Superman

 

Superman-2025

Why does a seventy-three-year-old man go to see a Superman movie? Nostalgia. In the 1960s, I watched Superman on our black-and-white TV set. The best special effect was Superman, played by George Reeves, lying on a table with outstretched arms and legs, with a fan blowing on him to make him appear to be flying.  Superman 2025 is the latest iteration of this franchise and has its unique stamp on the legacy.

David Corenswet is Superman. He does not have the heft of Henry Cavill or Christopher Reeve. Despite his super strength, he is frequently beaten up throughout the film. It is a bit disconcerting, but it makes him more relatable on a human basis. His superpowers are on full display, saving lives from collapsing buildings and vanquishing a giant monster, saving Metropolis.

The film features the standard characters in a Superman movie: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and the villainous Lex Luthor.  What is unusual about this film is that Lois Lane knows Clark Kent is Superman, and they are open about their romance. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olson get the most airtime.

In Superman’s battles against Lex Luthor, he is assisted by the Justice Gang, comprising of the Green Lantern,  Hawk Girl, and Mister Terrific. Much of the movie's action revolves around these characters. In these battles, Superman needs the assistance of the metahumans.

Lex Luthor is played by Nicholas Holt with a shaved head. He plays mean very well, but not over the top, and not like the clownish performance of Gene Hackman. The plot is somewhat chaotic, with Lex attempting to start a civil war in a foreign country while simultaneously battling Superman. He is maniacal in his attempt to destroy Superman.

This film features Krypto, the Superdog, who Superman is dog-sitting for his cousin, Supergirl. Krypto provides some of the best comic moments of the movie with his misbehavior.

With a budget of $225 million, it has already generated $272 million. It needs to clear about $337.5 million to make a profit. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 83% rating. If you are a superhero movie fan, this is the movie for you.

 

 

Formula One

 

Formula One

Formula One is a high-energy movie of competitive motor racing. It is also a movie of redemption and a budding buddy movie. Brad Pitt plays Sunny Hayes, a former Formula One driver recruited by the racing team Apxgp to return to the sport. Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, is the rookie driver on the Apxgp team. He is brash,  overconfident, and not welcoming of Sunny Hayes. They are on the same team, but for the better part of the movie, they compete against each other. As the film progresses, the relationship evolves from rivals to teammates.

Brad Pitt portrays Sunny in his signature cool, self-assured manner. He displays some wear and tear from his nomadic lifestyle, which lends him a certain charisma.  Joshua Pearce does not think much of Sunny and is open about it. They must overcome this hostility because Formula One racing is a team sport.

Sunny also has a love interest with the team's technical director, Kate McKenna, played by the wonderful  Irish actress Kerry Condon. Her character is a combination of confidence, smarts, and leadership. Their scenes are funny and light-hearted in contrast to the technical automobile jargon.

Javier Bardem is the owner of Apxgp and recruits Sunny to join the team. He is frustrated by the team's performance and Sunny’s lack of teamwork.

There are exciting racing scenes. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris trained in Formula One racing, reaching speeds of up to 180 miles per hour. Just a technical note regarding Formula One racing. There are races in different countries throughout the year. Given your poll position in a particular race, you get a certain number of points. At the end of the season, the driver with the most points wins the Drivers’ Championship.

The film has few surprises, except for Sunny’s background. Outcomes and relationships are predictable. If you enjoy Formula One racing and are a fan of Brad Pitt, see this movie.