Monthly Archives: May 2023

Warner Bros. Releases the Official Trailer for “Meg 2: The Trench”

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I had a blast with 2018’s “The Meg”. It was silly and over-the-top which is a big reason it was so much fun. It also made over $530 million at the box office so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we are getting a sequel. It took a while but it’s finally on the way. To get us ready Warner Bros. Pictures has released its first trailer. And wouldn’t you know it they’re taking the silliness to a whole new level. That’s a good thing and exactly what I was hoping for.

The sequel is directed by Ben Wheatley whose last film was the terrific horror thriller “In the Earth”. Jason Statham returns as rescue diver Jonas Taylor, our Meg-battling hero from the first film. While the plot isn’t fully revealed, it’s clear that Jonas and several other returning characters are facing bigger and hungrier threats. The glimpses of bonkers action we get from the trailer are hysterical and this looks like the perfect movie to see in a theater with an energetic crowd. I know I’ll be there.

“Meg 2: The Trench” roars into theaters August 4th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Movie Poster Spotlight: “Meg 2: The Trench”

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Amid all the bigger and more high-profile summer blockbusters there’s one little fish that isn’t getting much press. “Meg 2: The Trench” is the follow to the wacky but rip-roaring 2018 shark thriller “The Meg”. In that film a group of scientists in a research facility built on the ocean floor encounter a 75-foot-long megalodon shark. Not much has been said about the sequel’s plot, but we do know Jason Statham is returning in the lead role. Granted, despite its first film earning over $530 million, “Meg 2” is considerably smaller compared to the more talked about movies on the summer roadmap. But I had fun with the first film, and I really like the playful vibe of the new posters just released from Warner Bros. Pictures. Check them out.

DIRECTOR – Ben Wheatley

WRITER – Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Dean Georgaris

STARRING – Jason Statham, Sienna Guillory, Cliff Curtis, Shuya Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, Skyler Samuels, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Wu Jing

RELEASE – August 4, 2023

Second Trailer Released for Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”

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This is how you do a trailer! Universal Pictures has released their latest look at Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated next film, “Oppenheimer” and it looks amazing. Within its three minutes we’re teased with much of what has made Nolan such a revered filmmaker. And again check out the cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Matthew Modine, Benny Safdie, Kenneth Branagh, Gary Oldman, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Alden Ehrenreich, James D’Arcy, and more. Wow!

“Oppenheimer” is Nolan’s first swing at doing a biopic, but you can be assured that he won’t be beholden to any formula. He tells the story of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Murphy) who is often credited as the “father of the atomic bomb”. Nolan takes a deep dive into the Manhattan Project, showing how the key players, led by Oppenheimer, came together to create the first ever atomic bomb. It looks and sounds absolutely riveting and I can’t wait to see what Nolan has in store for us both narratively and visually.

“Oppenheimer” hits theaters July 21st. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

REVIEW: “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”

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James Gunn’s highly promoted exit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is here in the form of the much anticipated “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”. This ragtag crew of MCU misfits burst onto the cinematic scene in 2014 and were a big hit. A 2017 sequel was an even bigger box office smash. Now we get Volume 3 which is the 32nd movie in the MCU. Pretty much all the familiar faces return and a couple of new ones make their debuts. But most of the chatter has been about writer-director James Gunn who is off to run the rebooted DC Studios immediately following this film.

I’ve generally liked the previous two “Guardians” movies but admittedly they’re not among my favorites from the Marvel stock. Both leaned heavily on the comedic chemistry of their ensemble cast and on Gunn’s goofy irreverent style. “Guardians 3” leans even harder on both although not with the greatest results. It plays like an obvious wrap party with Gunn throwing everything that came to mind at the screen without a hint of subtlety or restraint. There’s some fun stuff packed in it. But it’s also loud, overstuffed, frustratingly manipulative, and not nearly as funny as its predecessors.

Up to this point we know what to expect from a James Gunn superhero movie – countless needle drops, zany humor, proudly off-beat action, and (when it lands) some unexpected heart. Unfortunately nearly everything in Volume 3 feels obligatory. So much of the dialogue seems right off the page rather than organic and natural. There’s also a surprising amount of rehashed exposition. And then there’s the incessant yelling. Good guys, bad guys, no-names – everyone yells in this thing, often needlessly and constantly. It would be funny if it wasn’t so annoying.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Studios

But the biggest disappointment is in Gunn’s lazy plays on his audience’s emotions. He spoon-feeds us one emotional cue after another, often accompanying them with huge musical swells and syrupy lines too on-the-nose to feel genuine. Worst of all is his cheap over-reliance on animal abuse. To be clear, I’m not with those who have taken aim at the movie for simply depicting animal cruelty. If it’s key to the story a creator shouldn’t shy away from it. But when it’s used solely to yank our heartstrings over and over again then it becomes a problem. Gunn knows it’s an easy target to hit and he constantly goes back to it.

I will give it this, “Guardians 3” tells a more self-contained story which is nice considering the tepid state of the MCU. The whole gang is back: Peter (Chris Pratt), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Kraglin (Sean Gunn), and Cosmo (voiced by Maria Bakalova). Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) is still around (or the variant of her is), having ditched the Guardians and taken up with the Ravagers, a band of space pirates led by Sly Stallone.

While putting the finishing touches on their new headquarters the Guardians are suddenly attacked by a powerful being named Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). They eventually neutralize the threat but not before Rocket is seriously injured. Our heroes rush to his aid but quickly learn they can’t tend to their anthropomorphic friend’s wounds because of a killswitch they discover embedded within him. So Peter and the gang race against the clock to track down an override code before Rocket dies. Action, adventure, and LOTS of yelling ensues.

Woven throughout it all is Rocket’s backstory where we see him and number of other earth animals (why just our planet?) abused, tortured, and even incinerated. In these scenes Rocket befriends three other anthropomorphic captives (voiced by Linda Cardellini, Asim Chaudhry, and Mikaela Hoover). Unfortunately it’s easy to pick up on their purpose which makes these already drawn-out flashbacks hard to sit through.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Studios

One area where the first two films struggled was with their unremarkable villains. Sadly it’s the same in Volume 3. We learn that the woefully uninteresting Warlock has been sent to do the bidding of The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji in a thankless role). He has an intriguing look, some cool yet unexplained powers, and he too yells a lot. But that’s about it. You can sense a compelling character there somewhere. But he’s never explained as anything more than a mad scientist intent on creating a utopian society.

I realize that’s a lot of negativity, but let me say “Guardians 3” has its share of entertainment. Fans of the series will simply love spending time with these characters again. And while their camaraderie lacks the zest we’re used to, the entire cast brings an energy the film needs. Also, it’s clear that a ton of money went into the visuals. Aside from some funky prosthetics and occasions of glaringly fake CGI, the film offers up some pretty delicious eye candy. We also get a couple of memorable action scenes highlighted by one kinetic ‘long take’ fight sequence that is nothing more than Gunn showing off, but it’s a lot of fun.

Despite its hefty 2 hours and 30 minutes, surprisingly “Guardians 3” never quite feels like a slog. And that’s saying something considering the movie’s many frustrations. I’m guessing die-hard fans will likely find this to be a satisfying final(ish) chapter. But James Gunn’s last foray with Marvel lacks the roguish outsider spunk of the previous two Guardians movies (sorry, but throwing in the MCU’s first f-word doesn’t count). Instead it’s an overprocessed send-off that’s so focused on going out with a bang that it loses its joy, charm, and trust in us to actually feel things on our own. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 2.5 STARS

Disney Reveals New Character Posters for “The Little Mermaid”

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Character posters are a big thing and what can I say, I like them. The latest to get the character poster treatment is Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of their own 1989 animated feature “The Little Mermaid”. The film is directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”, “Nine”, “Mary Poppins Returns”) who’s working from a script by David Magee (“Finding Neverland”, “Life of Pi”, “Mary Poppins Returns”). Disney’s live-action remakes have been pretty hit-or-miss, but they’re putting a lot into it this one.

These beautiful new character posters give us close-up looks at the film’s interesting cast which includes Halle Bailey, Daveed Diggs, Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jonah Hauer-King, Jacob Tremblay, and Melissa McCarthy. “The Little Mermaid” releases exclusively in theaters on May 26th. (All Images are Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios).

New to Home Video: Superman 1978 – 1987 5-Film Collection on 4K Ultra HD and Digital

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Continuing their year-long 100th anniversary celebration, Warner Bros. Studios is releasing a cracking 5-film box set featuring “Superman: The Movie”, “Superman II”, “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut”, “Superman III”, and “Superman IV” all on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital. Based on the iconic DC Comics superhero created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the films feature Christopher Reeve in what many consider to be the quintessential Superman portrayal. These movies still hold a special place in many hearts and this collection is a must-get for long-time fans.

This wonderful 4K Ultra HD and digital box set hits shelves May 9th, 2023. See below for a full synopsis of each film and a breakdown of the bonus features.

Superman: The Movie (1978)

Academy Award winners Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman head an all-star cast in the fantastic, action-packed film that made Christopher Reeve an international star playing the greatest superhero of all time.  From the doomed planet of Krypton, two parents launch a spaceship carrying their infant son to earth.  Here he grows up to become Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet.  But with powers and abilities far beyond those of ordinary men, he battles for truth and justice as Superman.

An Alexander Salkind presentation and directed by Richard Donner (The Goonies, Lethal Weapon, The Lost Boys), the film stars Academy Award winner Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront, The Godfather) as Jor-El, Academy Award winner Gene Hackman (The French Connection, Unforgiven) as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton.  Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Glen Ford as Jonathan Kent, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, and Terrance Stamp as General Zod.

Superman was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Music (Original Score) and Best Sound.  The film also received a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects.  In 2017, Superman was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry.

Superman: The Movie contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

  • Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spangler
  • The Making of Superman – vintage featurette
  • Superman and the Mole-Men – vintage featurette
  • Super-Rabbit – 1943 WB cartoon
  • Snafuperman – 1944 WB cartoon
  • Stupor Duck – 1956 WB cartoon
  • TV Spot
  • Teaser Trailer
  • Theatrical Trailer

Superman II (1981)

Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three superpowered Planet Krypton criminals Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O’Halloran) plan to enslave Earth – just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman also returns as Lex Luthor in this sequel that features a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction, and visuals that astound and delight.

Directed by Richard Lester (A Hard Day’s Night, The Three Musketeers), the film stars Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman.  Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Sarah Douglas as Ursa, Jack O’Halloran as Non, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, Susannah York as Lara, and Terrence Stamp as General Zod.

Superman II contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

  • Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
  • The Making of Superman II – 1980 TV Special
  • Superman’s Soufflé – Deleted scene
  • Fleischer Studios’ Superman vintage cartoons
    • First Flight
    • The Mechanical Monster
    • Billion Dollar Limited
    • The Arctic Giant
    • The Bulleteers
    • The Magnetic Telescope
    • Electric Earthquake
    • Volcano
    • Terror on the Midway
  • Theatrical trailer

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

Director Richard Donner began shooting Superman II while concurrently filming Superman: The Movie, though the theatrical version of the film was ultimately directed by Richard Lester. In 2006, Donner’s original unique vision was released for the first time. Jor-El (Marlon Brando in footage cut from the theatrical version) appears in key scenes that amplify Superman lore and deepen the relationship between father and son. Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) plots more schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman (Christopher Reeve). With so many changes, large and small, including a different beginning and resolution, this version is an eye-opening alternate experience.

Directed by Richard Donner, the film stars Academy Award winner Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the filmwas produced by Pierre Spengler and Michael Tau from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman.  Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Sarah Douglas as Ursa, Jack O’Halloran as Non, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, Susannah York as Lara, and Terrence Stamp as General Zod.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

  • Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz
  • Introduction by Richard Donner – featurette
  • Superman II: Restoring the Vision – featurette
  • Deleted scenes
    • Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head north
    • Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head south
    • The villains enter the fortress
    • He’s all yours, boys
    • Clarke and Jimmy
    • Lex’s gateway
  • Famous Studios vintage cartoons
    • Japoteurs
    • Showdown
    • Eleventh Hour
    • Destruction, Inc.
    • The Mummy Strikes
    • Jungle Drums
    • The Underground World
    • Secret Agent

Superman III (1983)

Meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a naive computer-programming natural. For him, a keyboard is a weapon – and, as a result, Superman faces the microelectronic menace of his life. Christopher Reeve reprises his signature role, deepening his character’s human side as Clark Kent sees Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. And when the Man of Steel becomes his own worst enemy after exposure to Kryptonite, Reeve pulls off both roles with dazzling skill. Relive Superman III with all its heart, heroism and high-flying humor.

Directed by Richard Lester, the film stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler from a screenplay by David Newman and Leslie Newman.  Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Jackie White as Perry White, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, and Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster.

Superman III contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

  • Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
  • The Making of Superman III – 1983 TV special
  • Deleted scenes
    • Save my baby
    • To the rescue
    • Making up
    • Going to see the boss
    • Hatching the plan
    • The con
    • Rooftop ski
    • Boss wants this to go
    • Superman honored
    • Gus’ speech
    • Hanging up on Brad
  • Theatrical trailer

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Christopher Reeve not only dons the title hero’s cape for the fourth time but also helped develop the movie’s provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two foes clash in an explosive extravaganza that sees Superman save the Statue of Liberty, plug the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China. 

Directed by Sydney J. Furie (The Ipcress File, Iron Eagle), the film stars Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the filmwas produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan from a story by Christopher Reeve & Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal and a screenplay by Konner & Rosenthal.  The film also features Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Jon Cryer as Lenny, Sam Wanamaker as David Warfield, Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man, and Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

  • Commentary by Mark Rosenthal
  • Superman 50th anniversary special – 1988 TV special
  • Deleted scenes
    • Clark’s morning
    • Jeremy’s letter
    • Superman’s visit
    • Nuclear Man’s prototype
    • Metropolis after hours
    • Lex ponders
    • Flying sequence (extended scene)
    • Battle in Smallville
    • Battle in the U.S.S.R.
    • Nuclear arms race
    • Superman’s sickness
    • Red alert
    • By my side
    • Lark and Lacy say goodbye
    • No borders
  • Theatrical trailer