The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened? review

The Death of "Superman Lives:" What Happened? (2015)
Directed by Jon Schnepp
Written by Jon Schnepp
Starring: Jon Schnepp, Jon Peters, Tim Burton, Kevin Smith

I should let it be known that I think Jon Schnepp is the coolest. He's directed episodes of Metalocalypse; he edited Space Ghost Coast to Coast; he's a recurring panelist on Collider Movie Talk (formerly AMC Movie Talk), one of my favorite movie shows online.

I should let it be known that I think failed movies are incredibly interesting. I even did an episode of a (possible) podcast called Unseen Silver Screen on another failed superhero movie, Justice League: Mortal, that is getting ITS own documentary on how it failed.

I should let it be known that when you combine the two, I get incredibly excited. The Death of "Superman Lives:" What Happened? is exactly that. Does it deliver though?

You bet your Kryptonian ass it does, but what exactly WAS Superman Lives? 

"Superman Lives" was a failed 1990's Superman movie written by Kevin Smith, produced by Jon Peters, directed by Tim Burton and Superman was to be played by Nicolas Cage. That was a real thing at one point. The movie is told through a series of interviews with various people who were attached to the project at one time or another. It really tried to shed light on just what "Superman Lives" would have been. 

Some of these interviews are INCREDIBLE, specifically Jon Peters and Tim Burton because of exactly what their visions were for the movie. "Like what?" Well for starters Jon Peters didn't want Superman to fly or wear his usual suit and he was supposed to fight a giant spider. It's as insane as it sounds.

Some of the concept art is incredible to see, and getting to watch the photo-shoot of the infamous picture of Nicolas Cage as Superman in a test-suit was SO SATISFYING. Listening to Nicolas Cage talk in 1997 about how he viewed Clark Kent and Superman as people might be one of the single greatest things. You can tell he was a Superman fanboy and was excited to try a new take on the man of steel.

                       (Look at that 2nd picture. That looks pretty sweet. The 
              1st picture was in mid-blink with an unfinished suit.)



Getting to see the behind the scenes videos as well as hear the crews views and opinions on what was going on is a fantastic experience. One thing TDOSLWH skips over though is what the story would have been. Yes, we get to know that Christopher Walken might have played Braniac and would have fought polar bears, but you never get a clear idea as to what the plot of the movie would have been. There are a few plot points discussed here and there which help you figure parts out, as well as the knowledge that it would have been based on "The Death of Superman" storyline from the comics, but that's just it. It would have been BASED on it. What exactly would happen to Superman and why? That's never defined entirely.

That doesn't mean that this is a bad movie, not at all. In fact, that's the only downside to it. Jon Schnepp really took the time to find all of these people and art and he even directs live action versions of things that might have happened in "Superman Lives" had it have happened. Find this movie. Download it. Watch it. TDOSLWH gets an 8/10. 

-Samuel

No Escape review

No Escape (2015)
Directed by John Erick Dowdle
Written by John Erick Dowdle & Drew Dowdle
Starring: Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce Brosnan

There was no escape from talking about No Escape.

No Escape follows the Dwyer family as they move to some unnamed Asian country (most likely Cambodia) due to Jack's (Owen Wilson) job for an engineering company called Cardiff moving him. A coup occurs and the Asian rebels begin to murder the foreigners and people they see in line with the former government. The Dwyers try to stay alive with the help of a man named Hammond (Pierce Brosnan) who might know just what is going on.

I'll say the movie has "thrills." It's labeled as a mystery or suspense film on Rotten Tomatoes, but it is more of a thriller in my opinion. No Escape has parts that are scary, somewhat uncomfortable but nothing that is ever too terrible. That is where the movie falters.

John Erick Dowdle, who co-wrote and directed No Escape, does a better job in both positions than his last movie As Above, So Below, but he manages to make the "escape" seem way too easy. They hide in a bush and the rebels miss them. Easy. They put on scarves and hats and walk right through a rebel protest and are almost spotted, yet still manage to get through. Easy.

Owen Wilson's "gee whiz" swagger (from a review on The Work Print) works at the beginning of the movie, but as the story goes on it starts to become a bit of distraction because it rubs off on the rest of his family. Everyone somehow manages to become a "wow what is happening? why are we in this?" thinking character and that falls on Dowdle's script. Character development is also little-to-none which makes for a somewhat one-not movie. "Oh hey we are foreigners and we need to survive!" The times that the script tries to give characters some time to shine isn't entirely explained. (i.e. the scene with Lake Bell and Owen Wilson in the bathroom). Hammond is the only exception due to how fun and interesting his character is. More on him later.

No Escape's editing and direction create a chilling atmosphere, though, which really put you inside of the mind of the Dwyers. That's a positive. Hammond's character is also a positive when he is onscreen because he injects a sense of fun at times and real danger at others into the film. Spoiler warning for No Escape though...

SPOILER WARNING NOW. SCROLL TIL YOU SEE "ALL CLEAR."

Why did Hammond HAVE to die? I get he was a mentor, but he was probably the best character and added a new perspective on the uprising. Killing him off wasted the talent of Pierce Brosnan, but his death was sorta cool (with him shooting the driver of a truck and then opening his arms to accept death as the truck ran him right over). Ugh. That part bugged me. Oh well.

ALL CLEAR.

Overall, No Escape has thrills and some fun throughout but the script's poor execution leaves characters feeling bland or annoying. I give No Escape a 4.5/10. The video below is of my friend Baili's reaction to the film after we left our screening. She gives it a 6/10.

-Samuel

American Ultra review

Our review on American Ultra.

About Us

"...ratings are relative, not absolute." -Roger Ebert

Samuel Janvier enjoys a plethora of things like Nintendo, weird music and, of course, movies. He is attending the University of Texas at Austin for a BA in Theatre. His favorite movie is Troll 2.

Ethan Wells is a guy who likes movies and old music. That's about it. His favorite movie is Fight Club.

Justice League: Mortal

Here is Episode 0 of Unseen Silver Screen, it's basically a test. Enjoy!

What's Up with the Cool New Site, Man?

If you're reading this, then you are at our new website! Welcome to Cinematic Static, where Ethan and I (Samuel) will review movies, talk about movies and think about (you guessed it) movies. 

Hopefully this site runs smoothly and surely. Hooray for new things! There will be others announced in the near future from us so be on the look out!

-Samuel