New Holocron Episode

Y'know, I didn't know that homework was carnivorous but, apparently, it is. At least, that's the only way I can explain why my life was eaten up for the past two weeks.

Well, I'm gonna start scheduling a block of time each day to blog so my homework (hopefully) won't be able to eat my life again. I get the feeling that my planner is going to be one of my best friends this semester. =)

So while I wrestle with my planner, I thought I'd draw your attention to the newest Holocron episode. This  one is a little different than what I usually do, but I was so tired on Saturday that I just needed to watch a movie. That movie turned out to be Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, and I decided, "Hey, why don't I do something weird and do an audio commentary to this movie?"

And that's what I did. I watched Batman Begins on my laptop and simultaneously recorded me talking about, well, everything about it. This episode, like the last one about The Hobbit, is me completely unscripted and also in a more random/crazy mood than I was when I recorded the previous episode. So if you feel the need to watch a movie this weekend, maybe this will be your excuse to pull out Batman Begins? =)

http://holocroncast.blogspot.com/2013/01/season-1-episode-6-batman-begins.html

I had a lot of fun doing the commentary, and I'd like to know if you guys would like me to do more of this type of stuff. Don't worry, I won't be hurt if you want me to just stop while I'm ahead. But if you guys would like me to do commentaries to other movies, then I'm definitely up for it if you all are!

Well, that's all I've got right now. Concerning the latest news that J.J. Abrams will be directing the new Star Wars movie...I need to do more research into Mr. Abrams so I can accurately decide whether or not I think that's a good idea. For the record at the moment, I think it's a good idea, but I feel like I need to find out more about him before I start giving a solid, concrete opinion. So, yeah. I'll get back with you guys about that one.

Now if you'll excuse me, my planner and I need to conquer the world... or a pile of homework, at least. I hope you guys have a great rest of the week! God bless!




 - Edessa, signing off

Batman Reboot

Who will rise to take over the cowl?

With The Dark Knight Rises debuting in theaters today, I figure now would be a good time to discuss what Warner Bros. has in store for Batman, arguably DC's most iconic character.

If you keep up with movies, you've probably already heard what I'm going to say. But for everyone else I have two words for you: Batman reboot.

Yes, that is correct. Distributor/Producer Warner Bros. Pictures is already working on rebooting the Batman franchise even though Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises just debuted today.

The question you're probably asking right now is why. Why is Warner Bros. rebooting the franchise? Particularly, why are they rebooting it now? Why not in at least ten years? Didn't they think that Nolan's trilogy was good?

From what I can gather after reading various statements (particularly Nolan's recent one stating that he no longer wishes to direct anymore Batman films), press releases, and even message boards, this so-called "reboot" isn't exactly a "reboot."

Allow me to explain.

In a reboot a whole new cast and crew are hired to re-do a film that was made years earlier (The Amazing Spider-Man would be a good example). Usually reboots are not made less than ten or so years after the original film was released (though, again, The Amazing Spider-Man is a good example of when that timetable does not occur).

With this new Batman movie projected to release sometime in 2015 (three years from now) and Nolan's refusal to direct anymore Batman films, many people are beginning to believe that this "reboot" is really more of another director's interpretation of Batman. True, Nolan's cast and crew will not be working on this new film, but since it's projected to release so soon it appears as though Warner Bros. is just giving another director a shot at interpreting the superhero's life.

Either way, this untitled Batman film is already in the Development Phase and Warner Bros. isn't stopping it. The screenwriter is David S. Goyer. If that name sounds familiar it's because he has writen many film screenplays, and seems to specialize in superheroes: Blade: Trinity, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Unborn, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, The Dark Knight Rises, and Man of Steel (the new Superman reboot releasing in 2013) among many others. As it stands currently, Goyer is the only official crew member working on the film, though the casting and hiring process begins during the Development Phase. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, this reboot (or reinterpretation, however you wish to view it) will be in theaters sometime in 2015, though that could change between now and whenever filming begins. No plot details have yet been released.


I'll break from my usual "do you think this film will be Good, Bad, or Ugly" question for now. Instead, I'd like to ask you who you would like to see under Batman's cowl, which enemy you think he should battle in this reboot, and who you think should be in the director's chair. I want to hear your responses, so comment away!




 - Edessa, signing off

Batman!

There have been a lot of really good game franchises over the years, but in my house the LEGO games win hands down. There's just something about running around a realistic world as a blocky peice of plastic and bashing up benches, rocks, and equally blocky bad guys that is just so much fun! That's why I'm greatly looking forward to the newest edition to the LEGO franchise: LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes.

The original LEGO Batman was released on September 23, 2008, and was the best LEGO game I had ever played (until LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars debuted, that is). So I'm greatly looking forward to taking up the Batman's black plastic cowl again in this sequel.

A screenshot, showing Batman, Robin, and Superman

B2: DC Super Heroes is an action adventure game that was published by Warner Bros. Interactive and developed by the ever-dependable Traveller's Tales. The synopsis (from IGN): "Heroes from the DC Universe join up the the Caped Crusader to root out evil in LEGO Batman 2: Superheroes."

According to the official website, "In LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes, the Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin join other famous super heroes from the DC Universe including Superman, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern to save Gotham City from destruction at the hands of the notorious villains Lex Luthor and the Joker...[The game] allows players to explore all new areas of Gotham City utilizing a variety of vehicles including the Batmobile and Batwing. In addition, they'll be able to fight for justice by mastering new gadgets and suits, such as Batman's Power Suit and Robins' Hazard Cannon, and using all new abilities including flight, super-breath and heat vision" (LEGO.com).

The game will be released on June 19, 2012, for the PC, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, PlayStation 3, XBox 360, and PlayStation Vita.

DISCLAIMER!: LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes has not yet been rated by the ESRB, but will likely be rated E or E10+.


For fans of the more "realistic" Batman games, the final chapter of Batman: Arkham City will be available for purchase at the end of this month. Adding more than two hours of additional gameplay, "Harley Quinn's Revenge sends players back into Arkham City to face their final challenge as they interchange between playing as both Batman and Robin. Utilize each of the characters' unique combat and investigative skills to uncover Harley's vengeful plan and shut the gates on the urban mega-prison forever. In addition to experiencing a new storyline, fans can explore new enviroments and face-off against Harley's all new gang of thugs" (IGN).

Teaser poster

This final chapter will be available on May 29, 2012, for the PlayStation 3 and the XBox 360.

DISCLAIMER!: Batman: Arkham City -- Harley Quinn's Revenge has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB for Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence.


And don't forget that the final Christopher Nolan Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, will be in theaters nationwide on July 20, 2012. We'll see if actors Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway (as supervillains Bane and Catwoman) can rival Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight.









 - Edessa, signing off