The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened? - Review

My Personal Road to "Superman Lives"

I remember sitting in the University Library, looking up any details I can about the then yet to be filmed Man of Steel. That is when I stumbled upon a small blip in my nerdy research that led me to the infamous Kevin Smith video detailing his experience on a film called Superman Lives. And soon after, my obsession with this mythic project that never was grew exponentially. I scoured the internet looking for anything I possibly could relating to this film. From the Kevin Smith Draft, to the Wesley Strick draft,  to the concept art, and that now infamous unflattering photo of Nic Cage with a mullet rocking a very shiny rubber Superman suit. But at some point I realized I should be focusing on my studies and not on a motion picture that was never made. However, luckily for me, and thousands of others, one of us was willing to delve much deeper. Enter Jon Schnepp, famed animation director of Metalocalypse and The Venture Bros. as well as famed internet personality, who took to Kick Starter with the proposal of discovering what truly happened to this now infamous film in the form of a Documentary. And after many years since that announcement, Schnepp and producer Holly Payne have crafted a highly informative film that gives eager "sweaty nerds" and general audiences a glimpse into what could've been.

The Truth Behind the Legend

I was lucky to attend the Houston/Cypress screening of the film which had Schnepp and Payne present to let everyone know up front, this is their first time making a documentary. While it definitely shows, that does not hinder the experience they created.

After a very simple intro made by Schnepp, we then enter the world of Hollywood politics and water cooler talks that go way too far. For those who have seen the Kevin Smith video about the genesis of Superman Lives and how he became a part of it, the first 20 minutes after the intro may be a bit boring, with a few interjected interviews here and there to add a little bit more flavor. But to someone who has never seen that video, then the WHOLE package from beginning to end will be one hell of a revelation!

I was indeed one of those people who wished I could skip Smith's launch of the project and get to the parts that I don't know. And it is GLOURIOUS!

From the number of concept and visual effects artists, to the beautiful concept art, to the tidbits of how Smith's story would morph into Wesley Strick's story then eventually to its possible final form with Dan Gilory. The insight, the splendor of Krypton, the painful bad memories that director Tim Burton had to release as he talked to Schnepp. Every single aspect of this film was meant to inform the viewer with one thing: THIS WAS A WORK IN PROGRESS!

The reason for such an angle, and I'm glad Schnepp took it by that angle, is that many people were quick to judge that everything that has been leaked on the internet was the final product. VFX Artist Steve Johnson's light up neon crystal rainbow Superman suit was blasted for being terrible, when people didn't even know the context of why Superman was wearing that suit. The really horrible Nic Cage picture of him wearing the Superman outfit? That wasn't even the final outfit! It was just a costume test to see how he feels about the costume and what they can change. I heavily commend this film, and other documentaries about movies that never were, always address that filmmaking is a process of controlled evolution. And we see that evolution from the story, to the costumes, to the design of the film.

But I honestly have to say. While it is nice to have Tim Burton, Kevin Smith, Wesley Strick, Steve Johnson, Colleen Atwood, and Dan Gilroy talk about the film; there was one voice who I was pleasantly surprised to see pop in this movie. The infamous producer that Kevin Smith has turned into a legend, Jon Peters! The man himself brings his extreme charisma, as well as his wild out of the box ideas that shaped this movie into what it could've been. It is highly commendable for talents such as Burton, Smith, Strick and Gilory to find a way through the madness of Peters to create something that may have possibly worked. But is is clear that this is a movie that Peters was definitely passionate about, even though he is not a hardcore Superman fan and wanted to change everything. But someone who was a hardcore fan and was sorely lacking from this film was an interview from the What If Superman himself, Nicolas Cage.

Schnepp was unfortunately unable to secure an interview with the former Oscar winner, who has now become a meme and long running joke in Hollywood. But Schnepp makes up for this loss with some behind the scenes home video footage provided by the production's costume designer, Colleen Atwood. In there we see the origin of that unflattering picture, but it is a completely different story when seeing Cage in motion in the suit. But what is more impressive about the footage, is hearing Nic Cage dissect and analyze the character of Superman with director Tim Burton observing him. He has a clear grasp on who the character is, as well as how to treat his alter ego Clark Kent. It was a fascinating and intimate video about one man's willingness to put his own spin on the character, but acknowledge everything he loves about him.

Final Thoughts

I've held back on a lot more details such as the plot of Superman Lives and how the documentary explores its evolution. But I feel that those moments and that information should be experienced by watching this documentary when it becomes available on Blu Ray. There is so much more than what I pointed out here, and I leave all that for the viewer to enjoy. By all means though, if you do find yourself curious by this, please go out and buy the film. I wasn't able to pledge money to Schnepp and Payne when they were Kick Starting the project, but I'll gladly pay to own the Blu Ray. This truly is an incredible film that feels bittersweet by the end. It will leave you wondering with one simple question: What if? And that's okay.

SCORE: 8.5/10 - If you didn't see the Kevin Smith video, then this is a 9/10!

Nightcrawler - Review

If it bleeds, it leads

The motto takes on a whole new level with this film.

The Plot

Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a highly intelligent and meticulous individual, is looking for a job. And that comes to him when he encounters a "Nightcrawler" named Joe Loder (Bill Paxton), who introduces him to the world of freelance video journalism. Recruiting an assistant (Riz Ahmed), getting in good terms with a News Director (Rene Russo) and arming himself with the equipment he needs, Lou sets out to become the best Nightcrawler in the business.

Review

I am late to the game in watching this movie. I had to wait to buy the Blu Ray in order to watch it. And I'm so glad I did. First time director, Dan Gilory, definitely created one hell of a feature film debut with this great examination on the shady business of "Nightcrawling." It also helps that he is an incredible screenwriter, because the script is crisp and easily avoids the easy way out of things when it comes to characterizations and plot points. But none of that would've mattered if the wrong person was casted in the role of Lou Bloom. And we should be thankful that Jake Gyllenhaal IS Lou Bloom.

Gyllenhaal completely transforms into the strangest, yet most efficient, person you'll ever meet. Lou is the very definition of a sociopath. He is completely removed from morals and only views things in quantifiable measurements that shape the reality he sees. And it is a reality that in the end is a very true one. The character of Lou may come off as a horrible individual due to his actions, but what makes him strangely likable and appealing is not just his efficiency, but the way he speaks. There is definitely something unhinged about the way he talks, but it isn't noticeable until he starts talking blackmail. The most difficult roles to play, are the ones where the main characters are inherently evil due to moral standards, but are in some ways extremely likable. He is a guy who is having a hard time finding a job (many can relate to that) and when he finds something he can do, he makes sure he is the best at it (something we can all aspire to). But there is no denying that his lack of morals in order for efficiency does make him a terrible person. And it is  electrifying to watch on screen.

Lou's enablers are pretty much the most relatable characters in the film, but what makes both of them wrong is that they are what they: enablers. Lou's employee, Rick, played by Riz Ahmed is definitely the only one who has a moral compass. But because of his disposition of being an individual who doesn't really have many options in life, it easily makes him someone who is not just an enabler but a follower as well. While this could easily be a weak role, it is a testament to Ahmed for making his character not appear to be too weak, just morally conflicted. Then there is Nina, the News Director played by Rene Russo, who is driven to give her channel high ratings with horrifying yet well composed images. And luckily for her, Lou is capable of delivering those things. Russo does a great job of playing someone who initially comes off as being amoral as Lou, but then her morals resurface on the discovery of just how sociopathic he really is. Both of them play such key roles in helping us explore Lou's personality and help us understand just how far all of these individuals are willing to go in order to achieve success. And although his role was a small one, Bill Paxton definitely played a key role in jump starting this whole experience.

But the core of the film is an examination of the long used journalism slogan: "If it bleeds, it leads." This film takes an interesting look in how exactly news stations get their hands on "exclusive" footage in order to draw ratings. Having studied TV and film, as well as worked in a control room before, I know exactly how all this goes on. So it is no surprise to me that what these people do can be considered amoral, especially if someone like Lou is working on the job. But what Gilroy did so masterfully well is not beating it over the head that this is morally wrong. Well maybe he does do it at the end, but by that point it is earned by showing us pretty normal things that we see on the news prior to that point. Especially given its noir and thriller look will set this film apart from others that try to deliver a message. Because the key that Gilroy seems to understand is that the message has to be formulated by the audience, while the story is king.

Final Thoughts

I couldn't do my top 10 list of best films of the year of 2014 because I could never watch all the films I wanted to see for that year. And if I was able to do so, this definitely would've been in the Top 5. Nighcrawler is an incredible thriller about how far is too far in the world of news that doesn't come off as a preachy look on the morality of the media. Instead what we get is an incredible story with a great knockout performance by Jake Gyllenhaal as the ever efficient Lou Bloom. This is definitely one of the best films of 2014.

SCORE: 9/10 - A riveting thriller with an incredible performance by Jake Gyllenhaal