The Bat and the Cat Podcast

7 Reasons Why Beware the Batman is 'Tits'

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:05:00 -0700

The rest of Beware the Batman season 1 aired on Toonami (during bat hours Saturday nights on Adult Swim) and I'm really getting into it. Here is why The Bat thinks it's a solid series.

7. Alfred is bad-ass

Like a CGI Jason Statham with Acromegaly.

6. Lesser featured characters

Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana is sort of the answer to a non morally ambiguous Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Lady Shiva to Talia al Ghul, and Anarky is . . . creepy.

5. Batman is a true detective

More Denny O'Neil influence, which I prefer over the Frank Miller-inspired animated movies.

4. Character development

BTB has more of a chronology compared to Batman: The Animated Series -- more time spent fleshing out each hero/anti-hero/villain.

3. Barbara Gordon, aka 'Oracle'

Oh, she is just so cool! Kind of serves as the 'Robin' in this series; in other words, saves the day when Bats is in deep stuff.

2. Good mix of villains and action

Okay, some episodes are admittedly dull (even BTAS had its share). I don't know if it's ending with season one, but I can see things escalating in Gotham City -- this is a young Batman, and Batman creates villains. A couple villains I think would start to fit in this universe are Riddler/Nigma and later on, Bane (do it like the New 52 Bane) -- because eventually Batman needs to be tested mentally and physically. Of course, no Dark Knight universe is complete without The Joker, but one can dream . . .

1. Batman

Beware the Bat does the difficult task of highlighting the caped crusader instead of his flashy villains. It's a good Bruce Wayne and Batman story. It's not voiced by Kevin Conroy, and it doesn't need to be.

Beware the Batman does have most of its scenes at night (even for a Batman show); which was probably one of the reasons it didn't perform well as a Saturday morning cartoon. On the other hand, The Bat happens to be a very big fan of the theme song.

Funko Pop Dark Knight Teaser Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 07:02:00 -0800

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

PODCAST: Episode 7

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Thu, 3 Oct 2013 22:55:00 -0700

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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10 Spoiler-Free Thoughts About Man of Steel

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:01:00 -0700

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1. It has a very good pace.
Not a dull moment.

2. Nolan's influence is evident in the first half of the film.
I like the editing.

3. The soundtrack got stuck in my head.
Damn you, Zimmer! :)

4. Kal-El is a bit of a crybaby.
Weep, weep.The movie would also benefit from a little more comic relief.

5. General Zod is a good villain of choice.
Lex Luthor would have been a bit overplayed.

6. Antje Traue is damn sexy.
Sometimes, evil is sexy.

7. The "suits" they wear are sexy.
Superman, Zod, shoulders, arms . . . I'm a straight man . . .

8. The "action" fit the tone of the movie but is not my cup of tea, personally.
Too much debris and bullet-paced movement makes it hard to see what's going on.

9. Easter eggs are prominent, without being in-your-face.
No spoilers.

10. The make-up team did a good job of making Diane Lane look "older".
It was only 10 years ago I was crushing on her in Unfaithful.

*11. I'm getting too old for midnight shows . . .

Currently Reading: Batman Birth of the Demon

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:08:00 -0700

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!

5 Reasons Why Batman: The Animated Series is THE Best Batman

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:02:00 -0700

Opening sequence without a title--it doesn't get cooler than that.

Batman: The Animated Series to me is like comfort food: I know what to expect and I know I'm going to be happy with it. Here are 5 reasons why I think it is not only the best animated series; but the best Batman:

5. It has a good balance

BTAS strikes the perfect balance between dark/gritty and light hearted/comical. To make it TV-friendly, there's no killing or backbreaking, but they come close enough to it. The action never overpowers the story; it supplements it. Bruce Wayne is charming, but Batman is not a nice guy; he'll do whatever it takes to get an answer from a thug. The Joker is equal parts clown and [suggested] killer. Batman and Robin are constantly displaying good detective skills (but maybe a little too good at solving Riddler's puzzles).

4. It shows the human side of villains

A highlight of the Batman mythos has always been its rogues gallery, and aside from The Joker, BTAS portrays its villains as flawed humans who turn to evil instead of justice. Notorious episodes: "Two Face" and "Heart of Ice" but I also like "Feat of Clay".

3. The narrative

BTAS follows a prime rule of good writing in that it shows instead of tells. It's not too heavy on dialogue and creates atmosphere through the characters' expressions and its soundtrack. If you were to flip the channel to BTAS, it is unmistakable. While the later episodes became more entertaining for a younger audience, it is the earlier episodes that are more geared towards adults.

2. The music

In addition to Danny Elfman's kick-ass thematic Batman opening score, each episode has a distinctive soundtrack that's a character in itself. I actually remember each episode by the music. There are several honorable mentions for musical score (including "Appointment in Crime Alley"), but I have a silly addiction to the soundtrack for "The Last Laugh"--a fantastic Joker episode!

1. The voice actors

Kevin Conroy is Batman/Bruce Wayne and Mark Hamill is The Joker. But aside from the obvious (did you know that Kevin Conroy was the first to distinguish Batman's voice from Bruce Wayne?), there are other strong players:

Tara Strong as Harley Quinn ("Mistah J!")
David Warner as Ra's al Ghul (my personal favorite)
Adam West(!) as The Gray Ghost in "Beware the Gray Ghost"
. . . pretty much everyone else, with the exception of Commissioner Gordon and Lucius Fox (they're not bad; they just don't stand out in any way--which speaks more of their character writing than the voice actors).

Make sure to check out BTAS on DVD or Huboom!

Batman Earth One Review -- A Dark Knight for a New Generation

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:38:00 -0700

You only think you know his story.

Spoilers are covered in blue. Highlight at your own risk.

I was wary of yet another retelling of Batman's origin, but this DC Comics original was a truly fresh take on the beginnings of the Dark Knight. It deviates from conventions just enough while not straying from familiar territory. In short, I think it's a great read and I even prefer it to Year One.

Pluses:

Artwork. Earth One has a cinematic quality, in terms of graphic presentation, pacing, and transitions. Panels "come to life" and some even take up two pages. The story is easy to follow and I think it would make a great, but short, animated film.
Alfred is a bad-ass. The Wayne's "butler" shows his true ex-Royal Marine status; but is still there to remind Bruce that he's not alone. Had this been a movie, Liam Neeson would actually play a good "Earth One" Alfred.
Batman isn't perfect. Batman's special skills are evident while in the suit, but if the situation is against him, he gets his ass handed to him. He's not immune to occasional clumsiness, either. After all, he his human. And he's young. Not in age; but as Batman.
It's modernized. In stark contrast to Frank Miller's renowned Batman graphic novels, Earth One takes place in modern time with hints such as Blu-ray discs and a young but competent Lucius Fox.
Unconventional characters. I think one of Earth One's best highlights is that its main characters are not typical of Batman origin stories, such as:

Harvey Bullock: in contrast to Batman: The Animated Series where Gordon's green running partner is the butt of fat jokes; Bullock in Earth One is a cheesy handsome but naive TV personality who is out for exposure and learns the true nature of Gotham City the hard way.
Barbara Gordon: daddy's little girl, all that Gordon has left, a little too ambitious, but is portrayed as smart rather than hasty. I love the scene at the end where she is drawing herself as a Batgirl.
Mayor Oswald Cobblebot: aka The Penguin, I liked his portrayal here. He actually finds out who the Batman is, but he dies later, so Batman's identity is concealed for now.
The Arkham family name is mentioned just as much as the Wayne's.

Good balance of villains. I liked that there was a corrupt cop (Axe), a creepy masked serial killer from the Crane Institute (The Birthday Boy), and a high-status Penguin. The ending took me by surprise the most. I was anticipating one thing, but got another, equally as good.

Minuses:

The fact that I have to wait for the next installment.

Overall Score: 10/10

Batman: The Animated Series Spotlight: Joker's Favor

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Thu, 7 Mar 2013 23:35:00 -0800

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

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:50:00 -0800

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

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 01:56:00 -0800

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

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:37:00 -0800

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?

Comic Book Live's Batman Holiday Special

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:31:00 -0800

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hanging out at iO West at Hollywood for a geek-tastic-Batman-loving night of comedy. The Comic Book Live crew put on an incredibly funny improv show: The Batman Holiday Special! Starring Chris Gore as Batman, Tommy Bechtold as Robin, along with a huge cast of comedians who played the more iconic villains.

Check out the video! Sit back for some Batman-funny. I think Alfred Pennyworth stole the show a little bit, but doesn't he always?

Click here to go directly to YouTube if you can't get the embedded video to play.

The Dark Knight Rises Blu-Ray Review, Part 1: The Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Wed, 5 Dec 2012 08:58:00 -0800

The time is finally here. I got the Target Exclusive TDKR combo pack, which includes the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital movie, Special Features Blu-ray and mini comic book depicting the prologue. I'll be reviewing the movie first, but I'll just say the prologue comic book is pretty sweet! It makes me excited as a fan to see the this kickass sequence in comic book form, life's original storyboards. I only wish it were full-size, but I guess that would make for a pretty big package, huh?

VIDEO

I highly recommend getting the blu-ray version of the movie, because it's the best quality available. The aspect ratios are presented in a variable widescreen 2.4:1 and 1.78:1 for IMAX sequences (which there are a lot of). The IMAX scenes fill your screen as they did in The Dark Knight. I have a bad taste in my mouth for blu-rays that don't do this (I'm looking at you, Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol). You would wonder why the IMAX sequences aren't presented in the native 1.43:1 ratio. Well, seeing as most televisions are 16x9, you'd end up with pillarboxes for the IMAX shots. The point of IMAX is to fill the screen--you're not losing critical info; although I wish there were TV's that could support the native IMAX frame. (Going back to square TV's? Why not?).

The picture quality is impressive and even improved over The Dark Knight. I watched this in IMAX several times, and this version even rivals the 35mm presentations, despite colors being slightly warmer than the original 70mm presentation.

AUDIO

Where this blu-ray really shines is the DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio. I've never heard sound this good at home. The rumbling bass and clear separation of channels bring home the closest thing to IMAX. Hard punches, gun shots, air and ground vehicles, and massive explosions really immerse you in the action. Then there are the dramatic orchestral sounds of Hans Zimmer's masterful soundtrack.

Granted, it's not and will never be as good as IMAX sound, but for lounging on your couch, it doesn't get better.

Buy the Blu-Ray

When you see how much production value went into the opening plane heist alone, you'll realize that paying a little extra for the blu-ray and a proper setup are well worth the money. It becomes an experience all the way to the end credits. I watched the blu-ray to see how good the transfer was, and I found myself completely immersed in the emotions of the story and the action. Get it today!

Bat Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Sat, 1 Dec 2012 07:19:00 -0800

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?

PODCAST: Episode 6

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:23:00 -0800

After a long break from the last episode, the Bat and the Cat finally sits down together to discuss their overall impression of The Dark Knight Rises after watching it in theaters over and over. Listen as we break down our likes, dislikes and loves from the film. WARNING: SPOILERS!

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Scene Stealer: I'm Necessary Evil

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:13:00 -0800

"I'm Gotham's reckoning, here to end the borrowed time you've all been living on."
(Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

The Dark Knight Rises is a hot topic this week, because the home release comes out in 7 short days. It's exciting (although shocking) that some people will be seeing it for the first time.

One of our favorite scenes in the movie is not even a big action or IMAX scene. It's when John Dagget (Ben Mendelson) wants to talk to Bane about things not going according to plan. Little does Dagget know, Bane has another plan.

Right before Bane enters the room, you hear him breathing, reminiscent of Darth Vader.

"Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear."

The way Bane casually rests his hand on Dagget's shoulder and Stryver (Burn Gorman) leaves the room is very chilling. Bane shows Daggett who's boss!

Actually, it reminds us of the scene in The Dark Knight with The Joker and Gambol in the billiard room. You know, "Why so serious?"

"Let's put a smile on that face."

Granted, Tom Hardy is standing on a higher level than Mendelson, embellishing his height again, but that's subtle movie magic.

In the last shot, Bane snaps Daggett's neck. Even though it's not seen, Tom Hardy sells it well with the quick head turn. Daggett squeals and Stryver flinches--giving you a glimpse of the terror to come.

It's all PG-13.

The Only Actor in Both Generations of Batman Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:22:00 -0800

Nicky Katt appears in both Batman & Robin as "Spike", as well as The Dark Knight as the [uncredited] S.W.A.T. member in the passenger seat of the unknown driver (later revealed to be Liutenant Gordon).

I recognize Nicky Katt most for his role in The Boiler Room, where he was a real jerk senior broker, as well as an arrogant cop in Christopher Nolan's Insomnia.

I don't even remember his character from Batman & Robin, but I do remember him being in it. It must have been a small role, but it's not worth revisiting.

In The Dark Knight, he's the one spouting all the one-liners during the famous SWAT van chase scene. Ordinarily, it would come off as cheesy, but his mouthiness really worked in the context of the scene. It's one of the biggest action sequences in the entire film, with no musical score, so the monologue is a key component in the soundtrack. It's very, very similar to Batman and Bane's sewer fight in The Dark Knight Rises, in that sense.

Come to think of it, the entire Dark Knight trilogy has some borderline cheesy one-liners, which I hate at first, but is all part of the fun on repeat viewings.

Bane on a Plane -- Theatricality at its Finest

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:49:00 -0800

I'm getting hyped up about The Dark Knight Rises again, as if it's a new movie coming out. Well, it really is--the blu-ray version!

One of the real scene-stealers of the film is the opening "prologue" sequence. I shouldn't have to tell you what happens in this spectacular opening: the CIA brings a nuclear physicist and three hooded prisoners known to be working for "the masked man" Bane onto an airplane, one of those prisoners happens to be Bane, they hijack and "tow" the plane with a much bigger cargo plane, kill the CIA, stage the death of the nuclear physicist and kidnap him, blah, blah, blah . . .

What's really great about this sequence are the stunts, using minimal visual effects. Christopher Nolan took huge inspiration from James Bond--it shows in Inception and especially in this sequence, which oddly doesn't even feel like a Batman movie. Coincidentally, Chris Courbould, the special effects coordinator, also did work on Skyfall (another fine movie, I might add).

It's stunningly shot in IMAX, and get this--edited from the original camera negative, which means no generation loss, effectively adding up to 18,000 lines (film doesn't use pixels). I always felt like the prologue had a different quality from the rest of the film, and this is why. You practically feel the grass touching your face when the jeep is driving towards the airplane, and when they're in the aircraft, you feel like you're inside with them. In effect, it accomplishes what 3-D tries to do.


"No one cared who I was 'til I put on the mask."

The tension is further built by the musical score, wonderfully composed by Hans Zimmer. I love the way the bass riff starts playing as the plane is flying, you start to hear hints of "the chant" as Bane's presence is felt (deshi deshi basara basara), and then the big drum beats really kick in once the fire rises.

Going back to the visual effects, they are very minimal. That's right--stuntmen are actually tethered jumping from one plane to another, and even the part where they drop the front of the plane from the sky onto the grounds of beautiful Scotland was done for real. Most of everything is shot on camera, and miniatures are used in favor of CGI, which is great because you never get that green screen or animation effect. It's a breathtaking opening scene that just had to be experienced on IMAX.

Watching it at home won't quite be the same, so I hope modern filmmakers up the ante and take note. Theatricality and showmanship are not dead; computer graphics and post-production don't accomplish everything. Open your movie with a bang, and consider screening the first few minutes of the film to audiences in place of trailers.

Hooded Man #2, an Unsung Character

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:36:00 -0800

I already blogged about Bane's Right-Hand Man aka Barsad. Now, I bring your attention to another one of Bane's Boys. A character who is simply credited as "Hooded Man #2" on IMDB.

The opening IMAX sequence for The Dark Knight Rises has become pretty iconic to Batman and film fans by now. As you may recall, Bane purposely had himself get caught along with two of his men and we are introduced to them with their faces covered with black hoods. Then, they destroy a whole airplane and it looked nuts/epic on the big screen.

At the end of this exciting scene, Hooded Man #2 was about to make his escape with his fellow terrorists when Bane puts a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.

"They expect one of us in the wreckage, brother."

"Have we started the fire?"

"Yes. The fire rises."

That is the last we see of Hooded Man #2 as he gallantly sacrifices his life for a cause that fails at the end of the film... kind of sucks for him. But at least he didn't have to know that he died for nothing.

Still, not only was Hooded Man #2 a handsome feller, I thought his short-lived character was brave nonetheless. Not that I advocate terrorist actions and feelings but you gotta either be mentally unstable or you just really, really, really believe in something that you are willing to die for it. How many of us can claim to have had that feeling?

Hooded Man #2 was played by a Aliash Tepina, a Slovenian actor (according to Wikipedia)... hence the cute little accent when he says his one single but very important line in the movie. We salute you and your unsung character. At least Batman didn't get to punch you in the face.

According to Google Search, this is him...

Dark Knight Double Whammy

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Fri, 9 Nov 2012 17:25:00 -0800

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

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Tue, 6 Nov 2012 14:10:00 -0800

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)

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 14:05:00 -0700

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's Right-Hand Man, an Unsung Character

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Thu, 4 Oct 2012 13:09:00 -0700

Am I the only one who sat through The Dark Knight Rises (multiple times) and wondered about Bane's right-hand guy? The actor's name is Josh Stewart, possibly familiar to people who has seen him on television on shows like No Ordinary Family or Criminal Minds.

In The Dark Knight Rises, he was Bane's obedient but nameless lackey. We see him every time we saw Bane, pretty much -- even at the very beginning, as he pretended to "turn in" the men, along with his boss, to the CIA agent (it's a trap!). From the start, I noticed Bane surrounded himself with nice looking, young men (cough).

A quick jaunt over to IMDB, I learn that his character's name is Barsad in the film. Although his character didn't have any development in the movie, I liked the way he played him. He is quiet next to Bane but when he speaks, there is a specific quiet confidence he projects. Like in the scene on the bridge when he was confronted by the military. He delivered his lines with a soft and knowing smile: "No, but you do."

I have so many questions about Barsad.

Where did Barsad come from? Why is he loyal to Bane? Is he loyal to Bane or to the League of Shadows? Is he a well paid mercenary or a terrorist who was willing to sacrifice himself? What led him to this life of killing for a so-called greater good? What is his favorite color and does he have a girlfriend?

I guess we will never know. I doubt I'm the only one who wondered about him as much as I did. I better avoid searching for the Fanfics.

Batman Goodies: The Dark Knight Rises on Blu-Ray/DVD

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:52:00 -0700

By now, all Bat-Fans are probably aware that the The Dark Knight Rises will be released on Blu-Ray® and DVD on December 4, 2012. Engadget.com has all the scoop over here,

We've also seen the trilogy combination pack making its rounds on the internet. Note that this is the UK version, but I thought it looked pretty neat.

Image and more information about the UK trilogy release here at Collider.

Now, the question we will all have to ask ourselves -- which version to get? Regular? Limited? Wait for the US trilogy release? I have to confess, that my obsession with The Lord of the Rings trilogy have moved me to purchase every single DVD and Blu-ray release versions that ever came out. It's a sickness. I doubt I can collect from two different trilogy films though and I will have to make a decision this time around.

The cowl is pretty damn cool though.

Which versions are going to get?

Bane Graphic Novel - Why it Needs to Happen

noreply@blogger.com (Bat and Cat) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:17:00 -0700

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.