The Dark Knight Rises

Ok.  I am going to preface this by saying that I did fall asleep during the midnight release. Blasphemy, I know.  But I am planning on giving this masterpiece a second viewing.  Not only on the basis of my failings, but because I think that it deserves it.  I also want to state that my heart goes out to the victim in Colorado.


Spoilers sorta kinda, eh you  know to do.


Here we go. The Dark Knight Rises is the third and final installment of Christopher Nolan's "reality" based Batman movies.  I came into viewing of this film super skeptical due to how great The Dark Knight was, almost using it as a measuring stick to find out how other Comic Book movies are done.  I did leave a little disappointed...AND HERE'S WHY!


Nolan has been selective in his selections of using Batman's Rogues Gallery.  From me, the Nolan triliogy has been about the villain selection.  Growing up with the psychotic Batman, I know what to expect a Batman to look on film.  The direction that Nolan has taken with his rogues have interested me deeply, and are the reason I love his Batman films.  While other films have gone for the more powerful/super power types (Poision Ivy and the like), Nolan took a direction to "reality" I am assuming.  Using Ras al Ghul, Scarecrow, Joker, Two Face, Bane, and Catwoman (who I think isn't necessarily a villain, but her motives don't line up with Batman...so... villain).  Nolan seemed to already use the Batman trump card in already using the Joker (and what I Joker it was).  Ledger's performance was simply perfect, and I will say that Hardy and Hathaway's performance is not on this level.  Not that it is their fault, but the direction of the film white washes their importance, solely focusing on the psychology of Batman.  The villains in The Dark Knight  take a step back and let Batman (more Bruce Wayne) tell the final chapter in this story.  Early on, Batman is dominated by the villains showing a new level of weakness from Mr. Wayne.  I was surprised by Anne Hathaway's performance of Ms. Kyle, in that she stuck to the character integrity, survivalness, and heart of the character.  Catwoman plays the game with her own rules and nobody else's, and I am glad that this stuck to the characters development.  I was disappointed in how little screen time that Catwoman, due to how two villains seemed to work well in Batman Begins.  It wasn't until the very end of the movie that I begun to understand Nolan shaping of Bane's character.  During most of the movie, he's shown to be an intellectual and an extremely powerful person, with his motives being masked.  If you haven checked out Bronson (another movie starring Tom Hardy), do.  When first announced, I was skeptical of Hardy's acting skills.   That movie changed a lot of my thinking.


Christian Bale also pushes his Batman character further.  The Dark Knight shows vulnerable Batman, where he is debating on whether to give up the cowl or continue to fix the problems that Gotham has.  Bruce Wayne loses everything, and here we see the true character of what Batman is, and whether Bruce Wayne has the mental toughness to keep patching up Gotham's problems.  That being said and all,  this is the Batman that everyone expected.  And that is a good thing.  I think any alterations to the character of Batman that we as an audience have come to know, would have been a great disappointment.


DO NOT misunderstand me, by all means GO AND SEE THIS MOVIE!  Nolan has done a superb job in creating a believable Batman universe that was well casted and shot.  However, if you are expecting something better than The Dark Knight, you will be disapointed.  That is to say that this movie does not have Heath Ledger Joker in it.  I felt like The Dark Knight was an excellent end to a extremely well done movie.


...if only they have put The Riddler in :(

-TE

Target Practice

After watching The Hunger Games for the second time thanks to some generous friends last night, I finally feel comfortable talking about the narrative of the story.  When I first read the book, I felt i needed to push some argument forward about it, and the second viewing of the movie seems to have pushed me over the edge.


Spoilers...duh.


Much like Twilight and The Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games  will more than likely be made into to films (and possibly rebooted as well).  I fully realize that my understanding of the book may come at a disadvantage due to my gender, so there is also something that I could be completely missing in the story (however, that is your job to tell me when I am wrong).  I must also mention that I have only read the first book of the series.


My issues mostly revolve around the character of Catniss.  While the jarring narration of The Hunger Games trilogy does take a sometime to get accustomed to, the audience is subjected to every thought that Catniss has.  Every emotion, feeling, or philosophical quandary is in full view of the reader.  While the reader gets to know Catniss on a level unparalleled to any other character, she still feel just as hollow as a Twilight female character.  Maybe this is done so that the reader can identify with the character of Catniss easier (it is a young adult novel).  I will say that she is fully fleshed out, and outside of survival, Catniss does not have any  genuine emotion (outside of Rue being killed).


The character of Catniss seems to be a reaction to the environment around her, making her emotions and thought a construction in order for her to survive.  Her relationship with Peeta is something that happens out of necessity, and is pushed forward due to her time away from Gale (think that is his name).  Catniss seems to not have any strong emotions towards anyone outside of her family.  She develops a hatred for the Captial during her time in the hunger games (like you do), however she plays the part of the caring mother instead of the teen lover.


What I am trying to get at is Catniss motivation really.  I know that she is forced into a hole as to what she needs to accomplish and how that is to be done.  However, emotions such as love and caring are quickly thrown out as it is obvious how Catniss feels about making new friends to try to win over people.  She does this with the aid of Peeta, who being genuine in his feelings becomes more of a meat shield and someone else to take care of.  Gender roles do seem to be flipped, however that does not mean that Catniss needs to be as cold hearted or educationally dead towards everyone else because she is in the situation that she is in (granted being forced to kill 24 other people while living in the crap hole that in District 12 in Panem seems to be something not to be to happy about).


I think what this boils down to is how Catniss is viewed by others.  While to most, she is hailed as a positive female role, she does have some major flaws.  Doing what is necessary in order to survive does not make someone a hero, it makes them a survivor, which is what Catniss is.  After the death of her father, she took up his mantle and started taking care of her family (which is completely fine).  However, she is still in that mind set at the end of the book and the end of the movie.  She seems to be looking out for only herself and her survival so that she can begin to provide for her family again (again, completely fine).  Just do not sell me on the idea that Catniss is in love with the male interests in the books.  It is to clear (at least to me), that Catniss is out for herself and herself alone (growing up in a post apocalyptic where the government controls everything will do that to you).  Which again, is completely fine, because it teaches that women should not be dependent on other in order for them to be happy.  This mindset does alienate the character of Catniss in more of a warning rather than an example to follow.


...Also seeing Jennifer Lawrence fake smile has got to be one of the most awkward things that I have seen on screen. 


-TE

Shipping off to Westeros

Recently, I have been engrossed in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire.  Martin's books have an allure to me that is similar to that of a drug addiction or a healthy admiration, and have also gotten me back into reading.  Although it can be said that I was never really "into reading", these books have breathed new life into my appetite for reading.

I mostly accredit this new love of reading due to Martin himself.  While his writing is nothing from unique, his storytelling displays his knowledge of his story that he is telling, while taking the reader by the hand in his attention to detail in the environment he projects.  I have only read the first two books, and if you spoil ANYTHING for me, I will find you!

Another reason for my new found love of reading has to be the TV series that HBO picked up based on the book series.  About a year ago, I decided to give the show a chance after hearing whispers of it been extremely well done.  Not being one for fantasy, I was skeptical at first, but came to love the series.  Begging for more I picked up the books and have been reading sense.

Now a days it seems that entertainment is never in one form.  What I mean is that if a book were to tell a story, it is almost expected to be turned into a television series, movies, etc.  This is mostly due to the capitalistic nature of the American Culture.  In no way am I bashing or thinking that this is a bad thing.  However, it does seem to be choking the intellectual property market.

While I have made my opinion clear about the current nature of entertainment (rehashing old material, with few original stories being told).  I will say that there needs to be some exceptions that need to be made.  While the television series has deterred from the OC of the book, it still stands as a different vision about the content.  Much like fan fiction, it seems to make a place for itself in being bale to make a mark on the media that shapes our lives (see Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey).

So it seems that I may be stuck in the middle.  While I applaud original ideas being formed and put forth, I also enjoy how others take the works that they love and shine them in a new light.

Also I hate Catelyn Stark.
-TE

XX

(Image taken from http://www.gamerzines.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/AC3L2.jpg)

While cracking a recent game informer, I happened upon a article about the newest addition to the Assassin's Creed franchise.  I assumed that it was about the newest game the Ubisoft is stuffing down the public's throat.  Do not get me wrong, I love the idea of Assassin's Creed and welcome it as it has become one of the better franchises over the years.  I was confused why their was a female being featured, instead of the hooded hero that the games usually cover.  I was also surprised as to how clothed this female was, due to the overly dominate male games.  That being said, DAMN!

My interest was peaked, and I gave into reading the article about the game.  I was a little upset to find out that this game was to be on the PS Vita instead of some DLC being made available to gamers.  This brings  up this issues with female protagonists in video games.  While I am a huge supporter of equality in the gender of video games, it is a boys club when it comes to the games that we love.  Women are often the problems that players need to fix (Zelda, Peach, etc.).  So rather than the badassery of females showing through (such as Heavenly Sword).

The dress of women is also an issue I find. While women's designers seem to hate women (clothes being to tight, to small, to big, or endangering their joints), it is rare to see a fully clothed women in video games today, unless they are some sort of royalty.  Tomb Raider seems to be the whipping boy of this, as even though Lara Croft is a bad ass in her own right, she still needs to have cleavage in order to function in the world of video games.

I am to understand that their has been not only an influx of women gamers, but also women in the industry.  And while changes seem to be slow, their does seem to be a small move in the right direction towards the equality between the two genders.  

While the argument for idealization of body image through video games can be made, it is not and excuse for the blatant whoring out of the female body.  So to you Ubisoft, I tip my imaginary hat for taking a step in the right direction, in portraying a theoretical strong female protagonist (only because the game is yet to be released), and also a middle finger for not featuring her the main story ling (however, I will applaud you for actually using a Native American, but call you an idiot for relying on some stereotypes).

-TE

A Plea for OC

Across all mediums, there seems to be a lack in original content.  While this is nothing new, it seems to be a knock against the creative process.  It seem obvious that rehashing content or evolving a story line is a safer move financially, I think the world can do without another Final Fantasy or Metal Gear Solid.

This comes from recently viewing Prometheus.  Although it was entertaining, it seems like it was pulling on fans of the series to purchase a ticket.  I really do not have a problem with this (Loving Game of Thrones), as I understand that the media I come to enjoy and love has a price tag on it.  What I do have a problem with, is the majority of content that is being produced.  

A brief look at this summers movie list, show many movies based on content already being produced (The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Rises, etc.)  What I am trying to champion here is the push for things with a bit more creativity with content being put out.  The recent news of the CW show Arrow  is just another example of using previously generated media as a basis for a shows content.

As much as I love character of stories being re imagined in different ways and seeing people's different views being portrayed on screens and paper, nothing beats being entangled into a master storytellers environment for the first time.  I imagine many of you have fond memories of cracking your first book (or series)/movie/show and being completely taken by how well thought out the character were, while drinking in the writer prose/artists ink/descriptors vision.  To further the vision for financial gain seem to dirty the work rather than lift it beyond what people are expecting (see the Toby Maguire Spider-Man movies).

While I make a call for OC (Original Content), I have an understanding of how the entertainment business works.  I am hoping to see more daring and experimental content to be released the further we as a society start running out of things that already exist.

-TE

 

Injustice Gods Among Us Announcement Trailer

 

While everyone has been excited about the announcements of Skyrim: Dawngaurd and Deadspace 3, my attention was drawn to a little game called Injustice: Gods Among Us.  While the idea seems to be just a rehash of Mortal Kombat vs DC with less Mortal Combat, this does not seem to be the right direction that DC should be taking their intellectual properties, at least digitally.

Of course, I am going to makes this about Rocksteady's Batman franchise.  While the two games may seem to differ,  Rocksteady's games offer a water shed moment in which a company does comic book heroes right.  With respect to the source material and to the fans of these heroes,  The Batman games have been a great example of when things go right.

To many times super heroes games have been a disappointment (ex: Superman 64).  With the release of Readsteady's gems, I would have at least hoped for comic book games to be taken with a bit more seriousness and respect.

Also there is no sign of Green Lantern.

-TE

Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC Review

(image taken from 'http://www.comicbooked.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ArkhamCityHarlyDLC.jpg')_

First off, I would like to applaud Rocksteady Studious LTD for making such a gripping/compelling/overall bad ass game known Arkham City.  Those of you in the know, have heard my rantings on the overall greatness of this game The depth that the characters and story line go into, and just how fun it is to glide around Arkham City on a snowy white night has been something I have been enjoying since it's release.  The ending of this game, figuratively left me speechless in how daring the story line ended, and left me wanting anything that Rocksteady was willing to send my way with and Arkham City sticker.  Up to this date, the only DLC that I have not purchased associated with this game remains a challenge maps pack, and a skins pack.  I plan to purchase these in the future.  If you have played not Arkham Asylum, as a gamer, you owe it to yourself to play it BEFORE Arkham City.  I do not care if you are someone is the type of gamer who does not care about continuity, YOU MUST PLAY Arkham Asylum FIRST.  Rocksteady has even been so kind as to provide Game of the Year editions of their highly praised games at a reasonable price.  Besides, you as a gamer should be more than happy to support an independent company who puts out media gold, such as Rocksteady.

This brings me to the new Rocksteady downloadable content that I was all to eager to download on to my Playstation 3.  Even though I have been waiting all day for a short 2 hours of new Batman content, I enjoyed all it had to offer.  Only $10 and also available on XBL/PSN/PC, I would suggest that everyone who has played Arkham City to get on this DLC ASAP.


**Warning Spoilers (kind of...sort of...yea)**
Harley Quinn's Revenge picks up two weeks after the comic world shattering events at the end of Arkham City.  Batman has gone missing, and it is up to none other than Tim Drake himself to figure out what the hell is going on.  For the first time in the main story line, players are able to take control of "The Boy Wonder" as he retraces Batman's recent adventures.

Having dealt with The J man himself, Baine, Azreal, Deadshot, Hush, Penguin, Solomon Grundy, Dr. Freeze, Ras Al Ghul, Dr. Strange, and The Riddler,  Mr. Wayne finds out the emotionally unstable Harley Quinn has kidnapped some of Gotham's finest and held them hostage in the Arkham's Steel Mill.  Batman, feeling the guilt of the events of what has happened two weeks ago, feels compelled to stop Harley Quinn despite the advice of others.  Oracle and Robin have a dialogue on how The Bat has not been himself since "the event." **Side note**  "How do you tell when Batman is acting irrational??

Obviously Batman save the day, and leaves us with his trademark brooding and darkness to keeps the audience wondering.

**Review**
Harley Quinn's Revenge is, short.  Do not get me wrong though.  I love the direction that they are taking the story due to the how cryptic the ending of Arkham City was.  I also could not pass up another opportunity to play as "The Caped Crusader", let alone a chance to play Tim Drake himself.

Visually, not much has changed.  The art direction that is taken in Harley Quinn's Revenge feels like a natural revolution to how the character have evolved as well.  Harley herself looks angry and full of hate while still recovering from what happened in Arkham City.  Batman is also brought up to bat standard as the effects of Arkham City have been traded for a fresh clean suit filled with the same gadgets he has accumulated in Arkham City.  Robin however, take a more person in the background atmosphere, to say that he is not the most import person in this story, and has accepted that he is simply out to find The Bat.

Control wise not much has changed. It is the same Bat controls on the same Bat game that I have come to know and love (even if there might be a learning curve).  Rocksteady seems to have in mind that the people interested in this DLC are expecting it to be held up to a certain standard.

**Final Verdict**
I am not going to lie.  I am going to be bias because I loved Arkham City so much, I naturally think that this DLC is a must have.  If you are skeptic, you should buy it anyways and make a judgement based on the experience that you have while playing it.  If you are new to the series, go out and buy the Game of the year edition.  It will have all the Arkham City DLC along with one off the best games of 2011 this side of Skyrim.

-TE