Funko Pop Dark Knight Teaser Trailer

A fun sizzle reel I created, starring Dark Knight Funko Pop Heroes (and villains). Check it out!

PODCAST: Episode 7

The Bat and the Cat are back after a long (semi)-hiatus. In this half-hour podcast, we talk about what we've been watching or reading related to the Batman universe like Beware the Batman!

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Currently Reading: Batman Birth of the Demon

From DC Comics

As a Batman fan, my favorite stories involve Ra's al Ghul, Talia al Ghul, and the League of Assassins. If The Joker is a mad dog off the leash, Ra's al Ghul is the wolf on top of a mountain. Birth of the Demon is a collection of three graphic novels: Son of the Demon, Bride of the Demon, and Birth of the Demon. I plan to do a thorough review once I get through the whole book; but right now, I'm reading it whenever I have the opportunity. It's not new or anything; and I'm about halfway through 'Bride . . . '.


What I like about being away from Gotham City is that we get to see exotic locations; more of the action takes place in the daytime, the action is on a grand scale (environmental threats . . . and airplanes!); Batman does great detective work; and most of all, there is romance.

Many fans think the art is a bit old-fashioned, but in my opinion, it's a nice departure from the modern, stylized Dark Knight we've grown accustomed to. And frankly, the art is a compliment to the story; not the other way around. I plan to take advantage of more "lulls" in my day by getting into more of this great collection!

Batman: The Animated Series Spotlight: Joker's Favor

Batman: The Animated Series is the best thing ever--it captures the essence of timeless comic book Batman with a touch of organic light hearted humor. Most of all, it features Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as The Joker. Batman Beyond has a very similar feel even with a completely different canvas, and both are part of the Timmiverse (referring to animated productions by Bruce Timm).

One of the best Joker episodes and best overall episodes of BTAS is "Joker's Favor". It follows an ordinary man, Charlie, who has an unfortunate run in with The Joker on a bad day and is held accountable for a favor "sometime in the future". The Joker keeps close tabs and threatens Charlie's family to make sure he keeps his promise. I'll let you watch the episode yourself, or read about it on the web, but here is why it is one of the best:

•  The Joker is actually scary in this episode. He comes across as more of a clown in most of the episodes (which is not really a bad thing--Mark Hamill's Joker brings lightheartedness in contrast to the more somber villains), but I think the realism of the storyline and the fact that he seems to be drawn slightly differently here make it all the more visceral.
• This is Harley Quinn's first appearance ever in the world of the Dark Knight. You wouldn't think so because she's already a comfortable household character. And she makes a grand first impression.
• Spoiler alert! Batman actually laughs in this episode. It's the context that makes it satisfying.

This is one of the episodes I go back to regularly, and I highly recommend it.

The Bat's 10 Favorite Moments in The Dark Knight Trilogy

I just spent the past couple of days re-watching the entire Dark Knight trilogy from start to finish. I've intended to do something for a while, which is to list my top 10 favorite moments of the trilogy. This list will not agree with everyone; that's why it's simply my opinion and not meant to be all-inclusive. There are scenes not mentioned here that are very important to the trilogy; such as The Joker's interrogation scene in The Dark Knight, many scenes with Alfred, Gordon, and more.

10. The first part of 'Batman Begins'

The reason I like the opening to 'Batman Begins' so much is that it doesn't even look like a Batman movie. It's a ballsy move, but opens the trilogy superbly. It's shot on an exotic location, and even has Bruce Wayne and [who we later find out is Ra's al Ghul] sword fighting (an obvious nod to Batman and Ra's al Ghul fencing!). It's one of the most beautifully shot sequences in the entire trilogy, and the part where Bruce saves "Henry Ducard's" (Liam Neeson) life demonstrates a realistic example of not only how far a person would go to save another man's life; but what Bruce Wayne will do to save the life of a [then known to be] bad man. Brilliant.

9. "Does it come in black?" (Batman Begins)

 

This is not only the introduction to what's essentially the Batmobile; but also the mutual "keep it on the DL" and witty banter between Bruce and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). The look of "the Tumbler" definitely took a while getting used to after all the flashy Batmobiles of previous movies; but once you saw it in action, you never looked back. The look on Fox's face as Bruce is driving the Tumbler like a kid in a race car simulator is priceless.

8. Selina Kyle's fight at the bar (The Dark Knight Rises)

In one of the early scenes in The Dark Knight Rises, we knew Selina Kyle is slick but here we get a (very satisfying) taste of her kicking ass before we see her in her cat burglar suit. As soon as the police arrive, she's the damsel in distress all of a sudden, a true chameleon. In reality, she's totally fearless the whole time, and just casually strolls out of the scene that has erupted. I love it!

7. The Joker Card (Batman Begins)

Batman Begins might be one of the best "origin stories" for a comic book character. It was another brave, but wise move to not include one of the more well-known villains as the antagonist. Although Scarecrow and Ra's al Ghul are no slouches in the Rogues gallery, they're not as well-known to non-hardcore fans. With a semi-happy ending, there can only be one logical conclusion: escalation. The goose bump-inducing Joker tease is so much cooler for the fact that it was only meant to be a tease, originally.

6. Agent of Chaos (The Dark Knight)

 

This scene is so cool for several reasons: it's two great Batman villains in one scene. Nurse Joker is wearing the "I Believe in Harvey Dent" sticker on his chest. The Joker disturbingly convinces Harvey "Two-Face" (and by extension, the audience) what's truly fair in the world. In effect, he makes Harvey look at the other side of the coin. It ultimately ends with the best practical effect in the trilogy and non-verbal acting by Heath Ledger--the hospital explosion.

5. Breaking the Bat

Batman and Bane's first fight in the sewers is just so brutal, you wanted it to end because you knew early on Batman didn't stand a chance. Stunning imagery and choreography, no background music, and one of my favorite lines in the movie (Bane: "Theatricality and deception, powerful agents to the uninitiated. But we are initiated, aren't we, Bruce? Members of the League of Shadows!"). Batman's cowl getting smashed in brings about tears of pain, one crack at a time. Of course, it ends with the famous "backbreaking", which happens so quickly that it's more painful to see here than it can be depicted in comic books.

4. The Climb (The Dark Knight Rises)

This scene resonates with me on many levels. Bruce faces fear again. He was broken and redeems himself. It brings back the "Why do we fall?" theme. The way "the chant" and Hans Zimmer's theme build up and culminate in an uproar of applause. We even see bats again. And then Bruce sees sunlight for the first time. The prison serves as a metaphorical Lazarus Pit ("Batman" is brought back to life). Most importantly, Bruce gives people hope. I get chills every time he makes the jump (without the rope).

3. The Dark Knight Rises Prologue

The third film starts strong with a stunning aerial sequence and a grand introduction to Bane, with the best IMAX has to offer in an action movie. Bane is an imposing physique but can disguise himself when needed. It's very similar to The Joker and his clowns robbing the mob bank in The Dark Knight prologue, although the stakes are much higher here (literally). You also get a sense of Bane's "true believers" ("Have we started the fire?"). Everything works for me here: the imagery, the [practical!] stunts, the soundtrack (big beats, pounding bass), dropping the fuselage of a plane to the ground, you know, that sort of thing. Bane also moves quickly and smoothly through the hijacking, as if this sort of thing can be trained for. I was a bit shocked at hearing Bane's "new" voice at first (as I think most were), but I got used to it right away.

2. Armor Car Chase (The Dark Knight)

Even though I think The Dark Knight Rises is a better action movie overall (and has some amazing cinematography), The Joker chasing the SWAT van carrying Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight is, I believe, the best action sequence in the trilogy. It's quite a long scene (all in IMAX) with no background music, and mostly all practical effects. "SLaughter is the Best Medicine" is a nice touch and very much The Joker. I also enjoy The Joker's military-grade arsenal. We see the reveal of the Bat Pod and get treated to yet again one of the best practical effects in the trilogy--the 18-wheeler truck flip. The scene is just so satisfying when Gordon is revealed as the SWAT driver.

1. The last 5 minutes of The Dark Knight Rises

So many good things happen in the last 5 minutes of 'Rises' after one of the most mind-blowing reveals: Talia al Ghul (although most fans speculated it for a while), along with an amazing action sequence and painful conclusion for Talia. We first get despair, thinking Batman died to save the people of Gotham. John Blake is revealed to be Robin John Blake. (We were waiting for Dick Grayson or something similar. . . but they went straight for it.) Bruce's idea of Batman being a "symbol" is carried on as Blake aka Robin finds his way into the batcave. The music fits perfectly, as the bats fly over Blake (I'm just going to call him Robin) and then Hans Zimmer's score hits hard as Alfred nods straight ahead as he's looking at (an alive) Bruce Wayne, who's at the cafe with Selina Kyle who is wearing the pearl necklace. Our despair becomes hope. Alfred's "fantasy" becomes a reality. Robin "rises" in the batcave, water falls down, cuts to black, and The Dark Knight Rises title card appears. A perfect way to end the trilogy.

Batman's Greatest Villains: Ra's al Ghul

The Demon's Head

When you talk about Batman's greatest villains, the first one that usually comes to mind is the clown-faced guy in the purple suit--what's his name? I think I have his card somewhere . . .

But I would argue that while The Joker and Batman are completely opposite on the surface yet similar on a darker level; Ra's al Ghul and Batman are very similar characters with opposing viewpoints.

Both are highly-skilled masterminds with extensive training in the martial arts. Ra's (pronounced "Rache") even refers to Batman as "Detective". But whereas Batman's goal is a noble one that values life; Ra's al Ghul's goal is an idealistic one that necessitates death.

I won't go into detail of Ra's al Ghul's origin and the League of Assassins (that's what comic books are for); but one thing he is known for is bathing in the veritable fountain of youth called the Lazarus Pit to regain his strength and vigor. The man is supposedly centuries old. As a wellness enthusiast, if the Lazarus Pit existed in real life, I'd probably be one of the people in line.

His daughter, Talia, is one of the many love interests of Batman. She and Batman even give birth to the fifth Robin, Damian Wayne. In Bane of the Demon, Ra's considers Bane as a possible heir to his empire and wants Bane to marry Talia. Talia rejects the idea after being pursued by Bane, as she sees Bane as an animalistic Brute. It's actually quite entertaining--I love romantic interludes in the Batman universe!

I'm also extremely thrilled that Ra's al Ghul, one of the major but less "cartoony" villains, is portrayed in The Dark Knight Trilogy, and in grand fashion.

I would also highly recommend watching the Batman: The Animated Series two-part episode, "The Demon's Quest". If you've already seen it, watch it again! It's so good, it could have been extended into an animated film.

The Many Interpretations of The Joker

While it can be argued who Batman's greatest villain is, no one can really argue with The Joker. Here are some of the more notable Jokers in live action and animation over time. Who's your favorite?

Cesar Romero

A common theme among the different Jokers is that they fit into the world they're in. And that's certainly true of the "Adam West Batman" Joker. Brighter, more colorful, and more of a prankster than a threat. A true clown. Cesar Romero refused to shave his mustache for the roll, wearing makeup over it. Hardcore cosplayers mimic this effect, sometimes even using "fake" mustaches.

Jack Nicholson

 

Jack Nicholson held the spot as the most iconic Joker for a long time, even getting imitated by Jim Carrey in stand up. Isn't it cool that The Joker and Lucius Fox become best buds in "The Bucket List"? Jack Napier is theatrical and twisted, which is Nicholson's forte, and very fitting for Tim Burton's Batman. And what's with that stupid grin?

Mark Hamill

I have this poster at home. Hee-hee!

Certainly the best voice for Mistah J, who would have thought Luke Skywalker had such a twisted laugh? Batman: The Animated Series holds up exceedingly well over time. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are the best Batman and Joker in animation, period. Or is it Joker and Batman? (laughs) What I like about BTAS Joker: he's scary to the layperson (see episode: "Joker's Favor") but also engages in cat and mouse chases with Batman (see: "The Last Laugh").

Heath Ledger

That Australian surfer dude in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, yeah, what's his name? Whereas Jack Nicholson was theatrical, but had a little too much "paunch", Heath Ledger's Joker is tall, slender, grungy and disturbing. The Bat and The Cat were at the midnight show, and the sold-out crowd went nuts after Heath's first major scene of dialogue with the mob. I think it had less to do with Heath Ledger's passing, and more to do with his overwhelmingly convincing performance. Given all the themes in the movie, it makes you question your own moral ambiguity--you want Batman to catch him, but why are you laughing along with him? He kills innocent people, but you think he makes compelling arguments. Sooner than later, he became probably the most cosplayed character since Chun-Li.

 

John DiMaggio

One of my personal favorites. While he might not have the vocal range of Hamill's maniacal Clown Prince of Chaos, he was meaty and dominating--just the right kind of alpha male to beat the shit out of The Boy Blunder. The Joker in Batman: Under the Red Hood also has a similar aesthetic to Heath Ledger's Joker--with the long unkempt locks, dark eyes, tall and skinny appearance, and long coat. His humor was twisted in a more self-serving way rather than making you laugh.

Michael Emerson

Now that Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is soon to be released on blu-ray, we get another full-length feature with The Joker. And The Dark Knight Returns Joker is certainly a different style: broad-shouldered, more "human" (but certainly not a humanist) and vocally more calm . . . at first. I can't wait! Who is your favorite Joker?

Bat Romance

The Importance of Batman's Love Life

Batman doesn't just need little boys in colorful costumes, he needs love in his life, and I'm all for it. I'm not talking about turning the world of The Dark Knight into a romantic comedy, but adding a touch of "bat romance" adds to the story and makes it more interesting. 

This isn't to be confused with the lifestyle of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne--we all know that's an act, so he's expected to be seen with hotties on each arm. As for the Bruce Wayne that only Alfred knows, how is the man supposed to get some sugar when he's always in the cave?

From the Batman: The Animated Series episode, "The Demon's Quest", a two-part episode so good it could have been an animated movie.

Batman has no shortage of eligible (and willing) females, so why not? They might be bad for him, but The Caped Crusader is no stranger to living dangerously. Plus, the man has no sense of humor; he could use a little fun. So, who do you think is Batman's most fitting (or sexiest) female?

Dark Knight Double Whammy

Holy Blu-Ray, Batman!

Winter is a damned good time for Batman: we have The Dark Knight Rises coming to home release on December 4, and then Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (animated feature) on January 29, 2013.

 

Michael Emerson of LOST will be doing the voice for The Joker in 'Returns' and I'm sure he does a fantastic job. The Joker in Frank Miller's famed graphic novel, "The Dark Knight Returns" is a little bit different, so I think Emerson will match it really well. Actually, my favorite part about Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is the ending, so I'm already excited . . .

As for 'Rises', I recently made a post that I'm not that excited about the blu-ray release. It was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, as I will certainly be at the door on the morning of its release. I'm mostly looking forward to the special features, as well as being able to read subtitles (there is a line by John Blake that I do not understand).

After experiencing it on IMAX ten times during its run (not bad), I look forward to stretching out on the couch during all 2 hours and 40 minutes. Plus, when I have a day to waste, I can't think of a better way to spend it than as a couch potato running a Dark Knight Trilogy marathon! 

Speaking of formats, have you seen or heard of the new 4K and 8K TV's slowly making their way to market? They are 8 and 16 times the resolution of 1080p, respectively (8K apparently approaches IMAX resolution). I'm sure the color quality, sound, and contrast ratios are superior, to boot. I wonder what kind of format will support it, i.e. what will come after blu-ray?

Nevertheless, these new ultra high resolution displays are absurdly expensive, but if I could afford it, I'd get an 8K projector with the largest, creamiest screen and 22.1 surround sound with enough watts to wake up the zoo.

Here is an awesome trailer for The Dark Knight Rises blu-ray release:

Joltin' John DiMaggio

Voice actors don't get a lot of recognition, and other than Tara Strong, are sometimes hard to distinguish.

One of my current favorite voice actors is John DiMaggio. He's known for his work in Futurama, and he was also The Joker in Batman: Under the Red Hood.

Mark Hamill is regarded as the best Joker in animation, but I personally liked John DiMaggio's more masculine take on The Joker.

However, the one that really cracks me up is his Aquaman in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. There is a lot to be said for matching the voice acting with the animated expressions, and Aquaman cracks me up because he's just so . . . proud.

Check out the episode, "Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure!" (Season 2, Episode 4) to see what I mean.

"Old chum."

"Outrageous!"

Why I'm not that excited about The Dark Knight Rises coming to Blu-Ray (Dec. 4th)

The DC animated feature Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 was released to home video last month, and it did not disappoint. I'll do a more thorough review in the future, but the short story is that it's the second best Batman animated feature, in my opinion, next to Batman: Under the Red Hood. It was more of a creative interpretation than a [virtually] direct adaptation a la Batman: Year One. I thought the voice acting and thumping musical score was superior to Year One, and while the newscaster scenes dominated too much screen time (as they did in the graphic novel panels), the choreography of the fight scenes/action sequences and especially the ending really pumped me up. Even the 80's-ness (is that a word?) holds up. I'd like for a Batman animated feature to see a theatrical release like Batman: Mask of the Phantasm did, but one can dream.

I picked up my copy of The Dark Knight Returns the morning it was in stores, and watched it the same night. I'll undoubtedly do the same for The Dark Knight Rises when it's released on December 4th this year, but I do not look forward to the day as much as I did for Returns. Why wouldn't I be counting the days to completing my Dark Knight Trilogy at home? Because that means it won't be in theaters. As the League of Shadows say, "Theatricality and deception are powerful agents".

Rises is currently the best motion picture you can experience in a classic IMAX cinema, and I don't see anything replicating it in the future. One of the reasons for this is that filming in IMAX is very expensive and cumbersome, but the result is a format unlike any other. No matter what, you can't duplicate that experience at home. You would need a 145-inch 8K Ultra High Def TV (which would run 85,000 dollars) and a sound system that would have your neighborhood dogs barking. That would give you the best "home theater" experience, but it wouldn't come close to IMAX. You'd need a six story building to fit the 1.43 ratio screen and dual projectors the size of cars running the 550 lb. film. There are many more intricacies that go into it, including the seating angle/distance and the sound, costing a total of $4.5 to $5 million for a proper IMAX theater. That's not including the massive amount of electricity it takes to run it. At $14 to $19 for a ticket, consider it an access fee to the best theatrical experience that was once reserved for 45-minute documentaries of nature.

In the age of streaming video, quick-to-home blu-ray releases, Redbox, and large, affordable HDTV's, I think it's important to still have reasons to go to the theater. I compare it to gaming: it's one thing to play a racing game at home on your console using a control pad; it's another thing to be at an arcade driving a racecar simulator. Same game, different experiences. I want Rises to be in theaters as long as possible, but I know its time will be up once Skyfall (the new James Bond flick) displaces it (Skyfall is not filmed in IMAX, by the way). Perhaps Rises will see an IMAX re-release like The Dark Knight did. And hopefully that won't just mean bullshit IMAX digital like they did with Raiders of the Lost Ark. My hope would be a 15/70 IMAX re-release of The Dark Knight Trilogy (even though Batman Begins wasn't filmed for IMAX, it originally screened at film-only IMAX locations). In the meantime, once it's out of theaters, home theater will do. For now.

Bane Graphic Novel - Why it Needs to Happen

Insights into The Masked Man

bane [beyn]
noun

1. a person or thing that ruins or spoils.

2. a deadly poison.

3. death; destruction; ruin.

Coming fresh of the hype of The Dark Knight Rises, Bane has seen a resurgence in popularity. Relegated to a simple brute in the god-awful Batman & Robin, Bane is finally relevant again.

He might not be a "household name" like The Joker or Catwoman, but dedicated Dark Knights know he's the real deal. I mean, this is the guy who broke Batman's back. I remember when that issue came out (Batman #497). There was a huge poster behind the comic book store counter. It was a bigger deal to me than the death of Superman.

Now that Bane is more of a household name again, thanks to the movie, it's a perfect time to do a one-off graphic novel reinterpretation (similar to what DC did with The Joker). I personally liked Graham Nolan's art the best, but we can go for a completely fresh look here.

Why it should be done 

Bane is a badass villain, among the top 5 in Batman's rogues gallery, in my opinion. However, the comics he appeared in were, to put it bluntly, mediocre. Plus, there are not enough of them. I've read Knightfall, Vengeance of Bane (Bane's origin), and the Bane of the Demon series. I wanted more Batman and Bane.

How it should be done

The thing I love about the world of comic books is that there are many ways to tell a similar story, or reimagine a character. However, there are things about Bane that I think should be kept consistent:

• I like the idea of him being born in a prison. His country of origin, I don't think is as important (can you read accents in comic book panels?)
• He's much cooler/mysterious/threatening when his mouth is covered. It doesn't need to be the Lucha Libre inspired mask, though.
• He needs tubes to feed him the venom. It doesn't matter how, but they need to be visible.
• Bane is smart, calculated, and two steps ahead of Batman. Do not reduce him to an [over-sized] thug.
• Size-wise, Bane shouldn't be too big. He needs to be slightly more imposing than Batman, but not The Hulk. A grittier way to go is to make him like normal human on steroids and growth hormone (Venom is not so subtly based on that phenomenon, anyway). He doesn't need to be a model of human physical perfection; Tom Hardy's bear-like street brawler physique worked really well for the character.
• I loved his romantic interest in Talia al Ghul, and the tie-in with Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins.
• Whereas The Joker is the chaos to Batman's order, the Yin to Batman's Yang, the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object; Bane is more of Batman's equal, both in terms of physical capabilities (i.e. hand-to-hand combat) and genius-level intellect.
• Bane is an expert strategist, but he doesn't necessarily need to remain cold all the time. He doesn't need to ham it up, either, but there is definitely room for verbal displays of quick wits.

Do it, DC! 

I would love to see a new graphic interpretation of Bane (Arkham Asylum Bane doesn't do it for me, sorry). A DC animated feature with Bane as the primary antagonist would be priceless, as well! I'm sure many fans of the character would be pleased.

Book Review: "Joker" (graphic novel)

The Joker is arguably a more interesting character than Batman. The graphic novel Joker, written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo, focuses on the Clown Prince of Crime through the eyes and narration of his enthusiastic (but green) henchman Jonny Frost.

Set in a dark and bleak Gotham City (yes, even more so than the one you know), Joker leaves Arkham Asyllum and wants to take back control of his city. Blood is certainly shed and laughs are had, even if only by Joker.

It took a while for me to warm up to the style of artwork--with its sharp edges, extreme texture, muted color palette, and blend of painted realism; but when you read the story, Bermejo's artwork really conveys the emotion and impact that Azzarello intended.

It's not a story for weak stomachs, its gruesome violence startles the reader in extreme Joker fashion. The part where the strip club owner's skin is ripped off was a bit over the top for me, but when Joker casually robs a bank and comes back with a blood-marked photo of the bank president's daughter and then tosses it out the car window, it effectively makes you really hate Joker.

My favorite part about the book are its character designs. In particular, Killer Croc (referred to as "Croc") is not immediately recognizable but is done in a more practical manner. He's the muscle but appears to simply possess a genetic skin condition (which is based in reality). Harley Quinn's aesthetic doesn't change much, her costume being her stripper gimmick (HQ being a stripper might rub some people the wrong way); but she is taller and doesn't say much at all (again, this might leave a bad taste in some people's mouth).

Even Joker's look is more similar to Heath Ledger's in The Dark Knight, and instead of the iconic and theatrical purple trench coat, he wears a jacket similar to one Bane wears in The Dark Knight Rises:

Other characters that appear are Harvey Dent/Two-Face, Riddler, Penguin, and of course, Batman. The characters as well as their designs are grittier and they're not necessarily referred to by their common names, ala the Nolanverse; but you know it's them right away.

Overall, it's a worthwhile read, and the [very detailed] art keeps your eyes busy. I read it in one sitting--it's not too long, which is good, because it keeps your interest. While it's probably not the greatest Joker story ever told (that goes to The Killing Joke), it belongs on the bookshelf of any Joker fan.

 

**** (out of 5)

The Dark Knight Rises Easter Eggs: Part I

I geeked out at some of the not-so-subtle Batman Universe references at the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, so I'll share them here. It's not an exhaustive list; just my personal favorites.

1. John Daggett/Roland Daggett

If you watch Batman: The Animated Series "Feat of Clay" episodes, Roland Dagget is a corrupt and powerful businessman, and adversary of Batman, very similar to John Dagget in TDKR. He is the president of Dagget Industries, a pharmaceutical company that develops a face cream that allows the user to mold their face to their desire. The addictive qualities of the face cream ultimately leads to the creation of Clayface. In the movie, John Dagget owns a construction company and pours concrete over Gotham City (that Bane has laced with explosives) instead of clay.

2. Giant Alligators

Okay, I know my taxonomy and that alligators are different from crocodiles, but the whole scene in the sewers and officer Blake's line about giant alligators gave me a sliver of hope at the possibility but improbability of Killer Croc. Side note: Bane beats up Killer Croc in The Animated Series.

3. Bane as Red Hood

"Rookie, lose the helmet, we need faces for camera."

Bane in a red helmet and motorcycle suit getting away from the cops on motorcycle, while the police chase down Batman just made me lose it!

 4. Bane's Coat

One word: HUSH.

5. Judge Crane/Scarecrow

Okay, so I'm a big fan of The Animated Series (it's listed as the 2nd best animated series of all time behind The Simpsons on IGN, c'mon).  In the episode, "Trial", Batman is accused of "creating" all of the criminals, freaks and monsters of Gotham City and is taken to court in Arkham Asyllum, which is presided by none other than . . . Judge Joker! (it sounds better when Harley Quinn says it). Some say that if Heath Ledger was still alive, he should have been the judge in TDKR instead of Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), but I honestly don't think it would have been as fitting.

6. Some days, you just can't get rid of a bomb.

I encourage everyone to take a day off, order a pizza, and watch the 1966 Batman: The Movie. There is a hilarious scene where Adam West's Batman is running around trying to dispose of a live Bomb, but has a very hard time. When he finally brings it to the water (off-screen) and it explodes, Robin presumes that Batman went with it. Much like Blake and the rest of the city assume that Batman dies when he flies the nuclear bomb over the bay.

7. Liam Neeson is a foreshadow for everything

Ra's al Ghul (from Batman Begins): "If someone stands in the way of true justice, you simply walk up behind them, and stab them in the heart."

This is exactly what Miranda Tate/Talia does to Batman!

To be continued . . .

PODCAST: Episode 5

The Bat and the Cat wraps up with a complete overview of The Dark Knight Rises, delving into the last third of the movie. If you haven't seen the movie -- first of all, why not? -- there are definitely a lot of SPOILERS on this episode.


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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!

"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.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Christopher Nolan really did the Batman mythos justice with his vision of Batman films, aka the "Nolanverse". So when Cartoon Network launched a new animated series of Batman, I was less than thrilled at the approach and brushed it off as "kiddy".

The show subsequently aired for 3 seasons before it was cancelled, and I recently checked out a few episodes on YouTube. To my surprise, I was thoroughly entertained.

Any preconceived idea of how Batman "should be" was thrown out the window. Simply put, B:BatB is fun to watch. Sometimes, that's all you can really ask for. It's not the gritty, brooding and realistic Batman; but it's not trying to be. In fact, the show is more of an homage to the entire Batman universe. It's not as silly as Adam West or George Clooney; it deals with dark subject matter at times, but the subtlety really works here.

Easter eggs abound with caricaturistic references to Batman comics all the way back to 1940, as well as iconic reminders of previous films and TV series. In fact, the design of Batman and the Batmobile is similar to Adam West, and the Joker is more like he was in the 1960's cartoon. Sometimes, the show is so witty that I don't see how young children can possibly understand the references; but all good cartoons are like that.

Batman teams up with obscure characters from the DC universe, "showing some love" to lesser known DC characters. I picked up the entire DVD collection, so I'm looking forward to watching every episode.

The moral of the story is not to relegate every lighthearted or fantastical version of Batman to the category of camp. In fact, I think the show pokes fun at that matter itself. Batman is here to stay, and he can exist (and entertain) in all forms.