Batman: Gotham Knight Review

The latest in DC's line of direct-to-DVD films, Batman: Gotham Knight serves as a a glance into what happens between the events of Batman Begins and the highly anticipated The Dark Knight. Batman: Gotham Knight shows six short stories, with six different writers, directors, and animation crews, all done in the style of Japanese anime.

Have I Got a Story For You
Oscar nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence) tells the story of how chance encounters with Batman by a group of youngsters leave each kid with a very different impression of the Dark Knight. Much like the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Legends of the Dark Knight" and Batman #423.

Opinion: BGK starts off in an interesting manner with a story that most fans of Batman have heard before. Three different kids tell three vastly different encounters with Batman. These include Batman as a paranormal specter of sorts, a creature much like the Man-Bat, and a robot. While I can respect the Olsen's idea, it is very easy to tell that the man has not written a Batman story before. Things seem far too upbeat and unnatural for this to be Gotham City and for this to be a Batman story. The animation and direction is very well done, and most of the voice actors do well, but things just don't fit as well as they could. This was not the best start to this set of short stories since it is so painfully out of place.

Segment Rating: C-

Crossfire
Written by Greg Rucka from a story by Jordan Goldberg, Crossfire brings the character of Crispus Allen to the Nolan universe and shows Batman in his most bad ass way. A gang shootout between the Russians and Sal Maroni's gang catches Detective Allen and Ramirez in the crossfire (heh) only to be saved by the Dark Knight.

Opinion: Gotham City is shown in one of its purest forms, as a dark, seedy, underworld where the only hope its people have lies in a very scary vigilante. We also find out about what has happened to the Narrows since its destruction in Batman Begins and it works very well. The animation and directing here is dark, muscular, destructive, and cool. Greg Rucka shows us why he's been writing comics for years with a simple, yet extremely effective script that plays on the different character's strengths. Kevin Conroy in particular here is very short and to the point, but it's euphoric to hear that man's voice again.

Segment Rating: A-

Field Test
Writer Jordan Goldberg showcases the incredible high-tech arsenal Batman commands and reveals that there are some things even Batman won't do in his pursuit for justice.

Opinion: A very practical story that shows Batman almost like James Bond with Lucius Fox acting as Q. While this is one of the more upbeat stories, it is unlike "Have I Got a Story For You" in that you can tell that it is a Batman story based in Gotham. The only real complain that I have about this story is the actual gadget itself, it's too unrealistic even in superhero terms, although I do love Batman's reasoning for not using it. I'm also a big fan of the use of Batman as a mediator of the mob even when he can't take it down completely, much like he was in the No Man's Land storyline. The animation is once again drastically different, with every male character having that "emo" hairstyle and the Batman cowl being a bit ridiculously large, but the plot and script is able make you look past those flaws. Kevin Conroy once again shows us why he has played Batman/Bruce Wayne more than any other actor combined. He simply points the slightest inflection into his voice and it is genuinely like Wayne and Batman are two different people. Kevin Michael Richardson, who plays the Joker in The Batman, also does an admirable job as Lucius Fox as that rare someone that Batman can trust.

Segment Rating: B

In Darkness Dwells
Written by David Goyer (Batman Begins) from a story by Jordan Goldberg, Batman ventures into the Gotham sewers to face Killer Croc a deformed thug who seems even more monstrous after The Scarecrow returns with his fear toxin.

Opinion: This is definitely the darkest story and I freaking love it for it. The animation is slightly crude, but then so is the subject matter. The only thing that I wish is the there was a follow up to Croc and Scarecrow because they're so awesome in this short vignette.

Segment Rating: A-

Working Through Pain
Award-winning comics writer Brian Azzarello explores an early chapter in Bruce Wayne's training, showing how a mysterious and exotic Indian woman named Cassandra introduced Batman to techniques that would help him to conquer the physical and spiritual consequences of his actions.

Opinion: Remember those awesome episodes in Batman: The Animated Series where he fights the samurai (Day of the Samurai, Night of the Samurai)? This is a lot like those. We see Bruce Wayne on a quest to reach the peak of human physical and mental perfection as he tries to master his control over pain. I love the study of Bruce Wayne as a spiritual warrior and this story just plays that so well.

Segment Rating: A-

Deadshot
Alan Burnett--one of the most acclaimed writers on the Emmy Award-winning, Batman: The Animated Series--ties together threads, as Batman must thwart the assassin Deadshot whose love of guns and disregard for human life lets him cross lines that even a Dark Knight won't traverse.

Opinion: This is the reason you should buy this DVD. Deadshot's introduction is just absolutely beautiful that I've replayed it about ten times since I've seen it. We also see Batman as more of a detective and a brilliant tactical fighter, who knows that he has to be five steps ahead of his opponents at all times. I wish this final segment was a whole separate episode or movie, but then I love Deadshot as a villain. This is also a new take on Deadshot as a wealthy socialite who kills for a living. You may remember him in Justice Leage as a sleazy double crossing bastard played by Michael Rosenbaum who does a very accurate Kevin Spacey impersonation, or as the suicidal near perfect assassin who wears a bright uniform in the hopes that someone will finally end his pain. This film's interpretation is a much more two dimensional character but that works for him
as he is portrayed as cold, callous, brutal, and without mercy.

Segment Rating: A

Final Opinion: I've been anticipating this release almost as much as I have been for The Dark Knight. I will say that BGK upholds expectations that admittedly are a bit high for Bruce Timm, but then he has earned those expectations. While by no means is this perfect; it is a beautiful experiment in the world of Batman and a fine addition to the DC Animated Universe.

Final Rating: A-

5/13 Movie Review

Depending on your mood, you may love this B horror movie cluster fuck or absolutely despise its existence. Myself and Jerebear fall into both categories. I hate it for its God awful script that calls for stunts that they could never pull off with the budget they have and horrifying terrible dialog that has no sense of irony to it, which only makes it worse for that. An example, the script calls for a tree to fall down, so to show this they show a still of a tree, and then tip the still to the right to simulate the tree falling. I guess they blew their budget on their car scene where a car flips over onto the ground. Oh wait there was supposed to be people on that? So they put dead people under it, where there was clearly nothing there before. I mean, even a simple camera trick could solve that, but that is lost on this dynamite crew.
Jerebear on the other hand applauds it for its terrible use of...everything, saying that he had a fantastic time laughing at this, while I cursed this film's existence.
Granted, I was watching this after being awake for 48 hours straight, so I was cranky, but still. I find no redeeming characteristics in this god forsaken film (although a neat nipple scene saves this from oblivion)
3/10

5/7/08 Tooth and Nail Review

Apologies for the lack of entries, but we have primarily been doing interviews for the past month.

"In a post-apocalyptic world, a small group of survivors, who call themselves Foragers, plan to rebuild civilization from their headquarters in an empty hospital based in what is left of Philadelphia. But they're soon forced into a face-off war with the Rovers, another gang of survivors whom are a brutal gang of cannibals. As the Rovers take out the Foragers one by one, the Foragers must draw on all their resources to stay alive."

Shot well, admirable gore, but the misuse of the talents of Madsen and Vinnie Jones makes me want to cry. The main cast (especially the blonde) are just awful save for Rider Strong who is doing what he's always done (feigning emotion by adding a str...(read more)essful inflection to his voice). Why have the two biggest names in the film (Madsen and Jones) relegated to sidekicks of complete nobodies?! This, plus god awful writing and laughable plot, makes this yet another bad film in the tradition of shit that the 8 Films to Die For is famous for. 4/10 and goes on the Poop List, invented for movies such as this.

In other news our interviews with Thursday, Finch, A Girl A Gun A Ghost, and This Is An Empire are all online. We will be interviewing Anthony Green later today, which should be online before the summer is upon us. All the best.

4/15/08 and The Mist Review

"After a violent storm attacks a town in Maine, an approaching cloud of mist appears the next morning. As the mist quickly envelops the area, a group of people get trapped in a local grocery store -among them, artist David Drayton and his five-year-old son. The people soon discover that within the mist lives numerous species of horrific, unworldly creatures that entered through an inter-dimensional rift, which may or may not have been caused by a nearby military base. As the world around then manifests into a literal hell-on-earth, the horrified citizens try desperately to survive this apocalyptic disaster. " (IMDB)

For those who argue about the CGI being bad, congratulations you just missed the point. The Mist is by no means perfect but it has the sense of creating a very dangerous atmosphere wherein even the safe havens are just as bad as the outside (which i...(read more)s arguable, because the monsters will fuck you up). The Mist comes through in spades with gore, camera work, and overall story. It definitely has its flaws however. Some of the characters are extremely stereotypical and shallow, but to that I ask, how does any horror movie portray a rather shallow human antagonist? The nature of the ending is also a point of debate. Personally, I love its depressing delivery and tone because it forces the viewer, who was just agreeing with David's decision, to through the similar heartbreak that he is experiencing. Expect to think a little about this one. This is by far superior than your average horror film. 8/10 and the NOLF stamp of approval.

NOLF Playlist for 4/15/2008

Arsonists Get All the Girls - Shoeshine for Neptune
From Autumn to Ashes - Death Cult Social Club
Finch - Worms of the Earth
The Warriors - Life Goes Cold
Destroy the Runner - The Aleph
Annotations of an Autopsy - Human Dust
Between the Buried and Me - 3 of a Perfect Pair
Enter Shikari - Labyrinth

We played our interview with Johno of Sky Eats Airplane and played the new Annotations of an Autopsy. We just conducted our interview with Remi and Cameron of Arsonists Get All the Girls, which was....awesome.
We have interviews set up for Finch (Friday), Fall of Troy (Monday), Thursday (Monday), Dethklok(Wednesday), A Girl A Gun A Ghost, and Fallen from the Sky.

4/8/08 Playlist and Sleepaway Camp review

Sleepaway Camp (1983) was made in the heyday of the 80's slasher/stalker craze. "After a horrible boating accident kills her family, Angela, a shy and sullen young girl, moves in with her eccentric aunt Martha, alongside her protective cousin Ricky. One summer, Martha sends the kids to Camp Arawak. Soon after their arrival, a series of bizarre and increasingly violent accidents begins to claim the lives of various campers. Who is the twisted individual behind these murders? The disclosure of the murderer's identity is the most shocking climax in the history of American cinema." (IMDB)

This is the quintessential Mystery Science Theater film. I won't lie to you, it's horrible. The acting is amateurish, uninspired, and painful to watch. The script must contain the words: "will ya" at least 4 times a page. But I have to be honest, I recommend this film 100%. I guarantee you will have a great time with a group of friends while watching this.
The ending, which I won't spoil, left our mouths on the floor. We've watched countless horror movies, and seen just about everything. But we both simultaneously shouted, "What the fuck?!" I can imagine the writers as they come to this ending. "You know, this whole thing is pretty trite and unoriginal, what can we do to really fuck everyone up?" And there's your ending. 5/10, but receives the NOLF seal of approval for pure fun.

NOLF Playlist for 4/8/2008

The Ghost Inside - Destined
Vesania - The Downfall (Hamartia & Hybris)
Onesetcold - Life Without Numbers
Poison the Well - Letter Thing
This Ending - Plague Angel
Sky Eats Airplane - The Opposite Viewed in Real Time
Immortal Dominion - Punishment
I killed the Prom Queen - Sharks In Your Mouth
The Red Death - Godless
Caliban - Songs About Killing
Dead to Fall - Womb Portals

4/1/08 Playlist - Decoys 2 Review

Decoys 2 (2007) is the "long awaited" sequel to Decoys (2004), that continues the story of an alien species disguised as beautiful women, who attempt to mate with young college students. Unfortunately, the anatomy of these Decoys is sub zero, and freezes their potential mates to death. Luke Callahan, our hero from the first film, is back and tries to stop the aliens before they destroy the town. This co stars Tobin Bell.

When we first reviewed Decoys, we called it an abortion to film, and one of the stupidest movies we had ever seen. So we took that mindset, and came to the realization that Decoys 2 is quite fine with being a piece of crap, but it's far too damn funny to not recommend it for a Bad Movie Night. 4.5/10 for the unintended humor and boobs.

Playlist 4/1/08

New Dead Radio - …From the Leaning Tower
Walls of Jericho – No Saving Me
Dismember - Europa Burns
A Girl A Ghost A Gun – A Lizard In The Lights
Emmure – Rough Justice
Powerglove – Tetris (Themes B & C)
Eyes Set To Kill – Sketch In Black & White
The Agony Scene – Deliverance
Nodes of Ranver – Endless Faith
Coheed & Cambria – Gravemakers & Gunslingers
A Different Breed of Killer – Liberation of a Giant
In Flames – March to the Shore

This week we featured the new Emmure and In Flames. We have an interview with Sky Eats Airplane coming up and eventual phone interviews with As Blood Runs Black and Four Letter Lie.