Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for March 9, 2022

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

FEB211465 ACG COLL WORKS ADV INTO UNKNOWN SOFTEE VOL 16 $24.99

APR211861 ACG COLL WORKS FORBIDDEN WORLDS SOFTEE VOL 16 $29.99

DEC211945 ALL GUTS NO GLORY #2 (OF 3) CVR A FAJARDO $5.99

DEC211946 ALL GUTS NO GLORY #2 (OF 3) CVR B SPAY $5.99

JAN221807 ANIMAL CROSSING NEW HORIZONS GN VOL 02 DESERTED ISLAND DIARY $9.99

JAN221565 ASTERIX OMNIBUS PAPERCUTZ ED HC VOL 06 (RES) $22.99

JAN221564 ASTERIX OMNIBUS PAPERCUTZ ED SC VOL 06 (RES) $14.99

JAN221210 BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER POWER UPS #1 $2.99

DEC211223 BIGFOOT FRANKENSTEIN #5 $3.99

JAN221776 BLACK OR WHITE GN VOL 03 (MR) $12.99

DEC211810 BROKEN EYE #1 $3.99

DEC212094 CASE FILES OF JEWELER RICHARD GN VOL 01 (MR) $12.99

JAN221066 CIMMERIAN HOUR OF DRAGON #1 CVR A PANOSIAN (MR) $3.99

JAN221067 CIMMERIAN HOUR OF DRAGON #1 CVR B SECHER (MR) $3.99

JAN221068 CIMMERIAN HOUR OF DRAGON #1 CVR C LI (MR) $3.99

JAN221069 CIMMERIAN HOUR OF DRAGON #1 CVR D NIETO HOMAGE VAR (MR) $3.99

JAN221070 CIMMERIAN HOUR OF DRAGON #1 CVR E BLANK VAR (MR) $10.00

DEC211444 CONQUEST JULIUS CAESAR`S GALLIC WAR GN $32.99

AUG212224 DAIGO THE BEAST TP VOL 03 (OF 3) $19.99

DEC212022 DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON GN VOL 10 (RES) $15.00

DEC219063 DEVIL TREE #1 2ND PTG (MR) $4.99

JAN221292 DEVIL TREE #4 (MR) $3.99

OCT211459 DF JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 HAESER RMRK SGN $79.99

JAN221775 DICK FIGHT ISLAND GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.99

JUL201559 ELECTRIC CENTURY GN $19.99

DEC211602 FANTAGRAPHICS UNDERGROUND CORONA BIBLE $50.00

DEC211603 FANTAGRAPHICS UNDERGROUND PARTY OF ONE $24.99

NOV211411 FANTAGRAPHICS UNDERGROUND SQUA TRONT 14 $16.99

JAN221806 FLY ME TO THE MOON GN VOL 10 $9.99

JAN221794 FRIEREN BEYOND JOURNEYS END GN VOL 03 $9.99

JUL211858 GOLDEN AGE CLASSICS FIGHT COMICS HC VOL 02 $46.99

JUL211859 GOLDEN AGE CLASSICS FIGHT COMICS SLIPCASE VOL 02 $56.99

SEP211688 GOLDEN AGE CLASSICS FIGHT COMICS SOFTEE VOL 02 $26.99

DEC212072 GRAND BLUE DREAMING GN VOL 15 (RES) (MR) $12.99

JAN221322 H P LOVECRAFT STATEMENT OF RANDOLPH CARTER (MR) $9.99

DEC212021 HAKUMEI & MIKOCHI GN VOL 09 (RES) $15.00

JAN221428 HEADLAND (MR) $24.99

DEC211476 HILDEBRAND VALKYRIE VOL 01 $24.99

JAN221242 HIT ME #1 CVR A DEKAL (MR) $3.99

JAN221243 HIT ME #1 CVR B DEODATO JR (MR) $3.99

DEC211931 HUMAN REMAINS #6 CVR A CANTIRINO $3.99

DEC211932 HUMAN REMAINS #6 CVR B HIXSON $3.99

MAY211659 JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CASE FILES TP VOL 37 $24.99

OCT211182 JUNGLE COMICS SKETCHBOOK GORILLA GREY EDITION $4.99

OCT211183 JUNGLE COMICS SKETCHBOOK JUNGLE GREEN EDITION $4.99

OCT211185 JUNGLE COMICS SKETCHBOOK SAFARI 15-PACK $45.00

OCT211184 JUNGLE COMICS SKETCHBOOK TIGERS BLOOD EDITION $4.99

JAN221805 KIRBY MANGA MANIA GN VOL 04 $9.99

OCT211559 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #291 $6.99

OCT211816 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #4 (OF 4) CVR A VIECELLI $3.99

OCT211817 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #4 (OF 4) CVR B GAME ART $3.99

OCT211818 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #4 (OF 4) CVR C LEONARDI $3.99

AUG211681 LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 80 THE ALIBI $11.95

NOV211777 LUNAR ROOM #3 CVR A SPOSITO $3.99

NOV211778 LUNAR ROOM #3 CVR B HOWELL $3.99

JAN221796 MAO GN VOL 04 $9.99

SEP211718 MERLIN & HECTOR #2 $3.95

DEC211437 MESSY ROOTS GRAPHIC MEMOIR OF WUHANESE AMERICAN GN $14.99

DEC211438 MESSY ROOTS GRAPHIC MEMOIR OF WUHANESE AMERICAN HC GN $22.99

SEP211711 MISTY PRESENTS THE JAUME RUMEU COLLECTION GN $19.99

DEC212009 NEW YORK NEW YORK GN VOL 01 (RES) (MR) $24.00

SEP211865 NINJAK (2021) TP VOL 01 $14.99

AUG211703 OMEGA #3 (OF 4) CVR B RIDGWAY $4.99

OCT211113 OUT OF THE BLUE COMP TP $19.99

NOV211991 PANDORA IN CRIMSON SHELL GHOST URN GN VOL 15 (MR) $12.99

NOV211655 PERHAPANAUTS TRIANGLE #1 CVR A ROUSSEAU $3.99

JAN221808 POKEMON JOURNEYS SERIES GN VOL 02 $9.99

AUG211954 PRE CODE CLASSICS STRANGE WORLDS SOFTEE VOL 01 $26.99

OCT211680 PRE CODE CLASSICS STRANGE WORLDS SOFTEE VOL 02 $26.99

JAN221244 PRIMOS #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

JAN221245 PRIMOS #2 (OF 4) SPANISH ED (MR) $3.99

DEC219449 PRIMOS 2ND PTG #1 (OF 4) CVR DEODATA JR (MR) $3.99

AUG211955 PS ARTBOOKS CLASSIC SCI FI COMICS HC VOL 04 $46.99

OCT211682 PS ARTBOOKS CLASSIC SCI FI COMICS SOFTEE VOL 04 $26.99

JUN211719 PS ARTBOOKS PLANET COMICS SOFTEE VOL 09 $26.99

JUL211862 PS ARTBOOKS PLANET COMICS SOFTEE VOL 10 $26.99

AUG211957 PS ARTBOOKS PLANET COMICS SOFTEE VOL 11 $26.99

AUG211496 PUNCHLINE COLORING BOOK $4.99

DEC212024 RE ZERO SLIAW CHAPTER 4 GN VOL 03 (RES) $13.00

OCT211475 RED ROOM TRIGGER WARNINGS #1 CVR A $3.99

AUG218795 RED ROOM TRIGGER WARNINGS #1 CVR B 5 COPY INCV PISKOR $3.99

AUG218796 RED ROOM TRIGGER WARNINGS #1 CVR C 10 COPY INCV RUGG $3.99

SEP218380 RED ROOM TRIGGER WARNINGS #1 CVR COMIXSENSE EXC VAR $3.99

AUG218797 RED ROOM TRIGGER WARNINGS #1 CVR D 25 COPY INCV MOMOKO $3.99

OCT211607 RICK AND MORTY ANNIHILATION TOUR TP #0 $19.99

JAN221557 RICK AND MORTY INFINITY HOUR #1 CVR A ELLERBY $3.99

JAN221558 RICK AND MORTY INFINITY HOUR #1 CVR B MARTIN $3.99

APR211864 ROY THOMAS PRESENTS BRIEFER FRANKENSTEIN SOFTEE VOL 01 $36.99

JUN212012 SACRIFICIAL PRINCESS & KING BEASTS GN VOL 14 $13.00

JUL211864 SILVER AGE CLASSICS BRAIN BOY HC VOL 01 $46.99

JUL211865 SILVER AGE CLASSICS BRAIN BOY SLIPCASE ED VOL 01 $56.99

AUG211959 SILVER AGE CLASSICS MYSTERIES UNEXPLORED WORLDS HC VOL 03 (C $46.99

OCT211686 SILVER AGE CLASSICS MYSTERIES UNEXPLORED WORLDS SOFTEE VOL 0 $26.99

SEP211697 SILVER AGE CLASSICS SPACE BUSTER BRAIN BOY SOFTEE VOL 01 $26.99

AUG211960 SILVER AGE MYSTERIES UNEXPLORED WORLDS SLIPCASE VOL 03 $56.99

DEC211825 SOLTAIC ONE SMALL SPARK #1 $1.99

JAN221477 SPACE BASTARDS COST OF DOING BUSINESS VOL 02 $24.99

NOV211620 SQUIRE GN $14.99

NOV211621 SQUIRE HC GN $21.99

DEC212061 SUNDOME MILKY WAY GN VOL 03 (MR) $14.99

AUG211682 SWAN SONG GN VOL 01 (OF 2) $15.95

SEP211411 SWAN SONG GN VOL 02 (OF 2) IF JUST ONE LISTENS $16.95

MAY211908 THAT TIME I REINCARNATED SLIME MONSTER NATION GN VOL 05 $13.00

DEC212010 TOILET BOUND HANAKO KUN GN VOL 00 (RES) $13.00

SEP211714 TREASURY OF BRITISH COMICS TOM PATERSON COLLECTION HC $24.99

JAN221871 UNWANTED UNDEAD ADVENTURER GN VOL 04 $14.99

DEC211605 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 01 RONIN (NEW PTG) $19.99

DEC211606 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 03 WANDERERS ROAD (NEW PTG) $19.99

DEC211607 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 04 DRAGON BELLOW CONSPIRACY (NEW PTG) ( $19.99

DEC211608 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 05 LONE GOAT KID (NEW PTG) $19.99

JAN221323 VIETNAM JOURNAL HAMBURGER HILL (MR) $10.99

JAN221112 WE LIVE AGE OF PALLADIONS BLACK #1 CVR A MIRANDA $4.99

DEC219204 WE LIVE AGE OF PALLADIONS BLACK #1 CVR B MASK $4.99

JAN221116 WE LIVE AGE OF PALLADIONS WHITE #1 CVR A MIRANDA $4.99

DEC219205 WE LIVE AGE OF PALLADIONS WHITE #1 CVR B MASK $4.99

DEC211442 WILDER #1 (OF 5) CVR A $3.99

JAN221213 WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #13 $8.99

SEP211239 WORLD WAR 3 BATTLE OVER HOKKAIDO #1 (OF 5) $4.99

SEP211412 XIII MYSTERY GN VOL 02 IRINA $13.95

MAGAZINES

JAN221357 COMIC SHOP NEWS (90CT BUNDLE) #1803 (Net) $PI

OCT211646 DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #571 $12.99

JAN221365 MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #45 $8.99

SEP211692 PS ARTBOOK NIGHTMARE MAGAZINE #1 $18.99

BOOKS

JUL211447 FANTASTIC COMIC ART TECHNIQUES OF PAUL DAVIDSON REMARKED HC $75.00

DEC212035 KING OF LABYRINTH LIGHT NOVEL HC VOL 03 (RES) $20.00

NOV211344 MARVEL BLACK PANTHER SHURI DEFENDER OF WAKANDA HC $17.99

NOV211343 MARVEL BLACK PANTHER SHURI DEFENDER OF WAKANDA SC $4.99

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DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for March 8, 2022

DC COMICS:

Batgirls #4 (Cover A Jorge Corona), $3.99
Batgirls #4 (Cover B Michael Cho Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batgirls #4 (Cover C Jonboy Meyers The Batman Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batgirls #4 (Cover D Paulina Ganucheau International Women’s Day Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batgirls #4 (Cover E Rian Gonzales Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12 (Of 12)(Cover A Dario Brizuela), $2.99
Batman Urban Legends #13 (Cover A Kim Jacinto), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #13 (Cover B Karl Mostert & Trish Mulvihill Variant), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #13 (Cover C David Marquez Variant), $7.99
DC Horror Presents The Conjuring The Lover HC, $24.99
DC Poster Portfolio Dark Nights Metal TP, $24.99
Detective Comics #1056 (Cover A Irvin Rodriguez), $4.99
Detective Comics #1056 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Detective Comics #1056 (Cover C Puppeteer Lee The Batman Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Detective Comics #1056 (Cover D Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), AR
Future State Gotham #11 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Future State Gotham #11 (Cover B Mike Bowden Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Green Arrow Stranded TP, $9.99
I Am Batman #7 (Cover A Ken Lashley), $3.99
I Am Batman #7 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
I Am Batman #7 (Cover C Dike Ruan Card Stock Variant), AR
Joker #13 (Cover A Giuseppe Camuncoli & Cam Smith), $5.99
Joker #13 (Cover B Kim Jacinto), $5.99
Joker #13 (Cover C James Harren), $5.99
Joker #13 (Cover D James Stokoe), AR
Justice League Vs The Legion Of Super-Heroes #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Scott Godlewski), $3.99
Justice League Vs The Legion Of Super-Heroes #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Travis Moore Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Naomi Season 2 #1 (Of 6), $3.99
New Teen Titans Volume 13 TP, $29.99
Nubia And The Amazons #6 (Of 6) Trial Of The Amazons Bana-Mighdall Tattoo, AR
Nubia And The Amazons #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Alitha Martinez)(Trial Of The Amazons), $3.99
Nubia And The Amazons #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Kyle Baker Card Stock Variant)(Trial Of The Amazons), $4.99
Nubia And The Amazons #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Juliet Nneka International Women’s Day Card Stock Variant)(Trial Of The Amazons), $4.99
Superboy And The Legion Of Super-Heroes Tabloid Edition HC, $39.99
Superman Action Comics Volume 1 Warworld Rising TP, $16.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #9 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $3.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #9 (Cover B Travis Moore & Tamra Bonvillain Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #9 (Cover C Janaina Medeiros International Women’s Day Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman Vs Lobo #3 (Of 3)(Cover A Mirka Andolfo), $6.99
Superman Vs Lobo #3 (Of 3)(Cover B Daniel Warren Johnson), $6.99
Teen Titans Academy Volume 1 X Marks The Spot HC, $29.99
Titans United #7 (Of 7)(Cover C Cat Staggs International Womens Day Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Trial Of The Amazons #1 (Of 2) Themyscirans Tattoo, AR
Trial Of The Amazons #1 (Of 2)(Cover A Jim Cheung), $4.99
Trial Of The Amazons #1 (Of 2)(Cover B Rose Besch Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Trial Of The Amazons #1 (Of 2)(Cover C Team Jen Bartel Card Stock Variant), AR
Trial Of The Amazons #1 (Of 2)(Cover D Rafael Albuquerque Card Stock Variant), AR
Trial Of The Amazons #1 (Of 2)(Cover E Rose Besch Fluorescent Ink Card Stock Variant), AR
Y The Last Man Compendium Volume 2 TP, $59.99

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Comics Review: RED SONJA Black White Red #8

RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #8
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Dan Abnett; Vincenzo Federici; Anthony Marques
ART: George Kambadais; Vincenzo Federici; Emma Kubert
COLORS: George Kambadais; Vincenzo Federici; Emma Kubert
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: David Mack
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joshua Sway Sway; Jonathan Lau; Mirko Colak; Gracie the Cosplay Lass (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is Red Sonja Black White and Red, an anthology comic book featuring stories from well known comic book writers and artists, with the art presented in black, white, and red.

Red Sonja Black White and Red #8 is comprised of three stories.  The first story is “Last Words,” which is written by Dan Abnett and drawn by George Kambadais.  The second story is “Fifteen Men on the Sleeper Chest,” which is written and drawn by Vincenzo Federici.  The third story is “Cursed,” which is written by Anthony Marques and drawn by Emma Kubert.  All the stories are lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

I'll comment on each story individually.

THE LOWDOWN:   In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Black White and Red #8, which is the seventh issue of the title that I have read.

“Last Words” by Dan Abnett, George Kambadais, and Jeff Eckleberry:
The story opens at the house of Master Valik the Merchant.  Burdo, a sword for hire, has brought Valik the coin and jewels of Lady Byros.  The latest mercenary seeking employ is Red Sonja, but first, she has some questions for Valik.  Why are so many smart and savvy men willing to throw away their lives taking on his most dangerous assignments?

Dan Abnett, an underrated comic book writer, has fashioned a clever little gem with “Last Words.”  It is actually easy to figure out Valik's trick, but the trick is in executing this story.  Dan Abnett pulls off that trick, and with George Kambadais' beautiful art, “Last Words” is a winner.

“Fifteen Men on the Sleeper Chest” by Vincenzo Federici and Jeff Eckleberry:
Aboard the doomed vessel, the “Mother of Shipwrecked,” Sonja, known as “the Red Hurricane” is captain.  Sereth, the ship's hub, is deathly afraid because a ship with women onboard is indeed doomed.  When Sonja and her crew land on “Sleeper Island,” fifteen men have survived the perilous journey.  How many of those 15 will make it back to the ship, Mother of Shipwrecked?

Writer-artist Vincenzo Federici has added a touch of H.P. Lovecraft to the sword and sorcery setting of “Fifteen Men on the Sleeper Chest.”  The story is a tense, fear-filled treat, but Federici's art is so busy that it is a little difficult to read the story.  Busy art is clutter in the line of communication between a storyteller and the listener/reader.

“Cursed” by Anthony Marques, Emma Kubert, and Jeff Eckleberry:
The story opens in the snowy forests near the village of Warlington.  An abandoned girl named Agathe shares a cave with Red Sonja.  Together, they also share information about a curse, but what is its true nature?  And how is it tied to Agathe?

Anthony Marques and Emma Kubert offer an enjoyable tale of sorrow and woe in “Cursed.”  “Cursed” is very sad and tragic, but it is expertly executed.  I'd like to see it expanded as a graphic novel, although that is unlikely to happen.

My favorite story from the offerings in Red Sonja Black White and Red #8 is “Last Words.”  “Cursed” is a nice second.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja will want to try Red Sonja Black White and Red.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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"The Batman" Soundtrack is Out Now

The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Now Available From WaterTower Music

Features the Music of Academy, Emmy, and Grammy Award-Winning Composer Michael Giacchino

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WaterTower Music announces the release of the soundtrack to director Matt Reeves’ hotly anticipated “The Batman,” which stars Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne. The film is set to open in theaters in North America March 4, 2022 and internationally beginning 2 March 2022.

The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) features the music of Academy, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino, whose credits feature some of the most popular and acclaimed film projects in recent history, including “The Incredibles,” “Coco,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Ratatouille,” “Star Trek,” “Jurassic World,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “War for the Planet of the Apes.” It’s the fifth film Reeves and Giacchino have collaborated on.

The release of the soundtrack comes just days before the film’s release, and follows WaterTower Music’s campaign over the past several weeks of digitally releasing three of Giacchino’s powerful musical character themes, each of which has captivated fans across the globe. The first music to be heard from The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was, in order of release: “The Batman,” “The Riddler,” and “Catwoman.”

“I love working with Michael Giacchino, he’s one of my favorite people,” explained “The Batman” director Matt Reeves. “So, when I got ‘The Batman,’ I went to him knowing he has the same kind of love and connection to Batman that I do. He told me he wanted to do what we’d never been able to - to record before I ever shot a frame. He said, ‘I want us to record a suite, as if it was the unknown Beethoven Sonata of Batman that was found, and we use that to score the entire movie.’ I was excited about it, so he started writing while I was still writing, and he would send me little sample recordings of pieces he was doing on the piano.”

Reeves said that later, “the night before Robert (Pattinson) was to screen test, Michael sent me this incredible suite which contained the Batman theme - he had put it together with an orchestra - and I was blown away! It was so emotional. I drove to the set, and (The Batman producer) Dylan Clark was there, and I said to him, ‘You have to get in the car.’ He sat in the passenger seat, and I turned up the music. The two of us literally cried. He, too, felt it was amazing.

“I just felt like this was a very special, fated day, because Robert was about to be in one of the classic Batsuits, we were going to shoot some scenes, and there we were listening to this perfect music,” Reeves continued. “Suddenly you felt you were about to be part of film history that meant so much to you and meant so much to everyone. That music helped Robert Pattinson to become Batman, and we listened to that music all the time.”

The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is now available digitally for streaming/ purchase, and on 2CD.

The track list is as follows:

1. Can't Fight City Halloween

2. Mayoral Ducting

3. It's Raining Vengeance

4. Don't Be Voyeur with Me

5. Crossing the Feline

6. Gannika Girl

7. Moving in for the Gil

8. Funeral and Far Between

9. Collar ID

10. Escaped Crusader

11. Penguin of Guilt

12. Highway to the Anger Zone

13. World's Worst Translator

14. Riddles, Riddles Everywhere

15. Meow and You and Everyone We Know

16. For All Your Pennyworth

17. Are You a Kenzie or a Can't-zie?

18. An Im-purr-fect Murder

19. The Great Pumpkin Pie

20. Hoarding School

21. A Flood of Terrors

22. A Bat in the Rafters, Pt. 1

23. A Bat in the Rafters, Pt. 2

24. The Bat's True Calling

25. All's Well That Ends Farewell

26. The Batman

27. Catwoman

28. The Riddler

29. Sonata in Darkness

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.

More than a year of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies—Alfred (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright)—amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.

When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz), Oz, aka The Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka The Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.

Starring alongside Robert Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse”) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”); Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”); Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”); John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”); Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Interrogation”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”); and Colin Farrell (“The Gentlemen,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”).

Reeves (“The Planet of the Apes” franchise) directed from a screenplay by Reeves & Peter Craig, based on characters from DC. Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger. Dylan Clark (the “Planet of the Apes” films) and Reeves produced the film, with Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Simon Emanuel serving as executive producers.

The movie’s behind-the-scenes creative team included Oscar-nominated director of photography Greig Fraser (“Dune,” “Lion”); Reeves’ “Planet of the Apes” production designer, James Chinlund, and editor, William Hoy; editor Tyler Nelson (“Rememory”); and Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“1917,” “Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”). The music is by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino (the current “Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Star Wars” films, “Up”).

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a 6th & Idaho/Dylan Clark Productions Production, a Matt Reeves Film, “The Batman.” The film is set to open in theaters in North America March 4, 2022 and internationally beginning 2 March 2022; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“The Batman” is rated PG-13 by the MPA for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material.

ABOUT WATERTOWER MUSIC:

WaterTower Music, the in-house label for the WarnerMedia companies, releases recorded music as rich and diverse as the companies themselves. It has been the soundtrack home to many of the world’s most iconic films, television shows and games since 2001.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 1st to 5th, 2022 - Update #16

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From THR:  Will Smith is returning for the long-talked about sequel to his hit 2007 film, "I Am Legend." This time actor Michael B. Jordan will also star in the film as well as be one of its producers.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   The first photographic image has been released from the action film, "Dead Zone," which stars Michael Jai White and Chad Michael Collins.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Reportedly, rapper Jack Harlow's first screen audition lands him a role in the reboot of writer-director Ron Shelton's 1992 sports comedy, "White Men Can't Jump."

TRAILER - From Deadline:  There is a trailer for the 50th Anniversary re-release of Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather."  This film and the others in the series will also have a 4K Ultra HD and Ultra Blu-ray release.

STREAMING - From Variety:  Actor Anthony Mackie will star in and executive produce a TV series based on the Sony Playstation video game, "Twisted Metal." The series is being produced for NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock.

OSCARS - From Variety:   Samuel L. Jackson says, ‘I Should’ve Won’ an Oscar, but Oscars Don’t Get ‘Asses in Seats’ Like I Do

TRAILER - From Variety:  Sony Pictures has released the official trailer for the stylish action movie, "Bullet Train" starring Brad Pitt and directed David Leitch.

MOVIES - From Consequence:  There is a report that says that Oscar-winning film producer, Brad Pitt, has come on board as a producer on the long-rumored sequel to "Beetlejuice" (1988).

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  The beloved sci-fi animated comedy, "Futurama," is returning on Hulu with 20 episodes and with "Bender" voice actor, John DiMaggio.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  On the comeback trail, actress Lindsay Lohan strikes two-picture deal with Netflix.

AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners of the 2022 / 22nd annual Black Reel Awards were announced Monday evening, Feb. 28th in a livestream.  The Black Western, "The Harder They Fall" led with 6 wins, and "King Richard" was named "Outstanding Film" of 2021.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  The Walt Disney Company is temporarily pulling its theatrical releases from Russian movie theaters due to Russia's invasion of the nation of Ukraine.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 2/25 to 2/27/2022 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "Uncharted" with a take of 23 million dollars.

MOVIES - From CNN:  Mid-budget Hollywood movies are in decline.  What does that mean for American cinema?

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film executive and film producer, Alan Ladd, Jr., has died at the age of 84, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.  Ladd won an Oscar for producing "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey.  He was also the president of 20th Century Fox who approved the production of "Star Wars" and he was an executive at MGM/UA.

From Deadline:  Broadway and television actor, Ned Eisenberg, has died at the age of 65, Sunday, February 27, 2022.  Eisenberg was best known for his recurring role on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit" as the villainous defense attorney Roger Kressler.  Eisenberg had a prolific career in film and TV and on stage.

From Deadline:  Actress Farrah Forke has died at the age of 54, Friday, February 25, 2022.  Forke is best known for her recurring role as "Alex Lambert" on Seasons 4 through 6 of NBC's former sitcom, "Wings."  She also appeared on ABC's former romantic drama, "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" and the CBS comedy, "Dweebs."

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94TH ACADEMY AWARDS:

OSCARS - From Variety:  The nominations for the 2022 / 94th Academy Awards have been announced.  "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 nominations.  The winners will be revealed March 27th.

From Deadline:    With his "Best Actor" nomination for "The Tragedy of Macbeth," Denzel Washington is the most nominated Black actor is Oscar history.  He has been nominated in two acting categories a total of 10 times with two wins total.

From Variety:   With her "Best Director" Oscar nomination for "The Power of the Dog," Jane Campion becomes the first woman nominated twice in that category. She was previously nominated in that category for "The Piano" (1993).

From Variety:  With his three nominations today, Kenneth Branagh of "Belfast" becomes the first person to have been nominated in seven individual categories over his career.

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MOVIE AWARDS:

From Deadline:   The winners at the 2022 / 28th annual SAG Awards. "CODA" wins the top prize, "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture."

From Variety:  Here is a complete list of winners at 2022 / 53rd NAACP Image Awards in the film, television and music categories.  Jennifer Hudson was named "Entertainer of the Year."

From Deadline:   The 2022 / 9th annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards were announced.  The Amazon film, "Coming 2 America" (the sequel to the 1988 film, "Coming to America"), led with three wins.

From Deadline:  The 2022 BAFTA Film Awards nominations have been announced.  "Dune" leads with 11 nominations.  The winners will be announced March 13th.

From Deadline:   The 2022 / 33rd annual Producers Guild of America Awards nominations have been announced.  The winners will be announced Saturday, March 19th.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2022 / 74th annual Directors Guild Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced March 12th.

From COFCA:  The Columbus Film Critics Association name "The Power of the Dog" the "Best Film" of 2021.

From Deadline:  Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," was named the "Best Picture" of 2021 at the 13th annual African American Film Critics Association Awards.  The Western tied with "King Richard" for most wins with four.  Will Smith was named "Best Actor" for "King Richard."

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2022 / 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards have been announced.

From Variety:  The snubs and surprises in the nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

From Variety:   At the 2022 / 79th Golden Globes, "The Power of the Dog" wins "Best Motion Picture-Drama" and "West Side Story" wins "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Variety:  The National Society of Film Critics names the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the best film of 2021.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 22nd Annual Black Reel Awards were announced a few weeks ago. Netflix's Black Western, "The Harder They Fall," has a record 20 nominations.  The winners will be announced February 27, 2022.

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association announced the nominations for their annual film awards.  Director Jane Campion's "The Power of the Dog" leads with 12 noms.  The winners will be announced Thurs., Jan. 6th, 2022.

From Deadline:  The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has named the Japanese film, "Drive My Car," the "Best Picture" of 2021.

From Deadline:  The 2022 / 37th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have announced their nominations. "Zola" leads with six nominations. The winners will be announced Sun., March 6, 2022.

From THR:  The 2022 / 79th Golden Globes Awards nominations have been announced.  "Belfast" and "The Power of the Dog" lead with seven nominations each.  Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From GoldDerby:   The 2022 Critics Choice Awards nominations have been announced. "Belfast" and "West Side Story" leads with 11 nominations each. Winners will be announced Jan. 9th, 2022.

From Deadline:   The American Film Institute announced the "2021 AFI Awards" Top 10 list, and the list includes "Dune," "The Tragedy of Macbeth," and "West Side Story."

From THR:  Director Aleem Khan's "After Love" tops the 2021 British Independent Film Awards, winning six awards, including "Best Film of 2021."

From Variety:   The New York Film Critics Circle has named the Japanese drama, "Drive My Car," as the "Best Film of 2021."

From Deadline:  The National Board of Review hands director Paul Thomas Anderson's "Licorice Pizza" it "Best Film" and "Best Director" awards.  Will Smith picks up the "Best Actor" award for "King Richard."

From THR:  Netflix’s "The Lost Daughter," directed by actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, dominated the 2021 Gotham Awards in New York on Monday night (Nov. 29th).  The film won in four of the five categories in which it was nominated, including "Best Feature."

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"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline:  This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  Matt Hutchins, the husband of Halyna Hutchins, blames Alec Baldwin for Halyna's accidental shooting death on the set of the doomed Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  The family and estate of Halyna Hutchins has filed suit against Alec Baldwin (who accidentally shot Hutchins), a slew of production companies and entities, producers, and key crew members involved in the Western film, "Rust," for her death.

From THR:   A Republican New Mexico legislator, State Sen. Cliff Pirtle of Roswell, on Monday introduced a bill that would require all film set personnel who handle firearms to complete a safety course offered by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.  This is in the wake a cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, being fatally shot on the set of the Western, "Rust," last year by Alec Baldwin with a weapon he says he thought was not loaded with live ammunition.

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin and the other producers of the doomed Western film, "Rust," want a California judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed against them by the script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell.

From Deadline:   Alec Baldwin has finally turned over his cell phone to police for their probe into the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin's Western film, "Rust," last October in New Mexico.

From Variety:  One of the producers of tragic Western film, Rust, Emily Salveson, pushes tax shelters and hid income.

From THR:  "I let go of the hammer and 'Bang,' the gun goes off" says Alec Baldwin says in his first interview of the moment when a gun he was holding accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin will sit down with ABC's news-reading clown George Stephanopoulos for a one hour special tomorrow night to talk about what happened on the set of the movie "Rust."  It will be Baldwin’s first extensive interview about the shooting.

From Deadline:  Industry veteran, Thall Reed, the father of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the Western, "Rust," may have handed the police a tip on why the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot to death on the set.

From THR:  A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday for a prop shop sheds light on how alleged live ammunition ended up on the set of the Western film, "Rust," where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in October.

From Deadline:  A month after cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot and killed on the New Mexico set the movie Western, "Rust," by a prop gun “discharged” by Alec Baldwin, those closest to the cinematographer held a private ceremony and interred her ashes at an unknown location.

From Deadline:  Actor Daniel Baldwin defends his brother, Alec Baldwin, in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film, "Rust."  "Someone loaded that gun improperly," Daniel says.

From Deadline:  The newest lawsuit involving the tragic shooting on the set of the Western film, "Rust," has been filed by the film's script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, against Alec Baldwin, the producers, the production company, armorer Hanna Gutierrez Reed, and others.

From Deadline:  Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer on "Rust," has filed a lawsuit against several parties related to the film, including the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, and first Assistant Director David Halls.

From THR:   In the wake of the tragic accidental shooting on the set of his film, "Rust," Alec Baldwin on Monday took to social media to urge Hollywood to employ a police officer on every film and TV set that uses guns.

From THR:   The budget for "Rust" - Alec Baldwin was set to earn $150,000 as lead actor and $100,000 as producer, while $7,913 was earmarked for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and $17,500 was set aside for the rental of weapons and $5,000 for rounds.

From Deadline:  Attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film, "Rust," said that they’re looking into whether a live bullet was placed in a box of dummy rounds with the intent of  “sabotaging the set.”

From THR:   Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers.  She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin:  An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions.  Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline:   Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR:   Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting.  He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR:  The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline:  Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR:  Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline:   "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film.  They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline:  "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline."  The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR:  The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through.  The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline:  The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust."  As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR:  "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline:  The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN:   Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety:  Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety:  The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

Review: "THE BATMAN" Has Great Action Scenes and Dull Psychological Drama

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 12 of 2022 (No. 1824) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Batman (2022)
Running time:  175 minutes (2 hours, 55 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material
DIRECTOR:  Matt Reeves
WRITERS:  Matt Reeves and Peter Craig (based on Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger)
PRODUCERS:  Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Greig Fraser (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  William Hoy and Tyler Nelson
COMPOSER:  Michael Giacchino

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION and DRAMA/MYSTERY

Starring:  Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, John Turturro, Andy Serkis, Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, Gil Perez-Abraham, Alex Ferns, Rupert Penry-Jones, Hana Hrzic, Charlie Carver, Max Carver, Luke Roberts, Stella Stocker, and Barry Keoghan

The Batman is a 2022 superhero action-drama from director Matt Reeves.  It is the eighth film in the modern Batman film franchise that began with director Tim Burton's 1989 film, Batman, and it is a reboot of the Batman film franchise.  In The Batman, a sadistic serial killer begins murdering key political figures, forcing Batman to investigate his city's hidden corruption, which may involve both his father and mother's side of the family.

The Batman opens on Halloween.  The Gotham City mayoral race is in the final stretch between incumbent Mayor Don Mitchell Jr. (Robert Pattinson) and challenger, Bella Reál (Jayme Lawson).  A sadistic new serial killer, who calls himself “The Riddler” (Paul Dano), murders Mayor Mitchell.  Thus, begins The Riddler's wave of murder and terror.

The Batman (Robert Pattinson), a vigilante who has operated in Gotham for two years, works alongside Lieutenant James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) of the Gotham City Police Department, much to the chagrin of many rank and file officers and higher-ups in the department.  They discover that with each of his murders, The Riddler leaves a message for Batman.

Batman is really reclusive billionaire, Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson), who obsessively protects Gotham.  So focused on his mission is Bruce that he pushes away his loyal butler and mentor, Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis).  However, Batman ends up partnering with Selina Kyle ( Zoë Kravitz), a waitress who is something of a cat burglar – a “Catwoman” – who is trying to find her missing roommate and girlfriend Annika (Hana Hrzic).

The Batman will be forced to reckon with Gotham City's hidden corruption and also face tough questions about his late parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne's (Luke Roberts and Stella Stocker) involvement in that corruption  Especially, troubling is Thomas Wayne's connection to a notorious Gotham crime lord, Carmine Falcone (John Turturro).

The Batman is a film that borrows liberally from the recent film and comic book past of Batman.  I recognize story elements borrowed from Batman comic book stories like “Batman: Year One” and “Zero Year.”  There are allusions to Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film; even composer Michael Giacchino's score seems to reference composer Danny Elfman's score for Burton's film.

However, director Matt Reeves, in making The Batman, seems obsessed with or bewitched by director Christopher Nolan's hugely popular Batman films:  Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), referred to as “The Dark Knight trilogy.”  Nolan's film were “dark” and edgy in terms of subject matter, plots, and characters, but Nolan filled the films with invigorating and tense action set pieces.

The Batman is just dark.  It is as if Reeves took Nolan's aesthetic and through a coal black filter over it.  The Gotham City of this film seems like a real-life city, and it is dark as all Hell at night and damp – really damp.  Reeves and his co-screenwriter, Peter Craig, fashion a story that is overwhelmed with political corruption and depraved criminals that are dark in personality and even darker in motivation.  Bruce Wayne is morose, as if both actor Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves are determined to make him a caricature of the caricature that has become iconic rock musician, the late Kurt Cobain.  It is an utter waste of Pattinson's potential as both an actor and a movie star.

On the other hand, Pattinson's Batman has more layers.  Pattinson makes him formidable and dangerous, but also introspective and capable of mercy.  This Batman is also a fierce fighter, but is physically vulnerable; Bruce's body is marked with the scars of his Batman activities.  Batman is often knocked down by his opponents in hand to hand combat and seriously injured by gunfire.

Too bad that The Batman does not have better villains.  They aren't really worth talking about, but I do want to point out the really terrible version of The Riddler that is in this film.  He is a whiny, boring incel, and as The Riddler, actor Paul Dano is more doofus than diabolical.

The Batman does have good supporting characters, but the script does not give them much with which to work.  Zoë Kravitz is full of fire and talent as Selina Kyle, and when she is allowed to show her acting chops, she steals entire scenes.  Most of the time, however, it feels like all the filmmakers really want her to do is pose and look bad-ass slash alluring.  James Gordon is a mostly one-note character, and even the supremely talented Jeffrey Wright cannot make the character be more than that.  I won't get into how much the brilliant Andy Serkis is wasted as Alfred Pennyworth.

The Batman is truly at its best during the fights, chases, and action scenes.  The film also gives us a monster-like Batmobile that is more muscle car than mobile, and when Batman uses it to pursue the Penguin (Colin Farrell) in his car, the film seems to explode off the screen.

What keeps The Batman from being a really good film, to say nothing of being a great film, is that it is too long.  It is half kick-ass action and half plodding melodrama, and I wish the plodding melodrama had been cut in half.  Honestly, I would only recommend The Batman to people who enjoy watching Batman movies, regardless of whether they are comic book fans or not.

6 of 10
B

Friday, March 4, 2022


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "MAKING LOVE" Can Still Knock Boots

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 11 of 2022 (No. 1823) by Leroy Douresseaux

Making Love (1982)
Running time:  113 minutes (1 hour, 53 minutes)
MPAA – R
DIRECTOR:  Arthur Hiller
WRITERS:  Barry Sandler; from a story by A. Scott Berg
PRODUCERS:  Alan J. Adler and Daniel Melnick
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  David M. Walsh
EDITOR:  William Reynolds
COMPOSER: Leonard Rosenman

LGBTQ/DRAMA/ROMANCE

Starring:  Michael Ontkean, Kate Jackson, Harry Hamlin, Wendy Hiller, and Gary Swanson

Making Love is a 1982 romantic drama and LGBTQ film from director Arthur Hiller.  Making Love focuses on a successful Los Angeles couple making big plans for their future when the husband finds himself unable to keep repressing his attraction for other men.

Making Love is set in the early 1980s and introduces three 30-something characters.  The first is Dr. Zack Elliot (Michael Ontkean), a successful, Los Angeles-based oncologist.  He is married to Claire Elliot (Kate Jackson), an equally successful television network executive.  Claire and Zack have been married for eight years and are generally happy.  They are talking about having a baby, so they buy a bigger house.

Unknown to Claire, however, Zack has been struggling with feelings of attraction for other men.  He begins loosening these long-repressed feelings by cruising places where gay men congregate to pick up other men for sex.  Enter the film's third main character, Bart McGuire (Harry Hamlin), a successful novelist and gay man.  Bart goes in for a medical check-up, and Zack is temporarily seeing the patients of Bart's regular doctor.

Bart frequents gay bars and clubs and has multiple sexual partners, preferring one night stands to committed relationships.  Zack and Bart are mutually attracted to each other, but there are complications.  As gay men, each wants something different in intimate relationships.  Meanwhile, Claire is having professional struggles, and she starts to suspect that Zack is cheating on her.  However, she would never suspect that he is cheating on her with another man.

This is the fortieth anniversary of the theatrical release of the landmark gay film drama, Making Love, specifically February 12, 1982.  While Making Love was not the first gay-themed film released by a major Hollywood studio, it was the first mainstream Hollywood film drama to address particular subjects related to homosexuality, such as the effect of a spouse coming out while being in a heterosexual marriage and also the toll of being closeted on a gay man.

Making Love is not a great film; at best, it is average or maybe a little above average.  Apparently, it has been accused of dodging its core subject, which is that of a gay man not only coming out while being married to a woman, but also engaging in an affair with another man.  Making Love does not actually duck or dodge any sensitive homosexual issues.

The problem is that the film addresses too many issues.  Zack Elliot is having a midlife crisis.  Repressed, Zack is horny and cruises for gay sex, but usually backs out before the sex can begin.  Claire is having a career crisis.  She wants her television executive bosses to utilize the talents for which she was hired, but they ignore her thoughtful programming pitches.  She wants to take a year off so that she can have a baby.  Her desire to have a better relationship with her estranged father also crops up.  Bart treats each man that he wants to screw like he is the perfect guy for him.  Yet as soon as the sex is over, Bart hops out of bed and heads home.  He is always on the prowl, but seems to yearn for a little more.

This are enough subplots and melodramatic twists for a television series, but it is a bit much for a film.  What also hampers the film is that with so much to talk about, a lot of the dialogue is stiff and sounds contrived when the actors speak it.  The performances are well meaning, but the screenplay for Making Love does address what is at the heart of this film.

Making Love may be a gay drama, but the way I see it, the story is really about the dysfunction in Zack and Claire's relationship and in Zack and Bart's relationship.  Making Love is really not about “making love,” but about people being honest about what they want from a partner and what they really want for themselves.  Making Love only deals with that in a shallow way, but I do give the film, the filmmakers, and the cast the credit for making this kind of film.  Making Love depicts homosexuality and being a man who wants to have sex with lots of other men seem like perfectly normal aspects of modern American life.

6 of 10
B

Friday, March 4, 2022


NOTES:
1983 Golden Globes, USA:  1 nomination: Best Original Song - Motion Picture (Burt Bacharach-music, Bruce Roberts-music/lyrics, and Carole Bayer Sager-lyrics for the song, “Making Love”)


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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