I've Totally Seen That Movie Before

The Batman (2022) Director:  Matt Reeves Writers:  Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, Bil Finger (characters), Bob Kane (characters) Cast:  Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, John Turturro, Andy Serkis, Peter Sarsgaard, Barry Keoghan, Jayme Lawson, Gil Perez-Abraham, Peter McDonald, Con O'Neill, Alex Ferns, Rupert Penry-Jones Synopsis: This reboot of the Batman franchise is set just two years into Bruce Wayne's (Pattinson) tenure as the Dark Knight. While most still fear him as a dangerous vigilante, Lt. Jim Gordon (Wright) has learned to trust the mysterious hero and calls him in to help investigate the murder of Gotham's mayor, Don Mitchel (Penry-Jones). The murderer, a serial killer calling himself the Riddler (Dano), left a clue for The Batman at the crime scene, and the Caped Crusader must decipher the madman's riddles before he can claim his next villain. The situation becomes more complicated when Batman encounters Selina Kyle (Kravit...

Batman Begins (2005) Director:  Christopher Nolan Writers:  Bob Kane (characters), David S. Goyer (story), Christopher Nolan (screenplay) Cast:  Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Ken Watanabe, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Mark Boone Junior, Linus Roache, Morgan Freeman, Colin McFarlane, Richard Brake Synopsis: After witnessing the death of his parents during a mugging as a young boy, Bruce Wayne (Bale) travels across the world seeking the means to fight injustice. He meets Henri Ducard (Neeson) during his travels, who convinces him to join the League of Shadows, a clandestine organization dedicated to fighting injustice by whatever means necessary. Soon Bruce is at odds with Ducard and the organization's leader Ra's Al Guhl (Watanabe) when he refuses to execute a farmer accused of murder. This results in the death of Ra's and the League's base being destroyed. Bruce returns home to Gotham City with plans to fight crim...

Batman Returns (1992) Director: Tim Burton Cast:  Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough, Michael Murphy Writers: Bob Kane (Batman characters), Daniel Waters, Sam Hamm Synopsis: The Caped Crusader (Keaton) is back and this time he's pitted against amoral billionaire Max Shrek (Walken), who devises a plan to run Gotham by partnering with the Penguin (DeVito), who he convinces to run for mayor. In addition, Batman must also stop the unstable Catwoman (Pfeiffer), who seeks revenge against Shrek for trying to kill her. First Impressions:   I saw this movie in the theaters when it was released back in 1992 and I remember enjoying it for the most part. However, while I found the movie entertaining, it didn't have near the impact on me as did Burton's first go-round with the Dark Knight. Since then I've only ever seen this movie a few times and only watched it once since I purchased it on DVD. As ...

Batman (1989) Director:  Tim Burton Cast: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Gough, Jack Palance Writers: Bob Kane (Batman Characters), Sam Hamm (story, screenplay), Warren Skaaren (screenplay) Synopsis: Batman (Keaton) tries to stop the Joker (Nicholson) from poisoning the citizens of Gotham and interfering with the city's 200th anniversary celebration. The caped crusader is helped by the peppy photojournalist, Vicki Vale (Basinger) and his loyal butler Alfred (Gough). The Dark Knight soon learns a painful truth about the Joker's connection with his dark past and the film culminates in a showdown between Batman and the Clown Prince of Crime atop a cathedral bell-tower. First Impressions: I was 13 years old when this movie came out and remember being so excited to see it. I quite enjoyed the film, so much so that the following Christmas my brother gave me a copy of it on VHS as a gift (th...