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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) in Movies
Dec 27, 2017
Visuals on par with the comic (2 more)
True to the source material
Superb voice talent
Using R rating incorrectly (1 more)
Batgirl
Missed opportunity
Contains spoilers, click to show
I remember reading the source graphic novel when it was first released in 1988 thinking "this would make a cool movie". This was even before the 1989 Michael Keaton-Tim Burton film in 1989.
In the modern world of the R rated Logan and Deadpool, it's now possible to push the envelope; however, not sure about an animated film. The character of Batman certainly is very dark and some of his emotional issues and those of the Joker could venture into those realms, but the tone of this film seem wrong.
The character of Batgirl seemed to be a victim rather than the strong character she is normally, and the "sex" scene between them seemed a little unusual. The brutality inflicted upon her at the hands of the Joker also was a bit much.
The highlight of the experience was listening to Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their now infamous Batman and Joker characters once again.
Overall, the film may have been better off to take "inspiration" from the novel rather than trying to reproduce it 100%.
In the modern world of the R rated Logan and Deadpool, it's now possible to push the envelope; however, not sure about an animated film. The character of Batman certainly is very dark and some of his emotional issues and those of the Joker could venture into those realms, but the tone of this film seem wrong.
The character of Batgirl seemed to be a victim rather than the strong character she is normally, and the "sex" scene between them seemed a little unusual. The brutality inflicted upon her at the hands of the Joker also was a bit much.
The highlight of the experience was listening to Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their now infamous Batman and Joker characters once again.
Overall, the film may have been better off to take "inspiration" from the novel rather than trying to reproduce it 100%.
The Lair of the White Worm & The Lady of the Shroud
David Stuart Davies and Bram Stoker
Book
With an Introduction by David Stuart Davies. 'The worst parts were the great masses of flesh of the...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Batman: Hush (2019) in Movies
Oct 9, 2019
Batman: Hush is a fantastic and beloved graphic novel - surely an easy win for Warner Bros. Animation.
Unfortunately, they don't make it easy for themselves.
Hush isn't a bad entry into the DC Animated Universe by any means. The animation style is very satisfying to watch, especially in fight scenes, verging on anime at times. It has a very striking look from start to finish.
The voice cast are mostly great, and elements of the story are really well done (Catwoman and Batman's relationship for example).
There's a large portion of Batman's rogue gallery strewn through the story, which always works well on the page, and is always delightful to see, but the format of a scripted movie doesn't really give many of them much to do.
The big thing for me was the final act - no spoilers here, but the movie pulls away pretty hard from the source material during the climax, and although it's a respectable twist that will throw fans of the novel off, it's not a scratch on what originally happens.
It's a negative for sure, but not enough of one to detract from my overall enjoyment!
Unfortunately, they don't make it easy for themselves.
Hush isn't a bad entry into the DC Animated Universe by any means. The animation style is very satisfying to watch, especially in fight scenes, verging on anime at times. It has a very striking look from start to finish.
The voice cast are mostly great, and elements of the story are really well done (Catwoman and Batman's relationship for example).
There's a large portion of Batman's rogue gallery strewn through the story, which always works well on the page, and is always delightful to see, but the format of a scripted movie doesn't really give many of them much to do.
The big thing for me was the final act - no spoilers here, but the movie pulls away pretty hard from the source material during the climax, and although it's a respectable twist that will throw fans of the novel off, it's not a scratch on what originally happens.
It's a negative for sure, but not enough of one to detract from my overall enjoyment!
The Arab of the Future: Volume 3: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1985-1987 - A Graphic Memoir
Book
VOLUME 3 IN THE UNFORGETTABLE STORY OF AN EXTRAORDINARY CHILDHOOD Praise for The Arab of the Future...
David McK (3623 KP) rated Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Welcome to the Jungle in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The problem with graphic novels based on characters previously only written about, I think, is that most of the time how they are portrayed in the visual medium is different than how they appear in your minds eye - a problem that both graphic novels and movies share.
This graphic novel, however, manages to avoid that particular problem, with Dresden drawn pretty-much as I imagined him to be (OK, maybe a bit less battered and bruised and dishevelled, but close enough).
Written by [a:Jim Butcher|10746|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1400640324p2/10746.jpg] himself, this entry actually takes place before the 'meat' of the main series (that began with [b:Storm Front|47212|Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1419456275s/47212.jpg|1137060]), with Harry called in by (still) Lt Karin Murphy of the Chicago PD to investigate a killing in the zoo - a killing that is currently being pinned on a gorilla in said zoo, but that could not have realistically been carried out by him.
With Harry as his usual sarcastic wise-cracking self, and with Bob the skull putting in an appearance, the only thing that was missing was some of Harrys wider supporting cast and Mouse the dog, although all that makes sense in the context of the setting (book 0.5, remember?).
While I was a bit hesistant at first about how well the character and his world would transfer to this medium, based on this I may well pick up more of the 'graphical exclusive' (to coin a phrase) stories, such as [b:Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin|18430203|Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Ghoul Goblin|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388266297s/18430203.jpg|26071782] - that is, entries where I haven't already read the prose!
This graphic novel, however, manages to avoid that particular problem, with Dresden drawn pretty-much as I imagined him to be (OK, maybe a bit less battered and bruised and dishevelled, but close enough).
Written by [a:Jim Butcher|10746|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1400640324p2/10746.jpg] himself, this entry actually takes place before the 'meat' of the main series (that began with [b:Storm Front|47212|Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1419456275s/47212.jpg|1137060]), with Harry called in by (still) Lt Karin Murphy of the Chicago PD to investigate a killing in the zoo - a killing that is currently being pinned on a gorilla in said zoo, but that could not have realistically been carried out by him.
With Harry as his usual sarcastic wise-cracking self, and with Bob the skull putting in an appearance, the only thing that was missing was some of Harrys wider supporting cast and Mouse the dog, although all that makes sense in the context of the setting (book 0.5, remember?).
While I was a bit hesistant at first about how well the character and his world would transfer to this medium, based on this I may well pick up more of the 'graphical exclusive' (to coin a phrase) stories, such as [b:Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin|18430203|Jim Butcher's Dresden Files Ghoul Goblin|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388266297s/18430203.jpg|26071782] - that is, entries where I haven't already read the prose!
RC
Royal City: Next of Kin: Volume 1
10.0
Rate It
Book
In his most ambitious and most personal project to date, JEFF LEMIRE spins the captivating and...
Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: War Cry
5.5
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Book
A war is raging between the vampire forces of the Red Court and the White Council - a war that the...
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated Diary of a Femen in Books
Apr 10, 2018
I love graphic novels, they are a way to quickly submerse myself into the world and visions of the author/illustrator. Diary of a Femen opened my eyes to a whole different world and awakened in me the realisation that as much as the world has progressed in the past 100 years since women in the UK gained the vote, the opinions, comments and actions of men and women are keeping a faster pace of progress at bay, definitely a novel to make a girl think! Whilst at times I got a little confused between the characters being followed once it focused on to a single narrative line I rapidly became engrossed and willing femen on.
Would I recommend this book? too right I would, men and women should read, think and talk about this book and the issues it raises.
Would I recommend this book? too right I would, men and women should read, think and talk about this book and the issues it raises.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Cassandra Darke in Books
Oct 29, 2019 (Updated Oct 29, 2019)
Cassandra Dark
This is not just entertainment this is a savvy social statement. Not only that but it's got a hidden meaning of one person you don't discover until the last page. That person will remain with me forever because I know there are hundreds of her out there today. I want to do something to help her and I wish there was something in the back that tells me how I can. Despite all that I imagine this being shown in ITV as one of their gripping well plotted crime dramas. It's just absolute perfection in plot and character and deserves to be remembered as a masterpiece. Now I am going to Google charities and fund out what I can do.