Writer/director Matt Reeves has said that when he began working on the script for the latest Batman reboot, he already had Robert Pattinson in mind for the title role. I know what you’re thinking: “Do we really need another Batman?” I say "Yes; yes we do." Fortunately for Reeves, Pattinson also had his sights set on a Batman role and, once again, kismet works its magic.
Reeves' dark take on the classic character is not an origin story, but does explore Bruce Wayne’s early days of vigilantism. Gotham is plagued by a serial killer, Paul Dano’s Riddler, who appears obsessed with Wayne. Zoë Kravitz plays opposite Pattinson as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, with Andy Serkis taking on the role of Alfred. The cast includes an unrecognisable Colin Farrell as The Penguin, Peter Sarsgaard and Jeffrey Wright.
At nearly three hours in length, it's not the film to order a large soda beforehand, but to sit back and buckle up for an intense ride. "The Batman" opens 2 March at Camana Bay Cinema.
Moving from grungy Gotham City to the bucolic scenery of early 19th century northern England, the Crawleys return to the big screen with the drama, intrigue and quick-witted dialogue fans have come to expect of "Downton Abbey." The new film picks up in 1927, where the last one left off following a royal visit. This time, the estate is taken over by a film crew with “actresses plastered in make-up and actors, just plastered!”
The secret past of Lady Grantham’s (Dame Maggie Smith) comes to light when she mysteriously acquires a villa in the South of France. All will be revealed when "Downton Abbey: A New Era" arrives at the cinema 18 March.
KIDS CLUB
This month’s Kids Club options range from live action science fiction to animated musicals. For parents wanting to introduce their kids to a Steven Spielberg classic, check out "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" on 19 or 26 March. This sweet story of friendship and bravery is set in a California suburb where Elliott meets a stranded alien. Elliott, his sister and their friends go to great lengths to hide “E.T.” in this world where he sadly does not belong.
CLASSICS
All of you '80s kids will feel a wave of nostalgia as "Pretty in Pink" comes to Camana Bay Cinema on 22 March. Filmmaker John Hughes’ muse, Molly Ringwald, is Andie Walsh in this high school drama that tackles cliques, socio-economic status and the complications of teen love. Andie is being raised by her working-class single father, and in her senior year wants nothing more than to attend the prom. She and best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer) face daily harassment by the entitled “rich kids” as they come to terms with their own relationship.
This article will also be published in the March 2022 print edition of Camana Bay Times.