Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Part 1 (2012)

 

"You don't get it, son. This isn't a mud hole. It's an operating table. And I'm the surgeon."  - Batman

The first part of a brilliant adaptation of the 1986 comic book The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, tells a story of a 55-year-old Bruce Wayne who has been out of action for ten years and is forced to return of the retirement of the bat suit due to the new faces of crime that terrorizes Gotham.

Without the same youth before, this animation shows a Dark Knight much more violent and brutal in its fight against crime batman, not to mention the usual intelligence.

****

Part 2 (2013)

 

"I want you to remember that. I wanted to remind you to stay out of my way. In all the years to come, in your most private moments, I want you to remember the one man who beat you!" - Batman

In the second part, an epic end. While the dark knight manages to lead a lawless Gotham his arch rival Joker returns more ruthless than ever to a final act, which culminates in a surprising final confrontation between the two.

Meanwhile, Superman is used as a weapon by the U.S. government in a war against the Soviets, is forced to return to Gotham to stop his former friend, who exposed the lack of capacity of the government to maintain order and protect their own citizens.

****1/4

Godzilla (2014)

 "The arrogance of men is thinking nature is in their control and not the other way around." - Ichiro Serizawa

The return of the classic monster after a demonstration of arrogance of human technology. Fantastic movie that holds your attention from beginning to end, with a perfect combination of history, acting and special effects.

****

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room." - President Merkin Muffley

A spectacular comedy directed by the brilliant Stanley Kubrick, satirizing the period of cold war between Americans and communists after World War II. No individual performances to highlight, all the cast did good in their respective roles, collaborating with brilliant screenplay written by Kubrick.

Dark humor intelligent from the most high quality.

****3/4

The Kid (1921)

 

 "A picture with a smile - and perhaps, a tear."

The tramp discovers an abandoned kid and decides to take care of him. A silent masterpice with simply sensational performances Chaplin (as The Tramp) and Jackie Coogan (as The Kid).

As the opening title says, you will laugh and will surely be touched by these two.

*****

Man of Steel (2013)

"You are not alone... My name is General Zod. I have journeyed across an ocean of stars to reach here. Your world has sheltered one of my citizens. He will look like you, but he is not one of you. To those of you who know of his location: the fate of your planet rests in your hands. To Kal-El, I say this: surrender within 24 hours, or watch this world suffer the consequences..." - General Zod

Absolutely fantastic movie. Zack Snyder tells the story of the birth of the man of steel from the rivalry between Jor-El and General Zod on Krypton, showing the origin of the trip Kal-el to earth to an epic battle when General decides to come back for one of their citizens.

Excellent performances from Henry Cavill playing the man of steel and with a height rival, Michael Shannon was awesome in the role of General Zod.

****1/4

Paths of Glory (1957)

"There are few things more fundamentally encouraging and stimulating than seeing someone else die." - General Broulard

Paths of Glory shows the coldness of the commanders with their soldiers in World War I, during the refusal to advance on a mission impossible. One of the best war films of the cinema where Kubick shows the cruel reality of the time in a simple and magnificent way.

****1/2

Safety Last! (1923)

 *Lot of Laugh* - You watching this film

As I'm a huge fan of black/white and silent films I feel guilty for never have watched this one before, it's looks so underrated. We're used to hear about the great classics of Chaplin and Buster Keaton, but Harold Lloyd is one to put in together with them.

I felt like a child watching Looney Tunes cartoons, and again I confirmed that a good comedy can be a simple one, and more simple more funny it is. It's incredible how this kind of movie can make you laugh out of silly things when todays movies just throw a bunch of images, words and sounds to force people to laugh.

The building climbing scene is fantastic, it's made of funny moments and some quite intences. Sometimes it seemed so realistic for it's time. The film doesn't get boring and the comedy has a good timing.

I shall never forget to mention this film when the "silent films" subject comes up.

I'll give it Five Star soon as I ditch the cop.

*****