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Michael Keaton


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#1 EyesOnly

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Posted 06 September 2008 - 05:07 PM

It seem like ever since he finished Batman Returns his career became somewhat non existent doing direct to DVD films or pictures such as Jack Frost, and Herbie. I know he had some avg films between then, but what happened? I always thought he was a better actor than that.

#2 Blonde Bond

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Posted 06 September 2008 - 05:23 PM

I think he was pretty good psychotic villain in Desperate Measures, but that was way back in -98.

I don't know what happened to him. His acting career just took a nosedive, and we will probably never see as a male lead ever again.

But if it comforts him, I must say that he' still my favorite Batman.

#3 Safari Suit

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Posted 06 September 2008 - 07:35 PM

He has directed and starred in a film which played in Sundance this year:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0967945/

His best performance is, of course, not Batman or Beetlejuice but Bill Blazejowski in Night Shift. FACT! :(

#4 Qwerty

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 02:49 AM

Tough to say. I have to agree that from Batman Returns onward, I can't recall him being in anything that really garnered any major attention.

I do recall some trailers advertising his role in a film called White Noise around 2004 or so, but I've also heard that film is horrific.

Still: love him as Batman.

#5 Matt_13

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 03:23 AM

In 1993 he was in a movie called MY LIFE that I saw in sociology class. Other than that I've got nothing. Good actor.

#6 sharpshooter

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 03:32 AM

He was a great Batman. Haven't seen him around that much. He likes his privacy and is just an average guy that acts from time to time I hear.

#7 Mister E

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 03:58 AM

Keaton is a good actor and I guess he simply chooses not to do certain projects.

#8 coco1997

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 05:00 AM

He does some voice work, too, most notably in Pixar's "Cars."

#9 Safari Suit

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 07:15 AM

I do recall some trailers advertising his role in a film called White Noise around 2004 or so, but I've also heard that film is horrific.


That was actually a pretty big hit, although mostly because it was released in Januuary and had little competition. There was a less successful sequel, in which he did not appear.

I remember Multiplicity being a pretty high profile film, but not a financial success.

#10 dinovelvet

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 07:40 AM

I think he was pretty good psychotic villain in Desperate Measures, but that was way back in -98.

I don't know what happened to him. His acting career just took a nosedive, and we will probably never see as a male lead ever again.


Well he never really made it as a star on his own, did he - people showed up to Batman to see Batman (and/or Jack Nicholson). Once he moved on, he didn't get a following in any other movies. He wasn't handsome/sexy enough for the leading man mould, and wasn't a great enough actor to get the Oscar-caliber scripts, so that was pretty much it. Tarantino threw him a bone with Jackie Brown, but not much happened after that.

#11 double o ego

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 10:24 AM

Keaton's been out of the PE due to him chossing not to be in it. He's been focusing on real estate and property development, which he's been successful at. Also, I recently saw a film of his called, last time, starring Brendan Frazier and Keaton was awesome in it. He played a hard boiled sales man with mean :( attitude. He completely owned the role.

p.s. Keaton is by far still the best batman.

#12 EyesOnly

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 06:49 PM

p.s. Keaton is by far still the best batman.



I think both Keaton and Bale have great moments as Batman and Bruce Wayne. I know alot of people who "PooPoo" Keaton since Batman Begins and I can't. Bale would be nowhere in Batmans cowl if it weren't for Keaton.

#13 bond 16.05.72

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Posted 07 September 2008 - 07:08 PM

Didn't mind Keaton but I can't help but think Bale owns the role now. Keaton's brilliant in Jackie Brown but that Tarantino best film and it's got the best cast, De Niro, Jackson & Fonda are great but it's Pam Grier & Robert Forster steal the picture!

#14 Mister E

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Posted 08 September 2008 - 02:41 AM

p.s. Keaton is by far still the best batman.


But in this dimension, Bale is the best Batman. :(

#15 baerrtt

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Posted 08 September 2008 - 01:15 PM

I think he was pretty good psychotic villain in Desperate Measures, but that was way back in -98.

I don't know what happened to him. His acting career just took a nosedive, and we will probably never see as a male lead ever again.


Well he never really made it as a star on his own, did he - people showed up to Batman to see Batman (and/or Jack Nicholson). Once he moved on, he didn't get a following in any other movies. He wasn't handsome/sexy enough for the leading man mould, and wasn't a great enough actor to get the Oscar-caliber scripts, so that was pretty much it. Tarantino threw him a bone with Jackie Brown, but not much happened after that.


Keaton was a rising star prior to BATMAN mostly in comedies. Like Chris 'Superman' Reeve however a combination of not really choosing (either on purpose or not) the right parts, commercially or critically, and the fact that the iconic character plus first billed bigger (and better paid) stars (Brando and Hackman for Reeve, Nicholson for Keaton) helped take the focus off him in the first place didn't help.

#16 dodge

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Posted 18 September 2008 - 03:55 AM

Reality check, with some help from my friends. Stretch your memories, if you will...

Keaton's Night shift came out in 1982, and I haven't seen it in ages but when I first saw Bruce Willis' Moonlighting, I was struck by the resemblance between his quick, glib patter and what I remembered of Keaton's.

Anyone else?

#17 coco1997

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Posted 18 September 2008 - 05:51 AM

p.s. Keaton is by far still the best batman.


But in this dimension, Bale is the best Batman. :(


Hmmm...Bale is the better Wayne, Keaton is the better Batman. What I found so great about Keaton's Batman is that he always seemed in control, no matter what. There were some shots in his movies where Batman looked far more mysterious than what we see of him in the Nolan films. Maybe this has a lot to do with his cowl, which was much more inhuman in appearance than Bale's "bike helmet" mask. For some reason, I seem to think that Keaton's Batman moved much more menacingly, as well. He wasn't as physically intimidating as Bale's Batman by any means, but he seems just as unpredictable and dangerous.

I also preferred Keaton's Batman voice; a sort of low-key whisper, which I always imagined when I used to read the comics and now appreciate much more after hearing Bale's obviously forced Jimmy Durante-style tough guy vocalization.

That said, Bale nails the role of the playboy millionaire Bruce Wayne, the cocksure, live free or die hard, careless young hotshot who hires people to tell him what to do with all of his fortunes. Bales also shines as the real Bruce Wayne, the emotional, focused and highly-intelligent character we see "behind the scenes" (in his scenes with Alfred and Rachel, for example).

Edited by coco1997, 18 September 2008 - 05:55 AM.


#18 Odd Job

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Posted 19 September 2008 - 05:09 AM

p.s. Keaton is by far still the best batman.


But in this dimension, Bale is the best Batman. :(


Hmmm...Bale is the better Wayne, Keaton is the better Batman. What I found so great about Keaton's Batman is that he always seemed in control, no matter what. There were some shots in his movies where Batman looked far more mysterious than what we see of him in the Nolan films. Maybe this has a lot to do with his cowl, which was much more inhuman in appearance than Bale's "bike helmet" mask. For some reason, I seem to think that Keaton's Batman moved much more menacingly, as well. He wasn't as physically intimidating as Bale's Batman by any means, but he seems just as unpredictable and dangerous.

I also preferred Keaton's Batman voice; a sort of low-key whisper, which I always imagined when I used to read the comics and now appreciate much more after hearing Bale's obviously forced Jimmy Durante-style tough guy vocalization.

That said, Bale nails the role of the playboy millionaire Bruce Wayne, the cocksure, live free or die hard, careless young hotshot who hires people to tell him what to do with all of his fortunes. Bales also shines as the real Bruce Wayne, the emotional, focused and highly-intelligent character we see "behind the scenes" (in his scenes with Alfred and Rachel, for example).



Very well said Sir!!!!!

#19 Piz Gloria 1969

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Posted 19 September 2008 - 08:43 AM

Show biz is tough y'know.....back in the 80s Walken had many starring roles but these days it's mostly small roles....but he's happy just to be working (and I'm pretty sure he knows how difficult it is for actors to get any parts.....)

#20 Double-0-Seven

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Posted 20 September 2008 - 06:36 PM

I have not seen the old Batman films so I cannot comment on his peformances in them. The only two films of his that I can think of that I've seen are Multiplicity and Desperate Measures, both of which I have not seen in ages.

#21 Piz Gloria 1969

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Posted 24 September 2008 - 04:42 AM

Multiplicity is average at best....