Yet another animated iteration of the dark knight, Glenn Murakami’s “Beware the Batman” tries to meet Cartoon Network in America down the middle. It’s an attempt to rework the Batman universe, while opening its world up to potential merchandise opportunities. Hence why much of the Batman universe here is filled with pandering, and characters so obviously built toward becoming action figures, it’s pretty sad. All things considered, the series was pulled very quickly by Cartoon Network, and it’s not difficult to figure out why. “Beware the Batman” is the most lifeless and lethargic of the animated Batman adventures, and we once had “The Batman.”
Batman The Brave & The Bold: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]
For Batman fans that prefers their Batman with less substance and much more of the Adam West camp and adventure, “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” is right up your alley. With unique animation and solid voice work from Diedrich Bader, “Brave and the Bold” is mostly fan service, teaming Batman up with some of the most obscure and interesting Batman superheroes, while celebrating the more serial oriented side of the characters. There’s less of Bruce Wayne and his world involved in the series, with Batman mainly playing center to most of the events that occur.
Bring It On (2000)
You wouldn’t think a movie about cheerleaders and a rivalry between teams would be any good, but “Bring It On” manages to be lightning in a bottle that has yet to be topped by its terrible sequels. Not that cheerleading isn’t interesting, but “Bring It On” is such an entertaining and funny sports film, it sets the standard for movies about cheerleaders that has yet to be equaled or rivaled in quality. Director Peyton Reed’s film is a mix of comedy, drama, and light commentary on race and class warfare.
The PC Thug: 10 Facts about “Shasta McNasty” (You May Not Know)
One of the better movie series I’ve seen in a long time is “Paranormal Activity.” Yes, it has its detractors, sure. You either love the movies, or you act snooty and mock people for liking the movies. I don’t give a shit, either way. I think “Paranormal Activity” was great, and this was before it became a viral sensation with the ad campaign (featuring people that knew they were being filmed) of people screaming and shrieking at the movie’s events.
I fondly remember asking for a chance to review the screener from Oren Peli, and being stunned at what I’d finished watching when it ended. I loved “Paranormal Activity” then and never knew it’d become such a huge hit.
Years later, we’re on to “Paranormal Activity 4” moving on to part five, and we even have our own Latin spin off! And ever since part three I’ve been asking the same question: Where the hell is this all going?
Time to Kill (2014)
It’s impressive how some filmmakers can take a one setting short and turn it in to an event filled picture filled with sharp writing and rich characterization. “Time to Kill” is based on one character and one setting and still feels more complete than most films I’ve come across. Christopher T. Wood who penned the film, also gives a top notch performance as a hit man waiting for his target, and might be waiting for his target for as long as his patience and endurance can hold out.
Adventures of Batman (1968) (DVD)
For fans that enjoy Batman, repackaged or original, “Adventures of Batman” is a suitable animated fix that hearkens back to the cheap animation of “Scooby Doo” and the silly adventures from the Adam West series. Less campy and more adventurous, the series from Filmation sets down on Batman and Robin as they battle all of their famous foes, from the Joker, and Mr. Freeze right down to the Riddler. Anyone expecting the complexities and dark themes from the Bruce Timm series should look elsewhere, as “Adventures of Robin” feels a lot like a facsimile of “Scooby Doo.”
Girl Meets World
The nineties are bigger than ever now, and the fan base for “Boy Meets World” is as passionate as it’s ever been. Years after ending on ABC in America, “Boy Meets World” has lived on as a fan favorite, so a revival only made sense. Rather than creating a new series and calling it “Girl Meets World,” though, Disney actually puts forth enormous effort. “Girl Meets World” works as a spin off, sequel, and reboot of the original series, and the producers have re-cast almost all of the original stars of the hit series, right down to Mr. Feeny. It’s a new generation though, so “Girl Meets World” is about Corey and Topanga’s daughter Riley finding herself, as Corey and wife Topanga pass on the baton to their oldest daughter, allowing her to find her own path in the world Corey once “met.”