joel schumacher

Notebook Reviews: THE CLIENT

Joel Schumacher – 1994. The Client is a handsomely mounted, but disappointingly routine thriller from director Joel Schumacher. This John Grisham adaptation is an improvement on the source material, but you can tell where the plot is heading. [...]

September 25, 2023

Notebook Reviews: BATMAN & ROBIN

Joel Schumacher – 1997 The film that killed the Batman franchise. Batman & Robin isn’t as bad as you’ve heard – and it’s enjoyable enough if you look at it like an updated version of the 1960s Adam West/Burt Ward [...]

March 20, 2023

Behind The Scenes: Ben Affleck On The Set Of Zack Snyder’s BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

Ben Affleck’s grizzled Batman/Bruce Wayne is the true star Zack Snyder’s 2016 superhero mash-up Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. Affleck finally gives us the character that has graced the pages of comic books since 1939. Michael Keaton [...]

August 10, 2022

CLOSED Competition: Win THE BATMAN On Blu-ray

Unmask the truth behind Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne with The Batman, now on Digital Download and 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on 13th June, and to celebrate its release Movies In Focus has two [...]

June 8, 2022

Review: THE BATMAN Is A Refreshing But Flawed Take On The Dark Knight

The Batman is the latest big screen incarnation of Bob Kane and Bill Finger’s iconic comic book hero. Over the last 30-odd years there have been multiple film takes on Batman from Tim Burton’s brooding gothic noir and Joel Schumacher’s [...]

March 8, 2022

Notebook Reviews: COUSINS

Joel Schumacher – 1989. Joel Schumacher directs this enjoyable romantic comedy starring Ted Danson, Isabella Rossellini, Sean Young and William Petersen. Danson is particular is a standout in a role which is quite different from his Cheers [...]

December 31, 2021

Michael Keaton Is Back As Batman In BATGIRL Movie

It looks like Michael Keaton will be keeping on the Bat cowl for a little while longer. After a 30 year absence, Keaton has just completed filming a turn as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Andy Muschietti’s The Flash – and now he’s set to [...]

December 27, 2021

Notebook Reviews: BATMAN FOREVER

Joel Schumacher – 1995. Batman Forever sees Joel Schumacher taking over the directing reins of the Batman franchise from Tim Burton. This is an enjoyable entry, but it lacks the dark brooding nature of Burton’s films. Batman Forever is [...]

December 17, 2021

The Dark Knight: A Look Back At Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy

Little did we know how much mainstream moviemaking would change when Christopher Nolan was charged with rebooting the Batman franchise. Released in 2005, Nolan’s Batman Begins took The Dark Knight and transported Bob Kane and Bill Finger’s [...]

December 12, 2021

Notebook Reviews: ST. ELMO’S FIRE

Joel Schumacher – 1985. Co-written and directed by the great Joel Schumacher, St. Elmo’s Fire is a hugely enjoyable ‘Brat Pack’ drama. Schumacher is working at the top of his game here, crafting a movie where humour easily [...]

November 27, 2021

Horror Movies To Watch This Halloween

October is when the nights get darker and more mysterious. It’s the month where people like to delve deep into the horror genre and watch a variety of scary movies as Halloween approaches. Movies In Focus has put together a [...]

October 2, 2021

Notebook Reviews: 8MM

Joel Schumacher – 1998. The always interesting Nicolas Cage is on tip-top form in Joel Schumacher‘s neo-noir, 8mm. It’s a highly thrilling and gritty detective film which delves into the dark world of the ‘snuff movie’. [...]

September 11, 2021

Remembering The Mighty Joel Schumacher

The mighty Joel Schumacher was born on the 29 August 1939 – the same year that Batman made his first appearance. As one of the all-time great directors, he helmed a wonderful selection of films that included everything from The Incredible [...]

August 29, 2021

Review: ADVERSE Is Gritty Neo-Noir With A Great Turn From Mickey Rourke

Brian A. Metcalf has crafted a solid neo-noir with Adverse. The writer-director-producer offers a glimpse into the underbelly of Los Angeles as this dark thriller prowls the after hours streets of the City of Angels. Metcalf has managed to snag a [...]

May 14, 2021

George Clooney – The Last Of The Movie Stars

There are movie stars and then there is George Clooney. The actor, who turned 60 years old on 6 May, 2021 is the epitome of old style charm and charisma and he has been compared to Cary Grant on so many occasions that it would be superfluous to do [...]

May 6, 2021