Joel Schumacher

Director · 1939 – 2020 · New York City, New York, USA

Joel T. Schumacher (August 29, 1939 – June 22, 2020) was an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and costume designer. He was raised in New York City by his mother and suffered from substance abuse at a young age. He became a fashion designer after graduating from Parsons School of Design, but would continue suffering from substance abuse and high levels of debt until the early 1970s. He first entered film-making as a production and costume designer before gaining writing credits on Car Wash, Sparkle, and The Wiz. He received little attention for his initial theatrically released films, The Incredible Shrinking Woman and D.C. Cab, but rose to prominence after directing St. Elmo's Fire (1985), The Lost Boys (1987), and The Client (1994). Schumacher was selected to replace Tim Burton as director of the Batman franchise and oversaw Batman Foreve (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997). After the Batman franchise Schumacher directed smaller-budgeted films, including Tigerland (2000) and Phone Booth (2002). He directed The Phantom of the Opera, which was released to mixed reviews in 2004. His final directorial work was for two episodes of House of Cards (2013).

Movies18

Movie7.2
Documentary
For over 40 years Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood's most mercurial and/or misunderstood actors, has been documenting his own life and craft through film and video. He has amassed thousands of hours of footage, from 16mm home movies made with his brothers, to time spent in iconic roles for blockbuster movies like Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever. This raw, wildly original and unflinching documentary reveals a life lived to extremes and a heart-filled, sometimes hilarious look at what it means to be an artist and a complex man.
Val
2021 · 243 votes
Movie6.3
Documentary
The extraordinary story of 'Radioman', a New York film set mascot who overcame homelessness and alcoholism to become a fixture of the New York film industry, with over 100 small parts to his name.
Radioman
2012 · 9 votes
Movie7.0
MusicDocumentary
Director Spike Lee chronicles Michael Jackson's early rise to fame.
Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall
2016 · 82 votes
Movie6.3
Documentary
The first documentary portrait of fashion icon Ralph Lauren, reveals the man behind the icon and the creation of one of the most successful brands in fashion history.
Very Ralph
2019 · 13 votes
Movie6.1
Documentary
In the 1980s, Andrew McCarthy was part of a young generation of actors who were set to take over Hollywood after a string of successful teen movies. However, when the New York magazine cover story in 1985 dubs them the Brat Pack, stars in the making suddenly find themselves losing control over the trajectory of their careers. Now, almost forty years later, McCarthy looks to reconnect with peers and co-stars so that together they can reflect on their respective legacies.
BRATS
2024 · 59 votes
Movie7.3
Documentary
Since the invention of cinema, the standard format for recording moving images has been film. Over the past two decades, a new form of digital filmmaking has emerged, creating a groundbreaking evolution in the medium. Keanu Reeves explores the development of cinema and the impact of digital filmmaking via in-depth interviews with Hollywood masters, such as James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Soderbergh, and many more.
Side by Side
2012 · 318 votes
Movie4.2
Comedy
A film director decides to chart the course of a young actor as he tries to make it in Hollywood...
Welcome to Hollywood
2000 · 15 votes
Movie7.0
DocumentaryTV Movie
How a new director and cast created a new version of Gotham's classic good and bad guys.
Riddle Me This: Why Is Batman Forever?
1995 · 18 votes
Movie7.4
Documentary
A candid portrait of writer/director Nora Ephron, directed by her son, journalist Jacob Bernstein.
Everything Is Copy
2015 · 35 votes
Movie7.0
Documentary
This intimate and loving portrait of the legendary arbiter of fashion, art and culture illustrates the many stages of Vreeland's remarkable life. Born in Paris in 1903, she was to become New York's "Empress of Fashion" and a celebrated Vogue editor.
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel
2012 · 36 votes
Movie5.9
DocumentaryComedy
HECKLER is a comedic feature documentary exploring the increasingly critical world we live in. After starring in a film that was critically bashed, Jamie Kennedy takes on hecklers and critics and ask some interesting questions of people such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel and many more. This fast moving, hilarious documentary pulls no punches as you see an uncensored look at just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the dark.
Heckler
2007 · 57 votes
Movie6.5
Documentary
A 100 year history of the development of movie marketing, reflecting technical improvements, audience taste and cultural sensibilities.
Coming Attractions: The History of the Movie Trailer
2009 · 4 votes
Movie6.8
Documentary
Witness all five Batmobiles together for the first time in history. Dive deep into every aspect of the most awe-inspiring weapon in Batman’s arsenal as you journey through the birth and evolution of this technological marvel and cultural icon
The Batmobile
2012 · 28 votes
Movie6.9
Documentary
Behind the scenes of the filming of the sequel to the ground breaking drama Queer As Folk.
What the Folk?... Behind the Scenes of 'Queer as Folk'
2000 · 4 votes
Movie5.7
Documentary
The sound of flapping bat wings, an empty coffin, glistening fangs, tiny punctures on the neck, the sensual taste of blood, a blank reflection, fear of the cross, and death from daylight. These are the creatures of the night, and as legendary (but fictional) vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing exclaimed: "Gentlemen, we are dealing with the undead!" Perhaps the most enduring film genre of all time, vampire films continue to haunt us on the big screen. Why are we fascinated with the myth of these immortal souls? Could it be the living forever part, or perhaps the fact that they have an unearthly sexual attraction to both males and females? Whatever it is, audiences around the world can't seem to get enough of them.
Bloodsucking Cinema
2007 · 3 votes
Movie5.6
Documentary
From Iowa to Studio 54, this investigation into the rags-to-riches story of America’s first superstar designer uncovers the cautionary tale of an artist who sold his name to Wall Street.
Halston
2019 · 23 votes
Movie5.4
DocumentaryHistory
An exploration into the nature of stupidity in Western society and its history of our perception of it.
Stupidity
2003 · 13 votes
Movie
Drama
A chilling portrait of loss and redemption when men create their own gods.
Holy the Sabbath
2006