Smallville & Supernatural: Mid-season reviews

The past few years, I have had only two absolute favorite cannot-miss-an-episode-or-I-will-cry-myself-to-sleep shows: Smallville and Supernatural. This year's season has been very important for both shows, but for different reasons. This is Smallville's 10th and final season (boo hoo), and Supernatural's sixth season, which was uncertain after last season which saw its show's creator leave and the major plot of the series wrap up. The question on every fan's mind has been, will this season live up to expectations? Well, I can only answer for myself, but I'll give it a shot.

For Smallville, YES, and then some. This has been, hands down, my favorite season of the series by far. Yes, I am a total shipper (face it, people, Clois rules!), but can any fan argue that this season hasn't been epic? Usually we have one or two filler episodes -- or episodes where nothing major happens in the story arc -- but this season, every single episode has had a major reveal or impact that seems to be building toward the ultimate finale. Lois learns Clark's secret identity. Clark changes his costume from the black one to a more iconic red suit with the traditional Superman logo on it. Chloe disappears. Tess joins the league of heroes as the new Watchtower. Tess is Lionel's illegitimate daughter (I feel like an idiot for not seeing that one coming!). Lionel is back! Lois and Clark get engaged. Hawkman dies. Bam. Bam. Bam. I used to only enjoy watching Smallville each week. Now, I can't wait for Friday nights, and yes, I have been known to watch an episode more than once. Now that we are 11 episodes into the final season -- halfway, folks -- I am full-fledged into mourning the loss of this show which has become my No. 1 guilty pleasure. The cast is solid. And, I find this hard to admit, but never in a million years did I imagine I'd become such a fan of Tess. Plus, the stories have been awesome. I mean, did you see episode 11? It started with Clark's ultra romantic proposal to Lois and it ended with an OMG moment during Hawkman's funeral procession when the league of superheroes -- including Lois -- were apparently gassed and knocked unconscious, but by whom? And why? I can't wait for the show to return in mid-January. Anyone else out there agree? Disagree?

--I give Smallville 10 out of 10 stars this season, so far.

For Supernatural, I have to admit that the show that used to be my No. 1 guilty pleasure has fallen a peg or two this season. When it returned, I was excited, but that excitement faded more and more with each new episode. I don't know about the rest of you, but I can tell a difference without Eric Kripke helming the show. Admittedly, the past few episodes have been better -- much better -- but I still feel something is lacking this season. Maybe it's the absence of Castiel, who has only been in a few episodes this season. Or maybe it's the I-hate-you sentiment between Sam and Dean now that Sam has lost his soul and doesn't give a flip about anyone or anything. Oh, where is that Winchester brotherly love? Maybe it's the way Dean has been pining over Lisa (totally out of character for Dean). I don't know. Still love the show, and I can't wait to see what happens after the short hiatus. I mean, what a cliffhanger to leave us on!

--I give Supernatural 7 out of 10 stars this season, so far. But I'm hopeful that rating will increase by season's end.

The problem with Wonder Woman

Entertainment Weekly now has a great feature titled "What About Wonder Woman?" in its current issue (the one with a half-naked Jake Gyllenhal and Anne Hathaway on the cover) about the troubles that have long plagued bringing Wonder Woman to the big screen.

About time the Amazon princess got some love from a major media outlet!

Some insights from the article include the descriptions and some passages from the god-awful scripts that have been considered for Wonder Woman projects so far(thank God for unanswered prayers, I think). Most of the players involved declined comment, which I find very telling. Producer Joel Silver and the execs at Warner Bros. refuse to give our girl the time of day. But Joss Whedon -- yes, THE Joss Whedon of Buffy the Vampire fame -- is heavily quoted in the article since he was the last major writer/director attached to a Wonder Woman film project, and he offers great insight into the reasons she hasn't been as easily invested in as her male counterparts - namely Batman and Superman. The costume. She has no city. Her back story is mired in Greek mythology.

"She's a girl," says Whedon. "Hollywood is still twitchy about that."

Not even David E. Kelley's proposed Wonder Woman TV show is a guarantee, it seems, since he's still prepping a way to pitch it so that a network is interested.

The real problem with Wonder Woman? No one thinks anyone would pay to see a movie about a female superhero. I think they're all morons.

What have I got to do to get to Hollywood and make this film already? Geez, people. Don't make it so darn complicated!

Finally, the trailer for Green Lantern!

The jury is still out on how I feel about these special effects, but otherwise, I can't wait to see it!

SCREAM awards

It’s that time of year again. The Scream awards (which has sort of become my favorite awards show to watch) will air tomorrow on the Spike Network. A bevy of big-name celebs always attend this show, and this year, Twi-hards will be treated to the presence of the elusive Kristen Stewart accompanied by Jackson Rathbone and Nikki Reed. I’m actually more excited by the appearance of the “Scream 4” cast and the “Back to the Future” reunion that’s featured in the show (which were filmed Sunday, so Googling the winners is a cinch if you’re impatient).

Speaking of Kristen Stewart, I’m digging this interview she gave to Access Hollywood as reported on USA Today’s website today.

Stewart is particularly happy to shed the lovesick teen Bella she's been for most of the series. "It's so satisfying," she says. "As raw and dark and whatever as it is, there's definitely a lot of conflict. It's like everything comes to fruition. You finally get what you've been begging for, basically, and it feels good."

Zach Snyder to direct Superman reboot

I think every major news outlet has confirmed by now Zach Snyder’s role as director of the new Superman film, so it is definitely official. And I am trying really hard not to cry or be sad (or mad) about it. Personally, I have never seen a Zach Snyder movie I’ve actually liked, except for maybe “Dawn of the Dead,” even though it was gory as all get-out. “300” was OK but too gory to really enjoy. “Watchmen” was OK but too gory and too depressing to enjoy. The fact that Snyder has openly admitted he’s not a huge fan of Superman, just “fond” of him as an iconic symbol, also does not bode well for this movie. But at least the man likes comic books over all. Hopefully he will respect the masses of diehard fans who are really worried about how this reboot will go, especially after he ticked off legions of them with his terrible adaptation of “Watchmen.”

With Snyder at the helm, these are my predictions and fears for the next Superman film:

• Brandon Routh won’t play Superman again (all but confirmed by Snyder already). This makes me very, very sad.

• The tone of the new Superman film and character will be dark, which totally goes against everything the character stands for. Snyder will probably saturate the movie in blue hues, making it feel gritty and depressing — something he’s done with all of his films so far. (Maybe I should go see his “Legends of the Guardians” before I say that. The trailer does show sunlight!)

• His Lois Lane casting will be an improvement over “Superman Returns.” At least Snyder does a good job with sassy and strong female characters. I will give him that.

• There will be blood, and lots of it. Let’s face it. Gory violence is Snyder’s specialty.

• People will die. Again, Snyder loves this plot point, so someone close to Supes will probably meet a tragic end somewhere in the story. Probably a tragic, gory end.

• There won’t be much of a storyline. The focus will be on action, action, and more action. And gore. Let’s not forget the gore.

Call me crazy, but yes, I admit it. I’m worried. A little excited — but mostly worried.

Wonder Woman heads to the small screen

It looks like my plans of lassoing the role of Diana Prince (aka Wonder Woman) after I have plastic surgery and take acting lessons have been dashed! Guess that’s what I get for procrastinating! Television producer David E. Kelley — you know, the guy who created a bunch of hit TV shows such as “Boston Legal,” “Ally McBeal” and “Doogie Hauser” — has gained the rights from DC Comics to do a television series reboot of “Wonder Woman.” Part of me is glad. “Wonder Woman” is sadly neglected as one of DC Comics trio of main superheroes, but then again, I’ve been kind of hoping for a movie version sometime soon. No word on who will play the character. My guess is they’ll go with an unknown. Hopefully a tall actress too. I’m sick of actresses under 6-feet tall being associated with the role. I mean, Diana is an Amazon after all!

Spider-man reboot casts Mary Jane?

This one should be filed under those as-yet unconfirmed rumors I really hope turns out to be true. Access Hollywood and others are reporting today that Emma Stone (star of “Zombieland” and “Easy A”) has been offered the role of Mary-Jane in the reboot of “Spider-Man” alongside Andrew Garfield. I’m still not crazy about Garfield being cast as Peter Parker, but I think Emma Stone would be dead-on as MJ (and much better casting than Kirsten Dunst in the original films, if you ask me). I’m still not happy about the reboot of Spidey, but I do like the idea of Stone as MJ. I might just have to see this movie after all.

Update 10/6/10: It has been confirmed that Emma Stone has been cast in the reboot not as Mary Jane but instead as Gwen Stacy. My enthusiasm for this bizarre casting choice just took a big nosedive. I mean, Gwen Stacy? Come on, folks. I just don't see it. And Emma Stone would have been the PERFECT Mary Jane.