Source: io9

2010 sees the 75th anniversary of DC Comics, which launched in February 1935 with the first issue of New Fun. Since then, it’s gone on to publish some of the greatest comics ever. Here’re seventy-five you really should’ve read already.

The Superman Chronicles Vol. 1
What is it? The first appearances of the world’s first superhero.
Why you should read it: When it comes to historical importance, the origins of an entire genre seems like a kind of big deal, especially when that genre goes on to take over popular culture in all its forms.

The Batman Chronicles Vol. 1
What is it? The first appearances of DC’s most popular character.
Why you should read it: Because they’re the first appearances of Batman. Weren’t you paying attention to what I said above? Also: Hello, historical significance, not to mention the chance to see how the original version of the character differs from his current incarnation(s).

Read the read of the list here…

This is a pretty tight list. I will have to add some titles to my ever growing wish list. Which do you have and which do you want to get? Can you believe it’s DC’s 75th anniversary? If your not a fan of comics, tell us why.

That’s right we have brought you the great world of comic book movies. If you haven’t seen the new “remakes” of the Batman movies… I highly suggest it. Don’t take my word alone though. Read what our OBS staff has to say.

Brought to you by OBS staff member Karolina

Name: Batman Begins
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 140 minutes

Director: Christopher Nolan

Synopsis
Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight’s emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents’ murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city. (Source: http://www.wbshop.com/)

Review
As a huge fan of the character of Batman from a young age, and someone who (while appreciating the other films for what they were) watched the Batman film franchise slowly but surely deteriorate, I must admit I was quite apprehensive when it was announced that Batman was being re-imagined. Every piece of information that came to light back then made me squirm in my chair. Christian Bale as Batman – I liked Christian Bale, but would he be the Bat? What about Alfred? And Commissioner Gordon? Would there be a Dick Grayson/Robin, or a Barbara Gordon/Batgirl?? (NB: I’m quite a fan of Dick Grayson in the comics – not so much in the previous movie adaptations)

I needn’t have worried. Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins leaves the other Batman films in the dust (bar Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ which was fabulous for the late 80’s version of Batman), and relies heavily on the comic book Batman; a broody caped crusader, mired by a family tragedy, with strong values living in a city that is a cesspool of crime and corruption. The viewer is shown iconic scenes from the comic books (ie; a young Bruce Wayne kneeling over his slain parents in a Gotham City alley way) and yet some one who has never known the Batman comics world is given enough information, and new twists, to know exactly what is going on and not feel lost.

Christian Bale owns the portrayal of both Bruce Wayne and the Batman. For the solitary figure that Batman is, he has a brilliant supporting cast in Michael Caine’s portrayal of the ever loyal, and constantly long suffering, Alfred (the Waynes’ Butler), the street wise, heart-of-gold but slightly jaded Captain Gordon, played by Gary Oldman, and Lucius Fox, Bruce Wayne’s right-hand man, played by Morgan Freeman. There’s also a new character thrown in the mix, the strong willed, idealistic childhood love of Bruce Wayne, Rachel Dawes, played here by Katie Holmes (later played by Maggie Gyllenhaal).

In the ‘villains’ corner, we have ‘The Scarecrow’ – again a quite recognisable character to those who know the Batman comics – Jonathan Crane, a psychologist gone rogue, played superbly by Cillian Murphy. Carmine Falcone (played by Tom Wilkinson) is also ripped from the pages of Batman: Year One. Ra’s Al Ghul (Ken Watanabe), one of Batman’s fiercest foes in the comics also features in this movie. There is a minor villain as well, more Bruce Wayne’s enemy than Batman’s, Earle, ‘head’ of the Wayne business, who doesn’t take kindly to the fact that Bruce has returned to Gotham, years after being incommunicado, and he is played by Rutger Hauer.

Then, there’s Liam Neeson, who is wonderful in his role as Ducard – a man who, in the comics, is one of the Bat’s greatest teachers. He gets his own paragraph, because, like the Batman himself, he walks a fine line between light and dark – in the comics -and definitely in this movie.

This movie combines a sound knowledge of the Batman comics with it’s own refreshing twist; known characters getting a new angle to them, while still being clearly recognisable – and new characters fit well in the story. There were a few changes to Bruce’s tragic story from the comics, and some comic book fans were a little frustrated by this, but I think it worked for the movie setting, and for the story that Christopher Nolan wanted to tell. It’s a story of loss, and of fear, and of empowerment to overcome that fear, and of determination. And, of course, it’s the story of a man who will become one of the greatest superheroes of the DC-verse, one devoid of superpowers, but who has the smarts, the money, and the passion to be the best (and dresses up as a bat). The stellar cast are all in top form and wonderful to watch in this.

I could go on forever, but I will end by saying this: even five years on, and in light of it’s phenomenal sequel, this movie is still so worth watching.

Rating: 8.5/10 stars

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Shutter Island: A Thriller Out Of Time?
by Damon Wise at Empire Online

It’s been interesting watching the reactions to Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island, from the trailer alone. People seem to forget that artists have a fractious relationship with their times, that sometimes their work arrives out of synch with public taste, and that sometimes their art takes chances that even their most loyal followers won’t accept. The irony, of course, is that nobody knows this better than Scorsese, who has conducted a personal journey through the film cultures of three very cine-literate countries (Italy and the US, with Britain on its way) and directed a milestone documentary (No Direction Home) about the musician, poet and electric folklorist Bob Dylan, himself no stranger to controversy and public questioning. Along the way, the song remains the same; sometimes a contemporary audience isn’t always sitting in the right seats to judge.

Well, the arguments over Shutter Island appear to be raging over Scorsese’s decision to embrace high melodrama: thrashing winds; crashing waves; thundering rain; a detective dressed like a tsunami-drenched Dana Andrews; an insane asylum right out of Dickens; a score with more threat and bombast than Bernard Herrmann’s original theme for Cape Fear…

Read More here.

Here’s Why Most Werewolf Movies Suck
by Scott Weinberg at Horror Squad

Werewolf of London (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), Curse of the Werewolf (1961). An American Werewolf in London, The Howling, and Wolfen all showed up in 1981. Later we got Ginger Snaps and Dog Soldiers. I’ve skipped over stuff like Silver Bullet, Bad Moon, and Underworld because even if you think they’re half-decent werewolf movies — you probably don’t think they’re fantastic werewolf movies. Hell, I only included the very dry Wolfen up top because it’s weird that three werewolf movies came out in 1981!

Clearly my assertion is that there aren’t really all that many GOOD werewolf movies. I will now take that assertion and stretch it like so much bubble gum … and there: I now have a specious piece of logic that says MOST werewolf movies are crap. (Wolf? Blood and Chocolate? I Was a Teenage Werewolf? Cursed? Don’t make me laugh. And the name of that witless “Paris” sequel will go unmentioned on this website.) Actually that’s not entirely accurate either because, really, we don’t really GET all that many werewolf movies these days. And I think I know why…

Read More here.

Will We See The Riddler, Robin And More In Dark Knight Sequel?
by Graeme McMillan at io9

Now that we know that Christopher Nolan’s third Batman movie is getting underway, rumors about the choice of villain and plot are beginning to trickle online. Surprisingly, they don’t seem entirely impossible…

According to an anonymous source to ComicBookMovie.com, the third movie will feature not only the Riddler as the main villain – figuring out Batman’s secret identity, in a move swiped from the comics – but also cameos from other villains within Arkham Asylum, as well as appearances by Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson and mentions of Lex Luthor and Metropolis, setting up a cross-continuity with any future Superman movie.

Ignoring the fact that Barbara Gordon would be too young to be Batgirl in the movie continuity, all of this seems potentially legit, especially considering that The Dark Knight featured villain cameos, Nolan is overseeing a Superman movie reboot and the non-powered-but-mentally-troubled Riddler seems a particularly strong choice for villain.

Read More here.

Penelope Cruz eyes ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ sequel
by Borys Kit at Heat Vision Blog

Penelope Cruz is in negotiations to join Johnny Depp and sail the seven seas in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the fourth installment of the movie series being directed by Rob Marshall.

Depp is reprising his popular role of Captain Jack Sparrow, and while plot details are buried deeper than Blackbeard’s treasure, it is known the tale revolves around the Fountain of Youth.

Cruz’s character details are also being kept secret, though she is to be Sparrow’s foil and equal in many ways.

Read More here.

If I liked horror movies, I’d go see Shutter Island, the plot actually sounds good. I just don’t like being scared. And I think the Riddler would be a better choice than Catwoman for the next Batman movie, but the way the characters are adapted for Nolan’s version anyone might work.

What do you think about the new Batman villain ideas? Are you looking forward to the new Pirates movie?

via io9

YOUR FIRST LOOK INSIDE TRON LEGACY REVEALS A SEXY UPGRADE

Check out the first ever image to come out of Tron Legacy — it’s full of passionate unitard stare downs, punk wigs and disc weapons. Plus Flynn Jr. takes the wheel, in the new light-cycle poster.

Wow, Disney is riding that cyberpunk idea fast and hard. Just look at Olivia Wilde on the left. Interesting how the new light-up suits look so much less like something I could make in my basement and more like actual battle suits.

Read more here…

via io9

MORGAN FREEMAN’S SURE THAT CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’S DOWN FOR ONE MORE BATMAN

Don’t give up hope, Dark Knight fans: Morgan Freeman believes there will be another Batman movie, based on gut feelings. Celebrate with this Dark Knight plot-hole song, which asks why Fox was so anti-phone-tapping, but eager to build a tank?

Morgan Freeman sat down with MTV and told them that there is no way Chris Nolanwould walk away from the Batman series.

Read more here…

via firstshowing

DISNEY ADAPTATION OF ‘FALLEN’ MAKING ANGELS THE NEW VAMPIRES

If Twilight has proven anything, it’s that there’s apparently nothing more appealing to the female majority than a vampire and werewolf fighting for the heart of a human girl. So naturally, wouldn’t these swooning ladies also love to see another girl at the center of a centuries-long battle for affection between two angels? Disney seems to think so as THR reports that the Mouse House has picked up the rights to the recently released young adult novel titled Fallen, the first in a four-part series about an alienated girl torn between two charismatic young men, unaware that they are fallen angels who have battled over her for centuries.

Read more here…

via filmschoolrejects

JONAH HEX RESHOOTS HAPPENING, NEW DIRECTOR INVOLVED

Earlier this week, we began to hear rumblings about potential reshoots on Jonah Hex, the Warner Bros. produced comic book adaptation about a supernatural gunslinger (played by Josh Brolin). But there wasn’t anything substantial to go on, and the process of reshoots is nothing new. A lot of movies have reshoots. And chances are, something just needed to be touched up.

Read more here…

I wouldn’t expect anything less from Tron Legacy. What do you think of the light up suits?

Do you think Chris Nolan will helm another Batman movie?

After vampires, it was only a matter of time before other supernaturals came out of the woodwork. Will you be watching the ‘Fallen’ series?

It’s interesting that they brought a new director to consult the reshoots of Jonah Hex. What do you think of this?

via io9

Bruce Wayne may be stranded in prehistoric times instead of dead, but if you thought bringing him back would be easy, think again. DC have unveiled TheReturn Of Bruce Wayne, a time-travel tale hyped as “Batman vs. history itself.”

As we know, Batman’s alleged death in DC’s big Final Crisis series actually just saw him dumped amongst cavemen with his trusty utility belt, while Dick Grayson took over the cape and cowl in current times. But today’s announcement of the six-issue Return series shows that getting him back to the future is going to require a lot of pitstops – and alternate Batman costumes.

Read more here…

They sure are putting a lot of twists on the Batman story; cavemen, witch hunters, pirates and Puritans? I wonder how Batman enthusiasts will take to this.  What do you think of the direction Batman is going in with ‘The Return of Bruce Wayne”?

via io9

Reboot fever has hit DC Comics, who have announced a new line of graphic novels to debut next year, retelling the stories of Superman and Batman from the very beginning updated for new audiences, called Earth One.

The line will start with Superman: Earth One, by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis, and Batman: Earth One by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Not unlike Marvel’s similar Ultimate line of new continuity (or, for that matter, DC’s earlier All Starattempt at the same), these new books look set to try and create a movie-friendly entry point for curious readers.

Read more here…

There are two sides to this graphic novel coin…on one hand, starting over could introduce non-graphic novel and comic book readers to each story from ‘their’ respective beginnings and gain new fans. On the other hand avid readers will be upset by the lack of continuity and throw their hands up in dismay, but will continue reading them regardless. But you know what they say…”you can’t please everyone all the time”.  Either way it looks to be a win-win situation for DC Comics.

What are your thoughts about the idea of DC starting their story lines over? Do you think it will help or hinder their fan base?