McCurdy Batman Returns

Prompt #2 for Batman Returns 

Catwoman played by Michelle Pfeiffer.

     Batman and Catwoman have a very complex relationship, especially considering that they both have alternate identities. They meet each other at a very pivotal point in Selina's life, which makes it even harder for them to be together since she has recently been turned against men. She's hurt and trying to mold herself into the independent woman she wants to become, but is still occasionally struggling with who she actually is. But either way, she is a much more mysterious woman to Bruce than Vicki Vale ever was. 

     As Selina, Bruce Wayne finds her very attractive from the first moment they speak in Max Schreck's office. This is immediately following her transformation and her confidence is oozing to all that come in contact with her. You can tell Bruce is intrigued by her and her new found sexuality. Upon seeing her the second time when they run into each other on the street, they find out they have more in common than they thought. They scoff at the tree lighting that is set to occur later that night, discovering that they both find many things in Gotham City quite absurd and overrated. As their conversation progresses, Bruce suggests to Selina that she has kind of a dark side. "No darker than yours, Bruce," she responds. Little do they know how true that statement really is. On their first date at Bruce's house, his attraction grows even more, especially with her overt sexuality on the couch. 

     Things grow more complex when a news report flashes on the TV about a kidnapping in the city. They make excuses to leave, but they are both unaware that they're actually going to the same place. When they arrive at the scene as Batman and Catwoman, they end up fighting each other. This is only one of the many instances when they run into each other and are suddenly enemies. As Catwoman, she is destructive to Batman. She is continually trying to overbear him both mentally and physically. Her instincts to take down any man kicks in every time and she hates to see him as a strong figure of power and heroism. 

      When they finally discover each other's alternate identities, Selina chooses her independence over him. She denies him as both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Though they might be "the same" in terms of dual natures, their constant battle between lover and enemy outweighs this and makes their relationship too complex to sustain. 

McCurdy Batman

Batman at the end of the film, looking upon Gotham City.

     Whether it was intentional or not, Tim Buton's Batman shares many elements with the film noir genre. The  movie overall does a successful job of creating a very dark and gloomy atmosphere that is so iconic in films of this type. Rarely do we see very much daylight in the film at all and even when there are small portions of it, shadows still linger and provide an eerie feel. There is a sharp contrast between light and dark in the film, which also illustrates the dualing good and evil of Batman and the Joker. Gotham City is extremely isolated and therefore caters to the theme of alienation that both Batman and the city itself can relate to. Corruption lingers within the city, even if it is not visible on the surface. From the beginning, the viewers can tell that something is looming past these dark streets and buildings of Gotham City... perhaps something that is there to cause harm. Burton makes it clear that there is something off-balance in this cryptic place.

     In addition to the surroundings, Batman also contains two prominent protagonists that are clearly very conflicted within. The Joker and Batman both have serious mental struggles that they can't seem to overcome and pose an important role in what they are doing today. For most, it's not exactly commonplace to be the maniacal instigator of crime or the hero of the hour, but for them, evidently it's the ever day norm. Their psyche is obviously flawed, and this is a key element for the "conflicted hero" of film noir. 

   Opposite our conflicted man in black is Vicki Vale-- the quick-witted and glamorous woman behind a camera who steals the heart of Bruce Wayne. In this case, she also seems to fill the role of femme fatale. As a capable and independent woman, she seduces Bruce in such a way that he just can't turn away. Perhaps it's dangerous that she is such a distraction in his life, but that reflects the stronghold she has on him as a femme fatale. Whether he is Batman or Bruce, he always saves her from peril.

     With the compilation of all these dark elements and particular characters, Tim Burton creates a kind of film that distinguishes itself as film noir. 

McCurdy Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice attempting to convince the Maitlands that he can successfully rid their home of the Deetz family.

As much of a fascination Americans have with carnage and excessive gore, one would think that death could be openly discussed in this nation. However, as a general rule, most Americans will do anything to avoid the topic of death, especially when it involves coping with someone very close that has recently passed. Death is by no means a topic that should be handled lightly, but it's also important to face the tragedy when it does occur. Americans want to deny death for many reasons, depending on the individual-- usually, though, it's hardest for us to accept the realization that the person is actually gone... forever. The mother who raised us, your best friend around the corner, your hairdresser of 14 years; it's not easy to imagine these crucial parts of our lives suddenly disappearing.  It's scary to think that death could hit someone at any moment as well. Perhaps denying death altogether makes it easier for humans to get through the day-to-day routine. Clearly, no one wants to be living in fear-- and if you abolish the thought of it altogether, what's there to actually be frightened of? Furthermore, if death hits you personally, what's the point of everything you've accomplished or are currently working toward? With a morbid perspective, suddenly all these expensive linens, fine-tuned technological gadgets, and $200 sunglasses seem worthless. Our life needs worth and these things provide us with fleeting satisfaction. Instead of accepting death, people find ways of denying or comforting the idea of it. In many cases, that's why people rely on a heaven or afterlife.

In the film Beetlejuice, death is certainly denied, especially in that it is depicted as seemingly just another chapter of life. Immediately following the Maitlands demise, they return to their home with everything as it was before-- in fact, they don't even realize that they're actually dead. They continue to "live their lives," but now with some strange obstacles that most would not generally find themselves a part of. Also, though the Maitlands are technically invisible ghosts, Burton uses a clever plot tool to subtly deny death in the film: the Deetz  parents and everyone else besides Lydia cannot actually see the death that surrounds them throughout the entire movie, the Maitlands. They are used to avoiding death even if it's staring them straight in the face, just as Americans do in this very country with whatever personal coping mechanism they are attuned to.