Movies For Tonight

Superman

Superman must reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing and defend values that the modern world deems old-fashioned. A reboot of Superman, this time from James Gunn. Worth it?

• David Corenswet is actually really good as Superman.
• His chemistry with Lois is clear and gives the movie an extra boost.
• Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is sharp and has a real purpose in the story.
• Mr. Terrific and his powers were great.
• There’s some good, even ironic, humor sprinkled throughout.
• Nicolas Hoult as the brilliant yet self-absorbed Lex Luthor didn’t convince me from the trailers, but he turned out quite solid.
• The interview scene between Lois and Superman is quite impressive.
• The visual effects were just fine.
• It’s a very enjoyable watch.
• Krypto was cute—even if CGI—and genuinely funny.
• I didn’t mind Superman’s more grounded, human approach.
• The film has character and emotion, and that really won me over.
• I liked how it placed Superman within the complexity—and even toxicity—of the modern world.

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• Green Lantern & Hawkgirl were meh for me.
• The monster scene felt unnecessary (added for spectacle, but it didn’t land).
• The overtly “politicized” element didn’t work for me.
• Some humor worked, some didn’t.
• There’s a bit of inconsistency in pacing (even though it’s generally fast).
• It lacks major, jaw-dropping action scenes—something that might disappoint part of the audience, especially for a reboot—but I think it’s intentional.
• The script isn’t particularly complex and has a few narrative weaknesses.

Awakenings

Dr. Malcolm Sayer experiments with a new drug to awaken his catatonic patients—victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to whom he administers the medication. Leonard’s visible improvement revitalizes Sayer’s own spirit, as the two share together the simple joys of life. Encouraged by the results, Sayer gives the drug to more patients, challenging the conventions of his medical field.

Released in 1990, I had never seen it until recently. It was nominated for three Oscars—Best Picture, Best Actor (Robert De Niro), and Best Adapted Screenplay—and deservedly so.

It’s a film that clearly presents the dilemmas, doubts, risks, and fears of the medical community—the patience and persistence of the caregivers—and how a monotonous environment can suddenly come alive.

Robert De Niro and Robin Williams are both outstanding in their roles, the two central figures who bring out all the emotion of the story.

The direction is flawless, the cinematography excellent, and the score deeply moving—but the film’s greatest strength lies in the message it conveys to its audience.

It’s an opportunity to reflect on what truly matters in life, what gives it meaning, and what we too often take for granted and set aside.

****Overall, a film about the positive side of life.****