It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

hyped garbage

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

I rented this doc after reading about it on the blog of a former Hollywood Blvd "character" (you can catch a glimpse of her as "Fiona," the princess from "Shrek," early in the film). This woman made life on the strip sound bizarre, fun, surreal, heartbreaking, beautiful, life-changing, dramatic...and this film backed up her claims. Most of us, as tourists, don't give a second thought to the costumed characters who pose for photos in the hope of getting tips, but once you see this film, that will change.As the other reviews indicate, the main thrust of the story here centres around four of the most popular characters that haunt the Mann: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Hulk. Among the many things I wasn't expecting was how well these four performers seem to know each other; I guess I hadn't thought about how much bonding goes on when you're braving the crowds of tourists for several hours a day. It's interesting to see the filmmaker allow each performer to opine about the others, in addition to providing their own backstory and their reasons for how and why they ended up in a superhero costume.The film is funny, touching, sad and eye-opening. I can't think of any demographic who wouldn't find these people and their lives - so different from what most of us know! - interesting to watch. The fact that the viewer gets emotionally invested in these characters' stories is a testament not only to the film but to the people themselves.There are also some genuine surprises about the off-the-street lives of the four players, ranging from Superman's story about his movie star mom to the sordid pasts (violence, drug use, marital trouble, homelessness and more) they're all trying to escape. It's equal parts tragic and hopeful.If you enjoyed this one, the same blog source who alerted me to its existence also recommended two others: "The Reinactors" (dir. David Markey), and "The Ambassadors Of Hollywood" (dir. Archie Gips & Matthew Hunt). Both apparently feature more of the Superman we met in "Confessions..." and also revisit the others, as well as introducing us to a few (like Jack Sparrow, Chewbacca and Elmo) of whom we only caught a glimpse this time around. I'm keeping an eye out for both documentaries, as "Confessions..." was decidedly compelling enough to make me want to know more about the folks behind the masks. See it for yourself and I suspect you'll agree.

I've seen plenty, though certainly not the majority, of documentaries, and I must say Confessions of a Superhero is one of the most widely original to date. What other director tackles not just superheroes, but panhandlers posed as fantasy characters hanging around for a few bucks for a picture with tourists?Now, a premise can't sustain an entire feature, so luckily, Director Ogens kept up the decent pacing with the backgrounds, decent and sometimes laugh out loud dialogue and earnest people trying to make a living. In addition, the focus, the instrumental music and freeze frames were all effective and moved the "drama" through to the end. Ogens truly made you care if these people succeed or not.Though there are other characters out there, including Marilyn Monroe, Ghost Rider and a few Star Wars & Sesame Street tributes, the movie focuses on four main panhandlers: Superman (Dennis), Batman (Allen), Wonder Woman (Wenger) and The Hulk (McQueen.) I do hate using that word: panhandlers, even though that's how they categorized themselves. After watching this, I side with "Performers" or even "Street Performers." None of them are homeless, each have somewhat of a family – aside from Hulk, unfortunately for him and each make even more than me at times.During this well laid out journey, we get interviews with the subjects, of course, but a lot of their families and videos of their youths or adulthood, such as a marriage trip to Las Vegas. My personal favorite was a trip made to Metropolis, Illinois and that – sorry, spoiler – is basically the climax. Personally, I was wrapped up in the film, but I was thoroughly looking forward to that because, well…I've been there!Picture it: Tuesday, October 3, 1995 (I only remember the exact day, because it was the day of the first OJ Simpson verdict) East Peoria, Ill, me and my friend were visiting, and scouting out if we were going to move to Illinois, and we were getting ready to make the journey down south to the very, VERY southern tip of Illinois. We left the hotel late – again, everyone was in the lobby watching the verdict on the tele, but way unbeknownst to me how far this journey south would be, not to mention I got lost once.We didn't make it to Metropolis until late, like 6 or 7PM, it ended up as a 6 hour drive with the (Certainly no MapQuest/GPS in those days for normal folk) getting lost stint. Unfortunately, everything was pretty much closed. So we just wandered the town for a bit, I took plenty of pics with my cheap camera. Since this is my only, hopefully not forever, trip there since (15 years) I wish I had a better camera. And then we simply went back to the hotel in Peoria, Ill.Sorry to get off track, these are just as much as my blogs/journals as they are my reviews.Anyways…so Supe and his wife make it there following The ULTIMATE Superman, Christopher Reeve just passed on. There, they meet Margot Kidder – my #1 Lois Lane, and a few big surprises happen.Back to the LA streets, namely in front of Mann's Chinese Theatre, you'll dive into Wenger's story of yearning to be in the entertainment industry, or just plain acting. There's really no reason she shouldn't be; she's gorgeous and not only can she perform well – speaking mainly from her auditions, she can certainly act circles around a lot of the actresses I see in movies today, namely Kristen Stewart in Twilight.Also there's the "black" Hulk, or black under, McQueen who was homeless and worked his way up high enough to get the Hulk's job on the street. I only bring up black, because he does a few times.Finally the real stars of this documentary on these performer's journey for tips from tourists: Allen's Batman and Dennis's Superman. I'll begin with Allen. Seriously – this man was Batman, in and out. He's a martial artist, he's thoroughly angry and before they mentioned it in the movie, I noticed his uncanny resemblances to George Clooney – Movie Batman #3. This is his unfortunate downfall, as he didn't plan on donning a costume to spread his cape around strangers; he truly came to Hollywood to be an actor, only no one will hire a look-alike.Luckily, he has his wife and his anger to fall back on. But, he gets along with his rock, Dennis, who took him in and keeps him on solid ground, so to speak.And finally, Dennis…Say what you will, but damn! This guy looked so incredibly close to the late Reeve – the thin one. Like there's a Fat & Skinny Elvis, Reeve also had those phases. To boot, he's a huge Superman Fan – SO AM I, btw – and he's got his place covered, wall to wall with collectables. In addition, he takes his time thoroughly preparing for the street roll. He must use half a can of hairspray on that Superman Curl. All that, and he's got the lingo, the morals (out, when he's performing, that is) and dialogue down pat.I envy this guy. If I had half the balls as this guy's, I'd be out there too, all dressed up. Unfortunately for me, I'd be so caught up in character, literally trying to jump and fly, I'd forget I was there for tips.Ah-hem…anyways, this movie was very good. It's deep, but not too deep and just perfect for the subject matter. Sure, some of the drama was reached for, but it's forgivable since it wasn't over-the-top like the dumbass reality shows on TV. So…it's no "MTV's Real World: DC Universe."

I wanted to know why this had such high praise and after watching it online just now I am still wondering that. Some of the positive include a unique subject matter, sort of interesting profiles, and a good budget that showed with the quality of production.I still couldn't help but feel like this might have been better served as a short film, as opposed to it's feature length.The lives our "superheroes" live are sad, and while some aspects are interesting I didn't find them endearing or terribly entertaining. They were also not particularly inspiring, like the director might have intended them to be. I found myself looking at the clock waiting for it to end.While I appreciate the effort I think this runs flat and would have enjoyed a more complex theme attached to the story.If you enjoy documentaries and want something different keep looking. Between Amazon, Snagfilms, Hulu.com, and Netflix you will be able to find much better documentaries that profile the stranger side of life. Would have been much better served as a short film.6 out of 10

Confessions of a Superhero, directed by Matt Ogens, documents four celebrity or, in this case, comic-book character, impersonators, who work everyday on Hollywood Boulevard, in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, meeting tourists and taking pictures with them. Interpolated with amazing stills, the documentary is well put together and really shows the depressing struggle for famedom.The characters go out everyday, hoping to make ends meet by accepting tips in exchange for taking pictures with tourists; and, at the same time, work constantly, striving for a breakthrough in the film industry. All of the characters seem to have a certain sense of humor with regards to themselves and their careers--or lack thereof. And yet they are still driven, and find import in what they do on a daily basis. The film chronicles the daily activities of these four characters; we see them getting dressed to hit the boulevard, visiting their therapists and in their personal relationships. We see that the real heroes are not really the costumes at all--but the people inside. Following is those people inside the costumes.Superman, played by Christopher Lloyd Dennis, is the veteran of the group. Doing this for over thirteen years, he's respected by many of the character actors, the locals, and apparently the authorities (he's never had a complaint, to date). Throughout the film, he forces me to like him: he's very warm-hearted, seemingly selfless and humble. We see him propose to his current wife (obviously, she says "yes") and she's so in love with him and charmed by him, the viewer can't help but fall in love as well. Dennis will admit himself that he's obsessed with Superman--he's got a collection any fanboy would drool over (he boasts spending over $90,000). He drinks out of the milk carton and always has a cigarette in his mouth--unless he's working, or in costume out of his house. What kind of message would that send? Sure, Dennis has a few quarks, but so did Clark Kent (of which he reminds me a great deal). But if anyone's gonna portray Superman, and put that costume on, I'd like to think it'd be Christopher Lloyd Dennis.Wonder Woman, played by Jennifer Gehrt, is the token prom queen from the country. She grew up in middle America, was miss... well, everything, in high school; and probably should have married the popular high school jock and settled down, only to play housewife and pop out kids for the rest of her life, never realizing her true dreams and desires. But instead, she suddenly decides to hop on a plane--with the help of her optimistic mother--and get the hell to Los Angeles. Now she's mostly-happy, recently divorced and hopefully energetic about the future. Sure, she holds her belt up with paperclips and says things like "a doctor may save your life, but will you remember him?" but all-in-all, she's a likable character, who has a lot of fun with her character and is driven to succeed. I wish her the best of luck and by the way, I'd be her Wonder Man any day.Batman, played by Maxwell Allen, opens up quite a bit during the documentary. He shares with us what he shares with his psychiatrist (in costume of course): his violent past. Part curiously creepy and part wishful thinking, Allen's death dealings may all be a kind of fiction; but that makes him all the more intriguing. Why choose Batman? Well, the man looks a great deal like George Clooney--in fact, he was actually a stand-in for him in Batman Forever. Apparently a black belt in several Karate styles--though, you can't tell in the film--Allen's somewhat of a dangerous guy. A quick Google search will prove, at least in part, his shady dealings on the Boulevard. He's heckled many tourists and never hesitates to remind them that he "works for tips!" But despite his many faults, he really does look like Batman. And that's really all that matters--just make sure you tip him, damnit! The Incredible Hulk, played by Joe McQueen, sold his Super Nintendo so he could afford to catch a train out to L.A.; only to arrive just after the Rodney King riots. He played it smart and headed for the Hollywood Hills, he says, thus living a homeless existence for quite a number of years. In the film, McQueen goes back to his sleeping spot and reminisces briefly about being homeless for several years. He really is the kind of guy who's been knocked down so many times, he has no where else to go but back up. And he'll fight for it, until he makes it. The Hulk and I shared a few words the night prior to the opening and what really touched me about his character was what happened after the film. I walked up to shake both his and Superman's hand, and as I shook his hand I reminded him of our meeting. With tears in his eyes, he nodded his head, assuring me he remembered me and thanking me profusely for attending the screening. That sort of genuine humanity should be the earmark of what makes a person successful. Unfortunately, Hollywood may not be ready for someone that real.A lot of people say these guys are nothing more than "costumed panhandlers." I agree with the first part: they are costumed. Costumed superheros.