THIS is the week this particular cinephile has been awaiting, with the all new Superman flying into theatres.
While films based on comics owned by Warner Bros. have been a mixed bag (to be generous), the involvement of James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) as writer, director and creative head for films under the “DC Comics” banner is a major plus.
Gunn has proven to be an eminently entertaining filmmaker, who is able to elicit laughter, choreograph engaging action as well as focus on very human characters and touch on deeply moving themes.
All of this will fit perfectly with this newest iteration of the Man of Steel (played by David Corenswet), as the first ever superhero works to uphold truth and justice in the midst of powers that think only of themselves.
As Gunn himself puts it “He is ‘kindness’ in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned.”
That’s something I think everyone needs to experience.
A very different kind of family film also premieres with Smurfs.
Based on the nearly 60-year-old comic by Belgian artist Peyo, this modern take sees Smurfette (the “girl smurf”) lead the tiny blue folk into the “real world” to rescue the kidnapped Papa Smurf from the evil wizard Gargamel.
Very much a “jukebox musical”, this film is more concerned with spontaneous karaoke moments than anything else, and the voice cast (Rihanna, John Goodman, James Corden) reflect the “songs first” attitude.
There is also a limited release of A Nice Indian Boy.
Based on a stage play by Madhuri Shekar, the film recalls comedies like The Birdcage or In and Out with its tale of an anxious, gay doctor (Karan Soni) who attempts to introduce his white fiance (Johnathan Groff) to his traditional Indian parents.
Of course much humour and drama is mined from misunderstandings, willful deceptions and nervous confessions, but the real charm lay in the performances.
Soni has become a recognisable face with a soft spoken demeanor in the Deadpool films, but his quiet, nervous manner is pitch perfect for this role.
By Lindsay HALL
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