Tag Archives: dc comics

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) | Sidney J. Furie

August 10, 2018Superbad1987, action, based on a comic book, Christopher Reeve, dc comics, Gene Hackman, Jon Cryer, Margot Kidder, Mariel Hemingway, nuclear weapons, science fiction, Sidney J. Furie, Supermanqwipster

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Although he had claimed to be done putting on the red cape after SUPERMAN III, Reeve is lured back to make a fourth entry with a different studio from an idea he had written himself to bring back the series to respectability. Alas, it didn’t quite work out that way in the end. Superman makes a decision to meddle in Earth’s affairs by getting rid of all of the nuclear missiles, but Lex Luthor has his own super-powered being to take the Man of Steel down before he interrupts the business of war that Lex relies upon for his riches. In addition to Reeve, Margot Kidder returns to a sizable role, and Gene Hackman returns to the series as Luthor. Where did it all go so wrong when so much seems so right? Vince takes a closer examination on this episode.

Supergirl (1984) | Jeannot Szwarc

August 3, 2018Superbad1984, based on a comic book, Brenda Vaccaro, dc comics, fantasy, Faye Dunaway, Helen Slater, Peter O'Toole, science fiction, supergirl, superhero, Superman, witch actionqwipster

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Just as Kal-El was sent by his parents to Earth from a dying planet in order to save him, so too did Alexander and Ilya Salkind try to save their dying franchise by trying to spin it off with a new character with Kara, Superman’s cousin, better known as Supergirl! Things didn’t quite go according to plan, however. Helen Slater is fetching in the title role, and Faye Dunaway suitably sinister, in the best of ways, as Selena, the sexy and scheming sorceress out to conquer the world. Is it fun? Is it dumb? Is it dumb fun? Yes, yes, and yes!

Superman III (1983) | Richard Lester

July 28, 2018Superbad1983, action, based on a comic book, Christopher Reeve, comedy, computers, dc comics, hacker, richard lester, richard pryor, robert vaughn, science fiction, Supermanqwipster

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Gone is Richard Donner, gone is Gene Hackman, and gone is the epic feel of the SUPERMAN series with SUPERMAN III, in which the creators finally wrest the controls away to make what they’ve been wanting to make all along: comedies! Richard Lester returns as director, as Superman, once again played by Christopher Reeve, has to battle a genius computer hacker played by Richard Pryor from assisting megalomaniac businessman Robert Vaughn from taking over the economic future of the world through computer dominance.

Superman II (1980) | Richard Lester & Richard Donner

July 21, 2018We See DC1980, based on a comic book, Christopher Reeve, dc comics, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Richard Donner, richard lester, superhero, Superman, Terence Stampqwipster

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A patchwork film that somehow still works great as a piece of entertainment, despite the switch in directors from Richard Donner to Richard Lester a great deal of the way through. Three power-hungry Kryptonians travel to Earth to dominate it, and the only one who can match them is Superman. Alas, he’s nowhere to be found, and has even sacrificed his powers in order to be with Lois Lane. More emphasis on humor and action than the first time out has some proclaiming that SUPERMAN II is better than the first. I debate my own feelings on which is better on this episode. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder and Gene Hackman star, along with Terence Stamp as Zod.

Superman (1978) | Richard Donner

July 14, 2018We See DC1978, action, based on a comic book, Christopher Reeve, dc comics, Gene Hackman, John Williams, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, Richard Donner, science fiction, superhero, Supermanqwipster

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The granddaddy of the modern-day superhero flick, 1978’s SUPERMAN put together a truly epic experience befitting a popular hero on the magnitude of Superman. Richard Donner directed DC Comics’ legendary property from his infancy on the planet Krypton all the way to donning the cape and costume to right wrongs wherever he may find them on Earth as savior of humanity. With treacherous mastermind Lex Luthor out and about, no one is safe, even Superman, if he has his way. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman and Marlon Brando star in this grand action-adventure with lots of soaring sounds from composer John Williams and fun character touches from a capable cast.

Batman (1989) | Tim Burton

July 7, 2018We See DC1989, action, based on a comic, Batman, Danny Elfman, dc comics, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Michael Keaton, Prince, superhero, thriller, Tim Burtonqwipster

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One of the biggest blockbusters of the 1980s, and of all time, Tim Burton would take the reins of Warner Bros. hugest hit with 1989’s BATMAN, a much more dark and eerie take on the character than any prior screen take to date. With a tremendous Danny Elfman score, hit singles by Prince, and a very energetic Jack Nicholson performance as Joker, it would be the movie to watch for its era, despite the Michael Keaton casting backlash leading up to its release.

The Return of Swamp Thing (1989) | Jim Wynorski

June 28, 2018Vegetable is Animal1989, b-movie, based on a comic, campy, comedy, dc comics, Dick Durock, experiments, Heather Locklear, Jim Wynorski, Louis Jordan, mad scientist, science fiction, so bad it's good, superhero, swamp thingqwipster

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Seven years after Wes Craven’s original adaptation of the DC Comics superhero, Jim Wynorski takes a stab by sending the whole thing up as a campy b-movie sci-fi/horror hybrid. Swamp Thing (Dick Durock again) is back as protector of a hot babe in the form of Abigail, portrayed by Razzie Award-winning actress Heather Locklear, to thwart the nefarious plans of her mad scientist stepfather, Dr. Arcane, once again portrayed by Louis Jourdan, who wants to take her perfect DNA to make himself live forever. It’s a bad film, intentionally, and in some of the best ways.

Swamp Thing (1982) | Wes Craven

June 23, 2018Vegetable is Animal1982. action, based on a comic book. Adrienne Barbeau, dc comics, Dick Durock, experiment, horror, Louis Jordan, louisiana, Ray Wise, sci-fi, superhero, swamp, wes cravenqwipster

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Wes Craven wrote and directed this adaptation of the DC Comics superhero, once a scientist trying to help humanity, who turns superhuman when he is doused with his own experimental formula to use plants to help humans while in the nearby Louisiana swamp. Adrienne Barbeau stars as the government agent sent to oversee the lab, with Ray Wise playing the scientist side, and Dick Durock as the hulking alter-ego, Swamp Thing. Louis Jourdan is the bad guy out to get the formula to use for his own nefarious purposes.

Note: I neglected to mention that next week’s show will be on the follow-up, RETURN OF SWAMP THING (1989)

Around the World in 80s Movies Podcast

A concise podcast reviewing the films released in the 1980s, with history, trivia, fun facts, and film critic Vince Leo's personal recollection with the era that defined a generation's taste in movies.

Tag Archives: dc comics

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) | Sidney J. Furie

Supergirl (1984) | Jeannot Szwarc

Superman III (1983) | Richard Lester

Superman II (1980) | Richard Lester & Richard Donner

Superman (1978) | Richard Donner

Batman (1989) | Tim Burton

The Return of Swamp Thing (1989) | Jim Wynorski

Swamp Thing (1982) | Wes Craven