SCREEN TIME: 'The Batman' is a noir trip back

When Batman first appeared in 1939’s Detective Comics, the superhero became so popular, his publisher eventually took those initials for its name, “DC Comics.” “Detective” is in the DNA of the hugely popular and profitable line of characters in movies and television — the comics are almost an afterthought at this point.

The latest film about the Caped Crusader, titled simply The Batman, takes the character back to his roots as a detective. Director/co-writer Matt Reeves treats the story less as a superhero adventure than a serial killer investigation, only one that just happens to have a bat-themed vigilante as its protagonist. Reeves grounded, gritty vision provides a compelling thriller for fans of David Fincher, Sidney Lumet and Christopher Nolan’s Bat-films like The Dark Knight.

An enigmatic figure called The Riddler (Paul Dano) is murdering some of Gotham City’s most powerful citizens, leaving at the crime scenes clues and cyphers reminiscent of the Zodiac killer. Lieutenant Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) brings the city’s Bat-themed crusader (Robert Pattinson) to consult on the case, to the disapproval of the rest of the police force.

The investigation takes Batman on a tour of Gotham’s underworld like a shadowy, garbage-strewn Dante’s Inferno. He notably crosses paths with film noir-worthy figures like a mid-level mobster nicknamed “Penguin” (Colin Farrell, unrecognizable but enjoying himself) and Selina Kyle (a charismatic Zoë Kravitz), a femme fatale who moonlights as a vengeful cat burglar.

Most actors play Batman make a distinction between his superficial persona as playboy Bruce Wayne and his terrifying alter ego. In The Batman’s take, Bruce is so obsessed with his war on evil, he scarcely has personality. Pattinson plays Bruce like a rich addict haunting his own life, waiting for sundown so he can prey on criminals. It’s an effective performance, but closed off from the fun aspects of the character.

That perfectly suits Reeves’ film, which brings the audience through “CSI”-style procedures, darkened drug dens and life-or-death puzzles in the city’s most shadowy corners. Even the film’s propulsive, high-impact car chase feels oppressed and cramped, filmed largely through raindrops and windshields. The intricate, focused storyline makes the film feel less bloated than the films in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy — even though, paradoxically, The Batman is longer than any of them.

But at nearly three hours, The Batman can feel monotonal and claustrophobic, making you wish would open up a little more. The movie’s thoughtful and exciting, but can also leave you feeling like you have seasonal affective disorder. The Batman leaves you interested in seeing Reeves and Pattinson reunite for more detective work, while hoping that they lighten up just a little. —CL—

The Batman. B+. Stars Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz. Directed by Matt Reeves. Rated PG-13. Opens Mar. 4 at area theaters.

Thu. Mar. 3-Sat., Mar. 5

Renegade Film Festival, Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre — Focusing on inclusion and visibility since 2017, this independent genre film festival features six features and 73 short films, 76 percent of which are directed by women, BIPOC, or LGBTQ filmmakers. Highlights include the world premiere screening of the Pakistani horror film Maya and a documentary Wolfman’s Got Nards about the beloved ‘80s artifact The Monster Squad. At noon, Saturday, the “Southern Discomfort” block includes work by local screen artist such as Jenna Kanell’s “Bliss is Orange,” Tony Reames’ “Lethalogica” and Rozalyn Mattock’s “Kid Free Weekend.” — Curt Holman
$20-$125 passes. 117 N. Park Square, Marietta, 30060. (770) 293-0080. renegadefilmfest.com

Friday, Mar. 4

After Yang — This prize-winner at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival depicts a family in the near-future who want to save the life of the android babysitter (Justin H. Lin). Written and directed by video essayist Kogonada. — Curt Holman
$10-$13. Opens March 4. Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, 30308. (404) 879-0160.

Saturday, Mar. 5

The Scary of Sixty-First — Two young women move into a spooky New York apartment in this winner of the Best First Feature Award at the Berlin Film. Dasha Nekrasova, who directs, co-writes and co-stars in this 35 mm screening, will be known to viewers of HBO’s “Succession” in the recurring role of publicist Comfry Pellits. — Curt Holman
$20. Sat. March 5, 9:30 p.m. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, 30306. (470) 410-1939. plazaatlanta.com

Fri., Mar. 11-Sat., Mar. 12

Best in Show — Perhaps the most beloved of director Christopher Guest’s heavily-improvised mockumentaries is Best in Show, a lighthearted look at a prestigious dog show. The late Fred Willard almost steals the movie as a dim-witted announcer, but the cast includes hilarious work from Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, Jane Lynch – the list goes on and on. — Curt Holman
$13. Fri., Mar. 11 – Sat., Mar. 12. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, 30306. (470) 410-1939. plazaatlanta.com

Saturday, Mar. 12-Sunday, Mar. 13

The Last Picture Show — It’s appropriate that one of Atlanta’s oldest picture shows should host a 35 mm screening of 1971’s The Last Picture Show, a classic coming-of-age drama starring Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Bridges and Oscar-winners Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman. Director Peter Bogdanovich, who died in January of 2020, was one of the definitive figures of the New Hollywood of the 1970s, and this is his most acclaimed work. — Curt Holman
$13. Sat., Mar. 12, 9:30 p.m. and Sun, Mar. 13 at 5 p.m. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, 30306. (470) 410-1939. plazaatlanta.com

Sunday, Mar. 13

The Quiet Man — Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Turner Classic Movies’ presentation of the 70th anniversary of director John Ford’s The Quiet Man. This old-school Hollywood romance stars John Wayne and Maureen Sullivan against an Irish backdrop. Expect thick brogues and extended brawls. — Curt Holman
$15-$18. 1 p.m., March 13, local Regal Cinemas. fathomevents.com/events/The-Quiet-Man-70th-Anniversary-presented-by-TCM

Thursday, Mar. 17

The Quiet Man — See Mar. 13 above.
$15-$18. 7 p.m., March 17, local Regal Cinemas

Friday, Mar. 18

X — A small film crew goes to a secluded Texas farmhouse to shoot an X-rated film and discover that their hosts may not be as harmless as they appear. Director Ti West helmed such terrific indie horror films as The House of the Devil and here looks to be channeling the remote rural terrors of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. — Curt Holman
$13. Opening Fri., Mar. 18. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, 30306. (470) 410-1939. plazaatlanta.com

Saturday, Mar. 19

Silver Scream Spook Show: Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, Plaza Theatre — If you like your kaiju movies colorful and silly rather than grim and moody, enjoy this 1971 battle royale between Godzilla and Hedorah, a marauding mutant that feeds on pollution. Check out the groovy, eco-friendly theme song “Save the Earth.” Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster screens as part of the Silver Scream Spook Show, Shane Morton’s tribute to classic horror hosts, featuring a kid-friendly matinee and an adults-only evening burlesque pre-show. — Curt Holman
$10-$15. Sat. March 18, 1:30 and 10 p.m. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, 30306. (470) 410-1939. plazaatlanta.com

Thursday, Mar. 24

“Atlanta” SeasonThree premiere — When is “Atlanta” not “Atlanta?” Donald Glover’s genre-bending comedy series finally returns to television – but not necessarily to the eponymous city. It’s been almost four years since the show finished its second season and it’s long-delayed third season finally premieres on FX on March 24. But reportedly the newest adventures of hip-hop star Paperboi (Bryan Tyree Henry) and his entourage (Glover, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz) will take place primarily in Europe, having been shot in such locales as London, Paris and Amsterdam. (The production has already begun on the locally-filmed fourth – and final – season, scheduled to air this fall.) — Curt Holman
Wherever you choose to tune in.

March 25

Everything Everywhere All at Once — Legendary Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh travels across the multiverse in this trippy-looking sci-fi adventure about a wife and mother who finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that crosses dimensions. Writer-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert previously exploded genre expectations with their dark comedy Swiss Army Man. — Curt Holman
Opening March 25 at area theaters.