I really give up with Nolan. BB's emo-boy excesses are missed in TDK, as Bale without angst is... well, boring. And how could the filmmakers set us up with "Gotham needs a hero/savior/Dark Knight" for 2+ hours then totally ignore it in the climax: I guess those two boatloads of Gothamites don't need anyone but themselves to work through tough "hero" choices and come out on the side of good and right. Guess the Caped Crusader is out of a job then. That ending would be like Bond offing himself at the end of CR out of despair.
Ledger was awesome, the rest of the film sucked.
So let's see, you disliked BB because Wayne/Batman was a "wimp" and it had too much "BS character" development as I recall; yet you miss the absence of any emo and angst in TDK? ?:)
You completely missed the point of the end of the film. Batman ends up being more than a hero; he is whatever Gotham needs him to be. He takes the fall for Harvey to preserve the hope of the city and because, as Gordon tells his son, "he can take it". More than ever, he has become Gotham's Dark Knight. It also falls perfectly in line with the film's overriding theme: that you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. While that may not be the most uplifting way to end a movie it definitely fits with the comics.
I also don't see why he's "out of a job"; Batman has always operated outside the law and for all that happens at the end, it's clear that Gordon is still in his corner, if only in the shadows.
A while back you were complaining that Batman should be more like he was in the Dark Knight Returns. Maybe you didn't read that comic closely because by the end, he is exactly in the same predicament as he was in most of that graphic novel: hunted by the police as he tries to do good, operating outside the law, and doing whatever is necessary to protect Gotham.
I have a feeling the only way you'll ever like a Batman movie is if it's written by Paul Haggis and stars Daniel Craig. But before you condenm it, maybe you may want to read up a bit on the character so you'll know what you're talking about.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
What makes you think that DK will even overtake Spider-Man 3? :v )
Oh, you don't think that it can? Fine, Dan. Here's why... :v
) ) ) Oh my God!! And I thought I was cruel. That is just plain disturbing. Did you ever show that one to the Marvel Sisters? They'd probably crawl under their desks and get into a fetal position, never to be seen again. )
What makes you think that DK will even overtake Spider-Man 3? :v )
Oh, you don't think that it can? Fine, Dan. Here's why... :v
) ) ) I would respond, but I can't stop laughing at this. ) ) )
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
) ) ) Oh my God!! And I thought I was cruel. That is just plain disturbing. )
Your bad influences must be wearing on me perhaps. That and Dan drawing first blood on The Bat. :v )
Here's the trailer to the new animated series Batman: Brave & The Bold
I am soooo loving the flow to this animation! This rendition harkens back to the old style of Bats from the late 60s and middle 70s.
Still on the fence with Bader's voice though. ?:)
IMO, it looks GREAT regardless of fanboys trashing it before an episode starts (complaining even about the yellow oval on the chest? Gimme a break). Classic-looking Western Animation. B-)
I really give up with Nolan. BB's emo-boy excesses are missed in TDK, as Bale without angst is... well, boring. And how could the filmmakers set us up with "Gotham needs a hero/savior/Dark Knight" for 2+ hours then totally ignore it in the climax: I guess those two boatloads of Gothamites don't need anyone but themselves to work through tough "hero" choices and come out on the side of good and right. Guess the Caped Crusader is out of a job then. That ending would be like Bond offing himself at the end of CR out of despair.
Ledger was awesome, the rest of the film sucked.
So let's see, you disliked BB because Wayne/Batman was a "wimp" and it had too much "BS character" development as I recall; yet you miss the absence of any emo and angst in TDK? ?:)
You completely missed the point of the end of the film. Batman ends up being more than a hero; he is whatever Gotham needs him to be. He takes the fall for Harvey to preserve the hope of the city and because, as Gordon tells his son, "he can take it". More than ever, he has become Gotham's Dark Knight. It also falls perfectly in line with the film's overriding theme: that you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. While that may not be the most uplifting way to end a movie it definitely fits with the comics.
I also don't see why he's "out of a job"; Batman has always operated outside the law and for all that happens at the end, it's clear that Gordon is still in his corner, if only in the shadows.
A while back you were complaining that Batman should be more like he was in the Dark Knight Returns. Maybe you didn't read that comic closely because by the end, he is exactly in the same predicament as he was in most of that graphic novel: hunted by the police as he tries to do good, operating outside the law, and doing whatever is necessary to protect Gotham.
I have a feeling the only way you'll ever like a Batman movie is if it's written by Paul Haggis and stars Daniel Craig. But before you condenm it, maybe you may want to read up a bit on the character so you'll know what you're talking about.
Bad story-telling is bad story-telling. I've never had a problem with the Batman themes Nolan has tried to tackle, just his follow-thru. Stealing from Moore and Miller et al and making a bad film doesn't make Nolan the heir to all the really great Batman stories that have been written in the last 20 years or so. For my money Burton's Batman Returns is a better exploration of Batman and Batman themes, also a lot more fun (and yes it too falls short of the mark but it sure comes a lot closer IMO). But to each their own. And I'm serious about bringing Keaton back: have Miller direct his "The Dark Knight Returns," with Keaton back in the cowl. If hacks like Nolan are just gonna keep mucking it up, might as well tap the source.
Barry: whoops, completely forgot I had already vented spleen in this forum about TDK, apologies for double-dipping.
Rogue, I hope they change the title. The Brave and the Bold sounds like a daytime soap opera. We'll end up with scenes like, "What do you mean Batgirl is really my half-sister? I slept with her."
I've seen TDK, and it was very good, but will never replace Batman Returns as my favourite Bat movie. It's portentous, overlong and the focus on gritty realism makes me think that it is not only Bond who is currently being over-influenced by the Bourne movies. Talk about grim. I admired the film, but I felt quite miserable after watching it. That said I loved the casting. Ledger easily out-did Nicholson's fat panto turn, if never matching the vocal performance of Mark Hamill in The Animated Series, while Maggie G was cute as a button despite never once being naked. (An oversight on behalf of the filmmmakers I'm sure). And it was good seeing my favourite Anthony Perkins impersonator, Nestor Carbonell, from Lost, turn up as the mayor. But when it comes to listing my films of the year, this won't be a contender.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
Rogue, I hope they change the title. The Brave and the Bold sounds like a daytime soap opera. We'll end up with scenes like, "What do you mean Batgirl is really my half-sister? I slept with her."
) ) )
Only you would think of that... )
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
Saw it again tonight. Still loved every minute of it. I tell ya, this is the fastest 2 and a half hour movie I've ever seen.
Seriously one of my favorite movies ever. Just about perfect.
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
) ) ) Oh my God!! And I thought I was cruel. That is just plain disturbing. )
Your bad influences must be wearing on me perhaps. That and Dan drawing first blood on The Bat. :v )
Here's the trailer to the new animated series Batman: Brave & The Bold
I am soooo loving the flow to this animation! This rendition harkens back to the old style of Bats from the late 60s and middle 70s.
Still on the fence with Bader's voice though. ?:)
IMO, it looks GREAT regardless of fanboys trashing it before an episode starts (complaining even about the yellow oval on the chest? Gimme a break). Classic-looking Western Animation. B-)
As far as TDK. Saw it last night and it was good. The more I think about it the less I like it, but I was at the edge of my seat the whole time and was wondering the whole time what was going to happen. My wife was torn to shreds with anxiety the whole time.
She said she didn't like how gross it was, but I thought it brought it real to life. Ledger was awesome (my wife also said she understands why the guy couldn't sleep at night after playing that character). I enjoyed Bale again, Gyllenhal was good, but something was off. I still dont know what.
I feel it deserves all the rave reviews and it was a top notch movie. Nomination for best picture? IDK, people were talkinga about it last night...any thoughts?
How about the 'Bond moments' of TDK. Snatching him from the Hong Kong skyscraper a la Thunderball (Bond and Domino at the end) or the Joker's Rosa Kleb shoe? I had to chuckle both times. :007)
"We have all the time in the world..."
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
Another Bond moment:
The "Q" scene, where Lucius Fox tells 007... uh, Batman... to read the manual first.
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,703MI6 Agent
Here's a cool article from ign. It gives a suggestion as to what villians could be in Batman 3. Beware, there's Spoilers in the article about The Dark Knight:
Interesting article, thanks for sharing. Personally, I don't want a female lead villian, female villians just aren't physically challenging enough. (Politicall incorect I know, but it is what I think) I also wouldn't care for a rogues gallery of villians as it tends to diminish the story. Too many stories not enough time to flesh out the character. I could see Riddler, and I like the idea of Riddler being Batmans intellectual adversary.
What ewer the Batman team dreams up will be OK with me, because they haven't let me down yet.
(By the way, Batman Returns sucks in every way imaginable. Just saying.)
Well, I liked Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman :x ---but what they did to the Penguin was unforgivable X-( X-( X-( The Penguin should be an eccentric gangster with gadgets and a penchant for birds, IMO...not a monster who lives in the sewer.
The dropoff in quality from Burton's first Batman (which I really enjoyed) and his second was sharp and pronounced...and it sewed the seeds for the two abominations that followed.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Uh, going by the last two films, a toddler could be Batman's intellectual equal. Just saying, not much Batman-brain power expended in Nolan's plots.
I'd like to meet the toddler who can reconstruct a shattered bullet and who can triangulate all the cell phone signals in an entire city in order to locate one user! Sheesh, the most detecting Batman does in Returns is to cruise by the Hall of Records to watch The Penguin doing research!
Uh, going by the last two films, a toddler could be Batman's intellectual equal. Just saying, not much Batman-brain power expended in Nolan's plots.
I'd like to meet the toddler who can reconstruct a shattered bullet and who can triangulate all the cell phone signals in an entire city in order to locate one user! Sheesh, the most detecting Batman does in Returns is to cruise by the Hall of Records to watch The Penguin doing research!
Okay, I did like those two bits, the forensic bullet recreation and building upon Fox's sonar gizmo - but would've much preferred, like, Batman second-guessing the Joker about saving Rachel/Dent. Batman's ubiquitous calling card as a crime-stopper is being smarter than the criminals he seeks to stop. He doesn't just catch bad guys, he outwits them and foils their plans. In that sense no film adaptation has really gotten "it" IMO, except maybe the Adam West 60s one but the camp sorta takes center stage. "Batman: The Animated Series" does the best job in presenting Batman: nice hard feel yet very human and compelling stories - and Batman/Wayne is very well portrayed IMO. Nolan's Batman is little more than a generic action dude, and Bale's Wayne is just blah. Both are under-written IMO, and in a time when series characters are getting very decent film treatments, from Bond to Hellboy to Ironman, I'm just incredibly underwhelmed by Nolan's/Bale's Batman (love the Joker though, that's aces).
I see and appreciate the aim, but it doesn't even hit the board for me. I get that I'm in the minority, and if it works for ya then party on. I'll wait for maybe a screen version of Miller's TDKR (a truly great Batman story; Nolan's failing is doing a poor job adapting from such sources IMO, a better writer/director would do a better job I'd hope.. IMHO and FWIW).
I just don't get your continued cheap shots at the Nolan films. You complain that Batman doesn't do enough detecting in Nolan's movies (which in and of itself is wrong) and that Batman is all about defeating the bad guy's plans every time out; and you again pine for a film version of TDKR.
But, if you actually bothered to read TDKR closely, you'd see that Batman really doesn't do all that much detecting there either. In book one, he only figures out Two-Face's plan by pure coincidence, musing over his line about "twice as big" as his glance happens to fall upon Gotham Twin Towers. In the second book, again he doesn't sleuth his way to a conclusion; he defeats the Mutant Leader thru brute force, in a mud fight. As for always saving the day, book three sees the Joker killing hundreds of people before Batman finally catches up with him. And he has to get outside help from Green Arrow to beat Superman in book 4, which is nothing more than an obvious political commentary on the far left and far right; the book ending with Batman faking his own death and taking a group of delinquents under his wing for God knows what (more of Miller's patented and tired "fight the system" BS).
You comment about Batman always outwitting the bad guys plans is also mis-informed. Batman doesn't always save the day. Let's not forget the "Death in the Family" story where Joker kills Robin (the fans voted for it but DC approved of the result) or the "Knightfall" series where he is defeated and literally broken by Bane. The "No Man's Land" story saw Gotham literally reduced to rubble. There's plenty more examples.
As for Batman: The Dark Knight, the film took in another $23 million on Friday; at that pace it should have a $60 weekend and clear $300 million by Monday.
There were two things I liked about Batman Returns; Catwoman :x and a few of the action scenes. As for the other two Batman films, I quite enjoyed Batman Forever ;% but the less I say about Batman and Robin the better. That said, the original Batman was terrific, and so all in all, I think that Burton's contributions to the Batman films wasn't too bad.
BTW, it's interesting to note that Burton, who prouduced Batman Forever, did not work on Batman and Robin at all. Perhaps that helps explain why Batman and Robin is so terrible. I mean, yes, he's no Christopher Nolan, but I do like his first film very much.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
Although I am a tad more tolerable to Batman Returns, my son agrees with the majority of you here. He thinks that the movie is too boring, dark and unwatchable.
He also HATES Burton's dismal take on The Penguin seeing that he is such a fan of the BTAS & Burgess Meredith versions. I have to agree with him on that one.
IMO, so far:
Nolan is 2 for 2
Burton's 1 for 2
And Schumacher should be exiled to Elba for his two flamboyant attempts... X-(
I don't EVEN want to get started on Miller. 8-)
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited July 2008
Not really sure just how accurate this article is that I just came across. In any case, the new X- Files movie seems to have laid an egg:
'DARK KNIGHT' $311+M IN 10 DAYS: Keeps Smashing Record After Record; 'Step Brothers' Big; 'X-Files 2' Bombs
SATURDAY PM: Warner Bros' The Dark Knight continues to power drive the North American box office and grossed a whopping $23.1 million Friday and $29 million Saturday from 4,366 theaters. That's down only 66% and 43% respectively from its record-smashing debut a week ago. With a $76 million weekend, down only 50% from the best-ever Fri-Sat-Sun, the Christian Bale-Heath Ledger actioner directed by Chris Nolan will make $311M in just 10 days, the fastest ever (beating Pirates Of The Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest which did it is 16 days). All anybody can do at the studios is keep repeating the word, "Amazing". And it is. There are even whispers starting whether Dark Knight can beat the incredible worldwide numbers posted by the all-time $1.8 billion benchmark of Titanic. "It can be the first movie that has a real shot," one rival studio bigwig told me cautiously. Because not only do people like the movie, but it's getting incredible repeat business. Even occasional moviegoers are curious to see what all the fuss is about.
Once again Sony Pictures is able to open a low-brow Will Farrell comedy big at the box office -- this time the Judd Apatow-produced Step Brothers which made $11.9 million Friday and $10 million Saturday in 3,094 venues for 2nd place and a serious $30M this weekend. No. 3 was Universal's Mamma Mia! which only fell 44% from its debut a week ago to earn $5.5M Friday and $6.5M Saturday from 2,989 runs. It had one of the best second week (non-expansion) holds for the summer after Memorial Day weekend. It should earn a $17M FSS and new cume of $62.5M.
It was surprising that this TV series-based sequel, The X-Files 2: I Want To Believe, was made a decade since the first installment came out. Especially after all that litigation. Still, rival studios thought the pic could make high teens/low 20s since the gangs all there: Chris Carter, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson. Instead, the 4th place sci-fi pic underperformed by a wide margin after opening to only $4 million Friday and $3.7 million Saturday from 3,185 plays and only a $10.5 million weekend. (Fox claims the negative cost on the film is $30 mil. "Movie was made for a price and will be more than profitable with overseas b.o.,' one of the filmmakes emails me.)
No. 5 was close behind: Warner Bros' Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D made $2.7M Friday and $3.6M Saturday from 2,688 theaters and finished the weekend with $9.2M and a new cume of $60M. In 6th place, Sony's Will Smith starrer Hancock will pass the major $206.2M mark after an $8M weekend from 2,550 dates and surge past $500M worldwide by August 1st. Disney/Pixar's Wall-E is in the 7th spot and just days away from its $200M cume after earning a $6.1M weekend from 3,044 plays. The toon will end up the #5 film of the summer behind Dark Knight, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, and Hancock. No. 8 is Universal's Hellboy II: The Golden Army, which eked out another $4.8M weekend from 3,018 dates for a new $65.7M cume.
At #9, Starz/Fox's Space Chimps squeezed out a $4.2M Fri-Sat-Sun from 2,538 theaters and a $15.8M new cume. And rounding out the Top 10 is Universal's Wanted in 1,754 venues: it had a $2.6M weekend and new cume of $128.7M.
BTW, it's interesting to note that Burton, who prouduced Batman Forever, did not work on Batman and Robin at all. Perhaps that helps explain why Batman and Robin is so terrible. I mean, yes, he's no Christopher Nolan, but I do like his first film very much.
Actually Dan, I think Burton's producer credit on BF is little more than a symbolic attachment to the film. He makes it pretty clear in the audio commentary to Batman Returns that WB didn't want him anywhere near future Batman movies. I very much doubt he had any creative input, especially after Keaton walked away from the role.
And Schumacher should be exiled to Elba for his two flamboyant attempts... X-(
In all fairness to Schumacher, I'd say he's one-for-two as well. The villains in Batman Forever went a little too far over the top, but I actually think he did a good job with the character of Batman (except of course for the nipples). Kilmer makes ofr a stronger Bruce Wayne than Keaton, has probably the best Batman voice, actually does some sleuthing in the film, and the movie presents an interesting examination of why Wayne continues to be Batman. I also thought the production design had a good mix of classic gothic elements with a more modern look.
Not a perfect film, hardly the best in the series, but night and day compared to Batman & Robin and stronger in plot and more well paced than either of Burton's two movies.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
In all fairness to Schumacher, I'd say he's one-for-two as well. The villains in Batman Forever went a little too far over the top, but I actually think he did a good job with the character of Batman (except of course for the nipples). Kilmer makes ofr a stronger Bruce Wayne than Keaton, has probably the best Batman voice, actually does some sleuthing in the film, and the movie presents an interesting examination of why Wayne continues to be Batman. I also thought the production design had a good mix of classic gothic elements with a more modern look.
Not a perfect film, hardly the best in the series, but night and day compared to Batman & Robin and stronger in plot and more well paced than either of Burton's two movies.
I will give you credit for the Kilmer take-up, Tony. He did have a better voice than Bale when he donned the mask and his Bruce Wayne was pretty good but not great so I will at least say that he was the right Batman in the wrong film.
I sometimes wonder what he might've been like in the '89 film as opposed to the OTT quirkiness called BF.
In all fairness, THIS is the worst Bruce Wayne/Batman.
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited July 2008
According to Box Office Mojo, TDK is just a few hundred-thousands from passing the summer hit Iron Man and nothing else stands in the way other than The Young & The Restless trilogy!
1 Spider-Man Sony $403,706,375
2 Spider-Man 2 Sony $373,585,825
3 Spider-Man 3 Sony $336,530,303
4 Iron Man Par. $314,615,301
5 The Dark Knight WB $314,245,000
6 The Incredibles BV $261,441,092
7 Batman WB $251,188,924
8 X-Men: The Last Stand Fox $234,362,462
9 X2: X-Men United Fox $214,949,694
10 Batman Begins WB $205,343,774
Can The Dark Knight invade one of the top three spots next week without as much as a dance scene being involved? Will Peter Parker put Aunt May in a retirement home? Will Dan Same weep quietly under his bed, as he clutches his pillow, if Spidey loses the all-time comic book box office record? Will the Marvel sisters give up any possibility of procreation and become eunuchs?
Stay tune next week, Batfans! Same Bat time, same Bat channel! B-)
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
For what it is worth, this how I would rate the Batman flicks.
The Dark Knight
Batman Begins
Batman
Batman Forever
Batman Returns
Batman and Robin
Christian Bale is the best Batman and Heath Ledger is the best villian.
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
I agree with Barry's ratings, except I switch the last two. I really, really hate Batman Returns. I can at least watch a small bit of Batman and Robin without turning it off - can't say the same for Returns.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
For what it is worth, this how I would rate the Batman flicks.
The Dark Knight
Batman Begins
Batman
Batman Forever
Batman Returns
Batman and Robin
Christian Bale is the best Batman and Heath Ledger is the best villian.
Mark your calendar, Barry. You and I are in 100% agreement
{[]
That said, IMO there are miles and miles between the upper three and the lower three, in terms of quality...
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
According to Box Office Mojo, TDK is just a few hundred-thousands from passing the summer hit Iron Man and nothing else stands in the way other than The Young & The Restless trilogy!
I do believe you've finally seen the light when it comes to the Angst & The Maiden Trilogy. Welcome to the dark side Rogue, your arrival has been long overdue.
BTW, I think it's officially time to put the Marvel Sisters on suicide watch. :v
Comments
So let's see, you disliked BB because Wayne/Batman was a "wimp" and it had too much "BS character" development as I recall; yet you miss the absence of any emo and angst in TDK? ?:)
You completely missed the point of the end of the film. Batman ends up being more than a hero; he is whatever Gotham needs him to be. He takes the fall for Harvey to preserve the hope of the city and because, as Gordon tells his son, "he can take it". More than ever, he has become Gotham's Dark Knight. It also falls perfectly in line with the film's overriding theme: that you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. While that may not be the most uplifting way to end a movie it definitely fits with the comics.
I also don't see why he's "out of a job"; Batman has always operated outside the law and for all that happens at the end, it's clear that Gordon is still in his corner, if only in the shadows.
A while back you were complaining that Batman should be more like he was in the Dark Knight Returns. Maybe you didn't read that comic closely because by the end, he is exactly in the same predicament as he was in most of that graphic novel: hunted by the police as he tries to do good, operating outside the law, and doing whatever is necessary to protect Gotham.
I have a feeling the only way you'll ever like a Batman movie is if it's written by Paul Haggis and stars Daniel Craig. But before you condenm it, maybe you may want to read up a bit on the character so you'll know what you're talking about.
Oh, you don't think that it can? Fine, Dan. Here's why... :v
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Your bad influences must be wearing on me perhaps. That and Dan drawing first blood on The Bat. :v
Here's the trailer to the new animated series Batman: Brave & The Bold
I am soooo loving the flow to this animation! This rendition harkens back to the old style of Bats from the late 60s and middle 70s.
Still on the fence with Bader's voice though. ?:)
IMO, it looks GREAT regardless of fanboys trashing it before an episode starts (complaining even about the yellow oval on the chest? Gimme a break). Classic-looking Western Animation. B-)
It's Quicktime:
http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=25151
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Bad story-telling is bad story-telling. I've never had a problem with the Batman themes Nolan has tried to tackle, just his follow-thru. Stealing from Moore and Miller et al and making a bad film doesn't make Nolan the heir to all the really great Batman stories that have been written in the last 20 years or so. For my money Burton's Batman Returns is a better exploration of Batman and Batman themes, also a lot more fun (and yes it too falls short of the mark but it sure comes a lot closer IMO). But to each their own. And I'm serious about bringing Keaton back: have Miller direct his "The Dark Knight Returns," with Keaton back in the cowl. If hacks like Nolan are just gonna keep mucking it up, might as well tap the source.
Barry: whoops, completely forgot I had already vented spleen in this forum about TDK, apologies for double-dipping.
I've seen TDK, and it was very good, but will never replace Batman Returns as my favourite Bat movie. It's portentous, overlong and the focus on gritty realism makes me think that it is not only Bond who is currently being over-influenced by the Bourne movies. Talk about grim. I admired the film, but I felt quite miserable after watching it. That said I loved the casting. Ledger easily out-did Nicholson's fat panto turn, if never matching the vocal performance of Mark Hamill in The Animated Series, while Maggie G was cute as a button despite never once being naked. (An oversight on behalf of the filmmmakers I'm sure). And it was good seeing my favourite Anthony Perkins impersonator, Nestor Carbonell, from Lost, turn up as the mayor. But when it comes to listing my films of the year, this won't be a contender.
Only you would think of that...
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Seriously one of my favorite movies ever. Just about perfect.
Looks cool. But why is Batman Australian?
As far as TDK. Saw it last night and it was good. The more I think about it the less I like it, but I was at the edge of my seat the whole time and was wondering the whole time what was going to happen. My wife was torn to shreds with anxiety the whole time.
She said she didn't like how gross it was, but I thought it brought it real to life. Ledger was awesome (my wife also said she understands why the guy couldn't sleep at night after playing that character). I enjoyed Bale again, Gyllenhal was good, but something was off. I still dont know what.
I feel it deserves all the rave reviews and it was a top notch movie. Nomination for best picture? IDK, people were talkinga about it last night...any thoughts?
How about the 'Bond moments' of TDK. Snatching him from the Hong Kong skyscraper a la Thunderball (Bond and Domino at the end) or the Joker's Rosa Kleb shoe? I had to chuckle both times. :007)
The "Q" scene, where Lucius Fox tells 007... uh, Batman... to read the manual first.
http://movies.ign.com/articles/892/892656p1.html
I like the way they think.
What ewer the Batman team dreams up will be OK with me, because they haven't let me down yet.
(By the way, Batman Returns sucks in every way imaginable. Just saying.)
Well, I liked Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman :x ---but what they did to the Penguin was unforgivable X-( X-( X-( The Penguin should be an eccentric gangster with gadgets and a penchant for birds, IMO...not a monster who lives in the sewer.
The dropoff in quality from Burton's first Batman (which I really enjoyed) and his second was sharp and pronounced...and it sewed the seeds for the two abominations that followed.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I'd like to meet the toddler who can reconstruct a shattered bullet and who can triangulate all the cell phone signals in an entire city in order to locate one user! Sheesh, the most detecting Batman does in Returns is to cruise by the Hall of Records to watch The Penguin doing research!
Okay, I did like those two bits, the forensic bullet recreation and building upon Fox's sonar gizmo - but would've much preferred, like, Batman second-guessing the Joker about saving Rachel/Dent. Batman's ubiquitous calling card as a crime-stopper is being smarter than the criminals he seeks to stop. He doesn't just catch bad guys, he outwits them and foils their plans. In that sense no film adaptation has really gotten "it" IMO, except maybe the Adam West 60s one but the camp sorta takes center stage. "Batman: The Animated Series" does the best job in presenting Batman: nice hard feel yet very human and compelling stories - and Batman/Wayne is very well portrayed IMO. Nolan's Batman is little more than a generic action dude, and Bale's Wayne is just blah. Both are under-written IMO, and in a time when series characters are getting very decent film treatments, from Bond to Hellboy to Ironman, I'm just incredibly underwhelmed by Nolan's/Bale's Batman (love the Joker though, that's aces).
I see and appreciate the aim, but it doesn't even hit the board for me. I get that I'm in the minority, and if it works for ya then party on. I'll wait for maybe a screen version of Miller's TDKR (a truly great Batman story; Nolan's failing is doing a poor job adapting from such sources IMO, a better writer/director would do a better job I'd hope.. IMHO and FWIW).
But, if you actually bothered to read TDKR closely, you'd see that Batman really doesn't do all that much detecting there either. In book one, he only figures out Two-Face's plan by pure coincidence, musing over his line about "twice as big" as his glance happens to fall upon Gotham Twin Towers. In the second book, again he doesn't sleuth his way to a conclusion; he defeats the Mutant Leader thru brute force, in a mud fight. As for always saving the day, book three sees the Joker killing hundreds of people before Batman finally catches up with him. And he has to get outside help from Green Arrow to beat Superman in book 4, which is nothing more than an obvious political commentary on the far left and far right; the book ending with Batman faking his own death and taking a group of delinquents under his wing for God knows what (more of Miller's patented and tired "fight the system" BS).
You comment about Batman always outwitting the bad guys plans is also mis-informed. Batman doesn't always save the day. Let's not forget the "Death in the Family" story where Joker kills Robin (the fans voted for it but DC approved of the result) or the "Knightfall" series where he is defeated and literally broken by Bane. The "No Man's Land" story saw Gotham literally reduced to rubble. There's plenty more examples.
As for Batman: The Dark Knight, the film took in another $23 million on Friday; at that pace it should have a $60 weekend and clear $300 million by Monday.
BTW, it's interesting to note that Burton, who prouduced Batman Forever, did not work on Batman and Robin at all. Perhaps that helps explain why Batman and Robin is so terrible.
He also HATES Burton's dismal take on The Penguin seeing that he is such a fan of the BTAS & Burgess Meredith versions. I have to agree with him on that one.
IMO, so far:
Nolan is 2 for 2
Burton's 1 for 2
And Schumacher should be exiled to Elba for his two flamboyant attempts... X-(
I don't EVEN want to get started on Miller. 8-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
'DARK KNIGHT' $311+M IN 10 DAYS: Keeps Smashing Record After Record; 'Step Brothers' Big; 'X-Files 2' Bombs
SATURDAY PM: Warner Bros' The Dark Knight continues to power drive the North American box office and grossed a whopping $23.1 million Friday and $29 million Saturday from 4,366 theaters. That's down only 66% and 43% respectively from its record-smashing debut a week ago. With a $76 million weekend, down only 50% from the best-ever Fri-Sat-Sun, the Christian Bale-Heath Ledger actioner directed by Chris Nolan will make $311M in just 10 days, the fastest ever (beating Pirates Of The Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest which did it is 16 days). All anybody can do at the studios is keep repeating the word, "Amazing". And it is. There are even whispers starting whether Dark Knight can beat the incredible worldwide numbers posted by the all-time $1.8 billion benchmark of Titanic. "It can be the first movie that has a real shot," one rival studio bigwig told me cautiously. Because not only do people like the movie, but it's getting incredible repeat business. Even occasional moviegoers are curious to see what all the fuss is about.
Once again Sony Pictures is able to open a low-brow Will Farrell comedy big at the box office -- this time the Judd Apatow-produced Step Brothers which made $11.9 million Friday and $10 million Saturday in 3,094 venues for 2nd place and a serious $30M this weekend. No. 3 was Universal's Mamma Mia! which only fell 44% from its debut a week ago to earn $5.5M Friday and $6.5M Saturday from 2,989 runs. It had one of the best second week (non-expansion) holds for the summer after Memorial Day weekend. It should earn a $17M FSS and new cume of $62.5M.
It was surprising that this TV series-based sequel, The X-Files 2: I Want To Believe, was made a decade since the first installment came out. Especially after all that litigation. Still, rival studios thought the pic could make high teens/low 20s since the gangs all there: Chris Carter, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson. Instead, the 4th place sci-fi pic underperformed by a wide margin after opening to only $4 million Friday and $3.7 million Saturday from 3,185 plays and only a $10.5 million weekend. (Fox claims the negative cost on the film is $30 mil. "Movie was made for a price and will be more than profitable with overseas b.o.,' one of the filmmakes emails me.)
No. 5 was close behind: Warner Bros' Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D made $2.7M Friday and $3.6M Saturday from 2,688 theaters and finished the weekend with $9.2M and a new cume of $60M. In 6th place, Sony's Will Smith starrer Hancock will pass the major $206.2M mark after an $8M weekend from 2,550 dates and surge past $500M worldwide by August 1st. Disney/Pixar's Wall-E is in the 7th spot and just days away from its $200M cume after earning a $6.1M weekend from 3,044 plays. The toon will end up the #5 film of the summer behind Dark Knight, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, and Hancock. No. 8 is Universal's Hellboy II: The Golden Army, which eked out another $4.8M weekend from 3,018 dates for a new $65.7M cume.
At #9, Starz/Fox's Space Chimps squeezed out a $4.2M Fri-Sat-Sun from 2,538 theaters and a $15.8M new cume. And rounding out the Top 10 is Universal's Wanted in 1,754 venues: it had a $2.6M weekend and new cume of $128.7M.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/amazing-dark-knight-run-continues-stepbrothers-big-x-files-bombs/
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Actually Dan, I think Burton's producer credit on BF is little more than a symbolic attachment to the film. He makes it pretty clear in the audio commentary to Batman Returns that WB didn't want him anywhere near future Batman movies. I very much doubt he had any creative input, especially after Keaton walked away from the role.
In all fairness to Schumacher, I'd say he's one-for-two as well. The villains in Batman Forever went a little too far over the top, but I actually think he did a good job with the character of Batman (except of course for the nipples). Kilmer makes ofr a stronger Bruce Wayne than Keaton, has probably the best Batman voice, actually does some sleuthing in the film, and the movie presents an interesting examination of why Wayne continues to be Batman. I also thought the production design had a good mix of classic gothic elements with a more modern look.
Not a perfect film, hardly the best in the series, but night and day compared to Batman & Robin and stronger in plot and more well paced than either of Burton's two movies.
I will give you credit for the Kilmer take-up, Tony. He did have a better voice than Bale when he donned the mask and his Bruce Wayne was pretty good but not great so I will at least say that he was the right Batman in the wrong film.
I sometimes wonder what he might've been like in the '89 film as opposed to the OTT quirkiness called BF.
In all fairness, THIS is the worst Bruce Wayne/Batman.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
1 Spider-Man Sony $403,706,375
2 Spider-Man 2 Sony $373,585,825
3 Spider-Man 3 Sony $336,530,303
4 Iron Man Par. $314,615,301
5 The Dark Knight WB $314,245,000
6 The Incredibles BV $261,441,092
7 Batman WB $251,188,924
8 X-Men: The Last Stand Fox $234,362,462
9 X2: X-Men United Fox $214,949,694
10 Batman Begins WB $205,343,774
Can The Dark Knight invade one of the top three spots next week without as much as a dance scene being involved? Will Peter Parker put Aunt May in a retirement home? Will Dan Same weep quietly under his bed, as he clutches his pillow, if Spidey loses the all-time comic book box office record? Will the Marvel sisters give up any possibility of procreation and become eunuchs?
Stay tune next week, Batfans! Same Bat time, same Bat channel! B-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
The Dark Knight
Batman Begins
Batman
Batman Forever
Batman Returns
Batman and Robin
Christian Bale is the best Batman and Heath Ledger is the best villian.
Mark your calendar, Barry. You and I are in 100% agreement
That said, IMO there are miles and miles between the upper three and the lower three, in terms of quality...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I do believe you've finally seen the light when it comes to the Angst & The Maiden Trilogy. Welcome to the dark side Rogue, your arrival has been long overdue.
BTW, I think it's officially time to put the Marvel Sisters on suicide watch. :v