#matt reeves my beloved

[hollandorks]

idk if I ever told this story but it was this exact scene when I first saw the film that made me go "oh. oh no. he's in my brain now." Like I 100% remember that moment clearly

anyways then I came home and wrote 10k words of motn in one sitting

Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne  /  The Batman (2022)

[bruciemilf]

THANK YOU so much for including Mario in your headcanons!! People tend to forget about him 😔😔 ( also uhmmm more about your face claims for the Falcones? 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️)

WOOO MARIO MY BELOVED (I know the faintest of info abt him)

I feel like the Falcones need a vintage elegant destruction about them, so, this is just going off vibe!! Also, I think Sofia’s portrayal varies between source material.

Steven Bauer is Mario for me fr fr. In my head he’s a well-meaning if not gullible crime himbo

I’ve already decided Ben Feldman should play Alberto, sorry Matt Reeves :/

(I strongly believe he should be a trophy wife to someone, anyone. He deserves it)

Also, I do believe Lady Gaga would slay Sofia Falcone if given the opportunity

[jesncin]

I'm still letting my thoughts on Caped Crusader cook in the oven for longer but I'm already seeing some pretty exhausting takes on CC that I want to quickly get out of the way just so we're on the same media-criticism page. So,,,speedrun of debunking common Caped Crusader talking points (there may be spoilers:)

"The only criticism I've heard of Caped Crusader is coming from bigots who hate POC and queer people/ hate how progressive the show is"

Have we truly learned nothing from MAWS,,, a show (let alone any media) is not exempt from criticism just because they bothered representing POC or queer people. We're also especially allowed to critique how well the show represented those identities without being over protective of their portrayal. Painting all criticism as coming from bigots and therefore silencing discussion is promoting anti-intellectualism. This is an unfortunate evolution to the "your fav is problematic" fear, where people feel the need to moralize how good a media they enjoy is. You are allowed to enjoy a flawed show, or ignore criticism and have fun in fandom. Don't silence people for your own sake though.

"Caped Crusader is doing something new/referencing something classic therefore it is good."

A common flawed debating tactic is saying "new=good" or "old=good" without elaborating on why. If CC did a brand new take on a rogue, people will say "it's good because it's different and any criticism is because you don't like change" or if CC is returning to a classic incarnation of a rogue, people will say "it's actually a reference to a golden age version of the character so you can't critique it". Referencing something old or making a new different take doesn't mean it's automatically a good creative decision. Similarly:

"Well did you know Bruce Timm/Matt Reeves/Ed Brubaker/[insert beloved industry usually white guy here] worked on this? Therefore CC is good"

I don't get how retroactively informing someone that a thing they dislike was made by a beloved industry darling (that may have created something they previously liked) would change someone's opinion on something as if we're not allowed to be disappointed by a creative. No, it doesn't change anyone's critique to know who was behind the thing they are critiquing. Yes, I know artists who worked on the Spiderverse character designs worked on MAWS. Those rogues still look boring.

That's the most I've heard! I'm writing this in hopes no one will repeat this rhetoric at me or if they do, I can just link to this like an FAQ haha. I don't hate or even really dislike Caped Crusader, but I'd like to talk about it without these common talking points being used to stop nuanced discussion.

[nijigasakilove]

Just finished the finale and my jaw is absolutely on the floor. One of the best tv shows ever made, second best of the year to Shogun for me and one of the best DC products of all time. This was a masterclass on character development and storytelling. Matt Reeves thank you for this classic.

First of all, FUCK OZ. These last 3 episodes should be a reminder to everyone that the penguin is evil, pure unadulterated evil. He’s not even a sympathetic character which in some respects I like because we often get characters with boo hoo sob backstories, but nah this dude’s just an unredeemable piece of shit. It’s one thing to kill your brothers, then to lie about and then even when faced with your mom potentially getting her finger cut off you KEEP lying. Like this was really one of Satan greatest soldiers.

“I can’t take you with me this time kid” man don’t even get me started on how he did vic. Seriously I’m about to throw up cause I knew Vic wasn’t gonna make it out, but it don’t make it any easier. He should’ve just left town with his girl. Literally did anything Oz could’ve wanted and he still did that to em? Again, we see Oz just cares for no one. He probably don’t even regret killing his brothers.

Sofia oh my beloved you deserved better. They will never make me hate you. Burnt everything to the ground and on the way out of town and this bitch Oz betray you yet again. Sending her back to jail is honestly worse than killing her. But on the bright side we will get the Selina and Sofia team up in the Batman 2 which should be the cuntiest collab ever. Two mothers who were wronged by their father, Gotham really not ready for that.

Finally got comic book accurate penguin but again, I don’t feel bad for the mom situation at all. She knew he killed her other kids and was willing to forgive and forget because of a promise to make her rich? Like get the fuck out of here man. Now she gets to spend her remaining days in a vegetative state with the devil she created. The batman symbol finally going up at the end but where tf was bro throughout the series lmaoo. This was awesome tho I can’t wait for the batman 2

[king-crane]

//little side post while i get replies done in the middle of doing Arkham Origins, but

something i think i never really realized i loved so much about Riddler and the dynamic he brings is just how much his obsession to prove himself better brings about his downfall. there are many things that can be said about Edward Nygma, but he is ABSOLUTELY one hundred percent as smart as he claims to be. He is an absolute genius and that's not even up for debate.

the horrible part is that Eddie cannot perceive a world where there is anything beyond intellect - he is the biggest believer in brains over brawn, without realizing what that entails. he takes it to an extreme, because all his life he has felt belittled, especially by his father. being a genius isn't good enough. he has to be the best. and you know what? so does Bruce.

Bruce doesn't ever truly try to tell Eddie that what he's doing is stupid, or that he's good enough and that he respects him, because that may just be too easy. Bruce has an addiction to his work, and even if he will never admit it, I firmly believe there's a large part of Bruce that LOVES Eddie's riddles and games. For Bruce, they really ARE the "amusing diversion" that Eddie claims they are.

The biggest difference, however, is that while Bruce indulges in his pride, he has worked hard to hone not only his mind but his body as well. he doesn't suffer the same need to participate in these intellectual contests as Eddie does, though he does enjoy them. It's the difference between knowing when to stop, versus having it define your life.

Another tragedy is Edward's need. It's a psychological compulsion to KNOW, not just to be better. One of the questions he asks most is "how did you do it". And then his obsession over the "how", over how somebody could possibly outsmart him, drives him mad.

he will scream out that none of this was how he planned. he will insist that the batman cheated, that there's no way he could have done it. he will sob and screech to the high heavens and to everyone in arkham, asking how the bat could have possibly escaped his traps.

and he keeps going. because he has nothing else.

ultimately eddie is one of the most tragic figures in my honest opinion. also, most of my knowledge of him admittedly comes from the arkham games, the animated series (specifically "Riddler's Reform), and Matt Reeve's The Batman, so i apologize to my beloved eddie specialists ( @riddlethat and @brokentoys ) if this comes off as weird.

idk i just. really like him as a character.

[finniestoncrane]

I saw people putting their rogue threesomes...*slides this over*

Scarecrow + Jervis - wouldn't mind riddler also being involved . actually can I just watch those three be freaks

Two-face + penguin - I'm ready for em. READY.

Mr freeze + Bane - I will get crushed, I will freeze and be boiled. Idk bane looks like he'd run hot with all those muscles and serum

Jason Todd + penguin OR two-face - I feel like the banter would be hilarious tbh. Just men bickering whilst I lay there like "this is nice". Some people consider Jason apart of the gallery Soo

Jervis + Harley Quinn - I think they'd be good friends in my hc. And I just know it would be crazy.

Killer croc + manbat - ......don't look at me.

Scarecrow + joker - it'll be like entering a perfume store, you turn your head - fear gas - turn your head again - laughing gas - you would just be having giggles the whole time.

kjhkjhasd ok first of all anon don't come into my inbox and be funnier than me it makes me look bad (kidding, kidding) these are all SO GOOD but you're killing me with a few of them like holy fuck holy shit yes yes yes

dork squad threeway where i sit and watch with popcorn my beloved scenario tbh!!

also two face and penguin is such an underrated combo, lord willing matt reeves will give us a gritty on screen two face to parallel his ozzie and my dreams will be made u-u

killer croc and manbat come ON! i am looking at you, we're making eye contact across a crowded room and having a deep connection 💚

also forever dying at the perfume store analogy i choked on my babybel thank you for that image lmaooooo

[20thcentutygeek]

The Creator of Mind MGMT and DEPT. H is Teaming Up With his Mother, Margie Kraft Kindt, for a Brand-New Whodunit Murder Mystery

Bestselling cartoonist Matt Kindt has shattered crowdfunding records with Keanu Reeves on their blockbuster BRZRKR graphic novels. He’s created acclaimed comics with fellow indie comics darlings Jeff Lemire and David Rubín and his talented studio mate, Brian Hurtt. And now the creator of Mind MGMT and Dept. H. has a new and entirely unexpected writing partner: his mother, Margie Kraft Kindt. Together the two Kindts are creating Gilt Frame, an eccentric and electrifying crime thriller starring the most unlikely detective duo in the history of murder mysteries. The 3-issue whodunit will be published at Dark Horse Comics through Flux House, Kindt’s boutique imprint that features crime, science fiction, and humor stories, all told and presented in startling and untraditional ways. 

“Although it is a privilege and thrill to collaborate with someone of Matthew’s caliber and of his generation, the real joy and value is personal,” said Margie Kraft Kindt. “What a bonus at this time of life, the gift and pleasure of so many hours and days in the company of a grown-up son, sitting across from each other at our partner table, settling into our chairs as we brainstorm plot twists.Each of us takes on the roles of our characters. I develop the energetic persona of the star of Gilt Frame, the take-charge Meredith Pearson — Aunt Merry to her beloved nephew and best buddy, Sammy — while Matt shoots out dialogue for him. We toss around how they would play off each other — so completely immersed in the exhilarating work we are both passionate about, that every once in a while, we stop and ask each other, ‘Are you getting this down?’”

A classic whodunit that spans the globe from Paris to Hawaii to Montenegro, Gilt Frame stars Sam, an orphan in his early twenties, and his well-off Aunt Merry who has an outsized appetite for antiques, travel, and solving crimes. Sam was adopted by his aunt years ago and together they have solved some of the most notorious murders in the world. Now their latest Parisian adventure is cut short when they stumble upon a murder scene so bizarre that only a raging psychopath could have produced it. To solve this crime, Sam and Merry will have to wrestle with jewel thieves, art-forgers, gun-runners, the century-old ghost of the woman in black, a lost puppy, and a master French detective who just might solve the crime before they do.

“Sam, the young nephew in Gilt Frame, is really the star of the show here,” said Kindt. “The voice of reason who generously gives old Aunt Merry just enough screen time” not to embarrass herself. He’s always looking out for her as they solve a real puzzle of a murder. It’s not a locked room murder mystery. It’s more of an unlocked…UNHINGED murder mystery.”

 For over 20 years, Matt Kindt has been writing and illustrating inventive, independent comics that balance action-packed storytelling with a highly personal creative vision, with titles like BRZRKR (with Keanu Reeves), Apache Delivery Service, BANG! Dept. H, Ether, Fear Case, MIND MGMT, Folklords, Revolver, 3 Story, Super Spy, and Pistolwhip. But he’s never had a collaborator quite like this… “While we were working on this book it brought back memories of me when I was ten or so…and Mom constructing pretend “crime scenes” at home for me to solve,” said Matt Kindt. “ Follow the fake bloody footprints to figure out what happened. Pay attention to the broken clock. Why is that door open? That childhood memory actually explains a lot. Very formative. So of course it only makes sense for us to build another crime scene together. Brings me back to my roots and to what writing has always been for me – play. We’re having fun.”

The 64-page giant-sized Gilt Frame #1 is due out in comic shops on August 7, and advance copies will be available for sale at the Dark Horse Comics booth at San Diego Comic-Con. Follow Dark Horse Comics on social media for more news, announcements, and updates.

[smytherines]

CLOVERFIELDDDDDDD my beloved. I love found footage as a genre, but it is often pretty bad. Just so many people do not know how to correctly utilize it. The only other modern found footage movie I can think of that even remotely does it effectively is Rec (or the American remake Quarantine, which is almost a shot for shot remake).

I like horror in theory, but a lot of the time just end up unimpressed with it. But God, those underground sequences in Cloverfield are just next level shit. The transformation sequence?? Ough spectacular, I want to eat it. And brilliantly done both to save on effects and to make it really fucking terrifying.

I actually got super into looking up all the bits and pieces of the ARG they used to market the movie, and even that is well-paced and interesting and adds a ton of background to the world. Like when they cut back to the footage of the couple at the fair at the end of the film, if you watch really carefully you can actually see something falling into the ocean behind them! Which isn't something the film tells you will happen, but is laid out really well in the ARG stuff.

And there are so so many interesting shots in that film, which is a miracle because they all still make sense in the context of a character who is just messing around with a camera and accidentally becomes a documentarian. That's skill right there- being such a good director that you can compose gorgeous shots that still make sense for a character that barely knows how a camera works. A lot of found footage movies have Big Action Sequences where the camera-operating character suddenly becomes a master cinematographer, and nothing pulls me out quicker than that.

The thing I love most about Matt Reeves is his pacing, which sounds kinda silly probably, it isn't a thing typically praised in directors, but every Matt Reeves film I see I'm just eagerly watching the entire time without my ADHD making me daydream or fall asleep.

Like, I fully cannot stand Batman as a character most of the time (wAaahhh my parents died, like stfu Bruce you bourgeois bitch). I know he's more complex in the comics, but movie batman is tedious to me. EXCEPT in The Batman, where Matt Reeves pulled off a miracle in getting me to not just care about Batman, but making me genuinely distressed that the 3 hour long Batman movie was about to end. I spent three consecutive hours on this earth caring about Batman, and Matt Reeves did that. Also I mean... God that movie is stunning to look at.

Also please please please watch the Apes movies!! I promise you will not regret it. The first one (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) isn't directed by Reeves, but it has the same writers as his Apes movies, so they still feel like a set. And they are really beautiful films. Visually stunning, lots of practical sets with more modest CG backgrounds, but also just... thematically beautiful. Full of symbolism that doesn't feel hacky or forced.

The acting is incredible, especially for the actors doing motion capture for the Apes. Part of what I was so worried about with the new Apes film is that it would be so so easy to just try to reproduce LotR mass battle sequences and slap Apes onto it and call it an Apes film, to just focus on blockbuster action sequences and not seriously engage with the themes of the Apes franchise, OR to just do a lukewarm retread of past Apes films (Tim Burton, lookin at you)

But Reeves doesn't do either of those things. Action sequences are tight and disciplined and feel earned. Moments of dramatic tension and character exploration feel well-thought-out, absolutely nothing in those films is inserted just to look cool or to tick a box in an action film checklist. Everything feels intentional, everything leads somewhere for the plot and for the characters. I could genuinely talk about the Apes trilogy all day, they are just... *chefs kiss*

As silly as it is, I really have spent months worried that the new Apes movie would be a disappointment, that it wouldn't live up to the Reeves films, so now it's like "OK, Joey Richter loves the Apes franchise and he likes the new one, so maybe its actually good and won't break my heart?"

Um. Have I ever mentioned I'm also very normal about Matt Reeves and the Apes trilogy (only the last two are directed by Matt Reeves but the first one is also very very good!)

(Seriously though if you ask me about Cloverfield I will talk for an hour straight, Matt Reeves worked a goddamn miracle with the found footage & creature feature genres. Oh god, and Let Me In was spectacular. And obviously The Batman but everyone knows he killed it on that. Ugh every movie he makes is so beautiful and perfectly paced. I would take a bullet for Matt Reeves)

[demigoddessqueens]

He’s such an icon for this

[h3llbound]

“I don’t have a type” exhibit A

[coureirsix]

Do you have like… a suggested reading list/order. For hellblazer comics and related media. Literally I’ve looked around and all I’ve found is that I simply Do Not trust Comic Men and their opinions

okay hello anon. this is a LONG POST and an updated/more thorough version of This List right here, so i'll be tagging @nuntox tox my beloved, again. ( & because im a bloody saint everything’s got non-t0rrent links(: )

John was formally introduced in the Saga of the Swamp thing book three, and while I have, not actually read any of Swamp thing I’m told it’s like, a good enough read. 

And, naturally, a good place to start with john is his titular comic, Hellblazer. 

Hellblazer is like, it sure is a Vertigo comic. And If you haven’t read any of the other titular Vertigo comics (i.e: Preacher or Sandman) and you go into this blind, know that this comic is uh, not for the very easily offended/the faint of heart, I should say. I WILL say that I only recommend reading up until Hellblazer #250 because Peter Milligan absolutely destroys John and it’s bad it’s terrible it’s disgusting peter milligan my behated.

To give you some kind of frame of reference for John as he is in Hellblazer, the first arc he’s given is the reference point for the Constantine “Feast of Friends” episode in which John feeds his best friend to a demon in order to get rid of it. This arc is honestly. Very good, personally outside of the Obvious “Man” shit that happens, I think Jamie Delano is a fantastic writer and that first arc is a really good introduction to who John is and what John will do moving on from then. A fun factoid i love sharing too is that John’s canon bisexuality of today comes from a throwaway line in the early issues of Hellblazer and a terrible arc where he has sex with a bruce wayne parody. 

Anyway, if you just kind of want to dip your toes into Hellblazer, then (I’m only halfway through Jamie Delano’s run in my reread so this is all from memory of like. 2013 when i raw-dogged hellblazer.)

The most popular arc of John’s is Dangerous Habits, written by my arch nemesis Garth Ennis, which spans Hellblazer #41-#46 (collected in the Vol. 5 link) . And frankly it is also a very well done arc. (if i remember right, this is where Matt Ryan bases his portrayal of John from and also what inspired the 2005 movie starring Keanu Reeves, Constantine. They also kind of sped-ran John through a similar thing in Legends of Tomorrow 5x05.) 

And a few of my personal favourite John arcs are:

The Family Man (Hellblazer #28-30, collected in the Vol. 4 link)

Freezes Over (Hellblazer #158-161, collected in the Vol. 14 link)

High on Life / Red Sepulchre (Hellblazer #175-180, collected in the Vol. 16 link)

Staring at the Wall (Hellblazer #189-193, collected in the Vol. 17 link)

Overall, Mike Carey’s run of Hellblazer was by-far my favourite. Although honestly for the full John experience I really would recommend just. Reading through issue #250 of Hellblazer.

And if you’re at all interested, the really bad arc john has with the bruce wayne parody is Lapdogs and Englishmen (Hellblazer #162-163) & Highwater (Hellblazer #164-167) ((both collected in the Vol. 15 link)) however. if my memory serves. there is a CW for drug use without consent, rape, and nazism. There’s nothing graphic, but. Well. remember what I said earlier?

Good Hellblazer spin-offs are:

All His Engines

City of Demons

And there’s also like. The Books of Magic and other things that John makes appearances in but I will be honest with you I never looked into any of that stuff. It’s out there though.

NOW. that was just hellblazer. Here’s what they did with john for the nu52 and onward.

There was a solo Constantine series for the new52 literally just called “Constantine” and it ran for four volumes, but I also wouldn’t recommend reading it just because my memory of it is that they made john a little bitch. 

The same goes for the nu52 Justice League Dark like. It ran 6 volumes. it was a cool concept but just. meh. 

The second john nu52 thing released was Constantine: The Hellblazer and i don’t think i finished reading it back when it was being released but i remember it being fun!! this is the modern comic that gives john a boyfriend.

Now that we’re past the nu52, they brought Justice League Dark back and Diana is there??? I don’t know what’s going on here or if john is even THERE but you’re welcome to have a look. 

There’s also the Hellblazer Rebirth comic and it sucks i hate it i didnt like it it sucks tim seeley CHOKE challenge.

There is the Sandman Universe presents: Hellblazer Series and NOW THIS. THIS IS WORTHY OF THE HELLBLAZER TITLE. it’s a solid narrative that’s woven to be JUST like classic hellblazer. i read the rebirth comic before this and it was SUCH a refreshing read, it’s very john. it’s a solid read.

And lastly, comic-wise, for now, HELLBLAZER RISE AND FALL MY BEST FRIEND HELLBLAZER RISE AND FALL THIS IS WHY I HAVE FALLEN BACK INTO THE HELLBLAZER HYPERFIXATION HERE HE IS MY LITTLE BOY MY LITTLE MEOW MEOW MY BELOVED MY EVERYTHING HE IS MY EVERYTHING YOUR HONOUR!!!!!!!!!!

(issue two, issue three)

And that’s it, comics-wise. Now, onto further john media. the MRCU, the matt ryan cinematic universe, if u will.

John is in these DCAU films, voiced by Matt Ryan,

Justice League Dark

Justice League Dark - Apokolips War

Constantine: City of Demons (fun fact about this one, you see the two Hellblazer spin-offs I listed above? This movie’s not based on the one you’d think.) 

TBH all these movies kinda suck but I love john and matt!john and of the three of them justice league dark is the best one.

EDIT: OKAY SHAME ME FOR THIS ONE BUT I ALWAYS FIGURE THIS ONE IS A GIVEN BUT I DID LITERALLY LEAVE OUT NBC CONSTANTINE FROM THIS LIST. 

THE PILOT IS TERRIBLE AND THE SECOND EPISODE IS INSANELY RACIST but. but. it DOES pick up by the midseason onward and papa midnite and jim corrigan and zed are so sexy and for WHAT.

John can also be found on DCTV in the arrowverse and these shows/episodes are:

arrow 4x05 (his introduction to DCTV)

legends of tomorrow 3x09, 3x10, 3x15, 3x18 (at only the end i believe), Season 4, Season 5, Season 6

john is in the crisis on infinite earths dctv crossover eps for short segements (i.e: the infamous lucifer cameo) and those are: batwoman 1x09 & the flash 6x09

And, Phew. I believe that’s all I got for you anon. 

[scrawnydutchman]

Why Vengeance Won’t Save Gotham City: An Essay on ‘The Batman’

*This essay contains spoilers for Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’. You have been warned.*

‘The Batman’ is a brand new film adaptation of one of the most popular and iconic characters in popular culture, as well as his world and his rogues gallery of villains. It is directed by Matt Reeves (who viewers may know as the director of the new Planet of the Apes trilogy) and stars Robert Pattinson, Paul Dano, Zoe Kravitz, Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell. Being the latest reboot for character that has seen more film reboots and reimaginings than perhaps any other comic book character, The Batman has big shoes to fill, especially in remembrance of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”, which what many consider to be not only the best superhero film but one of the greatest films ever made.

While debate around whether it compares to that iconic film is still ongoing, many first impressions are in consensus that this is certainly a worthy adaptation of the caped crusader. Stylish, gritty, well casted and with a gripping mystery of a story, ‘The Batman' does a fantastic job doing the beloved character justice and it holds it’s own as a great superhero film. It’s success on that front can be attributed to it’s very clever choices in it’s cinematography, writing, cast and character portrayals throughout the film that feels both fresh and familiar for the characters and world. Perhaps the film’s greatest strength, however, is it’s theme and message. Much like many of the film’s other creative choices, the message is both true to the Dark Knight while deviating just enough to seem original. It does this by holding the very core of what Batman is all about up to scrutiny; by posing an interesting question (or riddle, if you will):

Should Batman be vengeance?

While Batman has taken on a whole spectrum of tones over his existence on popular culture, many would agree that his main appeal is his dark and gritty nature. He is a creature of darkness; hiding in the shadows to punish the suspicious and cowardly criminal world of Gotham City. His vow is to purge Gotham of the corruption that took the lives of Thomas and Martha Wayne all those years ago. To do this, he becomes “vengeance”: a being that will hit back at injustice and, hopefully, hit so hard that it will no longer rear it’s ugly head.

But therein lies the rub. The Batman cannot destroy evil. Nobody can. His quest in doing so can only ever end in defeat; him dedicating his life to a goal that by nature is unobtainable . . . and he will lose much of what he has in the process.

This tragedy is touched on in the very beginning of the film. While Batman narrates that since he started patrolling the streets at night the criminal underworld has been afraid of every shadow, thinking it might be him waiting to strike . . . crime has not dropped in Gotham City. It has actually skyrocketed in the two years that he has dawned the cowl. He can’t help but think that he is not having the impact he had hoped for. What could he be doing wrong?

This struggle has also been taking a huge physical and emotional toll on Bruce Wayne. In this world, Bruce Wayne is a recluse. Whenever he makes a public appearance it’s a spectacle, because it almost never happens. He dedicates almost all of his time to being Batman, to a point where Alfred has to remind him to take a shower and dress proper and to get out there as Bruce Wayne sometimes. Not only is Gotham in a worse state since the Batman has arrived, but Bruce is as well.

Many have stated disappointment in this depiction of Bruce as they are used to him putting on a facade of billionaire playboy during the day in other adaptations, but I actually prefer this. It shows that being Batman is HARD for him and, in my opinion, is much more realistic than a guy who somehow manages to turn the billionaire playboy thing on and off on a whim.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere . . .  Gotham is introduced to he who will become the greatest criminal master mind of his time. A mysterious killer who specializes in elaborate traps and schemes, calling himself “The Riddler”.

The Riddler is an unstoppable force of nature in this film, and he is not dissimilar to Batman. Dedicating himself to the cause of purging Gotham of it’s corruption, he takes it to the next level and openly exposes/murders the very leaders and politicians who benefit from keeping Gotham in the dirt. He cuts through the lies and the empty promises and exposes everyone he targets for who they really are .  . . including Bruce Wayne, the prince of a corrupt empire himself whom everyone puts on a pedestal in part because he’s a “poor little orphan” . .  .but perhaps “poor” is too strong a word, as he is a little orphan who is privileged in every other sense that no other orphan in Gotham can compare. The Riddler brings Gotham to a whole new level of fear and hysteria, all the while leaving little clues to the Batman that will inevitably allow them to meet face to face. Then we get an interesting little nugget of information . . . . the Riddler . . . thinks of Batman as an ally. He thinks they have common ground and a common goal. He sees Batman as inspiration for how to respond to corruption and injustice . . . only Riddler takes it to a level Batman refuses to go to. 

All these events lead up to one hell of a finale in the film. The Riddler’s plan is on the brink of success. The streets of Gotham are flooded. Everyone is retreating to the only part in town where they might be safe from the water . . where Riddler’s army of sympathizers awaits to shoot everyone down from the rafters. It is up to Batman to do whatever he can to protect what Gotham has left, because what little good Gotham has is down there too. He just barely manages to save everyone from the gunfire, but in the process comes across a harrowing revelation. After he pummels one of the Riddler’s goons to near death, when said goon is asked who he is, he responds “ . . I’m vengeance”.

That is when it is finally revealed to Batman what he’s been doing wrong this whole time. Why the Batman hasn’t had the intended effect on Gotham. Corruption, hatred and evil cannot be destroyed by vengeance: it THRIVES on vengeance. The only reason these gunmen are here is because they were inspired by Batman’s example. For every act of cathartic malice and violence where will come another to top the previous one in an endless, self fulfilling cycle of destruction. Batman HAD tried to avoid going down this road. It’s why he refuses to kill and why earlier in the film he stops Catwoman from taking a life (with one of my favorite lines in any Batman movie “He has to pay . . but you don’t have to pay with him”). But Batman learns that even those restrictions aren’t enough. It is not enough to be “vengeance”.

Batman must also be “hope”. Hope that Gotham CAN be better if the people choose. Hope that this DOESN’T have to be their fate: either ongoing corruption or death. Batman can’t just beat down on criminal scum. He must also save the innocent. He must give them assurance that they will be okay and that there is something to keep trying for. He must step into the light of day.

Hopefully this will mean good things for Bruce Wayne too. Hopefully it will mean that he can do good in the public eye as Bruce Wayne, not just as Batman in the shadows. The Riddler was convinced that the only way to rid Gotham of it’s evil was to snuff out Gotham entirely . . . . but he failed to see the hope he would have destroyed in the process. The little good that is there needs to be protected if there is ever to be hope for a new foundation.

And I, for one, love this message. It challenges the appeal of Batman in a very compelling way. Maybe now, Batman CAN be the hero Gotham needs . . not just the one it deserves.

[calamity-aims]

OK so I watched The Batman last night and I think this movie was made for ME SPECIFICALLY. Spoilers maybe under the cut.

First off, the opening scene really fooled me. I thought that was baby Bruce! I thought that guy was Thomas Wayne! Because ALL Batman movies start out with that! And then Bruce comes stomping down the hallway with all the cops and I was like wait what?? Excellent subversion. You never even SEE the Waynes much less their murder and I think it adds a layer of haunting memory. It’s obvious that they played Ave Maria at the funeral, the way Bruce reacts to the song.

The gothic architecture?? No longer is Gotham just Chicago, or a featureless airport. There was so much care put into the sets and architecture and I just LOVED IT. The rising/setting sun scenes on the water were gorgeous. And the RAIN. AMAZING. The city felt so real - and anyway Gotham’s the one Selina means when she says Bruce is already spoken for.

Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne was PERFECT. He’s a master of tiny little facial expressions (the barely-there sneer during the car chase), and his flat dead eyed stare holds so much repressed emotion, it’s impressive. Love that Bruce is a wet rat drowning in too-big t-shirts and melted eyeliner.

His Batman is So Weird?? Big brick shithouse with SPURS coming out from the shadows. Wanders around crime scenes saying Nothing but leading police to clues. And I think his journey from an obviously emotional, sensitive guy who’s repressing all that with his quest for vengeance to someone who can express affection to Alfred, who can help with direct action, was really well done.

The Riddler, what a creep. Someone read 1984 and took the wrong parts to heart. I find it interesting and gratifying that he’s obviously a stand-in for all these dangerous online white men who believe they’ve been unfairly wronged and that’s everyone else’s problem. The militia at the end actually really freaked me out because it’s not too far off from reality.

The color story in this movie is inextricable from the character development. It’s SO refreshing to see a movie with some actual good lighting and color and interest, in opposition to the gray dullness of Marvel - I’m going to draw some of these scenes as color studies. Bruce is almost always lit in sharply contrasted black and pale white light, but as he understands who Batman needs to be there’s introduction of reds and oranges, culminating in that final gorgeous scene with the flare.

The MUSIC! Dirge-like horns (and saxophones with the melody, thank you Giancchino), mixed with choral elements, and a plodding reverb bass line pulled straight from Nirvana? It’s great.

Other random thoughts: Zoe Kravitz is incredibly gorgeous and I cannot blame Bruce for going completely non-verbal when she’s around. John Tuturro did a great job playing a creepy Godfather-type Machiavellian kingpin. Jim Gordon beloved. BELOVED. Love the ONE guy with a really strong Chicago accent and everyone else sounds regular. BRUCE DRIVES MY FAVORITE MUSCLE CAR OF ALL TIME: 1963 Corvette Stingray! THIS MOVIE IS FOR MEEEEEEEEE anyway I had a great time props to Matt Reeves and everybody.

Also I think Bruce should get to give that kid a hug it’s what they both deserve.

[trendydream]

SO, let’s talk about The Batman starring the great Robert Pattinson and my beloved Zoë Kravitz directed by Matte Reeves. For real I don’t know if we can say“Film of the year” but seriously it was really good, actually I love superhero movies im a big fan of Marvel but I also like DC,  Batman is actually my favorite superhero from DC I always watched the animation ones before, and Catwoman was so amazing to me, as a cat lover being her was my dream hahaha.

For me Robert Pattinson is the best Batman/Bruce Wayne , and I think many people would agree, Christian Bale was good too, but my heart goes  to Robert, I was in awe during the film, he was handsome as always haha and did a great performance. And Zoë Kravitz.. oh my Zoë, seriously she’s perfect as catwoman, (I remember I was a fan of Halle Berry too) when she appeared on the screen I gasped and couldn’t retain myself to say “Omg she’s so pretty” her look, her outfit, her stare, her acting seriously 10/10, she was a good pick, the whole cast was a good pick. I didn’t post a pic of him but Paul Dano as the Riddler was so good, his performance was so good, he even scared me, like ?? His facial expressions and the way he portrayed his character seriously he really did a good job.

I think the negative points for me was how long the movie was...but it’s justified, it needed to bo so long, but yeah... and there were a moment in the film that was ridiculously filmed, I laughed because yeah I didn’t expect that, everything was so serious then it was filmed like a parody, the plan was weird and thanks it was the only one..this was my only negative points but beside that ? the QUALITY, sorry for my language but damn, the colors, the mood, some shots with the sunset wow, and the music omg I was so into it, really the soundtrack was one the best thing ! Got me emotional, but it’s a secret for my friend :) (not now haha)

If you haven’t seen it, go ! I recommend it but prepare yourself for 3 hours long haha.

And thank you for reading, if you want to share with me what did you think about the movie I will be happy to read it ! 

[gothellewoods]

3, 6, 8, and 13 for the ask game? Or any combination thereof? 👀👀

3) Favorite superhero film?

I’m picking top 3 here. I think my favorite is probably into the spider-verse. It’s so well animated, stylistically interesting, and I adore miles morales. I’d been so nervous about this movie, and I had been keeping track of everything since the moment it was announced, but I was terrified the whole time since Sony pictures animation doesn’t have a great track record. The teaser trailer gave me hope, though. I don’t go to the movies that often, but I went to watch it the day it dropped and it honestly exceeded my expectations.

The second film is Venom. The first venom film, the sequel is fun, but there was something so insane about the way the first one came out that it just has a special place in my heart. I love the venom comics, and I was still thoroughly obsessing over Mike Costa’s venom run when this movie was coming out, but I’m gonna be honest, when I saw the trailer I completely disregarded it. It looked over the top edgy in a 90s comic kinda way. I almost never disregard a movie by trailer alone, but they made the movie look like another BvS or Suicide Squad (2016) (derogatory). I genuinely thought it would be like how Morbius turned out. I was so surprised when the reviews dropped and they all said pretty much the same thing— this movie sucks, but it’s sure as fuck fun to watch. I though, hey! That’s my favorite type of movie!! So I gave it a chance, and they were so right. I saw this movie 5 times while it was still in theaters (mostly pirating, but still).

The last movie is The Batman (2022). I actually had a lot of hope for this movie going in, considering how Matt Reeves studied under Jeph Loeb and cited The Long Halloween as a major influence, but I was still a little wary. I really hate the dark knight returns (and frank miller in general), and most Batman movies are to some extent an adaptation of this work. Which sucks. I was really pleasantly surprised by the hopeful turn the movie took, how it denounced miller’s Batman through the use of the Riddler as a parallel. Plus, the cast were all excellent and the visuals were beautiful. I’m looking forward to the sequel and hoping they include robin!

6) Favorite Side Character

I really miss Roxy Leech from Superboy’s solo run. All of kon’s supporting cast disappeared after his solo ended and it sucks. She was like a sister figure to him and she’d bring a lot to comics now. I also love Bernard Dowd. He left such an impression in the few issues he appears in, and now he’s back as Tim’s Boyfriend!! That’s huge! He hasn’t had a chance to shine yet recently, I hope he’s still an absolute bitch. I also miss prudence wood, from Tim’s Red Robin run. She had so much potential, bring her back dc!

(A few months ago I’d have probably had spider-punk on this list, but he’s got a solo now!! Not a side character anymore lol)

8) Favorite team up

Young Justice!!!! YJ 1998 my beloved! What a team! I don’t really care for the animated series, it’s totally unrelated to the comics and I can’t get behind their adaptation of kon. He’s so bland and whiny. YJ 1998 is so funny, the characters are so bizarre and they’re all completely unhinged about each other. Love those guys

13) A villain who genuinely scared you

I don’t know that any particular villain has ever like, really scared me? But I do find something viscerally horrifying about like, all of Al Ewing’s immortal hulk. It’s such a good run. It tackles a lot of heavy themes well. (Shame the artist turned out to be a shitbag, but I refuse to let that ruin the story for me. He didn’t write it, after all.)

I guess I could say the joker here, not because the character himself particularly scares me, but because of what he’s come to mean to incels and those types. It’s dangerous when a character can become a symbol for such hateful groups to rally under.

Ask game

[randomfandomimagine]

10 Celebrity Crushes

I was tagged by @annibunnysworld (on my main, but I prefered to do it here), thank you so much! I have lots of celebrity crushes, so it was hard to choose just ten and it took forever to make up my mind. Here are a few that I adore and have liked for a long time:

Colin Morgan

Ever since I watched Merlin I fell in love with Colin. I think he’s humble, kind, hardworking, passionate and on top of all a great actor and very good looking! What’s there not to love? He also has a beautiful voice to go well with those amazing blue eyes 😍

Keanu Reeves

Keanu is so attractive, omg. He was attractive when he was young (especially in Point Break and Speed) and he’s attractive now in John Wick and in general. He’s such an amazing person from what I keep hearing, that has gone through so much trauma and pain and despite it all he continues to be kinder and kinder. Even if you don’t find him attractive, how can you not love Keanu Reeves?

Chris Evans

I got a crush on Chris when I watched Fantastic Four, but then he played Steve Rogers and not only made that crush come back much stronger, but he gave me one of my favorite characters. Chris is such a nice guy from what we see in interviews and such, he’s a great actor and I just think he’s adorable.

Joey Batey

I suppose he must have flaws as he’s (allegedly, he might be an actual angel) human, but I really can’t see them. He looks like a sweetheart, is a good actor, a talented musician and is so attractive in every way. It’s been around two years since I discovered him with The Witcher and I’m still very much in love with him, with Jaskier, with The Amazing Devil and with everything Joey Batey.

Madeleine Hyland

(GIF) // Much like Joey, I doubt Madeleine is human as she’s either another angel or a fae queen or something, she’s too powerful. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but her voice and talent and range and ugh! I really want to see her act because I know that’s another thing she’s good at.

Katie McGrath

Morgana, am I right? I immediately loved her in Merlin and the more I saw of Katie the more I fell in love. She’s so sweet and so cute? I really like watching her in anything (loved her as Lena in Supergirl) and I in fact adore Katie so much that she’s the face-claim for one of my most beloved OCs, Nissa. Katie is just a queen.

Max Mittelman

I’m so sad that not many people know who he is because I have the biggest crush on him and he’s amazing and he deserves more recognition. That cutie is Max Mittelman aka Saitama (One Punch Man) aka Ryuji (Persona 5) aka Tredd Furia (Final Fantasy XV) and a bunch of others. He’s my favorite English voice actor and one of my favorite people ever. It’s funny because I got to know him through Robbie Daymond, who plays Prompto in FFXV and who I learned made vlogs with his friends, one of which was Max and the other was Ray Chase (Noctis in FFXV) and their vlogs are one of the most fun and comforting things for me ever and I’ve watched them so many times I know them by heart but I still adore them. Max is just adorable, hilarious and such a passionate and talented voice actor. 

Jordan Fisher

It might be that John Ambrose McClaren made me fall in love, but I’m crazy about Jordan Fisher. His soft voice, his tender eyes, his gorgeous smile, his sweet personality, aaaah! I also recently found out he plays Matt in Until Dawn? Damn, this boy is so talented!

Ewan McGregor

I have always loved Ewan McGregor and have seen almost everything he’s made (except for Trainspotting and a few other things I don’t like) and he’s one of my favorite actors, but he’s also so attractive to me? Damn, I’m super excited for the Obi-Wan show!

Johyn Boyega

This poor man deserved the world and Disney / Star Wars made him so dirty. He’s clearly a passionate person, a good actor and probably the sweetest guy ever. I just adored Finn and I wished he got more to do in the sequels, not only because the character was interesting enough to deserve a better arc, but because John deserved the spotlight, dammit!

Honorable mentions: Tom Holland, Wynona Rider, Andy Samberg, Henry Cavill, Margot Robbie, Bryan Dechart, Amelia Rose Blaire, Ezra Miller, Melissa Fumero, Lily James, Jennifer Garner, Anya Chalotra, Dev Patel, Pedro Pascal, Idris Elba...