| Superman and Atlas – Those who carry the weight of the world. |
[Sep. 1st, 2006|05:09 pm] |
Superman discovers the threat that the American continent is under and tries to avoid its destruction.
We see the man of steel impede gas explosions with his Super-breath; melt an enormous amount of glass fragments from thousands of windows with his heat vision, among many other rescues.
To represent the weight of his responsibility, the last son of Krypton is shown carrying the giant globe that sits on top of the Daily Planet (considered, in the movie, the largest newspaper in the world), comparable to the mythical pose of Atlas.
Atlas, in mythology was a Titan, a colossal being of extreme strength, commissioned by Zeus, god of all gods, to carry the world on his shoulders, making it lighter and easier for the gods as well as mankind to bear.
As of the XVI century Atlas became synonymous with sacrifice. His legendary fame spread quickly after Mercator, a renowned cartographer used a drawing of Atlas carrying the world as a cover of his book of geographical letters. As time went by, these books became known as “Geographic Atlas”.
However, some authors claim that Atlas carries the celestial dome, separating the heavens and the earth (being he who separates the world of the blessed, paradise, Olympus, the world of joys of the spirit from the world of those who are slaves of the material), but to simplify the depiction he was illustrated carrying the globe.
Atlas then became a part of medical vocabulary, lending his name to the first vertebrae of the spinal cord because it bears the weight of the head.
Currently, people bearing large responsibilities are considered to have “Atlas Complex”, whether they bear physical or emotional loads.
Going back to mythology, we must not forget that the burden of Atlas was an almost eternal affliction. His immense effort made him unique and because of this he had to pay a high price.
When the gods realized that he carried out his mission without protest, his burden was lifted and he was named guardian of the Pillars of Hercules, and his burden was laid under the Pillars.
The analogy made in the film “Superman Returns” was very appropriate to represent the man of steel carrying the weight of the world, as a metaphor of Atlas, and just as the mythological hero, Superman bears the burden of people’s pain in silence, hearing the supplications of mankind marked by violence everyday.
Superman: What do you hear?
Lois Lane: Nothing
Superman: I hear everything… you wrote that the world doesn’t need a savior, but everyday I hear people calling for one…. I ‘m sorry I left you Lois… I will take you back now…”
From this dialogue between Superman and Lois Lane, where he attempts to show the devastating effects that a brutal act causes to a person’s soul, molded by a cosmic scenario, one of the many messages passed by Bryan Singer.
Superman makes this heavy load into a prodigious example of dignity and we see his anguish when he tries to show that cruelty is not the way. Whenever a human kills another, something dies inside of him. He who has eyes to see let him see the disturbing moral reflection that the film impels.
Vemos esse diálogo entre Superman e Lois Lane, no qual ele tenta mostrar os efeitos devastadores que um ato brutal causa na alma das pessoas, emoldurado por um cenário cósmico. Uma das diversas mensagens passadas por Singer.
(This text has been appropriately registered and is protected by author’s rights. In case you desire to forward this message, do not change its content or leave out my authorship. Superman and all characters and images are property of Warner and DC Comics.)
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| Kate Bosworth: discreet acting for the new Lois Lane. |
[Sep. 1st, 2006|05:06 pm] |
I have been hearing quite severe criticism about Kate Bosworth’s performance as Lois Lane in the film “Superman Returns” (Bryan Singer- 2006), saying that see was apathetic and unenthusiastic making the scenes seem plain. While analyzing her role, I think that she had to be a bit colder and distant due to what Singer’s script demanded of her. Playing the role of the world’s leading reporter, her stance fit like a glove.
If we analyze her Astral Chart it’s almost as though she was picked for the part by an astrologer. Aside from being a Capricorn (Catherine Ann Bosworth was born on January 2nd, 1983 in Los Angeles, CA-USA), her Venus is in Capricorn. Venus is the planet that is responsible for beauty and all forms of esthetics from the way you dress to your hair style, facial expression and charm, all these are under the protection of Aphrodite.
Having Venus positioned in Capricorn means “nothing in excess”, something that doesn’t cross the boundaries of suitability because the restrictions of conduct do not allow extravagance.
That is why playing the role of Lois Lane who at that moment was the most recent winner of the Pulitzer Prize, a mother and wife, married to the esteemed Richard White (James Mardsen— Cyclops, X-Men), chief editor of the Daily Planet wasn’t that hard a job for Kate Bosworth since she already has a natural discreetness about her.
Another important point that strengthens the need of a nonchalant bearing is that fact that no woman appreciates being abandoned by the person she loves. What kind of a woman wouldn’t have a seemingly odd reaction when the man who left her without a single good-bye suddenly decides to pop back into her life? Each person reacts differently and you can’t expect everyone to be euphoric when their long lost love returns out of the blue (as Lois cleverly points out in the scene outside the Daily Planet with Clark Kent). She fully embraced the role and acted with elegance while attacking Superman where it hurt him the most: shutting him out with despise and indifference
Another polemic topic was the fact that Kate Bosworth seemed too young to be mother to a five-year-old. For me that is a totally non-based argument since I, at the age of 23 already had a five-year-old daughter. The person who made that comment obviously hasn’t woken up to modern days.
To finish off, I’d like to approach the topic of the so called lack of passion and chemistry between the Lois and Superman. Those who were expecting ardent love scenes were disappointed. Her conduct however, was closer to the character that carried herself as an ethical and wholesome woman who was currently involved in another relationship. Her posture of respect to her husband was commendable. It would be highly disappointing to see a superhero of his level, known for his integrity, stooping to be a lover…
An explicit relationship between the two of them would be at the very least incoherent with what we aspire of Superman! I conclude that the gap between them was to be expected. I guess we’ll have to wait for the sequel to this relationship in 2009.
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| The continual symbolisms of “Superman Returns” |
[Sep. 1st, 2006|05:03 pm] |
Every movie has messages in it that not only talk about the characters but also the general context of the film. We cannot limit ourselves to only what we can see or hear because when we look at the world around us we see how much our sensorial systems are worth. Every situation contains more than what it appears to and is a lot more ample than one can imagine.
Nei Naiff (tarot reader) told me in one of our classes, that it was probably easier for people to open up to symbolisms in past centuries because occultists and erudite were more abundant. It’s different nowadays. Most people spend practically twenty-four hours of their day focused on their own personal view of things and everyday problems. They are only a precious few that are able to break out of this surface that holds us down to day-to-day aspects with almost mechanical behavior caused by routine. Throughout most of our daily activities we are on “automatic” because we get used to doing things without thinking. It isn’t necessary to use reason to go home you just go…So if someone asks you if a tree on your street were chopped down or if your neighbor painted his house a different color you probably wouldn’t have noticed. We are not always fully conscience of everything that goes on around us. That’s why we often don’t remember certain details that might be crucial later on in our lives. The same thing happens with small facts that, no matter how infinitesimal they are, may perhaps be integrated to an important part of our growth. But we fail to notice and they pass us by. Sometimes we only see the tip of the ice-berg when there is a lot more hidden under the surface just waiting to be explored.
At times we need to make a symbolic analysis to understand what it is that nature is reflecting. Our minds are undisciplined and succumb easily to dispersion, missing out on precious details. When we tune our attention, we understand life better: the richness of details that most of the time we don’t even stop to see. The best thing would be to decipher and analyze so this knowledge can be absorbed with all its nuances and subtleties. Try to always face situations with dissertation and reflection. Go over them again in your mind under different perspectives because each new glance will unravel new concealed messages that normally aren’t seen at fist sight. Symbols are conductors of truth.
While watching one of Otávio Azevedo’s (Astrologer) classes, he explained that signs appear everywhere, at all times and to everyone as if asking us all to get to know each other a little better. The things we process mentally aren’t in fact a whole truth. Nature is constantly dialoguing with us and demonstrating alternative meanings, different ways to view life and changing our form of reason. All we need is to be connected and then we can see the full picture. The alternative meaning, the symbolism, is always there except most people are too robotic to notice it. Otávio Azevedo quotes the Hermetic Principle of Correspondence, “As Above, So Below”, by Hermes Trismegistus. This principle tells us that everything is connected.
Otávio Azevedo once told of a Guru he met in India that interpreted life in the signs of nature, watching a passing cloud, the chirping of birds and the leaves that fell from trees. He went on to say that on one occasion they were at a restaurant and he was talking loudly and gesticulating when a wasp landed on his hand. As a test he asked his master to interpret it. The Erudite explained that the movement of the hands meant an active conversation and the wasp’s landing represented the fact that his form of expression might offend someone the same way a wasp’s bite is painful. Otavio’s conclusion of this was that when a person is wise enough they need nothing more than their own perceptions.
The way we see things is decisive facing the stimulation we receive. If we refuse to free our perceptions, the reactions we have become automatic or “conditioned”, developing one sense more than the other and becoming addicted to a specific and limiting train of thought. We must search beyond what is average.
Plato says in “Timaeus” that things are not as they appear to be, that things are mere shadows of ideas, ideas that are at a topos ouranios, a celestial place and that things are but a participation of these ideas and are not however, a definite reality. He illustrates this with “The Allegory of the Cave”, where he says that we must not only believe that which we see. We must enlighten the consciousness of those who search behind the shadows. He who is in the cave sees only a “theater of shadows – believing that the shadows seen are all that exist” (as spoken by Professor Paulo A. Duarte of the Department of Geosciences of the Federal University of Santa Catarina).
It is a philosophical search of the esoteric side of life and the understanding between our ideas and our own reflection in the world.
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| How Brandon Routh’s life has changed—According to Astrology. |
[Aug. 7th, 2006|06:10 pm] |
In October - 2004, rumors that director Bryan Singer and Warner Bros. had chosen the new Superman: Brandon Routh, leaked to the general public and the shooting was confirmed for March – 2005 in Australia.
Brandon Routh has Mercury (the planet responsible for deals, contracts, paperwork…) in his map in the third degree of Scorpio. In 2004, Uranus finally entered Pisces in March and hit the third degree, remaining around its orb until the beginning of 2005, creating a trigon with Brandon’s Mercury.
The harmonious transit of Uranus with Mercury brings things where you least expect them. It is the law of opposites. Brandon Routh auditioned with a kind of “whatever happens happens” attitude and it worked. Uranus brings free energy and when he auditioned with no attachments, it happened. Uranus gets people who have always had the same way of thinking and forces a change. It indicates a radical change. Something new, positive and unexpected, something you weren’t counting on. Brandon was also more capable and dynamic for the audition. Uranus in Mercury brings stimulation and from that point on, he was forced to think of life in a different way. Favorable transits for paperwork and contracts that weren’t expected tend to happen. It also helps to turn things in your favor. He might have not been the first choice at the auditions and suddenly the producers changed their minds. Watching the other candidates might have caused favorable winds to blow in Brandon’s favor. It also indicates a period of lots of locomotion. He was probably called to do auditions and interviews in different states, making his life more dynamic and causing a greater dislocation than normal. A Uranus trigon with Mercury literally means “the new will come from elsewhere”, it won’t be something in the surroundings that will bring change.
Mercury is connected to dislocation. It is through dislocation that the new will come. A new opportunity, something different, renewing, something audacious will come if you pursue it. Mercury is associated with paths. If you join it with Uranus they read: “New paths”.
He also has Pluto in Libra at the 19th degree, receiving a trigon from Neptune that will be in the orb of the 19th degree of Aquarius from January, 2006 until February, 2007. This transit will open channels in the person’s life. He got more inspired and started making the right moves. It’s an inspiration that leads to life changing experiences. Both planets are connected to dreams, inspirations, making him more sensitive than usual, favoring the breaking down of barriers that might be standing in his way. People will start saying good things about him, criticism and hardships with be deviated, dissolved. He has the energy to dribble the obstacles that are put in his path, censuring his work. He has serenity and calm when he deals with the comparisons to Christopher Reeve. It doesn’t frighten or weaken him in front of critics. Pluto is connected with the capacity of harmonious regeneration which indicates that he will turn these criticisms to his favor. He has the strength to overcome all this judgment of his acting performance. He has a dynamic that makes him revive.
To wrap up this lucky streak, Brandon Routh has Venus in the 27th degree of Libra, forming a trigon with Pluto through all of 2007. Its time to reap the fruit of the investments he made in his career. It is a blessing. Venus means love, affection, seduction, money and facility. Pluto digs deep, it probes and transforms. It’s a harmonious transformation to make his life more pleasant, more satisfactory. It indicates that now the fruits of his labor, his indicial investment, are beginning to show. Pluto modifies earnings, restores and brings benefits. It has an even greater favoring that might come in different forms than money. The time has come for his glory. It is a private moment of benefit for those who work with the arts. It is both financial and personal satisfaction.
For someone playing such a strong role, he deserves nothing less!
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| Brandon Routh as the last son of Krypton |
[Aug. 7th, 2006|06:08 pm] |
When you watch the scene where Superman lands on the new continent where Lex Luthor is, created by Krypton crystals, his air of greatness is unmistakable. It is a certain highness and nobility that is fundamental to the character. It is no wonder he plays the part so well. When studying his Birth Map, we see that Brandon Routh has Mars in Leo. Mars is the planet that is responsible for generating the impulse we need to act. It symbolizes the warrior in each of us. Mars in Leo strengthens the image of the character, clad in his Superman outfit at this point, with the exuberance and charisma of Leo. Notice that in the scene where he gets shot in the eye, which by the way was sensational, his confrontation has a touch of nobility of spirit.
When Brandon Routh plays the man of steel, his initiatives are a lot more obstinate with a strong sense of determination which is one of the best properties of Mars in Leo. That is why the role of the last son of Krypton is played so well, because he can truly show his identity: act energetically. It is impossible to be taken for granted.
While watching the scene where he gets beat-up by Lex’s henchmen, I truly believed he was feeling authentic pain – Mars in Leo carries a strong sense of drama.
I would also like to highlight one of the last scenes of the movie, when Superman enters Jason’s room. There is a clear demonstration of emotion of someone who has discovered the joy of having a child but must keep it to himself. However the high point comes with the anticipated monologue where he says: “The father becomes the son and the son becomes the father”. When I heard that, I wanted to stand up and clap, right there in the movie theater.
I think Brandon Routh took his place on the stage of life, signing his masterpiece – so far. Categorically, he not only gained credit in Hollywood but in the entire world, setting a milestone in the history of cinema. The time has come for him to express his talents and shine.
I cannot say if Brandon Routh has exceeded Christopher Reeve. To be quite honest, I didn’t go see the movie to make a comparison or select which of the two was more talented and if you watch the movie with the same thought in mind, you might like his acting as much as I did.
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| Brandon Routh: the new actor taking on the role of Superman, blessed by Aphrodite. |
[Aug. 7th, 2006|06:04 pm] |
I must admit that before watching the film “Superman Returns” (Bryan Singer- 2005) I wasn’t too keen on the idea. However, Brandon Routh’s acting and stage-presence went way beyond my personal expectations. He fully grasped the essence of the character and took on the role for the big screen with total proficiency.
Aside from his astounding physique, seductive gaze and perfect figure, he did the comic book justice and the overall picture was perfect.
The greatest fear of the general public was that he wouldn’t be able to reinvent the role of the immortalized Christopher Reeve but he pulled it off with authority and competence, placing himself as an individual actor as opposed to trying to be a caricature of Reeve.
There was an abnormal demand placed on Brandon Routh’s shoulders. Any actor chosen to play this role would start under enormous pressure. That is why I come to the conclusion that no matter whom had been chosen to embody Superman, there is not a living being on this planet capable of reaching the legacy left by Reeve, as if we all but expect the resurrection of a departed entity.
For all of those who watched “Superman” (Richard Donner- 1978), it’s difficult not to reminisce Reeve and as consequence compare him to Brandon Routh. But when we take Routh’s point of view, it takes a lot of gut to face this challenge and a lot of audacity on Singer’s part to cast such a young actor (speaking age wise and career wise), with the mission of overcoming our memories, stamped by Christopher Reeve. I dare say it was exceedingly risky to use a starting actor to play such a beloved character.
Brandon Routh, however, was outstanding as the awkward Clark Kent. He managed to create a näive Clark that is not as inane as Reeve’s character, which was seemingly appropriate at that time. Except, the world has changed in the last almost 20 years and it’s completely unacceptable, nowadays to have a news anchorman that acts like a walking scarecrow.
A scene I found sensational was when Clark is talking to Lois in front of the Daily Planet, and as he waves down a cab he changes his tone of voice, as if he were Superman. That gave the character a subtle, but special difference.
Brandon James Routh manages to give the character the right amount of poise and opulence as well as carrying out an impeccable stance as only a true Libra can. He knows the suitable timing for situations and is smart enough to make them look good.
Brandon Routh was born on October 18th, 1979 in Des Moines, Iowa – USA. He is a Libra and as a result is blessed by the goddess of beauty with all the attributes of conquer.
All aspects of beauty are guarded by the goddess who bestows upon her children the faculty of attracting and luring people. Having his Sun in Libra means he lacks unsuitable reaction making it possible for him to evaluate whether a specific attitude from others is proportional or appropriate for the situation. He has Venus in Libra. On the birth map, Venus represents the arsenal of seduction that every person has. It is a powerful force that when used correctly causes enchantment and fascination. That explains where his sophisticated style and refined elegance come from. After watching over two hours film, it’s completely impossible to not subdue to his appeal and find him at very least, charming. Mercury in Scorpio gives him a terribly seductive voice, deep and intense –Who is able to put up a fight when hearing him say: “Will you come with me?” The more he talks, the more attractive and captivating he becomes. His form of expression emanates a magnetic power and he uses his words to go right to the heart of matters. The way he is able to express himself is surrounded by mystery. He is not obviously direct. He has a certain way of going around things which makes him all the more interesting. It makes you think about what he didn’t say but implied…
Brandon Routh was able to explore his strong points. Even if you are the kind of person who doesn’t like the adventure genre, if you’ve never liked superheroes or comics, or if you are not keen on the soft romantic style presented by the movie, it’s worth it to go, even if it’s only to appreciate the sheer vision of beauty that you will experience with 6’ of eye-candy.
Curiosities
- He appeared on the little screen in: The Gilmore Girls, Cold Case e Will & Grace. He got more exposure with the music video “What a Girl Wants” by Christina Aguilera.
- He won a costume contest in Hollywood, dressed-up as Superman.
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