Post-Batman and pre-XMen comic book films.

[johnnygobbs]

Thanks, johnny, I must say something about The Rocketeer, I actually received the VHS from an aunt of mine in the mid-90's and have seen it quite  a few times. I love the old throwback to 1930's, 1940's hollywood with some great action sequences. Joe Johnston directed this film and I have liked him ever since, he did some others like Honey I shrunk the Kids, JP3, Hidalgo and the upcoming Wolfman. He's a solid director and one that has a knack for great visuals, action sequences and characters.

I'm very keen on Joe Johnston too.  He might not be an auteur, but for a 'director-for-hire' he sure has a knack of churning out some pretty good films, including the aforementioned The Rocketeer, Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Jurassic Park 3 and the great news is that he's doing Captain America which I think he's perfect for.

[Scarecrow756]

The Crow and Blade for me.

[The Joker]

The Rocketeer

Very entertaining film, with a breathtaking Jennifer Connelly! Ah, good times. 

Dick Tracy

A pretty solid effort from Beatty in finally bringing the long running comic strip to the big screen.

Darkman

Absolutely love this film. Raimi did a amazing job directing this movie, though it's unfortunate that he couldn't get his hands on "The Shadow" back then.

The Crow

Not the most faithful adaptation (not by a long shot), but it's a extremely well done movie with a captivating performance from Brandon Lee.

The Phantom

I remember being one of the very few watching this on it's opening weekend (everyone was watching "Twister" instead), but I felt Billy Zane did an excellent job in bringing The Ghost who Walks to life on the silver screen. And yeah, Catherine Zeta Jones was very eye catching to say the very least.

[johnnygobbs]

The Rocketeer

Very entertaining film, with a breathtaking Jennifer Connelly! Ah, good times. 

Dick Tracy

A pretty solid effort from Beatty in finally bringing the long running comic strip to the big screen.

Darkman

Absolutely love this film. Raimi did a amazing job directing this movie, though it's unfortunate that he couldn't get his hands on "The Shadow" back then.

The Crow

Not the most faithful adaptation (not by a long shot), but it's a extremely well done movie with a captivating performance from Brandon Lee.

The Phantom

I remember being one of the very few watching this on it's opening weekend (everyone was watching "Twister" instead), but I felt Billy Zane did an excellent job in bringing The Ghost who Walks to life on the silver screen. And yeah, Catherine Zeta Jones was very eye catching to say the very least.

I agree with you on all those points Joker, although I did find The Crow a little too Goth at times for my tastes.  I agree about Catherine Zeta-Jones too, but I also liked Kristy Swanson as The Phantom's girlfriend who the clearly bisexual Seela describes as 'beautiful in a spoiled rich girl kind of way'.

Of the films you listed my favourites would be Dick Tracy and The Rocketeer, which were practically perfect translations of their source material.

[The Joker]

I agree with you on all those points Joker, although I did find The Crow a little too Goth at times for my tastes.  I agree about Catherine Zeta-Jones too, but I also liked Kristy Swanson as The Phantom's girlfriend who the clearly bisexual Seela describes as 'beautiful in a spoiled rich girl kind of way'.

Of the films you listed my favourites would be Dick Tracy and The Rocketeer, which were practically perfect translations of their source material.

I agree. The Crow definately had that goth vibe to it, but I think the film felt right during the time it was made in. Which was definately the Nirvana era. Where mostly everyone in high school had long hair, wore flannel shirts (sometimes tied around their waists), or acted like Brad Pitt's character in, "True Romance".  

I know what you mean by Kristy Swanson as well. She's practically the only reason I actually liked "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Being that you also like Jennifer Connelly, I know you must have already seen, "Higher Learning"? Swanson AND Connelly are in it. And their interest in one another in the film is also pretty interesting for the viewer as well.  

Yeah, Dick Tracy and The Rocketeer are definately up there. Both are class films in many respects. As far as Dick Tracy goes, I remember reading something about Beatty stating in 2005 that he had this "great idea" for a actual sequel to Dick Tracy, but I figure he may just have walked out of "Sin City" and got the itch (not Itchy!) to do something similar. Who knows.