Wilde Orchidee (1989)

Wilde Orchidee: Directed by Zalman King. With Mickey Rourke, Jacqueline Bisset, Carré Otis, Assumpta Serna. A female lawyer becomes mesmerized by a self-made millionaire during an encounter in Rio setting off a series of erotic encounters.

“Christopher Nolan (and cast) have pulled off what I hadnu0026#39;t dared to dream – a Batman every bit as good as Burton/Keatonu0026#39;s vision – and eradicated the camp, feverish memories of Clooney, Kilmer and (cough..) Ou0026#39;Donnell.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story is as good an origin story as youu0026#39;ll find – covering all the major (true-to-the-comic) events, and not wasting ages on them. We see Wayneu0026#39;s all-important training period (previously ignored), and his connection to the Tibetan shadow-ninja clan led by Rau0026#39;s Al Ghul. We see Bruce come up with ideas for his symbol, his costume, his gadgets, his car, his cave – IT ALL FITS SO PERFECTLY.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThatu0026#39;s not all – Liam Neeson is perfect (as ever, when Lucas isnu0026#39;t writing his lines), Batmanu0026#39;s first mad nemesis (the Scarecrow) is genuinely frightening; with some outstandingly scary u0026#39;fearu0026#39; effects.. Gary Oldman looks just like a young Commissioner Gordon (and doesnu0026#39;t dominate), Morgan Freeman and Rutger Hauer give solid heavyweight support to the boardroom machinations at Wayne Enterprizes. I love Michael Gough(?) but Michael Caine is great as Alfred. Itu0026#39;s only Katie Holmes who didnu0026#39;t ring true for me – not because of her performance, but simply because she looks all of 15 years old (sorry Katie). I am always blown away by Christian Bale, and this is no exception.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe fights are great, the Bat-gadgets all there, the car is amazing, the plot is thorough and exciting, Gotham looks great, Batman really is frightening u0026amp; menacing (and lethal!).. And the scenes with the bats themselves FINALLY get across the idea of how scary they can be.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is some humour, but itu0026#39;s fairly dry. The soundtrack, like all the best original soundtracks, is excellent – you hardly know itu0026#39;s there, but the emotions of the scene are enhanced and boosted. For the most part this is a serious Batman film, with plenty for long-time fans. This NEW Batman is one Iu0026#39;d like to see again. Bravo Mr Nolan, bravo.”