1943 Batman Serial

IMDB

Batman is a 15-chapter serial, released in 1943 by Columbia Pictures. The serial starred Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin. J. Carrol Naish played the villain, an original character named Dr. Daka. Rounding out the cast were Shirley Patterson as Linda Page (Bruce Wayne's love interest), and William Austin as Alfred the butler. The plot involved Batman—as a U.S. government agent—attempting to defeat the Japanese agent Dr. Daka, at the height of World War II.

The film is notable for being the first filmed appearance of Batman, and for debuting story details that became permanent parts of the Batmanmythos. It introduced "The Bat's Cave", and its secret entrance through agrandfather clock inside Wayne Manor. Both departures subsequently appeared in the comics. The serial also changed the course of how Alfred Pennyworth's physical appearance would be depicted in later Batmanworks. At the time it was released in theaters, Alfred was overweight in Batman comics. After William Austin's portrayal in these chapter plays, subsequent issues of the comics portrayed him as Austin had: trim, and sporting a thin mustache. The serial was commercially successful, and spawned another, Batman and Robin, in 1949. It was re-released in 1965. The re-released version, called An Evening with Batman and Robin, proved very popular, and its success inspired the intentionally campy Batmantelevision series (and its 1966 theatrical feature film spin-off) starring Adam West and Burt Ward.

Plot

Batman and Robin struggle against Dr. Daka, a Japanese scientist and agent of Hirohito who has invented a device that turns people into pseudo-zombies, and has a base in a Funhouse of horrors, in a Japanese area of the city. Daka makes several attempts to defeat the Dynamic Duo before finally falling to his death when Robin hits the wrong switch, opening a trapdoor to a pit of crocodiles.

Cast

• Lewis Wilson as Batman/Bruce Wayne
• Douglas Croft as Robin/Richard 'Dick' Grayson
• J. Carrol Naish as Dr. Tito Daka/Prince Daka
• Shirley Patterson as Linda Page
• William Austin as Alfred Pennyworth
• Robert Fiske as Foster

Superman Vs The Elite Review and Video Preview

                                                      Superman vs. The Elite

Superman vs. The Elite

I am not too sure about this one. It may be my least favorite of the DC Universe Animated offerings. The Elite is a band of young - yet very powerful - superheroes that are a little reckless for Superman's style. Maybe because they're British?

I think this would have been a great 22-minute episode for a TV series. OR The arc for a season. I think many times a feature length movie based on a literary source, even a graphic novel or comic book, often lacks from trying to adopt numerous sub plots into a 80-120 minute feature. A 22-minute short can focus on the main points, removing sub plots in favor of a primary set up and ultimate battle sequence. A mini series, or even better the new 6-12 episode arc of Cable TV shows (And a few networks falling in line) can deal with each of the minor characters.

I feel like the feature introduced a lot. International Politics, Role of Superheroes today, Blurred Lines of Justice, and so much more... Perhaps too much.  

Give this subject s 6 60-minute arc on cable TV OR a Full season on Cartoon Network etc and you could flesh out the characters. Otherwise, it almost feels like one of those movies that ran out of money, and had to wrap up big ideas to quickly. 

The other problem, I think it becomes very hard to like Manchester Black. We love anti heroes and villains like Walter White and Tony Soprano. I think if you make Black more likable - OR Love to hate - this would have worked better. There is a quick moment where you get why he is so hard around the edges, but the character voice acting and animation does not draw you in like so many have done so much better before...

KIDS SIZE - NOT FOR ME

FROM WIKI

Superman vs. The Elite is an animated superhero film based on "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?," the story published in thecomic book Action Comics #775 (March 2001). The movie was adapted and written by Joe Kelly, who wrote the comic it was based on, and is directed by Michael Chang. It was released on June 12, 2012.^[1] The film also featured the return of George Newbern as Superman, and David Kaufman as Jimmy Olsen, reprising their roles from the DC animated universe.^[2] It is the 14th film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line.

Additional video fan put together to show off Superman's power. But maybe you can see why I don't like this one... The whole Superman Character is just a little off... 

Man Of Steel redeems Superman Movie franchise

THANK YOU GODS OF SUPER HERO MOVIES!!!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MAN OF STEEL NOW AT AMAZON
Watch 1978 Movie with Christopher Reeves and Marlon Brando

Seriously I think I am by far not the only die hard fan of blue tights and red cape that were ready to throw in the towel after Superman Returns. For decades I was sick of fellow geeks making fun of us that were loyal to THE original super hero of modern times. The one that started it all. Those of us that were kids when Superman 1977 hit the screen with Christopher Reeves when reruns of Adam West were the best Batman had to offer. Marvel was sucking wind on TV and movies except for THE HULK with Bill Bixby as David Banner, because BRUCE was too gay? (Not my words - I wa always confused why Dr. Banner was called Bruce in cartoons and comics)...  AND we suffered through TV's attempt to make Superman more chick friendly (Lois & Clark) or Teen Age worthy (Smallville) all of which I watched religiously out of love for the character, while despising what was being done...

Well I for one believe we were rewarded for holding out. Better than ever before, Superman was rebooted for "today" without over thinking or over pandering to a certain demographic. They just made a movie that rocks. A movie Superman die-hards can call our own. A movie that had just enough story to warrant 2+ hours and millions of dollars invested, but still crammed in all the action of the animated films and shorts and graphic novels...

Henry Cavill nailed the character. Too many interpret the fish out of water quality of Krypton's Last Son being isolated on Earth as wimpy. Cavill wonderfully portrays awkward outcast that is not necessarily a two dimensional geek. His Superman matched teh Charisma of Reeves. Being even more chiseled in the chin, etc Cavill may have even surpassed. Although, first seeing Reeves in Red 7 Blue at age five, he will always be my perfect image...

LOVE Michael Shannon as Zod. The Kyptonians were bad ass and true warriors. Zod was the perfect "bad guy" for today's age. The villian of the story, he is the hero of his own goals till the end. Warped by power, to him, his passion and drive for power is selfless as the ulitmate goal is the survival of his people. For Zod, he is a European that lost to the Native American People trying conquest the United States. 

A lot of people hate the way Lois knows too much, right. But I remember a very funny moment in Lois & Clark when Tempus (Played by Lane Davies - basically Chronos) says to Lois (Not exact quote) How stupid can you be. Than he puts a pair of glasses to his face.... Really. I think many have enjoyed the Superman from animated films that clearly is known by Lois, intimately. I love the new idea that there are many out there that know the truth and protect it as they had been saved by Clark. Superman IS Clark. And Lois would never have rested until she found that out. The cute wink wink joke of the 1950's series had been played out. Women today are equal to men or even superior - especially if you ask Wonder Woman. I love the new story from head to toe.

I am very upset that the next movie has been pushed back a year. But we are definitely headed towards JLA the MOVIE!!!

FAN POSTER: Star Wars: Episode VII Return to a Galaxy Far Far Away May 2015

I am exited!!! Star Wars Episode 4 was one of the first movies I ever saw. About 5 years old, my mother took me and my baby brother, (sister was on the way). Afterwards, Mom said, THAT WAS AWESOME, LETS GO SEE IT AGAIN!!! So basically my formative years were formed early into a Star Wars fan geek. I remember being 6 years old and owning action figures - NOT DOLLS - that I had no idea who they were. Lucas released dolls - ACTION FIGURES - for every sing creature in the movie, including BOBA FETT which was cut form the original Episode 1, so i was totally confused who my favorite action figure was related to the movie... What will Lucas bring us next....

By Late 1980s the buzz was all about Episode 1-3 and 7-9. So those of us that are fans from Day 1 new this was coming... UNTIL during the run of episodes 1-3, it sounded like we are out of luck. Sounds like the success of Clone Wars on TV and other side projects have jump started us back on track. And lets face it, even if the movies suck, Lucas, the marketing genius, will find a way to make money out of them...