Back to the Pictures: Best Films of the 1990s

In honor of the A.V. Clubs new list, here is ours.  Also the above was our reaction to only selecting 10 ranking films and 5 outliers.

 

"The Dark Knight Rises" Review

by Phillip Bryant

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by:  Christopher Nolan, Johnathan Nolan, David Goyer (story)
Produced by:  Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan
Starring:  Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine.
Music by: Hans Zimmer
Cinematography by: Wally Pfister

The Review will contain spoilers after a certain point, noted below. Feel free to read until that point if you haven’t seen the film, then stop, seriously.

At the end of The Dark Knight, Commissioner Gordon lamented the now iconic lines “because he’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now …” and so on and so forth, cementing one of the finest films, summer event type or not, of my generation with those incredible lines.   

If Batman wasn’t the hero Gotham needed then, in the story contained in The Dark Knight Rises, they certainly need him now.

Much has been talked about the basic story, in case you still need to know, in which case you can read one of the other billion reviews that will or have already come out, or better yet, can go see the movie.  The general consensus is that the story is just as it promises, epic, but rather than being complex like that of the previous two Batman films, it is more complicated.  This statement I cannot entirely agree with, nor can I disagree either.  The backlash, and occasional death threats, at critics who have maligned this final installment in the trilogy shows two things: the ignorance and often stupidity of people on the internet, and the sheer chart topping levels of anticipation this movie is receiving. When all is said and done, Avatar will most likely still retain its top spot on the money scales, but once you see the Dark Knight Rises, you’ll understand the ones on the top of the wealth chain don’t always have a happy ending.  But enough about the unending dribble as to box office, something that is more and more talked about and more and more destructive to film.

"Prometheus" Review

by Kyle Huffman

Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof
Produced by: Ridley Scott, David Giler, and Walter Hill
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron
Edited by: Pietro Scalia
Cinematography by: Dariusz Wolski

This review is coming out a bit late, compared to every other website/film blog on the Internet. I thought it was necessary we get up at least ONE opinion of this divisive film up, with Phillip possibly lending his voice to the discussion.

Anyways, Ridley Scott's latest has frequently topped "Most Anticipated for 2012" films' lists. Although it wasn't my top choice, it was in the top tier of choices. Sure, Ridley Scott's return to sci-fi is nearly enough to warrant it being so high. Alien was a bonafide classic and Blade Runner, albeit massively beloved, I found to be a bit of a dissapointment (I may need to give it another chance now that the hype bubble has collapsed). Many have focused a lot on the decreasing quality of Scott's films as of late. However, I found American Gangster and Body of Lies to be quite good, though I outright detested Robin Hood. Regardless, at this point, there are beyond dozens of preconceived notions when walking into a a Ridley Scott film, especially one that hearkens back to his Alien roots.

KFC: The 30 Day Batman Challenge-Day 30

Today: Favorite Batman Moment?

Today has the final and most important question in our 30 day series: favorite Batman moment. Spanning over 70 years, Batman has had more than enough breathtakingly cool, funny, emotional, bad A moments. I thought more on this one than any other question but I kept coming back to one moment that had a huge degree of inevitability lent towards it.

KFC: The 30 Day Batman Challenge-Day 29

Today: Least Favorite Actor Portraying Batman?

Although it has considerable problems, Batman Forever will always hold a special place in my heart. Most of this is admittedly purely nostalgic. However, one of the weaknesses that I've never quite got over was the lead himself, Val Kilmer. He's not bad but just overall uninteresting. And this is hard to do for a character as complex as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Plus, there are several lines he gives as Batman are far too flat, as well as his Dark Knight being a bit too close to his Wayne diction. In the end, he's an unmemorable take on Batman.

Next: Favorite Batman Moment(s)?

KFC: The 30 Day Batman Challenge-Day 28

Today: Favorite Actor Portraying Batman?

Many may take umbridge with this choice, considering that Kevin Conroy has only given his vocal talents to Batman. Whatever...quite simply, that's all Conroy needs. He IS Batman. His rendition of the character, in the DC Animated Universe and various video games have defined the voice of the character in such a way, I imagine his voice whenever I'm reading a Batman comic book. Sure, Christian Bale and Michael Keaton offer worthy performances. But Conroy is the one and only person who can utter the phrase "I'm Batman" with true authority.

Next: Least Favorite Actor Portraying Batman?

KFC: The 30 Day Batman Challenge-Day 27

Today: Least Favorite Batman film?

Batman and Robin. I know, big surprise. Enough has been said about this "film". I don't really feel the need to add any other worthy criticism.

Next: Favorite Actor Portraying Batman?

KFC: The 30 Day Batman Challenge-Day 26

Today: Favorite Batman movie?

I assume many would answer with a live action Batman film, such as one of Burton's or Nolan's movies. However, nothing has translated Batman as vividly and accurately for me as Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. A direct extension of the legendary 90s animated series, Phantasm appropriately has all of the things that make the Dark Knight great: the mob, the Joker, Batman on the run, a heartbreaking love-story, a glimpse into his origins. I grew up watching this movie to the point where the VHS was on the brink of collapse. That's how much I loved it. And it's aged terrifically, setting the standard for both Batman in animated form and cinematic possibilities.

Next: Least Favorite Batman film?

KFC: The 30 Day Batman Challenge-Day 25

Today: Favorite Batman gadget?

It would be a little too easy to say batarangs. Batman has so many weapons and tools in his war on crime, it would be impossible to highlight them all. I decided to go with Bat Shark Repellent, infamously showcased in the 1966 Batman, mostly for the pure level of absurdity.

Next: Favorite Batman film?