bad is the mission. Lois is a hero in her own right, even if she doesn't have super powers and that was exemplified brilliantly by Brosnahan. Her chemistry with Corenswet was impeccable, and, through their performances I felt their believability as a couple. It's one of the best Clark Kent/Lois Lane relationship stories you'll find. 

Every great hero needs a perfect villain. For Superman, that villain has always been Lex Luthor. From Gene Hackman to my personal favorite, Michael Rosenbaum, every one of these actors has brought an imposing presence that threatens the security of the world, and a looming darkness hoping to blot out the hope and light of the world. While all of these performances are impressive, it's Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor that is the best villainous performance I've seen. I've been a fan of Hoult's work since Skins, and while some may have been hesitant on his casting, I was excited, because I know Hoult can tap into a great villainous persona. Without a doubt, Hoult's Luthor is one of, if not, the greatest heels (pro-wrestling terminology for bad guy) in comic book movie history. He's the definitive opposite of everything Superman is. He's manipulative, cruel, cunning, domineering and displays arrogance in such a vindictive and dangerous manner. He doesn't care about anybody or anything. It's Hoult's performance as Luthor that allows Corenswet's Superman to become even more likable as an overall character. The immense hatred, envy and overall greed that Hoult's Luthor projects makes him such a detestable figure. While we absolutely loathe him, we also have to recognize Hoult's august presence in every frame he's in. His cerebral approach to everything makes him one of the biggest threats in the history of comic book movies. His stranglehold over everything has him controlling the geo-political landscape, Metropolis and every single person at his disposal. His blind hatred for Superman illuminates his true thoughts about humanity, and his actions show just how much of a grandiose despot he is. Hoult's scenes with Corenswet demonstrate the perfect symbiosis between the yin and yang of their rivalry through the years. The true balance between good and evil is captured through their words, their actions and their core personality traits. Hoult's Luthor is what a movie villain is supposed to be. You're supposed to root against the bad guy, and, in this case Hoult makes sure we do, and it's almost effortless at how good he is at making Luthor the biggest villain you'll ever find. 

This movie does a great job of opening up the new era of DC as a whole through Mr. Terrific (standout performance by Edi Gathegi coming across as one of the coolest characters ever), Hawkgirl (a mysterious character who is actually one of the biggest difference makers in the entire movie portrayed by the awesome Isabela Merced, who fits so well into a comic book movie universe), and Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion's arrogant, yet comedic approach may not have been overall heroic to it's core, but he understands the importance of protecting humanity). Allowing different characters from DC Comics shows there is a vision and focus for this new era, which has me excited. I loved the previous iteration of the DCEU a great deal, but it's always a good idea to give a jolt to freshen things up, and these new characters and approach should be great to watch unfold. 

Speaking of comic books, this movie feels like the action sequences are lifted straight out of the pages with vibrant colors and impressive visuals. The battle sequences are gritty, while also showcasing astounding metahuman power. The use of color helps each scene pop out of the screen for the audience to become fully immersed in everything going on. The visuals of the Fortress of Solitude, the Daily Planet and the impressive presentation of the pocket universes are all fantastic, and the scenes in each of these settings allows the story and characters to develop vividly throughout the movie. The soundtrack is absolutely astonishing throughout this movie, especially when utilized during these stunning action scenes. The soundtrack becomes a living, breathing heartbeat of the movie, which brings the emotional aspects out even more. This is most evident watching Clark reconnect with the catharsis of who he is at his core and using that to rise above and defeat the diabolical obstacles in front of him. 

Through impressive performances led by David Corenswet's magnificent performance as Superman/Clark Kent, meticulous storytelling, grandiose characters, brilliant character development,  wondrous world building, somehow helping people understand the true essence of what punk rock is, a scintillating soundtrack, exciting action, and of course, Krypto, Superman 2025 marks the beginning of a new, exciting era for DC. For me, it's one of the best movies of 2025, and without a doubt, one of the greatest comic book movies ever made. James Gunn delivered on all levels for the audience, and I feel we're in for a wild ride that should be exhilarating for audiences both young and old to appreciate. 

Sinners Review

As an avid admirer of cinema as a whole, I'm always optimistic about movies being able to reach through and impact me on a different level beyond pure entertainment. Sometimes, you want a deeper movie filled with symbolism and commentary to make it truly groundbreaking. Sinners is that type of movie. It's a movie that has something to say through the lens of so many different cultures. It's a movie that transcends generations of the past, present and future through it's characters, dialogue, and most importantly, it's music! 

Ryan Coogler is such a gifted film maker. He put together something truly remarkable with each scene expanding upon itself allowing the audience to become further immersed in his story and vision, revealing himself as one of the best working in the entertainment industry today. I'd actually consider this Coogler's best work to date, and a lot of it is because the story resonates with him at it's core. You can feel the authenticity in each scene. It makes the movie that much more powerful, because the real allows the fiction to become more palpable for the audience. He creates a movie with complexity, where each character feels like a real person with detailed stories to who they are, how they connect to each other. Coogler also crafts a great story of society as a whole, and through creative ideas borrowed from myths, legends and narratives, what happens when society turns on itself. There's a tremendous symbiosis between the brilliant storytelling and complex storytelling of the characters with a strong supernatural element that only enhances the power of the story. 

When you think of some of the best actors in the industry today, undoubtedly, Michael B. Jordan is going to enter into the discussion. Throught projects like The Wire, Friday Night Lights, Fruitvale Station, Black Panther & Creed, he's shown audiences how incredible he is through his performances. In Sinners, he is absolutely outstanding. Having seen most of his prior work, I would definitely say that his performance here is his absolute best work to date. His performance as both Elijah (Smoke) & Elias (Stacks) displays his dexterity and range as an actor. He shapes twin brothers with two distinct, unique personalities and allows each of their differences to shine brightly in every scene. Watching him weave between the mindsets of these characters is truly remarkable, and allows the story to be more enthralling. Jordan commands the screen in every scene, no matter what brother he is showing his innate ability to connect with the characters he plays, creating something sincere and tangible for the audience to explore. 

Another highlight of the movie is Miles Caton's Sammy. It's astonishing that this is his first big role as his timing and delivery of his dialogue, reactions to events going on around him and his singing voice were all integral pieces of keeping the story flowing, and he was able to navigate it effortlessly. Sammy bridges both pieces of the story in a highly harmonious manner, allowing each character to find out more about who they are at their core, while also providing a soundtrack for the exterior of the community, it's inhabitants and it's infiltrators. Sammy's connection to everybody in this movie is the heart of it's storytelling. Through Sammy's eyes and voice, we're able to see an entire family's genealogical soundtrack, and it's Caton's ability as an actor that allows Sammy's arc to be as effective as it is. 

While there are several great male characters in this, a movie will never be complete without it's female characters, and one of my favorite parts of this movie is Hailee Steinfeld's Mary. Hailee Steinfeld is one of my all time favorite actresses since her exemplary performance as Nadine in Edge of Seventeen. Her Southern accent is on point, her attitude is one of confidence, but deep vulnerability as well in terms of her romantic life, and her connection to Elijah, and more specifically, Elias. Steinfeld's ability to constantly take the context of the scene, turn it upside down and make it even more intriguing is just amazing to watch. She takes command of the emotions of the men around her, and allows them to realize how much she has meant to them in their lives. Mary is what allows us to get a glimpse of who Elijah and Elias were in the past, and how they became the men they are today. Steinfeld's natural beauty, sensational charm and cool charisma carries through the screen in every scene. While she definitely has emotional...and, at some points physical scars, she also provides familial strength to everybody around her, allowing everybody to realize how deep their roots go. In many ways, Mary's story is how we are able to get to the events of this story. It's really impressive to watch how everything connects so expertly. It's been a while since I had seen Hailee Steinfeld in an acting project, but seeing her in Sinners reminded me just how wonderful she is as an actress! She came into this movie, and really shaped Mary into one of the most outstanding parts of the movie.

One more performance that needs to be highlighted lies in it's antagonist, Reddick. I have been a fan of Jack O'Connell's work since he was Cook in Skins. He's usually a complex character in his roles, usually leaning towards the antagonist side. His performance here as Reddick is bloody brilliant. Yes, I went for a pun there, and it might be cheesy, but it works. He serves as the principal antagonist, but, I have to be honest here, there are things about Reddick that I like. I don't think he's evil at his core. I do think he has maintained a shred of his humanity, and it does come out from time to time. While he's a vampire, you also have to remember through the lore of the vampire mythos that somebody forced him to be that way. While he definitely takes away people's freedom and lives from them, his idea of camaraderie and harmony as a united people is something that you can support. It's just unfortunate that the only way he can make that happen is to transform you. O'Connell's Reddick presents that deep hurt and longing for companionship and love, but he's going about it in a violent and vindictive manner that makes the audience dislike him. You're supposed to root against him, and O'Connell's natural ability to gravitate towards the villainous side works marvelously when it has to. I do like the way he connects to characters around him, especially Mary, but he also finds ways to try and help Elijah and Elias as well. Honestly, I get if you hate Reddick, but, I also think he might be the most complex character of the movie, because, despite his vampire exterior, his twisted way of creating a new society has good intentions at it's core. O'Connell's performance is electrifying as Reddick, especially when he's presenting the nefarious side of his personality, but he's also adept at portraying Reddick battling his inner demons to connect to others around him. 

Music is the pulse of this movie. Each scene is defined by the mood and rhythm of the notes. The variety of genres present in this movie speaks to past, present and future generations. Whether it's blues, Irish folk music, jazz, etc. everything moves to the beat of the time period and it's characters. Ludwig Goransson's score is one of the very best you'll find. The score moves with the characters selling the emotion of the scenes. The strength of the orchestral arrangement makes the scenes more effective. I've always felt music is such an important part of movies, but, in Sinners Goransson proves that music really can create the rawest of emotion for the audience. We feel everything they feel. The connection from the first act to the second act is amazing. This effortless divide between smooth jazz to almost a hard rock motif perfectly embellishes upon the visuals. The characters move with the music as well, perfectly selling each note of what they're listening to. There's a great scene representing music throughout generations where you're watching everything going on, but also absorbing the power of the notes and it's such an ethereal experience. Selling the emotion of the supernatural, vampiric aspects of the movie through the harder hitting notes is great as well. Without question, Sinners has one of the best soundtracks of all time. Everything about it matters, and everything about it adds more complexity to the story, and, in actuality presents a clear, concise view of every aspect of Coogler's characters.

Through Ryan Coogler's impressive vision, one of the best ensemble casts I've seen in a long time helmed by Michael B. Jordan's stellar performance, dynamic, complex storytelling, incredible use of music (which can't be stressed enough), visuals (especially in terms of color dynamics, namely the dichotomy between light and dark, as well as spectrum choices for individual characters) and two distinct acts that bridge together brilliantly, Sinners delivers on all fronts as the best movie of 2025 so far for it's unique presentation and ability to connect with it's audience in an authentic manner.

 

Snow White Review

 I saw Snow White on March 23, 2025! I vividly remember watching the 1937 animated classic several times when I was younger. It's a staple of Disney, and a huge reason why the company is one of the most profitable in the world. Animation was always a cornerstone for Disney. In recent years, we've seen Disney adapt their animated classics into live action versions. Some have worked. Some have not. For me, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast were well made live action versions. I haven't really enjoyed other live action versions...until, I saw the newest iteration of Snow White. I was hesitant on initially checking this out due to the "controversies" around it, but then I thought about it, and realized the "controversies" surrounding the movie have more to do with media fascination and people getting caught up in a frenzy rather than just ignoring it and see what the movie's about it. I was thoroughly impressed with this live action version which, in my opinion, holds the spirit of the original well, while also adding a more well rounded interpretation of the story and it's characters. 

Rachel Zegler's casting as Snow White may have turned heads, but she was exceptionally brilliant in her performance! She someone fearless! She's someone fair! She's someone brave! She's someone true! Zegler takes the elements that established Snow White as the preeminent Disney princess, but adds qualities to her that make her a female character that speaks to the girls and women of a new generation, while also being inspirational to everyone around her as a beacon of truth and hope that establishes that good can win. She has such a natural, innocent effervescence about her, displaying beauty both externally and internally in a way that helps her become one of the most likable heroines of Disney canon. Zegler made me appreciate and love Snow White more than I did when I was watching the younger animated movie. This Snow White is all about her connection to the roots of her parents, her people, and her kingdom. Zegler's sublime performance really pulled me in, and made me a huge fan of what I was watching unfold. She is simply remarkable here! 

Gal Gadot's casting as the Evil Queen/Grimhilde was fantastic. She portrayed her as a remorseless dictator that took the soul of her kingdom and snuffed it out. Gadot's accent and appearance makes the original queen's motivations work really well in this modern setting. She's able to add some dark humor elements to her performance as well that make her stand out as a more intriguing character. Her dark magic is mysterious and does a great job of balancing out the light that Snow White brings. She's the yin to Snow White's yang. Whenever she's on screen, there's an intimidating presence about her that accentuates her villainous qualities. If we were talking about Lana Parilla's Regina from Once Upon A Time, then I'd be rooting for her, but I 100% support Zegler's Snow White over Gadot's Grimhilde, because the storytelling really made the hero and villain dynamics work exceedingly well throughout the course of the movie. However, Gadot's performance here is indicative of how well she understands the roles she takes. She made her completely ruthless, and that worked so well for the overall crux of the story. 

While there may not be a traditional Prince Charming role, there certainly is a solid love story within this movie. Andrew Burnap's casting as the bandit Jonathan was great. Jonathan grows into a more courageous character throughout the movie. His role as a bandit rather than a prince made him more interesting, and his chemistry with Zegler's Snow White was palpable. It was very fun and believable. He had a Robin Hood aura about him, and, in many ways it reminded me of the Snow White and Prince Charming from Once Upon A Time as Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas had a similar aura to their story. He was a great male protagonist that helps to keep the story flowing, while adding some solid action sequences along the way

When I was younger, I always liked the seven dwarfs. I still fondly recalling Doc saying apple dumpkins and laughing. In this version, the dwarfs are highly entertaining, and, there are even more interesting qualities added to them. Each of the dwarfs has a unique quality about them, while the voice work and visual representations worked really well. Snow White helps each of the dwarfs to realize how important they are to one another, while also helping their brotherhood and camaraderie to naturally grow. Bringing more out of the Dopey character was especially great to see, and Dopey adds so much raw emotion to the whole group. There's some standout moments with all the dwarfs, but be on the lookout for Dopey, especially, because he steals the show for the dwarfs. 

While I enjoyed the performances and the story a great deal, one aspect of this movie that helps to add more heart and excitement to everything is the incredible music.The songs add a melodious aura of lyrical luminescence that displays how powerful musicals can be. Rachel Zegler's voice is so beautiful, and I felt her emotion and energy in each of her lyrics. Waiting on a Wish is such an incredible song that exemplifies how a character can maintain it's original identity, while also showing the importance of evolving to stay relevant in an ever changing world. It's such a poignant and powerful song that helps define Snow White's fairness, courage and beauty so vividly. Her personality is extremely likable, and that's what you want from your protagonist. While Snow White has amazing songs, a big standout song is the Evil Queen/Grimhilde's All Is Fair which displayed her cunning and intellect, as well as her ruthless character. Gadot was having so much fun with this song and showed it through her charismatic presentation of the lyrics. Where Zegler's songs for Snow White displayed her sweet innocence, Gadot's rock opera style was perfect for her antagonist nature. I also loved the inclusion of traditional songs like Whistle While You Work and Heigh-Ho. This is an exceptional soundtrack that would be perfect if Broadway decides to adapt this to a stage production. I really can't say enough good things about the songs here. It's the heartbeat of the movie, and helps to add commentary and inner monologuing to the storytelling for the audience. 

Through brilliant performances led by the astonishing Rachel Zegler, fun storytelling holding true to the original animated version, while also adding more depth to speak to future generations, excellent soundtrack, and beautiful costumes and make-up, this is proof that a solid live action version of Disney animated classics can be made. For me, it's currently my favorite movie of 2025, and I've seen a lot so far this year. I would ask people to stop focusing on the "controversies" the media is spreading, and the unfair low ratings it's getting, because it's really an excellent movie. It's a lot of fun, and there's so much heart at it's core.