Supergirl and the Temple of Film.
Joseph W.
Ana Nogueira’s Supergirl is a comic book movie and I loved it. As Nicole Kidman states in every AMC commercial....
“..... we come to this place....for magic....because we need that, all of us, that indescribable feeling we get...and ...go somewhere we’ve never been before; not just [to be] entertained, but somehow reborn. Together.”
Supergirl kept me entertained, but the place of my rebirth wasn’t at an AMC theater, although they are still part of my moviegoing habitus. My entertainment journey took me further south; toward the Atlantic Highlands. The realm here is filled with authentic niche shops and small boutiques, but there is a place that makes this area authentic, golden, and nostalgic, Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle Theater.
Smodcastle.
Kevin Smith: writer, actor, producer, filmmaker, and awesome Human being credits this legendary estate as his inspiration for movie making. This was the nexus point for his creative prowess with features and movies like the Clerks, Dogma, and The 4:30 Movie. This location is the true meaning of rebirth. As Kevin calls it, “Smodcastle Theater is the Temple of Film.”
The corridors are lined with his scripture; movie posters from his acclaimed films (Dogma, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, etc.), ticket stubs to iconic events; articles from The Times even. Additionally, one can’t help but notice the tribute art that highlights his inspiration to not only his film making prowess, but to his comic book writing... the comic book legend, Stan Lee.
Stan Lee, the creator of iconic characters such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, the X-Men, and more; is shown in a watercolor portrait in different shades of blacks, whites and blues. What makes this portrait even more iconic is that he is side by side with Smith. I get emotional. A little.
Here, the Smodcastle represents the power of imagination. The belief that taking a risk on yourself to make something out of nothing can yield powerful gains. This place is a reminder that to make magic happen you have to give it your all using, whatever you have and that your work can be an inspiration for up and coming creatives.
How do I know?......George R.R. Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones, was here; followed by Tracey Morgan, Kate Micucci. and others. They all signed by their likeness, giving their nod of approval to this legendary Temple of Film.
Cinema 1.
As Cinema 1 opened, I’m introduced to the rustic smell of carpet cleaner and cushioned wooden theater chairs. This place has history. There are no numbered seats. Here, we all sit where are hearts allow and respect each other’s personal space in the process.
A little bit of movie seating autonomy, how long ago since I had this moment?
Yet, what really gets me is the center stage. A platform for discussion, an orator's box to chat with fans about films, this stage has witnessed countless discussions, hosted great movies, celebrated indie hits, and endured its share of disappointing features. Legend has it that they have a “Smith-a-thon,” a 24hrs + movie watching Kevin Smith movie watching experience in which it resembles a Saturday night sleep over with reasonably priced popcorn and bevs.
Man of the Hour
As more and more people started taking their seats, within minutes, Kevin Smith arrives. As he hits the stage, the room’s volume elevates. I bring my hands together to applaud him; yet elevated applauses followed by the yells and screams of hardcore fans drown out my effects. Kevin humbly, receives them.
As the applauses die down, we take a moment to glimpse the legendary Silent Bob, the iconic character from the Jay and Silent Bob films. Kevin has been through a lot and continues to rise above the ashes. Most importantly, is that for over 3 decades, Kevin has sustained a career of independent film making by diversifying himself within the media business and legitimizing low-budget indie film making. Bring in his ability to bridge film and comic book culture, Kevin has demonstrated how creators can build direct, long-term relationships with fans and develop a continued fan base that spans decades. Respect.
As we all watch the film, we have vocal autonomy. In respectful fashion, we laugh at the funny moments, applaud the hero and the sidekick, boo the villain, and marvel at Milly Alcock’s portrayal and approach to saving people. Different from her well to do Cousin Clark; watching this version of Supergirl, as she drinks, parties, and fights through celestial bodies to save the life of her dog Krypto, is more than entertaining, it’s a break from the spare the villain trope that superhero movies have been dishing out for years. We know the truth. We know what sometimes needs to be done to win.
As the film plays, I glimpse and see that the fans are vested in the character. Interested faces, fans of both her comic and her CW series. Watching Supergirl here is necessary on account that Kevin Smith has a greater investment in the character as he has directed four episodes of CW’s Supergirl series.
Supergirl Lives - (Season 2, Episode 9) – Aired January 23, 2017
Distant Sun - (Season 2, Episode 17) – Aired March 27, 2017
Bunker Hill - (Season 4, Episode 8) – Aired December 2, 2018
The love of this character and the lore is not only stressed by Smith, he also displays the Supergirl costume worn by Melissa Benoist from the series. Fans showed their love by revealing their “S” designed t-shirts, while others cosplayed. Shoutout to the Lobo cosplayer, he definitely shined that day.
Supergirl.
Supergirl is an enjoyable experience for those who haven’t read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. I haven’t read the source material and I’m asking myself, “should I have?” What would the penalty be for my ignorance? Truthfully, I’m not concerned with it as I had a blast seeing a different version of the famed female Kryptonian.
Craig Gillespie and Ana Nogueira’s Supergirl is a satisfying film; a soon to be cult classic that has both elements of creativity and source material. Many have stated it’s not comic book accurate, but does it need to be?
How many Batman’s, Spider-Man’s are currently in existence with altering storylines? This movie serves both as a nod to its true fans as well as an introduction to the character to a newer audience.
Supergirl
Milly Alcock [Supergirl]
Milly Alcock's portrayal of Kara Zor-El is both heartfelt and powerful. As Kara, we see her innocence. We see how her family is affected by Kryptonite poisoning and how she is willing to die with them rather than abandon them. As the decision to leave is forced upon her by her father, Zor-El, played by David Krumholtz, we watch her get shipped off to a brand-new planet, and we see her emotions take center stage as we embark on a roller coaster of reactions to loss, love, sacrifice, and vengeance.
Clark isn’t here, Kara is, and we see, for as far as DC’s PG-13 rating will allow, Milly, “Milly Rock,” Alcock get her clap back on intergalactic henchmen, beautifully clad, blue and purple space pirates known as the Sklarians, and in masterful fashion, take on and take out the sex trafficking Brigands, with their leader Krem of the Yellow Hills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts getting his retribution in the end.
Not introduced in the comic, Lobo, played by Jason Mamoa, makes his breakthrough here as the Intergalactic Bastitch and insults, beats, and culls in true bounty hunter fashion. No one but Jason Mamoa can do what he does. Ditching the underwater kingdom of Atlantis for a more intergalactic Biker look, Jason is now one of the greats who have transitioned from one comic book character to another with the audience saying, “Great Move, about time!!!”
SideNote: It’s possible that a LOBO spinoff might blossom from this moment.
Ruthye
Eve Ridley [Ruthye]
The movie’s true innocence and heart comes from the moments of Eve Ridley, who plays Ruthye Marye Knoll. The deaths of her parents and siblings stir retaliation and what follows is a quest to kill Krem by any means. Here, we witness Ruthye, driven by anger, trying in every way possible, to eliminate her target. As she tries and reluctantly fails throughout the film, over time, her anger becomes more centered to the point that she takes a possible life. Even Lobo’s witnessing of her possible kill, stirs him to the point that he admires her and helps in her quest for vengeance.
SideNote: While Lobo is considered a hard Bastitch, when it comes to vengeance and retribution, he has a soft spot for others.
And while vengeance is a dish best served with a side of suffering, Nogueira’s approach here is possibly one in which an innocent life is spared and one completely looks into the abyss, into the darkness, and makes peace with it.
What’s confusing however is whether Ruthye looked into the abyss before the film’s final decision. One example is the lack of blood and the illusion of death in Ruthye’s jail scene. The concept blurs here as Rythye, either snaps a neck or simply knocks out her jailer. Either way, Lobo takes notice and no one missed that moment.
Funny thing is, Kara never finds out.
Watching Supergirl, we’re faced with a comparison, a harsh one. With Superman, many see a kryptonian; who sees the good in people, while others see Supergirl’s as reality, the truth about people. Not everyone can be reformed. This film demonstrates that Supergirl reminds us that sometimes the truth can offend and we have to confront that truth in order to be free.
Finale.
As the movie concludes, the crowd applauds and Kevin rushes on stage to discuss the film’s highs and lows. Kevin doesn’t hold back. His thoughts on the film followed by the audience’s reaction leads to one of many possible conclusions for the film:
A good film, not legendary, but a comic book movie that needs to be watched to understand some of Kara’s kryptonian lore. There were some missed moments that could have highlighted the next series of superheroes, but still, a good film.
Milly’s approach to the character, followed by the actions of her young ward is certifiably designed as a female coming of age story in which one has experienced loss and has to face and battle their new beginnings. Here, Kara and Ruthye have some growing up to do and while one is able to be innocent, another one realizes, and I’m corny for saying this, that great power, comes with great responsibility.
Final Thoughts.
Watching Supergirl at the Smodcastle was an adventure unto itself. A chance to witness the film with a fanbase that glorifies the kryptonian, followed by an opportunity to hear the candid reactions of one of DC Comic’s best contributors to the Supergirl lore; this moment felt more like a celebration of comic book storytelling than a screening.
SideNote: The essence of the film is that the men play the background. Sure, they are scattered around as fodder for the film, but the soul of the film lies in its female cast, their togetherness and the retribution that follows.
As Supergirl stands, this film is character driven, as every person on screen had their own motives for saving someone they love. And while some opportunities worked out for some, for others, it led to death. Supergirl is the newest addition to the revised DC Cinematic Universe, and while this film may not sit well with some, I consider this film a comic book movie that one shouldn’t miss on account that it doesn’t accurately stay true to the source material.
After all, there are millions of revised superhero films that have garnered billions of views and likes on YouTube and sometimes a revision is necessary to introduce a new fan base to something that been’s around for years. With, Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, I’m sure it experienced its own backlash when they revitalized Supergirl as an intergalactic western.
