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“Batman vs. Superman” and lacking anticipation for DC films…

It’s a slow process for DC, who’s trying to catch up to the progress that Marvel’s made so far. They knocked out a good Superman in “Man of Steel” but many fans were disappointed in how it ended. Fans were originally in an uproar with the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman, but since the trailers have been released, the hate simmered.

DC is rushing a bit too fast in trying to catch the mighty Marvel Studios. They’re skipping quality introductions of characters like Marvel did. I think they’ll pay for that in the long run. Sure fans know who Superman and Batman are, but just about every other DC character needs to be slowly introduced or the mass audience may become overwhelmed. Adding to the rush, they’re introducing over a dozen big names in two of their next films. I don’t think it’s possible to give quality character development for each character that way, and folks just wont care as long for them.

They should’ve conceded the lead to Marvel, at least for the next 10 years or so, and just give quality character films. This would lead to appreciating and understanding characters so that when they’re threatened, people care. Another issue is introducing too many villains and casting them wrong. The film “Batman vs. Superman” hasn’t released yet, so any dissatisfaction is limited. I remember when Heath Ledger’s casting as the joker had nerds in a rage; so, time will tell.

One issue I have so far is the introduction and the disappointing appearance of Doomsday. There isn’t anything I’m excited about there. Looking at Lex Luthor, I’m also upset. When I see Lex on the pages of great comics, I don’t see a scrawny Jesse Eisenberg with long hair. The way he’s acting so far in the trailers is just not the same character I’ve read about for years. This is a huge issue for DC, one that Marvel doesn’t have. Sure there are minor things Marvel bends, you can’t get a perfect translation from comics to films. There is however, an obvious effort by Marvel to honor the work that inspired the characters.

DC needs one head to figure out the single direction that universe is heading in. This is the same chaotic company that gave us Green Lantern… Let’s just hope the disarray doesn’t look like this for very long.

I’m excited about Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman. The other casting choices are hit and miss. I like some of the tensions in the trailers so far, but only those directly between Superman and Batman. I’m interested in a few of the Batman vs Superman stories but I hope the film delivers. I just don’t want the film to be bogged down with too many other elements.

There is more hope in the “Suicide Squad” film coming, but DC presents their films with different tones. Different tones gives me the idea that there are separate universes for all these characters. What’s loved of Marvel so far is the connections between everyone. It’s ONE universe.

Another disgusting taste in my mouth from DC is their flooding of crappy shows on television. Many fans eat it up, but ones with a palate for quality will kick it aside. It’s confusing to see the various versions of characters across different formats. That’s a concern with marvel right now when it comes to Daredevil though. Word is, Daredevil may be recast if appearing in a feature film…

Everyone’s preferences are all different, which is hard when figuring out how to accomplish extended existences of characters in film. Hopefully we get a good DC universe sooner rather than later.

‘The Revenant’ (Leonardo DiCaprio) 2016 Review

Don’t wait to see this at home. There are outrageously thrilling sequences that I can only be fully appreciated on the big screen. Without divulging too much, there’s a bear mauling sequence in the film. It’s potentially the best animal vs man sequence of all time. It’s the most impressive and memorable sequence of the film and leaves you with chills.

Leonardo DiCaprio nails it again. The most talented actor in Hollywood without yet having won the precious Academy Award for Best Actor. It’s possible “The Revenant” delivers his finest performance. Considering his long list of works, it’s saying a lot to put this performance at least near the top. The intense grit he wields in the film is exciting. Very little dialogue is spoken by him in the film. That means his raw talent is exposed even further for mass audiences, critics, as well as the Academy. Each nuance was captured perfectly. I especially liked the using of his mouth to assist in loading of lead into the musket. It was also impressing that he learned two Native American languages. Against the wishes of his director, DiCaprio ate a potentially disease-ridden organ… even when a faux version made of jello was available. Leo claimed he didn’t think it would have been real enough.

The cultures of the characters were each unique, creating realistic chaos among them. It makes sense that such “kill or be killed” natures of the characters would lead to on-set tension between the cast and staff. It didn’t help that the weather portrayed was also the weather these same individuals had to endure throughout filming. It was emphasized that natural light would be used. While it’s appreciated by those with the appropriate palate, the natural difficulty in fighting off frostbite in the below 40 degree climate may go unappreciated by others.

Director Alejandro G. Inarritu is Unique, and rumors included him with the many others who potentially partook in the on-set quarrels. The scale of the film mixing with the director’s unique vision added to large concern during filming that the project would implode. Due to timing, Inarritu was forced to begin editing before the ending of the film had been shot. I’m sure tensions were high also in part of the director subjecting the cast and staff to such severe climates in order to accomplish his desires. This was praised later by DiCaprio, who admires the all-out hard work, even in extremes. Because he was so adamant about filming in authentic conditions, filming was a bit severe. When snow was lacking, filming seized, and was relocated; extending the entire process.

In an interview, sitting beside Director Alejandro G. Inarritu, Leo said, “There’s been a lot said about the movie and the difficulties making it, and how meticulous Alejandro is with his vision. But to me, that’s the shit that should be praised. I don’t want to work with somebody who isn’t thinking of every possible aspect of what’s up on the screen. I think there’s a hunger for audiences to see something completely extreme and difficult,” and that’s exactly right.

Since the film’s concerns began during filming, the financial success of the film has been in the air. Now, the film has surpassed $300 million.

Others in the film did fine. Tom Hardy was exceptional again, but the film is carried by two things: Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance and a bear mauling. Adding the epic cinematography, praised for it’s filming hardships, added a delicious topping to the film.

Some of the events in the story feel a bit far fetched, and they were, according to accounts. It’s been explained that the real life fur trapper Hugh Glass had his spirit successfully portrayed in the film but had a handful of changes for the film’s story. One thing changed was how the bear mauling was stopped. Based on eye witnesses, Glass was mauled, but that it took several shots from the rifles of peers to stop the attack. Also, the bit about being married to a Native American woman has little leg to stand on. Another key element was the weather conditions, the bear attack actually took place during the summer, not the dramatic winter. Lastly, Glass didn’t have a racially mixed son killed by one of his peers, but they did leave him to die in a shallow grave as portrayed.

The story is simple, and the performance is great. Outside of DiCaprio’s performance and the bear scene, there’s no new content that film lovers haven’t seen yet, but it’s all done so well together that it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I am guilty of laughing several times, not out of humor, but I got delirious from gratifying sequences. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and it left a mark on me. I like when films leave me with lasting impressions.