After a nice long break, the Piffcast is back! It’s been a month, so Mike and TJ had some catching up to do…
– Developing a Kris Bryant’s up-to-bat Alert App
– Comic-Con Trailer Roundup
– TJ’s movie homework (including some Mark Ruffalo recommendations)
– What we’re watching on TV (Stranger Things, The Night Of)
– The Pokemon around Mike’s house (don’t go looking)
– Coldplay at Soldier Field and K-Pop ‘farms’
– A special thank you to awesome people
…and much more!
Appearing on American Ninja Warrior’s Season 8 premiere, Jessie Graff became the first woman to complete the course. Graff is a stunt performer on DC’s Supergirl, but kicked the qualifier’s ass in full Wonder Woman swag.
As hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila pointed out, Graff had competed on the series before but looked much stronger on her second try. Well, duh.
Graff is black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a black sash in Kung Fu, and also a former pole vaulter. Her stunt resume is very impressive, including blockbusters like X-Men: First Class, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Live Free or Die Hard.
You can also see her on Supergirl as Season 2 premieres this Fall on the CW, joining the established DC weekly lineup of The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow. When they do the 4-show week-long crossover event, just keep in mind that there was a badass American Ninja Warrior on set…who also starred in a live-action Family Guy “Chicken Fight” video? Oh yeah.
After a record setting weekend for DC films at the box office ($166.1 million), it feels safe to finally vent about one of the most anticipated films for superhero fans in a long time. I understand a few of you have not seen the flick, so consider this a warning for spoilers. YOU ARE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Going into my Thursday night opening showing of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in IMAX, I fought very hard to keep an open mind. Reviews were less than stellar after screenings earlier in the week from people I trust, and I was already skeptical based on a lot of eye-rolling marketing. The Batman fan in me was still excited though, and I was ready for the new story following Dark Knight Trilogy.
I left the theater liking some things but hating other aspects about the film. There were pieces I felt could be built on and would make for a very interesting extended universe that DC and Warner Bros. plan to rely on as they look to fill a void left by The Hobbit and Harry Potter franchises. You can’t blame them after the opening weekend monetary success and wanting to keep pace with Marvel. Please do so without Zack Snyder though…
When I was asked how I would rate the film, I couldn’t commit to any end of the “Terrible to Great” spectrum so I’d say “6 out of 10 tops”. I also felt the last 3rd of the movie was significantly better than the first 2/3, and I hate that I had to wait for it to happen. To express that better, lets look at each variable that went into the 2 hour and 30 minute film.
What I liked: Ben Affleck impressed me. I personally don’t have him on the Christian Bale/Michael Keaton top tier, but he’s hanging out above Val Kilmer on my Batman actor list. Affleck fit the older and grizzled Batman that they chose to roll with. He was even better as Bruce Wayne. He carried himself like a dignitary at Lex Luthor’s party. He was relatively suave in his banter with Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) and could do the “reckless playboy act” when it was needed. Affleck’s introduction from Bruce’s point of view during the Superman-Zod battle in Metropolis was smart and compelling. And in a film that was nearly void of comic relief, he and Alfred (played by Jeremy Irons) provided the little bit that was there.
Side note: Is it me, or was Irons way too handsome for Alfred? Not saying I minded it…
If there’s something I feel confident about going forward in this new DC universe is Affleck’s influence for the upcoming Batman solo film. I trust Affleck as a filmmaker more than Snyder, with The Town and Argo on his directorial resume.
What I didn’t like: While Bruce Wayne’s entrance into the film was very good, Batman’s was not. What made Christopher Nolan’s trilogy very good was its ability to get you excited when the Dark Knight would stop crime with stealth attacks and cool choreographed fights. Instead, Snyder chose to introduce Batman as a criminal who apparently tortures sex trade criminals off-camera, leaves a bat brand on them, and then scurries away when police show up. Not the best first impression for fans who have gotten to know at least 5 different versions of Batman.
The multiple dream sequences were silly as is, but the second one that leads to a confrontation with a genocidal Superman was the most disheartening. Why is Batman using a gun and shooting people? Has he completely abandoned his “No kill” policy that separates him morally from everyone else? Then came his actual fight scene toward the end of the film with Luthor’s henchmen. Rather than an impressive rehearsed fight, it was all CGI, cartoonish and hard to even follow. When TV shows like Arrow and Daredevil are killing it with stunt actors and fight scenes, you can at least try to hold yourself to their standard. Yes, the CW beat you in something, Snyder.
Lastly, seemed a little too quick to be referring to yourself as a “friend of your son’s” to Martha, didn’t it?
What I liked: Henry Cavill has the look, there’s no denying that. Superman is very difficult character to make relatable based on his ability to really do EVERYTHING, and Cavill pull off the dangerous and overpowering demeanor that people, like Batman and skeptics, fear. I have a hard time faulting Cavill when you know the people writing and directing his character are the ones responsible for most of the problems.
What I didn’t like: The “woe is me, I’m not from this planet” bit was so melodramatic and overplayed. We know, Superman. You had a whole standalone film (Man of Steel) to show us that and we, the audience, don’t care. Just go save some people in amazingly cool ways! Unfortunately, Snyder chose to downplay Superman’s cool and selfless acts toward the beginning in typical Snyder-like slow-mo with arrogant vibes and commentary over him. Rather than ramp up a rivalry with Batman, as the film’s title suggested, Superman seemed way more concerned with the public perception of him and the where he fits on Earth. It seemed more like a “this universe isn’t big enough for the both of us” rivalry for Superman, than an actual threat of global security…like it was for Batman. Then when he knows he has to team up with Bruce Wayne, Superman actually entertains the option to kill him when explaining it to Lois Lane. You’re better than that, Clark.
In their first meeting, Clark Kent has the opportunity to listen to the conversation between Bruce and Alfred (which he exhibits) and find out why they are investigating Luthor but doesn’t even take advantage of that. Just seems like a lot of drama could’ve been saved in that sequence that makes Superman appear more shortsighted than he should be.
What I liked: If Jesse Eisenberg’s goal was to make you hate his character, he did a very good job of that. He started off annoying and obviously spoiled, continued to be annoying but more dangerous, then finished as self-aggrandizing and psychotic (I know he had an okay comeback to that observation from Lois). The character comes off brilliant but only to an extent.
What I didn’t like: Eisenberg’s version of Luthor has influence and power, but zero poise or enough wit that could go toe-to-toe with either Superman or Batman. Joker is psychotic, but there’s method to his madness and you respect the danger he can inflict as well as his ability to exploit what’s wrong with the world to his advantage. Eisenbeg’s Luthor seemed to crack before we could respect him. And cool, he knows something we don’t about bigger baddies that are bound to come, but why should anyone want to team up with him?
How did Luthor expect to control Doomsday after unleashing him anyway? Was the end game just destroy Superman and Batman, and then the world? Doomsday never showed any sign of allegiance when he “busted out” of the ship.
What I like: I like Amy Adams as Lois a lot. A very good actress who holds her own well in a blockbuster. Her status at the Daily Planet, as someone who gets what she wants when she wants was impressive. Unfortunately…
What I didn’t like: …her storyline had no real bearing on the outcome until MAYBE the very end. Her investigation with the intelligence bureaucrat was distracting and unnecessary. Bruce Wayne did all the digging anyone needed into Lex Luthor that broke open his so-called “masterplan”, which was pretty weak as is. Then she was reduced to Superman’s damsel in distress (twice) when she doesn’t have to be anymore. Audiences are ready for badass women, even those without powers. Let Lois be one.
What I liked: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman was a bright spot in a pretty dreary movie. I have to admit, I clapped when she showed up in the battle vs. Doomsday and her music a nice shot of necessary adrenaline. As Bruce is looking into her hack filed, compiled by Luthor, we see the photo of her alongside Chris Pine and that had us intrigued in her upcoming 2017 film.
What I didn’t like: That it took until the very end of the movie to see her in action. We know she lifted Bruce Wayne’s jump drive, but what was she doing with it? If she was going to just fly away on a plane, she obviously stopped pursuing it. I would’ve liked to know what her angle and purpose was in Metropolis before meeting Batman and Superman. As far as we know, she was just…there.
You are allowed to like the movie. It’s very okay. Your taste in films and expectations can be very different than mine. Just know that it could have been a lot better, and we as fans deserved it to be after waiting so long for something like this to come along.
The more Batman v. Superman trailers and clips are released, the less enthused many are getting about it.
Even Deadpool and his film’s marketing team are having fun at the Man of Steal and Dark Knight’s expense.
It’s still an exciting year for superhero fans. Deadpool hits theaters February 12th, Batman v. Superman will be out March 25th, Captain America: Civil War May 6th, and X-Men: Apocalypse May 27th.
Warner Brothers and DC seem to already be looking beyond Batman v. Superman by releasing a new Suicide Squad trailer, which is due out August 5th. After seeing it myself, so am I.
Unlike the recent BvS promotions, the Suicide Squad stuff doesn’t give too much away. And more importantly, it’s FUN. The dialog is a little cheesy, but that comes with the Summer blockbuster territory.
Also looking ahead, Warner Bros. produced a featurette for the upcoming Wonder Woman film (June 23rd, 2017). The intent might’ve been to get you interested in BvS, but I might be more intrigued in her standalone film instead.
Next step would be to incorporate the DC TV universe into their film universe, but that’s a rant for another day.
Ant-Man premiered last night, and it was good…Oh, was it good.
The film does an excellent job maintaining an upbeat tone. May even be more of a comedy, but that’s refreshing coming off of Age of Ultron. Paul Rudd was definitely the right choice, Evangeline Lilly was a badass, and Michael Pena steals the show. Aside from some really awkward editing and cutaways, Ant-Man wasn’t the “doomed movie” people expected it to be. As you probably know, the #1 rule to Marvel films is to not leave before the credits are over (besides Ultron). Fans looking forward to what’s next get an excellent tease for the upcoming installment for “Phase III” of the Marvel Universe. While Marvel Studios wasn’t as prevalent at Comic-Con San Diego this year as it has been in the past, Ant-Man provides enough promotion and a taste for Captain America: Civil War.
DC, on the other hand, put on the full-court press for Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The epic trailer, which looked even cooler in IMAX before Ant-Man, has fans buzzing and excited for the Dark Knight and Man of Steel to finally throw down.
“Nobody cares about Clark Kent taking on the Batman.” Speak for yourself, Laurence Fishburne.
You may recall that there was already a battle between Marvel and Warner Bros for their movies’ release dates in 2016. Both studios had a staring contest while eyeing May 6th, and the WB flinched by moving Superman v. Batman up to Easter weekend, March 25th. While the rivalry in the box office will be interesting, the fights on the screen are what we care about most.
Batman and Superman will be fun, but what about Captain America vs. Iron Man? We saw the tension between the super-soldier and the self described “genius billionaire playboy philanthropist“. While Steve Rogers and Tony Stark duke it out, we get to enjoy it…like Thor will from up in Asgard.
I envy everyone who attended San Diego Comic-Con 2015 this past weekend. Attendees were lucky enough to witness first looks at upcoming Star Wars, DC, and Marvel films. Fortunately, those of us who couldn’t attend have the internet and access to the streaming of panels, and releases of footage (official or leaked). Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice finally gave us their first full trailer. Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Suicide Squad headlined with panels and trailer presentations that made their way to the internet shortly after. Even THE MUPPETS made their presence felt, discussing their mockumentary series that will air on ABC later this year. The biggest takeaway from the SDCC weekend may have been exactly what all of us young (and old) padawans have been waiting for…Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens coming to life.
If you’re like me, you salivated at the idea of “real sets” and “practical effects”, which were missing from Episodes I-III…and Jurassic World for that matter. (CGI takes the magic away from things, but that’s a discussion for another day.)
This past weekend, overall, was an excellent reminder of how good it is to be a geek these days. A generation that grew up on comic books, video games, and Superhero cartoons are now being treated to a Hollywood that appreciates those mediums. Before the first Iron Man movie, did you expect to see a full timeline of Avengers/Marvel films scheduled through May 3rd, 2019? Following Revenge of the Sith, Did you imagine Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford would team up again as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo? You’re lying if say you did…Or have a time-traveling DeLorean in your garage.
While we have new Superhero films hitting theaters every 3-4 months now, television has caught up to the big screen as an excellent resource for geek entertainment (and distraction). What Marvel has accomplished with feature films and creating an epic universe for the Avengers, DC has done on the CW network with Arrow, The Flash and the upcoming Legends of Tomorrow…
Fox’s Gotham and ABC’s Agents of Shield series are fun, but not nearly as compelling as the stories presented in the Arrow/Flash universe (which I wish the DC film division took notice of). Meanwhile, Netflix has entered the ring with excellent original programming. The first season of Daredevil cleansed the pallet of a fans who were left with a bad taste after the previous adaptation, starring Ben Affleck. It also opened the door to a universe that will involve 4 other Marvel series on Netflix, including Jessica Jones later this year, then Luke Cage, The Iron Fist, and then The Defenders.
Recently, I’ve noticed a contrarian and trendy narrative in TV shows, such as Community and Mr. Robot, that suggest people are suckers for enjoying Superhero films. In the writers’ opinion, we’re all lemmings for going to the movie theater and paying money for these films, and that’s just simply wrong. Just about every one of the Marvel films consist of better stories and dialogue than you’ll find in any of other franchises getting recent installments (looking at you Jurassic World, Terminator: Genisys and ALL of the Transformers films). I also think those are counter-culture comments being made for the sake of being counter-culture. Consider that a win, Geeks. You are today’s “culture”, and it’s wonderful.
Have you ever Googled the definition of “Geek”? The definition isn’t particularly flattering and may have been written by Biff from “Back To The Future”…
Yep. straight from Google. (Google is a jerk sometimes). Those who believe in the “unfashionable” and “carnival performer” assumptions are the same people who made fun of you to feel better about themselves and are probably looking forward to their high school reunions way more than the average person should.
The truth lies somewhere in the sub-definitions. “A knowledgeable enthusiast” (obsessive is a bit strong) or one who “becomes extremely excited about a subject” sounds more like a typical fan than a “socially inept person”. It also applies to more than comic books, video games, and superheroes. If you are amped up for next seasons for The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, or even less fantasy-driven shows like House of Cards or Empire, you are indeed a geek. If you are checking every new beer you try on the Untappd app, you are a geek. If you are over-preparing for your upcoming fantasy football draft or really looking forward to when Blackhawks tickets go on sale, you are a geek…not a freak.
Geek is fun. Geek is chic. Geek is “normal”…I use the term “normal” very loosely because I don’t think there is such thing as normal. We all have different backgrounds, different interests, different hobbies, and different experiences. When we can bond on any of those different things, then maybe we start to feel “normal”. Being a geek is sort of like that.
I love that I can discuss the things I get excited about on this website like movies, music, TV, sports and food, because I know there are many who share these same interests…many of whom, are in fact geeks (whether they identify as such or not). It’s a community that grows everyday thanks to social media and the ever-evolving entertainment culture, one that can be both appealing but sometimes over-critical.
For now, it’s just simply good. I mean, who ISN’T geeking out about Star Wars returning this Winter?
Of course as soon as I mention it in this post, Warner Bros releases the Suicide Squadtrailer. Enjoy!
michaelpiff 