Tag Archives: Zack Snyder
‘Batman v Superman’ – Snapshot Review

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
151 minutes, Rated PG-13
Critical rating: 3 stars out of 4
Directed by: Zack Snyder (“300,” “Watchmen,” “Man of Steel”)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg and Gal Gadot
Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality
The story: The movie is set after 2013’s “Man of Steel” in a world that has come to love Superman’s (Henry Cavill) heroic deeds but fear his immense power. One of the people most concerned about Superman’s extraordinary abilities is Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), the billionaire businessman who moonlights as Batman. Wayne watched as Superman battled the Kryptonian super villain Zod, laying waste to much of Metropolis in the process. Although Superman didn’t intend on the destruction, Wayne takes it personally because many of his employees were killed when a building was destroyed. At the same time, Superman is growing increasingly concerned about Batman’s vigilante tactics. This, and some meddling by Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), leads to a showdown between the two heroes.
The scoop: The film boasts plenty of silly moments, but it’s also a lot of fun. Director Zack Snyder’s visuals are beautiful, and he allows time for the cast to develop their characters. Cavill and Affleck are good, as is Gal Gadot who makes an appearance as Wonder Woman. Although some plot points strain credibility, viewers willing to go for the ride can have plenty of fun.
Filed under Movie Reviews, Uncategorized
Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘300: Rise of an Empire,’ ‘Winter’s Tale’ and ‘Enemy’

Sullivan Stapleton plays Themistocles in the stylized historical adventure “300: Rise of an Empire.”
This week’s major home video releases include an offbeat drama from the director of “Prisoners,” a supernatural romance and a sequel to the historical adventure “300.”
Filed under Video Verdict
Video Verdict: ‘Man of Steel,’ ‘Frances Ha,’ ‘Turbo’

Henry Cavill plays the title character in “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder’s new cinematic look at the comic book hero Superman.
A clever animated film, a quirky drama and a big-budget superhero movie anchor this week’s home video releases.
Filed under Video Verdict
Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘Watchmen,’ ‘Coraline’
This week’s batch of new DVDs is anchored by two fantasy films, each one aimed at a different audience. One is a stop-motion effort that’s spooky yet family friendly. The other is an R-rated comic book adaptation that is high minded and for adults only.
Filed under Video Verdict
Are we ready for “Watchmen”?

Malin Akerman in "Watchmen."
SAN FRANCISCO — The road to the “Watchmen” movie was long, bumpy and routed through rugged, unfamiliar territory. That it finally opened in theaters at midnight Thursday brings that road to an end. But one question still burns: Are audiences ready for an R-rated superhero spectacle that has been described by some as unfilmable?
“There are a lot of reasons, I think, why the movie didn’t get made up until now,” director Zack Snyder said during an interview last week at the WonderCon comic convention in San Francisco. “(Producer) Larry Gordon said, ‘It’s not unfilmable, it’s unfinanceable,’ which I thought was a really interesting distinction. … Culture, I hope, is ready for ‘Watchmen’ now.”
Click here for the full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990305026
Filed under Features