Initially DC seemed keen to try to differentiate itself from the Marvel movie by trying to be darker and grittier. However, as that’s had mixed results, it looks like they’re preparing to have a bit more fun with Shazam! Although not a well-known character today, he was the biggest superhero of the 1940s.
Here’s the synopsis: ‘We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word—SHAZAM!—this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard. Still a kid at heart—inside a ripped, godlike body—Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly? Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he skip his social studies test? Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child. But he’ll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong).
‘“Shazam!” also stars Jack Dylan Grazer (“IT”) as Billy’s best friend and ultimate superhero enthusiast, Freddy, part of the foster family that includes Mary, played by Grace Fulton (“Annabelle: Creation”); Darla, played by Faithe Herman (TV’s “This is Us”); Eugene, played by Ian Chen (TV’s “Fresh Off the Boat”); and Pedro, played by Jovan Armand (TV’s “Hawaii Five-O”). Cooper Andrews (TV’s “The Walking Dead”) and Marta Milans (TV’s “Killer Women”) play foster parents Victor and Rosa Vasquez, with Ron Cephas Jones (“This is Us”) as the Wizard.
‘SHAZAM! is set for release in April 2019’ [Read more…]
After watching the Aquaman trailer it’s difficult to tell whether this is going to be ridiculously cool, or quite possibly the stupidest mega-budget movie ever made. At the moment though, I’m still hopeful for the former, not least ebcause director James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring, Insidious, Fast & Furious 7) has an impressive track record of making films that are far more entertaining that you might expect.
Synopsis: ‘The next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ cinematic MonsterVerse is directed by Michael Dougherty (Krampus), starring Oscar nominees, Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air, The Conjuring films), Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) and Strangers Things’ Millie Bobbie Brown makes her feature film debut.
M. Night Shyamalan pulled another of his trademark surprises in last year’s multiple personality thriller Split, when it was revealed the whole thing was taking place in the same universe as the director’s 2000 movie, Unbreakable. Now the worlds of those two films are coming together for glass.
For a very long time there’s been talk about turning Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats into a movie. For various reasons – not least that despite its massive stage success it’s a very odd show, with very little plot and a far greater reliance on dance than mainstream cinema is often comfortable with. However, now it’s moving forward thanks to Tom Hooper (Les Miserables, The King’s Speech) coming on board to direct.
Synopsis: ‘In this new pandemic thriller, humanity is battling intelligent, adrenaline-fueled creatures born from a viral super-strain. After being bitten, human survivor Morgan (Matt Smith) realizes he is asymptomatic and can communicate with the infected, leading the last survivors on a hunt for Patient Zero and a cure.’
Synopsis: ‘Living under the Hollywood sign, single gay dad Quentin Lee juggles between raising his newborn baby by himself and making his means as an acclaimed independent film director with hilarity and drama. “What have I gotten myself into!?” Gay Hollywood Dad chronicles the first six weeks of Quentin’s journey as a single dad from cutting his son’s umbilical cord in a hospital of Ohio to sleepless nights feeding the baby to bringing the baby to his independent film premiere.’
We reviewed Miles back when it screened at the Iris Prize Festival – 
Synopsis: ‘Which call do you answer? The one you feel from God or the one you feel about your authentic self? This is the dillema at hand for Brother Vito as he must decide between becoming a Brother or declaring his love for Gabe. Shot entirely in Austin, TX and with a local cast and crew, Brotherly Love is a fresh take on the traditional gay love story.’
Director Robert Zemeckis returns with Welcome To Marwen, which some think may be in the award season running next year (although it’s way too early to say). It’s certainly being lined up for an awards run with a late 2018 release planned. The new trailer shows it could be powerful if done right, showcasing Zemeckis’ love of bringing effects and technology to stories you might not initially think would need them.