What I’m watching: ‘Justice League’ is fun escapism

Date: 12/1/2017

This is what I’ve been watching.

In theaters: Justice League

One of the most distressing parts of media coverage about films today is the relentless reporting of box office results. If a film does not perform as expected on its opening weekend, it’s considered some sort of failure, although the ultimate profitability of a production usually can not really be determined without revenue from overseas release, DVD and Blu-ray sales, on-demand results, etc.

“Justice League” has not performed at the level that was predicted for it so now the buzz is that is a disappointment. The movie was not a disappointment to me, though. I enjoyed it and will probably buy it once it’s on Blu-ray.

The fanboy press has long sough to pit the success of the movies based on Marvel characters (Captain America, Iron Man, The Avengers, etc.) and Marvel’s decision to interlock the narratives of these films, as much as they contractually can, to the films featuring DC characters (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc.) and its approach to the characters.

Frankly, all I care about is if a film stands on its own providing the story and message for which it was intended and for me “Justice League” delivered what I hope it would. I guess in the spirit of full disclosure I’ve been a DC fan since about the age of five when I saw my first Batman comic book.

The film is about a guilty Batman/Bruce Wayne who realizes it is his responsibility for trying to save the planet from an inter-dimensional threat that is on the way. He knows he can’t save it alone and recruits others with powers to assist him – Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg.  Thanks to the additional script and direction by Joss Whedon, the film is lighter in tone and much more enjoyable than the frequently leaden “Man of Steel” and “Batman V. Superman.”

The humor as well as the reimagining of Aquaman – Jason Momoa steals almost ever scene in which he is featured – makes the film truly enjoyable.

Are there problems? Sure. I didn’t like a strictly CGI villain. Are some of the character back-stories a tad under-developed? Yes. I would have liked to have seen more screen time on The Flash and Aquaman.

The performances satisfied with Gal Gadot still a revelation as Diane Prince/Wonder Woman and Ben Affleck as a tired, middle-aged Batman who is rallying himself for the next chapter in his career.

I also enjoyed the fact that composer Danny Elfman wove his own Batman theme – written for the Tim Burton films – along with the John Williams theme for the Christopher Reeve “Superman” films into this film’s score. That was a very nice touch for an old fanboy such as myself.

Ignore the box office sales reports. “Justice League” is well worth the visit to the big screen.

On Blu-ray: Pulp

I had heard of this 1972 shaggy dog story but until the disc arrived in the mail I had never had the opportunity of watching it. I’m glad I did get that chance as “Pulp” has the same kind of tone that typifies the work of the Coen brothers.

“Pulp” is about a novelist Mickey King (Michael Caine) who happily is writing sleazy paperbacks when a representative of a wealthy man who wants King to ghost his autobiography approaches him.

King is intrigued especially by the cloak and dagger secrecy surrounding just who is his subject, but is also alarmed when he stumbles upon the corpse of a man who was occupying a hotel room he was supposed to have.

The subject is an exiled Hollywood actor with mob connections played with almost alarming twitchiness by Mickey Rooney. Rooney simply cannot stop mugging and yet it fits his vainglorious character well.

King realizes he is the middle of murder mystery and as it deepens, his commitment to see justice served increases.

At turns a film noir and a satire, “Pulp” is always riveting. Hodges livens the film up by using three Golden Age of Hollywood actors – Rooney, Lizbeth Scott and Lionel Standler – as well as including Robert Sacchi in the cast, who had a short career impersonating Humphrey Bogart.  

While perhaps not for everyone, “Pulp” is a lot of fun.