u/GoodBadUgly_36

It’s not amazing. It’s not horrible. I’m glad I went. It reminded me that not all comic books have to be the best comic ever, not all movies have to “raise the bar.” It mostly did what it set out to do. I liked it as much as any recent superhero movies, but I’ve seen very few (nonanimated) superhero movies I’ve particularly liked in recent years; I didn’t love it but I can think of other superhero movies I’ve disliked more.

My family enjoyed it. That’s what I liked most.

Most interesting idea that occurred to me is that “Superman is a nerd” to his fellow god, Supergirl. She respects him, cares for him, but also sees him at times (perhaps unfairly) as being a little embarrassing… and I was ok with it given that this is her movie. (Sorta kinda like how Huck Finn does not particularly flatter Tom Sawyer in his own book, nor vice versa.)

I’m not someone who reads comics particularly, though I have some familiarity with certain stories. This movie did renew my interest in tracking down the original story to see if I would be more moved by it in print form.

I enjoyed it. It’s not gory-horror, more “creeping dread because this is a messed up situation” horror. It uses a supernatural plot device to explore the hell of gay teens being raised in anti-gay (in this movie, Christian) communities, forced by their community to choose not to act on desires or else face destruction. Well enough acted, brisk (I didn’t time it but I think it’s closer to 1.5 hours than to 2 hours), and thoughtful. I’d give it 7.5/10.

Side note, the whole movie I kept thinking that the second lead was reminding me of a young Patrick Swayze. And I was being driven nuts trying to think where I’d seen the lead’s mom — it’s Mia Wasikowska (most recognized to me from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland movie), now playing a mom of an older teen. I’m getting old.

Beautifully shot, dazzlingly choreographed, well acted, and the music was often catchy. But I really hated the experience. I felt like it never really justified its existence as a story. Things just happen; there’s no rising tension, no great change in the characters, no particular exploration of why we should care about (or be glad about the demise of) this dead religion. I kept waiting for a turn, but there really wasn’t one. Like looking at a painting from far away for two hours — it looks like it could be pretty but you never get close enough to it to justify the time spent.

3/10 as a personal experience. 7/10 for people who value good acting well shot and don’t care that there’s no story.

I’m not a fiddle player but in The Devil Went Down to Georgia I always like the devil’s solo better than Johnny’s. Is Johnny a better fiddle player?

Hint: it is not a Western.

Hint: it does not take place in Philadelphia

Hint: “in the past” is straightforward — the movie’s setting is both earlier than now (2026) and than when it was released.

Hint: Keanu Reeves is not in my movie.

Hint: the action of the movie largely takes place on the eastern side of North America.