Hot Toys' Selina Kyle Figure

This Selina Kyle figure by Hot Toys is kind of really amazing. I just want to buy one with a Batpod/Batcycle and make her act all bad ass. Blowing imaginary things up.

The best part is that the figure's face is so detailed and really does look like Anne Hathaway. If only Barbies were as awesome as this when I was a wee, little girl.

PODCAST: Episode 4

The Bat and the Cat continue their discussion of The Dark Knight Rises. This is the second installment and we are only halfway through the movie. Hear our thoughts on the build up to the film's climax.


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The Secret to Bruce Wayne Hair

Not all of us have a Bruce Wayne budget, and 3-button suits are a little 90's, but you can emulate Bruce Wayne's hairstyle from The Dark Knight Rises and that's the first thing to make a first impression.

Here are some tips to make sure you look like the eccentric billionaire instead of a villainous serial killer:

1. The Cut

You'll need some length to your hair, so show your stylist several pictures from several angles of what you're after. If you already have long hair as a man, you're a step ahead. If you're growing it out, make sure it takes the shape you want and have it trimmed every 4 - 6 weeks even when you're growing it out to maintain good shape. You want a little length over the ears and for the back to extend to the base of your neck. Ideally, you'd want your stylist to only use shears, not razors, for that organic 8 year exile look. A little thickness and waviness is good, so make sure to ask your stylist to finish with feathered shears.

*If you're paying less than 20 dollars for a haircut, it's time to take it up a notch . . .

2. The Wash

This is a key point--shampoo and condition your hair at night (instead of in the morning), if possible. This will let your natural oils seep onto your strands giving it better hold, movement, and shine. If you're working on your physique like Bruce Wayne, you'd probably be showering at night, anyway. In the morning, simply rinse your hair with water.

3. The Dry

Towel dry and then blow dry your hair from front to back, running your fingers in the same direction. Make sure to get the sides, as well. Use the warm or hot setting on medium or high. This will keep your hair away from your face and prevent your hair from parting.

4. The Finishing Touch

After your thick, wavy locks are dry or semi-dry, it's time to apply product. Never be afraid to invest in good styling products, as they last forever. You want something with good hold, but not rock hard. Something that holds its shape, but that you can still run your fingers through-- you want to be able to wake up from a board meeting without looking like you were electrocuted.

One good product I recommend for this purpose is "Molding Paste" by Enjoy.

It feels like clay--you just rub a little bit on your fingers, breaking up the paste, and run it through your hair. Reapply as necessary. It's non-greasy and it gives you movable texture and medium flexible hold.

Now get back in the game!

Let's pick a Harley Quinn

Let's say the day comes when we get Harley Quinn in a live-action Batman film. I definitely have a set of particular actresses who I think would do her justice on the big screen. Now, not to say that an up and coming new actress may be yet discovered to take on the role, but I picked from the more mainstream pool of current actresses. 

Emma Stone

Stone would be my numero uno pick to play Harley Quinn. She is definitely a favorite of mine and I think she has the right mix of goofy and tough -- and she has proven that she has great comedic timing! I know, I know, I've heard the one complaint most people have made about her: her voice is too deep and raspy!  Well, she is an actress everyone. I'm sure she can manage to get a higher vocal pitch if she was to be Harley Quinn. She has the big eyes and smile to match the character too.

Zooey Deschanel

Speaking of quirky, Deschanel is the queen of all things quirky. She has the right amount of comedy and spunk that would be perfect for the role. Her voice comes pretty close to how Harley Quinn would talk, she would just need to take it a little higher. Plus, I'd love to see her as a blonde and take on a look that is not so familiar to her trademark vintage-semi-hipster-New-Girl-style. 

Amanda Seyfried

I am not the biggest Seyfried-follower but she definitely came in mind when I thought about this topic -- mostly because she basically looks like Harley Quinn anyways. The heart-shaped face, the blonde hair, the big eyes and the lips. She may not be the best in my book but she has proven that she has some acting chops. Though she might be more of a romantic and angsty Harley Quinn.

Elle Fanning

She might be too young currently to take on the role but if a reboot happens ten years down the line, Fanning would certainly be old enough. I've only seen her in the movie, Super 8, but man... this girl can truly act! If another Nolan-esque Batman trilogy gets made in the future, she can certainly take on a grittier and loonier version of Harley Quinn. 

Who would you pick to play Harley Quinn?

"Vanilla" Dark Knight Rises

I went and saw 'The Dark Knight Rises' for the 5th time, and this time it was at my local theater on a standard 35mm projection.

While still a great film (I found myself paying attention to more details since I wasn't too occupied by being "wowed"), I found the experience quite underwhelming. It definitely made me appreciate the IMAX experience that much more.

SPOILERS BELOW

Here are things that I noted:

• The trailers definitely made me feel like I was there way too long. The film's 164 minute runtime is just right, in my opinion, but I like that there are no trailers attached to the IMAX film.
• The sound--nowhere close to the IMAX experience. From the opening logo, to the prologue. On IMAX, you feel like you're in the plane. Sounds that are meant to be jarring like gunshots, explosions, aircraft (such as The Bat), and the scene where Bruce Wayne shoots the bow-and-arrow a hair away from Selina Kyle really startle you in the IMAX setting. Furthermore, when Batman saves Blake from trouble, you actually here a hint of The Bat hovering behind him.
• Color quality. No comparison. I felt like the color here was notably muted. IMAX color really pops and with the high resolution and bright projection, it gives it a more realistic quality. For example, the first time we see Officer Blake on the rooftop with Commissioner Gordon, it was so dark I couldn't see his face right away.
• Scene cropping. It is known that this movie was filmed for both IMAX and widescreen formats, and while it doesn't take away from the movie itself, the widescreen version doesn't give you that realistic sense of height. Furthermore, the establishing shot of Gotham Stock Exchange is completely different.

 

Bottom line

I'm going back to IMAX for 'The Dark Knight Rises' because I want that to be my last impression. Once it's gone from theaters, it goes to blu-ray and we'll never get to experience it on IMAX again. So, I'm maximizing it now. Definitely worth the extra drive and arriving early to get the best seat.

PODCAST: Episode 3

After watching The Dark Knight Rises four times on IMAX, the Bat and the Cat sits down to share their thoughts on the movie. Here is the first part of a series of reliving and discussing the Nolanverse trilogy. WARNING: SPOILERS!


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