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#91

Current Runs / Re: Absolute Batman

Last post by The Dark Knight - Sat, 12 Oct 2024, 04:34

I didn't like it unfortunately. Felt too try hard. I find the axe dumb and still don't like Batman's design.

#92

Joker 2: Folie à Deux / Re: Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

Last post by The Joker - Sat, 12 Oct 2024, 02:39

Yep. There's disappointment and confusion circulating about who the 'real Joker' is. Some viewers are adamant the inmate who stabs Arthur was actually the Joker all this time because he begins laughing and carves his own face. To me that's nothing more than Arthur's legacy, which wasn't originally intended - he was acting independently in the first movie, as he says "do I look like the kind of clown that could start a movement?" To me, The Joker of this series is both a real man and an idea. Arthur took on the title, abandoned it, then the followers sought to preserve the spirit of Arthur's original appearance on Murray Franklin. Arthur did take on the moniker first. He put on makeup and dyed his hair green. He had various traits of the comic character, namely suicidal ideation, off color jokes, extreme thinness, killing people on television, etc. He had his own version of Harley albeit with a twist to their relationship. The point is that NOBODY can live up to the shadow of what it all stands for, not even Arthur's killer who carved himself a smile. In this more real setting he's staying locked up in jail and probably getting a death sentence too. A point is that people only see the anarchy and not the mentally troubled man behind it all.

That's exactly how I see it as well. I've seen videos and read theories about the guy being the *real* Joker, or even Ledger's Joker (which I can't wrap my brain around, but I also remember people thinking "Batman Begins" was a prequel to "Batman 1989", and I just never understood how that possibly works or even makes sense?), but nah. In this iteration, Fleck is the original and defacto Joker. It's just his persona/shadow eventually swallows up the man behind the Joker alter ego, and who's 'shadow' simply looms large, and will continue to loom large, long past the innovator himself.   

Interesting comparisons to Ted Bundy in the movie too. He got rid of his defence team, represented himself and had a delusional female (Carole) strongly fighting his case. The difference is that she believed Ted was innocent. Lee liked Arthur for his killing. When Bundy admitted to being a murderer in his last days (mainly as a last ditch tactic) Carole stopped talking and wanted nothing to do with him. Her delusion was over. In contrast, Lee walked away too but her warped mindset continued. They both loved the man on the stands for who they thought them to be.

QFT. We already are aware of the Gacy/Pogo connections with Phillips' iteration of the Joker, and I also have no problem envisioning there being a blatant Ted Bundy influence. Especially considering Bundy is probably considered one of the more charismatic when considering high profile serial killers.

#93

Batman (1989) / Re: Michael Biehn's Batman sto...

Last post by The Joker - Sat, 12 Oct 2024, 02:25

I believe Robin Williams' name was associated with Batman movies no less than three times.

1. Essentially used as bait to persuade Jack Nicholson to sign on as the Joker. (Batman 1989)

2. Pursued for the role of the Riddler by Joel Schumacher. Williams (per Schumacher) remained cordial, but ultimately noncommittal. Role eventually was offered to Jim Carrey instead. (Batman Forever)

3. Williams openly opined that he would like a "role" in Chris Nolan's followup to "Batman Begins" around 2006. I can't remember if "The Dark Knight" title was settled at that point, but this sparked speculation that Robin Williams might appear as Nolan's version of the Joker. (The Dark Knight 2008)

I vaguely remember Robin Williams was also brought up somewhat when there was online speculation on which villain was going to be used for "The Dark Knight Rises" prior to Bane being announced. Riddler was one for sure. I think Hugo Strange was also another.

#94

Batman (1989) / Re: Michael Biehn's Batman sto...

Last post by Travesty - Sat, 12 Oct 2024, 00:05

I always heard about Robin Williams was rumored for The Riddler in a Burton B3, but I had no clue he was thought about for The Joker in B89.

As for Biehn, I like him in a lot of movies, but I just don't think he would've been a good fit in Burton's universe. Robin Williams, though....that could've been really good.

#95

Current Runs / Absolute Batman

Last post by Travesty - Fri, 11 Oct 2024, 20:30

I just picked up the first issue, and I gotta say, I absolutely loved it. I'm an admitted Scott Snyder fanboy, but this actually surprised me. This first issue was better than what I was expecting. It has a heavy Frank Miller vibe to the panels, along with the art style of the Batsuit. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's a really fun read, and I hope the full run lives up to this first issue.

Anybody else picking this up? Are you enjoying it?

#96

Batman (1989) / Re: Michael Biehn's Batman sto...

Last post by Gotham Knight - Fri, 11 Oct 2024, 14:10

Biehn is a great choice. He has very similar qualities to Keaton, especially where Burton's ideas for Batman are concerned. It all boils down to 'what kind of person has to dress up as a bat'. Biehn has a reputation for being a guy who can play tough, troubled characters despite not having the physical presence of a Schwarzenegger. Burton's direction is that this guy isn't Superman and has to pretend he is more than what he is, which of course is just a guy. He's unassuming at a glance, but when you add the troubled psychology (IE good acting chops) and the suit then POP there you go! Batman!

#97

Batman (1989) / Michael Biehn's Batman story

Last post by eledoremassis02 - Fri, 11 Oct 2024, 13:31

Interesting insight into early batman production

#98

Other DC Films & TV / Re: Wonder Woman (2017)

Last post by The Laughing Fish - Fri, 11 Oct 2024, 12:09

Connie Nielsen has expressed her bewilderment and disappointment there won't be another Wonder Woman sequel starring Gal Gadot.

I think it's crazy. I mean, frankly, I don't understand it.

Wonder Woman made $800 million just in the movie theaters, and it has an enormous and passionate, passionate fan base. These are spectacular films, and there's just no reason I can understand whatsoever for not investing in that.

If I were a business person, I would say that's money on the table. It's right there. Plus every time we've done it, [it was] with budgets that were way smaller than any of the other DC budgets.

It's a pity. I really hope that they change their minds, and that they realize this is crazy.

This is a billion dollars that is lying on the table. Not claiming those fans and making them happy is something I just don't really understand at all.

https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/movies/connie-nielsen-thinks-crazy-wonder-100000420.htm

It's definitely not the first time that those hacks at Warners have left money on the table.

A lot of apologists blame WW84 for killing the franchise, but they're just being willfully ignorant because bombing at the box office hasn't stopped TSS and Blue Beetle from getting away with having spin-offs in the works. Rather than seeing Gunn being the upward-failing narcissist that he is, we're led to believe Peacemaker made more money than Wonder Woman. Yeah, right.

If WBD/DC continues to burn more money by making flop after flop due to pride and stupidity then it's nobody's fault but their own. The question is, are people going to be gullible and swallow up this DCU hype or see it for what it is as the shoddy attempt at a soft reboot that's fueled by nepotism?

#99

Batman in the DCEU / Re: Robert Richardson discusse...

Last post by The Laughing Fish - Fri, 11 Oct 2024, 11:49

A couple of weeks ago, Jay Oliva took the opportunity to celebrate Batman Day by posting this storyboard drawing of Batman fighting Deathstroke.

#100

Batman: TAS (1992 - 1995) / Re: Beware of Grey Ghost

Last post by The Laughing Fish - Fri, 11 Oct 2024, 11:45

I love this fan art celebrating this episode, and all the little easter eggs such as the tapes and the Bruce Timm villain toys sitting on the shelves.