A science fiction blog featuring science fiction book reviews and with frequent ramblings on fantasy, computers and the web.
Far be it from me to make fun of the man who took down Batman. Of course, that doesn’t mean that other people won’t take to YouTube to berate Gotham’s self-described liberator.
I know some audiences had some issues understanding Bane. Perhaps this video will clear things up. And help their diet!
What happens when you take Nolan’s Batman and Bane and add in a little Burt Ward Robin?
In a word…awwwkward!
And NSFW.
These are always fun.
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Poor Bane. Life has not been kind to him after the events of The Dark Knight Rises. He has only himself to blame, of course, but still…you can see how life has beaten him down seven years later…
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REVIEW SUMMARY: Messy, way too long, and with far too many missteps and misguided elements, Nolan’s final chapter in the rebooted Batman franchise still remains watchable because of its outstanding cast and several breathtaking sequences.
MY REVIEW: 
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: The Batman is called back into service eight years after taking blame for the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent to save Gotham City from the psychotic Bane, and enlists the help of the mysterious jewel thief Selena Kyle.
MY REVIEW:
PROS: Visually stunning, with outstanding performances by the leads and supporting cast; incredible action sequences.
CONS: Underdeveloped ideas and story; overlong; intrusion of science fiction elements breaks the tone of the series.
Despite the incredible high-tech gadgets, powerful souped-up vehicles, and near-magical ability of his utility belt to rescue him from any nefarious jam (much like Doctor Who twisting the knobs of his sonic screwdriver to turn any series of unfortunate events, ultimately, to his benefit), Batman is not, and never has been, part of the science fiction universe. Large though his shadow looms over the ever-growing corner of genre populated by four-color heroes of a far more fantastic bent (from orphaned alien Superman to Amazon Wonder Woman, from laboratory success Captain America to super-science accidents Hulk and Spider-Man, incredible and amazing or not), Bob Kane’s seminal creation shares far more in common with the crime fighters of The Strand or Black Mask, a Sherlock Holmes in cape and cowl, a Continental Op who goes down the noir mean streets in operatic fashion.
Soon, theaters will be playing The Dark Knight Rises (midnight showings tonight in most markets), so with that in mind, I put together a list at the Kirkus Reviews Blog called 5 graphic novels starring Gotham’s protector, 3 of which I believe helped to shape the Nolan trilogy.
From the post:
The Dark Knight Returns – If we look at the Christopher Nolan and Tim Burton Batman flicks as being dark, even harsh, in their portrayal of Batman, we aren’t wrong. A far cry from the campy days of Adam West running around in the cape and cowl, these films have had a mood and tone that at least partially comes from my next pick, Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns (ISBN-10: 1563893428). Set in Batman’s future, Bruce Wayne is fifty-five years old, retired, and Gotham is a very different place without him. Superheroes are all but gone, and crime is mostly unchecked. When Two-Face returns, Wayne puts on the cape and cowl once more, but finds Gotham and the world, unwelcoming to his brand of vigilante justice. The Gotham PD hunt him relentlessly, the American government sees him as a threat to their authority. Worse, Batman alive and well brings The Joker back and he is deadlier than ever.
Please click through the Kirkus Reviews to see the other Batman graphic novel picks!
When you hear the name Hans Zimmer, you think of the memorable soundtrack to Inception, right?
Maybe his latest work will change your mind. He’s just scored the music to this Summer’s blockbuster, The Dark Knight Rises…
…and you can listen to the entire soundtrack right here…
Lots of juicy bits in this…a tantalizing video to set fanboys (like myself) in a pre-release frenzy…
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The latest teaser trailer for The Dark Knight Rises is up. Only twenty-seven more teaser trailers until the movie is released in July…
In episode 121 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks a panel of guests and SF Signal Irregulars:
Q: Which movies are you looking forward to seeing this summer?
This week’s panel:
