Just a few news items for now. I'll try to get something up later in the week, too. I made it through one family gathering and *just* managed to get through the preparations without shutting down and spoiling everyone's day. This is actually much better than I used to be, where I would have reached my emotional limit and got really angry and pouty and start demanding things work they way *I* wanted them to work. Even when you're right about something, getting loud and pushing people around isn't the way to deal with stressful situations. If you're stressed, so are they. We feed off it.
I have seen the new Superman teaser poster with the introductory music and the first trailer. I have maintained minimal awareness of the movie because James Gunn creating a Superman movie at least has potential. Gunn has fought hard to create movies that fit his own vision. Sure, I don't always like the results; I don't care for the Guardians movies, as an example. But he also made one of the greatest superhero parodies ever: The Specials. I think it's worth pointing out that The Specials core message was about the primacy of the found family unit. It was also one of several movies from the turn of the millennium that feature commentary on corporate sponsorship of superheroes. '99's Mystery Men rotated around B-tier superheroes saving the city when the prominent superhero stages a fight with a paroled nemesis to boost his flagging sponsorship deals, only to get killed in the process. The Specials has subplot that essentially dovetails with the "oddball" nature of the various titular superheroes. If they want to make the headlines, and get invited to solve world-threatening problems, they need marketable images, personalities, and powers.
The world needs a good Superman movie right now. The trailer gives me hope. And I'm not the only person to comment on the trailer with those exact words. We are *all* that small Boravian child raising a home-made Superman flag praying to be saved by the one person who may care. And I suspect that whatever is going on in Boravia (and only a handful of things *ever* go on in Boravia) this segment of the movie is going to be highly filtered except for a handful of images. Because there are some clear parallels that *could* be made with current world events. And I can't imagine DC being willing to say anything that might be construed as having an opinion on anything other than the conceptual.
Excepting the identity of various characters, most of the rest of the trailer is speculative in meaning. Possibly a corporate-backed Justice Society of America. Hawk Girl is in it, which I'm sure makes my kids happy. The Shayera Thal/Hol Hawk Girl was a favorite character from Justice League/Justice League Unlimited. This movie's Hawk Girl would most accurately be based on the earlier Shiera Sanders-Hall, although I wouldn't be surprised if they lean more heavily on the later interpretation of the character.
The music, of course, has been the star. Other than Krypto. The teaser's use of the haunting, barely-discernible variation on the Superman Theme had me tearing up. Moving from that to the louder, clearer electric guitar version of the trailer was an excellent decision. If they're smart (no evidence) we will NEVER hear the full, orchestral, Superman Theme until the final act or the END of the movie. Bring the house down.
So, yeah. I'm looking forward to the movie.
I hope everyone is finding the Steam sale to their liking. I haven't actually checked what all *exactly* on my wish list is on sale. But I also try to avoid spending money *for me* in the days before Christmas. Steam gifting is such a useful tool. It's a shame other services *still* haven't figured it out.
Like last year, I'll be back on Christmas. Because we're all in this together.