The problem is that Superman Returns was a terrible rehashing of a better movie.

Dark Knight was great, and it did show that violence has consequences, sometimes unintended.

Wanted was a garbagefest, violent for the sake of being violent.

But Chris, come on! Knocking Indiana Jones for not showing the effects of nuclear fallout on downwinders? I know that as a Utahn, and having family members who died from cancer as a result of being downwind, maybe I should be more sensative, but come on! It'd be like, "Okay, here's Indiana Jones! Here he escapes the Russians! Here he survives a nuclear blast! We now interrupt out movie to give a view of what downwinders go through for the next hour and a half! Now back to Indiana Jo ... oh no one's watching anymore ..."

Good thoughts. Not much writing in movies anymore, mostly just special effects, sex and violence. I guess it's just a reflection of society, and the sad fact that many can't understand good dialogue anymore.

I agree with you Chris.

Not only has the violence in movies become increasingly craven and senseless, the plots of movies have become increasingly pointless and shallow. Just long sequences of special effects, mostly computerized, punctuated by pulp fiction type story lines that emphasize excitement but absolutely no enlightenment at all.

I keep hoping for what I believe will be the inevitable backlash as more and more people come to realize just how unsatisfying it all is. That it is the entertainment equivalent to much of the industrialized "food" people now consume. Heavily processed to maximize the attractiveness of the sensory experience of eating (sweet, salty, crunchy, etc.) but seriously deficient in the important nutrients that make eating necessary.

So far, as the record ticket sales this Summer seem to confirm, people are still willing to pay for this garbage.

There were lots of intense scenes in The Dark Knight. They were implied but 99% were never shown. TDK had a phenomenal script and great acting. In fact, it was the best hybrid morality play/thriller/action movie possibly ever.

The Dark Knight & Iron Man are & will remain the 2 best movies (of any genre) I've seen this year.

The Superhero movies that Mr Hicks is whining about are based on comic books which to most people would signify not to be taken seriously.

In fact, Most if not all movies released from May through August are meant IMO to be escapist entertainment.