Though it’s true that the Joker is nowhere to be found in “The Dark Knight Rises,” this film is less about the character and much more about the taint he’s left on Gotham city as a whole. In the end of “The Dark Knight” the Joker won, even when he wasn’t able to prove that humanity is deep down a rotten vile stain on civilization. “The Dark Knight Rises” examines the fall out of the Joker’s reign of terror, and how it ultimately affects any attempts by the Dark Knight to thwart the new terrorist threat by the name of Bane. Eight years later Alfred is a crusty man servant, Commissioner Gordon is a grief stricken officer dealing with a painful divorce, and Bruce Wayne is a recluse who spends his days locked inside the mansion. When we meet Bruce again he’s aided by a walking stick and can barely find the strength to chase after Selina Kyle who makes use of his priceless jewels in one instance.
Tag Archives: Science Fiction
Ultimate Spider-Man: Excelsior Entertainment
“Ultimate Spider-Man” the comic, from what I remember, was an edgy, sleek and rather dramatic reboot of the entire Spider-Man universe. And odds are if you’re used to angsty stern Peter Parker from Sam Raimi’s films and the newest cinematic outing with Andrew Garfield, “Ultimate Spider-Man” the TV series might take some getting used to. In fact, “Ultimate Spider-Man” completely side steps most of the angst, drama, and melancholy that comes with the territory of Spider-Man’s world, and grabs a hold of the comedy by the throat and dives in head first.
Sci-Fi Invasion: 50 Movie Set (DVD)
Do me a favor. If and when you buy “Sci-Fi Invasion – 50 Movie Set,” be sure to skip all of the features temporarily and pop in the DVD of “Future Hunters.” This Robert Patrick vehicle is perhaps one of the most inept and inadvertently hilarious movies ever made with a plot so convoluted and nonsensical it’s a pedigree above sucky and dabbles occasionally in to retarded. There’s post-apocalyptic nomads fighting over a spear of some kind, and Robert Patrick getting his ass kicked by literally everyone as the film’s inept protagonist who helps a young archaeologist find a way to keep the sacred spear from some evil collectors.
Blasting off with the "Hypernauts"
Like ninety percent of all my great pop culture memories, I stumbled upon “Hypernauts” one very early Saturday morning in 1996. When I say early, I mean five in the morning on ABC TV in the US, and I recall finding it to be a rather entertaining and exciting science fiction series, then. It also helped my excitement that one of the primary stars of this action adventure series was the lovely Heidi Lucas who, kids my age at the time would remember her as one of the stars of the Nickelodeon comedy “Salute your Shorts.” This series is a long departure for her from the “Meatballs” summer camp comedy, approaching a more dramatic and gritty science fiction show that could appeal to young audiences.
Bad Channels (1992)
This is one of the first Full Moon movies I’ve ever seen that was scored by Blue Oyster Cult, so even if the movie sucked, there’s a good chance the movie rocks by default. Blue Oyster Cult manages to provide a raucous and rocking soundtrack for what is generally a cheesy and absolutely goofy piece of early nineties schlock, but it has genuine camp value in its corner, as well as the always attractive Martha Quinn as a heroine.
Batman & Robin (1997)
It’s funny. Back in the day when I used to love any superhero movie that came in to theaters, I found myself getting excited by “Batman & Robin.” Why? Because he mentions Superman in the opening for a brief second. Nevertheless that was when fans and Warner were still considering a Batman and Superman movie, and that never came to fruition, thankfully. “Batman & Robin” is a glorious mess. It’s a movie so awful that it’s compelling at times.
Arachnoquake (2012)
If you’re one who is thinking “Arachnoquake? That sounds stupid,” then congratulations on displaying wisdom well beyond your years. “Arachnoquake” is a movie that sounds good on page, but when you see it, there’s just so much to hate about it that you can’t even take it at face value as a movie intended on being so bad it’s good. The movie is painfully self-aware to the point where you almost expect a laugh track to follow the “gags” staged. Meanwhile the writer behind the film is well beyond in over his head providing a three pronged story that jumps from sub-plot to sub-plot without resolving either, all the while ripping off films like “Jeepers Creepers 2,” “Children of Men,” “Deep Blue Sea,” “The Mist,” and “Piranha.” There are so much plot elements staged that are never touched upon or resolved, you could list them all in a whole review.