"Bull Durham" is a 1988 sports romantic comedy film directed by Ron Shelton. The story revolves around the world of minor league baseball and follows the lives of three main characters: Crash Davis, a veteran catcher; "Nuke" LaLoosh, a talented but inexperienced pitcher; and Annie Savoy, a passionate baseball groupie who chooses one player each season to mentor.
As the baseball season progresses, Crash takes Nuke under his wing, teaching him not just about the game but also about life and love. Meanwhile, Annie finds herself caught in a love triangle between Crash and Nuke, leading to amusing and heartfelt moments of romance and rivalry.
The film explores themes of love, loyalty, and the pursuit of dreams. It has been praised for its witty dialogue, authentic portrayal of the baseball world, and the chemistry between the lead actors. "Bull Durham" is often considered one of the best sports films ever made and has become a cult classic. It stars Kevin Costner as Crash Davis, Tim Robbins as "Nuke" LaLoosh, and Susan Sarandon as Annie Savoy.
Superman is a 1978 American superhero film directed by Richard Donner, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The film stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor. The film tells the origin story of Superman, from his birth on the planet Krypton to his life as a reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis.
The film was produced by Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind, and Pierre Spengler, with a screenplay by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton. The film was released on December 15, 1978, and was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $300 million worldwide. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one for Best Visual Effects.
Superman's success led to three sequels, Superman II, III, and IV: The Quest for Peace. The film also spawned a franchise of TV shows, cartoons, and comics. Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman is widely regarded as one of the best performances of the character, and the film is considered a classic of the superhero genre. The film's success also paved the way for other superhero films, including Batman and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Batman Forever is a 1995 American superhero film directed by Joel Schumacher and produced by Tim Burton, based on the DC Comics character Batman. It is the third installment in the initial Batman film series, with Val Kilmer replacing Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell, Michael Gough, and Pat Hingle.
The plot follows Batman as he tries to stop Two-Face and the Riddler from wreaking havoc on Gotham City. Meanwhile, he also trains a young acrobat named Dick Grayson, who eventually becomes his sidekick, Robin. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $336 million worldwide and receiving mixed reviews from critics.
Despite the film's financial success, it was criticized for its lighter tone and departure from the darker atmosphere of the previous two films directed by Burton. The casting of Kilmer as Batman was also met with mixed reactions, as some felt that he did not live up to Keaton's portrayal. The film's campy tone and over-the-top performances by Jones and Carrey were also criticized by some, although others praised them for their entertaining performances. Despite its flaws, Batman Forever remains a cult classic and an important chapter in the history of the Batman film franchise.
Justice League is a 2017 American superhero film based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. The film is directed by Zack Snyder, with a screenplay by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon, from a story by Terrio and Snyder. It features an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, and Ray Fisher. In the film, Batman and Wonder Woman recruit The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg after Superman's death to save the world from the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons.
Justice League had a troubled production. Snyder stepped down during post-production following the death of his daughter, with Whedon being brought in to oversee reshoots and completion. Whedon then rewrote much of the film and directed additional reshoots, causing a significant change in tone and visual effects. Snyder remained credited as the director and received sole credit for the screenplay, while Whedon received a screenplay credit.
The film was released on November 17, 2017, in the United States, grossing $657 million worldwide against a production budget of $300 million. It received mixed reviews from critics, with criticism aimed at the inconsistent tone, underdeveloped characters, and the overuse of CGI. Justice League was intended to be the first part of a two-part series, with a cliffhanger ending that sets up the sequel. However, due to the film's underwhelming performance, the sequel was canceled, and Warner Bros. refocused on standalone films for the DC Extended Universe.
Batman & Robin is a 1997 American superhero film based on the DC Comics characters Batman and Robin, and the fourth and final installment in the original Batman film series. The film was directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Akiva Goldsman, with George Clooney playing Batman, Chris O'Donnell as Robin, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the main villain, Mr. Freeze. Uma Thurman portrays the character Poison Ivy, while Alicia Silverstone plays Batgirl.
The plot centers around Batman and Robin as they team up with Batgirl to stop Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy from wreaking havoc on Gotham City. Meanwhile, they also deal with the emotional struggles of their relationships with each other and their personal lives. The film was heavily criticized for its over-the-top campiness, which was a departure from the darker tone of the previous two films, as well as the poor script, acting, and direction.
Batman & Robin was a commercial disappointment and was widely panned by critics. The film's negative reception led to the cancellation of a proposed sequel and ultimately resulted in the franchise being rebooted in the 2000s with Christopher Nolan's critically acclaimed Batman Begins. Despite its poor reputation, the film has gained a cult following for its unintentional humor and campy charm.
Shazam! is a 2019 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The film is directed by David F. Sandberg and written by Henry Gayden, and stars Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Djimon Hounsou. It is the seventh installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film follows a teenage foster kid named Billy Batson who is granted the ability to transform into an adult superhero, Shazam, with the help of an ancient wizard. Billy must learn to harness his powers to stop the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from obtaining powers of his own.
The film had its world premiere in Toronto on March 15, 2019, and was released in the United States on April 5, 2019, in IMAX and RealD 3D. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor, performances, and heart, with many calling it one of the best films in the DCEU. The film grossed over $366 million worldwide, making it a commercial success.
Shazam! was praised for its fresh take on the superhero genre, with its focus on humor and heart. The film's story is anchored by strong performances from its cast, particularly Zachary Levi as the titular hero and Asher Angel as Billy Batson. The film's blend of humor and heart also helped to make it more accessible to a wider audience, as it appealed to both fans of superhero movies and general audiences. Overall, Shazam! was a critical and commercial success, and its success helped to further establish the DCEU as a viable cinematic universe.
"Superman II" is a 1980 superhero film directed by Richard Lester and starring Christopher Reeve as Superman. The film is a sequel to "Superman" (1978) and sees Superman facing off against a trio of Kryptonian criminals who were exiled to the Phantom Zone. The film was originally directed by Richard Donner, but he was replaced by Lester during production. Donner's original footage was later used in a "Richard Donner Cut" released in 2006.
In the film, Superman must battle against General Zod, Ursa, and Non, who were imprisoned in the Phantom Zone for crimes on Krypton. They escape and come to Earth with superhuman powers like Superman's. Superman gives up his powers to be with Lois Lane, but when the villains begin to wreak havoc, he must find a way to regain his abilities to stop them. The film also introduces new characters such as General Zod's accomplices and a love interest for Lex Luthor.
The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some praising the performances and action sequences while criticizing the plot and special effects. The film was a box office success, grossing over $190 million worldwide. The film's legacy has been affected by the behind-the-scenes drama between Donner and Lester, as well as controversies surrounding the actors' contracts and cuts made to the film. Despite this, "Superman II" remains a beloved entry in the Superman film series and a fan favorite among comic book movie fans.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a 2016 superhero film that was directed by Zack Snyder. The film is the second installment in the DC Extended Universe, and it follows the events of the 2013 film Man of Steel. The story revolves around the conflict between Batman and Superman, two of the most iconic superheroes in comic book history.
The film's plot takes place 18 months after the events of Man of Steel. In the aftermath of Superman's battle with General Zod, many people have come to view him as a controversial figure. Batman, who is now a vigilante, sees Superman as a threat to humanity and decides to take him down. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor, a wealthy businessman, is plotting to use both heroes to achieve his own nefarious goals.
The film stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances and visuals but criticizing the convoluted plot and characterization. However, the film was a box office success, grossing over $873 million worldwide. A sequel titled Justice League was released in 2017.
"Watchmen" is a 2009 superhero film based on the acclaimed 1986-87 comic book series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The film takes place in an alternate reality where superheroes, once celebrated as heroes, are now outlawed. A retired superhero known as the Comedian is murdered, leading another retired superhero, Rorschach, to investigate and unravel a larger conspiracy. As the story unfolds, the characters confront issues of morality, power, and the consequences of playing god.
The film was directed by Zack Snyder and features an ensemble cast, including Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson. The film was praised for its faithfulness to the source material and its impressive visuals, but criticized for its dense storytelling and lengthy runtime. The film also featured a diverse soundtrack, including songs from artists such as Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and My Chemical Romance.
"Watchmen" was a commercial success, grossing over $185 million worldwide. It also sparked debate among fans and critics about the limits of adaptation and the nature of superhero stories. In the years since its release, the film has gained a cult following and is often regarded as one of the better comic book adaptations. A television series, also titled "Watchmen," premiered on HBO in 2019, serving as a sequel to the events of the original comic book series.
Suicide Squad is a 2016 American superhero film based on the DC Comics supervillain team of the same name. The film is directed and written by David Ayer and stars an ensemble cast including Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto. The plot follows a secret government agency that recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for reduced sentences.
Upon its release, Suicide Squad received mixed reviews from critics who praised the performances of the cast but criticized the plot and pacing of the film. However, it was a commercial success grossing over $746 million worldwide. Despite the mixed reception, the film has developed a dedicated fanbase and has spawned several spin-off projects including a sequel, The Suicide Squad, set to be released in 2021.
Suicide Squad is notable for its unique take on the superhero genre, as it focuses on the villains rather than the heroes. The film also features a diverse cast of characters and explores themes of redemption and the consequences of one's actions. Despite its flaws, Suicide Squad remains an entertaining and visually stunning film that offers a fresh perspective on the DC Comics universe.
The Long Kiss Goodnight is a 1996 American action thriller film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. The film follows Samantha Caine, a schoolteacher suffering from amnesia, who discovers she was once a skilled assassin. As she tries to uncover her past, she teams up with a detective named Mitch Henessey to confront her former employers and prevent a terrorist attack.
The film received mixed reviews upon its release but has since gained a cult following for its over-the-top action sequences, sharp humor, and Davis's charismatic performance. The Long Kiss Goodnight also subverts gender norms by portraying a strong, capable female protagonist in a traditionally male-dominated genre.
Despite its initial box office disappointment, The Long Kiss Goodnight has become a beloved film among action movie fans and is often cited as an underrated gem of the 1990s. The film's blend of humor and intense action, along with Davis's memorable performance, have helped it to stand the test of time and continue to entertain audiences over two decades later.
