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AICN has received the first conceptual art of Chris Evans in the costume that was described on Joblo.
This design works for Avengers, but not in a 1940’s setting that non-Winghead’s film takes place. I was hoping they’d gravitate more to the Ultimate version were it’s a colorized red, white, and blue WWII uniform.
“It’s that time again.” And no it’s not a lesson to learn from “The Wheel of Morality” from Animaniacs.
Kryptonsite‘s Graig once again posted his needs for the final season (which was stated by Tom Welling, now an executive producer on the show and The CW have said but you can’t trust the network on keeping their side of the bargain). Here my thoughts compared or against to.
#10. Greg Beeman directing the series finale.Smallville has some really fantastic directors in its crew, with one of my favorites being the series’ star, Tom Welling. But seeing Greg Beeman’s take on the ninth season finale made me all kinds of nostalgic – the man knows how to helm a season finale. So many of Smallville’s best premieres and finales – like “Commencement” or “Crusade” were under Greg Beeman’s watchful eye, and I’d love it if the man who had so much to do with Smallville’s original “look” could come back for the end. If that’s not possible, I hope at the very least Beeman will be on the roster of directors used for next year.
Michael Rosenbaum’s impression of Greg’s directing on behind-the-scenes featurette on the Season 3 DVD quite hilarious. Beeman is good but writer/director/fanboy from S4-6, Spartacus (buddy on Facebook), Steven DeKnight, who made some landmark episodes like “Onyx” & “Justice” being my favorites.
But I have to acknowledge, he also did that stupid Kryptonite Vampire episode (to which DeKnight himself wasn’t pleased with the final product) which is considered as on the worst of Season 5. Plus it just more of massaging Chloe’s inflating ego.
#9. A good departure for Chloe.
So, we know Allison Mack has announced she’s not coming back to Smallville as a series regular. But I do hope her final episodes are good, and that her departure is a great one. I actually would prefer that she does not die, as many have predicted; and I do hope she goes back to journalism, perhaps in another city, so longtime fans who fell in love with that aspect of the character can see that character again. But most of all, I hope she, along with others (see Choice #8) will be back for the series finale, also.
Chloe Sullivan and Lionel Luthor were Smallville’s two “legacy characters;” part of what made them fun to watch was to see where they fit into the puzzle. If Allison’s time in Season 10 is limited, let’s make sure it’s time well spent.
I beg to differ. Lionel was the only good “legacy” character on the show. Dumb Blondie was never fun or likable, she was an annoying little pest since day one. Thinking she’s all mighty until Clark had to save her lousy ass. Another worthless damsel in distress.
#3. The Costume. And Flying.
Sure, you all SAID “no flights, no tights,” but you also made it sound like Smallville would be a 5-year journey. We’re tired of waiting, and the start of “Salvation” had is salivating for more. Make either of those things happen, and watch ratings go up, up, and away.
I imagine Season 10 is when Clark is going to embrace his destiny and go public – at least I hope it is. Fully embracing that means finally becoming Superman, which would require the involvement of a costume at the very least, if not flying as well. The direction for the ending of last season and the entirety of Season 9 (which the show shouldn’t have gone on that long).
Like I’ve mentioned in my “Salvation” review, the black outfit wore this entire year had no real good reason to be there in there first place. The reason was so Clark can look more dark, brooding, and emo. I really hope he wears Ma Kent’s gift. But then again that could’ve been another teaser to what we won’t be seeing until the series finale.
Agree 100 percent, the show should’ve been 5 seasons tops if the past and present producers weren’t distracted with the baggage they pile on after another, after another, after another, after another, after another.
1. Clana: The biggest shipper that was dragged through the mud.
2. Chloe “Dumb Blondie” Sullivan: “Original Created Character” my ass. She’s the most unreal computer wiz/hacker, smart-mouth, hypocritical, control freak stereotype I’ve have ever seen in my entire life.
3. Oliver Queen/The Green Arrow: Having an established hero to show the lead the bigger picture was fine (even though TPTB decide not to have the lead character find that out for himself) but like the two bimbos, he outlived his short lived reason to be there. But they continued to shoehorn him into Superman’s show and even a further extent the other the heroes.
4. Kara Kent/Supergirl: Introducing his cousin when he’s not even The Man of Steel yet was an insult to injury.
Flight can’t be denied or ignored anymore. There are no more excuses.
#1. Michael Rosenbaum.Tom Welling says we can’t do Season 10 without him, and who knows the show better than Tom?
I wrote a whole column about this on KSiteTV a few months back, and what I said then still stands today — I think the only way I will be 100% fulfilled with Smallville‘s ending is if Lex Luthor returns. I feel the show was envisioned as the rise of Superman to heroism and the fall of Lex Luthor to villainy. We might get one half of that, but now we need the other half.
I’m sure it would be costly, but it would be worth it. I applaud the producers for including Michael Rosenbaum’s image in the flash forward of the Season 9 finale, “Salvation” because it implies to me that they wouldn’t do something silly like recasting Lex.
Think about it for the long-time fans, though. Surely partly due to the Friday move, the show has lost around two million viewers a week. Some of those were Lex fans. More might leave when Allison Mack is gone. But the return of Lex? Might be enough reason to come back, whether it’s for one episode or a dozen. Rosenbaum is worth it.
Smallville was the only good thing going for Micheal’s career that really showed his amazing acting ability. It started with Lex, it must end with him, either as president or CEO. My P.O.V. it’s been the two steps forward and two step back for Clark Kent/Superman. For Luthor, it was a constant forward progression until the detour where he decided to screw the town whore.
Lastly to speak of, Tom wants John Schneider and Kristen Kreuk to return. Yay for flashbacks of Pa Kent, nay to The Human Kryptonite.
With the producers and writer’s pointless shipper, glaring plot holes, conveniences, and Deus Ex Machinas, (even though I’m normally not a big fan) this finale was much better then “Failsday” last year.
The flash forward to Clark’s future which involved quick shots of him as Superman taking flight to save a plane from hitting The Planet was a nice surprise. The glimpse of the actual suit at the end of the teaser, implies that stupid black outfit will be thrown in the dumpster (where it rightfully belongs) and the red and blue finally comes back after being out of the picture since Season 8 went to Tartarcus. As an added bonus, Boyscout takes charge of the dysfunctional group of heroes that will one day become the JLA.
With the mention of Apokolips from Waller at the end of Absolute Justice, the mysterious old lady (Granny Goodness) here and non-Kryptonians attacking Green Arrow, Darkseid is a guarantee for the final season (knock on wood at the very least a half decent closing) as Rob speculated.
After Kal-El delivers the biggest pow in the kisser to Zod (something we haven’t seen in the series since sending Bizarro up in the air in the Season 7 premiere) without saying a word, kisses Lois, speeds off, and right after that Clark’s soul mate figures out the secret.
I thought since Richard Donner floats around in the minds of the PTB, they’d pull the infamous memory eraser kiss, but thank Rao that didn’t happen. But they could still pull off that kind of fastball, to step back from the forward progression that there also notorious for.
Aside from said scene, I didn’t care for the previous Clois moment in The Kent Farm that echoed “The Secrets & Lies” mantra of Clana from the last eight years. This iconic relationship CAN’T fall into that horrible trapper.
Unfortunately Dumb Blonde still lives, but the only reason I’m not ranting and raving right now about Stalktower being nothing but a stereotype, news came out recently that Allison Mack will no longer be a series regular on the show anymore which has my swinging my arms up in victory.
Highly doubt Ms. Graves is really dead because nobody ever stays stiff for long in comics. She’ll either be cursed to spend eternal hell as either a brainwashed Female Fury (she’ll finally get payback from being denied the honor of putting a bullet into Chloe’s thick skull in “Persuasion”) or suffer in slavery on the fire pit planet that’s opposite to New Genesis.
Overall, Season 9 moved Lois & Clark another step forward in their relationship, with some excellent banter (The real kiss, movie night, and Lois’ heartwarming hug) that made the dreadful second half of last year a distant memory, but I still wouldn’t recommend this staller (S7) when it’s released on DVD.
Rating: 7
With the producers and writer’s pointless shipper, glaring plot holes, conveniences, and Deus Ex Machinas, (even though I’m normally not a big fan) this finale was much better then “Failsday” last year.
The flash forward to Clark’s future which involved quick shots of him as Superman taking flight to save a plane from hitting The Planet was a nice surprise. The glimpse of the actual suit at the end of the teaser, implies that stupid black outfit will be thrown in the dumpster (where it rightfully belongs) and the red and blue finally comes back after being out of the picture since Season 8 went to Tartarcus. As an added bonus, Boyscout takes charge of the dysfunctional group of heroes that will one day become the JLA.
With the mention of Apokolips from Waller at the end of Absolute Justice, the mysterious old lady (Granny Goodness) here and non-Kryptonians attacking Green Arrow, Darkseid is a guarantee for the final season (knock on wood at the very least a half decent closing) as Rob speculated.
After Kal-El delivers the biggest pow in the kisser to Zod (something we haven’t seen in the series since sending Bizarro up in the air in the Season 7 premiere) without saying a word, kisses Lois, speeds off, and right after that Clark’s soul mate figures out the secret.
I thought since Richard Donner floats around in the minds of the PTB, they’d pull the infamous memory eraser kiss, but thank Rao that didn’t happen. But they could still pull off that kind of fastball, to step back from the forward progression that there also notorious for.
Aside from said scene, I didn’t care for the previous Clois moment in The Kent Farm that echoed “The Secrets & Lies” mantra of Clana from the last eight years. This iconic relationship CAN’T fall into that horrible trapper.
Unfortunately Dumb Blonde still lives, but the only reason I’m not ranting and raving right now about Stalktower being nothing but a stereotype, news came out recently that Allison Mack will no longer be a series regular on the show anymore which has my swinging my arms up in victory.
Highly doubt Ms. Graves is really dead because nobody ever stays stiff for long in comics. She’ll either be cursed to spend eternal hell as either a brainwashed Female Fury (she’ll finally get payback from being denied the honor of putting a bullet into Chloe’s thick skull in “Persuasion”) or suffer in slavery on the fire pit planet that’s opposite to New Genesis.
Overall, Season 9 moved Lois & Clark another step forward in their relationship, with some excellent banter (The real kiss, movie night, and Lois’ heartwarming hug) that made the dreadful second half of last year a distant memory, but I still wouldn’t recommend this staller (S7) when it’s released on DVD.
Rating: 7
Initially, I liked it in first viewing but certain aspects of the story that didn’t sit right with me. Like Howard Stark’s puzzle to the palladium replacement (a little too convenient for the plot), Rhody’s transition into War Machine, Mickey Rourke’s acting in the opening scene (particularly Ivan Vanko’s scream after his father dies), or Sam Rockwell’s performance as Justin Hammer, but the second time didn’t bother me as much.
Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t just play Tony Stark, he is Tony Stark. Director, Jon Fevreau gives his cameo role of Stark’s bodyguard, Happy Hogan an extented role. Yes it’s a shameless plug, but it was okay and humorous when he fought one of Hammer’s goons.
Gwyneth Paltrow is given a much bigger role in the sequel, taking charge as CEO of Stark Industries since Tony is dieing from arc reactor poisoning. The charm of the relationship between Pepper Potts and Stark is still there but it’s less prominent. Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff aka The Black Widow and Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury appearance didn’t upstage themselves in Shellhead’s movie.
Don Cheadle was okay in Terrence Howard’s role but I still missed the original actor. But aside for that, the big problem is that during the fight in the bachelor pad, at no point did Rhodes stumble in trying to operate the Mark II, it’s like “he’s in the suit and poof he’s War Machine.” which hurt his overall arc.
Now, I understand Hammer was only a side villain but at no point did Rockwell felt like an equal to Downey. Especially during his scenes with Rourke, he comes across as the company suck up then the head of another weapons manufacturing corporation that rivaled Stark’s, he’s more like an up in-upcoming rookie who gets outsmarted (very easily I might add) by the main bad guy.
We get prototypes of the Iron Soldiers that were foreshadowed in the previous, but their sequence was longer compared to the triple threat match with Crimson Dynamo/Whiplash was short-lived (very anti-climatic).
The Ten Rings were out of the picture completely, but Hammer’s line when he’s being arrested towards the end suggests he’s one of them since The Mandarin has his jeweled fingers involved in the countries that double deal under the table with devices of mass destruction.
The after credit scene with Agent Coulson and the other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents’ discovery of Mjolnir in the crater in has me really pumped for Thor next year, even more so then Green Lantern.
Rating: 7 1/2
The only thing going for this episode was the return of the most important characters in Superman’s supporting cast. But sadly only one good thing came out of it. Erica Durance and Micheal McKean’s banter for the first meeting between Lois Lane and Perry White being the highlight.
Unfortunately this suffers from another bad case of plot-holes. Notably, Martha Kent who obviously was the mysterious Red Queen (which made the subplot in the episode of Mercy being a suspect entirely pointless.) was just used as exposition for the last few minutes about details of The Book of Rao aka The Deus Ex Machina that’s been hinted at all year. Talk about completely wasting that character progression.
On the fence right now as to where Clois is going right now. “Relationships aren’t perfect”, I understand that, but it all depends on what happens in the finale to setup for next year. Perry wearing Jonathan Kent’s jacket was really overstepping your boundaries in a romantic relationship, especially when your planning to propose.
Rating: 6
Next week is the season finale.
I’m so glad this season is finally coming to an end because this entire Zod and the Kryptonians storyline hasn’t made any sense whatsoever.
With the JSA as-well as the anti–JLA reappearing, Black Canary will just be another tease since we have another shipper that has no real future. At least Alaina Huffman’s hairstyle is much better then her last three guest starring bits.
The last shot with The Man of Steel’s real symbol reflecting in Kent’s eye, hopefully this means that by the final season, he goes back to the red and blue (unlike last year, where Clark was wearing the colors at work before his heroics became noticed and this stupid black outfit which had a very short lived per-puce being there in first place) sticking only to his business suits and Farm-boy attire.
Fans of Smallville and Stargate Universe star Alaina Huffman might enjoy this May 13, 2010 Mr. Media Radio interview with her.
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The only thing going for this episode was the return of the most important characters in Superman’s supporting cast. But sadly only one good thing came out of it. Erica Durance and Micheal McKean’s banter for the first meeting between Lois Lane and Perry White being the highlight.
Unfortunately this suffers from another bad case of plot-holes. Notably, Martha Kent who obviously was the mysterious Red Queen (which made the subplot in the episode of Mercy being a suspect entirely pointless.) was just used as exposition for the last few minutes about details of The Book of Rao aka The Deus Ex Machina that’s been hinted at all year. Talk about completely wasting that character progression.
On the fence right now as to where Clois is going right now. “Relationships aren’t perfect”, I understand that, but it all depends on what happens in the finale to setup for next year. Perry wearing Jonathan Kent’s jacket was really overstepping your boundaries in a romantic relationship, especially when your planning to propose.
Rating: 6
Next week is the season finale.
I’m so glad this season is finally coming to an end because this entire Zod and the Kryptonians storyline hasn’t made any sense whatsoever.
With the JSA as-well as the anti–JLA reappearing, Black Canary will just be another tease since we have another shipper that has no real future. At least Alaina Huffman’s hairstyle is much better then her last three guest starring bits.
The last shot with The Man of Steel’s real symbol reflecting in Kent’s eye, hopefully this means that by the final season, he goes back to the red and blue (unlike last year, where Clark was wearing the colors at work before his heroics became noticed and this stupid black outfit which had a very short lived per-puce being there in first place) sticking only to his business suits and Farm-boy attire.
Fans of Smallville and Stargate Universe star Alaina Huffman might enjoy this May 13, 2010 Mr. Media Radio interview with her.
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Dynamite Entertainment announced a Ghost Who Walks series to be drawn one of the most awesome artists in the industry.
“Being a fan of the Phantom for many years, I’ve had a vision for a long time of a stylistic change and a dramatic way of illustrating him,” said Alex Ross. “Finally through Dynamite Entertainment and working with Scott Beatty, I’m able to fulfill this artistic concept and give a very personalized spin on one of the greatest superheroes of them all.
The historic line stops at Kit Walker the 21st, who has forsaken the mantle of The Ghost Who Walks and is enjoying a life with a growing family, while handling the day-to-day affairs of the Walkabout Foundation, a philanthropy created by one of the previous Walkers/Phantoms to help support charities benefiting Bengala, and the surrounding nations of continental Africa.
Except that this Kit refused to take up the domino mask, rings, and Colt.45s of his father upon Kit Sr.’s death. Alex Ross’ beautiful and dynamic vision promises to bring the concept of the Phantom to the 21st century, and it could not be in better hands.”
The story sounds just like Green Hornet. Now I’ve been enjoying it so far, but Kevin Smith shouldn’t have gone the generational route and just had brought Brit Reid to modern day setting.
In another case of irony, Rob and I watched Batman Forever last night. Today, UGO reports that he’s landing a role in The Sentinel of Liberty’s feature.
“Along with the previously announced Men in Black 3, Jones is in negotiations to appear in Marvel’s The First Avenger: Captain America. And they say aging actors don’t have a place in Hollywood anymore. Ha!
So who would he playing? That we’re not sure about, but Jones has the gruff, stone cold look of a military man, which makes perfect sense in Captain America’s WWII-era storyline. I’m sure there’s a certain secret super soldier program that’s looking for a leader…”
I wouldn’t be susprised he’s in MIB3 for a short amount of screentime, like he gets killed by an alien in the present, which motivates Will Smith to go back in time which still sounds god awful.
About the aging actors thing, Maurice LaMarche who voiced Brain from Pinky & The Brain talked about that very subject on the Comic Book: The Movie DVD…
“Voice Overs. No one can hear you get old and nobody can hear you get fat.”
Well Tommy Lee did that already as Major Chip Hazzard in Small Soldiers. From the official description months ago, my guess is he’ll play Colonel Chester Phillips, who recruits Chris Evans/Steve Rogers into Project: Rebirth.
I wasn’t looking forward to another Chloe centric, (since Allsion Mack is the lead character of the season) to avoid more brain tramua, I watched the clips from the subplots after it aired. But still, there were so much retcons and inconsistences.
First I’ll start with Faora. Last season when Lois was poccessed by Zod’s second future wife, writer of “Bloodline”, Carol Dries established that the just as ruthless character (who exists in the comics, even though she’s really a secondary Ursa) couldn’t procreate, but here she get’s pregnant with the tryant’s child, is used for more plot convience to add to the drama of the clone becoming the evil SOB we know the real one currently still in The Phantom Zone to be.
Before he kills her for “betraying their people”, (after Fay decides to work with Checkmate to bring down Zod, when she found out the truth though that plot device book Clark had in Season 7, where he went back in time) goes into this speech about loyality, despite the fact that he cheated on her by screwing with Mercy in “Escape”, (which contradicts the fact there was nothing in the early episodes to hint at neither shipper is very glaring) doesn’t have any chips to use, other then to manipulate the younger sister, Vala over to his side at the end.
Justin Hartley’s first writing gig didn’t work on any level, accept for Clark and Oliver being on the same page which I liked. Even though I still have suspection since this entire year, TPTB will repeat themselves by having him and Dumb Blonde backstap Kal-El, really out of their inflating egos.
Stuart comes back to get revenge on Ms. Graves for shooting him in “Pandora”, acts alone by following her with a tracking device that maraciously was implanted during her time between taking over Luthorcorp and when she joined the government agency. Aside from his ridiculous Bond-Villain look, this thing is complete BS because Mercy wouldn’t even be alive right now if that were the case. Plus Cassidy Freeman’s character having to “die” and be revived to destroy the device was just overall stupid.
Waller getting thrown into the car was similar to what happened to Lionel, cortency of Lex Luthor’s temporary superpowers from “Vessel” and “Zod”, which technically should’ve killed them both.
The producers deliver another scene of Clark being left in the snow to witness others but himself take to the skies was more moon shining.
Rating: 5
Next Week is something to exactly give a damn about. The return of Annette O’Toole and Michael McKean to the show.
The two possible downsides are that her evolvement in the government means the last living adopted parent of Clark Kent bites the dust because of his actions, makes him even more dark and brooding. Or writers, Anne Cofell Sauders & Jordan Hawley have Ma Kent act like this so Stalktower can look like a saint again.
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