Joel Schumacher

Scenes in a seedy grocery store (Flatliners (1990), Falling Down (1993), A Time to Kill (1996))
His characters were often people who took matters into their own hands (Batman Forever (1995), 8MM (1999), Falling Down (1993), Flawless (1999))
Frequently cast Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt and Colin Farrell
Scenes set at Halloween (St. Elmo's Fire (1985), Flatliners (1990) and Batman Forever (1995))
Often cast non-American actors as American characters

He is a lifelong Batman fan and wanted to adapt Frank Miller's famous ''Batman: Year One'' comic but was forced by producers to make a lighter, more family friendly film.
On the interviews and audio commentary for the Batman & Robin (1997) 2-Disc Special Edition DVD released in 2005, he says that he was under pressure from toy companies and Warner Brothers management to deliver a family-friendly film and admits he went too far in that direction, but takes full responsibility for the end result and, at one point during the interviews, flat-out apologizes to fans that were disappointed.
Did not decide to pursue a career in film making until he was in his early thirties.
Worked as a designer and store window dresser for one of New York's fashionable stores before getting into films.
Michael Fassbender, whom he directed in Blood Creek (2009), said that Schumacher was one of his favourite directors.

[1997] I felt I disappointed a lot of older fans by being too conscious of the family aspect.... Now, I owe the hardcore fans the Batman movie they would love me to give them.
I am one of Lars von Trier's fans and like the Dogma movement
[on Val Kilmer in Premiere magazine (April 1997)] Val did me two great favors. When I wanted him to be Batman, he said yes. Then he created a situation which allowed me not to have him play Batman again. They were both happy, happy instances, for which I will always be grateful.
The only good advice you can give anyone is the witness of what you have learned in your own life. If I were living with someone and confused about whether I should be staying with them, it usually means I should be leaving. Because when you're really happy, you don't sit around thinking, 'Should I leave?'
[on directing 8MM (1999)] It was fun to get it. No, nobody wanted to touch it. I don't think they could get anyone stupid enough to direct it, other than me. A lot of people were afraid of it. A lot of people don't want to go to a place like that as a director. They want everyone to love them.