Disgusting. Newsarama lists Christopher Reeve as one of the worst actors ever to portray a superhero.
They also include Tobey Maguire. Billy Zane too.
Forgetting Affleck, Garner, Shaq, Reynolds and the Fantastic Four. That's 8, right there.
http://www.newsarama.com/film/worst-comic-book-movie-performances.html
I didn't read the article, but from your description, it's guaranteed to be viral now. Maybe that's what they were going for? 
Their Facebook page is ablaze with people reaming them for that. Mark Waid is twittering away, outraged – he's urging a boycott of Newsarama.
Are they not entitled to their opinion?
I mean, they even explained WHY they felt the way they did in a reasonable manner. Some people need to take off the nostaliga glasses, and get over it. Criminey.
I'll save peeps a click:
Why It Was a Bad Performance: Yes, we're going there, and in advance, we're genuinely sorry you're upset.Let's be clear: Christopher Reeve is a beloved figure in our small community, who both before and after the tragic event that defined his later years seemed like a deeply admirable and very likeable man.
And we'll add the first two Superman movies made a deep, emotional impression on the 10-year us that more intellectual, adult scrutiny is still hard to override. So it comes with genuinely no pleasure to argue this...
...Reeve just wasn't that accomplished a film actor.
In defense of this position we could point to his lack of much of a post-Superman resume, but the truth is now 30-plus years later with a more critical eye we simply don't find his portrayal of Superman and Clark Kent very much like any Superman or Clark Kent we know... or like, for that matter.
His Clark wasn't mild-mannered, he was a cartoonish buffoon. His Superman far too earnest and eager-to-please for someone with the power of a god. In short, he was a mild-mannered Superman, frankly lacking in the charisma you'd expect from an actor playing a cultural icon. A more theatrical rather than natural actor, Reeve's Superman was a caricature of a comic book Boy Scout superhero and not a fully developed character.
Footnote: We only thought it was fair to include Routh, as we was hired to essentially impersonate Reeve in Superman Returns, for which he did an uncanny job.
The Worst Moment: The Fortress of Solitude Luthor/Zod double-cross scene in "Superman II" is moment Reeves' broad, more theatrical method is apparent. But it's that same film's truck stop scene when a now-powerless Superman confronts the loud mouth at the counter that stands out as a wrong acting choice.
The so-very-earnest-it-frankly-hurts way he stands up to the bully only lacks Reeve affecting an old-timey bare-knuckle boxing stance and/or slapping him across the face with a white glove, challenging him to a duel at dawn
What exactly is "disgusting" or deserving of a boycott about that? Fanboys sometimes, I swear. I hate mock indignation.
Ah, now I know why so many loathed you.
It's real indignation, from a lot of people (not just fanboys, but film-critics also praise his performance). Many Newsarama FB comments have pointed out how, much more articulately than I can, why, and how brilliant, Reeve's performance was. I invite you to read some – it might give your pause, and inform your knee-jerk response.
Or, you can just continue to label us all as lame fanboys, 'cause that's easy.
Your dismissal of valid reasons and genuine love as being insincere says a lot about you.
I swear, I hate smug d-bags.
Personally, I've never cared for you much, either. You're actually the one that's always come across as a smug (bleep), so let's not throw that one around so lightly. I thought we were all having a conversation here and were allowed to weigh in on it. And for the record, "so many loathers" was maybe a handful under various alias.
Instead of being butthurt over my supposed "knee jerk" reaction, why don't you go back and re-read what I said? Just because it's unpopular opinion, it doesn't mean that they aren't entitled to it. There are people that bash Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. How often do you see people up at arms over that?
Your dismissal of their valid opinions because you can't take off YOUR rose colored nostalgia glasses says a lot about you: that you're a petulant ass, and need to grow up. BY the way, genius, I never weighed in one way or the other on whether or not I agreed with them. I simply said they validated their opinion, and gave reasonable excuses as to why they felt the way they did. Just because I feel they're entitled to their opinion doesn't always mean I agree with it.
But hey, we can go rounds if you want, sunshine.
Chill...
I may not entirely agree with every point made in this article, and realize an entire generation (after mine) grew up devoted to Chris as Supes. He looked good in the suit, I'll say that much. And although I remember him best from his previous, gripping (well-played, IMO) role as the (bleep)sexual sociopath in Mousetrap, I thought he did an OK job as what I call a wimpy, slender Superman. In fact, Chris was my favorite part of all the Superman movies he starred in...the rest of the weary formula/franchise was pretty "meh" to me, even back in the day...the casting, special fx, plots, etc. (These flicks did NOT make me "believe that a man can fly." YMMV.)
I would have enjoyed seeing what he could have done as Bruce Wayne/Batman instead. I grew up watching George Reeves in glorious, low-budget B&W, and to me, he was the definitive Superman...so shoot me. I preferred Sean Connery as 007, and don't understand an Australian, blond James Bond. Did Hollywood run out of hair dye for Dan Craig? Sue me. I've been disappointed with every live-action movie Marvel has made. Behead me. I'd prefer comic book accurate superheroes in spandex, not leather bondage gear. Stone me.
Although I may be at odds with the expressed opinions of others--as long as reasonable supporting arguments can be put forth to justify their POV--then I can always agree to disagree. Opinions are like...certain ubiquitous anatomical parts...everyone has 'em. Whatever happened to compromise? Why must every minor disagreement go nuclear? My way or the highway?! Why get in a snit and have a coronary over the relative merits of some feckless movie star & his portrayal of some fictional character? Certainly there are far more grave issues to ponder & debate like civilzed human beings?!
What has happening to this country...this planet...over the past decade? Free speech has become so severely restricted and twisted by the unconstitutional rulings of pet judges & courts. Every opinion at odds with any minority belief is automatically labeled as hateful, racist, fascist, nazi, communist, etc. Such reactions are not "reasonable supporting arguments"...just childish name calling. Is this the 1950s once more? Everyone should have the right to like or dislike whatever they please...AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY SO. For example, who cares what the president of Chik-Fil-A thinks about gay marriage? He is obviously in the fundamentalist camp. What else would anyone expect him to say & believe? That's like expecting the Muslim Brotherhood to advocate peaceful religious tolerance.
Having or opposing an "unpopular opinion" is one thing; acting upon it (or inciting others to do so) might be another all together.
For example, why should the WORD H0M0SEXUAL be considered "offensive" and filtered from my previous post?
And not one to leave well-enough alone...
Tobey Maguire
Ugly, homely, lump of an "actor" in horrible Spidey movies. He was even worse in that horsie movie, IMO. Rather plain leading lady, too.
Billy Zane
The Phantom was one of my faves...nowhere near as good as Rocketeer...but worlds better than those FF travesties (hasn't poor Kirby suffered enough?). However, not only did I think Pat McGoohan was a wasted, miscast talent who phoned his role in as some sort of "ghostly memory" but I would have preferred to have never seen Billy out of his mask except when in hat, overcoat & raybans. He SMILED way too much for The Phantom...
And would it have killed anyone if he had retained his striped trunks?
For example, why should the WORD H0M0SEXUAL be considered "offensive" and filtered from my previous post?
Because people abused the word and threw it around like an insult so many times that I got tired of it and added it to the filter. If people can't use words in a respectful way, they lose the right to use them on this forum. It's a fairly common thing on forums - look around and you'll see other moderators on other sites having the same issue. The words will vary from site to site, but there's always going to be words filtered out because some people can't grow up and treat others with respect.
You used it just fine, it was the years of people before you.
I think guys who use the term "butthurt" usually have latent desires in that area.
Understood, Bobbi...and I certainly wasn't finding fault with your judgment...although I wish we didn't have to throw the baby out with the bath water...
Guess I won't be posting about H0M0GENIZED milk...or even H0M0 SAPIENS...if you catch my drift... 
I think guys who use the term "butthurt" usually have latent desires in that area.
Very original. How base of an insult can you muster?
Rann, I love the Phantom movie too. Zane was great - no rubber suit to pad muscles, either! But I can totally see it for the hokey fluff it is. And yeah, I do dig the new Garfield Spidey more than Tobey's, and he was getting too old, and his face was puffy, but those first two movies were pretty good, all things considered, and he did deliver a believable performance.
The FF Corman movie I don't count. But at least four of the five principals in the Tim Story FF movies are/were terrible. We may not all agree on Reeve (well, at least here), but on FB, I only read 2 posts supporting the "Reeve sucks" claim. And Newsarama has posted a retraction of sorts, a case for Reeve as THE BEST ever actor to play a superhero (I think this says something about their integrity). My point is, that you could find 10 more actors more worthy of "worst performance" ever than Reeve - actors we could at least agree were worse than Reeve, while still debating Reeve's quality in the bigger picture.
Alba, Chicklis, Gruifford (sp?), MacMahon, (even Evans?), then add, Garner, Affleck, Reynolds. A bunch of the Singer X-Men actors? Anyone really rave over Famke Janssen's performance? Halle Berry's Storm? Could we agree that including a couple of those people, right there, would bump Reeve out of a top 10 worst list?
Rann, I love the Phantom movie too. Zane was great - no rubber suit to pad muscles, either! But I can totally see it for the hokey fluff it is. And yeah, I do dig the new Garfield Spidey more than Tobey's, and he was getting too old, and his face was puffy, but those first two movies were pretty good, all things considered, and he did deliver a believable performance.The FF Corman movie I don't count. But at least four of the five principals in the Tim Story FF movies are/were terrible. We may not all agree on Reeve (well, at least here), but on FB, I only read 2 posts supporting the "Reeve sucks" claim. And Newsarama has posted a retraction of sorts, a case for Reeve as THE BEST ever actor to play a superhero (I think this says something about their integrity). My point is, that you could find 10 more actors more worthy of "worst performance" ever than Reeve - actors we could at least agree were worse than Reeve, while still debating Reeve's quality in the bigger picture.
Alba, Chicklis, Gruifford (sp?), MacMahon, (even Evans?), then add, Garner, Affleck, Reynolds. A bunch of the Singer X-Men actors? Anyone really rave over Famke Janssen's performance? Halle Berry's Storm? Could we agree that including a couple of those people, right there, would bump Reeve out of a top 10 worst list?
Halle Berry's Storm AND Catwoman was on the list. Did you just stop reading the list after Reeve?
Adrian Wapcaplet wrote:
I think guys who use the term "butthurt" usually have latent desires in that area.Very original. How base of an insult can you muster?
It's not original. It's based upon psychiatric studies that theorize that guys who use a lot of gay-themed insults, often are latently gay. Which is ok, nothing wrong with wanting to get with another man. Would be cool, if they'd be honest with themselves.
Here's another unoriginal insult. I will take your mom to dinner, and never call her again!
Adrian Wapcaplet wrote:
Rann, I love the Phantom movie too. Zane was great - no rubber suit to pad muscles, either! But I can totally see it for the hokey fluff it is. And yeah, I do dig the new Garfield Spidey more than Tobey's, and he was getting too old, and his face was puffy, but those first two movies were pretty good, all things considered, and he did deliver a believable performance.The FF Corman movie I don't count. But at least four of the five principals in the Tim Story FF movies are/were terrible. We may not all agree on Reeve (well, at least here), but on FB, I only read 2 posts supporting the "Reeve sucks" claim. And Newsarama has posted a retraction of sorts, a case for Reeve as THE BEST ever actor to play a superhero (I think this says something about their integrity). My point is, that you could find 10 more actors more worthy of "worst performance" ever than Reeve - actors we could at least agree were worse than Reeve, while still debating Reeve's quality in the bigger picture.
Alba, Chicklis, Gruifford (sp?), MacMahon, (even Evans?), then add, Garner, Affleck, Reynolds. A bunch of the Singer X-Men actors? Anyone really rave over Famke Janssen's performance? Halle Berry's Storm? Could we agree that including a couple of those people, right there, would bump Reeve out of a top 10 worst list?Halle Berry's Storm AND Catwoman was on the list. Did you just stop reading the list after Reeve?
OOPS! You got me on Storm. YOU WIN!
(cue Charlie Brown music, as I walk away in shame.)
One of my favorite parts in The Phantom was the swinging bridge scene. In fact, I've always wanted to splice together every swinging bridge scene I could find into one "movie"...I recall there was also one in the second Indy movie. I'm sure folks here could recount other examples.
Only two parts in Zane's Phantom made me cringe:
- When he hops onto the pontoons of the villians sea plane and rides a few hundred (thousand?) miles on the outside of that SLOW propellor plane...which I assume never needed to refuel on the way. The Phantom must have been hanging out there for hours at least. Must have been chilly!
- There was simply no excuse for the "Green Lantern homage" at the end. Wow! I never saw that coming. (Really....like when Chris Reeve produced that saranwrap thingy from his "S" insignia. Why would anyone need to invent ADDITIONAL super powers for Kal-El?) In fact, when I first saw the Phantom I wondered whether the writers had gone on strike and the cast just improvised an ending.
I had forgotten about the Corman FF. Ben in Daredevil didn't stink outright, but boy the rest of the movie did! IMHO, of course.
One of my favorite parts in The Phantom was the swinging bridge scene. In fact, I've always wanted to splice together every swinging bridge scene I could find into one "movie"...I recall there was also one in the second Indy movie. I'm sure folks here could recount other examples.Only two parts in Zane's Phantom made me cringe:
- When he hops onto the pontoons of the villians sea plane and rides a few hundred (thousand?) miles on the outside of that SLOW propellor plane...which I assume never needed to refuel on the way. The Phantom must have been hanging out there for hours at least. Must have been chilly!
I laughed at that part too, but rationalized it as an homage to the comic strips, where such things were routine. I remember reading a (reprint) Captain America comic from the 40's, where Cap fist-fights a Nazi on the wing of a Stutka!
- There was simply no excuse for the "Green Lantern homage" at the end. Wow! I never saw that coming. (Really....like when Chris Reeve produced that saranwrap thingy from his "S" insignia. Why would anyone need to invent ADDITIONAL super powers for Kal-El?) In fact, when I first saw the Phantom I wondered whether the writers had gone on strike and the cast just improvised an ending.
Agreed. And even though I'm laying it on the line for Reeve, the saran wrap "S" still is lame (not an acting fault of his though, just a script fault). And don't forget Superman's additional power of "memory-wipe-via-kiss."
(Really....like when Chris Reeve produced that saranwrap thingy from his "S" insignia. Why would anyone need to invent ADDITIONAL super powers for Kal-El?)
Why indeed. XD
Apologies and no harm meant, to Blanka and anyone else insulted by most posts. I guess I let my love for Reeve and appreciation of his role, get out of hand. I should be content that a majority of people seem to be of a similar mind. To expect EVERYONE to agree is unreasonable.
Apologies? Nonsense! The majority of civilized people thought the world was flat...
Chris was far from the worst big-name offender. (Keaton? Kilmer?)
I don't think anyone intended to "shout you down."
Can we at least agree that the Chris Reeve flick with Richard Pryor should have never happened?
No grudges held. We're all fanboys. It's why we're here: all for the love of all things nerdom. I apologize for hurling insults myself. New Buzz, let's start fresh!
Apologies? Nonsense! The majority of civilized people thought the world was flat...Chris was far from the worst big-name offender. (Keaton? Kilmer?)
I don't think anyone intended to "shout you down."
Can we at least agree that the Chris Reeve flick with Richard Pryor should have never happened?
Blanka took the high road and sent me an email. Respect for that.
And honestly, I really only count the first two Reeve Superman movies. The third was a Pryor vehicle (he got top billing!). The fourth one is a crime against humanity.
No grudges held. We're all fanboys. It's why we're here: all for the love of all things nerdom. I apologize for hurling insults myself. New Buzz, let's start fresh!
Here, here!
You CAN'T ignore the Superman-Richard Pryor movie! Heh. I like to pretend, that just as Bizarro was introduced for audiences in Superman IV, so too was BRAINIAC introduced in the Pryor film!
If they'd done things SOMEWHAT decently, we might've seen the Computer return as Brainiac! How cool would that have been? :)i