Who was the first superhero? We won’t even try to answer that question. Outside of ancient Greek mythology, surely two of the earliest and most renowned (well, at least since 1900 anyway) remain DC Comics’ Superman and Batman. Although Marvel Comics have upped the ante since the mid-1990’s with the phenomenal popularity of the AMAZING SPIDERMAN pictures, the Man Of Steel and The Caped Crusader still maintain their place at the top of the pantheon. Join us for some of the most fun superhero cinema with Tim Burton’s welcome reinvention of The Dark Knight, BATMAN and BATMAN RETURNS, Richard Donner’s SUPERMAN and Richard Lester’s SUPERMAN II (both starring the late Christopher Reeve) as well as Sam Raimi’s startlingly original DARKMAN, one of the very few superhero films not to have originated from a comic strip. We’ll also be screening sixties Euro confection, DANGER: DIABOLIK, Mario Bava’s pop art masterpiece adapted from Italy’s long-running Diabolik comic about the super-anti-hero. Plus, don’t miss Craig Mazin’s underrated superhero comedy from 2000, THE SPECIALS.

Friday, November 17 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

DARKMAN, 1990, Universal, 96 min. Dir. Sam Raimi. This exciting, fast-paced and underrated sci-fi thriller resurrects PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and HOUSE OF WAX in a terrific, kinetic blend with all of the EVIL DEAD director’s stylistic trademarks. Liam Neeson stars as the tragic lead, once a genius scientist, now a conflicted superhero without a face seeking violent revenge against the bad guys who sealed his fate. Comic book culture collides with film noir characters, and Raimi brings his very own visual and thematic sensibility to this classic tale.

DANGER: DIABOLIK, 1967, Paramount, 100 min. Dir. Mario Bava. "Diabolik – out for all he can take, seduce or get away with …!" Is there a groovier 60’s flick than this surreal Euro thriller based on the popular Italian comic strip anti-hero??! From sexy, cat-suited super-thief John Phillip Law to gorgeous gal-pal Marisa Mell to Michel Piccoli’s put-upon police inspector to Bava’s ingenious mattes and glass plate production design, this is near the zenith of 1960’s Italian pop cinema delights. Ennio Morricone’s psychedelic paradise of a score includes "Deep Deep Down," one of the greatest spy-themes ever. With a very funny Terry Thomas as a stuffed-shirt official.

Saturday, November 18 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

SUPERMAN, 1978, Warner Bros., 151 min. The film that set the standard for all big screen comic-book adaptations before or since, director Richard Donner’s spectacular SUPERMAN has been digitally restored, with eight minutes of never-before-seen footage added, including a pivotal scene with Marlon Brando as Superman’s father, Jor-El. Virtual unknown Christopher Reeve was brilliantly cast as the heroic Man of Steel and his bumbling counterpart Clark Kent, with terrific support from Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Gene Hackman as Superman’s arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor.

BATMAN, 1989, Warner Bros., 127 min. The first major installment in the BATMAN series is also the first big budget feature by acclaimed director, Tim Burton. Michael Keaton offers an intriguing, cast-against-type Bruce Wayne, and Jack Nicholson goes way over the top in the legendary role of one of the Dark Knight’s most warped adversaries, The Joker. The all star cast doesn’t prevent Burton from paying his respects to the essence of the comic-book and spreading a dark magic of his own. An adult-fairytale world framed by impressive set pieces. With Jack Palance.

Sunday, November 19 – 6:30 PM

Double Feature:

SUPERMAN II, 1980, Warner Bros., 127 min. The story, written for the screen by Mario Puzo, THE GODFATHER’s creator, takes place immediately after the first film’s events but in a very different spirit. The franchise is now helmed by Richard Lester (A HARD DAYS NIGHT), the English-adopted American director. With Lester behind the lens, the Superman saga becomes even more thrilling and more amusing, administering tall-tale dynamics much truer to the essence of the original comic. Three super-villains from Krypton (Terence Stamp, et. al.) arrive on Earth to bedevil Christopher Reeve’s Man Of Steel and heartthrob Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). With Susannah York. (Please note that the only existing print is slightly faded.)

BATMAN RETURNS, 1992, Warner Bros., 126 min. With enhanced freedom and trust from the studio, Michael Keaton reprises the role of the Caped Crusader, and director Tim Burton achieves the best film of the series. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny De Vito as The Penguin deliver memorable performances, and Burton seems more inspired than ever by the clash of beauty and beasts. The near-operatic, increasingly dark tone was probably too much for some audience members at the time, and the series sailed onto safer, brighter territory afterwards. With Christopher Walken.