Latest news with #Donner
San Francisco Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Why James Gunn's ‘Superman' owes everything to the 1978 original
In 1978, Hollywood set out to make you believe a man could fly — and, against all odds, it did. This year's new "Superman" movie may be faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive thanks to the latest in movie magic, but it still owes a debt to its 47-year-old predecessor. Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe reshaped pop culture, even before Tim Burton's 1989 'Batman' reset the compass for movie marketing, 'Superman: The Movie' marked the first earnest attempt to elevate a comic book character to cinematic grandeur. At a time when audiences associated comic heroes with the campy 'Batman' TV series (1966-68), father-son producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind (1973's 'The Three Musketeers') gambled big and rolled the dice on not one, but two Superman films, shot back-to-back. Tapping 'The Godfather' author Mario Puzo to pen a sprawling screenplay packed with enough worldbuilding to fuel a franchise, they stacked their cast with A-listers: Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Superman's Kryptonian father Jor-El played by Marlon Brando, who got top-billing and an eye-popping $3.7 million for less than 20 minutes of screentime. Enter director Richard Donner, fresh off the success of 'The Omen.' He was brought aboard after a game of behind-the-scenes musical chairs saw original choice Guy Hamilton ('Goldfinger') step down. For Donner, a versatile filmmaker with credits including episodes of the original 'Twilight Zone,' this wasn't just another paycheck nor, to quote the film itself, a 'careless product of wild imagination.' He knew he'd been entrusted with an American myth and treated it accordingly. He wrangled egos, calmed nervous executives and marshaled a sprawling, effects-heavy production around one guiding principle: verisimilitude. That was Donner's North Star — the belief that Superman shouldn't feel like a cartoon but someone real. Someone worthy of belief. And at the center of that belief? An unknown stage actor named Christopher Reeve. While the studio considered marquee names like Paul Newman (offered a blank check to play any role he wanted — he passed), Robert Redford, even Sylvester Stallone, Donner saw a duality in Reeve that made you buy into the idea that awkward Clark Kent and the righteous, awe-inspiring Superman could exist within the same frame. More importantly, Reeve effortlessly embodied the character's most important superpower: his innate decency. As the actor later said, 'What makes Superman a hero is not that he has power, but that he has the wisdom and the maturity to use the power wisely.' Reeve understood that Superman wasn't there to be worshipped but trusted. He was a friend you could count on to show up without judgment. With a then-record budget of $55 million, the production spanned continents, with London soundstages standing in for everything from Superman's crystalline Fortress of Solitude to Lex Luthor's underground Art Deco lair beneath the bustling streets of Metropolis. Meanwhile, visual effects pioneers Derek Meddings and Zoran Perisic broke new ground to make the impossible look effortless. When 'Superman: The Movie' hit theaters on Dec. 15, 1978, it didn't just land — it soared. Audiences were swept up in Reeve's earnest performance, his chemistry with Margot Kidder's Lois Lane, in John Williams' now-iconic score (still inseparable from the character nearly 50 years later) and in the mix of cosmic wonder and gee-whiz charm. The film grossed more than $300 million worldwide, earned three Oscar nominations and won a Special Achievement Academy Award for its groundbreaking effects. More than that, it sent a clear signal to the industry of the viability of superhero movies. The success in turn launched a series that scaled impressive heights before its box office fortunes dwindled. 'Superman II' (1981) remains a fan favorite despite backstage turmoil that saw Donner replaced midway by Richard Lester. ('The Donner Cut,' released in 2006, would restore as much of his vision as possible.) 'Superman III' (1983) veered into broad comedy with the addition of Richard Pryor, and 'Superman IV: The Quest for Peace' (1987) crashed under the weight of budget cuts and diminishing returns. As late as 1992, Reeve — still the franchise's emotional core — was in talks to return to the cape for another go with the Salkinds. But that dream ended after a 1995 equestrian accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve spent the rest of his life advocating for spinal cord injury research, his real-life bravery deepening the meaning of his onscreen legacy even after his 2004 death. Today, the sustained influence of 'Superman: The Movie' is plain to see in the heart of Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man,' in the grounded gravitas of Christopher Nolan's 'Dark Knight' trilogy and in the MCU's meticulous origin-building and mythmaking. That influence is even more evident when it comes to Superman himself. The overly reverent echoes of 'Superman Returns' (2006) and the brooding deconstruction of 'Man of Steel' (2013) are both in conversation with Donner's vision, whether aligning with or challenging it. However James Gunn's new 'Superman' turns out, one thing's certain: it stands on the shoulders of Donner's 1978 classic. Reshaping a comic book adaptation into a modern myth told with wonder, sincerity and soul, 'Superman: The Movie' didn't just make you believe a man could fly, it made you want to.
Business Journals
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Cityview opens NYC office, eyes East Coast expansion
Story Highlights Cityview opens New York office to expand East Coast operations. Firm targets Boston, Orlando and Atlanta for future developments. Cityview focuses on affordable housing for people with regular jobs. Cityview, a real estate investor based in Los Angeles, has opened an office in New York City, beginning its expansion on the East Coast. The office, located at 300 Park Ave., marks Cityview's move beyond its existing Western and Southwestern markets in the U.S. Founded in 2003, the company is the most active multifamily developer in Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal, and the fourth most active developer across all property types there. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events The firm said it has invested nearly $6.5 billion in more than 150 projects to date. expand Sean Burton, Cityview's chairman and CEO, and Christoph Donner, Cityview's principal and global head of capital development and strategy. Cityview But as of now, Cityview does not plan to develop properties in New York City's five boroughs, according to Christoph Donner, Cityview's principal and global head of capital development and strategy, who will lead East Coast operations for the company. 'New York is really only our office,' Donner told the New York Business Journal. 'As we are expanding, and expanding our capital resources, New York is a good place to cover the East Coast.' Though not developing in New York City, Donner explained how the new office will be a gateway to East Coast capital and new markets, such as Boston and Atlanta. New York is where the capital is Donner has extensive career experience in New York City, where he has lived for the past 20 years. Before joining Cityview in January, Donner was CEO of America PIMCO Prime Real Estate LLC (formerly Allianz Real Estate of America LLC). Based out of the Big Apple, Donner tripled U.S. real estate assets, expanded operations and grew the firm's New York platform during his 10 years at the company. 'I know these markets well,' Donner told the New York Business Journal. However, New York City is not 'currently on Cityview's list' since 'it's a very competitive, very local market,' he said. In the city 'the sheer deal sizes are very large, and I think we have better opportunities in these other markets.' There are still benefits to being based out of the city. New York is where the majority of the capital for real estate in the country is, said Donner, making it the perfect location to begin expanding Cityview's East Coast operations. 'A lot of national and international real estate players are based in New York,' said Donner. In the future, Cityview 'will probably have other locations within the East Coast market,' he added, and there will be physical representatives in those cities. Expanding into other East Coast markets To identify top East Coast markets to develop in, Cityview partnered with RCLCO Real Estate Consulting to conduct a data-driven analysis of 40 of the largest U.S. metropolitan statistical areas, according to Donner. The research sought to identify where Cityview could best grow its multifamily investments. Using more than 50 variables based on 'historical performance, current fundamentals and forward-looking economic forecasts,' the study identified key areas for Cityview's future, according to a statement. Those cities include Boston, Orlando, Florida and Atlanta as top investment regions, followed by Raleigh, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina, in the near future. Boston's high level of employment and access to educational opportunities create a stable foundation for demand with low volatility levels, the study found. Additionally, Orlando and Atlanta showed stable demand fundamentals and strong business environments. 'If you don't like to travel, you shouldn't be in real estate,' said Donner, emphasizing Cityview's focus on building relationships in target cities. 'I was in Atlanta yesterday; I was in Orlando two weeks ago; I was in Boston,' he said. 'These are local markets. You have to respect the local customs. You can do a good amount of work from the outside, but you have to understand your fundamentals.' As Cityview expands, the types of properties it develops will remain consistent with its existing portfolio, he added. 'We're not targeting the high-end market,' he said. 'We're looking for properties that are at a price point where people with regular jobs can afford to live.' Expanding to the East Coast means learning each city and its quirks. 'Every market has different nuances — some have a different tax regime. Insurance is a big topic for Florida, for example,' said Donner. 'Every market is different, every location is different, every building is different.' Still, Cityview's mission of 'changing cities into communities, people into neighbors and houses into homes' is at the core of his work. 'We're creating an environment where people want to live and build the community,' said Donner. 'And we're part of the community.' Sign up for the Business Journal's free daily newsletter to receive the latest business news impacting New York.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sade Robinson killed, lead detective opens up about case
The Brief MCSO Det. Donner made solving Sade Robinson's murder her only assignment. A jury convicted Maxwell Anderson of killing and dismembering Robinson. The detective opened up with FOX6 News about the case and what it meant to her. MILWAUKEE - The case of Sade Robinson captivated Milwaukee. Behind the case was a detective who made solving the 19-year-old woman's murder her only assignment from day one. What they're saying Days after a jury convicted Maxwell Anderson of killing and dismembering Robinson, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Det. JoAnn Donner opened up to FOX6 News. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Maybin: "How often did you walk (Warnimont Park) during this investigation?"Donner: "At least a couple dozen times, I think."Maybin: "Why that many times?"Donner: "I needed to focus a little bit. Sometimes I have to pull myself away from my desk to be able to do that." Donner immersed herself in Robinson's homicide case. She said she wasn't just walking through the Cudahy park to find evidence, she was talking to Robinson, too. Maybin: "What would you say to her?"Donner: "If there's anything else. If there's something she can guide me to help me figure this out or piece more together." During the investigation, Donner said she'd search the beach where Robinson's severed leg first turned up. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "We're still missing her head, so my hope was that I would be the one to find it and not a civilian or family member or something like that," she said. In the early days of this investigation, it was known Robinson had Life360 on her cellphone. The app allows people to share and track locations with one another. As it turned out, the app played a critical role in Donner and her team's search for evidence to crack the case. "To see on the backend how much it helped us, that's really what led us down the path to find all that video," she said. Video showed Robinson's first date with Anderson, as well as Anderson riding a bus after killing Robinson and torching her car. It was evidence that led the jury to convict Anderson on all counts. But Donner admits it was frustrating to not have clear video of Anderson driving Robinson's car around on the night she was killed. COMPLETE COVERAGE: Maxwell Anderson found guilty of killing, dismembering Sade Robinson "There was actually one video that he's driving by slowly," she said. "The passenger window is down. That's the camera side. As he's going by, that window is rolling up. I found myself literally bending down, hopefully, maybe a little glimpse. But yeah, nothing." Maybin: "If you could interview Maxwell Anderson, what would you ask him?"Donner: "I definitely want to know where he put her head. At least narrow down a search area for us. I have a lot of questions. Motive." After the guilty verdict was read and the courtroom cleared, FOX6 was there as Donner returned to Warnimont Park to quietly pay respects to Robinson. "Just basically hoping I did a good job for her. I wanted to leave a little bit of a tribute," she said. "That's where I met her and wanted to say goodbye." Anderson remains in the Milwaukee County Jail. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 15. Dig deeper The Source FOX6 News interviewed Donner for this report. Additional information is from prior coverage of the Maxwell Anderson trial.
National Observer
09-06-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
There is no such thing as "decarbonized oil"
It takes a lot to make Simon Donner lose his cool. The co-chair of the feds' advisory group on climate policy has a daily practice of swimming in the Pacific and braves the frigid water all winter long. But he couldn't bear the blather about 'decarbonized oil' spilling from the first ministers' meeting this week. The prime minister and premiers emerged from their meeting in Saskatoon last Monday and jointly declared they would 'work urgently to get Canadian natural resources and commodities to domestic and international markets, such as critical minerals and decarbonized Canadian oil and gas by pipelines, supported by the private sector….' Donner took to social media to denounce the whole notion of 'decarbonized oil' as 'Orwellian.' It was strong language from the co-chair of the federal Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB). Donner is a climate scientist at UBC studying oceans and the intersection of climate science and policy. In that role, he gets to call the fouls as he sees them. But when people accept official government advisory roles, their criticisms usually devolve into gracious gibberish. So, it was refreshing to hear Donner push back on the statement by Carney et al. The whole idea is just plain 'silly,' he said. There is no such thing as 'decarbonized oil' — 'Oil contains carbon and emits CO2 when combusted.' Oil is, after all, a hydrocarbon. Along with methane gas and coal, the combustion of these fossil fuels is the primary driver of climate change. You already knew that, I'm sure. But the reason it's important to spell it out is that you're in the minority. Everyone knows there's a conflict between Big Oil and the greenies. But after decades of climate denial, online disinformation and general gaslighting, there is still widespread confusion about the most basic facts — just under half of Canadians pick out 'burning fossil fuels' even when given a list of possible sources most responsible for climate change. The marketing spin about 'decarbonized oil,' isn't new. The oil and gas industry and various agencies were talking about carbon capture on oil production last century. More recently, Natural Resources Canada published a Roadmap for the Decarbonization of Canada's Oil and Gas Sector in the Trudeau years. The nonsensical term is a close cousin to the attempts at marketing deep offshore drilling in the Atlantic as 'net-zero.' And adjacent to the most brazen branding effort to date — so-called 'ethical oil.' Decarbonized oil doublespeak may not be new but it was jarring coming from the mouth of Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has an undeniable grasp of the impacts of hydrocarbons. @ writes for @ The decarbonized doublespeak may not be new but it was jarring coming from the mouth of our new PM, who has an undeniable grasp of the impacts of hydrocarbons but nevertheless talked about 'decarbonized barrels' at the press conference following the first ministers' meeting. And it was particularly painful considering the venue — a province under a state of emergency where more than 15,000 people have fled wildfires. Extended families are crammed into single hotel rooms and sleeping in parking lots. While the first ministers discussed their nation-building plans in Saskatoon, a group of evacuees held a protest in the city demanding more resources for firefighting and evacuation support. It is still only Spring, but over 33,000 Canadians have already been forced to evacuate. John Vaillant, the author of Fire Weather relayed a startling conversation this week: the CEO of Red Cross Canada told him that when he started with the organization 17 years ago, 'eighty per cent of our work was outside Canada. Now, eighty per cent of our work is inside the country.' The early-season heatwave and fire conditions on the Prairies are 'at least five times more likely than they would be in a world without climate change,' according to attribution scientists. 'These conditions, which set the stage for dangerous wildfires, will only become more frequent and more severe if we continue burning fossil fuels,' said Dr. Kristina Dahl, VP of Science at Climate Central. The contrast was too much for another member of NZAB. ''Decarbonized oil and gas' does not exist,' wrote Catherine Abreu. '[It is] a complete contradiction in terms, and a dangerous lie that Canadian government after Canadian government has tried to spin under the spell of industry lobbying.' It may be too early to tell who's doing the spinning and what kind of spell they're casting. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sounded positively enthusiastic about an emerging 'grand bargain' to satisfy the demands of the oil and gas industry. But some political watchers suspect Mark Carney is spinning a political web of his own. CNO's Max Fawcett argues that Carney is effectively calling Smith's bluff — a kind of judo move that avoids direct confrontation and puts the pressure back on her: 'He will, as Smith demanded, create the conditions for a more rapid assessment of infrastructure projects. But it's clear that one of those conditions will be the net-zero targets that Smith and Alberta's oil and gas industry have repeatedly committed themselves to.' Politics is the art of the possible, as they say. And perhaps there's a method behind the oxymorons and doublespeak. But it's hard to shake the sense that we're kidding ourselves and avoiding the basic reckoning. Still muttering about decarbonizing hydrocarbons even as the flames close in.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Corolla Wild Horse Fund announces death of colt
COROLLA, N.C. (WAVY) — The Corolla Wild Horse Fund announced the death of a young colt on Wednesday. According to a Facebook post, Donner, who was born in 2023, was found dead with injuries typically found in fights with other horses, including a broken neck. Officials said that while the death of such a young horse is tragic, the behavior is part of natural herd dynamics of wild horses. 'Donner's life was short, but it was wild from start to finish,' the Facebook post stated. 'That is something to be celebrated, even as we grieve. Rest peaceful and free, young man. We will miss you.' Officials remind visitors to give the wild horses space on the beach and to avoid feeding them at all costs. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
