dngoldman

FF4 pulls off a nearly impossible feat-it captures the Lee/Kirby vision of the 1960s comic book. For me, it stands as one of my favorite films of the year and one of the best comic book movies of all time.

The Fantastic Four were the beginning of modern superhero storytelling. No secret identities, no fictional cities-the original stories took place in the real New York City, with the only twist being its four extraordinary heroes. They were a family who loved and argued with each other in equal measure. The drama was never just in the battles, but in the emotional traumas and ethical dilemmas they faced. I still remember The Thing searching for love (and the time Johnny Storm stole his girl) and being stunned by Sue and Reed's marital struggles. They were heroes, yes-but they were also us.

As the series matured, the stakes grew cosmic. The Fantastic Four realized they could only protect Earth by venturing beyond it, embracing more of Jack Kirby's grand, humanistic vision. There's a clear overlap here with the first *Star Trek* series-both looked outward while reflecting deeply inward.

Matt Shakman's *First Steps* nearly perfectly captures that humor, pathos, nobility, and trauma. The retro-futuristic 1960s New York he crafts is not just eye candy (though it is spectacular eye candy). It's a window into the past, fused with a vision of the future-a time when the future felt possible but not yet determined.

The interactions between the characters are complex and understated. The ultimate confrontation-rooted in the refusal to give up on either their child or humanity-could have easily come off as sentimental in today's world. Instead, the film's retro-future vibe makes it both nostalgic for a time that has passed and mournful for what that time never was.

When Reed says that the first time they went to space there was only a sense of exploration, but now there is a sense of dread, he's speaking not only about the story but about the present we've inherited-or chosen. And Galactus' world-eating hunger feels like a symbol of where we are now.

I truly don't understand the "good but not great" reviews. This is a fantastic film on so many levels. For those like me who grew up with the Fantastic Four, the film is an absolute delight. But I also hope newcomers see it for what it is: a story of humanity, a celebration of imagination, and, above all, a whole lot of fun.

This is my first time re-watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind since its release. Over the years, I've often thought about it. There are now so many "science fiction-ish" takes on memory and loss. Most of them are either too clever, need to tie up loose ends, or are trying to be weird for its own sake. Eternal Sunshine continues to stand out. It remains a template for what this type of film can be. It's disorienting, funny, charming, and incredibly poignant. There's a resolution that seems like a restart, but it's so well-earned and tentative that it feels like an apt metaphor for our relationships and memory work. It's an amazing beautiful film that refuses to give a simple message.