Comments on: New releases, 18 Oct 2005

by: Augie De Blieck Jr.

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 17:55:46 +0000

Yes, it’s definitely time to let go of the Dini/Timm BATMAN series. Yes, it’s pretty much the best and most faithful interpretation/addition to the mythos that’s ever been produced. We’ll never strike that gold twice. But, in the end, this is a children’s format that will be revamped every so many years to blatantly attempt to appeal to a new generation. The Dini/Timm collaboration will live on forever on DVD, and I’m grateful to own them. Today’s kids are stuck with an inferior product, but that’s life. Someday, they’ll understand.

by: Paul

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 02:09:32 +0000

To GeorgeC.
I don’t really think it’s fair to throw venom at The Batman for “replacing” Batman TAS. Batman TAS went off the air in 1995 and the last episode of The New Batman Adventures aired in 1999. The last taste of Batman TAS we had was the mediocre DTV Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman in 2003 and I heard that didn’t really sell all that well. TAS was pretty well dead for all intents and purposes when The Batman started airing. That doesn’t mean I don’t think that The Batman should be criticized on its own merits. I’ve heard the first season ranged from mediocre to plain bad in its writing (and apparently there are a few contrivances that simply reek of TOY PLACEMENT). But I’ve also heard that it’s picked up considerably in the second season and all the reviews I’ve read of this DTV are so favorable that I’m tempted to watch it even though I’ve never seen an episode of the series.
Alright, argument over. What I’m planning on eventually picking up from this week.

Super Mario Bros Super Show: The Legend of Zelda the Complete Series
Yes it’s very bad. But I find it quite amusing in its cheese. I also like the game sound effects. I would be more happy, however, to have Captain N released. That, at least, had an imaginative premise.

Garfield and Friends PrimeTime Gift Set

He-man and the Masters of the Universe Season 1 Volume 1
Almost more for the interviews with guys like Straczynski and Dini than for the material itself. I don’t really remember the show all that well so I’m curious as to whether it will live up to my impressions (a badly animated show with little to no story) or surpass them. I bought the first Thundercats set and that show actually turned out to be a better show than I remembered (with some very nice designwork).

Batman Begins
Absolutely adored this movie in theater. I think I may go for the regular widescreen. The Deluxe Edition just doesn’t look to me to have a significant advantage over the regular edition.

I may rent Elektra unrated just to see if any of the train wreck was salvage by adding material (I thought the DD Director’s cut was a much better film.). May also rent a few of the other Batman releases. I’ve only seen the first one and I wasn’t too fond of it.

by: Arune Singh

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:33:15 +0000

DEFINITELY get “Batman Begins” at Best Buy. The special edition slipcase kicks ass and the free drinks are tasty.

by: GeorgeC

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 09:36:11 +0000

What–? You guys thought Elektra was gonna be good after they cast Jen Garner in it?!?!?? LOL

Seriously, everything about that film WAS WRONG.

First, choosing a character that obscure to introduce to the mainstream public was the start of the problems with that film;

Second, going with Garner as the lead was some of the worst recent casting in memory because she just can’t ACT TOUGH ENOUGH to be convincing! You need an actress that CAN BE BITCHY, SEXY and MEAN at the same time to be Elektra… Garner just can’t do that — she looks like a little girl!

Thirdly, this film suffers from recent Marvel malaise. I mean Avi Arad is just selling all these character rights to collect as much money as he can in as short a period of time and a bunch of hacks are writing and directing these films! Seriously, we got lucky that Sam Raimi was tapped to do the Spider-Man films… Judging by the track record of the other Marvel films, Spider-Man IS/WAS the odd-man out as far as quality goes.

by: Jeff

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 22:30:27 +0000

Who really wants to pay money for an Unrated version of a lame-o movie AKA Elektra. I was excited about watching the movie when it came out real quick on DVD. And then….I saw it and realized why it went from big screen to small in such a small amount of time. I’d rather watch my fingernails grow than to see that movie again.

by: Overworm

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:45:09 +0000

I picked up Batman at Best Buy this morning. Got the deluxe edition with the comic book. For buying Batman, I got two free 20oz bottled sodas from Best Buy. While I was there, I picked up the new 10th Anniversary Edition of Toy Story and the new release of Tarzan. Those two are for my son. Well, it’s nice to be able to put them on him, but I got them as much for me as for him.

I was really tempted to get the Burton-helmed Batman flicks, but the truth is they aren’t as good as I would like. They were very good at the time, but they are afflicted with the same campy melodrama that is attached to all his films. I enjoy his other films in spite of that, but some of it seems misplaced on Batman.

All in all, a great haul for the household this week. I can’t wait to watch all three DVDs!

by: GeorgeC

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 18:50:17 +0000

Might have to catch Batman 1943 just to see if it got edited at all… I’m surprised a Japanese company (Sony) is releasing this one because of its controversial WWII content.

I’m skipping The Batman vs. Dracula since it’s supporting this piece-of-fluff/-crap show that replaced the superior Bruce Timm version. You just know the words “dude” and “kewl” are going to pop up several times during the film!

Fergully is one of the most overrated, politically-correct pieces of tripe that’s ever been animated. I guess some members of the animated community fandom can’t pay attention past the imagery to see what mind-numbing brainwashing exercise the film is. Seriously, it’s not very good at all.

As far as Elektra is concerned — if The Hulk and Daredevil weren’t enough proof that Marvel’s slide into cinematic mediocrity was officially on, then there shouldn’t be any doubt that THIS film confirmed that! Can we say add X3 to the count next year? Thank God for Sam Raimi and Spidey, though!