Catwoman Movie (threads merged)

[Hand of Evil]

A random assortment of comments, seasoned just so for your enjoyment:

--My problems with Halle Berry as ANYTHING, not just super-heroes, is that I don't believe she's a good actress; I've seen her work in Monster's Ball, and that being responsible for her Oscar STILL baffles me. She cannot play anything other than herself.

I have to agree, she is a name and pretty face (body) but that is about it, no acting skills at all. I feel the same about Ben Aflack, Daredevil was made by the cast, which so far I don't see in the Catwoman movie and Halle is not strong enough to carry a movie without cast support.

 

[ForceUser]

Catwoman's race is irrelevant; I think Hallie Berry would make a fine Selina Kyle visually. The supposed plot of this film makes me groan with frustration, though - an evil cosmetics company? For Pete's sake. Hollywood still thinks geeks will eat the sh-t they're shoveling and ask for seconds.

As for Michael Clark Duncan as Kingpin, I must say that although I understand why they cast him (size), I was put off a bit by the fact they made him black. As someone else in this thread noted, how exactly does a black man become the capo of an Italian mob? At any rate, I was willing to forgive this error provided that Duncan could convince me, make me believe he was the Kingpin.

He failed. He was just a big thug in an expensive suit. Duncan lacked the Kingpin's charisma, guile, intellect, and casual brutality. This was partly because of the script, but also a failing of the actor. He just didn't pull it off.

That Flash premise just makes me sigh. WB has this idea that they can run Smallville without ever having to put Clark in the suit. In fact, the producers have gone on record as saying they loathe the suit, and that they have no intention of turning Clark into a costumed Superman. Flash appears to be heading the same route. I think WB is trying to bridge a gap between geek and hip, but geek is getting the short shrift as they mangle our beloved icons to draw in "The OC" crowd. I dislike this direction. In the case of Smallville, what I would enjoy is a long series that chronicles Clark's journey to adulthood and a life dedicated to being Superman. If the producers have no intention of putting him in the tights at the end of the series, I have to ask:

what's the point?

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

As someone else in this thread noted, how exactly does a black man become the capo of an Italian mob?

Ever see "True Romance"? Dennis Hopper's speech to Christopher Walken should answer all of your questions.

 

[Ranger REG]

As for Michael Clark Duncan as Kingpin, I must say that although I understand why they cast him (size), I was put off a bit by the fact they made him black. As someone else in this thread noted, how exactly does a black man become the capo of an Italian mob? At any rate, I was willing to forgive this error provided that Duncan could convince me, make me believe he was the Kingpin.

Wait a minute. Forgive me but prior to the film, I've always thought that the Kingpin is the head of an organized crime syndicate, but not a capo de capo of an italian mob family (aka mafia). I must confessed I have not seen DD film lately (although I will acquire the DVD), but did they added that?

 

[Ranger REG]

--That said, Halle Berry was DEAD-ON in the look for a young Ororo (Storm). However, every time she spoke it grated my suspension of Disbelief. In the first X-men movie, she tried the "African Goddess" approach, and she couldn't pull it off; in the Second X-men movie she was more herself, which while it didn't fit Storm, at least didn't sound so affected and less grating.

In the first X film, Bryan wanted to get Angela Bassett to cast as Ororo, who is mature and sophisticated that she can pull off the "African Goddess" persona with ease. Ms. Bassett opted out, so they cast Halle Berry, who is younger. They probably should have rewritten script to take on her persona more than in the comic book. Fortunately, they did so in the second X film script.

 

[Villano]

Wait a minute. Forgive me but prior to the film, I've always thought that the Kingpin is the head of an organized crime syndicate, but not a capo de capo of an italian mob family (aka mafia). I must confessed I have not seen DD film lately (although I will acquire the DVD), but did they added that?

I haven't read a Marvel book in 5 years or so, so I'm not certain about how things are now, but they used to describe the organization as the "Maggia". Obviously, this is a take off of Maffia. I'm not sure why Marvel didn't just use Maffia. Maybe Stan Lee was afraid that he'd wake up with a horse's head in his bed.

The only other Maggia heads I can recall were Silvermane and Hammerhead. I can't recall what their real names were off-hand, but I'm sure Silvermane's was Italian. Since Hammerhead's personality was based on old, '30s gangsters, he was probably Italian as well.

 

[Villano]

Catwoman's race is irrelevant; I think Hallie Berry would make a fine Selina Kyle visually. The supposed plot of this film makes me groan with frustration, though - an evil cosmetics company? For Pete's sake. Hollywood still thinks geeks will eat the sh-t they're shoveling and ask for seconds.

I think Berry would look incredible in the rubber suit (especially if they go with the purple one). I just shudder at her performance in Die Another Day and imagine her doing the same thing here.

All in all, I'd rather see Rosario Dawson in the role (or at least the rubber suit ).

Sorry, I just watched Ebert & Roper reviewing The Rundown, the movie she's in with the Rock. Both her and movie are getting great reviews.

 

[Kai Lord]

As for Michael Clark Duncan as Kingpin, I must say that although I understand why they cast him (size), I was put off a bit by the fact they made him black.

Its just type-casting. Duncan made a name for himself playing black guys early in his career, and now those are the only roles he gets.

 

[Vocenoctum]

-- The comic-book Kingpin was not Italian to my knowledge; he was as white and fat and rich and powerful as they come, a caricature come to life. He gained his position through money and shrewd skills. He was portrayed as a wealthy man who wanted into the crime syndicate, and got in through money and talent.

he wasn't fat. It's all muscle. There was another guy that was all flab and trying to muscle in. Kingpin was always running things.
Also, IIRC, Rose, his son was a lot more italian looking. Kingpins large, bald look kind of made him less specific in ethnicity.

Question I don't have an answer to: Were there actually any other non-whites in the Kingpin's association in DD the Movie?

 

[Villano]

he wasn't fat. It's all muscle. There was another guy that was all flab and trying to muscle in.

I believe that's the Slug, a Miami drug lord. He used to smother people in the folds of his fat.