To get straight to the point, this is the Best Movie of the year, the Best Movie of it's franchise (Batman) and the Best Movie based on a DC Superhero Character. This is also the Best Superhero movie that YOU CANNOT BRING KIDS TO WATCH. If your children are afraid Big Red Hellboy, there's no way you can keep them from crying while in The Dark Knight.
One prominent drawback is that it's not really very accessible to KIDS. If your children have a phobia of clowns, you don't bring them to watch this movie. If your children don't have a phobia of clowns, you don't bring them to watch this movie either. Children are very fond to be afraid of clowns. Don't try to test for trouble, Cool Parents. Heath Ledger is the ultimate Joker in terms of Being Scary and Creepy. You thought Jack Nicholson is Scary? You thought wrong. Of course we need to tribute that Heath built his joker on Jack Nicholson's. Without such a solid foundation laid, Heath's Joker might not had been as well defined.
The movie end up being a bit on the drag. Perhaps there were too much bases to cover but I am happy that they did at least took the risk of being dull than to be vague.
Oh and Poor Edison Chen. The only reason I think he wasn't completely removed from the movie is that they found it not worth to spent money digitally removing him from the background (a blink and miss moment).
What exactly is the name of Gordon's daughter? Was her appearance deliberately made to throw fans off of a Batgirl appearance? If the new Batgirl is based on a Year One bio, then what will happen to Gordon's happy family of four? Will the Nolan Batman ever get any sidekicks? (I hope not). It is to be noted that if Jim Gordon's daughter is named Barbara, she will be Batgirl irregardless whether Barbs is really his biological or adopted daughter.
So what lies ahead? Will Batman get allies? Super powered allies? It's a hard task for Nolan to top his own game.
By the way, the latest 'common' (of Departmental Store Range) Batman movie toys are not very inspiring. Somehow the best toys were made from the worst movie (Batman & Robin).
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Gotham's Dark Knight. (Gotham Knight Animation)
Unlike the previous straight to Video release DC Animation, Batman: Gotham Knight in DVD format pretty much not a haunting quest and is definitely cheaper (I recalled that I bought Superman : Doomsday close to $40 and by chance. I never saw The New Frontier at all. ).
Is it a good "successor" to the like of Animatrix (a Movie related Animation)?
Answer : NO
Where as Animatrix was Good as a movie spin-off device (having interlinked components and element faithfully represented to the movie's feel and style), Gotham Knight is an idea that's purely GREAT on print but a letdown on execution. Sure some characters/events are bridged into the movie but some don't.
Having foreign talent was a fantastic idea. In fact I would agree that having the Japanese to animate it was cool. That is if they really are given a Free Hand to actually made it to "Anime" effect rather than to some weird effect.....none of the Japanese feel of energy was channeled into the animation, just the very business-like approach that akins to Gonzo's way of making anime.
(Meaning that they are just making stuff that they "think" what the International Market would like. Do they look like they are trying to make good original anime??? Not so much to me most of the time. )
Similarly that's how I felt about it. Either the people from DC are demanding the Japanese to stick to do what they are told, or the Japanese are too polite to push and do what they felt their clients would want.
The stories are pretty ok. Each had their own appeal. I just round this up so it's less painful for me to type and for you to read.
(1)Have I Got A Story For You
Interestingly this is the only one I considered to be the BEST animated one of the lot to show case the energy and dynamics that Japanese Animation Studios can offer. While most superficial anime lovers would point out that it's that "UGLY" style, this is one where it excels exhibiting it's character on both animation and narration. For those who found this story to be familiar, Google to see what writer Josh Olsen had to say about it. Oh course, the answer can be found on the Disc 2 under Bonus Batman TAS episodes (there are 4. More details later).
(2)Crossfire
Shoot me but I don't find it exactly fantastic especially it coming from Studio I.G.
The story was pretty simple. 2 cops escorting a crook back to the Arkham and got caught in a crossfire. Importance? It bridge by going to a geographical location of great importance in Begins and explaining a situation/decision/concept that will be integral to the End of the DK Movie. However I didn't spot Crispus Allen in the Dark Knight movie. OR maybe he did and was killed.
(3)Field Test
Lucius was one of the few characters that really brought a smile to people's face whenever he appeared in Begins since there's always some really interesting exchange between him and Bruce. Needless to say, Lucius's appearance always mean a new gadget for Batman. A testimony of Batman's personal values.
(4)In Darkness Dwells
A very polished animation nothing short from expectation by Madhouse.
If you are curious to know what happened to the Scarecrow after Begins, this is the one you need to watch. I don't really find the scythe throwing part necessary however.
(5)Working Through Pain
Only to bridge the previous story to next I guess. A real filler story. Lol. It expands on Wayne's Journey that was seen on Begins. It said something we already know but there's no harm being reminded again. I find the ending of this segment rather amusing.
(6)Deadshot
I am not too sure if anyone would agreed that Deadshot is actually a B-graded Batman villain.
Over here, Deadshot is a flamboyant Assassin. Needless to say, it's a recurring theme of Batman fighting someone "similar yet different". Batman facing off his sole enemy - The Gun. He is not really fighting Deadshot. Deadshot is just a pussy with a Gun.
Disc 2 consist of 2 documentary specials: one about Batman's Greatest Villians, the other about Bob Kane, Creator of Batman. The one thing I find consistent about DC's New Animation Videos are that the Extras are really worth the money despite the main feature film being more or less disappointing. There's also 4 episodes from the The Animated Series althought there's not enhancement with the last feature I am the Night looking pretty rough and raw.
Crap. I still wrote too much. The next post will be about the Dark Knight Movie.
Is it a good "successor" to the like of Animatrix (a Movie related Animation)?
Answer : NO
Where as Animatrix was Good as a movie spin-off device (having interlinked components and element faithfully represented to the movie's feel and style), Gotham Knight is an idea that's purely GREAT on print but a letdown on execution. Sure some characters/events are bridged into the movie but some don't.
Having foreign talent was a fantastic idea. In fact I would agree that having the Japanese to animate it was cool. That is if they really are given a Free Hand to actually made it to "Anime" effect rather than to some weird effect.....none of the Japanese feel of energy was channeled into the animation, just the very business-like approach that akins to Gonzo's way of making anime.
(Meaning that they are just making stuff that they "think" what the International Market would like. Do they look like they are trying to make good original anime??? Not so much to me most of the time. )
Similarly that's how I felt about it. Either the people from DC are demanding the Japanese to stick to do what they are told, or the Japanese are too polite to push and do what they felt their clients would want.
The stories are pretty ok. Each had their own appeal. I just round this up so it's less painful for me to type and for you to read.
(1)Have I Got A Story For You
Interestingly this is the only one I considered to be the BEST animated one of the lot to show case the energy and dynamics that Japanese Animation Studios can offer. While most superficial anime lovers would point out that it's that "UGLY" style, this is one where it excels exhibiting it's character on both animation and narration. For those who found this story to be familiar, Google to see what writer Josh Olsen had to say about it. Oh course, the answer can be found on the Disc 2 under Bonus Batman TAS episodes (there are 4. More details later).
(2)Crossfire
Shoot me but I don't find it exactly fantastic especially it coming from Studio I.G.
The story was pretty simple. 2 cops escorting a crook back to the Arkham and got caught in a crossfire. Importance? It bridge by going to a geographical location of great importance in Begins and explaining a situation/decision/concept that will be integral to the End of the DK Movie. However I didn't spot Crispus Allen in the Dark Knight movie. OR maybe he did and was killed.
(3)Field Test
Lucius was one of the few characters that really brought a smile to people's face whenever he appeared in Begins since there's always some really interesting exchange between him and Bruce. Needless to say, Lucius's appearance always mean a new gadget for Batman. A testimony of Batman's personal values.
(4)In Darkness Dwells
A very polished animation nothing short from expectation by Madhouse.
If you are curious to know what happened to the Scarecrow after Begins, this is the one you need to watch. I don't really find the scythe throwing part necessary however.
(5)Working Through Pain
Only to bridge the previous story to next I guess. A real filler story. Lol. It expands on Wayne's Journey that was seen on Begins. It said something we already know but there's no harm being reminded again. I find the ending of this segment rather amusing.
(6)Deadshot
I am not too sure if anyone would agreed that Deadshot is actually a B-graded Batman villain.
Over here, Deadshot is a flamboyant Assassin. Needless to say, it's a recurring theme of Batman fighting someone "similar yet different". Batman facing off his sole enemy - The Gun. He is not really fighting Deadshot. Deadshot is just a pussy with a Gun.
Disc 2 consist of 2 documentary specials: one about Batman's Greatest Villians, the other about Bob Kane, Creator of Batman. The one thing I find consistent about DC's New Animation Videos are that the Extras are really worth the money despite the main feature film being more or less disappointing. There's also 4 episodes from the The Animated Series althought there's not enhancement with the last feature I am the Night looking pretty rough and raw.
Crap. I still wrote too much. The next post will be about the Dark Knight Movie.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Umbrella Academy
Oh and talk about Dark Horse Comics.....
I neglect to include in my previous post that Hellboy isn't my first Dark Horse comic I purchased. My first was The Umbrella Academy.
The Umbrella Academy is a superhero team created by a famous entrepreneur (who is an alien in disguise) with his adopted children. However the story unfolds after the team was disbanded and after their father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, died.
It's a kind of a Superhero Family Book. Think Fantastic Four except it's much more complex and definitely darker.
Here's the Myspace for Umbrella Academy
http://www.myspace.com/umbrellaacademycomic
For those who are interested to who did the cover art:
It's James Jean. The one who also did Fables. Here's his blog (Contains Nudity):
http://www.processrecess.com/index.php
I also neglect to mention that Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance wrote and create The Umbrella Academy?
I neglect to include in my previous post that Hellboy isn't my first Dark Horse comic I purchased. My first was The Umbrella Academy.
The Umbrella Academy is a superhero team created by a famous entrepreneur (who is an alien in disguise) with his adopted children. However the story unfolds after the team was disbanded and after their father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, died.
It's a kind of a Superhero Family Book. Think Fantastic Four except it's much more complex and definitely darker.
Here's the Myspace for Umbrella Academy
http://www.myspace.com/umbrellaacademycomic
For those who are interested to who did the cover art:
It's James Jean. The one who also did Fables. Here's his blog (Contains Nudity):
http://www.processrecess.com/index.php
I also neglect to mention that Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance wrote and create The Umbrella Academy?
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Graphical Readings......Hellboy
After giving away the Dreaming (I mean Neil Gaiman's Sandman), I got an urge to start exploring for other (graphic novel/comic) readings.
The spandex stuff? I got Invincible ongoing (Yes it hit Milestone issue 50 last month. Not bad for a book that was almost canceled before the 10th). Seriously I got no need for the DC and Marvel Stuffs. Too many stuff to be collecting, all ended with a TBC Conclusion. Sure, there are a few noteworthy TPB (notice I mentioned TPB. I could never imagine a shelf full of Hardcovers or Absolutes or Other Kitten Killer Equivalents) and I got most of them or read most of them.
June is always a good time to start a collection since Kinokuniya is having a 20% for the month (or so) for the members.
I was going to get something from Dark Horse anyway (it's either Star Wars: Legacy or Hellboy) and with Legacy nowhere sighted, I picked up Hellboy (althought I intended to get vol.1 before May. Strangely it's not stock on the shelves in both Bugis and Orchard shops).
I am at vol. 6 of the TPB of Hellboy (Main Store didn't have vol. 7) and vol. 1 of BRPD and Lobster Johnson. I also get the Hellboy Companion since I can't be bothered reading everything off the net or purchasing everything.
BPRD is a spinoff title of Hellboy that is brought to existence when Hellboy left BRPD (think.....Wolverine & the X-men???) and Lobster Johnson part of the whole "something else" (it's not uncommon for something on the background to surface).
It's funny how Hellboy isn't really an "Action" comic where there's alot of fighting and some narration. In fact there's quite a bit of reading and the action tend to be un-fancy and direct to the point. I kind of like it that way and perhaps it's that which separates Manga from Comics. Mike Mignola's art style was something I would go for. I never really like super fine details sometimes as it would distract people heavily from the narration and sometimes.....your brains would just say "Got it." and you flip the page, discarding all the lines and details the artist's effort.
The spandex stuff? I got Invincible ongoing (Yes it hit Milestone issue 50 last month. Not bad for a book that was almost canceled before the 10th). Seriously I got no need for the DC and Marvel Stuffs. Too many stuff to be collecting, all ended with a TBC Conclusion. Sure, there are a few noteworthy TPB (notice I mentioned TPB. I could never imagine a shelf full of Hardcovers or Absolutes or Other Kitten Killer Equivalents) and I got most of them or read most of them.
June is always a good time to start a collection since Kinokuniya is having a 20% for the month (or so) for the members.
I was going to get something from Dark Horse anyway (it's either Star Wars: Legacy or Hellboy) and with Legacy nowhere sighted, I picked up Hellboy (althought I intended to get vol.1 before May. Strangely it's not stock on the shelves in both Bugis and Orchard shops).
I am at vol. 6 of the TPB of Hellboy (Main Store didn't have vol. 7) and vol. 1 of BRPD and Lobster Johnson. I also get the Hellboy Companion since I can't be bothered reading everything off the net or purchasing everything.
BPRD is a spinoff title of Hellboy that is brought to existence when Hellboy left BRPD (think.....Wolverine & the X-men???) and Lobster Johnson part of the whole "something else" (it's not uncommon for something on the background to surface).
It's funny how Hellboy isn't really an "Action" comic where there's alot of fighting and some narration. In fact there's quite a bit of reading and the action tend to be un-fancy and direct to the point. I kind of like it that way and perhaps it's that which separates Manga from Comics. Mike Mignola's art style was something I would go for. I never really like super fine details sometimes as it would distract people heavily from the narration and sometimes.....your brains would just say "Got it." and you flip the page, discarding all the lines and details the artist's effort.
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