Reiner reportedly planned stand-ins for reaction shots, but Nicholson insisted on fully delivering the climactic speech repeatedly and explained that he loved acting. — Bill Simmons
Bacon and Sutherland reportedly regarded Nicholson’s work that day as a demonstration of movie stardom and professional commitment. — Bill Simmons
Sorkin’s Navy-lawyer sister’s hazing case reportedly inspired the play, which he began on cocktail napkins while bartending at Broadway’s Palace Theatre. — Bill Simmons
William Goldman’s rewrite contribution is clarified: instead of a documentary smoking gun, the flight-log issue provides no proof, forcing Kaffee to elicit a confession. — Bill Simmons
The film reportedly received picture, supporting-actor, editing and sound nominations but none for Sorkin or Reiner, and won no Oscars. — Bill Simmons
The film is described as Reiner’s only $100-million box-office release. — Bill Simmons
The reported budget is $40 million against $243 million earned, with an 84 percent Rotten Tomatoes score mentioned. — Bill Simmons
Cruise’s Nicholson impression reportedly was unscripted and elicited genuine laughter; that production anecdote is questioned but defended through Moore’s reaction.
A making-of featurette praises the other actors extensively but reportedly gives Moore only Reiner’s acknowledgment that she auditioned and won the part. — Sean Fennessey
Moore reportedly reduced her asking price from $3 million to $2 million after The Butcher’s Wife, Mortal Thoughts and Nothing but Trouble disappointed. — Bill Simmons
Wolfgang Bodison reportedly moved from Reiner’s location scout to playing Dawson without prior acting experience; his ability to hold his own opposite Cruise is admired.
Nicholson reportedly disliked the release-date move that put the film against Hoffa; filming at Camp Pendleton was not permitted. — Bill Simmons
Nicholson and Walsh reportedly became close while making this film and Hoffa, and Nicholson later dedicated his third Oscar to Walsh’s memory. — Bill Simmons
Bacon is said to have played a Jack in six films: Frost/Nixon, My Dog Skip, Apollo 13, A Few Good Men, Quicksilver and Friday the 13th. — Bill Simmons
Pollak reportedly described a screening of both Godfather films at a home screening hosted by Cruise, separated by an Italian meal. — Bill Simmons
The first televised baseball game is identified as a Braves–Padres extra-inning game featuring a David Justice tying homer before San Diego won 11–10; Atlanta later lost the 1991 World Series. — Bill Simmons
The second game is identified as Minnesota–Baltimore, with Rick Aguilera surrendering the save and Randy Milligan’s winning double ending a Twins streak; Minnesota later won the World Series. — Bill Simmons
A New York Times account reportedly exposed lawyers advertising themselves as Kaffee’s inspiration, with one removing the claim when questioned. — Chris Ryan
An executive reportedly demanded a Kaffee–Galloway sex scene and questioned her being a woman without one; Sorkin objected that women have other purposes. — Bill Simmons
J.K. Simmons's J. Jonah Jameson is one of two contenders, overacting but in the right movie after his brutal Oz role. — Van Lathan
The Green Goblin performance is called a runaway choice for snarling and giving every cell, making Jack Nicholson's Joker look subtle. — Van Lathan
Craig is reported to have messaged that the Goblin actor is going all out. — Van Lathan
A counterpoint: that Goblin performance has aged well, and Simmons may not be overacting since he embodied the comics' Jameson; overacting is not acting poorly. — Van Lathan
Favorite Jameson lines are quoted, including the slander-versus-libel joke. — Van Lathan
Clooney is the most disappointing Batman, saddled with the worst film; he might have been good with a better director. — Sean Fennessey
More comparisons follow: Val Kilmer as Hakeem Olajuwon, Affleck as Karl Malone or Kawhi Leonard, Zoe Kravitz as the Steph Curry, Adam West as Paul Arizin, and Cesar Romero as George Mikan.
Julie Newmar’s Catwoman and Burgess Meredith’s Penguin are remembered from the TV show, and the 1966 movie featured all the villains. — Bill Simmons
The bell tower fall geometry, with the Joker pulling them over without falling, is a huge nitpick. — Bill Simmons
The goons are not intimidating, a point deferred to picking nits. — Bill Simmons
Vicki walking into the Batcave to find Bruce is Batman has no reveal or payoff; Burton reportedly stated in 1992 he was killed for it, said he went too far, and called it a mistake. — Bill Simmons
Batman revealing his identity in the first movie is an odd choice.
Nobody recognizes the same jawline and eyes under the mask; Superman’s glasses are worse.
The cathedral reportedly came from Peters and Nicholson seeing Phantom of the Opera; it also echoes Vertigo. — Chris Ryan
Vicki states her weight as 108 pounds though the actress is about 5’10”. — Bill Simmons
Comic fans objected to the Joker killing the Waynes instead of Joe Chill, to naming him Jack Napier, and to Alfred letting Vicki into the Batcave.
Fan outrage is discussed as possibly beginning here, with jokes about listener complaints over the previous month.
The Joker’s gang would intimidate no one, looking like bouncers at Planet Hollywood. — Chris Ryan
The chemical plant needed better security. — Chris Ryan
Newscasters developing boils within days of giving up tainted beauty products is implausible. — Chris Ryan
Keaton is a yes: the biggest movie ever when released, and his juice got Pacific Heights made. — Bill Simmons
A joke asks whether Damon Wayans understood Apex Mountain.
Pacific Heights is defended as great, prompting a joke to schedule it. — Bill Simmons
Basinger could be argued yes given her fame and coming Alec Baldwin romance, but L.A. Confidential is offered instead; she worked little after it. — Bill Simmons
Peters and Guber are a yes, since this success helped them take over Sony before it fell apart. — Bill Simmons
The Knox actor gets an “absolutely”, but it is immediately deferred to Arli$$ as his apex. — Bill Simmons
For Burton, this film is possible but Batman Returns is preferred as the better movie he fully controlled; it has great performances throughout, with no bad Palance turn. — Sean Fennessey
The Batman suit reportedly cost $250,000 and the 38-foot cathedral $100,000; filming at Pinewood Studios in England kept Nicholson’s Joker secret. — Bill Simmons
Palance reportedly had a hearing problem; after Burton cut a take he missed, Palance boasted of making over 100 films, and Burton later called it a scarring experience. — Bill Simmons
Nicholson’s Joker makeup took two hours, and Keaton reportedly recalls that basketball games were taped on VHS for him to watch in the chair. — Bill Simmons
