In contrast to most superhero films, this one has multiple storylines that weave together most enjoyably. It also features a villain who is unambiguous in his determination to rid Earth of the Kryptonian. The subtext here is obvious but it is presented in such a way as to be inclusive. It also has a total comic book feel and structure. Oh, and there is also a super dog named Krypto.

Writers Gunn, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster have fashioned a story that brings Superman and his abilities into a modern context without stripping him of his universal appeal. There are moments of doubt and suspicion by the public of his alien powers and the caustic effect that modern social media can have on individuals in the public eye. The inclusion of these elements gives the story added depth and relevance.

As pure escapism, this film is a delight and the underlying theme, while a positive one is never allowed to overwhelm the enjoyment factor by being overly saccarine. This is populist entertainment in the best possible sense and should be enjoyed as such. Leave the troubled world on the outside and settle in for an example of a cast and crew that know exactly what they want to do and have the skills and approach to make that vision truly come to life.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

“Superman,” DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this July from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.

DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters,” “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry,” “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza,” “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).

“Superman” is executive produced by Nikolas Korda, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars Winther. Behind the camera, Gunn is joined by frequent collaborators, including director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Beth Mickle, costume designer Judianna Makovsky and composer John Murphy, along with composer David Fleming (“The Last of Us”) and editors William Hoy (“The Batman”) and Craig Alpert (“Deadpool 2,” “Blue Beetle”).

DC Studios Presents a Troll Court Entertainment/The Safran Company Production, A James Gunn Film, “Superman,” releasing in Australian cinemas on July 10, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
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When his beloved wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) is tragically murdered, it brings something out in Heller that many never even imagined. Few saw the determination he possessed to avenge the death of his wife and he is allowed to train in the black arts. Even then he is still treated with a level of disdain that proves completely unwarranted.

Once in the field he uses this dismissal to his advantage. Being underestimated plays to his strengths and lacking the brawn only accentuates the power of his analytic brain. There are some bumps in the road and victims while not completely innocent are sweep up into the escalating violence.

In contrast to most stories of this ilk, he never loses his moral compass and the end when it does come is played out in an unexpected way. The underlying themes play to a healthy distrust of people in powerful positions and a few do get their comeuppance. The focus never leaves the thought that you can never judge a person by the obvious criteria and finding out the hidden depth of Heller is a satisfying adventure.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/20thCenturyStudiosAUNZ/

DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters”, “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”, “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza”, “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma”, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).

“Superman” is executive produced by Nikolas Korda, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars Winther. Behind the camera, Gunn is joined by frequent collaborators, including director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Beth Mickle, costume designer Judianna Makovsky and composer John Murphy, along with editors Craig Alpert (“Deadpool 2”, “Blue Beetle”), Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Flash”) and William Hoy (“The Batman”).

“Superman” will be in theaters and IMAX nationwide on July 11, 2025, and internationally beginning 9 July 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Superman” will release in Australian cinemas from July 10.
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters”, “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”, “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza”, “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma”, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).

“Superman” is executive produced by Nikolas Korda, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars Winther. Behind the camera, Gunn is joined by frequent collaborators, including director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Beth Mickle, costume designer Judianna Makovsky and composer John Murphy, along with editors Craig Alpert (“Deadpool 2”, “Blue Beetle”), Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Flash”) and William Hoy (“The Batman”).

“Superman” will be in theaters and IMAX nationwide on July 11, 2025, and internationally beginning 9 July 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Superman” will release in Australian cinemas from July 10.
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge.

The film also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne. “The Amateur” is directed by James Hawes. The screenplay is by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli based on the novel by Robert Littell. The film is produced by Hutch Parker, p.g.a., Dan Wilson, p.g.a., Rami Malek, Joel B. Michaels, with JJ Hook serving as executive producer.

“The Amateur” will be released in Australian cinemas April 10, 2025.
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The conspirator is a Soviet military intelligence (GRU) colonel by the name of Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) who sees danger in the erratic leadership of Nikita Khrushchev played by the late Russian actor Vladimir Chuprikov. He reaches out to the West. Wynne is chosen to be his contact under the guise of being a simple businessman who Penkovsky can steal manufacturing techniques from.

The inherent danger of what the two are doing is never far from the surface and as the story progresses, the tension escalates. This leads to a final reel that is agonizing as you just know things will not work out for the best. Cumberbatch is all in on the method acting and transforms himself into a stick figure to sell the wretched circumstance.
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The Cold War had many victims that history has hidden in the shadows and The Courier focuses on the real-life heroics of Oleg Vladimirovich Penkovsky. He was a man who paid a horrible price for following his intellect and sense of right and wrong, party politics be damned. This is edge-of-the-seat stuff that doesn’t let you off easily.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/roadshow

At the behest of the UK’s MI 6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan ), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze ) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Courier will be released in Australian Cinemas April 1.

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The look of the animated film mixes photo realistic images, of things like cars and buildings with the overly exaggerated human features prominent amongst comic book characters. It’s a mix that doesn’t always fit together comfortably. The set designs however are often times fantastic looking.

More strongly aimed at a youth market, it works in some strange ways to make it relevant to adults. This even includes a never seen before naked tattooed Yakuza butt and some very adult levels of ego from main spy, Lance Sterling, voiced by Will Smith. His Q like offsider is voiced by Tom Holland and he is efficient as the pacifist geek inventor.

As an adult, it would seem heavy handed to dismiss this work just because it is targeted to a young audience as it should provide a good time for the little ones. It just might be best to see it more through their eyes.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/foxmoviesaus