On Someone Got 'The Daily Show' in My Jezebel and Together They Taste A Little Weird
KILBORN FOREVER!
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On In Praise of 'Batman Forever'
For the record, my dad and I went to see Batman Forever three times in the theater. It was riveting each time, and your article is dead-on on the finale's Chase-Robin catch. The timing was right for audiences to finally get Hero Batman, which is why the box office was phenomenal.
And Batman Forever was the first time Batman came across as something more than a man onscreen. Right from the get-go, "He just jumped off the building!" And he's so casual about it! Like the greatest thing about the Roger Moore Bond, everything comes across as this is just day-to-day life for this man. Let's not obsess about each little trick. We just trust he has things under control. He's Batman!
Also, in a dim theater, his appearances from the shadows worked even better. Suddenly it seemed like Batman really could be around at anytime, so look out, neon bad dudes!
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On In Praise of 'Batman Forever'
Though I would argue that the third character you speak of is actually captured quite well in the Nolan films and is the strongpoint of those films.
Bale clearly plays three characters: The billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne seen by the public, the animal/elemental Batman seen by the public, and the real Bruce Wayne/Batman known only to Alfred and, to a lesser degree, Rachel. He may not be quite as mature as Kilmer's Batman, but his career is still in its infancy -- Wayne Manor hasn't even been rebuilt yet when last we see him. I think doing away with his childhood love may work well to help the character finally move beyond his adolescence.
Clearly he has a strong value system in place, beyond simply avenging his family. He can grow to be the shining beacon of hope, a position he was reluctant to step into. This is what a more upbeat third film can and should do, provided it doesn't cave to the temptation to appease all the fanboys who want more of the same.
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On Batman (Will Be Sitting On The Toilet) Forever
I'm pretty sure that Jingle Bells song inspired that entire Batmobile-Batpod sequence in The Dark Knight.
I thought of that song during that scene the first time I saw the movie. I believe it does lose a wheel when it takes the rocket.