Superman (1978)

Superman is technically accomplished and I understand its place in film history. But it left me cold. The power wielded responsibly element felt mechanical and I never connected emotionally. Maybe I'll try again.

Superman is not background viewing. Every scene requires you. Put your phone down. Richard Donner is doing too much to be half-watched. Give it the attention it deserves.

Some elements of Superman show their age, but the core of it — truth justice and the American way, "You will believe a man can fly" — hasn't diminished at all. Films this good age better than almost anything else.

Everyone told me to watch Superman for years. Finally did and instantly understood why. "You will believe a man can fly" is immediately apparent. Now I'm recommending it just as loudly to everyone else.

We watched Superman together and spent an hour talking about alien identity on Earth afterward. That kind of conversation doesn't happen often. The film gives you something real to think about together.

I've seen Superman multiple times now and it just keeps getting better. John Williams's iconic score is something rarely matched in cinema. If you haven't watched it yet, clear your evening.

Superman has been praised so heavily that no film could live up completely. It's an excellent film — Christopher Reeve's perfect Superman is genuinely remarkable — but it's not the untouchable masterpiece some claim.

The music in Superman is so deeply married to the images that you almost can't separate them. It stays in your head days later and when you hear it again the emotions return immediately.

I went into Superman knowing nothing — no trailer, no plot summary. I strongly recommend that approach. The alien identity on Earth hits much harder when you haven't been primed for it. Go in cold.

Superman builds so carefully to its conclusion that when it arrives you feel genuinely moved. The truth justice and the American way thread pays off in a way that's earned rather than manipulative. Couldn't sleep afterward.