Movie Review: Superman Returns

Superman returns after five years in space to find Lois engaged and with a child, with a Pulitzer for her article about how the world no longer needs him. Lex Luther has gone free, but the Daily Planet is still the same busy place. That's all you need to know about this movie. That, and while it's a decent action film, it makes very little sense.

Now, I could tell you, from the wife-of-a-fan-boy perspective, all the things that are wrong with it, but assuming you're a nice normal person, I'll just say that the plot is a little confusing, the characters frequently make inexplicable decisions or statements, and there were a few places where I just said "What??"

Brandon Routh makes a fine Superman as well as Clark Kent, not an easy thing to pull off (look at all the Batman/Bruce Waynes), and Kate Bosworth is decent, and Bryan Singer admirably helms a good popcorn flick. Superman's costume is updated to be cooler, but without losing the look we all expect. Kevin Spacey is an excellent Lex. Parker Posey is great, but for some reason dresses right out of a 40's private eye movie.

I enjoyed this movie, though I sure don't plan to run out and buy a copy.

2 1/2 stars out of 5.

Movie Review: Mrs. Henderson Presents

Let me start by saying that for a movie recommended by my parents, this film had a shocking amount of nakedness! There were ho-has and wa-hoos all over the place . . . .

Set in pre-WWII England, Mrs. Henderson Presents is based on a true story of the recently widowed Mrs. Henderson (Judy Dench) who decides, almost on a whim, to buy, renovate and run a burlesque-type theatre. Bob Hoskins plays the surly man she hires to run the theatre once she realizes she knows nothing about such thing.

The acting is superb; the story funny and serious. I didn't know what to expect (certainly not all the nudity!!) but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I don't want to say more because the beauty of this film is how it all unfolds as classes mix and the world changes, just a little, thanks to the theatre.

I give this movie 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, and recommend it very strongly.