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Journey to the West

Critics reviews, audience reviews, cast & crew.

Dashan Kong

Tang Zhijun

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All Mars Resources

Sol 4176: Left Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Curiosity took the images on May 06, 2024, Sol 4176 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive 384, site…

Sol 4176: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Sol 4171: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Curiosity took the images on May 01, 2024, Sol 4171 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive 6, site…

Sol 4169: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Curiosity took the images on April 29, 2024, Sol 4169 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive 0, site…

Sol 4166: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Curiosity took the images on April 26, 2024, Sol 4166 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive 3182, site…

Sol 4155: Left Navigation Camera, Vertical Projection

This projection provides an overhead view, but introduces distortion for items not on the surface, such as large rocks and…

Sol 4155: Left Navigation Camera, Polar Projection

Curiosity took the images on April 14, 2024, Sol 4155 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive 2386, site…

Sol 4155: Left Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Sol 4164: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Curiosity took the images on April 24, 2024, Sol 4164 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive 2950, site…

Sol 4162: Right Navigation Camera, Cylindrical Projection

Curiosity took the images on April 22, 2024, Sol 4162 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive 2836, site…

‘Los Espookys’ Creator Julio Torres Has a New HBO Comedy Series on the Way

Los Espookys co-creator, writer and star Julio Torres is premiering a new comedy series this summer. The six-episode series, Fantasmas , will debut in June 2024 on HBO and stream on Max. Torres not only stars in the lead role, he is also credited as the creator, director and writer.

According to a logline from Warner Bros., Fantasmas follows a fictional version of Torres during his search for a golden oyster earring he has lost and the people he encounters in his search. “The musings he has become points of departure for little films along the way, as Torres navigates weaving in and out of these introspective, often eerie comedic stories,” the description reads.

The @HBO Original comedy series Fantasmas, created, directed, written and starring Julio Torres, debuts this June on HBO and will be available to stream on Max: https://t.co/NRCCUPxONX pic.twitter.com/vt3oL59ESX — Max PR (@MaxPR) April 30, 2024

Along with Torres, Fantasmas will star Julia Fox ( Uncut Gems ), Ziwe ( Ziwe ), Steve Buscemi ( Fargo ) and Alexa Demie ( Euphoria ) and will be executive-produced by Torres and others, including two-time Oscar winner Emma Stone ( Poor Things ) and her husband Dave McCary ( Problemista ).

“I really loved the idea of telling short stories and having a show of vignettes,” Torres told Entertainment Weekly . “I also felt like I’m not the kind of performer who was interested in doing me as various characters. I like to think of myself like a master of ceremonies.”

Earlier this year, Torres released his feature film debut, Problemista , which starred him and Oscar winner Tilda Swinton ( Michael Clayton ). The absurdist comedy tells the story of an aspiring Salvadoran toy maker who is searching for a sponsor, so that he can extend his visa and stay in the U.S. to work.

“I like things that are a little removed from reality,” Torres told Remezcla. “I like to exaggerate things.”

With the fantasy worlds he is building in Fantasmas , Julio Torres has found another project that allows him to tap into his creativity.

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The 45 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time, Ranked

From classics like Metropolis and Alien to Everything Everywhere All At Once, this is Collider's ranking of the best science fiction movies ever.

The science fiction genre has been one of the most consistently thrilling to explore throughout the history of cinema. The way a visual medium like film can depict futuristic worlds or alternate realities means that almost anything that can be imagined can be depicted on-screen. Since the silent era, filmmakers have been using the medium to their advantage, commenting on humanity's present and hypothesizing about its future through the science-fiction genre.

There are countless great sci-fi movies that have been released since the birth of cinema as an art form, and it's ultimately futile to try and name every single amazing one. There are simply too many top sci-fi movies, and it's a genre that's still thriving, with new potential classics released seemingly every year. The following are among the best of the best from the sci-fi genre, being classics for their entertainment value, excellent technical qualities, and historical significance , and are ranked below in order from great to greatest.

45 'Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes' (2020)

Directed by junta yamaguchi.

Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is one of the best Japanese movies of the last few years , and also stands as one of the most entertaining and rewatchable sci-fi films in recent memory. It deals with an initially limited form of time travel that involves a screen that shows footage from two minutes in the future, which leads to wonder, fortunes, and eventual chaos for the people who discover this strange phenomenon.

Made on a limited budget and filmed in a way that makes it appear like a single take , Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes is quite dazzling for such a small-scale movie, and endlessly inventive/clever. It’s got an infectious spirit and is overall the kind of movie that will provide significant entertainment value for just about anyone who seeks it out.

Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes

Watch on Amazon Prime

44 'Voyage of the Rock Aliens' (1984)

Directed by james fargo.

Calling Voyage of the Rock Aliens ridiculous would be underselling it to a considerable extent, but that’s obvious, given it’s literally called Voyage of the Rock Aliens . It functions as a surprisingly good (and wonderfully cheesy) musical, a comedy that feels like a throwback to teen movies of the 1950s and ‘60s, and a sci-fi movie about aliens coming to Earth and trying/failing to fit into life on the planet.

Voyage of the Rock Aliens is a cult movie through and through, and one of the most 1980s-feeling movies to come out of the decade. It’s sloppy, the music probably isn’t for everyone, and watching it is an undeniably chaotic experience, but there’s so much energy and vibrancy to the whole thing that it’s hard to resist , particularly for any sci-fi fans who have a particular fondness for science fiction of the B-movie variety.

Watch on Tubi

43 'August in the Water' (1995)

Directed by gakuryu ishii.

Blending some fantasy/supernatural elements with an odd yet compelling science fiction story, August in the Water is both a unique and underrated film. It focuses on several teenagers living in the Japanese city of Fukuoka, and explores what happens when one of them – a young girl – begins to develop mysterious powers, all the while strange occurrences continue to happen to the city’s population.

August in the Water isn’t exactly clear about the story it’s telling, nor is it particularly narrative-centered in the first place, but it is undeniably atmospheric and provides a distinct look/feel. It’s broad and open-ended enough to leave many things up to interpretation , and even those who get a bit lost in August in the Water will still be able to appreciate its visual style and singular tone.

Buy on Amazon

42 'Poor Things' (2023)

Directed by yorgos lanthimos.

Poor Things was surprisingly successful for such an odd and offbeat movie, but those willing to get immersed in something a little different will likely find the film to be a rewarding one. It’s a surprisingly funny and always visually dazzling sci-fi movie about a woman who’s brought back to life, and then goes on a strange and sometimes alarming journey, rediscovering life and effectively coming of age for a second time.

Yorgos Lanthimos is perfectly suited to this kind of story and this sort of style, with the cast also shining while digging into the strange material they’ve been given, especially Emma Stone in the lead role, who won a second Oscar for her performance. Poor Things is a movie that’s a highlight of the 2020s so far, and feels like the sort of sci-fi movie that will one day be held up as a classic .

Poor Things

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41 'Godzilla Minus One' (2023)

Directed by takashi yamazaki.

Speaking of relatively recent science fiction movies that already feel like modern classics, Godzilla Minus One was one of the biggest surprises of 2023, and one of the best Godzilla movies of the past couple of decades. It takes things back further in time than any other movie in the long-running series, taking place right after World War II, following people who are already struggling with surviving the war’s aftermath when the titular monster emerges and makes life even more difficult.

All the monster action in Godzilla Minus One is exciting and satisfying, but it’s the human characters – and their story – that give it the edge overall, and make it function as a genuinely good drama on top of being a kaiju movie . It’s very approachable and a perfect entry point into the series, particularly for anyone who’s more familiar with the American Godzilla movies and has yet to watch any from Japan.

Godzilla Minus One

Godzilla Minus One is currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase in the U.S.

40 'Woman in the Moon' (1929)

Directed by fritz lang.

The most famous sci-fi movie directed by Fritz Lang came out before Woman in the Moon (more on it a little down the line), but this 1929 shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s his second-best science fiction film. It’s a remarkable cinematic achievement, considering it’s close to a century old, and remains an engaging film about an expedition to the moon – led by a scientist – in search of gold.

Now, given its age and premise, there are aspects here that feel more fictional than ever in a post-moon landing world , but considering Woman in the Moon predated humanity actually reaching the moon by 40 years, the sci-fi movie's predictions were still impressive . It’s also got inventive special effects and a surprisingly well-told and dramatic story, making it one of the best – and most underrated – films of the silent era, sci-fi or otherwise.

Watch on Kanopy

39 'Electric Dreams' (1984)

Directed by steve barron.

Perhaps feeling more like a quirky and heartfelt romantic comedy than a full-on science fiction movie, Electric Dreams does still center around an advanced computer that begins to fall for a young woman. The computer, in a sense, enters into a love triangle of sorts with the young man who purchased it, given the man also has feelings for the same woman, yet is too shy to approach her.

Electric Dreams then becomes like a sci-fi take on Cyrano de Bergerac , with the computer being Cyrano, helping a more conventional romantic partner while also having his own intense feelings of love toward a romance that can’t be. It might sound ridiculous, and Electric Dreams is kind of silly, but it’s also got a sincerity to it that makes it hard to resist . The cynical need not apply, but those open to the film’s odd charms might be it to be one of the more underrated sci-fi flicks of the ‘80s .

38 'Godzilla vs. Destoroyah' (1995)

Directed by takao okawara.

Throughout the remarkably long history of the Godzilla series , the titular monster has fought many other powerful and intimidating titans. For as mighty as foes like King Kong and King Ghidorah have been, there’s an argument to be made that his most powerful enemy wasn’t even a “King,” and that it was actually Destoroyah, a monster who’s only been featured in one Godzilla film to date: 1995’s Godzilla vs. Destoroyah .

Notable for being one of the most intense, frightening, and moving films in the entire series, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah serves as a grand finale for Godzilla ’s Heisei era, which comprised seven movies released between 1984 and 1995 that told a surprisingly continuity-heavy narrative spanning just over a decade. It might not be as powerful outside the context of the series/era, but it’s nevertheless one of the finest of all Godzilla films, and stands as a great work of science fiction as a result.

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

Rent on Amazon

37 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (2017)

Directed by rian johnson.

There are certainly things to criticize when it comes to the most recent Star Wars movies, largely owing to the messily constructed and planned-out sequel trilogy. Yet buried within this flawed trio of films is a genuinely great sci-fi movie that itself is divisive: Star Wars: The Last Jedi . This eighth entry in the Skywalker Saga has passionate fans and vocal detractors, but that seemed inevitable, given it was directed by the guy who was behind what some people call the worst Breaking Bad episode (“Fly”) and what many call the best Breaking Bad episode (“Ozymandias”).

Star Wars: The Last Jedi brings Luke Skywalker back into the fold, taking his character in interesting directions while ultimately having him live up to his legacy by the film’s end. Other aspects of the film seem odd or disappointing at first, but all of it comes together in an interesting way by the end . It reckons with the history of Star Wars , celebrates it, and critiques it all at once, and does so while also being tremendously moving, emotionally speaking, and spectacular, from a visual standpoint.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

36 'forbidden planet' (1956), directed by fred m. wilcox.

Of all the science fiction movies made during the 1950s, Forbidden Planet is undeniably up there with the most iconic. It follows a crew of space travelers who go in search of another exploration party that's been missing for years, only to make some unusual and startling discoveries during their attempted rescue/recovery mission.

It has an undeniably distinct aesthetic that's inextricably tied to the look and feel of classic '50s sci-fi. It's also notable for having what's perhaps Leslie Nielsen 's best-known non-comedic role, given his career was rejuvenated in the 1980s thanks to starring in a range of iconic parody/spoof movies . Some may find Forbidden Planet to be a little old-fashioned and maybe even slightly cheesy by today's standards , but it's the aesthetics on offer here that might also prove charming to others.

Forbidden Planet

35 'inception' (2010), directed by christopher nolan.

Inception certainly was a cinematic highlight of 2010 , and it had some pretty tough competition that year, too. It's Christopher Nolan blending his affinity for action and science fiction in one , and making this blend go down smoothly with an engaging premise that's about performing a reverse heist within a target's subconscious, making it function well as an action/thriller movie as well as a piece of science fiction.

It's a movie that throws tons of fairly complex ideas at the viewer in rapid succession, and so if there's one criticism that can be thrown Inception's way, it's that it's a little heavy on the exposition at times. But the action-packed scenes serve well as payoffs, and the narrative does find interesting and sometimes unexpected places to go beyond the explanatory dialogue-heavy opening act.

34 'Under the Skin' (2013)

Directed by jonathan glazer.

Those who prefer their sci-fi conventional may want to steer clear of Under the Skin , or approach it very cautiously, given it's another strange, haunting, and unapologetic film directed by Jonathan Glazer . It's essentially an arthouse take on a story about an alien coming to Earth, perhaps being for the 2010s what the equally bizarre and captivating The Man Who Fell to Earth was for the 1970s.

Scarlett Johansson plays the alien at the center of Under the Skin , and much of the movie is about this life form - after taking on a human appearance - stalking and capturing various men who become prey. It offers little by way of easy answers, and much of the film is up to the interpretation of the individual viewer , for better or worse (probably more better, so long as you know roughly what you're in for).

Under the Skin

Watch on Max

33 'Avatar' (2009)

Directed by james cameron.

James Cameron might've referred to himself as the king of the world after his 1997 film Titanic swept the Oscars, but it's perhaps more accurate to call him the king of the sci-fi genre. He's made some of the biggest and most popular works of science fiction in cinematic history, with none being as successful (at least financially) as his 2009 film Avatar . Indeed, Avatar joins Titanic and its own sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water , as a movie that can claim to be the highest-grossing of its decade of release .

It recycles familiar tropes and story beats, but does so in a fantastical world and with breathtaking visual effects. Typical of Cameron, Avatar is also successful in blending genres to ensure it has mass appeal , with this movie being a sci-fi film, an action/adventure movie, and a romance all at once.

32 'Planet of the Apes' (1968)

Directed by franklin j. schaffner.

For as good as the reboot/prequel trilogy released throughout the 2010s was, it's hard to top the original Planet of the Apes film from 1968, at least when judging each movie in the series on its own merits. It's an eerie and oftentimes mysterious film, building to a fantastic conclusion that might still surprise those lucky enough to avoid knowing about it without having seen the movie.

It flips things around by having human beings be the subservient species, and forced to contend with an advanced race of apes who do indeed rule the planet they're on. It's not nearly as cheesy as you'd think (the sequels don't fare quite so well), and holds up as a compelling and entertaining sci-fi/action movie with some interesting things to say about humanity and its possible future.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Watch on Starz

31 'District 9' (2009)

Directed by neill blomkamp.

Though some are clamoring for a sequel that will probably never arrive (never say never, unless you can cowardly include a "probably" in there), District 9 still stands on its own as a great film regardless. It's part mockumentary, part action movie, and part body horror, detailing what happens to an alien ship that becomes stranded over the city of Johannesburg.

It's also packed with social commentary regarding race and how refugees are mistreated in real life, considering in this movie, it's the aliens who find themselves in the middle of a large-scale refugee crisis. It's thought-provoking, unique, exciting, and one of the best science-fiction movies of the 21st century so far, as well as one movie that demonstrated how 2009 was an unusually good year for the sci-fi genre as a whole .

30 'Stalker' (1979)

Directed by andrei tarkovsky.

One of the most acclaimed films of 1979 , Stalker is also among the best-known titles in Andrei Tarkovsky 's filmography. It follows three men who are trying to find a mysterious location known only as the Zone, as it's rumored to grant great power to anyone who can locate it. Stalker feels less focused on the narrative necessarily, as its status as an arthouse science fiction movie means it's more concerned with exploring abstract themes and providing a unique (in this case, also eerie) mood.

It unfolds in a way that's very slow, but also surprisingly absorbing . It's an intensely psychological sort of science fiction, exploring the minds of its characters more so than putting them in a series of exciting set pieces or action scenes. It's the kind of approach to sci-fi that might not be for everyone, but it is undoubtedly interesting.

29 'Moon' (2009)

Directed by duncan jones.

One of many great science-fiction movies released in 2009, Moon is about one man dealing with isolation while being the sole person at a manufacturing facility on the Moon. Things take a turn into the unexpected as he's about to return to Earth, though, throwing the film's events into an entirely new direction.

The less said about the rest of Moon , the better, but it's fair to say that it's certainly engaging and surprising in all the best ways. It's also a showcase for the talents of Sam Rockwell , given he maintains a compelling presence on-screen, even though he doesn't really have any other actual actors to appear alongside, and act with, and Moon undoubtedly solidifies Rockwell as one of the best and most underrated actors working today.

28 'Ex Machina' (2014)

Directed by alex garland.

Before taking a turn into horror by directing movies like Annihilation and Men , Alex Garland had his directorial debut with the sci-fi film Ex Machina . It's a unique look at artificial intelligence, revolving around a series of experiments in a remote location with a new, unnervingly smart robot, the creator of said technology, and a young coder who's won a competition to visit said location.

It's an eerie and engaging look at familiar science-fiction tropes and ideas , presenting things that viewers might have seen before in ways that are confined, realistic, and eye-opening. It's small-scale, personal science-fiction done right, and though it's not particularly old, it feels like the kind of movie where it's safe to say it will age well, and continue to hold up in years to come.

27 'Minority Report' (2002)

Directed by steven spielberg.

Minority Report is set in a future where surveillance has become so widespread and powerful that the crime/justice landscape has completely changed. Violent crimes can now be predicted before they even happen, leading to people being arrested and charged for crimes they didn't actually commit, but were ultimately going to commit, or so those in the business of "Precrime" say.

It's an uneasy and thought-provoking premise, and was explored in a way that ensured Minority Report ranked among the best movies of 2002 . It's getting on in years, but what it has to say still feels relevant and unnerving, and time will ultimately tell how relevant it'll continue to feel, and how unsettling its premise will feel for viewers even further in the future. Undoubtedly, it's one of the very best sci-fi/thriller movies Steven Spielberg has ever directed.

Minority Report

26 'interstellar' (2014).

While Interstellar isn't Christopher Nolan's only great science-fiction movie, it might be his most pure sci-fi effort, given Inception ' s action-heavy nature and Tenet feeling like an espionage thriller with sci-fi elements. Interstellar 's also one of his longest movies, making it a true sci-fi epic in every sense of the word.

It centers on a group of astronauts who explore space through a wormhole, as humanity is in danger on Earth and may need to find a new planet to live on. On the technical side of things, Interstellar is spectacular, with amazing visual effects and a phenomenal Hans Zimmer score . It's a long but rewarding film, and in contrast to some science-fiction, also contains a surprising amount of heartfelt - maybe even sentimental - emotion.

Interstellar

Screen Rant

Jujutsu kaisen's new training arc reveals the genius of the series.

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Jujutsu Kaisen Could Reveal Yuji's Domain Expansion Soon, And It Would Make Perfect Sense

Jujutsu kaisen just showed why it’s the most revolutionary shonen of its generation, jujutsu kaisen's toji comes to life in cool new cosplay.

Warning: Contains spoilers for chapter #258 of Jujutsu Kaisen.

Jujutsu Kaisen 's approach to its training arc is unconventional as it is revealed in bits and pieces only on a need-to-know basis.
The series avoids traditional training arcs, with power-ups stemming more from practical experience than instruction.
Jujutsu Kaisen 's approach to power-ups and training arcs sets it apart from typical shōnen series.

Jujutsu Kaisen 's unconventional approach to its latest training arc proves exactly what sets it apart from other shōnen series and reveals the hidden genius of Gege Akutami's writing. Training arcs are an inescapable component of shōnen anime and manga as they play a crucial role in making a character's growth seem believable. However, training arcs can often be boring as they are inherently a means to an end. That said, Jujutsu Kaisen 's latest chapter proves it is possible to pull off a training arc while staying true to the series and still keeping things exciting.

Chapter #258 of Jujutsu Kaisen reveals yet another glimpse of the month-long training prior to the big battle against Sukuna. The chapter confirms that Yuji did indeed switch bodies with Kusakabe back in chapter #222 to learn how to use barrier techniques like a Simple Domain from Kusakabe. Not only is Yuji's method of training quite unconventional, but the method in which it was revealed proves just how extraordinary Jujutsu Kaisen 's training arc truly is.

The latest chapter confirms a running trend in the final battle wherein the series only reveals glimpses of its training arc as and when absolutely needed. As seen with Yuji's use of Blood Manipulation and the revelation of Sukuna's twin , the latest arc has taken a "show-don't-tell" approach, revealing crucial context and necessary flashbacks at the most opportune moments. This unique structure has worked entirely in the Jujutsu Kaisen 's favor and has allowed the series to maintain its exhilarating pace without its power-ups feeling forced.

Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #258 hints at what Yuji Itadori's domain expansion could be and it is surprising that fans didn't notice sooner.

Jujutsu Kaisen Has Kept Its Training Arc Compact

Created by gege akutami, chapter #258, " inhuman makyo shinjuku showdown, part 30 ".

The battle against Sukuna has been a roller-coaster of emotions with unexpected twists at every turn and Jujutsu Kaisen 's unique approach towards its training arc has helped the series cut straight to the chase. From Gojo being unsealed in chapter #221 to the beginning of Gojo's fight against Sukuna in chapter #223, the series wasted barely any time in giving fans exactly what they wanted, keeping even the few diversions from the present battle incredibly short. As such, the entirety of the battle at Shinjuku, which has spanned well over thirty chapters, has been packed to the brim with nothing but pure exciting action and fighting.

Showing the month-long training period preceding the battle surely would have been the typical route for any other shōnen series. However, training arcs can be quite tedious, and with a battle as exciting as the one between Gojo and Sukuna on hold, spending a handful of chapters trudging through the preparations and planning for the battle would have certainly killed the excitement the series had built up following Gojo's return from the Prison Realm.

Moreover, many of the battle's biggest twists, such as Yuji using Blood Manipulation and Yuta using Cleave, would not have been half as exciting had the series taken the traditional route. Hence, Jujutsu Kaise n's decision to show the training arc only in bits and pieces has also helped maintain the shock value of these big revelations. The compact structure of the training arc has also worked in Yuji's favor by depicting him as an exciting wild card that has turned the tide against Sukuna and reclaimed his rightful place as the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen .

Jujutsu Kaisen Doesn't Need a Training Arc to Justify its Power-Ups

Cursed energy isn't conducive to a traditional shōnen training arc.

Jujutsu Kaisen 's lack of a training arc actually makes sense given the established rules of sorcery and Cursed Energy within the series. One of the earliest established facts in the series is that sorcery isn't something one can improve at through rigorous training. Rather, it is through near-death experiences, setbacks, and grueling battles that sorcerers grow, develop their abilities, and undergo drastic transformations.

This fact has been proven time and time again through various battles in the series, such as Megumi's battle against the finger bearer wherein he first opened his domain, and Yuji's battle against Hanami where he performed his first Black Flash. Practical experience has always been more fruitful in helping a sorcerer grow, and thus, Jujutsu Kaisen has never truly had the need for a training arc . Yuji's seemingly unconventional training with Kusakabe also takes the same practical approach by having Yuji experience using these barrier techniques first-hand as opposed to instructing him verbally.

Jujutsu Kaisen's Power-Ups Are Justifiable Even Without a Training Arc

Gege akutami's unique storytelling forces fans to read between the lines.

While Jujutsu Kaisen is selective about how much it reveals of its training arc, every one of the power-ups seen thus far in the battle against Sukuna has been justifiable and set up through little hints scattered across chapters. An excellent example is the revelation of Yuta's ability to use Sukuna's Cleave , which was set up back in chapter #222 where Sukuna speculated that his final finger was likely in Gojo's possession.

Another genius instance of foreshadowing is seen in chapter #247 where Sukuna is hit by a piercing blood attack by someone off-screen, which hinted at Yuji having acquired Blood Manipulation, as Choso was nowhere in the vicinity. As such, even Jujutsu Kaisen 's most unexpected power-ups are secretly set up and are quite obvious to those who read between the lines and pay attention to the little details. Thus, the few glimpses of the training arc only serve to confirm these suspicions as opposed to justifying the series' power-ups.

Overall, though Jujutsu Kaisen 's final battle hasn't been completely free of criticism, the latest chapters have proven that the series is still capable of defying expectations. Jujutsu Kaisen has never been afraid to go against the tide and this has helped set the series apart from the homogenous sea of shōnen manga. Say what one may about Gege Akutami's writing, Jujutsu Kaisen 's unique take on the stereotypical shōnen training arc is a wonderful reminder of what made the series so popular and rekindles excitement for the series' epic finale.

Jujutsu Kaisen is available from Manga Plus and Viz Media.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is a supernatural action anime that follows high school student Yuuji Itadori as he battles against magical curses. After Yuji selflessly saves a classmate by taking a curse into his own body, he is discovered and trained by a powerful sorcerer named Satoru Gojo. Gojo, who also happens to be a faculty member at a high school, enrolls Yuji there to help him and other students prepare themselves against the supernatural forces that plague humanity.

DC’s First Movie Ever Featured Superman In His Purest Form

Superman and the Mole Men might not be what we expect from a Superman movie these days, but it set the precedent for his character.

Superman and the Mole Men marks the debut of George Reeves as Clark Kent/Superman, setting the standard for the iconic character.
The film serves as a metaphorical morality tale about tolerance and paranoia during the Red Scare era, reflecting societal fears.
Despite its low budget and cheesy elements, the film focuses on the core principles of heroism, making a lasting impact on Superman's legacy.

In November 1951, the very first DC Comics movie made its debut in theaters, with far less fanfare than today's movie fans might expect. Superman and the Mole Men was a low-budget, black-and-white feature that has been largely forgotten among today's CGI superhero epics. The film, however, is notable for featuring the first appearance of George Reeves in the role of Clark Kent/Superman , and a story that captures the essence of the Man of Steel better than any film that followed.

The plot involves Clark Kent and Lois Lane ( played by Phyllis Coates ) traveling to a small town to cover the construction of the deepest oil well ever. The drill, however, has pierced the underground lair of The Mole Men, a diminutive race of creatures that climb up the well to the surface and inadvertently kill a man. The townspeople form an angry mob to hunt down and kill the Mole Men, and it's up to Superman to save the day.

Superman's Journey from Comic Book to the Big Screen

Technically, Superman and the Mole Men wasn't the character's first appearance on the silver screen. In response to the popularity of the comic book that had premiered just a decade earlier, Columbia Pictures released two multi-chapter serials, Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950), with actor Kirk Alyn in the lead role. While the serials were box office hits, Hollywood considered comic book heroes strictly pre-feature entertainment. The movie wasn't actually an attempt to change that thinking, as the film producers were instead hoping to score big on television.

Producers Whitney Ellsworth, Robert J. Maxwell, and Bernard Luber made the film independently as a "back-door pilot" to generate interest from possible sponsors for a Superman TV series. Maxwell was a writer and producer on the Superman radio series and believed the popularity of the Columbia serials proved the character could find an audience on television. The pilot was released in theaters to help recoup production costs and was a surprise hit.

The independent film was produced on a miniscule budget, with some reports saying it was as little as $50,000, well below the 1948 serial's reported $350,000 budget. To cut costs, the film was shot in black and white on the RKO backlot, on the same set later used for the town of Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show and some episodes of the original Star Trek . To avoid costly special effects, Reeves doesn't actually appear as Superman until nearly halfway into the hour-long film, and the flying effects are kept to a minimum.

George Reeves: The Perfect Superman

Actor Kirk Alyn, who portrayed Superman/Clark Kent in the two Columbia serials, was set to portray the character once more in the film but asked for too much money. With a bare-bones budget, producers went looking for a cheaper option and found actor George Reeves, who at the time was best known for a small role in Gone With the Wind as a Southern gentleman who tries to woo Scarlett O'Hara.

In 1951, Reeves was a 37-year-old actor struggling to find substantial roles. He found the role of a lifetime as Superman, bringing a jovial quality to the character and projecting strength with timeless authenticity. Reeves' approach was not unlike the portrayal seen in the Fleischer Superman cartoons of the early 1940s, where the character was an affable personality whose sly, wink-at-the-camera comments reminded the viewer that we were all in on his secret.

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To this day, Reeves still defines how many view Superman. Even when modern takes on the character are darker and more mature. While actors Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill have gifted fans their own iconic versions of the Man of Steel, George Reeves stands apart as the quintessential Superman . His legacy will always carry a shadow, however, with the reality that the role he embraced eventually limited his career, and led to his death in 1959 by a reported suicide.

A Superhero Morality Tale

While the low budget and hour-long running time undermined the overall quality of the film, the story itself was an effective morality tale not unlike many of the Superman comic stories of the era. This is likely thanks to Whitney "Whit" Ellsworth, the editorial director at DC Comics who oversaw the Batman and Superman comic books for the publisher. Ellsworth was also DC's contact who handled all of their Hollywood productions, and he co-wrote the Mole Men script with producer Robert Maxwell. He brought a deep understanding of the character and a relatable story that reflected the times.

Despite the cheesiness of the film's B-movie subject matter, at the heart of the film lies a cautionary tale about paranoia and the need for tolerance. When the Mole Men first emerge from the earth, the local townspeople form an armed mob to hunt them down, believing they are murderous creatures. Not even Superman can reason with them, demanding that they lay down their guns and "stop acting like Nazi stormtroopers." The mob responds by opening fire on him, leading to a satisfying scene in which Superman tells them they can no longer be trusted with guns, and he manhandles them out of their hands.

The Red Scare was in full swing in 1951, and the film's warnings against paranoia and mob mentality are clearly inspired by the political situation of the time. It's also a reflection of the earliest Superman stories, which were more personal and relatable. There were supervillains and global threats to be sure, but the classic Superman was at his best as a champion of the little guy, involving himself in local crime over epic battles with the fate of the world in the balance. That was the hero America fell in love with in 1938.

From the very start, the purest form of Superman's heroics was personal. In Action Comics #1, Kal-El wasn't battling evil Kryptonians or Lex Luthor (he wouldn't come along until 1940). He was fighting to exonerate a woman on death row, exposing a corrupt senator, and bringing an abusive husband to justice. In issue #3, he confronts the owner of a mine endangering the lives of his workers. In issue #12, Clark's friend is killed by a reckless driver, leading Superman to declare war on dangerous drivers, promising that they will all answer to him.

Creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster described Superman as a “Champion of the Oppressed.” That resonated with Americans in 1938, as the nation emerged from the Great Depression. By 1951, he had become the embodiment of America's postwar values: "Truth, Justice, and the American Way." Whit Ellsworth carries those themes here but with a bit of a twist. The Mole Men are the oppressed, and the enemy are overzealous people motivated by fear, ignorance, and violence. It's surprisingly insightful for a 1950s kid's movie.

Superman and the Mole Men's Legacy

Superman and the Mole Men will never rank among the best Superman films ever, but fans of the character could not ask for a better depiction of the early era of The Man of Steel. Rather than focus on his powers and abilities or a conflict with a popular DC Comics supervillain , the film instead focuses on principles. It is a story about the qualities that make a hero, rather than the trials and tribulations that a hero endures. The choice to tell that story may have been motivated by a lack of money, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, thanks to a breakthrough performance by George Reeves.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of Reeves taking up the mantle of Superman , and what it meant for the genre and pop culture in general. His influence is still felt today. The late DC Comics artist and writer Darwyn Cooke oversaw a number of highly successful Superman comics and stories in the 1990s and 2000s, featuring a classic style influenced by Reeves and the comics of the era.

The producers' plans to use the film as a pilot for a TV show succeeded. Kellogg's signed on as a sponsor after seeing the film, and The Adventures of Superman series became a cultural phenomenon. The superhero TV and movie genres that we enjoy today were made possible by the success of Reeves and the series. The low-budget, nearly-forgotten film that started it all not only deserves more credit, it deserves more appreciation for giving us a Superman worth looking up to.

A public domain version of Superman and the Mole Men is currently available to stream on the Dark Matter TV streaming app , available on platforms including Roku.

Cast & crew

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