Confessions of a Superhero poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Christopher Lloyd Dennis, Joe McQueen, Jennifer Gehrt, Maximus "Batman" Allen, Leron Gubler ... see more see more... , Johnny Grant , Stan Lee , Margot Kidder

Four mere mortals adapt the personas of their favorite superhero characters, and filmmaker Matt Ogens chronicles the lives and ambitions of this curious quartet in a documentary that explores the allu... read more read more...re of fame on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. Being a superhero isn't as easy as it appears in the flickering light of a darkened theater, but sometimes on the Walk of Fame it feels that anything is possible. Joe McQueen's journey began when he sold his Super Nintendo for a bus ticket to Hollywood and assumed the identity of The Incredible Hulk. Meanwhile, much like the character of Bruce Wayne, Maxwell Allen struggles with anger issues while assuming the guise of Gotham crime-fighter Batman. Now far from her former days as a Midwest beauty queen, Jennifer Gehrt walks the city streets dressed as whip-wielding do-gooder Wonder Woman. Some days, it seems that Christopher Dennis' every thought is consumed by how the character of Superman, whose cape he dons on a daily basis, would react to the chaos of Tinseltown. From mere fascination to all-consuming obsession, each one of these everyday superheroes are forced balance their own identities with the personas of the characters they portray as they struggle to achieve fame in a town where heroes are cheap, and stars come priced at a dime a dozen. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

2,822 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

12 critics

R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Matthew Ogens

Release Date: November 2, 2007

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: January 22, 2008

Stats: 485 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (485)

  • blkbomb
    July 26, 2011
    blkbomb
    "We do work for tips"

    I really didn't expect to like Confessions of a Superhero but the question of why anyone would want to dress up like a superhero and walk around a street really sucked me in. The film looks at four specific people. The characters they portray are Superman, ... read moreBatman, The Hulk and Wonderwoman. All of them came to LA in order to try to be successful actors. None of them have quite made it, so they continue to walk the Boulevard, taking pictures with tourist for little to no money.

    The film is interesting, sad and funny. Each person has their own unique backstory which really make for an interesting documentary. The most interesting backstory is that of Superman. He claims to be the son of Sandy Dennis; a famous actress who won an Oscar for her supporting role in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." The controversy is that Sandy never told her family she had a son and the Dennis family claims he's not Sandy's son. Batman also has a unique story that is hard to believe, but hey you never know. He claims to be somewhat of a "gangster." Sort of in the area of The Godfather. The Hulks and Wonderwoman's backstories aren't quite as interesting, but they are the likable ones. Superman and Batman just came off as complete freaks. The Hulks story is pretty sad and Wonderwoman's story is pretty generic; young girl wants to be actress, so she moves to LA.

    When the movie is funny, it's also a little sad too. Most of the time it's funny when Superman is onscreen. This guy is completely immersed in Superman and it's a little sickening. Overall it's a very entertaining documentary. The hour and a half flew by and I was actually surprised when the credits started to roll. It felt like I just started watching.
  • Stinger839
    August 10, 2010
    Stinger839
    It's just astounding. I really have no more to say. I live for documentaries that select intriguing people in situations so absurd that they could only be real. This is one such film.
  • superclerk25
    May 13, 2009
    superclerk25
    A really good look into the lives of the people just trying to make it in the movie business from the lower levels.
    The film is really well made and the colors are great. I like the differences of the people they focus on. I was a little suprised that I found myself liking ... read moreWonder Woman and the Hulk more than Superman and Batman.
    There were a couple of parts for Superman and Batman that I thought were a little awkward and embarrassing to watch. I think both of them have a few issues that need to be worked out.
    I'll point out this flick the next time my wife says I have a Superman collecting problem.
  • Godless
    November 23, 2008
    Godless
    This documentary shows what you would expect the life of these people to be. While its semi interesting I wish they went more in depth with the individual people.
  • sanjurosamurai
    April 1, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    this is an exceptional documentary. its astounding that one film can hit on so many themes so well without feeling confused or incoherent. the film details super hero fandom, the grind of the film industry, human pain and suffering, anger, dillusion, the nature of publicity, sh... read moreort sighted fame, and the search for the american dream. i was sad when the film ended because i realized that the people chronicled were searching for something that they believed would fill a hole in their hearts, and it seems they were looking in the wrong places. really a wonderful film.
  • dhetteix
    March 18, 2008
    dhetteix
    A beautifully made, well-executed, occasionally heart-wrenching, oftentimes awkward story about a group of people you'd never give a second notice.

    Well, they definitely deserve that second notice, and this documentary manages to coax out of an amazingly difficult and odd subjec... read moret a thoroughly captivating and honest story.
  • xas5
    May 18, 2011
    xas5
    An in-depth look into the psychosis of four individuals that have chosen to be superhero attractions on Hollywood Boulevard. There is an emotional quality, character study to this film that is unmatched by any documentary before it.
  • adfill7
    January 10, 2009
    adfill7
    The documentary Confessions of a Superhero is a mediocre film at best, and at times it often feels forced and fake. But it was entertaining nonetheless, and I was particularly intrigued with Wonder Woman's story.
  • EnigmaticHallucination
    April 14, 2009
    EnigmaticHallucination
    It's about a bunch of people that monologue about their lives trying to earn money walking up and down a street dressed as comic heroes. You see their lives and their drama and I guess it's suppose to get you emotionally invested but honestly I can't see anyone really needing to ... read moresee this movie. Listening to people complain about their lives is what friends and family are for.
  • KLFilmmaker
    September 22, 2008
    KLFilmmaker
    Worth a watch. Wonder-Woman is beautiful.

View All Confessions of a Superhero Reviews

Critic Reviews

Frank Scheck
November 20, 2007
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

A detailed portrait of these societal eccentrics, which, while not neglecting their obvious personal problems, is clearly sympathetic.

Matt Zoller Seitz
November 4, 2007
Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times

The empathetic tone draws you in and some of the details are devastating. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
November 2, 2007
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

You've just found one of this week's hidden treasures. Full Review

Peter Debruge
November 1, 2007
Peter Debruge, Variety

Ogens ventures beyond sideshow condescension, striking a tone that ought to entice specialty auds. Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
November 1, 2007
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

In its own inimitably strange way, Confessions of a Superhero is an inspirational tale. Full Review

Robert Wilonsky
October 30, 2007
Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice

...what could have been a condescending descent into bottom-feeding turns into a loving, often heartbreaking portrait of decent people trying to scrape by. Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
January 29, 2008
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

Very interesting look into people i didn't even know existed Full Review

Cynthia Fuchs
January 17, 2008
Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters

In Hollywood, accommodating expectations%u2014looking the part%u2014is a first step. Toward what? That's a question the provocative, respectful, and enthralling Confessions leaves open. Full Review

Brian Orndorf
November 30, 2007
Brian Orndorf, eFilmCritic.com

A mesmerizing, revealing look at Hollywood's bottom layer, as well as an assertive snapshot of desperation...one of the best documentaries I've seen this year. Full Review

Annlee Ellingson
November 16, 2007
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine

Both touching and amusing, these four embody the spirit of Hollywood, "a place where dreams are made and dreams are broken." Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • American Movie
    American Movie (100%)
  • The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
    The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (100%)
  • Spider-Plant Man
    Spider-Plant Man (0%)

More Movies like Confessions of a Superhero

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Confessions of a ... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Confessions of a Superhero to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Confessions of a Superhero News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?