comment #1

D.Z. says ...

Yeah, seen it, too. Though not at that location. I honestly don't feel pumped seeing it like I would for the Speed Racer billboards. Whoever wins, we lose, '08.

comment #2

markj says ...

Terrible design. For a terrible movie I guess. I'll get excited when the 'Avatar' billboards start going up.

comment #3

Jeffrey Kunze says ...

Hey guys, I'm writing a paper for a Literary Criticism class and my thesis is how our culture has developed a need for 'superheroes' in movies since September 11th.

Before 2001, superheroes films were not a big commoditiy and then after 9/11, Spiderman makes a huge splash in summer 2002 and everyone seems to really take comfort in the idea of these superheroes (who were just previously thought to be a little too hokey to make consistent summer blockbusters out of.)

Now of course my thesis is filled with holes, but I was just wondering if anyone wanted to provide any opinions. It would be appreciated.

Can we start a list of superhero films that are currently in talks or pre-production?

Green Lantern
Spiderman 4

Captain America?, The Flash?

comment #4

Edward says ...

Jeffrey, Batman was a pretty big franchise before 9/11. Superman was pretty big years ago.

Is the superhero phenomenon really due to 9/11 or because of the advances in CG?

comment #5

Wrecktum says ...

On Pico right next to the Fox Studios. The Hillcrest Country Club across the street was the primary Jewish country club for many years. All the other clubs wouldn't allow Jewish members.

comment #6

breadlymoore says ...

"Before 2001, superheroes films were not a big commoditiy and then after 9/11, Spiderman makes a huge splash in summer 2002 and everyone seems to really take comfort in the idea of these superheroes"

X-MEN in 2000 made superhero films a "big commoditiy." Not 9/11.

comment #7

markj says ...

Jeffrey Kunze - fantasy material has definitely been a mainstream hit since 2001, look at the success of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and on TV, Lost and Heroes.

As for superhero movies there is X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Thor, Punisher: War Zone and Watchmen all in production, as well as possible sequels to Iron Man, Incredible Hulk and Dark Knight if they all show big profits this summer.

comment #8

Howlingman says ...

Well it's all a case of how society projects itself onto art and vice versa. Spider-Man was either filming or already in the can when 9/11 happened, so one can't say the resurgence in Superhero chic was just a reaction to 9/11. Ditto the enormous success of Lord of the Rings -- again, in the can before 9/11. But it is possible the escapism they delivered did bring people into the theaters -- anything to get away from color coded terror warnings and the latest Osama threats. It is still the best explanation of how audiences have turned their backs (to Jeff's chagrin) on the latest spate of Iraq War films -- if they want to be depressed they'll stay home.

comment #9

David Ehrlich says ...

don't forget COMIC-CON, which was a much a catalyst of the superhero movement as it was a harbinger.

comment #10

Ben C says ...

Not to mention the obvious fact that Spider-Man was well into production by the time 9/11 happened.

comment #11

Reedyb says ...

If you are looking for a list of superhero movies in production, etc. go to Superherohype.com

I'm not sure of this whole "we need heroes now more than ever" idea. The fact that special effects have become better and cheaper has made these movies possible and pretty easy to replicate as a Hollywood formula.

Was Superman: the movie an antidote to Watergate? Not sure, but I think Jaws and Star Wars were to some extent.

comment #12

BurmaShave says ...

Kunze, it's a workable idea. I can think of an old Prof who would have eaten it up. Best of luck,

comment #13

Bocephus says ...

It's not that we need them more than ever, really. They are all we have left. The supply of real-world heroes is running thin; replaced by corrupt politicians, drugged up athletes, and "celebrity" whores. All we have left to admire are imaginary people.

comment #14

Reedyb says ...

Aren't all people in movies, even the corrupt politicians, drugged up athletes and celebrity whores portrayed there, imaginary?

These archetypes have been around forever in the real world. Tea Pot Dome set the precedent for corrupt politicians. (I would have said Tamminy Hall, but I would have misspelled it).

Celebrity whores? Goes back to Cleopatra (who isn't wearing underwear in some of the rare up-skirt hieroglyphics).

Drugged up athletes, at least of the performance enhancing variety are new. Our athlete heroes of yore actually used performance-debilitating drugs (need another beer, Mickey?)

Same story, different day.

comment #15

Meegosh says ...

An interesting theory. I always thought that it had more to do with the fact that there hasn't been a good, original, action movie since the first Matrix. No one is any good at coming up with their own ideas so they just copy from something else. It used to be Die Hard on a _____, now its superhero movies.

comment #16

Ben C says ...

Not to totally derail your thesis, but when someone says 'we need them more than ever' it gets me thinking.

Were Errol Flynn or John Wayne or Sylvester Stallone any less superheros in their larger than life infallibility than Wolverine or Batman?

comment #17

D.Z. says ...

Jeffrey: If you want to be technical, X Men and Blade came out before 9/11. And I'm not sure whether or not audiences will embrace Watchmen. ^_- No, I think if you're going to go for a post-9/11 film trend, how about dumb sitcom-like teen comedies such as "Juno" and "John Tucker Must Die" doing better than dramas such as Elizabethtown and Kingdom of Heaven? It used to be at least there was a market for anything dramatic, but now you've got to turn it into an exploitation flick like Saw or Hostel, or pad it with celebrities like Crash and The Departed, to sell it.

Meegosh: The Matrix is neither good nor original. If you want one that fits the profile, it's Unleashed.

comment #18

tommysunshine says ...

Uh-oh Jeffrey. Burma Shave is in agreement with you so your thesis doesn't stand up.

comment #19

Rich S. says ...

Don't forget, the original teaser trailer for Spider-Man had him apprehending some villains by spinning a web between the Twin Towers. Heath Ledger's death is not the first time an ad campaign had to get changed in a hurry.

comment #20

actionman says ...

Poland just panned it.

Poland also loved Hairspray.

comment #21

Jack Price says ...

Jeffrey - There's one particular scene in the first Spiderman that critics were always pointing to as a prime example of "post 9/11 furor," when all the New Yorkers revolt against Green Goblin on the bridge (ex. "If you mess with one of us, you mess with ALL of us!"). My gut tells me this was always in the original shooting script, but if you find out that it was part of a reshoot after 9/11, it would probably give your thesis a good amount of fuel.

Also interesting (if a little off-topic): The original centerpiece of MIB II was going to take place in the World Trade Center. In fact, I believe they had possibly wrapped production prior to 9/11, so everything involving the statue of liberty was a reshoot. Still doesn't quite excuse the god-awful mess that turned out to be...

comment #22

D.Z. says ...

So Kevin Costner finally jhas a movie I might be able to tolerate again. The first in a decade, it seems. http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2008/STUVWXYZ/Swing-Vote/trailer.php

comment #23

BurmaShave says ...

tommysunshine, what the fuck is your problem? I enjoy film, keep my head down, occasionally stay stupid shit. Did you have a dream where I raped you? Or are you mad I haven't. What was your old handle? Seriously, I dont know what the fuck your deal is, but you're one of the creepiest and most obsessive people I've ever had to deal with. Grow up.

comment #24

Edward says ...

I think Bocephus is on to something. Who are the real world heroes we have nowdays? Does the media obsession with celebrity fit into this discussion as well? They aren't our heroes, but our royalty. People who have wealth, fabulous lifestyles...

Good discussion.

comment #25

Howlingman says ...

"Good discussion."

It will be if it can stay on topic.

comment #26

Wrecktum says ...

"So Kevin Costner finally jhas a movie I might be able to tolerate again. The first in a decade, it seems."

Open Range came out 5 years ago. It's Costner's best film period.

comment #27

BurmaShave says ...

DZ, in the last decade Costner has made THIRTEEN DAYS, OPEN RANGE, and THE UPSIDE OF ANGER. You're playing ancient tapes.

comment #28

Jeffrey Kunze says ...

Thanks for all the comments.

I recognize this is kind of a half-assed thesis idea, but I'm going to exploit it for all its worth and drink its milkshake anyway.

comment #29

D.Z. says ...

I couldn't tell Open Range apart from that Clint film, and I thought Upside of Anger was a Joan Allen vehicle.