Tag Archives: Jason Momoa

Supergirl (Craig Gillespie, 2026)a

Uncategorized, , , , ,

 

I’m a big fan of the SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW graphic novel on which the current SUPERGIRL film is based. I loved the idea of making Supergirl a punky, self-destructive young woman with issues, who heads off to planets with red suns so she can get good and proper drunk; and I think Milly Alcock is excellent. Screenwriter Ana Nogueira has woven in all these proto-feminist elements, the relationship between the super-powered young woman and the young girl out to avenge her family; making some of their biggest adversaries also be powerful women; a sub-theme of young women abducted by macho fascists for child-rearing purposes…..I’m beginning to see why so many young men of a certain type disliked the film. But there is more, more reasonable people may dislike. The director seems tone deaf to the story’s capabilities. A film called SUPERGIRL and Jason Momoa as a who-knows-what drunken semi-God has to rescue HER? Are you kidding? There are too many flashbacks, too much context-telling. But I love Milly Alcok’s bruised, determined, face, fuelled by rebellion. I wish the film had been better. Matthias Schoenaerts is wonderful as the villain (though again the film could have better showcased his performance). David Corenswet, who I love as the most recent Superman, is not only wasted here, but rather diminished, something this director seems to have a knack for.

José Arroyo

Eavesdropping at the Movies: 122 – Aquaman

DC’s search for a cinematic tone continues to lurch between monochrome gravity and Technicolor frivolity, James Wan’s Aquaman firmly occupying the latter end of the spectrum. Although Mike has long been amused at how feeble is the concept of a superhero whose power is fish telepathy, the film has a good sense of humour about itself (even if some of the specific jokes are a little clunky) and hugely enjoyable freedom in its design, the giant seahorses a particular charm.

We discuss what’s to like and dislike about the film’s visual design and action, its message that violence is the least good solution to any problem, the welcome wisdom and calmness brought by Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren (yes, really), and its adaptation of Arthurian legend and how it fits into a recent spate of films and television programmes fascinated with monarchy, bloodlines, divine rights and so on.

Jose is overall more reserved than Mike but still announces that he enjoyed himself, and the golden rule holds true: the key to happiness is low expectations.

The podcast can be listened to in the players above or on iTunes.

With José Arroyo of First Impressions and Michael Glass of Writing About Film.