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joel schumacher

We’ll never forgive Joel Schumacher his “Trespass”

Trespass
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Joel Schumacher’s final film is a hodgepodge of hokey thriller twists and a ridiculous performance from Nic Cage.

Douglas Laman Posted on July 30, 2020July 28, 2020

Joel Schumacher took a baffling trip into occult horror in “Blood Creek”

Blood Creek
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Despite its future A-list cast & spooky atmosphere, “Blood Creek” is an incoherent misstep for the versatile director.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on July 25, 2020July 24, 2020

“Phantom of the Opera” is a series of dull notes

The Phantom of the Opera
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Joel Schumacher inexplicably drained Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Broadway musical of every bit of its camp and queerness.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on July 25, 2020July 24, 2020

“The Number 23” is a summation of Joel Schumacher’s filmography

The Number 23
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With loss of control dressed up in nutty numerology, Joel Schumacher’s 2007 thriller is a flawed thematic tie-in to his other work.

B.L. Panther Posted on July 23, 2020July 22, 2020

“Phone Booth” is a tightly wound study in obsolescence

Phone Booth
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Joel Schumacher’s cracked tableau of New York City’s shifts at the turn of the millennium remains a time capsule in the guise of a neo-noir.

Tim Stevens Posted on July 22, 2020July 22, 2020

“Tigerland” looks at the pre-war pain of young (and talented) men

Tigerland
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Joel Schumacher’s sensitive wartime drama gives the world Colin Farrell and explores the painful tribulations of young men waiting for war.

Michael Frank Posted on July 22, 2020July 22, 2020

“Batman and Robin” struggled under the weight of its own excess

Batman & Robin
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Joel Schumacher’s second go at the Batman franchise has its undeniable charms, but relied too much on tired stereotypes.

Andrea Thompson Posted on July 18, 2020July 17, 2020

“Falling Down” is a sizzling portrait of white male rage

Falling Down
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From Rodney King to Donald Trump, Michael Douglas’ D-FENS remains the pluperfect case study for white grievance politics.

Clint Worthington Posted on July 17, 2020July 17, 2020

“8mm” is still up to snuff in delivering shock and repulsion

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Joel Schumacher’s sleazy, sweaty neo-noir of porn and pain remains a bizarre artifact for the director’s filmography, and it hasn’t lost its bite.

Liam Carroll Posted on July 17, 2020July 17, 2020

“Flatliners” was Joel Schumacher’s attempt to touch the void

Flatliners
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Joel Schumacher’s 1990 foray into psychological horror wasn’t just a look at mortality, but also a meditation on what lie on the other side.

Samantha Schorsch Posted on July 16, 2020July 16, 2020

“A Time to Kill” is a misguided page-turner of a movie

A Time to Kill
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Joel Schumacher’s second John Grisham adaptation is a myopic look at race and the criminal justice system in the American South.

Beau North Posted on July 15, 2020July 14, 2020

Schumacher puts character over tension in “The Client”

The Client
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Joel Schumacher’s ninth feature adapts John Grisham’s usual action nonsense with depth & sensitivity.

Tim Stevens Posted on July 14, 2020July 14, 2020

“The Lost Boys” was horror for an overlooked audience

The Lost Boys
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Joel Schumacher’s fun, stylish take on teen vampires both ushered in “MTV horror” & acknowledged young female horror fans.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on July 8, 2020July 7, 2020

“St. Elmo’s Fire” is a study in terrible people that sometimes works

St. Elmo's Fire
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The Brat Pack-era drama about callow college graduates is worth a watch, if you can tolerate its awful characters.

Justin Harrison Posted on July 7, 2020July 6, 2020

Joel Schumacher starts small with “The Incredible Shrinking Woman”

Incredible Shrinking Woman
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Schumacher’s directorial debut is a silly, messy take on the restrictive gender roles of women in the household.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on July 6, 2020July 6, 2020

July’s Filmmaker of the Month: Joel Schumacher

Joel Schumacher
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In light of his passing, we look at the eclectic work of the man who loved camp, callousness, and everything in between.

Matt Cipolla Posted on July 2, 2020August 3, 2020

Joygasm! “Batman Forever” celebrates its 25th birthday

Batman Forever
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Love it or hate it, Joel Schumacher’s first take on the Caped Crusader was a neon-lit spectacle. Two of our writers debate its flaws & merits.

The Spool Staff Posted on June 16, 2020June 18, 2020
© 2021 The Spool. Podcast logo by Josh Hollis. Made with love by Pixelgrade
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