8 MILE, a drama set against the 1995 hip-hop scene in Detroit, is about the boundaries that define our lives and a young man's struggle to find the strength and courage to transcend them.
A shooting at an all night diner is investigated by three LA policemen in their own unique ways. Curtis Hanson's adaptation of the James Ellroy best-seller is that rarest of modern Hollywood creations, a crime drama with the brains, sex appeal, humor, danger and action to satisfy all tastes. The best film about Los Angeles since "Chinatown."
Barr is a psychiatrist who falls in love with the sister of one of his clients. She's beautiful and married (to a gangster). Set in San Francisco, this story pits a smart and determined psychiatrist against two beautiful, inscrutable, supremely strong willed and potentially dangerous sisters. The resulting triangle explodes in murder, a trial and double-crosses.
Tim Burton's BATMAN, inspired by Frank Miller's graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns," is a Gothic, Wagnerian treatment of the Batman mythos that explains the origins of Batman (Michael Keaton) and his nemesis, the maniacal Joker (a ripe Jack Nicholson). Gotham City is a sunless, ominous haven for criminals, held in the corrupt grip of crime boss Carl Grissom (the ever-magnetic Jack Palance), and terrorized by a sadistic vandal and murderer known as The Joker. But it isn't long before a dark, mysterious caped crusader, who goes by the name of BATMAN, is on their trail and trying to thwart their evil doings. In this darkly entertaining retelling of the DC comic classic, ace photojournalist Vicki Vale (warmly and sympathetically played by Kim Basinger) is also on the trail--she wants to find out who Batman really is. Based on the popular comic book character created by Bob Kane for DC Comics; the story and tone have nothing in common with the popular TV series of the 1960s. Imaginative special effects and imposing, Gothic architectural sets dominate this visually graphic, stylish film. Keaton gives a brooding performance as the Caped Crusader and his interestingly understated alter-ego Bruce Wane. But is it Nicholson's Joker that steals the show, with his unnerving, brilliantly maniacal portrayal, especially in the context of his twisted relationship with Grissom's gal Alicia (a lanky, disquieting Jerry Hall).
When nerdy Walter Davis (Bruce Willis) is fixed up with sexy, soft-spoken Nadia (Kim Basinger) in order to impress his associates a high-powered corporate dinner, he thinks it'll get him ahead in the company. But Nadia has a drinking problem--it only takes one drink to make her go completely crazy, and she has that one drink. Over the course of the night, Nadia's behavior will cause Walter to lose his job and get beaten up, arrested, and chased across town boy Nadia's homicidally jealous former fiance (John Larroquette). But somewhere along the line, Walter and Nadia may even decide that they like each other! Blake Edwards skillfully conducts a talented cast through a maze of comedically complex set pieces in this over-the-top comedy.
