humor

Batman owns Superman

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Recently it was called to my attention that this blog hasn’t had a picture attached to a post in quite some time and after doing some digging, it turns out that the last time that I actually posted a photo was back in February. It’s time and boy do I have the pic.
You’ll need to click on it to see it in all of its beautiful late 90’s animated gif style glory.

Thoughts on super heroes
Thoughts on super heroes

Let’s just say that if you love super heroes and/or find Christian Bale’s intensity assuming or just flat out love to laugh, then this pic is especially for you. It’s time consuming but worth it.
Via Chris

movies

To Be Batman

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In preparation for the hotly anticipated “The Dark Knight,” it seems that everyone is talking about, as the Joker puts it, “The Batman.” While he may be “at home, washing his tights” (okay, that would never happen, Alfred would handle that chore) it is precisely that that idea which so endears Bruce Wayne’s alter ego to the public. Unlike other superheros, Batman is normal. What I mean is that he (in many ways) is a just an incredibly above average man – he does not have any special powers, period. He is like you and me, in our dreams.
Scientific America has an interview with E. Paul Zehr, associate professor of kinesiology and neuroscience at the University of Victoria in British Columbia and a 26-year practitioner of Chito-Ryu karate-do who happens to have a book titled “Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero” coming out.
After further analysis, it’s true: it would be very, very hard but it could be done. If all the stars in the sky are in alignment, I could be Batman.
Via Steve.

movies

Comic Book Movie Update, aka Entry #600!

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The Golden Age of Geekdom continues into this coming summer as even more comic book adaptations are hitting the big screen. What better way to celebrate entry #600 on WGTCTIP2 than to talk comics?
First off, I confess that I have yet to see “FF: Rise of the Silver Surfer” which came out last summer and that is something about which I am not happy but overall, I’m pretty caught up with comic / movie adaptations. Some were great, others were okay and some were simply awful. I am putting “Spiderman 3” in the awful category simply because of how badly the story messed with both the comic’s history and my mind.
Leading into 2008 summer season, there are two movies that I am really looking forward to and both now have cool trailers on the web. Feel free to check out these sneak peaks at The Dark Knight and Iron Man. I think they speak for themselves.
If you are a frequent reader, you may note that I first got excited about The Dark Knight over a year ago and then a month or so later Iron Man also has piqued my interest.
So, is it summertime yet?

movies

The Joker Card Has Been Dealt

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Although I should have gone to bed over an hour ago, I couldn’t help but stay up and read a ton of news articles and low and behold I found out that not only is Christoper Nolan directing another Batman movie – pretty friggin sweet to know its 100% confirmed – and not only is it being named “The Dark Knight” – an homage to “The Dark Knight Returns” which, “along with Alan Moore’s ‘Watchmen’ and Art Spiegelman’s ‘Maus,’ helped to raise the medium to a more mature level of literature, and it ushered in the popularity of graphic novels as a form of literature that truly differs from “child-oriented comic books” – but that the new Joker character will be played by Heath Ledger. I also learned Bale (Batman) and Nolan are hooking up on a new movie called “The Prestige” which also stars Logan, aka Wolverine, aka Hugh Jackman. Talk about a cool Marvel/DC cross-over…
Okay, I am going to bed now because I’m defintely not going to find out anything better that this bit of news tonight. I might be dreaming of bats…and possibly Jack Nicholson, though I hope not…
(quote courtesey of Wikipedia – who else?)

movies

Nolan Nails It

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I cannot begin to say enough good things about Batman Begins and its stellar director Christopher Nolan. This movie was everything that Revenge of the Sith should have been: a well written, cohesive and engaging story acted out by a superb cast that has been given stellar direction.

Simply put, Batman Begins in now my all-time favorite comic book movie. It has suplanted Batman (1989) in the top slot and pushed X-Men to third. I went to the 11:00 PM showing on Wednesday night with a bunch of co-workers (showing true geek dedication) and found it breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Walking out of the theatre, you ask, “What the hell am I doing with my life? I should be protecting the city from evil!”

The best part is that we saw it on the Loews Lincoln Center IMAX screen which made it flat-out intense. I highly suggest seeing this movie in this manner – it is totally worth it. I had seen Apollo-13 on this screen but it was not as good because it wasn’t specially formatted for the IMAX screen – it was too big in many ways to enjoy. Batman however was specially formatted – it was letterboxed – and it looked fantastic.

On the strength of 3 movies – Memento, Insomnia and Batman Begins – Christopher Nolan has now gained a place of esteem on my list of top directors, which basically means I will now go see any Christopher Nolan film in the future.

Go and see this movie ASAP. Bat-time? Whenever you want. Bat-channel? Your local theatre.

ramblings

A Movie I Wish Was Coming To A Theatre Near Me

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Once again, I found something cool on Chris’s site. This time, its extra special.

The young geniuses at Untamed Cinema have a created a trailer for a movie that will might never be made. But if there is justice in the world, then maybe, just maybe, it will happen.

The high-res Grayson trailer is well worth the download, even if its a huge file (137 MB). If you have the bandwidth, grab it while you can. Otherwise, watch one of the other versions.

Below is Chris’s review. Please note that he has berated me for liking comics for the past few years and has for the most part bashed the recent comic book movies that have made it to the big screen or that are in development (the upcoming Batman Beyond is an obvious exception). That being said, here is what he said:

“It tells the story of a time when Batman has been killed, and angst-filled Dick Grayson, AKA Robin, trains himself for revenge. He is older now, married with kids, and as his wife puts it, “is training for war.” He also does a little detective work and begins to unravel a conspiracy that runs very deep, through the chief of police, various super villains, and even older heroes. Cameos astound as we see Superman, WonderWoman, Catwoman, Joker, Riddler, and even the Green Lantern. This short film/trailer is spectacular, and is everything superhero movies and comic books should be.”
So, I’m hoping for some real comments get posted about this movie. If the movie is gone, email me and I’ll burn it to a CD and mail it to you. The movie is THAT good. Enjoy.”

Thanks Chris