Album of the Week: Superhero Edition!
Superhero mania…
Both summer hits The Amazing Spiderman and Dark Knight Rises had soundtracks with impressive scores, but for those of us who enjoy lyrics and melody over ambiance this post is for you.
I have been going through my library to seek out the perfect Superhero Soundtrack and I came across this album from a few years back, circa 2006. There are a few stand out Superhero songs that were left out, like 3 Doors Down – Kryptonite and SuperHero by Jane’s Addiction. Though I think this compilation is pretty good on its own. The tracklist is made up of some original songs and others that are covered by some notable new bands.
So this week’s Album of the Week is: Read More…
Me and My Shadow Poster
I am a big constituent for traditional media. I prefer practical effects in movies and love to death hand-drawn 2D animation. But I will admit that there are times when the CG work that goes into some movies are on par with traditional media, especially from certain studios.
One of those studios happens to be DreamWorks, who have done some fantastic work which include How to Train Your Dragon and Despicable Me.
They seem to trying to outdo themselves, as well as any other studio. Slated to come out in 2014, Me and My Shadow looks to combine hand-drawn and CG animation. This has been done before, especially in the early days of CG animation. The thing that really set this off for me is the style. It looks absolutely beautiful. The shadows will be hand-drawn, while the characters will be CG. Besides the improper use of grammar, I will be looking forward to this with much fervor.
Here, take a look at their first promotional poster.
CYaN Podcast Episode 13: Holy Tangents, Batman
Woohoo, another CYaN podcast for you to listen to. Ricky and Danny talk about a few different things, but to be honest we will really just be talking about the Dark Knight Rises and what we thought about it.
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Review of the Dark Knight Trilogy
This past weekend, the finale to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight franchise screened around the world. Three movies from one of today’s best directors; and to top it off the movies were about a superhero. Join me as a review not only the finale, Dark Knight Rises, but also the first two movies, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. If you want to read the review for just the third film then you should check out Ricky’s The Dark Knight Review. Hit the jump to see what I thought of this trilogy.
It should go without saying, but SPOILERS for all three of the Nolan Batman movies.
Breaking Bad Season 5 Episode 2 Recap: Madrigal
The episode opens in Germany during a taste test with a big wig. He tries their new dipping sauces and you are waiting for him to do something sinister. His admin comes in and explains that they are back and this time there are 3 of them. He finishes his taste test and then heads to a conference room, where we see police officers waiting. Instead of greeting them he calmly takes the defibrillator from the wall and heads to the rest room. With a grace that is Gus-worthy he removes his coat and shirts before electrocuting himself to death. What is it with these crime bosses and worrying about their clothes in life or death situations? Read More…
A Moment of Silence for the Colorado Victims
I usually do not report on actual, real-life news but the events of last night might hit close to home for some of us sitting in a familiar setting.
Last night at a midnight screening for The Dark Knight Rises; a young man went into a theater in Aurora, Colorado and opened fire while wearing riot gear. Killing 12 and injuring at least 50. Almost like a scene right out from the movie.
Soon, there will most likely be reports on how movies, video games and comics were probably to blame. That is an argument for another day.
Today, I want to make sure everyone make sure they are safe and keep an eye out for each other. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts.
Thank you.
The Dark Knight Rises Review
What You Need to Know:
Christopher Nolan wraps up his Dark Knight trilogy with a bang. Christian Bale returns to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne, aka the Batman. He’s joined by returning cast members Gary Oldman as Commissioner James Gordon, Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. The incredible Tom Hardy joins the cast as the brutal Bane, along with Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate, and Joseph Gordon Levitt as Officer John Blake.
Eight years following the events of The Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne has shut himself away into the newly rebuilt Wayne Manor. The Batman has gone missing since the Joker’s assault on Gotham and the tragic loss of Harvey Dent, Gotham’s White Knight. The violent and intellectual Bane has a plan to take down Wayne and all of Gotham.
Warning: While I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews, I will be spoiling portions of the first act. Hit the jump to read on. If you want to read what I thought and avoid spoilers, scroll past the “What I Thought” section and read “In Summary”.
Cheap Date: July 18th
Caught you breath after SDCC? Good, now we can get back into the flow of things and go out on another Cheap Date. Here I will give suggestions on what you should spend your hard-earned money on nerdy entertainment, all for under thirty dollars!
Hit the jump for everything you would want to spend your money on.
Read More…
Ka-Pow 101 – Bane: Behind the Mask
Bane by Ariel Olivetti
The countdown for The Dark Knight Rises is nearing its end. Some of you may still be asking who is Bane and why is he the villain of this film? What happened to the Riddler? Mr. Freeze? The Penguin? Or even the Ventriloquist? Why is Bane the choice for Nolan’s final Batman movie? To understand that, you have to understand who Bane is. Keep in mind as this is the source material for the film, there may be spoilers to what happens in the film. You have been warned.
Before the Bat
Serving a life sentence in place of his father, most of Bane’s life was spent in a prison called Peña Duro. From childhood, Bane learned from the various inmates and a Jesuit priest, honing himself physically and mentally. Versed in strategy and violence, Bane styled himself the king of Peña Duro. The warden became wary of Bane’s power and volunteered him as a subject in an experimental drug called Venom. Where most test subjects died, Bane gained enhanced strength, but he needed to re-administer the drug every 24-hours or else suffer debilitating withdrawals. After freeing some of his prison compatriots, Bane set his sights on Gotham City and the monster known as the Batman.
Breaking the Bat
Upon reaching Gotham, Bane did not directly seek out Batman. Instead, he decided to wear down the Dark Knight systematically. Bane destroyed Arkham Asylum, allowing the escape of many of Batman’s foes. While Batman exhaustively hunted down Gotham’s criminals, Bane consolidated power in the criminal underground. During this time, Bane also discerned Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne. In a final assault, Bane sent his three lieutenants to fight Batman and further wear him down. Then following the assault, he confronted Batman at Wayne Manor where the fight was brutally one-sided. To end the fight, Bane took Batman and broke his back over his knee. Wayne is left defeated and paraplegic.
The Aftermath
Bane remained victorious until the successor to Batman’s mantle, Jean-Paul Valley, defeated him. In the fight, Valley, also known as Azrael, severed the tubes that delivered Venom to Bane’s brain, thus giving him the advantage to defeat Bane. Bane would rehabilitate himself while serving time in Blackgate prison and begin a hunt to discover the identity of his father. This search would lead to a confrontation with the infamous, Ra’s al Ghul. He is appointed as Ra’s’ right hand, and together with Talia al Ghul, they seek to destroy Gotham. During this time, Bane is defeated by Batman in single combat.
Bane – Rising from the Ashes
From THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Since Ra’s and Bane’s attempt at unleashing a plague on Gotham, Bane has most commonly been portrayed as a thug and hired muscle. In other media, he is also lacking his tactical mind and simply represented as a Venom-powered behemoth, as such was the case in the abysmal Batman & Robin. In the upcoming Dark Knight Rises, Nolan has returned Bane to the tactical and brutal opponent. Nolan has exchanged Venom for a gas-based anesthetic which dulls the pain of a previous injury. Rumor has it that Bane also will have a previous tie to the League of Shadows from Batman Begins.
Recommended Reading:
Batman: Knightfall
Secret Six
Call Yourself A Nerd 