Countdown Cancelled and The Best Film of 2003

The Countdown to Man of Steel has been cancelled after one post.

This is partially because of a complete lack of content. I honestly thought that a big-budget Superman reboot would lead to all sorts of wacky and incredible promotional tie-ins like the 2006 "sequel" did. After trips to several local supermarkets/convenience stores, I've discovered that there is almost nothing available that's worth taking a look at. Yes, there were boxes of Cheez-Its and Pop-Tarts with the iconic S-symbol front and sorta' centered. I also found some fruit snacks, but they were generic Superman style, owing nothing to the new film. Somehow, DreamWorks' new animated-feature, Turbo, about a hyper-kinetic snail, managed to earn its own limited edition cereal, but Superman did not. This is the world we live in now and it is awful, maybe.

The other reason for the cancellation is something I briefly touched upon before in the single Countdown post, which is my personal feelings towards Man of Steel. You could say they are less than enthusiastic. This surprises a lot of people who know me, because I enjoy comic books and I enjoy movies. I must be almost orgasmic at the idea of combining the two things, right? Eh. This is sometimes true when it comes to films like The Avengers or X-Men: First Class, but it is not always the case. There are quite a few cinematic adaptations of comic books that I have not seen, nor have any intention of ever seeing; the two Fantastic Four movies, Green Lantern, either of the Ghost Rider flicks, Cowboys and Aliens, V for Vendetta and many others. My love for these two distinct, visual mediums doesn't equal an immediate or even an eventual devotion to any project that may mix them together.

I have a difficult enough time writing about the things that I feel passionate about, so I'm not sure why it is that I thought I could manage a week of posts related to a movie I'm not that interested in seeing. It was a lazy attempt at drawing in some readers, hoping to catch some [very] minor attention due to the film's release date looming nearer.

Meanwhile, I just finished watching The Station Agent for the first time and I can barely think of anything worth talking about it here, despite the fact that it's probably one of the best "older" films I've seen so far this year. This happens far too frequently, where I stumble upon something and immediately fall in love with it, yet I can't seem to find the right words to express my adoration or appreciation.

Countdown to Man of Steel: Lego Edition

I'm having difficulty in mustering the enthusiasm for the release of Man of Steel this Friday. I don't know if it's my feelings towards the work of director Zack Snyder. I never cared much for his films, particularly Sucker Punch and Watchmen [a movie I felt cold towards, despite loving the source material]. It could be that the cinematic exploits of The Last Son of Krypton have never really appealed to me. I still have yet to see Superman Returns and the original series is something that was always in the background of my childhood, comforting in its existence, but nothing I ever gravitated towards.

It's odd, but the idea of Superman has always meant more to me than any actual story.

Likewise, I've always enjoyed the odd marketing or promotional tie-ins over his many adventures. Give me Kryptonite Doritos and Superman Crunch cereal and I'm thrilled. Combine the Man of Steel with Legos and I am beyond excited.

Which brings me to the Superman: Metropolis Showdown building set.

It's been years since I've purchased a Lego set. Sure, I've indulged in the blind bag mini-figures a few times in the past couple years. And yes, every Christmas I pick up a Lego Advent Calender to help get into the holiday spirit. Excluding those few exceptions, I haven't put together anything Lego in nearly a decade. So, I'm starting out small with this set. 119-pieces that would eventually become Superman, his villainous counterpart, General Zod, and the city of Metropolis; in the form of a car and a collapsible tower.

It's not very impressive, I know. There's something in its simplicity that I absolutely adore, though. Lego mini-figures are always difficult to turn away from, especially when they're meant to represent iconic characters in pop culture. Also, while I'm not sold on the re-imagined costume from Man of Steel, it sure looks good in that miniature toy form. The same goes for General Zod. His scowling Lego face is too goddamn cute. I couldn't resist.

Plus, Superman's head rotates to reveal a more battle-ready face, complete with intense grimace and heat-vision eyes. The same goes for General Zod, but really, I feel like there shouldn't be a moment when he's not angry and vaporizing someone.

I can't say that the few minutes that I spent building a yellow dragster and radio tower is going to inspire me to rush out and see Man of Steel this weekend. So, tune in the rest of this week to see what other super-items I can dig out of the Trash Bin in an effort to awaken a long-lost love for all things Kal-El.