The Dark Knight Rises -- My Thoughts (Non spoiler version)

picture from http://www.a2-m3.com/2012/07/10/13-minutes-of-the-dark-knight-rises-sneak-peek/

I think this is one of those cases where I expected too much from a movie. It’s staggering that I have been a fan of the character and mythos for 41 years. Regardless of what you’re about the read,  I strongly urge you to go and see the movie. It will be well worth your movie dollar and something to talk about and enjoy despite the unfortunate events at the midnight premiere in Colorado. At the end of the movie, many in the audience with me clapped and cheered. My prediction is this will be a big movie, but come nowhere close to ‘The Avengers” in box office or magnitude. That hurts me a little to write as Batman is my favorite character.

For me, what I took from this movie is that Chris Nolan wanted to have his cake and eat it too; a huge, big, goodie filled multi layered cake with lots of decoration and icing. Especially at the end of the movie. The movie suffers a little in order for him to accomplish this. I expected MUCH better from he and his brother, who with David Goyer, wrote the screenplay. In regards to the previous 2 movies, I found this movie to be sloppy in parts. This installment has much more action than the previous 2. And in my opinion, it kind of needed it. Nolan crammed a lot into this movie. To me, it didn’t seem like a nearly 3 hour movie

The story basically is a continuation of the 2^nd movie 8 years after the events of Dent’s death.  It turns out, there are tremendous consequences as a result of the scheme Gordon and Batman concocted to frame Batman for Dent’s death so the city could have a hero (in Dent) and overcome crime for the most part. Nolan does a good job tying the previous 2 movies into this one not letting you forget what has led up to this tale. A glaring observation to me was The Joker is the only thing from the prior 2 movies that’s not referenced either in dialogue or flashbacks. My opinion is how could they have left him out and included nearly EVERY character and aspect of the first 2 movies? I think I know why, but still, to me it was an obvious omission regardless of the reason.

Anne Hathaway was a much better Catwoman than I thought she’d be. I was wrong about her as the Catwoman character. Her injection into the story felt rushed to me. It could and should have been allowed to develop.  Tom Hardy was believable as Bane. Like Catwoman, I felt rushed to believe he was the bad guy. Michael Caine did an extraordinary job as Alfred. Unfortunately, he’s only in the 1^st quarter of the movie, and appears briefly at the end. Cillian Murphy’s appearance is also very brief and obviously gratuitous to me. He is more wasted and irrelevant than his cameo in the 2^nd one.  All the supporting cast did a great job; Gary Oldham, Mathew Modine, Morgan Freeman, my Pittsburgh Steelers as the Gotham Knights- hahaha!  Despite my negative laden feelings and thoughts about the movie, the acting was spot on.  2 major characters from the Batman mythos appear in this movie. One was kind of expected; one I didn’t think about but SHOULD have known.  

The end of the movie. Well, here’s where I believe Nolan failed – the movie to me had two endings and you’ll understand it when you see it. There’s a predictable scene at the end of the movie involving Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake character that made me groan loudly.

 I’d give this movie 6.5 out of 10. Even though I don’t like cake, I didn’t entirely not enjoy this experience.





A "Super"Sized Mess

Heer’s the story at: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/04/action-comics-900/
Superman Defies God, Renounces US Citizenship in Action Comics #900

My thoughts ; This story has achieved it's purpose- Generating "buzz" for the character/DC Comics.However, if this is true and not a stunt or wind up being NOT actually Supe's thoughts but a mischievious plot by an outside entity, this can't be good for the upcoming movie.

Superman has proven story after story to be a citizen of the world and NOT just the US or any other political way of thought (minus The Dark Knight Returns or other 'elseworlds' stories). He's never cared before about whether or not his actions were construed as "American policy" or whatever before. He was doing what he thought was the right thing to do. Why should it bother him now? I'm sure if he does go through with it, he'll give a speach loving America and how he sees "the bigger picture" and all. Seriously, isn't this like telling someone you love them and always will before punching them or divorcing them?

To me, this isn't Clark Kent, the boy scout we all know and love (or loathe). If he's not behind this, this has to even make Luthor slightly nervous. All I can say is, something's amiss.

Bruce (Batman), get ready. This may be the start to that instance you were always afraid would happen,

what say you?

So This Is Your Superman? / Another Reported "Dark Knight" Casting Rumor

It's being reported that Henry Cavill, of Showtime's mini-series "The Tudors" is the new Superman for Zack Snyder's upcoming reboot. A few articles point out that the major actors for Su[erman, Batman, and Spider-Man are all UK actors.

I liked the previous one, Brandon Routh, especially his Clark Kent. I hope the story is good.

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From Zap2It -- http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/01/report-robin-williams-cast-in-the-dark-knight-rises-as-dr-hugo-strange.html

Casting rumors keep trickling in for "The Dark Knight Rises," the upcoming third film in Christopher Nolan's Batman series. On Saturday, unconfirmed reports surfaced that Robin Williams may be the man for the role of Dr. Hugo Strange.

While no plot details have been officially released, many insiders have suggested that in the film, psychotic psychologist Dr. Strange will be tapped by the Gotham police forces to help track and capture Batman (Christian Bale).

Williams was up for roles in previous Batman films in the 1990s, but never accepted the offers. However, last summer he told reporters that he'd love to work in Nolan's Batman universe. "I would do Batman in a second," he said. "I'd play The Riddler in the next one, although it would be hard to top Heath Ledger as the villain and I'm a little hairy for tights."

Review: Batman: Under The Red Hood

Just saw Batman: Under The Red Hood (available tomorrow, as I write this, July 27th) This one's definitely worth getting. Much better than the previous Batman related or DC /Marvel comic releases.There's no cool manga or anime, no realistic CGI effects here, just a well done, quality toon. To me, Batman: Under The Red Hood is the best animated DC picture I've ever seen. Regardless of how this film succeeds or is recieved, the animation raises the bar (to borrow a cliche) for all animated comics films after it.

Some points I observed in it:

Everyone's got that squared, sharp edged jaw look.
This is a different Joker than ever presented in animation. The Joker looks muscle-y, and kinda old.

Not totally digging the John DiMaggio (Bender in Futurama, Aquaman/Grodd/Black Adam in Batman: Brave and the Bold)voice for the Joker, but it is overall a good performance though I prefer the Mark Hamill version. This Joker also has a Heath Ledger flavor to him. Many other guests stars voicing this film. Bruce Greenwood did a great Batman voice, though I'll always like Kevin Conroy's version. After listening to him do Nightwing, I'm beginning to wonder if there's anything Neil Patrick Harris CAN'T do.

The opening "Death In The FamilY" scenes are not drawn like they were in the original story. Which is good. The art is updated.

A slight problem for me was the portrayal of the beat down. Though Robin was being severely beaten, he rarely uttered more than a grunt. Also, not enough blood for what happened.

The so-called "big reveal" hap pends in the middle of the movie.

All of the characters were well done in every aspect. A few surprises are in store.

There were liberties taken with the story (obviously), but overall, the movie moved along VERY well and is interesting. And of course, there are a few predictable situations. There are also some very comic book things that happen that I was pleased with.

It ended well too, in my opinion.

Overall, again, The best animated DC picture I've ever seen. Well done DC.

BTW- I read where at ComicCon this year, it was announced that the G4 TV network was gonna air 4 Marvel anime shows during the next 12 months.

Did you guys see the Samuel L Jackson introducing the actors who will star in 'The Avengers"? There may be a YouTube video out there. There's a video where Ryan Reynolds says the Green Lantern mantra for a little kid.

So This is Thursday's EARLY AM Blog

Well yesterday went as well as it could go at work. No headaches and I could understand nearly everything I heard- WHOO-HOO!! It's just after midnight and I have to make lunch, finish laundry before work in a few hours. Here's what I saw on the ol interweb...

Beginning today, smokers will pay 50 cents more in tax on a pack of cigarettes in South Carolina.

According to a new annual study, SC has nearly cut it's national obesity ranking in half! In the state, three of 10 people are considered obese, according to the Trust for America's Health. Toss in those who are overweight and that adds up to nearly two-thirds of the population. The state ranks ninth in obesity nationwide, down from fifth last year, TFAH reports.

The 2-year-old son of former NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham has died in what authorities on Wednesday called an apparent backyard hot tub accident.

A 9-year-old Connecticut girl who climbed to the roof of her house and attempted to crawl back inside through the chimney has been rescued after getting stuck. Assistant Fire Chief Jack Hennessey says the girl climbed up a house painter's ladder Wednesday morning, walked across the roof and tried to climb down the chimney. She almost made it to the fireplace before getting stuck in the flue at about 6:30 a.m.

Just 48 days after Microsoft began selling the Kin, a smartphone for the younger set, the company discontinued it because of disappointing sales. Microsoft also recently canceled a project to develop a tablet computer that would compete with Apple’s popular iPad.

CNN is reportedly talking to Joy Behar about Larry King's spot. He's retiring this fall (see yesterday's blog). Another report says a $10 million agreement was finalized with Simon Cowell bud and "America's Got Talent" co-host Piers Morgan before King retired on Tuesday.

The U.S. Embassy is advising travelers to exercise caution in Haiti after four U.S. citizens were recently killed in separate robberies near Port-au-Prince's airport.

How about the Russian spy babe?

So will Erin Andrews stay at ESPN? Her deal with the sports network was about to expire, but an ESPN exec says, "We hope to have a deal signed soon."

The Terrafugia, a flying car project developed by a small group of MIT graduates, passed an important regulatory hurdle this month when the FAA agreed it could be certified in the Light Sports Aircraft category even though it is about 110 pounds over the limit. The company argued that the extra weight was needed to comply with federal motor vehicle standards and that other light sports aircraft do not face that extra burden. The concept of a flying car has captivated the imaginations of commuters, pilots and manufacturers for decades. In this video interview with Forbes, Carl Dietrich, CEO of Terrafugia, explains that the craft has wings that fold up in less than 30 seconds. The first model, the Transition, is expected in full production next year. In the air, it will have a cruising speed of about 115 miles an hour, a range greater than 400 miles, and a 10,000-foot ceiling. On land, it will get about 30 miles to the gallon.

Judd Apatow is using his powers for good and is developing a new Pee-Wee Herman movie alongside Paul Reubens and Paul Rust, who is co-scripting this new flick with Reubens. Apatow will produce the flick, according to Variety.

Prince will release his new album, "20Ten," as a free giveaway with various European newspapers and magazines. In the U.K., Prince has signed up with tabloid newspaper the Daily Mirror and its associated Scottish title the Daily Record for the CD giveaway. More than 2.5 million copies will be distributed on July 10 with the newspapers.The deal will also include Prince's first British newspaper interview in more than a decade.

and finally, Comic book superheroine Wonder Woman has traded in her spangled hot pants for urban leggings and upped her street smarts in a 21st century make-over for the 69 year-old character. J.Michael Straczynski, the new writer for the DC Comics series, told the New York Times he wanted to "toughen her up and give her a modern sensibility" and change the outfit Wonder Woman has been wearing for almost seven decades. The new costume features dark leggings, a studded denim jacket, spurs on her heeled boots and gloves in a new look designed by Korean-American artist Jim Lee of "X-Men" fame. Wonder Woman keeps her starred headband and golden lasso but her long dark locks have been cut shorter and gone are the star-studded hip-huggers, undersized bustier and knee length, red go-go boots

So This Is Saturday....

Gary Coleman is dead and I don’t feel so fine myself. I was a huge fan of ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ as a kid in the 70’s. From the media coverage over the years, it seems Mr. Coleman was very eager to leave “Arnold Drummond” behind. I just hope his last hours of being awake before Wednesday evening’s unconsciousness somehow brought him as much comfort as possible.

Watched Kevin Eubanks’ final “Tonight Show” gig last night. It was the usual fare. He calls successor Ricky Minor "the perfect choice. Among many jobs, Minor was the main musical force and director at “American Idol”. Eubanks is going to pursue recording endeavors and helping inter city music programs in Philadelphia.

Man, has Craig Ferguson really stepped it up on CBS’ “The Late Late Show”. Consistently for the past few months his show has been better then Letterman’s.

A new report exposes the United States’ military option in Pakistan in regards to the war on terror.
Click here for more. http://arabnews.com/world/article58897.ece

Ford Motor Company has announced it’s dropping the Mercury brand of vehicles.

Did anyone see the 2nd Lost Boys movie a couple of years ago? Well, there is now a 3rd “Lost Boys” movie being released-- Clikc HERE

Film director Oliver Stone said on Friday Venezuela's Hugo Chavez was misunderstood by the Western media, but said the socialist president should consider cutting back on his hours-long television appearances. Clickity Click HERE for the story.

Mark your calendars- NEXT Friday, June 4th is National Doughnut Day! Dunkin Donuts giving doughnuts away. Check around for other’s following suit.

The next Robert Downey Jr Sherlock Holmes movie will come to the big screen on Dec. 16 ... 2011.

The upcoming "Batman: Under the Red Hood" direct to DVD movie will have a 15 minute animated Jonah Hex story on it.

According to CBR new (cbr.com/news), actor James McAvoy has been cast as Charles Xavier in what is now being referred to as "X-Men: First Class." It does call into question just when in the timeline of Fox's "X-Men" series the film will take place. Granted, they all take place in some nebulous "near future." Even "Wolverine," which should clearly take place in the past tended to avoid anything that might date it besides the younger Stryker and Xavier

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Warner Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer says that DC Comic’s "The Flash is nearing a green light.”Wonder Woman" and "Aquaman" were also mentioned by Meyer as being in development. Green Lantern is set to star in his own animated series. The series is set to air a year after the film is released to theaters.

Well, get out there and have fun this weekend.
More later possibly.

See ya!
J

Another Reason Why Batman is Better Than Superman

A copy of Batman's debut in a 1939 Detective Comics book, seen here in this Heritage Auction Galleries(HAG) handout has sold for 1.075 million dollars, narrowly beating another huge auction this week for a Superman comic.
(AFP/HAG-HO)