Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 10

June 14, 2005

Films Reviewed: Batman Begins and Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Commentary: Best and Worst of the first half of 2005

Featurette: Behind the scenes of Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Regarding Batman Begins:

Matt: Finally!  A Bat-Movie worthy the name of Batman!  Christian Bale becomes the first actor to finally nail both Batman and Bruce Wayne and he is supported by a wonderful all-star cast along with a great script and direction!  This is the film to see this summer (so far)!  And you don't have to be a Batman fan to enjoy it!  Four stars!!

Aron: Well, I'm not the hugest Batman fan in the world, but this movie is excellent entertainment!  In addition to Christian Bale, we also have Michael Caine as a wonderful Alfred and some very creepy villains.  But the movie is more about Batman and his origins than the villains.  Absolutely wonderful.  Four stars!!

Average rating: **** (out of ****)

Regarding Mr. and Mrs. Smith:

Aron: Along with Batman Begins, this is also excellent entertainment.  Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are excellent as married suburbanites whom don't know their spouses are assassins working for rival agencies.  The action is top notch, the comedy is very funny and the chemistry between the two leads burns.  A great date/action movie.  Four stars!!

Matt: Well, the first half hour needed to be trimmed.  But once Brad and Angelina start shooting at each other (and other people, to boot), the film finally gets started and becomes a fun ride.  Too much exposition when just enough is needed would have worked a lot better for this film.  Still, pretty fun.  Three stars.

Average rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)

Commentary: The Best and Worst of the first half of 2005

Aron's Worst Picks

Matt's Worst Picks

5. Sin City 5. House of Wax
4. House of Wax 4. The Amityville Horror (2005)
3. Kicking and Screaming 3. xXx: State of the Union
2. xXx: State of the Union 2. Elektra
1. Son of the Mask 1. Son of the Mask

Aron's Best Picks

Matt's Best Picks

5. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 5. Sin City
4. Robots 4. Millions
2. Hitch 3. Sahara
3. Batman Begins 2. Batman Begins
1. Revenge of the Sith   1. Rory O'Shea Was Here

Featurette: Behind the scenes of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn and directed by Doug Liman