1. Batman (1989)
The Movie: Tim Burton's first venture still feels like the best-realised take on an entire canon of Batman source materials. After all, we're talking about a man who dresses up in a costume and fights crime: why so serious? Not only does
Batman embody the spirit of several '80s comic book takes on the character, there's no preachiness and it's not trying to be unsuitably high-brow. Aside from being quite dark and rightfully mischievous, Keaton - though relatively boring - works at Bruce Wayne because... well, that's Bruce Wayne all over, isn't it? And Nicholson was the perfect choice as the Joker, given that he's completely nuts in real life.
Batman is also an entirely aesthetically-pleasing entry, and that Danny Elfman score - oh, boy! - is superb.
What It Says About You: You were a teenager in the '80s (still the only cinematic decade you feel was a true, unadulterated blast) and hung the poster for this flick proudly on your wall. Generally speaking, you don't think comic books should be all bleak and realistic, though you respect Christopher Nolan's take on the Dark Knight. You bought a copy of the
Batman soundtrack when it came out, and you still think it's pretty damn good: who doesn't love Prince, right? Sundays are reserved for re-watching '80s movies on VHS, though you'll occasionally settle for an early '90s flick if Emilio Estevez is in it.
Soundbite: "Heath Ledger? More like Heath ! Nicholson is the real deal and the best Joker ever. The joke's on you if you think otherwise. Get it? Joke?"
Favourite Movies: Superman, Predator