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).

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 50^th 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

There are so many movies I’m looking forward to this year – “Oppenheimer”, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”, “Killers of the Flower Moon” just to name a few. But HIGH on my personal list is “Dune: Part Two”, the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 science-fiction epic. I loved everything about the first film so naturally its follow-up easily becomes a ‘must-see’ event for me.

“Dune: Part Two” is the second in a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel. The incredible cast of Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Charlotte Rampling are assembled to continue the story of Paul Atreides as he joins with the Freman to avenge his ravaged family and defeat the evil forces set on ruling the galaxy. Talking with Vanity Fair, Villenueve emphasized “It’s important—it’s not a sequel, it’s a second part. There’s a difference.” I love that idea. This is picking up where the first film left off and will give us a true flowing single story. I can’t wait.

“Dune: Part Two” releases exclusively in theaters on November 3rd. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Paramount has dropped several new character posters in preparation for the upcoming release of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”. The $200 million blockbuster based the Hasbro toy line is the seventh installment in the Transformers film franchise and the first since 2018’s spin-off prequel “Bumblebee”. Directed by Steven Caple Jr., “Rise of the Beasts” is said to be a sequel to “Bumblebee” and will have a tone more in line with it than the previous Michael Bay led films.

With the new posters Paramount gives us a cool introduction to some the exciting characters we will meet – a few old friends; and a few new faces. “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” releases exclusively in theaters on June 9th. (All images courtesy of Paramount Pictures).

Well here’s an interesting one. “Gran Turismo” takes its name from the popular racing simulation video game. But its mostly inspired by the true story of Jann Mardenborough who went from playing Gran Turismo in his bedroom to beating 90,000 other gamers for an opportunity to train as a professional driver. It’s a remarkable story that is being brought to the big screen by director Neill Blomkamp. The recently released first trailer highlights the film’s intriguing cast and some pretty intense racing sequences.

The movie sees Archie Madekwe playing a teenage Jann Mardenborough. He dreams of racing cars despite the lack of support from his skeptical father (Djimon Hounsou). Unexpectedly, his love for the video game Gran Turismo gives him his shot. Soon he’s courted by motorsport marketing executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) who connects Jann with trainer Jack Salter (David Harbour). Like many, Jack doesn’t believe a video game player can actually become a race car driver. But wouldn’t ya know it Jann just might prove him wrong. I’m curious to see how this turns out.

“Gran Turismo” speeds into theaters on August 11th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.