Confessions of a Superhero (2007)
By Stewart Grinton • Feb 18th, 2008 • Category: Shameful ShortiesRed Envelope Entertainment / 1.78:1 widescreen / 92 minutes
A charming and well-told documentary about the superheroes that pose for tourist photos on Hollywood Boulevard… for tips. Each has a poignant back-story that at times is sweet but always falls in striking distance of melancholy. It’s amazing the little dramas that constantly take place in people’s lives that seem worthy of their own movie. Though bordering on exploitative, CONFESSIONS is a window into the existence of fanaticism, love and desperation on the star-studded sidewalks of Hollywood.
SUPERMAN: Christopher Dennis has portrayed Superman since 1991 relying on his remarkable likeness to the late Christopher Reeve. While he only does hero work in his free time, Dennis’ passion for the Man of Steel is evident in the self described $1 million collection of memorabilia in the small apartment he keeps with girlfriend Bonnie.
BATMAN: Maxwell Allen is the high-strung persona behind the Caped Crusader on the streets of Hollyweird. Allen’s questionable past and anger management issues plague the Dark Knight’s friendly image. Considered an undesirable in the eyes of the LAPD, more than once he’s taken downtown for “aggressive panhandling.”
WONDER WOMAN: Jennifer Gerht lassos cash in front of Mann’s Chinese Theatre whenever she isn’t auditioning for commercials. Fresh from a quickie Las Vegas marriage she struggles to balance Tinsel Town dreams with her Tennessee farm girl upbringing.
THE HULK: Joseph McQueen sometimes blacks out inside his Hulk costume, baking in the 130 degrees of a foam and latex mask. The once homeless Jo has come a long way from his home in North Carolina but the road is even longer on the way to movie stardom.
SUPER DVD: Lots of extras including additional scenes, Chris Dennis commentary, HDNET interview, radio interview, trailer and stills gallery (excellent photos throughout!). This is yet another documentary I’ve seen recently that I’ve come away saying, “I wish I made that” (my ultimate compliment for any film really).
Yet another 4 stars: Shamefully Choice!
Stewart Grinton is a video producer for a state agency and balances such wholesomeness by freelance editing all manner of sleaze locally. Last year he collaborated on THE FOUR CHILDREN OF TANDER WELCH, for which he was DP and Editor.
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