What I Watched in March 2022

I will always be interested in new screen versions of the Batman and THE BATMAN (2022) is an excellent example of doing something different with the classic ingredients. In this case we have a brooding, thoughtful look at the early period of the costumed vigilante. Detective Gordon thinks he could be an asset as the stymied investigation into The Riddler’s murders starts touching political figures. Gordon is able to convince some of his fellow cops because the criminal is addressing riddle clues directly to The Batman meaning that he might have some unique insight. The Gotham of this film is a vital, dark and alive place weighed down by historic crimes at every level. It reeks of bad people doing good things to hide their real intentions and good people doing bad things to try to stop them. It's as impressive a film Batman tale as I have ever seen and it creates a world I’d love to revisit for future stories. Let’s hope we get the chance. 

 The List

THE MAN FROM SONORA (1951) – 6 (solid B-western with Johnny Mack Brown) 

BURN (2019) – 7 (interesting character study/crime film)

SPACEWAYS (1953) – 5 (early Hammer SF about rocket research) 

LITTLE GIANT (1946) – 6 (interesting new direction for Abbot & Costello) 

HERE COMES CARTER (1936) - 6 (Glenda Farrell in a supporting role)

TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID (2017) – 7 (children face cartel violence and supernatural horror) 

CALIGULA: THE UNTOLD STORY (1982) – 6 (the two-hour version is too long) 

CREATURE (1985) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

CAMP COLD BROOK (2018) – 6 (ghost hunter horror film) 

MASTER OF THE WORLD (1983) – 4 (cavemen vs bear for far too long)

CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN (1943) – 6 (rewatch) 

LA LLORONA (1933) – 6 (creaky early sound version of the Mexican ghost tale) 

THE BATMAN (2022) – 8 

POWDERSMOKE RANGE (1935) – 5 (standard B-western with mostly terrible acting) 

FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS (1937) – 5 (final Hildegarde Withers mystery) 

BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE (1958) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER (1982) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

RABID DOGS (1974) – 9 (rewatch) 

THE OUTING (a.k.a. THE LAMP) (1987) – 4 (not great evil Jinn tale) 

SHADOWS OVER CHINATOWN (1946) – 5 (rewatch) (OK Chan mystery)

PHANTOM RAIDERS (1940) – 7 (solid Nick Carter adventure)