Poor Zack Snyder. It seems that this guy can’t catch a break no matter what he does. Every film he’s made has come under intense scrutiny, receiving either tons of praise for style or equal amounts of criticism for being a pure popcorn flick. Whatever your feelings are for the director, you would have to be crazy to deny that Man of Steel was an entertaining box office blast.
I’ll be completely honest: I’m not a big fan of Supes. I’ve never dug too deep into the comics, and the Christopher Reeve films don’t hold a huge place in my heart. With that being said, Man of Steel handles the origins and formative years of Clark Kent beautifully, and the film is full of jaw dropping action. Literally jaw dropping. I literally dropped my jaw onto the filthy, candy-covered floor of the theater.
I will be the first to admit that the characterization and story were a bit sloppy, but that was part of Man of Steel‘s charm. Even people who don’t follow Superman’s every move (me) know the basics about him, and that’s why the film appealed. It didn’t waste time going over common knowledge for the umpteenth time. It pitted Supes against aliens just as strong as him and surrounded them with explosions, bigger explosions and some seriously huge explosions.
Man of Steel has been hit with a few bits of controversy from fans, but it’s all nitpicking from a fanbase that will never be satisfied. If you take the movie for what it truly is, then you’ll have a fantastic time with it. The action is nonstop, visceral and choreographed beautifully. It wasn’t the smartest film of summer, and it certainly wasn’t the absolute best. But show me one other film that can finish with an hour-long fight against Michael Shannon (just perfect as General Zod) that levels an entire city. Congratulations, Zack Snyder. You finally made the Superman movie that people have wanted to see for years.
It should be common knowledge by now that any movie Jeff Nichols touches is destined to be gold. Sure, he’s only made three films in the past six years, but look at how fantastic they’ve been. Take Shelter was my favorite film of 2011, and now Mud, the latest from the talented director, is in strong contest for my favorite of 2013.
The coming-of-age tale has been told time and time again, yet only a few films stand out as perfect examples of the genre, and those are the films that stray from the sappy side of things. Mud follows Ellis and Neckbone, two Arkansas boys who find the titular character marooned on an island with nothing but a boat stuck high in a tree, a pistol and the shirt on his back. Although his reasons for living there are a mystery in the beginning, he soon enlists the boys to give messages to his lover, Juniper, who lives in town. Even if his premise sounds ripe for sappy material, Nichols deftly avoids any sticky-sweet emotions while still conveying real love between his characters.
It’s a classic southern film that not only chronicles the formative years of Ellis and Neckbone (who are brought to life beautifully by Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, respectively), but introduces in Mud a character who wouldn’t be out of place in a Mark Twain novel. Mud is a man shrouded in mystery, and even if his actions aren’t pleasant, his motives and love for the boys are pure.
Matthew McConaughey may have been a typecast actor before, but his work as Mud proves that he’s got range beyond his good looks. If anything, this is the role that he should be remembered for, as he brings heart and adventure to life in the form of his character. It may not have hit the market hard, but it’s been lauded in film festivals around the world. Growing up is a bittersweet experience, and Mud captures those feelings in a way that few other films have. Do yourself a favor and hunt this one down.
— Christian Law
