Podcast: Commentaries for Batman 1989 and Batman Forever 30th Anniversary fan edit

Drew has done a couple more commentaries of Batman movies. 

First up, he's joined by Ben Wan of Superhero Stuff You Should Know (an excellent YouTube channel if you've not checked it out) to cover the 1989 Batman movie.

And to celebrate the 31st anniversary of Batman Forever - he's done two commentaries for Jordan Jabroni's fan edit Batman Forever: 30th Anniversary Edition (a brilliant fan edit that incorporates and upscales the deleted footage available as well as adding little bits and pieces to bring the film closer to the shooting script). 

First up he's joined by Tim Partridge for this who did a great video essay about Forever.

And then he's also done a separate commentary with Jordan himself.

Podcast: Episode 13 - Netflix will eventually buy Warner Brothers

In this episode of the 1995 Batman podcast Drew takes a look at the recent bidding war that's been erupting between Paramount and Netflix to purchase Warner Brothers and what that could mean for a future Batman Forever: Schumacher Cut release.

Here's the Daily Mail article that Drew talks about if you want to read it for yourself.

And if you want to mailing a letter asking for the Schumacher Cut, send it to:-

Warner Bros.
ATTN: Mr. Michael DeLuca, Ms. Pamela Abdy
4000 Warner Blvd
Building 168
Burbank, CA 91522

Podcast: Episode 12 - Batman Returns commentary

With Christmas just around the corner, now seems as good a time as any to do a commentary for Batman Returns.

Of all the Batman movies, this is the one where my opinion has changed the most over the years. I used to like it quite a bit as a teenager but recently I've found more and more issues with it. I don't have any problem with Tim Burton changing the origins of Catwoman and Penguin - making them more animalistic - but I do find the tone very off putting and the story a bit of a jumble of ideas.

It's also a shame that Batman/Bruce Wayne has so little to do in the film. It's really Penguin's story - featuring Batman here and there.

Anyway, give the commentary a listen and... come what may... Merry Christmas.

If you want to just listen to the commentary without having YouTube open, here's a link to the mp3.

Podcast: Episode 11 - Batman Begins commentary

Well, we did audio commentaries for the two Schumacher Batman films so it made sense to keep going and do one for 2005's Batman Begins - a film that celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Both Drew are a little muted on our love for this film. Lots of complicated feelings. As much as we respect Christopher Nolan - we both find his movies a little robotic and cold at times.

One interesting thing I've never really talked about is how I actually got to go to the set of this film as an extra (sadly I didn't get in front of the camera) but I did get to have a good look at the sets contained inside Cardington Hangars. To hear more about this and other topics, go listen.

If you don't want to have youtube open while you watch, here's a link to the commentary as an mp3.

Podcast: Episode 10 - Give Robin his Color Back

In this episode of the 1995 Batman podcast Drew gives his thoughts on the Robin costume in Batman Forever.

I've got to say I really agree with him that it's a shame they made Chris O'Donnell such a fantastic suit and then barely showed it off in the film. And when it was on screen it was mostly obscured by tight close-ups or hazy green lighting from Claw Island.

I really wish they had stuck with the suit a little longer in Batman & Robin rather than transitioning straight into the Nightwing inspired one.

Podcast: Episode 9 - Chris O'Donnell speaks on working with Val Kilmer

A few articles have popped up recently promoting Chris O'Donnell’s new TV series 911: Nashville. Naturally, some interviewers have taken the opportunity to revisit his time playing Robin in the Batman films.

One interview, published on People’s website, included some interesting comments from Chris about working with Val Kilmer. In this episode of the 1995Batman podcast, Drew dives into the article and shares his thoughts on what Chris had to say.

Drew goes into more detail about the far superior "Schumacher Cut"

In a follow-up to this post from June, Drew Griffin is back to talk more about the Schumacher Cut that he was fortunate to have seen at a secret screening.

Lots of interesting topics and thoughts in this video such as: why the Warner Brothers sent a cease and desist and stopped the Cinefile screening and what it will take to make this version of the film releasable. 

Podcast: Episode 5 - Deleted Scenes of Batman Forever Analyzed

In this episode Drew and I take a look at and discuss all the deleted scenes that are currently available on the DVD and Blu-Ray releases of Batman Forever. 

This seemed like a good follow-up considering we just finished the Batman Forever commentary.

Lots to discuss so let's dive in.

Finally, we know exactly what is in the "Schumacher Cut" thanks to Drew Griffin

I know I've done tons of videos over the years on the deleted content from Batman Forever. Seems crazy to do yet another one but this is a BIG one.

A few weeks ago I reported that the Cinefile Video screening of the "Schumacher Cut"/workprint was cancelled due to a cease and desist letter from Warner Brothers. 

I was really disappointed for Drew Griffin, who's been helping out with the YouTube channel this year, as he was due to see it.

Thankfully, although Cinefile didn't screen the workprint, some other mysterious benefactor decided to screen it somewhere else for the people who were going to attend. So Drew did see it and here he's taken the time to break down all the differences.

Take it away Drew.

Podcast: Episode 4 - Batman Forever commentary

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Batman Forever, myself and Drew got together to record a commentary track for the film so get your copy - DVD, Blu-ray, VHS, whatever - queued up and listen along with us.

If you'd prefer to listen to it as an mp3, here's a link.

Podcast: Episode 3 - more on Revisiting Joel Schumacher's Batman

In this episode, Drew and I continue listening and commenting on Eyebrow Cinema's Revisiting Joel Schumacher's Batman video. 

Enjoy!

Podcast: Episode 1 and 2 of 1995 Batman podcast out now

So Drew and I have started a recording a few episodes of this discussion podcast where we watch some videos or read some articles  related to the Schumacher Batman films and have a chat about the contents. 

Hope you enjoy! It's a fun way of getting us to bring up our individual thoughts and ideas about what does and doesn't work about the two Schumacher films.

The first episode has us looking at an article from TheShot.com about 5 Reasons Why Batman Forever is the Best of the  Batman Movies.

And in episode 2 we take a look at Eyebrow Cinema's video essay looking at both Schumacher Batman films (*note, this video will have a part 2 later).

New audiobook - Robin Facing the Enemy read by Drew Griffin

In the run up to the release of the Batman & Robin movie, two short books aimed at kids were released alongside Michael Jan Friedman's novelisation - "Batgirl To Dare the Darkness" by Doug Moench and "Robin Facing the Enemy" by Alan Grant. Both of whom were noted comic book writers at the time. 

While the Batgirl story is set after the 1997 movie and sees her going up against Black Mask, the Robin novel is set in between the two Schumacher films and sees him finding his feet as Batman sidekick (by going off on his own... again).

It's a short, fun read and I'll do a little video with more of my feelings on it at some point in the future. There's some references to the events of Batman Forever but they aren't huge. It's maybe a stretch to call it a full fledged interquel. More of a solo spin-off.

While the Batgirl novel received a short 30 minute "audio drama" in 1997, the Robin novel didn't receive anything. 

Thankfully that has now been corrected by our resident audiobook reader - Drew Griffin (so all thanks to him, not me!) - who has done another great job and brought this story to life. I hope you all enjoy it.

Have a listen to it in the link below. It's two hours of your time and it breezes by:-

Neon Knight Forever audiobook - read by Drew Griffin

Once again Drew Griffin has provided us with another audiobook. This it's time it's Tomasz Zaglewski's Neon Knight Forever book that charts the evolution of how Joel Schumacher's Batman duology has been perceived by fans and critics over the last 30 years. 

Check out my review here.

Also if you enjoy this recording, I'm excited to say Tomasz's book is coming out in paperback in June 2025 - just in time for the 30th anniversary of Batman Forever. 

Pre-order your copy here for UK or here for US.

A double dose of thoughts, insights and observations at seeing Batman Forever on the big screen

Well, I managed to get out and see Batman Forever at the cinema and it was absolutely brilliant. I always get a little bit of trepidation rewatching the film in case my feelings have shifted but I'm pleased to say it played as well now as it did back in 1995 when I was 11.

It's such a different experience seeing it at the cinema. The surround sound really amplified the Goldenthal score and the clarity and size of the screen meant you could take in all the details and colour.

I've rounded up some of my thoughts in the video below.

But wait, there's more! I've recently struck up a friendship and found myself with a new partner. I'll let him introduce himself...

Hope you enjoyed these videos. If you managed to catch it at one of these one-off revival screenings or just have some cool memories from back in the day, let us know in the comments either here or on the YouTube videos.