Expanding on my fears for “Eclipse”

I don’t like to jinx myself, but with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning’s appearances at Sundance this week, there has been a sprinkling of news about “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” There hasn’t been any focus on “Eclipse” since “New Moon” came out, but I suspect it will begin in April or May, a couple of months before the movie hits theaters. Director David Slade tweeted before New Year’s and promised a “New Year’s Day surprise,” which Twilight fans assumed would be a teaser trailer. The day came and went without anything, and Slade later tweeted that he was sorry, “it was taken out of his hands,” presumably by Summit Entertainment who probably isn’t ready to start leaking anything about the film just yet.

This all only serves to pour more fuel on the fire of my fears regarding “Eclipse.” Here’s why.

I have no doubt that Slade and/or Summit has the teaser trailer for “Eclipse” finished and sitting in a vault somewhere, waiting for the right time to unleash it on the masses. Is it possible Summit isn’t happy with the finished product, and is therefore delaying anything associated with it? Possibly. On the other hand, it’s also possible that Summit is simply sticking tight to the marketing and release schedule it followed with the previous two films. They've already released the teaser poster - it was in theaters when "New Moon" came out. And “Eclipse” will be released in theaters on June 30, 2010, so Summit could be waiting for the DVD release of “New Moon” to release the teaser trailer for “Eclipse.” Of course, there was no mention of such a teaser trailer in the official DVD press release, but it could still be included anyway. If I had to guess, I’d lay odds that Summit will debut the teaser trailer (and not a full trailer) with both the DVD of “New Moon” and Robert Pattinson’s “Remember Me,” which is due in theaters the same weekend in March. Then, at the end of April, I’m sure it will debut the full trailer.

Of course, all of this is speculation and beside the point. The point is, I’m afraid “Eclipse” will really suck — pun intended. When Kristen Stewart was asked to describe working with David Slade on “Eclipse,” she only commented that he was a very technical director. Last year at Sundance, she was asked to describe working with Chris Weitz. She spoke in glowing terms about him and “New Moon.” The rest of the cast has followed suit. When Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene were asked about Slade and “Eclipse,” they said the same. “Very technical.” That’s great and all, but it reinforces my fears about having Slade direct the movie. He might be a great technical director, but his movies are sorely lacking in emotion — something “Eclipse” has plenty of, aside from plenty of action. And I get the feeling the cast doesn’t like Slade nearly as much as they did Catherine Hardwicke or Chris Weitz. But I could be reading them wrong. Slade also has a tendency to strip his films of vibrant color, so I suspect “Eclipse” will probably resemble “Twilight” in tone more than “New Moon.”

And then there was Jackson Rathbone's leaked "Eclipse" script, and the very strong, very negative feedback those fans who read it had. I didn't see anyone who read it give it a positive review. But Summit, of course, did PR damage and claimed it was an early script and not the final script used. Seriously, though. How different from the final version could it be?

However, I still have hope that “Eclipse” will be a great movie. I’m encouraged by the fact that David Slade has tried hard to connect with Twilight fans on Twitter (although it’s probably only because he had to make nice for the disparaging comments he made about “Twilight” and “Twilight” fans before he was announced as the director of “Eclipse” … but I don’t hold grudges, much). He tweeted photos from filming, which was nice, and has given us updates every now and then on the status of production. His last tweet said the movie is headed toward final edits. Good to know.

And I am also encouraged by the announcement Summit just made about the person who will be scoring “Eclipse.” He did “The Lord of the Rings,” which had an awesome score. Very encouraging news. And, of course, the cast is the same, and I trust they will help make up for whatever the directing lacks, if it lacks anything at all.

Mr. Slade could surprise me, and I hope he does.

Spidey, Breaking Dawn and more

I haven’t commented anything lately because my favorite shows have been on hiatus, and with the holidays, well, there hasn’t been much news to discuss.

The newsgates have opened wide today with lots of information to set my geeky little heart all aflutter. Some wonderful, some horrible.

They’re making Spider-man 4 without Tobey MacGuire and Sam Raimi?!?! Nooooooooooo! Are they crazy?! Those morons. Why? Why? Why? Don’t make it at all if those two aren’t involved! Sam Raimi made “Spider-man” into one of the greatest superhero films of all time. And after three pictures, Tobey Maguire is Peter Parker. This is, by far, one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard come out of Hollywood. Stupid Sony. Those idiots. They’re going too ruin a great franchise.

My man Brandon Routh aka Clark Kent/Superman is joining the cast of “Chuck” next week. There have been lots of interviews with him this week. He briefly confirmed he’s still heard nothing about another Superman film, which means, most likely, they’ll recast him too. Ugh. Idiots. Who’s running Hollywood these days, anyway? Where do I apply?

A producer for Summit Entertainment confirmed to the L.A. Times that the problem with “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” is a hold-up with the script and deciding whether it will be one film or two. Stephenie Meyer has to approve it, and most importantly approve whether it will be made into one film or two, and a suitable script hasn’t been turned in yet. Stephenie…don’t make me hunt you down, girl. Two films, you hear me? Two films! Make it happen.

And, horror of horrors, Jared Padalecki (Sam, Supernatural) is now reportedly engaged to Genevieve Cortese (Ruby, Supernatural)? Last I knew, he was engaged to Sandra McCoy. Sam and Ruby? What?!? When did that happen? Personally, I like Genevieve even if I didn’t like that stupid demon witch Ruby so much, so I’m happy for them. Guess Jared felt pressured when his older onscreen brother, my man Jensen Ackles, got engaged to Dannelle Harris. Sigh. Another (hot) one bites the dust.

Speaking of “Supernatural,” I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this report today, and then I almost did a full-hip-action happy dance complete with finger snaps in my cubicle. Series creator Eric Kripke has always said the show would not go beyond 5 seasons, and folks, the fifth season is halfway over. And, ye gods, I never ever in my wildest fantasies expected “Smallville” to stay on the air for 10 seasons, but it seems I’m not the only one who thinks these two shows have been AMAZING this year. Because both have done so well critically this season, and “Supernatural” specifically has seen a ratings increase, the CW is seriously thinking of keeping both shows next year. A possibility of more Tom Welling? More Jensen Ackles? Happy squeal! I knew there was a God!

Update: Smallville, Supernatural and Vampire Diaries

My TV viewing for this season has been a little off. If my best friend won’t watch a show with me (i.e. Glee, So You Think You Can Dance, The Bachelor, etc.), then I have to record it and watch it on my own later. Unfortunately, this means I’ve fallen behind on “The Vampire Diaries” and “Supernatural” this year. Amazingly enough, I manage to watch “Smallville” not long after it airs.

Now that we’re approaching or already on hiatus for these three shows, it will help me catch up soon, but after catching up on some of the recent episodes of Vampire Diaries and Supernatural, I thought I’d make a few updated comments about these CW shows I’m fangirling over.

Vampire Diaries. I wasn’t sure I’d stick with this one, but it’s gotten a lot better the past few episodes I’ve watched, which means I’m probably hooked now. Stefan has grown on me, but I still prefer the much snarkier Damon simply because of his wicked sense of humor. The addition of witches and more vampires has injected the show with fresh blood (pun intended), and I can see now why people are talking about this show so much. It’s really not bad at all, now that it has found its legs. I’m still not caught up, but the previews for the next episode I have to watch showed some serious skin between Elena and Stefan. Or was it supposed to be Stefan and Katherine? Hmmmm….

Supernatural. I still say this is the best show on television, and it’s not because I’m a tad bit obsessed with Jensen Ackles either. It’s really, really good. I mean, I went from laughing my head off during two recent satirically funny episodes to bawling like a baby in another more dramatic episode. Did you see the episode mocking Supernatural fans at a Supernatural convention? Hilarious. And did you see “Abandon All Hope,” the last episode before it went on hiatus? OMG. Heartbreaking. I tear up just thinking about it. I still can't believe they killed Jo and Ellen. And how! RIP, brave Jo and Ellen. Rest in peace. I mean, that look on Jensen as Dean and Jared as Sam's faces when the building exploded. Oh gosh, I'm crying again. Jared and Jensen do a bang-up job as worthy of Emmy nominations as more mainstream actors, but it’ll never happen because they’re buried on the CW. And the storyline this year has just been compelling. God is a legitimate, although MIA, character on the show now, and so is Lucifer, but the focus is still on the relationship between these two brothers and the few who stand beside them in a full-on fight against evil. I admit, even if it is wrong to say, I love me some Castiel. He’s one hot angel, and he has terrific chemistry with Jensen Ackles. So glad he was added to the show as a regular this year. Three terrific actors. Three hot pieces of eye candy. I used to just “like” Supernatural and Sam and Dean. I realize now that I’m quite emotionally attached to these two characters, so much so I can’t bare the thought of the show ever ending, which is a distinct possibility this year. I’ll try not to think about it until it actually happens. I refuse to abandon all hope just yet. :-P

Smallville. Holy smokes, Superman. I am still totally loving the full-on Lois and Clark action this season. I did a happy fangirl squeal at my TV set when the last episode ended with Lois and Clark holding hands after agreeing to try dating. I really, really loved the episode where Lois got transported to the future. I had to keep reminding myself this is a show for a young audience because I was really tempted to scream at my TV for not showing enough skin when future-Lois and future-Clark hit the sheets. It was a nice shout-out to all the Superman comic and Clois fans out there and made me very, very happy. But I didn’t like the bleak ending to Lois’s future, where Clark, Chloe, Tess and Oliver all died in battle against Zod, but thank God Clark now knows what happened (even if Lois doesn’t remember) and can prevent that future from happening. I hope. I’m still not enthused about the overall darker tone of the season, but I won’t start on and on again about how Superman isn’t Batman nor is he a dark character. For the most part, this season has been really good. I’m psyched for the 2-hour Smallville/Justice League movie in February. Even if it doesn’t have Wonder Woman or Batman, it looks like it’s going to be awesome!

All eyes turn to Breaking Dawn now

It seems I'm not the only one chomping at the bit to get official confirmation from Summit Entertainment of The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn, the movie. After The Twilight Saga New Moon broke box office records on opening night, the question I heard posed most from reporters was, "Will Breaking Dawn be announced soon?"

The good thing is that, in interviews I've listened to or watched, Kristen Stewart has said she is frustrated it will take so long to make this movie because she's wants to make the movie NOW. Robert Pattinson has echoed that sentiment, as have Taylor Lautner, Kellan Lutz, Michael Welch and Nikki Reed. That's a good thing. That's a very good thing, because the cast is so popular and well known now that any one among them could easily pull a diva hissy fit and opt out of the project since, from all accounts, no one has yet to be signed onto the project. There have actually been conflicting reports on this, so I could be wrong. Variety reports they've all been signed onto one film, but not two, for BD. Yet Dakota Fanning, Kellan Lutz and Michael Sheen have all said in interviews that they haven't even been contacted about doing one BD film, let alone two. And I won't pretend to know why KStew an RPatz and the gang are so gung ho to get this movie finished. It could be because they want to put all things Twilight behind them, or maybe they just love working together that much. I'm just glad that they've all publicly committed to seeing the project through.

Variety had a great article on the dilemma of The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn, the movie, from Summit's perspective. It basically listed all of the problems I foresaw two weeks ago when New Moon was such an immediate hit. For one, the cast will likely and understandably request massive pay raises now. If Summit had locked them all in from the beginning, this wouldn't be a problem for the studio now. I think Ashley Greene's response on Ellen yesterday kind of exemplifies this. Ellen said, "I bet you're making a lot of money off of Twilight," and Ashley Greene laughed and said, "We're working on it." Yep, very telling.

The studio also has the problem of deciding whether to split the book into two films, or try to condense the massive book into one film. If they're smart, they'll make it into two. You know they'll both be hits and do well at the box office. Why make one movie and pull in $300 million when you can make two films and pull in $600 million? It would also extend the Twilight pandemonium even longer for fans, which equals more profit from merchandising, etc. Oh yeah, they would be stupid not to make two films. I can even predict how the first BD will end - with Renesme's birth. Edward turns Bella. Jacob goes down the stairs to kill Renesme. Rosalie sends him a fierce protective look and braces for a fight. Jacob glances at Renesme for the first time. Taylor Lautner's face morphs from angry to amazed. He freezes. The music swells. Cut to Edward crying over Bella's body. Zoom in to Kristen Stewart's face. Her eyes open. Zoom into her eyes. Red eyes. Fade to black. Roll the credits. I guarantee you that's how they will end the movie. I'm jotting this down now so I can direct you back to it when the movie comes out. Mark my words.

The next problem is finding a director. Fans want Chris Weitz, who did such an amazing job with New Moon. The cast wants Chris Weitz, because he was so easy to work with and did such an amazing job with New Moon. Chris Weitz, however, has publicly stated that he needs a break from filming now, and that he wants his next project to be "The Gardner." And if Summit did convince him to hop on board to BD before the cast gets any older, would he commit to two films shot back-to-back?

And of course, the biggest problem the studio probably has with this project is getting approval from author Stephenie Meyer before going into production. The studio very wisely has given Stephenie A LOT of control over the films, which is highly unusual with book-to-film translations. The benefit from this has been that the movies have been fairly true to the books and totally kickass. But the negative, if there is one, is that she has always said she didn't think Breaking Dawn could be turned into a film. So she might not allow it, when all is said and done. Melissa Rosenberg is reportedly working on a script for BD right now, but if Stephenie doesn't like it, it could hold things up.

I tend to agree with the actor Michael Welch, who said there is no doubt in his mind that BD would be made. I think the fans would riot if it wasn't. But the question is, when, and with what cast members?

Personally, I hope it's soon. I'm looking forward to The Twilight Saga Eclipse, but The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn is the movie I might sell my car to attend the premiere for.

Review: "New Moon"

I think I’ve made it pretty clear “New Moon” is not my favorite book in the Twilight saga, right? I mean, I get enough of seriously depressed people doing reckless and crazy things in my own life. I don’t want my fictional BFFs, Edward and Bella, to drown me in it too. And yeah, I’ve re-read “New Moon” to see if my reaction was different. It wasn’t. I loved the beginning, and I loved the end. The stuff in the middle of the book — not so much.

I only expected and hoped for a few things going into the movie based on this book. I wanted and expected to see my girl Kristen Stewart display some serious acting chops being depressed and forlorn, I wanted to see the reunion scene, and I wanted to see the Volturi. Well, I saw it all and then some.

I completely watched the movie with the mindset that “Ok, I know they’ve had to cut and change some things. I won’t let it bother me.” And it didn’t. Not one bit.

*Warning: Spoilers ahead.*

From the opening credits — awesome full moon slowly turning black as the movie title appeared — and the much-improved music score, I knew this movie was going to be epic. And with the first scene, taken straight out of the book, I knew director Chris Weitz understood the passion we fans have and was going to take great care in handling this movie for us. Lord, I hope that man directs “Breaking Dawn.” Please, God?

The things I liked about this movie? No rain. Rich colors. Charlie and Jessica were hilarious scene-stealers. Loved them. Kristen Stewart rocked it as Bella, depressed without Edward but playful around Jacob. And grudgingly I have to admit, Taylor Lautner made me like Jacob. Damn him. He wasn’t at all as arrogant as he was in the books. I can see now why Bella feels so torn in future installments.

I also loved that the movie wasn’t nearly as depressing as the book. They cut out a lot of the depressing stuff. There’s still plenty, but they cut out a lot of it. Thank goodness.

The scene where October, November and December pass as Bella looks out the window — expert filmmaking. I wondered how they would pull that off. Wonderful blending of the soundtrack to create the tone of the scene. That song is haunting.

The e-mails to Alice were a nice touch. Great way to narrate the story for fans craving the intimacy of the book. Great way to get inside Bella’s head and fill in the gaps for those who’ve never read it.

The Volturi. My goodness, the Volturi was awesome. Dakota Fanning was excellent as Jane. Michael Sheen was great as Aro. Italy was awesome. Loved it.

Things I didn’t like? Jasper and Rosalie’s hair. Obvious wigs, and they both looked retarded. Edward’s makeup. He looked sick throughout most of the movie. I actually preferred his look in the first film over this one, clothes notwithstanding. And the special effects (yes, I’m talking about the wolves and Sam’s cliffdiving scene) were horrid. The effects with Victoria were pretty awesome, but they dropped the ball everywhere else.

I also like the soundtrack so much better after seeing the movie. Thom Yorke’s song, “Hearing Damage,” is now a favorite.

I can’t wait to see this movie again, and probably again. It is so much better than the book in my opinion. So much better. I didn’t like the movie as much as “Twilight,” but it lags not far behind. I am now totally psyched for “Eclipse.” Can’t wait!

Chris Weitz, you are my new hero. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In defense of Twilight: A REALLY long post

“Ang, I just don’t get it.”

How many times have I heard this over the past year? Countless.

Ever since I came out of the closet about my Twilight obsession, my friends who haven’t read the books or seen the movie or liked the movie say, “I just don’t get it.”

Of course you wouldn’t. You haven’t read the books, or seen the movie, or liked the movie if you’ve seen it. Most often, it boils down to one thing. YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOKS!!

Read the books, then you’ll get it. Until then, we’re going to be at an impasse.

There is something about the Twilight books and the movie together that have the power to make a 30-plus-year-old woman go ga-ga over anything having to do with Twilight. Yes, I have a picture of Robert Pattinson hanging in my cubicle. So what?

I've been getting a lot of flack from my friends and co-workers lately because I love Twilight. I guess I stirred things up when I went in search of someone to go see New Moon with me at midnight when it opens. I have a zillion friends who are just as obsessed with Twilight as I am, but unfortunately for me, they all live in other cities or states.

I go to the mall and I see somebody wearing a Team Edward t-shirt. I go to the park and inevitably I see two or three...or four or five...people reading one of the books. I think, "Wow, I should be friends with her. She gets it, too!" But sadly, it never comes to pass.

Mythical haters?
Of course, I know there is actually a legion of haters out there that have read the books and don’t get it, but I’ve only seen them online. To me, they are almost like mythical creatures, like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. I hear about them. I see their comments posted on forums. I talk to people who’ve actually SEEN them, touched them, even. But I have never been in the same room with such a person myself; therefore, a part of me is doubtful of their existence. Here’s my theory: it’s one person — some bitter, misguided fool, who can’t feel a thing except bitterness and hate, sitting alone in a room in front of a computer, who read the books and hated them, saw the movie and hated it — posting negative comments online about Twilight under a thousand or so pseudonyms trying to fuel an online war of words with the million or so of us who are mildly (okay, majorly) obsessed with this franchise.

No, I’m not crazy.

Well, I’m crazy about Twilight, obviously.

All snarkiness aside, hmmm, I do have a friend who loves to read who said, if I remember correctly, that she hasn’t read the books. She tried but she couldn’t get into it, so she never finished the first book. Her daughter loves the books, but, eh, my friend just doesn’t get it either.

Well, again, I argue, read the books! Finish the books, and then make a judgment. Honestly, I was a little bored during parts of each of the books myself. Stephenie Meyer does love to describe things in detail, perhaps a bit much sometimes. But what writer doesn’t?

Yeah, I think I've heard all of the complaints about Twilight from people who've read the books and the ones who haven't read the books but who just hate it on principal.

It's Christian propaganda disguised as a love story for today's teenage girls.

It's anti-Christian because it romanticizes vampires who are demons.

It's poorly written. The characters are terrible. The plot is weak.

Bella sets a bad example for young women because she is too obsessed with a man.

Whatever.

Never mind the fact that it's gotten a lot of people reading books who wouldn't normally read. Or that it's given mothers and daughters a common interest, something to talk about and enjoy together. Nevermind that its underlying theme is "abstinence is good." I'm sure the council for the prevention of teenage pregnancy loves Twilight, just for that.

Why is Twilight so popular? Heck if I can put my finger on it.

It's exciting to read about forbidden love affairs. Twilight at times mimics Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice and Romeo And Juliet — all books I loved in high school. And what teenage girl hasn't longed for a forbidden romance of her own? What woman doesn't remember the excitement of her first love? The way Stephenie Meyer writes these books, you ARE Bella when you're reading them.

I felt like a teenager again by the time I got to reading “New Moon.” It was a nice, comforting feeling. To feel young again. To be adored by both Edward Cullen and Jacob Black.

Personally, I didn’t get obsessed-obsessed with the Twilight saga until I finished reading “Breaking Dawn,” the last book. Don’t know why. It just happened that way. I had the movie, which I loved, bad camera angles and all, to help fuel my obsession further. And sure, Twilight couldn’t have come at a better time in my life, when I was desperate for an escape from a lot of really bad things happening to me, or around me.

Maybe if I had read Twilight or seen the movie five or six years ago when my life was much calmer, I would have thought, “Eh, that was OK” and never thought of it again.

But I doubt it.

The fandom itself
It’s a strange thing, this Twilight fandom. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. Not in the Superman universe or Buffy or whatever that I’ve been a part of.

The Twilight fandom seems to be a battleground of judgmental and obsessed fangirls and, yes, fanboys constantly bickering over their likes and dislikes of the series. It drives me crazy. Even people who love the series (or so they say) fight about it online. You can’t even go to a Kristen Stewart or Robert Pattinson fansite anymore without trapsing across some comments about what sucky actors they are. On their own fansites!!

And then there are fans of the books.

The Team Jacob fans hate the Team Edward fans. And vice versa. Quite vocally, I might add.

Either you’re a wolf pack girl or a vamp fan. There is no in between.

And then there are the fangirls obsessed with the series that absolutely loathe its heroine Bella Swan.

Bella!?! Seriously, folks?

You think she’s too whiny? Too self-absorbed? Um, take a look in the mirror, fangirls. You’re lying if you’re a teen who isn’t whiny or self-absorbed. I don’t care who you are. I’m a 30-plus-year-old woman, and I can be whiny and self-absorbed at times.

Don’t be such haters.

And the movie wars. Lord have mercy. I mean, the venom that has been spewed forth online toward Kristen Stewart the past year is seriously mean. And mostly unjustified, which is the worst part. When supposed fans start criticizing an actress for the clothes she wears in her personal life, that’s off grounds. Totally rude.

And my other girl, Nikki Reed? Wow. Whoever argues that she’s not pretty enough to play Rosalie is just plain blind or deluded. I’d give my right pinky — and maybe my whole right hand — to look like that girl. But the backlash against her on fansites hasn’t been much better than it has for Kristen Stewart.

But when all is said and done, whether you’re Team Jacob or Team Edward, whether you think Kristen Stewart should be replaced as Bella in the movie or if you think she’s the best actress in Hollywood, you’re a Twilight fan. You'll defend the series against non-Twilighters until the end.

Even if you're a 30-plus-year-old woman who should know better.

Vampire Diaries, Smallville and Supernatural

Fear not, great people of the Internet. I have returned to rescue this-blog-that-no-one-reads from limbo. Well, I figured I would at least update it with my thoughts on the current TV season, which I am now caught up on thanks to a flu-like illness that kept me down for a week and a half! Not that anyone cares, besides me, and possibly my cat. But still.

The CW’s Vampire Diaries. I had all of these episodes recorded and finally got to watch them all in the same day. It’s by no means my favorite new show on television, but since I was expecting it to be horrid, I was pretty surprised that I kinda liked it. I enjoyed the premiere episode better than any that followed, though, which worries me. I like the actor who plays Damon better than the actor who plays Stefan, too. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? I’ll keep watching to see what happens, but I won’t be surprised if I eventually grow bored with this one. Hopefully they’ll kick thing sup a knotch soon.

Supernatural. I have one word for you. Wow! After watching the first four episodes of this season back-to-back, I reassert my opinion that these writers are some of the best on TV today. Hands down. I definitely never got bored with any of the episodes, and the way the stories from past seasons have overlapped with current ones now is pure genius. I mean, Sam, that idiot, was tricked into starting the apocalypse?!? Archangel Michael needs Dean’s body to defeat Lucifer, who needs Sam’s body to kick things into high gear? My favorite warrior angel, Castiel, fell from grace to help save Dean and Sam. And God is missing? Not even the angels know where He is? Holy cow, this is some good — and downright terrifying — stuff. I am on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next episodes to air. How in the world are Sam and Dean gonna save us all from this one? Even more pressing, will they ever be the same two brothers we know and love again?

Smallville. Ah, Smallville. My love-hate relationship with this show continues, but I admit, the love is outweighing the hate this season in a big way. How wicked funny has Lois been, huh? And seeing Tom Welling, I mean, Clark with the S symbol on his chest has been oh so bittersweet. I almost cried when I saw the S symbol in its flaming glory after Clark saved Lois in the opening scene. But gone is the red-blue-blur this year, replaced by a black costume that just screams “Batman” to me. Seriously, people? How many times do I have to tell you that Superman is all that is good and light in this world. Stop trying to cash in on the success of The Dark Knight already by making him “dark” and “moody.” Stay true to the character, for God’s sake. But that aside, I’m loving the Lois and Clark stuff. It’s so…Lois and Clark. And Oliver’s “second-coming speech” to Clark gave me chills. Good writing. I am hopeful this season is going to be the BEST EVER when all is said and done.