Popcorn Review! - Batman (1989)

The Film/ TV Adap: Batman (1989)

The Bookish Inspiration: Batman comics and graphic novels

Main Cast: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger

Director: Tim Burton

BBFC Rating: 15

Amazon: UK - USA


Opening credits:

This is the first of the Batman series which comprised of Batman (UK - USA,) Batman Returns (UK - US,) and the ill-remembered Batman Forever (UK - US,) and Batman and Robin (UK - US.)

Still, perhaps the Christopher Nolan films would not even have been made if not for the success of the 80s and 90s movies.


Premise:

Billionaire Bruce Wayne  (Michael Keaton) dresses like a bat to fight crime, and faces off against Jack Nicholson's Joker (which was a very nice business deal for Mr Nicholson.)


Best bits:

This re-invigorated superhero movies - and Batman. Blowing aside the campy 1960s TV show, this allowed Batman to be more as he was in the comics - a little more dark, a little more brooding, a little less safe.

And the Gotham city architecture, the Batmobile, and the randomness of the Joker, all have Tim Burton's fingerprints all over them.

True, this isn't enough Burton for mega Burton fans (guilty as charged,) but there's enough in the little details and gothic fairy-tale to show that this is, indeed, a Burton film.

Nicholson's Joker is fab. I know that the defining performance is Heath Ledger's - I get that. But the blend of comic and sinister is pretty damned



Not so great bits:

The fashion and hair-styles look exceptionally dated - 80s much? The Batman suit? Well, they did their best.

I'm not a fan of Michael Keaton in the role, but that's more a personal thing than anything else - in my humble opinion, the character needs more quiet gravitas.

The love interest keeps being in peril, and having to be rescued. It's annoying.


Popcorn Worthy?

A very watchable film - with a bit more fun than the Nolan films, and more sense than the 60s TV series.

It nevertheless deserves to be judged on its own merits - and it's a pretty good film, certainly fine for a lazy Sunday afternoon, but maybe you'll want to save the popcorn for the Dark Knight trilogy (UK - US.)



Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA - IMDb


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Oops

Sorry to anyone who read the rough draft of this week's comics wrap-up about 4 days early - I accidentally hit publish instead of save!

That'll teach me to multi-task with only one cup of coffee in me.

I've taken it down now - it'll be back up (and finished,) on Thursday.

A Small Tribute

One of my favourite Bowie songs - and one that doesn't get played anywhere near enough. 'Within You' from the beautiful film, Labyrinth.

Review! - Death, Disability, and the Superhero by Jose Alaniz

Title: Death, Disability, and the Superhero: The Silver Age and Beyond

Author: Jose Alaniz

Genre: Non-fiction

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

 

As you will all be aware by now, I'm a total nerd. So a study of the representation of death and disability in superhero comics? Bring it on.

Premise:

An academic study of the representation of the disabled, and the concept of death, in superhero comics.

Best bits:

I loved the exploration of ideas here - comics and graphic novels are a part of our culture, and so are just as worthy of study as film or literature. I was really interested by the various points raised, and the interpretation of various representations.

I was a little worried that this would go over my head - so was pleased that it turned out to be much more readable than I had feared. Unfortunately, many may still find it a difficult read.

 

Where the author is clearly engaged, the writing flows well and with little concern for being 'worthy,' or academic. These parts were, to me, by far the most enjoyable - the parts where there was pure exploration, rather than the weight of expectation.

Not so great bits:

The need to be considered intelligent and academic sometimes leads to over-analysing and a more stilted tone. As mentioned, this is going to make it a difficult read for some people.

 

Some of the points I felt could do with more moderation and balance: I know that Professor X doesn't need to be knocked out of his wheelchair so often, but at the same time I would've liked an acknowledgement that at some point, a villain is likely to do this.

 

Villains aren't known for their manners or political correctness, and are likely to take advantage of Prof X's paralysis. It's the over-use of this occurrence which should've been more clearly highlighted.

 

Also, where was Hawkeye? Brief mentions. That's all. Yet, to me, his deafness is a huge point when discussing disability in comics. Not least because the movies write his disability out entirely.

Verdict:

An interesting study of the depictions of death and disability in superhero comics. Not for people who want a light read, this is nevertheless worth reading if you want something thought-provoking and a bit more intellectually stimulating.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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Welcome Back to Nerd Church

Welcome my dear friends to the first Nerd Church of 2016.

What is Nerd Church?

Well, you know, some of us aren't that religious in an organised sense. (Most of us, I'm guessing, if you want to be honest.)

But there are a lot of nerds out that who follow their various fandoms and interests with a devotion that borders on worship. And I think that moral stuff and philosophiphising (one thing you should know about me, I don't use the word 'philosophising,' or anything related to 'philosophy,' correctly - it's like a sad, dorky, tick,) can come from anywhere.

So, I came up with Nerd Church. A place in cyber-space where nerds and non-nerds alike can celebrate making the world a better place and trying to make our way through life in (more-or-less) one piece.

Basically, on a Sunday, I talk about moral examples from fiction and related nerd outlets, guides to life, and philisophophising.

And sometimes I just have an out-right rant about something that's bugging me, because it's my blog people. Deal with it. :)

Feel free to drop in and worship at the altar of nerdyness every Sunday - and/or continue the Nerd Church vibe on your own blogs (I just ask that you link back to me - please and thank you!)


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My TBR List is Trying To Kill Me

I think my TBR list is trying to kill me. It just keeps growing. And growing.

It's like Hydra - cut off one head and two more take its place!

I blame Goodreads - all those recommendations! I want to read all the books goddamn it!

And then, like the intelligent woman that I am, I read things that aren't on the list. A lot. And then add more to the list. And then some more. And then... yup, more.

Argh!

Happy reading! ;)


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2016 Bookish Resolutions

Friday Fics Fix! - A Little Bit Of Loki

I think I'm still too full of Christmas food for my inner fangirl to be up to reading much fanfiction.

Plus, I really struggled to find anything to feature which wasn't... well, hugely sexually specific... even for fanfiction.

So, I just have a little character-study one-shot to recommend to you:

The Hidden and Hurting Heart by Earial13

This is an angst-y and short fic with a lot of Loki feels (emotions, to the non-fandom-fluent.)

Yes, I know most of the fics I feature include Loki... or FrostIron... but, y'know, I like what I like ;)


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