Hope | Kevin Barrett's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Hope’

The Dream Remains, The Struggle Continues…

Posted in General Comments, Leadership, Philosophy, tagged Change, Dreams, General Comments, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026, Hope, Leadership, Philosophy, Service, Struggle on January 19, 2026| 1 Comment »

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day!!!

First, be kind to yourself. Then, if you are able, perform one act of service for another person. Be the change you wish to see. — kmab

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Click here (19 January) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Truth, Justice, And A Foster Dog

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Anthony Carrigan, Clark Kent / Superman, Daily Planet Newspaper, David Corenswet, DC Extended Universe, DC Snyderverse, Edi Gathegi, General Comments, Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Hope, Isabela Merced, Kal-El / Superman, Kansas, Kara Zor-El / Supergirl, Krypto / Superdog, Kryptonian, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Metahumans, Metamorpho, Mister Terrific, Movie Reviews, Nathan Fillion, Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan, Reviews, Strong Movie Recommendation, Superman (2025) — movie review on November 3, 2025| Leave a Comment »

“Superman” (2025) — movie review
Today’s review is for the DC Universe reboot “Superman” (2025), starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman (the Kansas-raised Kryptonian trying to reconcile his alien origins with his human ideals), Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane (the sharp, skeptical Daily Planet reporter with a soft spot for truth and capes), Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor (a tech billionaire with a messiah complex and a vendetta), Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific (a genius inventor and reluctant ally), Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner (a cocky Green Lantern with a punchable face and a cereal bowl haircut), Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl (winged warrior with a chip on her shoulder), and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho (a shape-shifting outcast with a heart). This film marks the official launch of the new DC Universe and attempts to reframe Superman not as a god among mortals, but as a man with ideals.

Background: This was my first viewing of this fairly recent film. After years of dark tone from the Snyderverse — brooding deities, grayscale palettes, and existential dread — I was curious whether this film could thread the needle between comic-fan reverence and reinvention. Could it give us a Superman who inspires without being sanctimonious? Could DC balance world-building with character? And could they do it without drowning in CGI rubble and multiversal cameos? I went in hoping for a film that remembered Superman is not just strong — he’s good. He can stop a war, but he can also stop to save a cat in a tree (or a squirrel on the road).

Plot: Clark Kent is already Superman when the film begins — a respected reporter by day, a global savior by night. But his idealism is tested when he intervenes in a foreign conflict to de-escalate tensions between two nations without governmental (U.S.) authorization. Enter Lex Luthor, a charismatic tech mogul who seizes the moment to paint Superman as a threat to global (human) sovereignty. As public opinion turns, Clark must navigate political fallout, journalistic ethics, and his own crisis of identity. Meanwhile, a mysterious alien artifact draws the attention of other metahumans — some allies, some not — forcing Superman to confront what it truly means to be a symbol of hope in a fractured world.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; strong across the board; vibrant and grounded; a few tonal wobbles; yes — with hope.

Any Good? Yes. “Superman” is a confident, character-driven reboot that trades bombast for balance. The script walks a fine line between sincerity and satire, and while not every scene lands, the film’s heart is unmistakable. It’s a Superman story that dares to ask: what if being good wasn’t easy — but necessary?

Acting: David Corenswet brings warmth and humility to Clark Kent, channeling the earnestness of Christopher Reeve without mimicry. His Superman is not tortured, but thoughtful — a man who believes in people even when they don’t believe in him. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane is a standout: sharp, funny, and emotionally grounded. Brosnahan took a minute to grow on me, but by the end of the film she’d supplanted Amy Adams as my favorite Lois Lane. LoL. Their chemistry is real, especially in quieter moments (like a “breakfast-for-dinner” scene that’s more revealing than any action set piece). Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is less operatic than past versions — more Zuckerberg than Bond villain — but his smug menace works. The supporting cast adds a little texture, though most (like Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Metamorpho) feel more like setup than substance.

Filming / FX: Visually, the film is bright – which I much prefer over the “darkness” of the recent Batman and Justice League movies. The cinematography favors natural light and wide frames, grounding the superhuman in the human “Earth” environment. The action is clean and coherent — no shaky cam, no grayscale sludge. The international conflict scenes are tense without being exploitative, and the final showdown avoids the usual city-leveling excess.

Problems: A few and minor to the relative enjoyment of the film… The film juggles a lot — politics, journalism, alien tech, team-building — and (but) not all threads get (or deserve) equal weight. Some characters (especially the other heroes) feel underdeveloped, more like cameos than co-stars. The tonal shifts — from geopolitical drama to workplace rom-com to superhero spectacle — can be un-meshed / abrupt. And while the film critiques media manipulation and public perception, it occasionally undercuts its own message with winks and quips. Still, these are growing pains, not fatal flaws for a new extended universe of superhero movies. Of course, the main problem with ALL Superman (and most super-hero) movies is they can’t settle on how much power / strength Superman has (or Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, either).

Did I Enjoy the Film? Yes. “Superman” is a film that remembers why the character matters. He’s a good person. It’s not about punching harder — it’s about standing taller. It’s about choosing kindness when cynicism is easier. It’s about being the best (better) version of yourself, even when the world doesn’t deserve it. I left the couch entertained and smiling — and that’s rarer than it should be in super-hero films.

Final Recommendation: Strong recommendation. “Superman” (2025) is a hopeful, humanizing reboot that reclaims the character’s moral clarity without losing modern complexity. It’s not perfect, but it’s entertaining. If you’re a fan of Superman or stories about belief in better angels, this one’s worth your time. It’s rated PG-13 for action and thematic elements. For its performances, tone, and thematic ambition, it’s a worthy start to a new era. And I look forward to more of Super-Dog (Krypto) and Kal-El’s cousin Kara (Supergirl).

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Click here (3 November) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Sometimes, Hope And Pray

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Anthony T. Hincks, Hope, Philosophy, Pray, Quotes, Wish on May 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Sometimes, I just wish.

— Anthony T. Hincks

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Click here (24 May) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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A Strange Transposition

Posted in Other Blogs, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Albert Einstein, Aloneness, Einstein: His Life and Universe, Fear, Hope, Infinity, Letters Of Note, Old Age, Other Blogs, Philosophy, Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, Quotes on January 10, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The strange thing about growing old is that the intimate identification with the here and now is slowly lost; one feels transposed into infinity, more or less alone, no longer in hope or fear, only observing.

— Albert Einstein
Letter to Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, 12th Jan 1953
From: “Einstein: His Life and Universe“

[Found at one of the blogs I follow: Letters of Note
The specific post is: https://news.lettersofnote.com/p/i-think-one-of-the-noblest-projects
Please visit the original site and support it if you are able. — kmab]

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Click here (10 January) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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A Button: Faith In The Future

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Button, Eric Hoffer, Faith, Future, Hope, Philosophy, Power, Quotes, Slogan, Status Quo, The True Believer: Thoughts On The Nature Of Mass Movements, Word on December 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

What seems to count more than possession of instruments of power is faith in the future. Where power is not joined with faith in the future, it is used mainly to ward off the new and preserve the status quo. On the other hand, extravagant hope, even when not backed by actual power, is likely to generate a most reckless daring. For the hopeful can draw strength from the most ridiculous sources of power — a slogan, a word, a button.

— Eric Hoffer
From his book: “The True Believer: Thoughts On The Nature Of Mass Movements“

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Click here (17 December) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Audacious Hope

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Hope, Philosophy, Quotes, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy on December 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Hope is stubborn. It has the ability to accept strength and weakness. It is not arrogant; neither is it modest. Hope is daring, courageous; it has the audacity to reach a hand into darkness and come out with a handful of light.

— Sister Stanislaus Kennedy
From: “Gardening the Soul“

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Click here (11 December) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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I Hope For A BLUE Wave In November

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Hope, Philosophy, Quotes, Ted Lasso on October 21, 2024| 2 Comments »

So I’ve been hearing this phrase y’all got over here that I ain’t too crazy about. ‘It’s the hope that kills you.’ Y’all know that? I disagree, you know? I think it’s the lack of hope that comes and gets you.

— Ted Lasso

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Click here (21 October) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Victory Is In The Doing (Voting)

Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged #VoteBLUE, American Politics, Election 2024, Fear, Hope, Philosophy, Quotes, Robert Ludlum, Vote on October 16, 2024| 2 Comments »

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.

— Robert Ludlum

[Vote for hope, joy and a future for American Democracy. Vote BLUE!! — kmab]

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Click here (16 October) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Show Courage And Hope… Vote Blue!

Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged American Politics, Decisions, Edward R. Murrow, Election 2024, Fear, Fearful Men, Hope, Michelle Obama, Our Doctrine, Our History, Philosophy, Possibility, Quotes, The Age Of Unreason, Walk In Fear on September 20, 2024| 2 Comments »

Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.

— Michelle Obama

We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men.

— Edward R. Murrow

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Click here (20 September) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Stars, Flowers, Hope, Silence

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Beauty, Chief Dan George, Flowers, Hearts, Hope, Philosophy, Prayers, Quotes, Sadness, Silence, Stars, Strength, Tears, Tsleil-Waututh Nation on June 11, 2024| 2 Comments »

May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.

— Chief Dan George
Tsleil-Waututh Nation

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Click here (11 June) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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True Faith

Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Faith, George Iles, Hope, Philosophy, Quotes on September 20, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.

— George Iles

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Click here (20 September) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Bloomin’ Hope

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Blooming, Flowers, Hope, Lady Bird Johnson, Philosophy, Quotes on September 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Where flowers bloom, so does hope.

— Lady Bird Johnson

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Click here (1 September) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Forward Thinking

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Charles M. Schulz, Hope, Memories, Philosophy, Quotes on July 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »

A whole stack of memories never equal one little hope.

— Charles M. Schulz

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Click here (23 July) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Grasping Hope

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Goals, Hope, Philosophy, Quotes, Saint Thomas Aquinas on July 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

No man is able by himself to grasp the supreme good of eternal life; he needs divine help. Hence there is here a two-fold object (goal): the eternal life we hope for, and the divine help we hope by.

— Saint Thomas Aquinas

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Click here (8 July) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Nourish Others

Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Courage, Hope, Love, Napoléon Bonaparte, Nourishment, Philosophy, Quotes on October 23, 2022| 2 Comments »

Courage is like love, it must have hope for nourishment.

― Napoléon Bonaparte

[…with courage, love and hope. — kmab]

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Click here (23 October) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.