Nonfiction filmmaking duo Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui turned heads with their dazzling 2018 fashion doc McQueen, which gracefully walked the line between celebration and sorrow, between the public highs of a brilliant creator of wearable art and the private lows of a man plagued by insurmountable demons. They achieve a comparable balance in their moving new film, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, between the iconic movie star and the man whose life was stalled by a tragic accident. The big difference is that unlike Alexander McQueen, Reeve did manage to overcome long days of darkness and despair, living a productive life for his remaining years.
Late in the film, footage shows President Barack Obama in 2009 signing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the bipartisan-supported first legislation specific to the millions of under-represented Americans living with spinal cord injuries and paralysis, named for the actor and his fellow activist wife.
Late in the film, footage shows President Barack Obama in 2009 signing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the bipartisan-supported first legislation specific to the millions of under-represented Americans living with spinal cord injuries and paralysis, named for the actor and his fellow activist wife.
- 1/22/2024
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It took a lot to bring "Superman" and "Superman II" to the big screen. Director Richard Donner and producer Alexander Salkind didn't get off to the best start, with Donner having to salvage a truly disastrous script that Salkind evidently felt was "perfect." But once "Superman" debuted in 1978, things started looking up. Or so it seemed.
With "Superman," Donner helped invent the modern blockbuster, setting a blueprint for every superhero movie that would follow and breaking box office records in the process. What made "Superman" an even more impressive feat was that during production, Donner had simultaneously shot most of the sequel. "Superman" and "Superman II" were filmed simultaneously, which meant the crew worked from a hefty script that required Donner to film scenes for both movies alongside one another.
Unfortunately, in order to make the "Superman" release date, Donner and co. had to stop filming "Superman II" before it was finished.
With "Superman," Donner helped invent the modern blockbuster, setting a blueprint for every superhero movie that would follow and breaking box office records in the process. What made "Superman" an even more impressive feat was that during production, Donner had simultaneously shot most of the sequel. "Superman" and "Superman II" were filmed simultaneously, which meant the crew worked from a hefty script that required Donner to film scenes for both movies alongside one another.
Unfortunately, in order to make the "Superman" release date, Donner and co. had to stop filming "Superman II" before it was finished.
- 3/25/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Burbank, Calif., March 1, 2023 – As part of the year-long centennial celebration for the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studio, five films featuring the iconic DC Super Hero Superman – Superman: The Movie, Superman II, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, Superman III, and Superman IV – will be available for purchase in a five-film collection on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital on April 18.
Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the Superman films star Christopher Reeve as the legendary “Man of Steel.”
On April 18, the Superman 1978 – 1987 5-Film Collection will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and more.
The Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Packs will include an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature films in 4K with Hdr, a Blu-ray disc with the feature...
Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the Superman films star Christopher Reeve as the legendary “Man of Steel.”
On April 18, the Superman 1978 – 1987 5-Film Collection will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and more.
The Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Packs will include an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature films in 4K with Hdr, a Blu-ray disc with the feature...
- 3/1/2023
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
After a decade-plus run as one of Hollywood's premiere television directors, Richard Donner successfully transitioned to filmmaking via the blockbuster horror classic "The Omen." Though he was much older than the industry's hottest helmers of big-budget entertainment, his reputation for knocking out high-quality TV on a tight schedule made him something of a safer bet than his young, boundary-pushing colleagues. He was also well-liked by his crews and a first-rate massager of movie star egos. He was basically a producer's dream.
So why did the production of 1978's "Superman" turn into such a nightmare? Four words: Alexander and Ilya Salkind.
The father-son producer duo had scored a major success with 1973's "The Three Musketeers," but quickly drew the ire of Hollywood's creative unions when they released "The Four Musketeers," a sequel comprised of footage from the initial production, the following year. While multiple lawsuits were filed, the Screen Actors Guild enacted the Salkind Clause,...
So why did the production of 1978's "Superman" turn into such a nightmare? Four words: Alexander and Ilya Salkind.
The father-son producer duo had scored a major success with 1973's "The Three Musketeers," but quickly drew the ire of Hollywood's creative unions when they released "The Four Musketeers," a sequel comprised of footage from the initial production, the following year. While multiple lawsuits were filed, the Screen Actors Guild enacted the Salkind Clause,...
- 1/9/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Established during the early heyday of motion pictures, the "star system" is an informal rule of thumb that most movie producers still swear by, even though the elements of a film's package deal in order to get a green light and raise funds have changed in the last 20-odd years. Nowadays, while having an actor with an established fanbase or persona is still a boon to getting a project off the ground, Hollywood is awash with risk-averse producers using an IP to get a movie made — and that IP is usually comic-book superhero material.
Arguably the film that started Hollywood on this superhero-saturated path, 1978's "Superman," was ironically far from a sure-fire hit when producers Pierre Spengler, Alexander Salkind, and Ilya Salkind were attempting to put it together. Since the Superman character himself wasn't enough to raise the money, the production needed an established star and a seasoned director.
As...
Arguably the film that started Hollywood on this superhero-saturated path, 1978's "Superman," was ironically far from a sure-fire hit when producers Pierre Spengler, Alexander Salkind, and Ilya Salkind were attempting to put it together. Since the Superman character himself wasn't enough to raise the money, the production needed an established star and a seasoned director.
As...
- 8/15/2022
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
‘Turbo Kid’s’ Canadian Filmmaking Trio to Direct ‘We Are Zombies;’ Kinology Boards Sales (Exclusive)
The up-and-coming Canadian filmmaking trio behind the Sundance movies “Turbo Kid” and “Summer of 84,” are directing “We Are Zombies,” a comedy based on Jerry Frissen and Guy Davis’ cult comic book series “The Zombies That Ate the World.”
Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell and François Simard started shooting the movie on March 29 across various locations around Montreal, Canada, with a young cast led by Alexander Nachi (“Clash”), Megan Peta Hill (“Riverdale”) and Derek Johns (“Moonfall”). Kinology, the Paris-based banner whose credits include Leos Carax’s film “Annette,” has secured international sales to the movie and will unveil a promo teaser at Cannes.
Published by Humanoids, “The Zombies That Ate the World” ran in the legendary magazine Métal Hurlant in 2003 and earned praises from horror legends such as George A. Romero, Joe Dante and Tobe Hooper.
The high-concept movie is set in a city breeding non-cannibal zombies who are considered “living-impaired.
Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell and François Simard started shooting the movie on March 29 across various locations around Montreal, Canada, with a young cast led by Alexander Nachi (“Clash”), Megan Peta Hill (“Riverdale”) and Derek Johns (“Moonfall”). Kinology, the Paris-based banner whose credits include Leos Carax’s film “Annette,” has secured international sales to the movie and will unveil a promo teaser at Cannes.
Published by Humanoids, “The Zombies That Ate the World” ran in the legendary magazine Métal Hurlant in 2003 and earned praises from horror legends such as George A. Romero, Joe Dante and Tobe Hooper.
The high-concept movie is set in a city breeding non-cannibal zombies who are considered “living-impaired.
- 4/25/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
December marks the 40th anniversary of the “Superman” movie, which opened Dec. 15, 1978, and influenced generations of action films. In recent years, many people were distressed that Claire Foy was paid less than Matt Smith for Netflix’s “The Crown,” but pay gaps are not always about sexism. Blame the star system. Back on June 30, 1976,Variety reported that Marlon Brando agreed to play the title character’s father in “Superman” for a salary that was “unprecedented.” It was eventually revealed that the actor was paid $3.7 million and an amazing 11.75% backend to play Jor-El, for 13 days work and less than 20 minutes onscreen. In comparison, Christopher Reeve earned $250,000 in the title role, dominating most of the 143-minute running time.
Brando was at the height of his power, after “The Godfather” and “Last Tango in Paris.” In 1976, exec producers Ilya Salkind & Alexander Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler needed a star to get financing. “Star Wars” hadn’t opened.
Brando was at the height of his power, after “The Godfather” and “Last Tango in Paris.” In 1976, exec producers Ilya Salkind & Alexander Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler needed a star to get financing. “Star Wars” hadn’t opened.
- 11/16/2018
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
As much as I love the Man of Steel, I wasn’t quite prepared for the collective hype put forth by the fanbase when it came to recent news pertaining to Superman: The Movie. After all, I imagine you and I have each seen the flick on numerous occasions, but there’s admittedly something quite special about whenever it makes the leap to the latest home theater technology.
In fact, the picture starring Christopher Reeve that blazed the trail for all superhero films to follow is returning to cinemas in time to celebrate its 40th anniversary, but it stands to reason that not everyone will be able to attend the limited engagement. Therefore, you may want to start paying attention because the rumors have proven true – Superman: The Movie will indeed be making its way to the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format on November 6th!
Seen below is the cover art for the souped-up release,...
In fact, the picture starring Christopher Reeve that blazed the trail for all superhero films to follow is returning to cinemas in time to celebrate its 40th anniversary, but it stands to reason that not everyone will be able to attend the limited engagement. Therefore, you may want to start paying attention because the rumors have proven true – Superman: The Movie will indeed be making its way to the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format on November 6th!
Seen below is the cover art for the souped-up release,...
- 10/1/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
The greatest superhero movie ever made is coming home on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray!
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing Superman the Movie for the first time in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr).
Here's the scoop, directly from Warner Brothers:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced today that 1978’s Superman the Movie, featuring the beloved DC Super Hero, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on November 6th. An Alexander Salkind presentation and 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, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo,...
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing Superman the Movie for the first time in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr).
Here's the scoop, directly from Warner Brothers:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced today that 1978’s Superman the Movie, featuring the beloved DC Super Hero, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on November 6th. An Alexander Salkind presentation and 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, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo,...
- 9/29/2018
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Victor Medina)
- Cinelinx
The greatest superhero movie ever made is coming home on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray!
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing Superman the Movie for the first time in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr).
Here's the scoop, directly from Warner Brothers:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced today that 1978’s Superman the Movie, featuring the beloved DC Super Hero, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on November 6th. An Alexander Salkind presentation and 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, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo,...
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing Superman the Movie for the first time in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr).
Here's the scoop, directly from Warner Brothers:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced today that 1978’s Superman the Movie, featuring the beloved DC Super Hero, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on November 6th. An Alexander Salkind presentation and 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, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo,...
- 9/29/2018
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Victor Medina)
- Cinelinx
The greatest superhero movie ever made is coming home on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray!
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing Superman the Movie for the first time in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr).
Here's the scoop, directly from Warner Brothers:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced today that 1978’s Superman the Movie, featuring the beloved DC Super Hero, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on November 6th. An Alexander Salkind presentation and 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, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo,...
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing Superman the Movie for the first time in 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (Hdr).
Here's the scoop, directly from Warner Brothers:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced today that 1978’s Superman the Movie, featuring the beloved DC Super Hero, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on November 6th. An Alexander Salkind presentation and 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, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo,...
- 9/29/2018
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Victor Medina)
- Cinelinx
Burbank, CA, September 25, 2018 – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced today that 1978’s Superman, featuring the beloved DC Super Hero, will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on November 6th. An Alexander Salkind presentation and 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, 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, Valerie Perrine as Eva Teschmacher, and Terrance Stamp as General Zod.
Superman was nominated for three Academy Awards,...
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, Valerie Perrine as Eva Teschmacher, and Terrance Stamp as General Zod.
Superman was nominated for three Academy Awards,...
- 9/26/2018
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
I guess there are plenty of adults now too young to remember when Christopher Reeve made his debut as The Man of Steel. It was a massive hit across the full spectrum of moviegoers. Warners is taking good care of everyone’s favorite undocumented visitor from Planet Krypton, and has assembled two separate cuts of his big-screen premiere.
Superman: The Movie
Blu-ray
2-Film Collection
Warner Bros.
1978 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 188 min. Extended Cut + 151 min. Special Edition orig. 143 min. / Street Date October 10, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Margot Kidder, Jack O’Halloran, Valerie Perrine, Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, Phyllis Thaxter, Susannah York, Jeff East, Marc McClure, Sarah Douglas, Harry Andrews, Diane Sherry, Randy Jurgensen, Larry Hagman, John Ratzenberger, Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill.
Cinematography: Geoffrey Unsworth
Film Editors: Stuart Baird, Michael Ellis
Production Design: John Barry
Assistant Director: Vincent Winter...
Superman: The Movie
Blu-ray
2-Film Collection
Warner Bros.
1978 / Color / 2:40 widescreen / 188 min. Extended Cut + 151 min. Special Edition orig. 143 min. / Street Date October 10, 2017 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Margot Kidder, Jack O’Halloran, Valerie Perrine, Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, Phyllis Thaxter, Susannah York, Jeff East, Marc McClure, Sarah Douglas, Harry Andrews, Diane Sherry, Randy Jurgensen, Larry Hagman, John Ratzenberger, Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill.
Cinematography: Geoffrey Unsworth
Film Editors: Stuart Baird, Michael Ellis
Production Design: John Barry
Assistant Director: Vincent Winter...
- 10/10/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Warner Bros.
The late, great Christopher Reeve remains one of the most iconic performers in the history of comic book movies. His portrayal of Superman/Kal-El/Clark in Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie helped launch the superhero cinematic subgenre and cemented Reeve as a talent that generations of film fans could enjoy. For many, Reeve remains the Superman, with Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill paling in comparison to his magnetic portrayal of DC Comics’ flagship superhero.
It wasn’t an easy route to global adoration for Reeve, though. He faced stiff competition for the role and a collection of troubles on set. He also had to power through as the franchise that launched his career later suffered reduced budgets and dreadful reviews, when Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace came along and did their best to ruin what Reeve and Donner had started.
From these worrisome...
The late, great Christopher Reeve remains one of the most iconic performers in the history of comic book movies. His portrayal of Superman/Kal-El/Clark in Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie helped launch the superhero cinematic subgenre and cemented Reeve as a talent that generations of film fans could enjoy. For many, Reeve remains the Superman, with Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill paling in comparison to his magnetic portrayal of DC Comics’ flagship superhero.
It wasn’t an easy route to global adoration for Reeve, though. He faced stiff competition for the role and a collection of troubles on set. He also had to power through as the franchise that launched his career later suffered reduced budgets and dreadful reviews, when Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace came along and did their best to ruin what Reeve and Donner had started.
From these worrisome...
- 3/3/2016
- by Rob Leane
- Obsessed with Film
Exclusive: The La-based graphic novel publisher has made its latest move in an aggressive push into film and TV, teaming on the eve of Comic-Con with multiple Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Robert Silverberg.
The pact will see Humanoids adapt selected novels from the Silverberg oeuvre into comic books and live action content and follows separate deals announced earlier this year with Paris-based Full House and China’s Jetavana.
The first property to move forward under the Silverberg deal is Downward To The Earth (artwork pictured), which Humanoids will publish as a graphic novel in 2016 from writer Philippe Thirault (Miss: Better Live Through Crime) and artist Laura Zuccheri (The Swords Of Glass).
The company will attend Comic-Con in San Diego and is actively developing a live content version of the 1970 sci-fi novel, styled by fans as a transcendent tale about a former colonial officer who believes the native species from an off-world settlement may hold the key to...
The pact will see Humanoids adapt selected novels from the Silverberg oeuvre into comic books and live action content and follows separate deals announced earlier this year with Paris-based Full House and China’s Jetavana.
The first property to move forward under the Silverberg deal is Downward To The Earth (artwork pictured), which Humanoids will publish as a graphic novel in 2016 from writer Philippe Thirault (Miss: Better Live Through Crime) and artist Laura Zuccheri (The Swords Of Glass).
The company will attend Comic-Con in San Diego and is actively developing a live content version of the 1970 sci-fi novel, styled by fans as a transcendent tale about a former colonial officer who believes the native species from an off-world settlement may hold the key to...
- 7/8/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Martin Campbell, the director behind films such as Casino Royale and Green Lantern, is set to direct another big screen comic book adaptation. It’s an indie title called Sebastian X, and the project is set up at Voltage Pictures and Valhalla Motion Pictures.
The graphic novel was released in 2005 and created by writer Michelangelo La Neve (Song’e Napule) and drawn by Stuart Immonen. The screenplay for the film will be written by Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu).
The story follows an elite cop who, “after a near-fatal injury, is implanted with the memories of the world’s most notorious terrorist — Sebastian X — in order to infiltrate his group before their next attack.”
Terminator, Aliens, and The Walking Dead Producer Gale Anne Hurd is also set to produce Sebastian X alongside Oscar winner Nicolas Chartier (The Hurt Locker) and Craig J. Flores, along with original publishers Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger of Humanoids.
The graphic novel was released in 2005 and created by writer Michelangelo La Neve (Song’e Napule) and drawn by Stuart Immonen. The screenplay for the film will be written by Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu).
The story follows an elite cop who, “after a near-fatal injury, is implanted with the memories of the world’s most notorious terrorist — Sebastian X — in order to infiltrate his group before their next attack.”
Terminator, Aliens, and The Walking Dead Producer Gale Anne Hurd is also set to produce Sebastian X alongside Oscar winner Nicolas Chartier (The Hurt Locker) and Craig J. Flores, along with original publishers Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger of Humanoids.
- 12/14/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The director of Casino Royale, Martin Campbell, has been tapped by Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Motion Pictures to direct a film adaptation of the graphic novel Sebastian X. The production company is currently flying high as the force behind TV ratings winner The Walking Dead, and has moved to expand its slate with the novel, which is written by Michelangelo La Neve, and drawn by Stuart Immonen.
With Campbell in the director’s chair, the script will be written by Bill Marsilii (Déjà vu). The project brings together Gale Anne Hurd and Phillip Kobylanski from Valhalla, Nicholas Chartier and Craig J. Flores from Voltage (Dallas Buyers Club), and Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger from Humanoids – the publishing company behind the source material. The story set out in the graphic novel sees a top law enforcement officer suffer a near fatal injury, after which he is implanted with the memory of an infamous terrorist.
With Campbell in the director’s chair, the script will be written by Bill Marsilii (Déjà vu). The project brings together Gale Anne Hurd and Phillip Kobylanski from Valhalla, Nicholas Chartier and Craig J. Flores from Voltage (Dallas Buyers Club), and Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger from Humanoids – the publishing company behind the source material. The story set out in the graphic novel sees a top law enforcement officer suffer a near fatal injury, after which he is implanted with the memory of an infamous terrorist.
- 12/12/2014
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
"Casino Royale," "Goldeneye" and "The Mask of Zorro" director Martin Campbell is set to helm a film adaptation of Michelangelo La Neve's graphic novel "Sebastian X" at Voltage Films, Valhalla Motion Pictures and publisher Humanoids.
The story centers on an elite cop who, after a near-fatal injury, is implanted with the memories of the world’s most notorious terrorist - Sebastian X - in order to infiltrate his group before their next attack.
Nicolas Chartier, Craig J. Flores, Gale Anne Hurd, Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger will produce. Bill Marsilii will pen the screenplay.
Source: Variety...
The story centers on an elite cop who, after a near-fatal injury, is implanted with the memories of the world’s most notorious terrorist - Sebastian X - in order to infiltrate his group before their next attack.
Nicolas Chartier, Craig J. Flores, Gale Anne Hurd, Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger will produce. Bill Marsilii will pen the screenplay.
Source: Variety...
- 12/9/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Th International Financing Forum (Iff) will be held at this year's Tiff by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (Omdc), now in its 8th edition the annual event will bring the best Canadian and international producers to an expectant group of industry executives, sales agents, financiers, and distributors.
During the two-day networking program, taking place September 8tha and 9th, 40 feature film projects will be get this invaluable exposure. Twenty-one of these potential works are Canadian, the rest represent 15 international markets from around the globe which include Australia, Bulgaria, England, Germany, India, Finland, France, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and The United State.
Via more than 682 meetings scheduled for Iff 2013 the selected projects will have the chance to be connected with over 30 international companies :
Bankside Films, Big Beach Films, Cinetic Media, eOne Entertainment, Film4, FilmNation, IFC Films/Sundance Selects, K5 Media Group, ICM Partners, Kickstarter, Magnolia, The Match Factory, Nordisk, Participant Films, Parts & Labor Films, Protagonist Pictures, River Road Entertainment, See-Saw Films, TF1, Voltage, Wild Bunch, and William Morris Endeavor, among other top film companies.
Canadian producers/projects include:
• Toronto producer David Cormican of Don Carmody Productions with romantic comedy, The Jane Austen Marriage Manual, written by internationally best-selling novelist Kim Izzo (The Fabulous Girl’s Guide to Decorum)
• Vancouver’s Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler (Hector and The Search For Happiness starring Simon Pegg) with Nick Broomfield’s ( Kurt and Courtney) fiction feature film directorial debut, The Catastrophist, to star Freida Pinto, John C. Reilly, and Dana Stevens
• Toronto producer, Frank Siracusa with murder-mystery, The Bird Artist, with Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) at the helm, written by Malcolm McRury (The Man Without A Face, Deadwood)
• International projects include:
• Award-winning Iranian director, novelist, human rights activist, Mohsen Makhmalbaf (award-winning Gabbeh, Iran’s submission for 70th Academy Awards®) with The President from U.K. producers, Mike Downey (Deathwatch) and Sam Taylor (Before The Rain)
• Netherlands producers Pierre Spengler and Laurence Lamers (1995 Palme d’Or Winner – Underground; Superman I and II) with historical-drama, Orestes, with Freddie Highmore, Susan Lynch and Alan Cumming attached to star
• Finnish producer, Tero Kaukomaa (2000 Palme d’Or winner, Dancer in the Dark and award-winning Iron Sky) with Deadrise, a Timo Vuerensola (Iron Sky) horror/zombie project
• U.S. producers Mona Panchal (former Paramount executive) and Priya Swaminathan (head of development, George Clooney’s Smoke House Pictures) with psychological thriller, The Incident (2013 Sundance Screenwriting and Directing labs), written and to be directed by Jan Kwiecinski (Vice Films distributed, Fawns).
Some of the recent successful projects supported in previous years by the Iff include the 2011 Academy Award nominated film Incendies by Denis Villeneuve who returns to Toronto with two films Prisoners and Enemy , David Michod's Animal Kingdom, and more recently Wadjda, the first Saudi Arabian feature film from a female director, which opens in the U.S on September 13th.
During the two-day networking program, taking place September 8tha and 9th, 40 feature film projects will be get this invaluable exposure. Twenty-one of these potential works are Canadian, the rest represent 15 international markets from around the globe which include Australia, Bulgaria, England, Germany, India, Finland, France, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and The United State.
Via more than 682 meetings scheduled for Iff 2013 the selected projects will have the chance to be connected with over 30 international companies :
Bankside Films, Big Beach Films, Cinetic Media, eOne Entertainment, Film4, FilmNation, IFC Films/Sundance Selects, K5 Media Group, ICM Partners, Kickstarter, Magnolia, The Match Factory, Nordisk, Participant Films, Parts & Labor Films, Protagonist Pictures, River Road Entertainment, See-Saw Films, TF1, Voltage, Wild Bunch, and William Morris Endeavor, among other top film companies.
Canadian producers/projects include:
• Toronto producer David Cormican of Don Carmody Productions with romantic comedy, The Jane Austen Marriage Manual, written by internationally best-selling novelist Kim Izzo (The Fabulous Girl’s Guide to Decorum)
• Vancouver’s Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler (Hector and The Search For Happiness starring Simon Pegg) with Nick Broomfield’s ( Kurt and Courtney) fiction feature film directorial debut, The Catastrophist, to star Freida Pinto, John C. Reilly, and Dana Stevens
• Toronto producer, Frank Siracusa with murder-mystery, The Bird Artist, with Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) at the helm, written by Malcolm McRury (The Man Without A Face, Deadwood)
• International projects include:
• Award-winning Iranian director, novelist, human rights activist, Mohsen Makhmalbaf (award-winning Gabbeh, Iran’s submission for 70th Academy Awards®) with The President from U.K. producers, Mike Downey (Deathwatch) and Sam Taylor (Before The Rain)
• Netherlands producers Pierre Spengler and Laurence Lamers (1995 Palme d’Or Winner – Underground; Superman I and II) with historical-drama, Orestes, with Freddie Highmore, Susan Lynch and Alan Cumming attached to star
• Finnish producer, Tero Kaukomaa (2000 Palme d’Or winner, Dancer in the Dark and award-winning Iron Sky) with Deadrise, a Timo Vuerensola (Iron Sky) horror/zombie project
• U.S. producers Mona Panchal (former Paramount executive) and Priya Swaminathan (head of development, George Clooney’s Smoke House Pictures) with psychological thriller, The Incident (2013 Sundance Screenwriting and Directing labs), written and to be directed by Jan Kwiecinski (Vice Films distributed, Fawns).
Some of the recent successful projects supported in previous years by the Iff include the 2011 Academy Award nominated film Incendies by Denis Villeneuve who returns to Toronto with two films Prisoners and Enemy , David Michod's Animal Kingdom, and more recently Wadjda, the first Saudi Arabian feature film from a female director, which opens in the U.S on September 13th.
- 9/9/2013
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Exclusive: 40 Canadian and international producer teams selected for Omdc’s eighth annual Toronto co-financing market.
New films by Donald Petrie, Timo Vuorensola, Baltasar Kormakur [pictured], Nick Broomfield, Gillies Mackinnon are some of the 40 selections for the eighth Omdc’s International Financing Forum. (Full list below)
The Ontario Media Development Corporation’s feature film co-financing market will be held Sept 8-9, running concurrently to Tiff.
The two-day event includes one-on-one producer meetings, a top-level panel discussion, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon, and a networking reception.
The initiative focuses on English language feature film projects being developed by international and Canadian producers, who meet with executives including sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents and executive producers – from companies including Beta Cinema, Big Beach, Cinetic, eOne, Film4, Film Nation, TF1, Wild Bunch and William Morris Endeavor.
The Canadian-produced projects selected this year include Nick Broomfield’s fiction feature film debut The Catastrophist to star Freida Pinto and John C Reilly and to...
New films by Donald Petrie, Timo Vuorensola, Baltasar Kormakur [pictured], Nick Broomfield, Gillies Mackinnon are some of the 40 selections for the eighth Omdc’s International Financing Forum. (Full list below)
The Ontario Media Development Corporation’s feature film co-financing market will be held Sept 8-9, running concurrently to Tiff.
The two-day event includes one-on-one producer meetings, a top-level panel discussion, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon, and a networking reception.
The initiative focuses on English language feature film projects being developed by international and Canadian producers, who meet with executives including sales agents, financiers, distributors, agents and executive producers – from companies including Beta Cinema, Big Beach, Cinetic, eOne, Film4, Film Nation, TF1, Wild Bunch and William Morris Endeavor.
The Canadian-produced projects selected this year include Nick Broomfield’s fiction feature film debut The Catastrophist to star Freida Pinto and John C Reilly and to...
- 8/27/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Odd List Simon Brew 21 Aug 2013 - 08:20
Sometimes, a sequel brings back the original director. Sometimes, they pass. Sometimes, they don't get a choice...
A week or two back, we ran a piece looking at what ways movie producers got around the fact that an actor wouldn't be returning for a sequel. But it's not just actors who drop out.
Sometimes, a director chooses not to take a job back on. And sometimes, as we're going to discuss here, they don't even get the choice...
Penelope Spheeris
Wayne's World 2
Earlier this year, director Penelope Spheeris came together with stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey for a Wayne's World reunion event, 21 years after the success of the original film. It would be fair to say that Spheeris and Myers had not spent much time together in the intervening period.
Spheeris is adamant that Myers didn't want her in charge for the sequel,...
Sometimes, a sequel brings back the original director. Sometimes, they pass. Sometimes, they don't get a choice...
A week or two back, we ran a piece looking at what ways movie producers got around the fact that an actor wouldn't be returning for a sequel. But it's not just actors who drop out.
Sometimes, a director chooses not to take a job back on. And sometimes, as we're going to discuss here, they don't even get the choice...
Penelope Spheeris
Wayne's World 2
Earlier this year, director Penelope Spheeris came together with stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey for a Wayne's World reunion event, 21 years after the success of the original film. It would be fair to say that Spheeris and Myers had not spent much time together in the intervening period.
Spheeris is adamant that Myers didn't want her in charge for the sequel,...
- 8/20/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Man of Steel has been described as too similar to the Batman franchise by the producer of 1978's Superman.
Director Zack Snyder's movie establishes a new continuity away from the first four Superman films and Bryan Singer's Superman Returns.
Ilya Salkind produced the original Superman film with his father Alexander Salkind and family friend Pierre Spengler.
Salkind was asked to share his thoughts on the box office blockbuster Man of Steel while out in Los Angeles over the weekend.
"It's okay," he initially replied to TMZ.
Salkind was then prompted to speak more candidly by a member of his entourage, who said that the producer actually felt that Man of Steel was "too dark".
"I think it's a little Batman-ish," Salkind then declared.
Salkind's Superman films were largely lighter in tone than Man of Steel, with the third instalment even featuring comedian Richard Pryor in a prominent role.
Director Zack Snyder's movie establishes a new continuity away from the first four Superman films and Bryan Singer's Superman Returns.
Ilya Salkind produced the original Superman film with his father Alexander Salkind and family friend Pierre Spengler.
Salkind was asked to share his thoughts on the box office blockbuster Man of Steel while out in Los Angeles over the weekend.
"It's okay," he initially replied to TMZ.
Salkind was then prompted to speak more candidly by a member of his entourage, who said that the producer actually felt that Man of Steel was "too dark".
"I think it's a little Batman-ish," Salkind then declared.
Salkind's Superman films were largely lighter in tone than Man of Steel, with the third instalment even featuring comedian Richard Pryor in a prominent role.
- 7/30/2013
- Digital Spy
Right behind news that my favorite cult director is raising coin for his next project is word that Pierre Spengler is also looking for funding to do an adaptation of Jodorowsky's comic Bouncer. It's reportedly a western about a one armed gunslinger which is filled with strange characters. I'm thinking El Topo. Problem is, there's very limited information available and there's no director or writer set. Let's hope the man himself will be helming the project.
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
- 5/10/2012
- QuietEarth.us
Just last month, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg finished writing the third installment in their "Blood and Ice Cream" trilogy, which includes hits "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz." Fans weren't sure when they'd see "The World's End" complete the genre tale connected by Cornetto ice cream flavors with Wright's "Scott Pilgrim" sidestepping things and Pegg's occupation with the "Star Trek" films.
Deadline delivered news last night, however, that the film is set for a spring 2013 release date. The duo makes their return with frequent collaborator Nick Frost, "20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl," with a September shoot date.
“ … One of them becomes hell bent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King, a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their home town and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub,...
Deadline delivered news last night, however, that the film is set for a spring 2013 release date. The duo makes their return with frequent collaborator Nick Frost, "20 years after attempting an epic pub crawl," with a September shoot date.
“ … One of them becomes hell bent on trying the drinking marathon again. They are convinced to stage an encore by mate Gary King, a 40-year old man trapped at the cigarette end of his teens, who drags his reluctant pals to their home town and once again attempts to reach the fabled pub,...
- 5/10/2012
- by Alison Nastasi
- MTV Movies Blog
Superman series co-producer Pierre Spengler is lining up a slate of new projects in anticipation of the Cannes. Screen Daily says he's bringing two genre projects to the festival's film market.
The first being I Am Legion, a directing vehicle for Nacho Cerda (Aftermath, Abandoned) based on the comic book by Fabien Nury and John Cassaday.
French publisher Humanoids released the comic which was picked up in the U.S. by Devil's Due. The synopsis goes like this: While the outcome of the war is in doubt, the Nazis frantically search for Ana, a girl with the ability to possess other bodies.
Richard Stanley is attached to write the script.
Read more...
The first being I Am Legion, a directing vehicle for Nacho Cerda (Aftermath, Abandoned) based on the comic book by Fabien Nury and John Cassaday.
French publisher Humanoids released the comic which was picked up in the U.S. by Devil's Due. The synopsis goes like this: While the outcome of the war is in doubt, the Nazis frantically search for Ana, a girl with the ability to possess other bodies.
Richard Stanley is attached to write the script.
Read more...
- 5/9/2012
- shocktillyoudrop.com
A little over a year from now, the most iconic comic character in history will be back on screens, courtesy of Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel." Seven years on from Bryan Singer's oft-derided "Superman Returns," it'll see "The Dark Knight" mastermind Christopher Nolan producing a new, seemingly darker take on the character, to be played by Henry Cavill with Michael Shannon as his Kryptonian nemesis, General Zod.
But Shannon will have big shoes to fill: the last time the character was on the big screen it was played by Terence Stamp in 1981's "Superman II," still seen by many fans as not only the best take on that character, but the best screen version of Superman to date. Which was impressive, considering it had about as troubled a production history as you could ask for, with two directors, production stretched over two years, and a recent, wildly different reissue of the film.
But Shannon will have big shoes to fill: the last time the character was on the big screen it was played by Terence Stamp in 1981's "Superman II," still seen by many fans as not only the best take on that character, but the best screen version of Superman to date. Which was impressive, considering it had about as troubled a production history as you could ask for, with two directors, production stretched over two years, and a recent, wildly different reissue of the film.
- 4/19/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Based on the popular French sci-fi comic series (titled Heavy Metal in the Us) and coming in 2012, the live-action series is directed by Guillaume Lubrano. Metal Hurlant Chronicles stars Scott Adkins, Michael Jai White, Rutger Hauer, Darren Shahlavi, Kelly Brook and Matt Mullins. Fight choreography Larnell Stovall. Produced by Justine Veillot (We Prod) in association with Fabrice Giger & Pierre Spengler (Humanoids). Production manager Daniel Cottin. Dop Matthieu Misiraca.
- 11/3/2011
- by Pietro Filipponi
- The Daily BLAM!
Final round of updates for today.
Ryan Kennedy and John Pyper-Ferguson have a new film in the works, called Hannah's Law. It will premiere on Hallmark next spring. More details in the press release:
A frontier town is fueled by crime and corruption until a strong-willed heroine and her friends, including legendary lawman Wyatt Earp and gunfighter Doc Holliday, take a stand for justice to see who will be left standing in "Hannah's Law," a Hallmark Movie Channel Original produced by Nomadic Pictures Productions 3 and Sony Pictures Television, premiering on the network in 2012. The film, which is currently in production in Calgary, Alberta, stars Sara Canning ("The Vampire Diaries") as Hannah, Greystone Holt ("Durham County") as Wyatt Earp, Kimberly Elise ("For Colored Girls") as Stagecoach Mary, four-time Emmy(R) Award nominee Danny Glover ("Freedom Song," "Mandela") as Isom Dart, Billy Zane ("Titanic") as Lockwood, Ryan Kennedy ("Hellcats") as Doc Holliday...
Ryan Kennedy and John Pyper-Ferguson have a new film in the works, called Hannah's Law. It will premiere on Hallmark next spring. More details in the press release:
A frontier town is fueled by crime and corruption until a strong-willed heroine and her friends, including legendary lawman Wyatt Earp and gunfighter Doc Holliday, take a stand for justice to see who will be left standing in "Hannah's Law," a Hallmark Movie Channel Original produced by Nomadic Pictures Productions 3 and Sony Pictures Television, premiering on the network in 2012. The film, which is currently in production in Calgary, Alberta, stars Sara Canning ("The Vampire Diaries") as Hannah, Greystone Holt ("Durham County") as Wyatt Earp, Kimberly Elise ("For Colored Girls") as Stagecoach Mary, four-time Emmy(R) Award nominee Danny Glover ("Freedom Song," "Mandela") as Isom Dart, Billy Zane ("Titanic") as Lockwood, Ryan Kennedy ("Hellcats") as Doc Holliday...
- 10/4/2011
- by fanshawe
- CapricaTV
Rutger Hauer, Scott Adkins, Michael Jai White, Joe Flanigan and James Marsters have all joined the cast of the upcoming French/UK sci-fi adventure TV series "Metal Hurlant Chronicles" for We Productions, Humanoids and Panini U.K. Media says World Screen.
The series is a live-action adaptation of the French science-fiction and horror comic anthology books of the same name. Twenty four half-hour episodes have been approved and will screen as two twelve-episode seasons scheduled for European delivery in April 2012 and November 2012 respectively.
Further cast announcements will be made at the end of the year. Guillaume Lubrano, Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger will produce.
The series is a live-action adaptation of the French science-fiction and horror comic anthology books of the same name. Twenty four half-hour episodes have been approved and will screen as two twelve-episode seasons scheduled for European delivery in April 2012 and November 2012 respectively.
Further cast announcements will be made at the end of the year. Guillaume Lubrano, Pierre Spengler and Fabrice Giger will produce.
- 10/3/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
It was a time of sex, cynicism and Star Wars - and endless lampoons of the old Batman TV shows. Almost inconceivably, given the era that we live in, there had never been a superhero movie that wasn't cheap, laughable, aimed at kids - or all three. So when Superman producers the Salkind brothers decided to follow up their success of the Musketeers movies with another ambitious two-part movie project, they knew they'd need to throw high-level talent at the first ever serious cinematic account of the Man Of Steel.
Enter Richard Donner, riding a high wave of interest from The Omen; enter Marlon Brando, superstar Gene Hackman, Godfather screenwriter Mario Puzo...enter years of hard-working hell inventing entirely new cinematic processes to make us all believe a man can fly. And enter unknown actor Christopher Reeve, ready to take on the dual role of Clark Kent and Kal-El in what remains a definitive interpretation.
Enter Richard Donner, riding a high wave of interest from The Omen; enter Marlon Brando, superstar Gene Hackman, Godfather screenwriter Mario Puzo...enter years of hard-working hell inventing entirely new cinematic processes to make us all believe a man can fly. And enter unknown actor Christopher Reeve, ready to take on the dual role of Clark Kent and Kal-El in what remains a definitive interpretation.
- 6/16/2011
- Shadowlocked
In the run up to the much anticipated 2012 release of the new Superman movie, Warner Home Video is proud to present Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006), released on the 13th June 2011. Rediscover the heritage of the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, Superman, in the first five classic films.
We have already reviewed the set and can confirm it’s an essential purchase but for one lucky Owf reader, here’s your chance to win yourself a copy.
In this exciting eight disc collection, the Superman myth is depicted, from his birth on the doomed planet of Krypton to his life as a reporter in the big city of Metropolis. He discovers that hiding his superpowers as mild-mannered Clark Kent isn’t easy when trying to sustain a job at the ever inquisitive Daily Planet, wooing hard-nosed Lois Lane and constantly battling with super villains across Metropolis.
For the first time ever,...
We have already reviewed the set and can confirm it’s an essential purchase but for one lucky Owf reader, here’s your chance to win yourself a copy.
In this exciting eight disc collection, the Superman myth is depicted, from his birth on the doomed planet of Krypton to his life as a reporter in the big city of Metropolis. He discovers that hiding his superpowers as mild-mannered Clark Kent isn’t easy when trying to sustain a job at the ever inquisitive Daily Planet, wooing hard-nosed Lois Lane and constantly battling with super villains across Metropolis.
For the first time ever,...
- 6/7/2011
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
He’s one of the most enduringly popular superheroes of our time and to celebrate this fact, an incredible Bluray release has been compiled by Warner Bros. Consisting of all five films from Superman: The Movie (1978) to Superman Returns (2006), each one has been transferred into 1080p high definition and is accompanied by a plethora of additional material. For Superman fans this is an impressive release that is sure to please the majority, however it’s not free from its own kryptonite…
As fans eagerly await the release of Superman: Man of Steel next year, this collection will still suffice to relieve the boredom of the wait. Released on 13th June, follow the jump to read our review.
The collection spans 28 years and develops the character of Superman (Christopher Reeve) over five films. Superman: The Movie (1978) deals with his arrival on Earth and his first encounter with evil mastermind Lex Luthor...
As fans eagerly await the release of Superman: Man of Steel next year, this collection will still suffice to relieve the boredom of the wait. Released on 13th June, follow the jump to read our review.
The collection spans 28 years and develops the character of Superman (Christopher Reeve) over five films. Superman: The Movie (1978) deals with his arrival on Earth and his first encounter with evil mastermind Lex Luthor...
- 6/6/2011
- by Stuart Cummins
- Obsessed with Film
In the run up to the much anticipated 2012 release of the new Superman movie, Warner Home Video is proud to present Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006), released on the 13th June 2011.
For the first time ever, films one to four, Superman: The Movie (Original Theatrical), Superman II (Original Theatrical) Superman III and Superman IV – The Quest For Peace, are available on Blu-ray. The collection also includes the recent blockbuster; Superman Returns, plus Superman: the Movie (Expanded Edition) and Superman II (the Director Richard Donner cut).
The release will also feature 20 hours of bonus material, including the never-before-seen original opening to Superman Returns, along with documentaries, deleted scenes and a ‘making of’ feature.
The Full eight-disc breakdown:
Superman: The Original Theatrical Movie (1978) and Expanded Edition (2001)
A box-office smash, an Academy AwardÒ winner and a fan favourite since it first flew into theatres in December 1978, Superman: The Movie assembles...
For the first time ever, films one to four, Superman: The Movie (Original Theatrical), Superman II (Original Theatrical) Superman III and Superman IV – The Quest For Peace, are available on Blu-ray. The collection also includes the recent blockbuster; Superman Returns, plus Superman: the Movie (Expanded Edition) and Superman II (the Director Richard Donner cut).
The release will also feature 20 hours of bonus material, including the never-before-seen original opening to Superman Returns, along with documentaries, deleted scenes and a ‘making of’ feature.
The Full eight-disc breakdown:
Superman: The Original Theatrical Movie (1978) and Expanded Edition (2001)
A box-office smash, an Academy AwardÒ winner and a fan favourite since it first flew into theatres in December 1978, Superman: The Movie assembles...
- 5/18/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
By Victoria Charters
(from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival)
Day three of the Producers Workshop started at 10 a.m. with a presentation titled “Mining Europe for Production Finance.” A dense and informational map of how to search for co-production partners presented by European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs financial consultant Linda Beath, the seminar demonstrated why lawyers are good at this.
Then, finally, enough time to catch a film! I headed to the Marché du Cannes screenings for the Australian thriller “Swerve,” directed by Craig Lahiff.
The Producers Workshop resumed with “International Independent Film Financing,” whose speakers included Pierre Spengler of Clubdeal and Katriel Schory of the Israel Film Fund. Schory had lost his voice, and with apologies, generously continued to chat to us for two hours on the day his country’s film, “Footnote,” premiered at the Grand Lumiere. (“Footnote” was later bought by Sony Pictures Classics.)
With my “business” day over, my...
(from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival)
Day three of the Producers Workshop started at 10 a.m. with a presentation titled “Mining Europe for Production Finance.” A dense and informational map of how to search for co-production partners presented by European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs financial consultant Linda Beath, the seminar demonstrated why lawyers are good at this.
Then, finally, enough time to catch a film! I headed to the Marché du Cannes screenings for the Australian thriller “Swerve,” directed by Craig Lahiff.
The Producers Workshop resumed with “International Independent Film Financing,” whose speakers included Pierre Spengler of Clubdeal and Katriel Schory of the Israel Film Fund. Schory had lost his voice, and with apologies, generously continued to chat to us for two hours on the day his country’s film, “Footnote,” premiered at the Grand Lumiere. (“Footnote” was later bought by Sony Pictures Classics.)
With my “business” day over, my...
- 5/15/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
By Victoria Charters
(from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival)
Day three of the Producers Workshop started at 10 a.m. with a presentation titled “Mining Europe for Production Finance.” A dense and informational map of how to search for co-production partners presented by European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs financial consultant Linda Beath, the seminar demonstrated why lawyers are good at this.
Then, finally, enough time to catch a film! I headed to the Marché du Cannes screenings for the Australian thriller “Swerve,” directed by Craig Lahiff.
The Producers Workshop resumed with “International Independent Film Financing,” whose speakers included Pierre Spengler of Clubdeal and Katriel Schory of the Israel Film Fund. Schory had lost his voice, and with apologies, generously continued to chat to us for two hours on the day his country’s film, “Footnote,” premiered at the Grand Lumiere. (“Footnote” was later bought by Sony Pictures Classics.)
With my “business” day over, my...
(from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival)
Day three of the Producers Workshop started at 10 a.m. with a presentation titled “Mining Europe for Production Finance.” A dense and informational map of how to search for co-production partners presented by European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs financial consultant Linda Beath, the seminar demonstrated why lawyers are good at this.
Then, finally, enough time to catch a film! I headed to the Marché du Cannes screenings for the Australian thriller “Swerve,” directed by Craig Lahiff.
The Producers Workshop resumed with “International Independent Film Financing,” whose speakers included Pierre Spengler of Clubdeal and Katriel Schory of the Israel Film Fund. Schory had lost his voice, and with apologies, generously continued to chat to us for two hours on the day his country’s film, “Footnote,” premiered at the Grand Lumiere. (“Footnote” was later bought by Sony Pictures Classics.)
With my “business” day over, my...
- 5/15/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
We heard in January that Warner Bros. would be releasing all the Superman films in the Blu-ray format (here), and the studio has now officially announced Superman Anthology for release on June 7th. The set will include Superman: The Movie, Superman II, Superman III, Superman IV: Quest For Peace, and Superman Returns in a an 8-disc set. The set will include the original and Richard Donner cut of Superman II, with the original film presented in both theatrical and extended editions.
Blu-ray has details on the Special Features:
Disc 1: Superman: The Movie, Original Theatrical VersionSuperman: The Movie, Expanded Edition
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler The Making of Superman: The Movie [1978 TV special] Superman and the Mole-Men [1951 feature] Warner Bros. Cartoons:
· Super-Rabbit [1943]
· Snafuperman [1944]
· Stupor Duck [1956] Trailers
Disc 2:
Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz Taking Flight: The Development of Superman Making Superman: Filming the Legend The Magic Behind...
Blu-ray has details on the Special Features:
Disc 1: Superman: The Movie, Original Theatrical VersionSuperman: The Movie, Expanded Edition
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler The Making of Superman: The Movie [1978 TV special] Superman and the Mole-Men [1951 feature] Warner Bros. Cartoons:
· Super-Rabbit [1943]
· Snafuperman [1944]
· Stupor Duck [1956] Trailers
Disc 2:
Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz Taking Flight: The Development of Superman Making Superman: Filming the Legend The Magic Behind...
- 4/2/2011
- by Matt Keith
- Killer Films
A couple weeks ago UK listings for a Blu-ray anthology of all five existing Superman films were found, and we started to get info [1] about what might be in the box set. Now Warner Bros. has confirmed the set for Us release. Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology will be released on June 7, 2011 in an eight-disc set that contains all five films (Superman: The Movie, Superman II, Superman III, Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, and Superman Returns) as well as alternate versions of the first two movies and a wealth of special features. A trailer for the release and all relevant details follow. Per The Digital Bits [2], these are new HD masters for the theatrical cuts of the four Christopher Reeve movies and a new 1080p master for the expanded cut of Superman: The Movie. Here's the official trailer for the set. Underneath is the full press release offering...
- 4/1/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
On June 7th, Warner Home Video is releasing a pretty fabulous collection, and I want to give you a preview of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology on Blu-Ray.
This one is filled with extras, and includes alternate versions of the first two films. Check out all the info below, including the rundown of all the special features including in the set.
Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray.
For the first time, fans will be able to own one super-entertaining Blu-ray collection with all four original theatrical Superman films starring Christopher Reeve...
This one is filled with extras, and includes alternate versions of the first two films. Check out all the info below, including the rundown of all the special features including in the set.
Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray.
For the first time, fans will be able to own one super-entertaining Blu-ray collection with all four original theatrical Superman films starring Christopher Reeve...
- 4/1/2011
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006)
Debuts On Blu-ray™ June 7 From Warner Home Video
Video Trailer:
Collection Includes All Five Films in the Theatrical Franchise, Two Alternate Versions and 20 Hours of Bonus Features
Burbank, Calif. March 31, 2011 –Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray. For the first time, fans will be able to own one super-entertaining Blu-ray collection with all four original theatrical Superman films starring Christopher Reeve (available for the first time in high def), Superman Returns, and the two alternate versions of Superman I and Superman II.
Available now in superb hi-def,...
Debuts On Blu-ray™ June 7 From Warner Home Video
Video Trailer:
Collection Includes All Five Films in the Theatrical Franchise, Two Alternate Versions and 20 Hours of Bonus Features
Burbank, Calif. March 31, 2011 –Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray. For the first time, fans will be able to own one super-entertaining Blu-ray collection with all four original theatrical Superman films starring Christopher Reeve (available for the first time in high def), Superman Returns, and the two alternate versions of Superman I and Superman II.
Available now in superb hi-def,...
- 4/1/2011
- by THE LEGION fan network
- Legions of Gotham
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: Can you imagine how amazing Superman’s blue-and-red tights are going to look in high-definition?
As Warner Bros. prepares to reboot the Man of Steel – again – the studio is going back to Superman’s cinematic roots. Not the hero’s black-and-white days. Back to the Richard Donner days, when the director (with Christopher Reeve’s help) took the superhero film franchises to new heights. And they are putting
“Stronger. … Faster. … Sharper!” the Blu-ray clip teases for “Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology.” The package will include
The teaser trailer is heavy on Donner’s original “Superman” and Bryan Singer’s most recent “Superman Returns.” We don’t see a lot of footage from “Superman III” or “The Quest for Peace,” but they are reportedly in the set. We’ll also see “Expanded Edition” cuts of Donner’s two films for the first time on Blu-ray.
Hollywoodnews.com: Can you imagine how amazing Superman’s blue-and-red tights are going to look in high-definition?
As Warner Bros. prepares to reboot the Man of Steel – again – the studio is going back to Superman’s cinematic roots. Not the hero’s black-and-white days. Back to the Richard Donner days, when the director (with Christopher Reeve’s help) took the superhero film franchises to new heights. And they are putting
“Stronger. … Faster. … Sharper!” the Blu-ray clip teases for “Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology.” The package will include
The teaser trailer is heavy on Donner’s original “Superman” and Bryan Singer’s most recent “Superman Returns.” We don’t see a lot of footage from “Superman III” or “The Quest for Peace,” but they are reportedly in the set. We’ll also see “Expanded Edition” cuts of Donner’s two films for the first time on Blu-ray.
- 4/1/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
Zack Snyder’s Superman that plans to revitalize, reinvigrate and reimagine the character like never before on film will hit theaters Christmas 2012, but this summer we are treat to the Superman Motion Picture Anthology on Blu-ray just in time for The Green Lantern to hit theaters. Catipulting fans from the original 1978 film to the latest 2005 film Superman Returns, this anthology has it all. Check all the details and trailer for the DVD after the jump.
Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray. For the first time, fans will be able to own...
Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray. For the first time, fans will be able to own...
- 4/1/2011
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
Warner Home Video has announced the Blu-ray release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1978 — 2006 set to hit selves on June 7th. This cool 8 disc set will have 5 original theatrical motion pictures plus 2 alternate cuts. But what caught my eye was on Superman Returns, it will now have the deleted scene where Superman returns to Krypton, there was a glimpsed of it when the first teaser trailer came out. I have seen this scene myself and its pretty interesting.Here is the full press release. Also check out the trailer for the trailer for the Blu-ray release. Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the...
- 4/1/2011
- LRMonline.com
Ok peeps! We showed you a sneak peak at he Superman Anthology release over in the UK a few weeks ago and now we have thr goods for all of our Us friends! Check out the new trailer at the bottom of the page!I am so stoked for this release! From the Official Press release:
Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) Debuts On Blu-ray™ June 7 From Warner Home Video
Collection Includes All Five Films in the Theatrical Franchise, Two Alternate Versions and 20 Hours of Bonus Features
Burbank, Calif. March 31, 2011 –Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superherowith the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray.
Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) Debuts On Blu-ray™ June 7 From Warner Home Video
Collection Includes All Five Films in the Theatrical Franchise, Two Alternate Versions and 20 Hours of Bonus Features
Burbank, Calif. March 31, 2011 –Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (Whv) is celebrating the year of the superherowith the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray.
- 4/1/2011
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
As director Zack Snyder (Sucker Punch) prepares the new movie Superman: Man of Steel for its release in theaters in next year, Warner Home Video is giving fans a new Blu-ray set of the comic book superhero’s older films. Superman The Motion Picture Anthology 1978-2006 will be available on June 7.
Superman Returns
Whether you prefer Christopher Reeve or Brandon Routh (sorry, Brandon, we do love you, but Christopher will always have our heart), both of their movies will be in the set, with new high-definition film masters and DTS-hd sound.
Priced at $129.95, the Anthology will be packaged in a nice-looking box that splits open behind the big S to reveal the discs in a red-cape-covered folder. And, the box will include a Movie Cash coupon worth $8 off one admission to see Warner’s Green Lantern in theaters.
The eight-disc boxed set will include all the Superman movies so far:...
Superman Returns
Whether you prefer Christopher Reeve or Brandon Routh (sorry, Brandon, we do love you, but Christopher will always have our heart), both of their movies will be in the set, with new high-definition film masters and DTS-hd sound.
Priced at $129.95, the Anthology will be packaged in a nice-looking box that splits open behind the big S to reveal the discs in a red-cape-covered folder. And, the box will include a Movie Cash coupon worth $8 off one admission to see Warner’s Green Lantern in theaters.
The eight-disc boxed set will include all the Superman movies so far:...
- 3/31/2011
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
Warner Home Video has announced a Blu-ray release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology for June 7th. The 8-disc release will include Superman The Movie, Superman The Movie: Expanded Edition, Superman II, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, Superman III, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace and Superman Returns - all for the first time with DTS-hd 5.1 Master Audio. Disc #1 · Superman: The Movie, Original Theatrical · Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler (Original Theatrical Version) · The Making of Superman: The Movie [1978 TV special] · Superman and the Mole-Men [1951 feature] · Warner Bros. Cartoons Super-Rabbit [1943 WB cartoon] Snafuperman [1944 WB cartoon] Stupor Duck [1956 WB cartoon] · Trailers Disc #2 · Superman: The Movie, Expanded Edition · Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz (Extended Version) · Taking Flight: The Development of Superman · Making Superman: Filming the Legend · The Magic Behind the Cape · Screen Tests Superman Lois Lane with Optional Commentary Ursa · A Selection of Restored Scenes · Additional Music Cues Main...
- 3/31/2011
- ComicBookMovie.com
It’s the first project in a new four-picture deal with Les Humanoides Associes, the French publisher best known for Metal Hurlant. Debuting in 2004, I Am Legion centers on a World War II plot by Nazis to control the powers of a 10-year-old vampire while Allied forces scramble to uncover how their own ranks have been infiltrated by Hitler’s elite. The Full House production will be directed by Spain's Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned) from a script by Richard Stanley (Hardware, The Abandoned). Humanoides partner Pierre Spengler (Superman) will co-produce the $13.4 million-$16.4 million film, which is expected to shoot late this year in Eastern Europe using English actors. The comic book series was originally published by Les Humanoïdes Associés in three albums, Le faune dansant (The Dancing Faun, June 2004), Vlad (January 2006) and Les trois singes (The Three Monkeys, November 2007). This was then translated into English by Justin Kelly and was...
- 2/12/2011
- ComicBookMovie.com
Critically acclaimed filmmakers Spike Lee and Antoine Fuqua will adapt Philippe Thirault, Marc Riou and Mark Vigouroux’ graphic novel "Miss: Better Living Through Crime" for Vigilante Entertainment.
Originally published by French comic publisher Humanoids, “Miss” is a crime thriller set in the 1920s that follows an unusual partnership between two killers for hire: a poor white girl named Nola who becomes a tough femme fatale and Slim, an African-American pimp from Harlem. “Miss” was also published in the U.S. in 2002.
According to Variety, Fuqua will direct “Miss” while Lee is onboard as an executive producer along with Pierre Spengler, Fabrice Giger and Vigilante Entertainment founder Hicham Benkirane. The project is currently being shopped around to film studios.
Lee is widely known for films like “Do the Right Thing”, “Malcolm X” and “Get on the Bus,” while Fuqua’s best-known film is “Training Day” — which earned Denzel Washington the...
Originally published by French comic publisher Humanoids, “Miss” is a crime thriller set in the 1920s that follows an unusual partnership between two killers for hire: a poor white girl named Nola who becomes a tough femme fatale and Slim, an African-American pimp from Harlem. “Miss” was also published in the U.S. in 2002.
According to Variety, Fuqua will direct “Miss” while Lee is onboard as an executive producer along with Pierre Spengler, Fabrice Giger and Vigilante Entertainment founder Hicham Benkirane. The project is currently being shopped around to film studios.
Lee is widely known for films like “Do the Right Thing”, “Malcolm X” and “Get on the Bus,” while Fuqua’s best-known film is “Training Day” — which earned Denzel Washington the...
- 11/18/2009
- by Blair Marnell
- MTV Splash Page
Those of you who care about such things, may know that when director Richard Donner was filming his glorious Superman movie (1978), that he was actually filming two movies simultaneously. What eventually became Superman I and II, was originally one script, split into two parts. After filming over 70% of Superman II and going way over budget, the producers, Alexander and Ilya Salkind, and Pierre Spengler, pulled the plug on the sequel and told Donner to finish the first one. He did, and the rest is comic book movie history. Superman the Movie remains to many the tentpole by which all other superhero movies are measured. Yet by the end of production, relations between Donner and the producers were so vitriolic, they weren't even speaking. Even after the global success of the first film, Donner was told by the Salkinds that "his services would not be needed on the sequel." Instead, the...
- 8/4/2009
- by Celebrity_Profile_Examiner
- Celebrity Bio Examiner
Release date: Nov. 28
Along with the good, everything that was bad about the first two Christopher Reeve "Superman" films is repeated in the 2006 franchise resurrection, "Superman Returns", starring Brandon Routh.
Kevin Spacey, for example, is in the same league as Gene Hackman and delivers the same sort of appealing one-liners and amusing emotional explosions as the central villain, but, like Hackman, he is also overly clownish, emphasizing the 'comic' part of comic book.
Like its predecessors, the 132-minute film is too long, and there are too many strings playing in the musical score when the hero flies, instilling the viewer not so much with a sense of awe as with an attack of yawns.
In the story's deliberately vague premise, the hero has been away from the Earth for a somewhat unspecified length of time, returning to find that his girlfriend has an unspecified relationship with another man and a child of an unspecified age (he certainly looks older than what the dialog claims he is).
These dynamics play out as the villain hatches a monumentally evil plot to create a new continent and eliminate several of the old ones in the process. That's the other problem with Superman. He's really not suited, as it were, for modern film special effects.
The best utilizations of the character have been in confined circumstance -- animated cartoons, or the TV shows, where resources are limited. Since there are almost no limits to his powers, there is almost no tension to his dilemmas, and so the big budget canvas, which has been ideal for the depiction of other, less powerful and more psychologically conflicted super heroes, is reduced with the indestructible Superman to depicting simplistic stories and mindless fights.
Directed by Bryan Singer, the film has some viable special effect sequences, but no real demo-quality action scenes comparable to the helicopter rescue in the first Christopher Reeve Superman feature. The spiritual metaphors that were suggested in the film's trailer are nowhere to be seen. As hard as he tries, there is only so much psychological ore Singer can strip mine from such a shallow premise.
The Warner Home Video Widescreen release (retail $29) has a few thrills, a few laughs and a great surround soundtrack, but it is not the uber-entertainment it seems to want to become, and the more often one goes back to watch it again, the more one is going to hit the Scan button to hurry it up.
The letterboxing has an aspect ratio of about 2.35:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital track has strong and distinctive rear channel effects and lots of power coming from every direction. There is an alternate Spanish track in 5.1 Dolby and optional English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Warner has also released a Two-Disc Special Edition (retail $34.98) with worthwhile supplementary features. The first platter is identical to the standard release. Along with two of the film's trailers and a 4-minute promo sequence about resurrecting Marlon Brando's image for the film, there are 15 minutes of deleted scenes and 173 minutes of behind-the-scenes materials.
Both contain hints of what the movie should have been.
There is a deleted scene that explains the film's premise much more clearly than what made it into the film and would have had a great resonance to today -- basically, that Superman has abandoned America. There are also story conferences in the behind-the-scenes materials that go over the same point. But the deleted scene is way too slow to have been included in the already sluggish opening act, and Singer was too rushed with his tight development deadlines to really work out what he was trying to accomplish. The behind-the-scenes material is excellent, showing how every major sequence was staged and giving you a feel for the personalities of the cast and crew, as well as capturing raw moments of creative brainstorming that normally don't make it into a DVD.
To promote the theatrical release of "Superman Returns", Warner commissioned a documentary about Superman by Kevin Burns, which is featured in the two-platter set, "Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman" (retail $14.99). Yes, it promotes all of Warner's Superman products, and yes, the final section has an extended segment on 'Superman Returns" disproportionate to the coverage of the other movies, TV shows and so on, but it is still a terrific effort that will offer up revelations and insights to even the most knowledgeable of fans.
The history of the development of the character is told in great detail, footage from discarded pilots and other rarities is shared, screen tests are included (Stockard Channing as Lois Lane, anyone?), and a steady tracking of the changes made to the character as a reflection of shifts in the American psyche is provided. It is an engrossing presentation.
The picture is in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 1.78:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound applies John Williams' musical score effectively. There are optional French subtitles (contrary to a jacket notation, there is no Spanish subtitling) and there is English captioning. The second platter contains 29 more minutes of esoteric behind-the-scenes footage from "Superman Returns" that was not included on the Special Edition DVD, the most interesting segment being a look at how you fake a baseball super-toss.
As is explained in the documentary, director Richard Donner was removed from the 1980 "Superman II" after having directed the first "Superman", and was replaced by Richard Lester. Thanks entirely to the popularity of the DVD format, Warner has made the admirable effort of allowing Donner to reconstruct the film as he originally envisioned it, which has been released as "Superman II The Richard Donner Cut" (retail $24.98).
Don't expect miracles. The basic story is the same, with the hero squaring off against three super-villains from his home planet. But at 116 minutes, compared to the standard version's 127 minutes, the film is tighter and less tedious. The opening act is much stronger and more to the point, and sequences later in the film, such as the hero's humiliation after he loses his powers, are less of a strain because it hasn't taken quite so long to get there.
Marlon Brando's footage, which had been excised by the film's producers in a cost-cutting move, is restored, and is good fun (he reads from Joyce Kilmer's "Trees", which may or may not be intended for ironic effect).
Nevertheless, the ending leaves something to be desired -- the hero reverses the earth's spin as he did in "Superman" to erase everyone's memories, which is just as ridiculous as him kissing the heroine and sucking out her memories in the standard version of "II" (it seems more clear now, however, in the standard version, that she is pregnant, something that would be impossible with the revised version). Essentially, what made the second film the most satisfying in the series has been slightly better honed and sculpted, but its imperfections remain.
The picture is in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 2.35:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The image is smooth and sharp, and although there is an opening card that claims some of the footage came from screen tests, you would be hard pressed to identify it.
The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound is on par with the standard version, and the great sub woofer workout during the final battle remains. There are optional English, French and Spanish subtitles, a 13-minute featurette about the revisions, and 9 minutes of deleted scenes with a few scattered gags
Donner and screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz supply a commentary track. Donner reminisces about shooting both films and the various people he worked with, but a lot of the talk is an attempted justification for their version of the movie. "Richard Lester ... kind of reverted back to, in my eyes, the face value of the comic book rather than the heart, and reality was lost. Therefore, as much as possible, tried to remove as much of his footage, without making a major hole in the storytelling."
It is rare to come across controversy on a DVD commentary track because most filmmakers know they are speaking for the ages and try to put themselves in as best a light as possible, but an entertaining cat fight kind of develops between the commentary on the "Richard Donner Cut", and the commentary by producers Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler (who speak separately) on the Two-Disc Special Edition of "Superman II" (retail $26.98). Donner claims that he has no real idea why the producers replaced him on the second film, but both Salkind and Spengler say specifically that Donner refused to work with Spengler again after the first film was completed. They also disagree on whether it would have been a worthy investment to bring Brando back for "II," and on the value of various scenes that are in one film but not the other.
When not defending their turf, the two producers talk in general terms about the film, the stars, the logistics of the shoot, Lester's contributions to the movie, and what constitutes the Superman character.
"The circulation of the Superman comic book was somewhere in the region of 200,000-250,000, so it's not that huge, but what the comic books have done, they have created a common subconscious. I think you ask anybody who Superman is, not only after the film, but even before, people knew who Superman was and knew one or two idiosyncrasies, and then the rest they imagined what it could be.
"The comic book fans will know a lot of details and will be very precise. The other people will know a few details and then what you have to do when you re-create a thing like a movie, you have to basically satisfy what they imagine it is, so long as it is in keeping with what the general, common subconscious. I'm sounding like Freud here, but there is some truth. I think the comic book base was very happy. DC Comics was very happy with what we did with the film and what we did with the character."
The picture is presented in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 2.35:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The picture transfer differs from Warner's first release of the title, but the earlier transfer wasn't bad, so there isn't much to improve upon. The framing is slightly different, to no effect.
The source material varies between scenes that are very crisp and glossy, and scenes that are soft and a little grainy, and that is how the film comes off on both DVDs. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound, on the other hand, has a much nicer and better-detailed separation mix, and plenty of punch. There is an alternate French track in mono, optional English, French and Spanish subtitles, a trailer, and a minute-long deleted scene in which the hero uses his heat ray vision to cook a souffle for the heroine.
The second platter has a very good 52-minute TV special from 1980 with lots of behind-the-scenes footage that shows how several elaborate action scenes were staged.
There is also a jokey-but-fun 48-minute TV special from 1988, with a number of guest stars, which shows clips from all of the various Superman iterations -- cartoons, serials, TV shows, movies and so on -- but pretends that it is a documentary about the 'real' Superman. "Superman's powers come in very handy in Metropolis, the city which annually leads the nation in accidents and natural disasters."
A nice 13-minute featurette about the Max and Dave Fleischer cartoons is accompanied by the latter eight of those cartoons from the early '40s, "Japoteurs", "Showdown", "Eleventh Hour", "Destruction Inc.", "The Mummy Strikes", "Jungle Drums", "The Underground World" and "Secret Agent". Although they are the weaker of the series as a whole, that is a relative term since all of them are highly engaging, with fantastic artwork and reasonably enjoyable stories. The transfers look super, too, with bright, crisp colors and minimal wear.
The complete database of Doug Pratt's DVD-video reviews is available at http://www.dvdlaser.com. A sample copy of the DVD-Laser Disc Newsletter can be obtained by calling (516) 594-9304....
Along with the good, everything that was bad about the first two Christopher Reeve "Superman" films is repeated in the 2006 franchise resurrection, "Superman Returns", starring Brandon Routh.
Kevin Spacey, for example, is in the same league as Gene Hackman and delivers the same sort of appealing one-liners and amusing emotional explosions as the central villain, but, like Hackman, he is also overly clownish, emphasizing the 'comic' part of comic book.
Like its predecessors, the 132-minute film is too long, and there are too many strings playing in the musical score when the hero flies, instilling the viewer not so much with a sense of awe as with an attack of yawns.
In the story's deliberately vague premise, the hero has been away from the Earth for a somewhat unspecified length of time, returning to find that his girlfriend has an unspecified relationship with another man and a child of an unspecified age (he certainly looks older than what the dialog claims he is).
These dynamics play out as the villain hatches a monumentally evil plot to create a new continent and eliminate several of the old ones in the process. That's the other problem with Superman. He's really not suited, as it were, for modern film special effects.
The best utilizations of the character have been in confined circumstance -- animated cartoons, or the TV shows, where resources are limited. Since there are almost no limits to his powers, there is almost no tension to his dilemmas, and so the big budget canvas, which has been ideal for the depiction of other, less powerful and more psychologically conflicted super heroes, is reduced with the indestructible Superman to depicting simplistic stories and mindless fights.
Directed by Bryan Singer, the film has some viable special effect sequences, but no real demo-quality action scenes comparable to the helicopter rescue in the first Christopher Reeve Superman feature. The spiritual metaphors that were suggested in the film's trailer are nowhere to be seen. As hard as he tries, there is only so much psychological ore Singer can strip mine from such a shallow premise.
The Warner Home Video Widescreen release (retail $29) has a few thrills, a few laughs and a great surround soundtrack, but it is not the uber-entertainment it seems to want to become, and the more often one goes back to watch it again, the more one is going to hit the Scan button to hurry it up.
The letterboxing has an aspect ratio of about 2.35:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital track has strong and distinctive rear channel effects and lots of power coming from every direction. There is an alternate Spanish track in 5.1 Dolby and optional English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Warner has also released a Two-Disc Special Edition (retail $34.98) with worthwhile supplementary features. The first platter is identical to the standard release. Along with two of the film's trailers and a 4-minute promo sequence about resurrecting Marlon Brando's image for the film, there are 15 minutes of deleted scenes and 173 minutes of behind-the-scenes materials.
Both contain hints of what the movie should have been.
There is a deleted scene that explains the film's premise much more clearly than what made it into the film and would have had a great resonance to today -- basically, that Superman has abandoned America. There are also story conferences in the behind-the-scenes materials that go over the same point. But the deleted scene is way too slow to have been included in the already sluggish opening act, and Singer was too rushed with his tight development deadlines to really work out what he was trying to accomplish. The behind-the-scenes material is excellent, showing how every major sequence was staged and giving you a feel for the personalities of the cast and crew, as well as capturing raw moments of creative brainstorming that normally don't make it into a DVD.
To promote the theatrical release of "Superman Returns", Warner commissioned a documentary about Superman by Kevin Burns, which is featured in the two-platter set, "Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman" (retail $14.99). Yes, it promotes all of Warner's Superman products, and yes, the final section has an extended segment on 'Superman Returns" disproportionate to the coverage of the other movies, TV shows and so on, but it is still a terrific effort that will offer up revelations and insights to even the most knowledgeable of fans.
The history of the development of the character is told in great detail, footage from discarded pilots and other rarities is shared, screen tests are included (Stockard Channing as Lois Lane, anyone?), and a steady tracking of the changes made to the character as a reflection of shifts in the American psyche is provided. It is an engrossing presentation.
The picture is in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 1.78:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound applies John Williams' musical score effectively. There are optional French subtitles (contrary to a jacket notation, there is no Spanish subtitling) and there is English captioning. The second platter contains 29 more minutes of esoteric behind-the-scenes footage from "Superman Returns" that was not included on the Special Edition DVD, the most interesting segment being a look at how you fake a baseball super-toss.
As is explained in the documentary, director Richard Donner was removed from the 1980 "Superman II" after having directed the first "Superman", and was replaced by Richard Lester. Thanks entirely to the popularity of the DVD format, Warner has made the admirable effort of allowing Donner to reconstruct the film as he originally envisioned it, which has been released as "Superman II The Richard Donner Cut" (retail $24.98).
Don't expect miracles. The basic story is the same, with the hero squaring off against three super-villains from his home planet. But at 116 minutes, compared to the standard version's 127 minutes, the film is tighter and less tedious. The opening act is much stronger and more to the point, and sequences later in the film, such as the hero's humiliation after he loses his powers, are less of a strain because it hasn't taken quite so long to get there.
Marlon Brando's footage, which had been excised by the film's producers in a cost-cutting move, is restored, and is good fun (he reads from Joyce Kilmer's "Trees", which may or may not be intended for ironic effect).
Nevertheless, the ending leaves something to be desired -- the hero reverses the earth's spin as he did in "Superman" to erase everyone's memories, which is just as ridiculous as him kissing the heroine and sucking out her memories in the standard version of "II" (it seems more clear now, however, in the standard version, that she is pregnant, something that would be impossible with the revised version). Essentially, what made the second film the most satisfying in the series has been slightly better honed and sculpted, but its imperfections remain.
The picture is in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 2.35:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The image is smooth and sharp, and although there is an opening card that claims some of the footage came from screen tests, you would be hard pressed to identify it.
The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound is on par with the standard version, and the great sub woofer workout during the final battle remains. There are optional English, French and Spanish subtitles, a 13-minute featurette about the revisions, and 9 minutes of deleted scenes with a few scattered gags
Donner and screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz supply a commentary track. Donner reminisces about shooting both films and the various people he worked with, but a lot of the talk is an attempted justification for their version of the movie. "Richard Lester ... kind of reverted back to, in my eyes, the face value of the comic book rather than the heart, and reality was lost. Therefore, as much as possible, tried to remove as much of his footage, without making a major hole in the storytelling."
It is rare to come across controversy on a DVD commentary track because most filmmakers know they are speaking for the ages and try to put themselves in as best a light as possible, but an entertaining cat fight kind of develops between the commentary on the "Richard Donner Cut", and the commentary by producers Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler (who speak separately) on the Two-Disc Special Edition of "Superman II" (retail $26.98). Donner claims that he has no real idea why the producers replaced him on the second film, but both Salkind and Spengler say specifically that Donner refused to work with Spengler again after the first film was completed. They also disagree on whether it would have been a worthy investment to bring Brando back for "II," and on the value of various scenes that are in one film but not the other.
When not defending their turf, the two producers talk in general terms about the film, the stars, the logistics of the shoot, Lester's contributions to the movie, and what constitutes the Superman character.
"The circulation of the Superman comic book was somewhere in the region of 200,000-250,000, so it's not that huge, but what the comic books have done, they have created a common subconscious. I think you ask anybody who Superman is, not only after the film, but even before, people knew who Superman was and knew one or two idiosyncrasies, and then the rest they imagined what it could be.
"The comic book fans will know a lot of details and will be very precise. The other people will know a few details and then what you have to do when you re-create a thing like a movie, you have to basically satisfy what they imagine it is, so long as it is in keeping with what the general, common subconscious. I'm sounding like Freud here, but there is some truth. I think the comic book base was very happy. DC Comics was very happy with what we did with the film and what we did with the character."
The picture is presented in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 2.35:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. The picture transfer differs from Warner's first release of the title, but the earlier transfer wasn't bad, so there isn't much to improve upon. The framing is slightly different, to no effect.
The source material varies between scenes that are very crisp and glossy, and scenes that are soft and a little grainy, and that is how the film comes off on both DVDs. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound, on the other hand, has a much nicer and better-detailed separation mix, and plenty of punch. There is an alternate French track in mono, optional English, French and Spanish subtitles, a trailer, and a minute-long deleted scene in which the hero uses his heat ray vision to cook a souffle for the heroine.
The second platter has a very good 52-minute TV special from 1980 with lots of behind-the-scenes footage that shows how several elaborate action scenes were staged.
There is also a jokey-but-fun 48-minute TV special from 1988, with a number of guest stars, which shows clips from all of the various Superman iterations -- cartoons, serials, TV shows, movies and so on -- but pretends that it is a documentary about the 'real' Superman. "Superman's powers come in very handy in Metropolis, the city which annually leads the nation in accidents and natural disasters."
A nice 13-minute featurette about the Max and Dave Fleischer cartoons is accompanied by the latter eight of those cartoons from the early '40s, "Japoteurs", "Showdown", "Eleventh Hour", "Destruction Inc.", "The Mummy Strikes", "Jungle Drums", "The Underground World" and "Secret Agent". Although they are the weaker of the series as a whole, that is a relative term since all of them are highly engaging, with fantastic artwork and reasonably enjoyable stories. The transfers look super, too, with bright, crisp colors and minimal wear.
The complete database of Doug Pratt's DVD-video reviews is available at http://www.dvdlaser.com. A sample copy of the DVD-Laser Disc Newsletter can be obtained by calling (516) 594-9304....
- 12/13/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- There are gun fights in Guy Ritchie's Revolver, but the title may refer to how the movie spins wildly in circles, continually doubling back on itself, repeating scenes -- once even backwards -- and lines of dialogue until a viewer loses a grip on what is supposed to be real. The greater problem for that viewer is caring where reality lies. In his third gangster movie in four features, Ritchie presents his usual clutch of unsavory killers, cons and super-cool street cats, who strut through scenes dripping with menace. But the film's pretentious style and fractured storytelling preclude any audience involvement in the coy melodrama.
Ritchie certainly isn't looking to entertain fans of his first two gangster movies for hipsters, "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and Snatch. But his move uptown to the art house derails in an unnecessarily convoluted dramaturgy that will surely alienate his core follows while doing little to establish the sought-after intellectual credentials. Boxoffice will be modest at best.
Gambler and gangster Jake Green (Ritchie regular Jason Statham) gets out of prison after seven years in solitary that has left him sullen and vengeful. A year later, he has accumulated enough wealth to seek revenge against his mortal enemy, vicious gambling boss Macha (Ray Liotta in a virtual cartoon of his early roles depicting human savagery).
Jake visits Macha at his high-rise casino and humiliates his rival at the gaming table with a couple of coin flips. (Why would a gambling lord play at his own tables? Never mind, as the characters in this movie are never going to make sense.)
Jake suffers a blackout and a medical check up reveals a rare blood disease that will kill him in three days. Meanwhile, his life is saved by an enigmatic pair of loan sharks, gruff Zach (Vincent Pastore) and his chess-playing partner, Avi (Andre Benjamin). The two offer Jake protection -- this to a man who is going to die any moment -- with the understanding they will take all his money. Jake unaccountably accepts.
The movie then takes a deep dive into schizophrenia. Two kinds actually. For one, Jake talks to himself to the point a viewer realizes his "inner voice" comes from a different person than his outer identity. Eventually, Ritchie cuts back and forth between the two Jakes. Neither seems reliable.
The other schizophrenia lies in the movie itself. Ritche runs story and character through a hall of mirrors where everyone's identity and motives are in question. But for all the stylistic flourishes and shifts in mood, a deadly dullness settles over the action. If every action has multiple meanings and, possibly, no meaning at all, a weary audience simply checks out of the movie.
The movie takes place in a deliberately fake environment, where interiors and some exteriors look like Las Vegas, backstreets and other locales are reminiscent of London and an American and British cast present a mix of accents.
Sets and costumes are as gaudy as they are gloomy while cinematographer Tim Maurice Jones shoots in cool, sometime under lit tones. The result is an antiseptic, impersonal atmosphere where no one feels like he belongs.
REVOLVER
EuropaCorp
Credits:
Writer/director: Guy Ritchie
Producer: Luc Besson, Pierre Spengler, Virginie Silla-Besson
Executive producer: Steve Christian
Director of photography: Tim Maurice Jones
Production designer: Eve Stewart
Costumes: Verity Hawkes
Editors: James Herbert, Ian Differ, Romesh Aluwihare
Cast:
Jake Green: Jason Statham
Macha: Ray Liotta
Zack: Vincent Pastore, Avi: Andre Benjamin
French Paul: Terrence Maynard
Running time -- 115 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Ritchie certainly isn't looking to entertain fans of his first two gangster movies for hipsters, "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and Snatch. But his move uptown to the art house derails in an unnecessarily convoluted dramaturgy that will surely alienate his core follows while doing little to establish the sought-after intellectual credentials. Boxoffice will be modest at best.
Gambler and gangster Jake Green (Ritchie regular Jason Statham) gets out of prison after seven years in solitary that has left him sullen and vengeful. A year later, he has accumulated enough wealth to seek revenge against his mortal enemy, vicious gambling boss Macha (Ray Liotta in a virtual cartoon of his early roles depicting human savagery).
Jake visits Macha at his high-rise casino and humiliates his rival at the gaming table with a couple of coin flips. (Why would a gambling lord play at his own tables? Never mind, as the characters in this movie are never going to make sense.)
Jake suffers a blackout and a medical check up reveals a rare blood disease that will kill him in three days. Meanwhile, his life is saved by an enigmatic pair of loan sharks, gruff Zach (Vincent Pastore) and his chess-playing partner, Avi (Andre Benjamin). The two offer Jake protection -- this to a man who is going to die any moment -- with the understanding they will take all his money. Jake unaccountably accepts.
The movie then takes a deep dive into schizophrenia. Two kinds actually. For one, Jake talks to himself to the point a viewer realizes his "inner voice" comes from a different person than his outer identity. Eventually, Ritchie cuts back and forth between the two Jakes. Neither seems reliable.
The other schizophrenia lies in the movie itself. Ritche runs story and character through a hall of mirrors where everyone's identity and motives are in question. But for all the stylistic flourishes and shifts in mood, a deadly dullness settles over the action. If every action has multiple meanings and, possibly, no meaning at all, a weary audience simply checks out of the movie.
The movie takes place in a deliberately fake environment, where interiors and some exteriors look like Las Vegas, backstreets and other locales are reminiscent of London and an American and British cast present a mix of accents.
Sets and costumes are as gaudy as they are gloomy while cinematographer Tim Maurice Jones shoots in cool, sometime under lit tones. The result is an antiseptic, impersonal atmosphere where no one feels like he belongs.
REVOLVER
EuropaCorp
Credits:
Writer/director: Guy Ritchie
Producer: Luc Besson, Pierre Spengler, Virginie Silla-Besson
Executive producer: Steve Christian
Director of photography: Tim Maurice Jones
Production designer: Eve Stewart
Costumes: Verity Hawkes
Editors: James Herbert, Ian Differ, Romesh Aluwihare
Cast:
Jake Green: Jason Statham
Macha: Ray Liotta
Zack: Vincent Pastore, Avi: Andre Benjamin
French Paul: Terrence Maynard
Running time -- 115 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 9/12/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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