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Dark Knight Returns
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It's the thirtieth anniversary of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, and now DC Comics presents this classic...
David McK (3649 KP) rated A Knight's Tale (2001) in Movies
Mar 16, 2021
While the late Heath Ledger may always be remembered for his portrayal as The Joker in The Dark Knight, and speaking personally, that's actually NOT the first film I remember seeing him in.
This is.
Starring as William, the peasant squire of a Knight who partakes in the medieval sport of jousting - which is restricted to the nobility - and who, just as the film starts, impersonates said Knight (who has passed away), this is very (very) loosely based on Chaucer's 'The Knights Tale' in the Canterbury Tales.
Indeed, Chaucer himself is one of the key characters in this film, portrayed by a pre-Vision (from the MCU) Paul Bettany.
Yes, the soundtrack is completely anachronistic (Queen? David Bowie?) but also actually works in the context of the film!
This is.
Starring as William, the peasant squire of a Knight who partakes in the medieval sport of jousting - which is restricted to the nobility - and who, just as the film starts, impersonates said Knight (who has passed away), this is very (very) loosely based on Chaucer's 'The Knights Tale' in the Canterbury Tales.
Indeed, Chaucer himself is one of the key characters in this film, portrayed by a pre-Vision (from the MCU) Paul Bettany.
Yes, the soundtrack is completely anachronistic (Queen? David Bowie?) but also actually works in the context of the film!
David McK (3649 KP) rated Batman: The Long Halloween in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Of all the Superhero's around, I personally think that Batman has the best Rogue's gallery of villains: Superman, for instance, has Lex Luthor And (to a lesser extent) General Zod, while Spiderman has, what, Green Goblin? Dr Octopus? Venom?
Batman, on the other hand (and purely off the top of my head): The Joker. The Penguin. Poison Ivy. The Riddler. Catwoman (on/off as a villain). Scarecrow. Bane. And Two-Face.
Admittedly, some of those characters are now more famous than they used to be before due to the various Batman films, with the last four (And the first) mentioned in my list all appearing in the more-recent Christopher Nolan 'Dark Knight' series of Batman films. Of that trilogy, the second movie concerned itself principally with two main villains: The Joker, and Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face) and, in particular, the circumstances that led District Attorney Dent to become Two-Face.
Those circumstances are also the subject of this graphic novel, which also has a foreword/introduction by the director and writer of 'The Dark Knight', Christopher Nolan and David Goyer, in which they acknowledge the huge debt their movie owes to this novel.
This is also commonly cited as one of the better Batman stories, and is set during the early days of Batman's crusade against criminality in Gotham - there's no Robin here, nor Oracle (well, there is, but only as a baby), for instance.
As such, it makes a good intro (IMO) into the Batman mythos, not far behind the futuristic The Dark Knight Returns or the early-set Year One.
Batman, on the other hand (and purely off the top of my head): The Joker. The Penguin. Poison Ivy. The Riddler. Catwoman (on/off as a villain). Scarecrow. Bane. And Two-Face.
Admittedly, some of those characters are now more famous than they used to be before due to the various Batman films, with the last four (And the first) mentioned in my list all appearing in the more-recent Christopher Nolan 'Dark Knight' series of Batman films. Of that trilogy, the second movie concerned itself principally with two main villains: The Joker, and Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face) and, in particular, the circumstances that led District Attorney Dent to become Two-Face.
Those circumstances are also the subject of this graphic novel, which also has a foreword/introduction by the director and writer of 'The Dark Knight', Christopher Nolan and David Goyer, in which they acknowledge the huge debt their movie owes to this novel.
This is also commonly cited as one of the better Batman stories, and is set during the early days of Batman's crusade against criminality in Gotham - there's no Robin here, nor Oracle (well, there is, but only as a baby), for instance.
As such, it makes a good intro (IMO) into the Batman mythos, not far behind the futuristic The Dark Knight Returns or the early-set Year One.
There's little-to-no doubt that Margot Robbie's take on Harley Quinn was the best thing about 2016's Suicide Squad (and was also the first live-action portrayal of that character).
However, is she strong enough to headline a movie on her own?
Especially one also starring Ewan McGregor (clearly having a ball as) the villainous Black Mask?
I'm undecided.
It probably didn't help (also) that I'm more used to seeing Renee Montaya and Black Canary as portrayed in TVs (various) Arrowverse shows (Arrow, The Flash, legends of Tomorrow, etc) rather than as here, and that the film - while name-dropping both - has no place for either Batman or The Joker.
However, is she strong enough to headline a movie on her own?
Especially one also starring Ewan McGregor (clearly having a ball as) the villainous Black Mask?
I'm undecided.
It probably didn't help (also) that I'm more used to seeing Renee Montaya and Black Canary as portrayed in TVs (various) Arrowverse shows (Arrow, The Flash, legends of Tomorrow, etc) rather than as here, and that the film - while name-dropping both - has no place for either Batman or The Joker.
Natalie Stone (3 KP) rated Suicide Squad (2016) in Movies
May 10, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
This film was a trip to the cinema worthy. Margot Robbie was on top form and a pleasure to watch her got batshit on the streets of Gotham. A pretty good romp of a film generally. Plenty of great action sequences and some good jokes. Will Smith gave a tremendous performance but felt he shouldn't have been the focus point of this film. I could have completely done without Jared Leto's Joker: completely ridiculous and over the top. I could have done with a lot more Killer Croc and Cara Delevigne's June Moon was a surprising addition she did a great job.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated The Dark Knight Rises (2012) in Movies
Feb 3, 2018
The Bane of his exisitance
A little more than half a decade has passed since the Joker tried taking over Gotham and the Batman has gone underground. A rouge mercenary known as Bane has now come to Gotham to stake his claim and make crime first and innocent last. This obviously draws out the Bat for a new fight and ends up getting help from an unlikely criminal ally known as Catwoman.
Bale has not been one of my favorite Batmen for as he is portraying a darker version. We have all grown up on different versions. Tom Hardy is good as villainous Bane and Hathaway isn't half bad as Catwoman.
Bale has not been one of my favorite Batmen for as he is portraying a darker version. We have all grown up on different versions. Tom Hardy is good as villainous Bane and Hathaway isn't half bad as Catwoman.
Before Watchmen: Rorschach
7.0
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•A New York Times Best Seller! The controversial, long-awaited prequels to the best-selling...
David McK (3649 KP) rated Batman Begins (2005) in Movies
Jun 9, 2019 (Updated Jul 16, 2024)
The first - and, for my money, the best - of the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy starring Christian Bale, taking Bruce Wayne back to his early days as Batman (and, indeed, keeping him out of costume for the entirety of the first hour).
This is largely set in a more realistic depiction of Gotham than any of the previous big-screen outings for the character, showing the evolution of the suit and with the Batmobile replaced by the tank-like Tumbler. It also - perhaps wisely, in order to keep the focus on Bruce Wayne/Batman - does not involve any of his more famous foes: instead of the Joker, or Penguin, or Riddler, the main villain(s) here - while still drawn from Bat lore - are more than likely to be less familiar to the average viewer.
This is largely set in a more realistic depiction of Gotham than any of the previous big-screen outings for the character, showing the evolution of the suit and with the Batmobile replaced by the tank-like Tumbler. It also - perhaps wisely, in order to keep the focus on Bruce Wayne/Batman - does not involve any of his more famous foes: instead of the Joker, or Penguin, or Riddler, the main villain(s) here - while still drawn from Bat lore - are more than likely to be less familiar to the average viewer.
Russ Troutt (291 KP) rated The Intruder (2019) in Movies
Jun 28, 2019
Let me sneak into your feed for a moment. You might not be able to see me, but I see you sitting there reading this post. You hear that? Was it me? Nah, probably just normal creaks that any old house or building makes, right? Maybe you should just play it safe, leave your house, and head to the movie theater. If the thought of me in "your" house watching you doesn't creep you out, filling you with chills and suspense, then to get the job done go give The Intruder a watch.
On another note, after watching this movie, I think Dennis Quaid could do a great job playing The Joker.
On another note, after watching this movie, I think Dennis Quaid could do a great job playing The Joker.
David McK (3649 KP) rated Batman, Volume 5: Zero Year: Dark City in Books
Oct 19, 2025
Follow on from Batman, Volume 4: Zero Year – Secret City, this collects issues 25-27 and 29-33 of the so-called New 52's take on Batman, here again in his earliest days - so well before The Joker, Robin, etc - as the vigilante Batman in Gotham City.
Yet to form an alliance with the police, who are - here - still trying to capture or kill him, this Batman does not always win his battles, often coming home to Wayne Manor beaten, bloody and bruised.
That doesn't stop him still trying, though, with this graphic novel - and this storyline - showing how he goes on to become a beacon of hope to the Gothamites.
Yet to form an alliance with the police, who are - here - still trying to capture or kill him, this Batman does not always win his battles, often coming home to Wayne Manor beaten, bloody and bruised.
That doesn't stop him still trying, though, with this graphic novel - and this storyline - showing how he goes on to become a beacon of hope to the Gothamites.