THE MAN RETURNS

I remember watching this movie "Superman Returns" ages ago. But watching it again today on TV2 just helps me understand the movie in a whole new level.

Well, when I watched the movie the first time, I was mainly drooling over how hot Brandon Routh is. And yes indeed, after all these years, he is still as stunningly attractive. I wonder where he is now? I guess sometimes looks alone brings you nowhere...Opps!

Anywayz, I was shocked to see James Marsden playing Richard, Lois Lane's fiance. I mean, last time, iIhad noooo idea it was him. I only hated that character because I wanted Superman and Lois Lane together and that fiance is just a nuisance in their relationship. I know, how childish right? Well I was like that last time haha. I always watch a show or movie if only the hero and heroine of my choice ends up together. LAME ya...but i wouldn't say i'm out of that phase but at least some improvement haha.

I have a completely different feeling about Richard this time when watching "Superman Returns" this time however. Maybe it's because I like James Marsden haha...
But no, seriously, Richard is actually my favourite character, besides Superman of course.

I think Richard is like the human symbol of Superman. It's like, when Superman left Lois, she found Richard I think because of Richard's similarity with Superman. Well, Richard flies airplanes, so he indirectly, it's like he flies, just like Superman. And there was a scene where Lois Lane asked him, how did you come here and he answered, "I flew". I guess this shows the symbolic representation of Superman in Richard.

The climax of the movie sees Superman in trouble. Richard flew his plane together with Lois and son, Jason, to Superman's aid. I guess it really shows that Superman is really 'human' in his own way, even though he hails from another planet. He needs help as much as we do too. And at the beginning we see Superman helping others, and later we see Richard helping Superman.

Richard is also really cool because even though he knows his beloved Lois is in love with Superman, he is there for her. So supportive and that's what made him a real man. He is somewhat like Superman here again, isn't he? Superman is there for Lois.

I feel now that "Superman Returns" have a deeper meaning to it. It's not just a lame remake of comic book heroes. If you ask me, what the whole movie is trying to say is, anyone can be Superman in their own ways. You don't need a cape and a red underwear worn outside to be Superman. And even if you are Superman, it doesn't mean that you don't need help.

Lois in the movie won an award for her article "Why we don't need Superman in our life"

But Superman told her that he hears cries for help everyday and I guess he feels it's his responsibility to help them....I guess we can relate to that. We are no SUperman of course but I'm sure as human you see pleas for help everywhere and sometimes I guess, we should help, like Superman, but within our powers of course.

This lead me to my favourite part of the movie, which is when Superman flew together with Lois and brought her 'hanging' in mid-air in the middle of nowhere. And there he asked "What do you hear?". Lois answered, "Nothing" and he replies, "I hear everything."

I remember this part til now. The exact phrase. Personally, I'm really touched by Superman's reply, I don't know why. Maybe because I feel that he is burdened with that responsibility. For Superman, he has to help like practically everyone...maybe he feels tired too. Have you ever felt that you want to help but you can't? Well, for us, we can just be like "Hey, I Can't help you, I'm not Superman!" But for him, well he is Superman. Plus, who can he confide in?

I am recently exposed to a text on religion etc etc, and how the program "Lost" contains certain depictions of religion that spurred a lot of online discussions about the matter. Of course the main point of the text is a lot more and not important in this context. But because of the article, I thought of how "Superman Returns" might be also used to communicate certain idea of religion.

"Superman" is seen as the saviour in the movie. There was a part in the movie where we hear a voice-over of Superman's father saying that he sent his only son to Earth to help humans. I'm not Christian but isn't that similar to why God sent his only son, Jesus to Earth?

If it is an indirect representation of Christianity, I guess the author of the movie is very subtly saying that, maybe even the son of God has weaknesses, like Superman - Kryptonite. Sorry, I'm not trying to offend Christians but it's just what I feel the movie is presenting because of the scriptwriting.

Superman is seen as the "savior" in the movie. And the "Saviour" at the end needs to be saved. Or put it differently, even the "savior" has a weakness too.

Superman was declared dead towards the end of the movie, but then he woke up again. Just like how Jesus rise again after being crucified.

Lois is like Mary Magdalene. Jesus loves her the most among his disciples, right? I hope I get the facts right haha. Jesus loves all his disciples but her the most. Superman takes care of all of us, but Lois the most.

The scene in which we see Superman flying above Earth, closing his eyes (similar to the picture below)....gives me the impression that he is like God...overlooking on all of us...listening to our cries...

I just see some similarities here and there. Again I really do not wish to anger any Christians. Feel free to reason with me because my facts could be inaccurate.

I am not a Superman fan. I'm never. I find Superman fake. I mean, how can one not see that Clark Kent is Superman! Plus I really hate superhero movies where the heroine always seem to need help from the hero. Plzzzz....cal me whatever but in reality, it's not necessarily like that.

But I thank God that "Superman Returns" is quite realistic in some ways. Like at least Lois has character - she's dependent and even though she needs Superman's help, she's not like that useless herself. She doesn't sit and wait for help but uses her brains also.

And I love the fact that the story includes a part in which Richard and Lois helped Superman. It just shows that sometimes, we can do a part even without super powers.

When Superman was in the hospital, in comma, Lois kissed him and then looked at that monitor thingy in the hospital and then she shook her head and laughed. I find this part very realistic haha...because she was hoping that she's in a fairy tale, a true love's kiss would wake a person up. I don't know about you but even tough girls sometimes secretly wish for a fairy tale ending in devastating times. And when it doesn't happen, they'll laugh at themselves for that silly thought because we all know that storybook endings seldom happen. And even if it does, I don't think I'm the lucky one. Trust me, I do think like that sometimes. I guess Lois was feeling exactly the same.

Superman - fictional or realistic...you decide. I mean, Superman to me is just a symbolic representation of someone great, that we feel can 'save' us. Saving us doesn't have to be physically but in so many other aspects and ways. I'm sure deep in all our hearts, we have our own Superman or Supermans. And maybe you are a "superman" to someone else too. You will never know ;P

TC-My Rating:

p/s: The stars is not really representative of the storyline, but rather, how the director managed to so subtly incorporate the religious aspect into the movie

With LotSa Lurve,

TammyC

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE!

And the award goes to...

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Motion Picture of the Year: Slumdog Millionaire

Achievement in Directing: Slumdog Millionaire

Music written for motion pictures (Score) : Slumdog Millionaire

Music (Song): Slumdog Millionaire

Achievement in film editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Achievement in sound mixing: Slumdog Millionaire

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Writing (Adapted screenplay): Slumdog Millionaire

Great directing style, great cinematography, great editing and great writing. I agree! The music is also good because it captures the Hindi Bollywood culture and combines it with some Hollywood flavours. There were a few songs in the movie which caught my attention. They were in English but with Indian-styled melody. Cool and interesting! Haha...Overall the movie is something very new and different.

Previously, there were many British films that combines Indian or Punjabi cultures with the Western cultures such as Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and even the BBC comedy Kumars at No. 42. All these shows tries to depict Indians living abroad and their cultures.

Slumdog Millionaire I feel, is a movie that integrates the two cultures in a new, creative way. When you watch the movie, you see features of a Hollywood or Western movie to be exact, but also elements of an Indian movie. That means, the movie is true to its roots of the Indian culture but also includes some Western cultures in it. Contrary to the previous integration of both cultures, this movie is set in India, instead of in British or America. But then, you see how even in India, we see the Western influences. Even the program "Who Wants to be A Millionaire" itself is a product from America.

The British director, Danny Boyle is amazing because he manages to capture the essence of an Indian movie and incorporate it into one that is "Oscar worthy". I don't know the real definition of Oscar worthy but in my opinion, a movie that is accepted, recognised and admired by the Americans. I mean, the Academy Awards, is grand because of the Americans. It's like a huge thing to win an Oscar, and to even be nominated is already huge. And sometimes, your movie can be crap but if it has anything to do with the Oscars, people would perceive it as good. You may not like a movie and find it boring, but if it has win an Oscar, you'd doubt that you yourself has no taste in movies because you don't get an award winning movie.

Anywayz back to 'Slumdog Millionaire'. I think the director is really successful. I envy that a British director actually knows how to maintain the Indian feel in his movie, without even using cliche Bollywood techniques like dancing around the bushes and stuff.

The storyline is arranged in an extremely creative way. Each question from "Who Ones to Be A Millionaire" will lead to a flashback of the main actor, Jamal's life and his childhood. I love it. The technique of narration is brilliant! I'm really impressed. I mean, I really find that movie makers are trying different techniques and styles when it comes to the incorporation of flashback scenes. Some are highly confusing, while some are simple, yet very cleverly done.

Slumdog Millionaire is actually a very normal story about the struggles in a young Indian boy's life. But again, with it's editing and the way of its unique time and space arrangements make the movie a great one.

Cinematography - amazing. Beautiful colours that highlights the vibrant Indian cultures but also suitable tones were used to describe the adversities and poverty of the citizens of India. The transitions between scenes were also very nicely done and it connects it scene in a very smooth way.

The actor and actress are pretty...not necessarily superstars in Hollywood, but able to capture and deliver the script. I wouldn't say their performances are outstanding, the lead actress wasn't that impressive to be honest, but she's pretty in her own natural way. The lead actor too. I love the fact that they are just simple, normal day, average-like people.

The ending was one of the most beautiful and touching moments I've ever seen. Sometimes, a love scene or romantic scene do not require much. In fact, it doesn't need to involve steamy scenes. It just makes the movie cheap I think.

A focus on the way the actors look at each other and with the right music that creates the atmosphere, the scene would be one that melts hearts. The ending was beautiful. You feel the happiness for that couple, you feel the joy of being loved yourself. I seldom cry when the couples end up living happy ever after, but "Slumdog Millionaire" managed to make me shed a tear or two. It's the realness of the affection between the two lead characters and alleviated by the company of some really heart-felt music.

I'll end by saying this: "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" is a must watch!!

TC-My Rating:

Really Oscar Worthy

With LotSa Lurve,

TammyC