Superman Returns Letter to be Published

Yeah, sometimes I'm a loser and I take things too far. I'll admit that to anyone.

After viewing Superman Returns, I read a number of reviews I didn't like. I respect each of the writers opinions but one review in particular said that it was prepared for the sticks and stones. So I wrote a very quick stone that went like this -

Here’s a stone,

Horrible review – Superman Returns is worth its weight in Superhero gold. Spider what?

Regards,

Jake

It sure wasn't pretty but it got the job done. Now, I've gotten a letter back from the movie editor of The Naperville Sun/Sun Publications stating that they want to use my one line letter in their publication! What did I say? Of course! the Spider what? line is gold. I even told them they can make fun of me all they want. I'm a good sport about it.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The review in question can be found HERE

My Morning With Superman Returns

Today was a good day.

It’s always hard to be anticipating something so much you start to lose sense of who you truly are. Somehow, the hype for Superman Returns got out of hand with me. I’ve always been a fan of the character but the extreme lengths I went to defy even myself.

The following is an account of how I spent the morning with Superman Returns.

5:30am – I awoke exclaiming “Happy Superman Returns Day” to Laura. I’ve officially lost it at this point.

6:10am – Ready to leave for Victoria for the sneak preview. My philosophy? It’s never to early to get good seats for a movie you’ve been waiting 24 years to see. Annoyed that Laura is not yet ready but I restrain nagging as I want this to be a great day. It’s Superman Returns Day, after all.

6:30am – Leave the house for Victoria.

6:33am – Drive thru at Tim Hortons (even Superman fans need a herb and garlic cream cheese bagel to start the day).

6:40am – Damn that drive thru service was slow. Finally on the road to Superman Returns.

6:42am – Laura complains that she is tired. Jake ignores her.

6:47am – Laura once again complains that she is tired. Jake responds that she shouldn’t have been out so late last night.

7:45am – We roll into the parking lot at the Famous Player Silver City. There is one person is line and it’s good old Jason Whyte, saving a spot at the front of the line for us. We exchange pleasantries but I can hardly concentrate as we’re at the building where Superman is going to return.

8:00am – Rob Shaw and his friend Laura (Rob likes to follow my lead, what can I say) show up. Rob is the holder of the magical Superman Returns passes. I hold them in my hands. They tremble.

8:01am – Laura (mine) and Rob make fun of my Superman devotion. Rob sort of sticks up for me but then realizes he might look like a loser if he does this and joins Laura in making fun of me.

8:15am – The subject of Lost comes up and what a good show it is. Rob mentions that Smallville is also a good who. He obviously learned nothing from 14 minutes prior. We all laugh.

8:20am – Somebody shows up wearing a Supergirl outfit. Sadly, Jake knows this person as he gave her passes to the screening.

8:50am – The theatre opens up and we’re the 3^rd through 6^th people into the theatre (Jason was first, naturally) and we take up the patented aisle seat that Jake has become accustomed too.

8:51am – Jake asks what time it is.

8:52am – Jake asks again what time it is.

8:53am – Jake goes to the bathroom so he doesn’t have to go during Superman’s return.

8:57am – Jake asks what time it is.

9:24am – Jake goes once more to the bathroom, just to be, you know, sure.

9:30am – Ron Larsen, from 100.3 The Q, who used to work at The Wave / Wolf, gives prizes away to people that aren’t named Jake. Supergirl wins a prize. Jake mentally notes that he must collect that prize from her as he gave her the ticket and thus, is owed the prize.

9:35am – Superman Returns with the Warner Bros. logo. It’s not the right aspect ratio and Jake almost has a heart attack of anger. Laura, Rob and Laura fail to see what is wrong.

9:35:45am – The aspect ratio is fixed by the time the Legendary pictures logo comes up.

9:36am - There is some text explaining where Superman has gone. Suddenly, Marlon Brando’s voice is heard and goosebumps start to form.

9:37am – The Superman March starts up COMPLETE with retro Superman: The Movie style credits and it’s over, I’m in love with the movie. That simple gesture ensured that I will forever be a fan of this movie.

10:25am – Superman saves a plane from crashing. Lois is one of the passengers on the plane. Superman recites the exact same line from Superman: The Movie about flying still being the safest way to travel. Jake loses it once again.

12:00pm – Superman flies into the camera with the Earth in the background (another great nod to the Christopher Reeve film) and the Superman March is playing as the credits roll.

12:01pm – Check in with Laura, Jason, Rob and Laura. The reaction? Everybody loves Superman Returns!

Only thing now left to do? Go and watch it a couple of more times during opening week!

Go out and see Superman Returns. It’s full of action, drama, romance, comedy and everything else you’d want from a superhero movie. Don’t question a man who wears red and blue tights, just enjoy it!

Stuck in the Shadow of Superman

Sexy and in tights. Isn't that more of something I should be interested in?

Author's Note: Jake actually suggested that I write this. Seriously.


When I was a little kid, comic books weren't really something that appealed to me. (Well, besides the Archie comics...but, who didn't read those?) Therefore, I didn't know much about the classic superheros: Batman, Spiderman, and of course, Superman. I saw the movies when they came out, and enjoyed them, but that, in a nutshell, is my complete history with comic books and the characters within them.

Well, who would've guessed, that years later, one of those superheros would just about take over my life?

A few months ago, I was given the news that a new Superman movie is coming out in theatres at the end of June, 2006. And who was I given the news by? An over excited Jake who was practically prancing around the house in his joy, and continued to do so for the next thirty minutes straight.

Jake is the biggest Superman fan I know. I'd say he's such a big fan that he could possibly be one of the biggest fans in the world. As I look to the right next to his computer, there's a framed poster of "Superman Returns" on the wall. There is a picture of Superman on his desk top. He has a million Superman comics, and every Superman DVD that has ever been released (every season of Smallville, Lois and Clark, The Adventures of Superboy, etc.) He even has a Superman figure that's almost as tall as I am (yes, I'm only 5'5, but still) Jake is just that hardcore.

Since a few months ago, I can't go more than five minutes without hearing the word "Superman." In fact, I've seen the Superman trailer so many times, I can pretty much quote it, while humming the theme song music in the background.

Did I mention that while Jake drives around in his car, he even listens to the superman sound track?

So I'm trying not to vent here, I really am. In fact, in some weird, semi-twisted way, I think it's cute that he's so obsessed with a guy in tights that flies around trying to save the world (I'm sure some people think I must worry about that, but I don't). At least he's passionate about something, right?

There wasn't really a point in me writing this blog, other than in Jake's opinion, it provides another outlet of space to talk about his beloved Superman. I guess I could urge whoevers reading this to go see it, but then again, if it does well, I'm going to have to go through this again and again when they make sequals......(after that thought, please don't go see the movie).

I suppose there's not much else to say. I need to leave the computer room as right next to me, Jake is blaring the Superman theme as I write this. And later, Jake's making me watch a two hour documentary of Superman's past...

Oh Superman, why didn't you just stay on planet Krypton (or whatever it's called) where you belong?

Superman Returns...

Superman Returns…

Yes, the movie event of the year is now just days away. Thankfully, with certain connections I have, I get to check out Superman Returns on Saturday, June 24^th at a special preview engagement. Can I wait? Of course I can’t.

My past week has been spent getting ready for the movie event of my life. I’ve been watching the movies (I just got through Superman 2 for like the hundredth time in my life, Superman 3 is up next) and I’m counting down the days to Super Tuesday (June 20^th) which will see a cadre of Superman DVD tie in releases, all of which come with passes for Superman Returns.

You know how Star Wars fans were lining up weeks in advance in anticipation of the next chapter of their beloved series? Superman is that to me.

Ever since I first was exposed to Superman (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, sadly), I’ve been enamored with the last son of Krypton. Whether it’s because I want to fly like Superman or be a demi-god, helping people everyday with everything from the amazing to the mundane or just because of those red and blue tights, the entire mythos of Superman continues to transfix me.

It’s not just the movies. While I consider Superman: The Movie the film which I compare all comic book movies to, every facet of Superman in entertainment has kept me glued to the television.

Take Smallville, starring Tom Welling as Clark Kent before he gets the tights. I have continued to watch that show through thick and thin just because it deals with an interesting take on the Superman legend. Whether it be one of the first episodes, in which an old woman foretold to Clark that he would be somebody that people turned to for help or one of the more recent episodes where Clark becomes stuck in the Phantom Zone or interacting with characters like Aquaman the show has kept me hooked.

I still remember the glee (yes, the word glee immediately comes to mind) when I heard that ABC had a show called Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman all locked and ready to roll. After being allowed to stay up passed my bedtime to watch it, it became my favorite show on television. While the writing and wacky characters really don’t stand up today, the show broke new ground with the relationship of Clark and Lois. Those episodes still work. The moment that Lois finally figures out that Clark is actually Superman is awesome. The moment that Clark proposed was powerful. The show just worked. Not because it was particularly well written but because Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane are characters that are so important in the lexicon of entertainment that they transcend bad writing (well, most of the time).

Then there are the cartoon variations of Superman. From the Superman animated series to the Justice League, Superman has held his own on the animation front. With no special effects budget to hold him back, the character translates incredibly well into the medium and has earned him even more fans.

The entire process of getting ready for the new movie is driving Laura up the wall. Just for the record, no, she won't watch Superman 2 because I've bugged her too many times. She did, however respect the first movie, even if the effects were dated. It's getting to the point that if she hears me humming the Superman March one more time, I'm getting dumped in favor of a jock. Even she, though, is getting excited to finally see what Superman Returns is all about.

Superman Returns looks to be the culmination of years of fret and worry for the Superman fan. Finally, we have a director, Bryan Singer, who holds admiration for the character. Even better, he holds admiration for the first two Superman films, movies that were far ahead of their time.

As Superman Returns gets closer to release, I urge you to do some super homework and prepare to be blown away when Superman makes his triumphant return to the big screen and the hearts and souls of people everywhere.

While you might think I’m laughable for holding such an affinity for a character who wears red underwear, just take a step back and look at what Superman stands for – truth and justice – two ideals that will never be laughable.

Goodbye Cut & Print - Hello Free Time

Wow, talk about a lack of updates. Sorry, I’ve been busy! Or have I?

No not really. In fact, I’ve done a whole lot of nothing for the past couple of weeks. Sort of like a mourning period getting over the fact that Cut & Print Magazine, the print version, has seen its final days.

Why the untimely and seemingly random closing up shop of the magazine? Well, money. It’s always money, isn’t it? Things were sort of going okay for a while but the magazine got stuck at a certain point and could never get past it. It’s fine to break even on the magazine for awhile (not counting the debt that was built over the first year of the magazine’s two year shelf live) but after awhile, it’s just not enough. It’s not enough reason to spend so much time on a project that is seemingly getting you nowhere. It also doesn’t help that in the final two months we started losing money.

With new owners taking over the Acme Food Co. we lost that crucial back page advertisement that pretty much kept us afloat. No, really. I try to explain to people that it’s that key ad that keeps a magazine running but nobody ever seems to believe me. Still, it wasn’t because they weren’t happy but because of the situation the restaurant was in.

The one thing I’m really proud of, when talking about the magazine, is that advertising in the magazine worked. Feedback every month was that the businesses in the magazine were seeing an influx in business. While one might contribute that to other forms of advertising, I know two businesses where we were the only ad they had placed all month. That says a lot about the people that read the magazine.

So, yeah, Cut & Print Magazine is over but that doesn’t mean the blog is going to die. After a recharge period, I’ve decided to keep the ramblings of a film fan alive and well. While it won’t be as essay driven as random thought driven, it’s still around and it’s still going to be fun to do. If nobody reads it anymore, well, tough. I still like writing.

Back to the demise of the magazine, though.

At the end of the day, I’m going to take an experience to heart that taught me a lot about life, myself and what I can accomplish. When the magazine was started, I knew nothing about design, selling ads (I still don’t, although the sales pit at the radio station is certain that I’d make a bundle if I went over to the dark side) or even what putting a magazine together was all about. Now I know a little.

The true talent was the people who supported me. You know, like Daniel, would single handedly saved cover after cover. Kimberly, who taught me a whole lot about design in the beginning of the process. Then there was Jason Whyte, who you could count on for movie reviews, interviews or whatever else you needed. Family helped out – Garrick kicked ass with the Dusty from the Shelves feature. I don’t think any single column, from a comedy/serious stand point topped that A-team expose in the second to last issue. Thomas and Sarah McKenzie really stepped up to help the magazine get some good non-movie related content with CD reviews and book reviews. Candice saved me from many a blank page in the magazine and really got the artsy people involved in the magazine. Chris brought a new angle to mainstream DVD reviews and Elizabeth, who really was the one who originally came up with the magazine, ruffled a lot feathers with her Elizabeast column.

And then there was Laura, my lovely girlfriend who came to bat when I really needed a couple of crucial articles. She's now picking up the slack on the web site, writing reviews and just being awesome overall. Hey, she's my girlfriend, she's great!

What ride it was.

But, all good things must come to end and Cut & Print Magazine is just another one of those things. I hope anybody that reads this still logs onto to the blog, the web site and follows everything else we do. It was fun ride and there’s no reason that the spirit of this endeavor can’t live on.

Until the next post,

Jakob Brzovic
Former editor of Cut & Print Magazine
www.cutandprint.ca