Man of Steel

22nd of 365.

Another origin story of a superhero. I love Origin stories. They are great, they really are. I loved Casino Royale because of the origin story, Batman Begins is fantastic because we see what changed Bruce Wayne, but I may have had enough.

It may be the simple fact that not all origin stories are created equal. Superman is an alien that gets sent in a rocket ship to Kansas. He is raised by good old fashioned farmers as he tries to deal with his super powers.

The first 20 or so minutes take place on Krypton. His scientist father warns of the planets instability to a council, then a military leader decides to take Krypton himself. Zod, played by Michael Shannon, gets sent away in phallic shaped escape pods off of the planet. When the planet explodes he gets released out of his prison with his co-conspirators. 

The movie is too long. It could have been 90 minutes, there wasn't enough story to necessitate almost and 2 and a half hours. The action scenes were well done, if not overblown. The death count probably reaches 7 figures, but it's okay because Superman.

Judgement: Watch on Cable

Mud

2nd of 365

 Matthew McConaughey stars as the titular character in Mud. The movie takes place in Southeast Arkansas around the intersection of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. There is a wonderful feel of the movie. There is not quite a small town big city feel, but there is a definite division between the shots right on the river where our protagonist, Ellis, lives and the town in which they sell the day's catch.  

The town is not glitz and glamour, it is teenagers hanging out in parking lots of the piggly wiggly next to worn down hotels. This is the type of small town living that still has a separation. At one point Ellis bemoans the fact he could never be a townie. He only knows life down on the river even though he is in town often throughout the movie.

Love takes center stage in this movie. It is the driving force for the plot and the reason for any actions taken by the characters. However, it displays that Love may not conquer all. 

Judgement: Watch in Theaters

The Iceman

1st of Three Sixty Five.

This Michael Kuklinski Biopic focuses more on family than it does on the approximate 100 murders he is suspected of committing. The Iceman starts with a wonderful opening scene where an older fully bearded Michael Shannon is asked "Do you have any regrets?"

In this still shot there is an eye shaking as if it was ready to explode. Michael Shannon was fantastic. I previously was not a big fan of anything Shannon had starred in, but he was great as the family man and psychopath. 

The movie was made extra special with David Schwimmer in a ridiculous mustache and pony all while donning a track jacket. He is there to move the plot forward by being bad at his job. So good work Ross.

Judgement: Send Away for It/Rent It