Batman Returns (1992)

Batman Returns (1992) – In recent reviews of Tim Burton movies, I’ve written about the difference between Burton the auteur and Burton the director-for-hire. Whichever one is working, his movies have a great signature look but Burton the auteur creates movies that have a level of depth. Burton-for-hire is just kind of phoning it in. Burton … Continue reading

Planet of the Apes (2001)

Planet of the Apes (2001) – Sigh… so one of the benefits of having the rather excellent Rise of the Planet of the Apes come out last year was that it would wipe the stain of this ill-conceived remake from our cultural memory. Not so much. It was on cable a little while back and my … Continue reading

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) – So… um… right… so when I first saw Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in the bookstore I had what I assumed was the appropriate reaction: I laughed. It’s a movie about the Great Emancipator hunting and killing imaginary undead bloodsucking fiends. That’s comedy, right? Right? Surely such … Continue reading

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Alice in Wonderland (2010) — Above all else this is yummy yummy eye candy (and I’m not just talking about Mia Wasikowski [rim shot]).  The look of this film is fucking gorgeous in that usual twisted Tim Burton way.  The other big plus is the cast.  Burton’s usual stock players Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, … Continue reading