Comicscape: Warner Bros. Takes DC to the Movies - Aug 27, 2008 - 08:31am
IT just goes to show you that while moviemaking may be a creative, artistic enterprise, it is also very much a BUSINESS, and the "safe" approach is always going to be seductive to a lot of the people in power. Depending how you spin the word "safe", there is some sense to that - after all, if you cater to the public, having a good read on the public's taste, preferences, makes perfect sense, and some would call that "safe". BUT... here, it sure looks a lot like the thought process is "DARK KNIGHT = DARK = LOTS OF MONEY... and therefore.... ALL SUPERHERO MOVIES = DARK = LOTS MORE MONEY". Which is pretty..well..bottom feeder. I think, for example, that a WELL DONE, SMARTLY EXECUTED (Please note those terms) Superman movie, with a BRIGHT perspective, could be a big hit. Superman doesn't live in Batman's "world", even if they share the DC universe (I recall a crossover comic some years back that played off this perfectly; the artist did a fantastic job of making Metropolis and Gotham City look completely different). Superman's "world" should be bright and big and yes, should feature BIG action and spectacle, a sense of heroism and optimism.... just as Batman's world should feature shadows and grime and corruption and pain and fear (All of which DK delivered on, in spades). Superman should be duking it out with a skyscraper sized robot, or throwing punches that knock some superthug into orbit; Batman should be battling insanely garbed dangerous psychopaths and ignoring his own broken ribs as he slams some thug into a back alley brick wall.... Just sayin' - respect and work with the characters. Don't take some cookie cutter, copycat approach... Shadow

---

The Manic Maniac: Agents of Chaos, Agents of Change - Jul 25, 2008 - 05:14am
Appalling.... "The world needs Jokers". Really? I don't know, maybe it is just me, but I really don't think the world needs mass-murdering, terroristic, psychotic killers. Guess I am funny that way. Shadow

---

Comicscape: Character Contrast in the Dark Knight - Jul 23, 2008 - 07:35pm
The movie definitely presents a point of view which is rarely presented in Hollywood anymore... namely that yes, there is such a thing as an EVIL person, that evil is not simply an understandable over-reaction to unfortunate circumstances, and the like. And yes, it also shows that dealing with people like that requires a great deal of courage, will, and sacrifice. It also explores, intelligently and without resort to simpleminded straw-men, the question of how one opposes evil without becoming evil......all while STILL being a great action/crime/superhero movie. No mean feat!ShadowPS - MULDFIELD - Your equating our soldiers with terrorists, and suggesting that we are all basically on the same moral level as Al-Queda, is loathsome, offensive, and, frankly, sophomoric. And what is this about "Zionists"? To say nothing of "Christian Fundamentalists"? Even MORE offensive - definite whiff of Antisemitism, and Christian-bashing there. Disturbing.

---