An unseen version of the movie “Batman Forever,” directed by Joel Schumacher, will have a very unusual public screening in Los Angeles towards the end of this month.
In summer 2020, it was confirmed that a 170-minute extended version of the film “Batman Forever” exists. This longer version features changes such as Two-Face (played by Tommy Lee Jones) escaping from Arkham Asylum and more scenes depicting The Riddler (Jim Carrey) invading the Batcave and employing his iconic cane as a weapon. Additionally, this version includes a recurring theme about Bruce Wayne’s childhood trauma, as well as a dream sequence where he faces a giant bat, which was largely removed in the original release.
That scene has made its way onto home video as a deleted scene. It’s also available online.
Before his passing in June 2020, Schumacher discussed the large amount of content that was removed before its initial release in theaters. Since then, the so-called “Schumacher Cut” has been shown privately on only a few occasions. For instance, Kevin Smith held a screening in 2023 that drew some attention.
The third movie in the series of four Batman films that came out between the late 1980s and early 1990s was titled “Batman Forever.” After directing “Batman Returns,” Tim Burton stepped away from the franchise, and Joel Schumacher took over. Val Kilmer replaced Michael Keaton as Batman in this film, while Tommy Lee Jones portrayed Two-Face and Jim Carrey played the Riddler.
In addition to Schumacher’s direction, the film “Batman Forever” introduced the character of Robin, portrayed by Chris O’Donnell, and provided Michael Keaton’s Batman with a new romantic interest, psychologist Dr. Chase Meridian, who was played by Nicole Kidman.
Despite receiving mixed feedback and its standing diminishing over time due to the release of the less serious Batman & Robin, Batman Forever was an enormous success in 1995, raking in a staggering $336 million at the global box office – approximately $70 million more than Batman Returns earned earlier.
On May 29, the movie “Batman Forever” will be screened at CineFile Video in Los Angeles. This screening is nearly three days before its 30th anniversary; the film premiered in theaters on June 16, 1995.
[H/T World of Reel]
Guilty Pleasure Movies From the ’90s
Guilty as Sin (1993)
In the realm of filmmaking, the collaboration between Sidney Lumet, famous for his gritty New York crime dramas and socially conscious works, and Larry Cohen, master of exploitation, might seem unexpected. However, they managed to create a unique blend in the movie “Guilty as Sin.” Larry Cohen crafted an intriguing concept, a reverse version of “Basic Instinct,” where a female lawyer becomes captivated by the prime suspect in the murder of his wife. Lumet, for the most part, kept the narrative straightforward and allowed his actors to shine. Particularly, he spotlighted Don Johnson as the ultimate playboy, who was incredibly entertaining in this role and embodied one of the most irritating characters ever seen on screen. (In one scene, a woman offers to buy him a drink at a bar. He refuses her offer, suggests she pay for the drink he’s already consuming, then promptly leaves her with an empty glass and the bill.) The ’90s’ era of erotic thrillers was often met with skepticism, and rightfully so. But “Guilty as Sin” is a delightful, albeit sinister, gem.
Escape From L.A. (1996)
Originally, “Escape From L.A.” was perceived as a significant drop in quality compared to its predecessor, “Escape From New York” (1981), by director John Carpenter and star Kurt Russell. While it’s accurate that it fell short of its predecessor, “Escape From L.A.” possesses a unique atmosphere, shifting from gritty exploitation thriller to amusing sci-fi parody. It seems as if Carpenter is chuckling behind the scenes during some of the more outrageous scenes (like when Snake Plissken is surfing!). The absurdity makes it enjoyable, even when considering its weak points such as some of the worst CGI effects in a major studio film. If viewed as a self-aware comedy, these flaws transform into strengths rather than weaknesses.
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Disclosure (1994)
Title Rating: 2.8
The intriguing concept of “Disclosure” – with Michael Douglas as the victim of sexual harassment – borders on being a delightful indulgence even before it starts. However, what truly makes “Disclosure” a must-see is its mind-blowing finale, which unfolds within a virtual reality world that is so absurd it surpasses the level of ’90s cheese exemplified by “Johnny Mnemonic”. In fact, this climax is at the pinnacle of cheesy entertainment from the 1990s.
The premise of “Disclosure” being about sexual harassment already leans towards being a fun watch. But the insane climax that takes place in a virtual reality world makes it even more worth watching, as it’s so outlandish it surpasses the level of ’90s cheesiness seen in “Johnny Mnemonic”. In other words, this movie is a perfect example of ’90s cheese at its peak.
Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)
The film “Dracula: Dead and Loving It,” directed by Mel Brooks, has received an average rating of 2.8 on Letterboxd. Despite this lower score compared to some of his other comedies like “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Silent Movie,” “High Anxiety,” and “Spaceballs,” it doesn’t necessarily mean it was a failure. This movie is notable for being one of Brooks’ collaborations with comedic actor Leslie Nielsen, and it includes several of his most hilarious scenes, such as the one where Steven Weber tries to drive a stake through a sleeping vampire, only to be drenched by an excessively large geyser of blood. Meanwhile, Mel Brooks’ character, Dr. Van Helsing, offers encouragement from a dry and safe distance.
“Dracula: Dead and Loving It,” though it has a lower average rating than some of Mel Brooks’ other comedies, is not necessarily a bad movie due to the inclusion of Leslie Nielsen as a spoof star and several funny scenes, like one where Steven Weber tries to drive a stake through a vampire but gets drenched in blood while Mel Brooks’ character, Dr. Van Helsing, cheers him on from a safe distance.
Trial and Error (1997)
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must confess that many ’90s sitcom stars struggled in the film industry, both artistically and financially. However, this quirky gem from that era managed to stand out – a courtroom twist on the beloved “Kindergarten Cop,” featuring the talented Michael Richards from “Seinfeld.” In an intoxicated bachelor party frenzy, his friend (played by Jeff Daniels) was unable to attend a hearing, leaving our protagonist to step in and impersonate a lawyer. This high-concept screwball comedy is a rarity today, and it boasts one of the earliest significant film appearances by Charlize Theron.
Alien Resurrection (1997)
Title Rating: 2.6
This movie, with its chaotic narrative, seems fitting for Xenomorph-centric stories. After all, isn’t a bit of disorder expected when dealing with these creatures? Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet infused the usually grim Alien saga with a playful humor; this is the Alien film where you can catch a mad scientist playing a prank by pretending to kiss one of these monsters through Plexiglass. The portrayal of Ripley in this movie is quite unusual – technically, she’s a half-alien, half-human clone, complete with Xenomorph black and green manicured nails. Yet, Sigourney Weaver’s performance as this peculiar character could be her finest in the entire series. The story revolves around a group of mercenaries trying to survive on a military outpost infested with facehugging creatures, but it doesn’t particularly stand out. However, Jeunet’s unique perspective and Weaver’s choices elevate this film above its perceived worth.
The Phantom (1996)
Title Rating: 2.6 (Out of 5)
The movie “The Phantom,” starring Billy Zane, is a superhero film that leans more towards being a guilty pleasure rather than a critically acclaimed masterpiece. Given its source material – a long-running comic strip titled the same – this was probably to be expected. The charismatic Billy Zane shines in his role as the titular character, while Treat Williams delivers an entertainingly over-the-top performance as the villain. Catherine Zeta-Jones, in an early supporting role, adds to the film’s visual appeal. What sets “The Phantom” apart is its unique elements: the hero has a horse and a wolf as his sidekicks, and in one scene they communicate through barks and growls – adding a touch of humor and originality to the action-packed narrative.
Congo (1995)
In this analysis, I’ve shared my thoughts about the film “Congo,” a comedic attempt to emulate the success of “Jurassic Park” by adapting another Michael Crichton novel, featuring intelligent apes instead of dinosaurs. The script, penned by John Patrick Shanley, maintains a light-hearted tone, creating a thriller that intentionally borders on absurdity (complete with a chilling hippo attack scene). Occasionally, it delves into real emotional depth, like when Tim Curry gazes upon the Lost City of Zinj… Well, let’s just say it’s quite affecting! In essence, “Congo” is nothing but pure B-movie schlock – but it’s also unapologetically so.
Junior (1994)
Title Rating: 2.4
Despite being marketed as a spiritual successor to the blockbuster comedy “Twins,” directed by Ivan Reitman with Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, “Junior” falls flat in terms of humor. However, it’s so oddly unique that it’s hard to entirely dismiss it. The movie features Arnold Schwarzenegger as a fertility specialist who impregnates himself for a scheme to get a drug approved by the FDA – and that’s just scratching the surface of its strangeness. “Junior” is a must-watch for academics and cultural analysts interested in exploring gender politics in ’90s romantic comedies, as it will undoubtedly leave them astonished.
Junior, a comedy supposedly similar to Twins, didn’t make people laugh much. However, it’s so strange that you can’t ignore it completely. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a fertility specialist who gets pregnant for a plot twist – and there’s more where that came from! If you like thinking about gender roles in ’90s romantic comedies, Junior will blow your mind!
Super Mario Bros. (1993)
An Unconventional Take on the Super Mario Bros. Franchise
The latest animated adaptation of the iconic Super Mario Bros. video games, titled “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” has been a faithful representation of its source material. Conversely, the original 1993 live-action film, simply known as “Super Mario Bros.”, did not follow suit.
Despite its lackluster reviews, “Super Mario Bros.” has gained a cult following due to its peculiarities. It’s not necessarily a well-made film, but its bizarre elements give it an odd allure that keeps viewers coming back. The main characters, portrayed by Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, find themselves transported into a world called “Dinohattan,” a dinosaur-themed realm governed by Dennis Hopper sporting bleached blonde hair styled into spikes resembling dinosaurs.
In today’s climate, a production based on such a lucrative brand as Super Mario Bros. would unlikely be permitted to be as eccentric as this film. Perhaps this uniqueness is why I have revisited it multiple times, despite its evident flaws.
Batman & Robin (1997)
Title Rating: 1.9
I find it hard to rate this film with stars. Despite its abysmal quality, I can’t seem to tire of watching it. The sheer amount of funds and resources wasted on such an obviously (perhaps intentionally) foolish project somehow brings a sense of warmth to me.
George Clooney smirks his way through a struggle against the seductive Poison Ivy, portrayed by Uma Thurman, and the icy Mr. Freeze, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who can’t seem to utter more than two sentences without making an ice or cold-related pun. I wouldn’t want a Batman series that was all about Batman & Robins; that would grow old very quickly. However, after 20 years of ultra-serious Batman films, I can appreciate Batman & Robin.
Dare I say it, this movie and I… have developed a cool connection.
Read More
- DEEP PREDICTION. DEEP cryptocurrency
- CRK Boss Rush guide – Best cookies for each stage of the event
- Ludus promo codes (April 2025)
- Summoners Kingdom: Goddess tier list and a reroll guide
- Mini Heroes Magic Throne tier list
- Maiden Academy tier list
- CXT PREDICTION. CXT cryptocurrency
- Best Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered sex mods for 2025
- Castle Duels tier list – Best Legendary and Epic cards
- Grimguard Tactics tier list – Ranking the main classes
2025-05-13 01:05