Comic book films

On Gwen Stacy and The Amazing Spiderman 2’s Dubious Feminism

Scott Mendelson, a contributor at Forbes and owner of one of the creepiest profile photos of all time, wrote a piece recently on The Amazing Spiderman 2 and the problems inherent to its most iconic scene. As anybody with even a passing interest in Spiderman comics knows, Gwen Stacy is one of the Web Head's…Read more On Gwen Stacy and The Amazing Spiderman 2’s Dubious Feminism

Film Review: The Dark Knight Returns – Part I (2012)

Frank Miller’s 1986 mini-series, The Dark Knight Returns (DKR), is set in a dystopian future. Featuring an aging, alcoholic Bruce Wayne coming out of retirement to combat a rising tide of criminality, the series set off shock waves that are still being felt over two decades later. Often imitated yet rarely equaled, possible adaptations of DKR have been discussed for…Read more Film Review: The Dark Knight Returns – Part I (2012)

“I’m As American As It Gets” – On the Murky Immigration Politics of Man of Steel

If there is a half-way coherent theme in Zach Snyder's polarizing mega-film, Man of Steel, it is the trauma of choice. More specifically, Steel relates the dichotomized inner-life created through the experience of immigration, where one simultaneously feels the pressures of nationalism for one's current home, and vestiges of loyalty towards the individual's original homeland, and then must…Read more “I’m As American As It Gets” – On the Murky Immigration Politics of Man of Steel

Film Review: Man of Steel (2013)

At one point in Man of Steel the ethereal spirit of Big Blue’s long-deceased papa Jor-El grimly assures his son that he will not only be able to save Lois Lane from the fiendish General Zod, but all of humanity. This statement becomes increasingly more absurd as the movie moves towards its finale: a big albeit vapid rumble in the…Read more Film Review: Man of Steel (2013)

Film Review: The Dark Knight Returns – Part II (2012)

Inconsistent yet still undeniably entertaining, the second part of Warner Brothers' The Dark Knight Returns (DKR) adaptation is a big film that wrestles admirably with its complex source material. “He can fly!” exclaims an awestruck cop (while observing a temporarily aerial Batman) during one of the film’s many well-done action sequences. The same thing can occasionally…Read more Film Review: The Dark Knight Returns – Part II (2012)