| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 06 Dec 2010 : 14:41:12
I just want to say that I saw this movie and I have rarely seen magic done properly in Hollywood (or at least the way I visualize it based on D&D  ). The visual effects and the way they make magic work in this movie is amazing. Props to the guys who made this film. Recommended for all fellow scribes.
And I hope I put this on the right shelf 
Mod Edit: Found this scroll floating in the ether. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 13:58:51
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
Remember: just because he's looking for two female leads doesn't mean he's looking for two female villains. Silver St. Cloud, Rene Montoya, heck, even Vicki Vale might be one of the leads.
Amanda Waller would be an interesting alternative.
She would, but Nolan probably won't touch her because of her Smallville appearances.
UGH. Now you got me thinking about Batman and Smallville again. Season 10 has been truly terrific, and Tom Welling & cast should graduate to the Superman reboot movie. But there's only one thing that would make the season absolutely perfect in my eyes:
:Scene - Clark, the Justice League and Justice Society stand on the battlefield. Around them lie a few comrades and many enemies, including the fallen form of Darkseid, laid low from his fight with Clark. As they begin to take stock of their injuries, talking and helping each other up, from the shadows of a toppled wall you see Desaad smiling, aiming a gun with kryptonite bullets at the young hero. Clark and friends are completely unaware as Desaad aims, pulls the trigger and--WHAM! from just outside the shot, you see a gloved hand grab the gun, while another fist (the flanges on the gloves very visible) hits and knocks Desaad out cold. Clark hears the commotion and turns, seeing the unconscious Desaad laying on the ground and catching the shadowy form of a man silhouetted with the bat ears. The man then disappears.
Batman: "Missed one. Be seeing you, Clark." |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 07:37:48
quote:
Originally posted by Ashe Ravenheart
Remember: just because he's looking for two female leads doesn't mean he's looking for two female villains. Silver St. Cloud, Rene Montoya, heck, even Vicki Vale might be one of the leads.
Amanda Waller would be an interesting alternative. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 07:19:18
Don't forget Zatanna! She'd be great, too. Or even Red Claw. An odd choice, but could be interesting. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 06:33:45
Remember: just because he's looking for two female leads doesn't mean he's looking for two female villains. Silver St. Cloud, Rene Montoya, heck, even Vicki Vale might be one of the leads. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 06:08:26
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Rumors say two female leads, so maybe both Talia AND Catwoman or Quinn?
The first two more likely, since they've both had relationships with Bruce Wayne/Batman in the past, and because Talia has previously trained Selina in practice of certain "League of Assassins"-styled techniques.
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| Tyrant |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 05:56:17
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Not as familiar with Talia, so I don't know how well that would go over with most movie-goers. It's sort of a given that to really do well, a movie needs to draw in the kind of casual fans who might not know some of the more obscure villains. That might be one mark against her, and in Catwoman's favor. Harley could tie in with the last movie, so that's another possibility. And part of the sets are supposedly being done in New Orleans, which might be a hint that Croc is in it. Or not. There seems to be some disesntion on that. Likewise, if Two-Face comes back, there's another tie to the previous movies. Rumors say two female leads, so maybe both Talia AND Catwoman or Quinn?
I see what you are saying as far as obscurity, but we have a precedent for using less known villains already. Ra's wasn't well known to movie goers. Honestly aside from the Joker I don't think any of the villains Nolan has used are well known to movie goers. I figure if Ra's could work then so could his daughter Talia. As for her and Harley, it might work. Harley represents the same type of chaos as the Joker, which is the opposite of what Ra's wanted. To him chaos was the means to an end, not an end unto itself. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 05:32:47
If, as the rumors are persisting, they are going to base it off the "Prey" storyline, the characters would be:
Dr. Hugo Strange
Sergeant Max Cort, an officer that hates Batman and winds up being twisted by Strange into becoming a deadly-force vigilante
Catwoman
Catherine Kauss, daughter of Mayor Kauss who's vocal in her support of Batman and who Strange develops an obsession on |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 05:04:14
Not as familiar with Talia, so I don't know how well that would go over with most movie-goers. It's sort of a given that to really do well, a movie needs to draw in the kind of casual fans who might not know some of the more obscure villains. That might be one mark against her, and in Catwoman's favor. Harley could tie in with the last movie, so that's another possibility. And part of the sets are supposedly being done in New Orleans, which might be a hint that Croc is in it. Or not. There seems to be some disesntion on that. Likewise, if Two-Face comes back, there's another tie to the previous movies. Rumors say two female leads, so maybe both Talia AND Catwoman or Quinn? |
| Tyrant |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 03:35:12
I would really like to see Talia. She ties back to the first movie and in a twisted way show that batman's actions have consequences. I think she would work best in a role similar to Catwoman in Batman Returns. She, via her agents (which I suppose could include someone like Bane), fights Batman and attempts to figure out who he is (assume Ra's never told her). On the civilian side, Talia (who will not use her real last name) will fall for Bruce and vice versa. They have quite a bit in common. They both lost their parents to violence (though Ra's was kind of asking for it), they are both rich, they both have alter egos, and they have both dedicated their lives to something greater than themselves. That doesn't mean they would be a great match, but they would "get" each other. Obviously that is all to set up the only conclusion possible where they fight it out and Batman is put into a situation where he has to ask himself if the fight is worth the price (again). As much as I like Catwoman for a situation like that, she just doesn't pose the same level of threat as Talia which means Batman can somewhat ignore her criminal activites. Talia is as much of a threat as Ra's. That and I liked the fact Bruce and Talia had a son in the Kingdom Come timeline. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 03:33:22
I'm intrigued by what Nolan said earlier in the year... about liking what had been done with both Hush and Doctor Hurt in the last few years worth of Batman stories. Whether that actually translates into film appearances, is another matter entirely.
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| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 03:04:55
I've heard that it might be Hugo Strange and either Catwoman or possibly Harley Quinn. Killer Croc has also been thrown around as a possibility, and Clayface, too. Rumors also say that Two-Face may return. Talia is a strong possibility, though. Personally, I'm hoping for Catwoman- his "love interest" is dead, so she'd be great for that aspect. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 02:37:36
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
BTW, any idea who the villain is going to be in the next Batman?
Joel Schumacher.
Heh. No, he was the villain in the last two films of the 90's Batman.
As for villains in The Dark Knight Rises... it still hasn't been revealed. Nolan has said two female leads will appear, though whether they're villains remains to be seen. My speculation suggests either Talia al Ghul [which would tie nicely with Batman Begins] or Poison Ivy. What male villains will be appearing -- if any -- [and I seem to recall Nolan saying that the Riddler would not be featured in the third film], we know next to nothing.
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| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 10 Dec 2010 : 01:05:51
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
BTW, any idea who the villain is going to be in the next Batman?
Joel Schumacher. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 09 Dec 2010 : 23:49:48
About the Original post- I really liked the movie and I can't say I'm a big fan of Nicholas Cage. The special effects are really amazing and the magic is done really well.
About Batman....while I'm not a big fan of the comics, having never really been a big comic book guy, I think the first two movies (the ones done by Tim Burton) are still my favorites with the last two (Batman Begins then The Dark Night) being second. The first two were just very very dark, gritty, yet had Comic Book elements that just made the movies great. I can't say I agree with adding two villains together (which I feel set the stage for that being the norm.) but the Penguin was spot-on as was Cat Woman.
As for the new Batmans with Christian Bale, I'm impressed and think they're very well done, though the Dark Night really needed Gotham to be.....Gotham (not Chicago). Hopefully the next movie will keep the good stuff coming and not a flop.
BTW, any idea who the villain is going to be in the next Batman? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 23:42:55
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Batman beyond was good - I just hope they don't try to bring him into the 'now' period - I liked the old Batamn/Bruce, that aspect is very cool.
Both the mini-series and the ongoing series will remain in the future timeline of the television series.
quote:
Anyone know how that fits with the Darknight? (which also takes place in 'the future'). I liked the Jubilee-version of Robin from there (and I also found it pretty funny when Robin and Jubille fell in love in the cross-over; a mutual bad-taste in attire?) 
Actually, Batman #700 shows them to be completely different timelines. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 23:26:54
No, have not seen it, nor heard of it. Have seen his rendition of Gawain and the Green Knight, however. Horrible. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 21:35:58
Well, I never said anything about Zooey making the series enjoyable because of her acting "talent". Cute was about the only adjective I could think of that didn't violate CK CoC. And definitely more *cough* Wizard of Oz than Alice in Wonderland, sorry Ashe. 
Incidentally, has anyone seen ye olde (not at all magic-related) Sean Connery b-movie Zardoz?
Shatner (as Kirk) is most assuredly a Thespian of Epic Proportions ... the problem is that Epic Proportions are not called for about 98% of the time. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 21:30:55
The rumor mill is that the next Batman movie will be based off the Legends of the Dark Knight story "Prey"; which features Dr. Hugo Strange and Catwoman. The basic premise is that Strange starts a smear campaign against Batman while trying to figure out who he is (and he does). The good doctor's campaign and public talks actually has Bruce Wayne take a hard look as to whether or not what he's chosen to do is truly insane. Sounds right up Christopher Nolan's alley.
Oh, and the Johnny Depp movie could be either From Hell or Sweeney Todd. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 21:26:54
Ooh, I loved Depp in sleepy hollow. Definitely on the list of magical movies!! four witches- two (maybe three) good, one VERY baaad....
There was that brief forey into victorian Gothic campaigns with Red Death.... |
| Markustay |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 21:16:52
Batman beyond was good - I just hope they don't try to bring him into the 'now' period - I liked the old Batamn/Bruce, that aspect is very cool.
Anyone know how that fits with the Darknight? (which also takes place in 'the future'). I liked the Jubilee-version of Robin from there (and I also found it pretty funny when Robin and Jubille fell in love in the cross-over; a mutual bad-taste in attire?)
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Actually I rather liked the Tin Man version of Alice in Wonderland. Largely, perhaps, due to Zooey Deschanel being just so darned cute*.
And it's for this reason that I'll now be heading off to the local DVD store to find the aforementioned series. 
SERIOUSLY?
Just shows how different people's tastes are - I found that an unwatchable mess because of her. Her acting 'talent' is in the Keanu-Reaves zone, and both of them make William Shatner (as Kirk) look like a Thespian of Epic proportions. Honestly, I think if that girl worked her entire life studying acting, she could aspire to having 'zero talent' - as of right now she is so deep in 'the negatives' she'd need a light-year length rope to climb back out.
Its funny - you guys call her 'cute', and I had similar thoughts, except mine were MUCH more evil (in how she actually manages to get acting parts).
Watch how she reacts to everything, including things that SHOULD freak most normal people out - I've seen more personality on a corpse.
And on a more positive note...
I am a HUGE fan of the Steampunk-genre, moreso in movies then gaming, but I dig-it wherever I can get it (including comics). Aside for the awesome League of Extraordinary Gentleman (the scene when they find-out Mina Harker is a vampire is classic!) Also loved Van Helsing (I believe another version of Mr.Hyde was in that as well) and Wild, Wild West (original TV series and Will Smith's version). The Brothers Grimm deserves a mention as well, even though not Steampunk, it was another great alternate-history movie. The Prestige (how can anything with Michael Caine be bad?) also fits into this category (and another movie that features Tesla in the background as a psuedo-Mage). I suppose the Sherlock Holmes movie fits as well, but I only caught the last 1/2 hour of it. I remember another, similar movie with Johnny Depp (and he has done a few neo-Steampunk movies, including Sleepy Hollow. There was also several versions of the Time Machine that fall into this category.
I just so love that period (Victorian Era) for super-heroics and psuedo-science - it has so much flavor and potential, and one could easily steal from both Scify and fantasy/Folklore for it. I just wish it was more 'mainstream' for gaming (my one attempt failed miserably). |
| Lady Fellshot |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 15:26:01
I really enjoyed Tin Man being a huge fan of most things that are Ozian. Just don't mention Gregory Maguire to me. I have utterly no respect for anyone writing a derivative work who can't even be bothered to get the map right.
Syfy also had retell of Alice in Wonderland which was not as bad as most of their usual Z-grade movies.
As for the Sorcerer's Apprentice... Considering most of it seemed borrowed from other places, it wasn't awful but it could have been better. I ranted about it here.
Mod edit: Added quotation marks around the URL to get the coding to work right.  |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 12:09:37
Regarding Ghost Rider, I enjoyed the film and had no problem with Cage in the role. If I did, I'd still prefer a Ghost Rider movie with an actor not to my liking than not having a Ghost Rider movie at all. A unique type of hero in the comic world. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:50:28
He also has done a comic of his own co-written with his son, called "Voodoo Child". AAAAND the "Cage" in his name is a direct homage to another of his fave comic heroes- Luke Cage.
The first one wasn't bad, exactly, just slightly campy in places. But the effects of the dragons and especially the beholder were awesome. The second D&D flick, was, in fact, a Sy-Fy movie, and had little to do with the first one beyond the world setting. Better over-all story, and more "gamer" feel, but less magic in it. Lots of puzzles and dungeon crawling, though! I personally loved the first one, though. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:46:01
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Except when they redid his look. It was the original look that first got my attention -- scary biker build, kinda futuristic-looking bike with the stylized skull fairing on the front and the tires made of flame. Then some new artist (far into the series) put him in a red and yellow jumpsuit, gave him a normal-looking motorcycle that was entirely on fire, and somehow managed to make Ghost's jawbone look like he needed to shave! 
That was largely due to the revelation of Ketch being the host for the spirit of Noble Kale... the Ghost Rider of the 90's. The knowledge literally transformed the Spirit of Vengeance for a time. That look only lasted a few issues though, after a brief encounter with Doctor Strange, Howard the Duck, and a few others, GR became embroiled in Blackheart's bid for ultimate power in Hell, and ultimately returned to the "blue and black" leather, just before the end of his series. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:39:40
They aren't bad, just B-movie/Saturday SyFy level.
As for Nic Cage as Ghost Rider, you have to remember, he's been a driving force behind getting the movie(s)* made. He's a HUGE Comic Book nerd (he just recently auctioned off his collection for $1.6 million, including his copy of Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #38) and Ghost Rider is his favorite hero (they had to digitally remove his Ghost Rider tattoo in the movie).
*Yes, they are working on a sequel right now. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:20:12
Heh. I used to have one of those little Mickey sorcerer antenna ball things (as shown here) on my car ... until some low-level rogue robbed me. Haven't seen any D&D movies - they are quite loathed and reviled by my players, so I've thus far made the choice to avoid them. Are they really that bad? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:16:09
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Off-Topic: Comics
I didn't 'hate' Ghostrider - I hated a middle-aged Nicholas Cage playing the part, because his ego was too large for him to realize he was ALL WRONG for it. Even in his youth, he had the wrong look. Loved Sam Elliot as the original GR - that dude is awesome.
Ghost Rider had a lot of problems. The easiest to pinpoint was the fact that the writers attempted to ineffectually blend the mythos of both GRI and GRII, along with some of the past material supporting the Ghost Riders of legend.
And I'm still disappointed with the fact that the Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider concept used in the film, was actually more Dan Ketch/Ghost Rider II. And a little sprinkling of lore about Zarathos and such would've been nice as well.
Ditto that. Dan Ketch is the only Rider I read about, and I loved just about everything about that particular Rider.
Except when they redid his look. It was the original look that first got my attention -- scary biker build, kinda futuristic-looking bike with the stylized skull fairing on the front and the tires made of flame. Then some new artist (far into the series) put him in a red and yellow jumpsuit, gave him a normal-looking motorcycle that was entirely on fire, and somehow managed to make Ghost's jawbone look like he needed to shave! |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 06:14:40
quote:
Originally posted by Arik
*cough* yes it is *cough* also a strange Wonderland hybrid of sorts.
I only brought it up because SyFy also made a similar "modernization" of Alice in Wonderland, called simply Alice. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 05:37:20
Just thought of some more good movies/TV for magic use- The Craft, which had an actual Wiccan helping with the script, also Hocus Pocus was a fun dive into magic, Witches of Eastwick, and Practical Magic. (Hmmm, I'm noticing a trend here....) Dragonheart was good (was that mentioned earlier?) Although the second one had more "magic" to it. And the funniest scene involving a dragon EVER!!! (And reminds me of a fellow gamer's wizard' drunkenly delving into spellcrafting with a little dweomer called "Fire Fart". 'Nuff said.)
The Secret of NIHM is fun for some gaming ideas, too, No real mention of how the few magical elements work (the Stone, Nicodemus's viewing window thingie) but so very pretty. And of course, either of the two D&D movies- and the cartoon!! Can't forget Presto's hat!! Which brings me to another connection to Sorcerer's Apprentice- the original Fantasia telling was of course, centered on a hat. I've speculated that it was the same one, just with a color cantrip placed on it to change appearance. And that scene in the SA movie with the mops was friggin LOL funny. But of course, it WAS Disney, so you know they had to do it. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 04:54:30
*cough* yes it is *cough* also a strange Wonderland hybrid of sorts. |
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