Thursday, September 29, 2005

The Ultimate Reason Why Batman Rules

Cititizens,

There is one reason why Batman is the best super hero ever. He is listed in Mr. Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes" Comic strip. I think that sums it up.

SWOOSH!,

Robin

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Knock Out Gas

Citizens,

This neferous gas has thwarted Batman and I multiple times. For those of you who do not know what knock out gas is, it's name implies its action. A villian will spray Batman and I with it to render us immoble and him free to either escape or put us in a death trap (that always seems to be happening.) However, after this has happened to us multiple times, Batman and I use the advanced science labratories in the bat-cave to come up with pills that render each kind of knock out gas ineffective on us. Thus, the villian is in for a sure surprise when he tries to gas us again!

Now, how does this relate to our movies? Simply, the form of knock out gas has changed through the episodes. When Batman and I were filming episode 1, we did not have a large budget and were pressed for time. Thus, our knockout gas became baby powder, squeezed out of a tube in someone's face. Episode 2 saw a slight upgrade, flour (which I got a good sizeable amount straight to the face. My old costume still has flour stains on it). However, episode 3 and 4 is where Joey and I broke down and bought a fog machine to give it that actual gassy look. It was quite satisfying for the derivative to raise his arm...er sheet, and spray us with some gassy substance which induced much coughing and caused us to collapse (unfortunately for me, Batman actually collapsed on my head during one take)

Unfortunately, we were unable to figure out a way to make the gas multicolored as in the TV show. For a while, we contimplated buying fireworks but this proved to be expensive as any fireworks vendor required us to buy 50 dollars of product before actually selling us 10 dollar smoke bombs. Batman and I even went on a small adventure to Phantom Fireworks in PA to try and get some cheaper. But, that my friends, is the topic for our next post.

CRUNCH!,

Robin

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Late Nights

Citizens,

As you can see, I have just returned from a session of crime fighting. However, in all seriousness, the late night has caused me to ponder on something in the Batman universe: late nights. Bruce and Dick spend all day as their normal selves. But, when dangre strikes, they leap into action. This keeps them running around the city at all hours of the night (although I imagine that Robin is back in time to get to bed at a good hour). Still, it must be rather draining on them. How would you like to pull a full day of school/work and then go fight baddies for a few hours? Not exactly easy huh? Well, once again Batman and Robin show how super they truly are, enduring all fatiuge to bring you safety and justice. Now, that my friends, is what a real super hero is.

POW!,

Robin

Friday, September 23, 2005

The D in "Duo" is for Destruction

Citizens,

Batman and Robin are the most famous crime fighting duo in history. Their strengths compliment each other perfectly. Batman's intelligence and power is balanced by Robin's wit and speed. When they fight as one, evil dooers beware. It has come to my attention that for this reason, people have often looked down on Batman saying that he needs a sidekick to get things done. Unfortunately, they could not have been more wrong.

You see, unlike every other super hero, Batman and Robin have to face countless henchmen plus the villian(s). When was the last time superman fought a small army by himself with the same basic potential? In other words, since superman has all his powers, when was the last time he fought a whole horde of supermen? You see, Batman faces off daily against goons trained in fighting and with some pretty cool gadgets like him (ever see the Book Worm's magnet gun?) But, do you see other super heroes doing this? The answer is no.

Could Batman take down 1 villian and his henchmen? With all certainty, probably yes. But, how about 2 or 3 villians? The odds become tougher. Enter the Boy Wonder. Combinded, Batman and Robin are enough to take down a horde of evil dooers while Ol' caped butt Clark Kent is too busy going, "WAAAAH! Lex gave my enemy (singular) some kryptonite! I don't know how to win! WAAAAAH!" Maybe Kent should take a leaf out of Batman's book and learn the power of the Dynamic duo instead of spending his time whinning. At the end of the day, it's just occured to superman he needs to use a lead suit to save the city while Bruce and Dick are sipping milk at Wayne Manor humbling observing the city they helped save. I rest my case.

ZWANK!,

Robin

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Is your head tilted?

Citizens,

The next time you watch an episode of your favorite 60's tv show and mine pay very close attention to the screen when the show films a villian in his hideout. If it feels like you have to tilt your head to keep the screen level then you are dead on and nothing is wrong with your eyes.

The creators of the show actually filmed the villians at a slight slant. Why? Because, they are slanted individuals without the normal look on life. Seriously, who in their right mind invests all the time and effort to build a death trap for Batman and Robin and then hire all those henchmen just to rob a bank with a flare? But, then I guess you could ask why a man with millions of dollars would dress up like a bat and that, my dear friends, would be sedition.

THOCK!,

Robin

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Batman Applies to Real Life

Citizens,

Have you ever carefully watched a Batman fight sequence? Usually what happens near the end is every villian and henchman rushes over and starts to whale on Batman. It is then Robin who grabs a rope and swings, jumps on a cart, or rides some other device into the crowds and knocks everyone off of Batman.

This has led me to the conclusion that the modern police force and the military are missing the true awesome power of riding a cart into battle. Clearly it has great potential as shown on "Batman". But, perhaps, this is only a feat a super hero can accomplish? I mean, let's face it. To ride a cart and jump off and knock down about 10 people takes some pretty stupendious skill. Let me wrap this post up by simply concluding:

Kids, don't try that one at home. Yup.

BAMB!

Robin

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Word on the Street

Citizens,

I know most of you have been sourging the internet daily as I do to look to see if there is any word out yet about the next Batman movie to come from Hollywood. Basically, "Batman Begins" was not going to fill the role some gave it as a prequle to the tim burton batman. "Batman Begins" is exactly that, the beginning of a new chapter. From the ending of Begins, we know the next villian is going to be the Joker. So, the next question is, who is going to play him? The word on the street that I have heard has impressed this crime fighter significantly. Rumor has it that Mark Hamill is right now in the minds of producers and directors.

Huh? Luke Skywalker?!

Yup. But, aside from his most popular role, he also did the voice of the Joker for the past few years for every batman cartoon to come out. The man's voice is perfect. If anyone has ever seen someone good voice act, they are 9/10ths of the way there to making the full character. So, my full belief is that Mark Hamill can play the Joker the way he does in the cartoon. Funny, Insane, and deadly. You gotta love it. More updates as more developements are found!

BIFF!

Robin

The Big 100

Citizens,

This glorious post marks the 100th post in this blog! I sure do feel accomplished keeping the bat-cave warm and comfy while Batman is off battling crime in Russia. And speaking of crime fighting, this crime fighter has his duties to do!

DWPOW!

Robin

Monday, September 19, 2005

Milk Does a Body Good

Citizens,

As a film studies major, I just wanted to call your attention to one of the very suttle, and yet humorous punches made in "Batman" (the 1966 movie of course ;-)) In film, there is a french term called "Mis-en-scene." Basically, it means controlling all the visual elements in a shot to convey a point. My favorite example is in the movie, "The Godfather" a ganster walks into a bar and the door is covered in fish designs. Later in the scene, that ganster is killed in the bar and is sent to, "sleep with the fishes."

So, what does this have to do with Batman? Namely, in most scenes Batman is scene holding a drink. But, have you ever looked at what the drink is? Joey and I have concluded that it is indeed milk. Milk held in a brandy siffter. Point being? I think it is a very humerous joke by the show. Bruce is serious, yet childish. I love it.

And, loyal to the tradition, you will see Joey and I have interwoven this theme into our movies. In most of the Wayne Manor shots Joey drinking something from a margarita glass (because I don't own a brandy sifter). Yes, it is milk. Does Joey like milk? Nope. Does he like doing multiple takes while having to drink milk? No. His solution? Drink as little milk as possible. To his credit, Joey did have to drink a very large thing of milk for his role as Batman at one time. In our first episode Joey and I had a shot set up where Batman and Robin are rushing off to save the day when they come across a tray full of fresh milk that Alfred has left them. Robin argues they don't have time but Batman hushes him with a speech on the value of milk and so Batman and Robin consume the two rather large wine glasses full of milk. Of course, we kept laughing hearing Joey's speech so we had to stop several times and re-fill our glasses. None of which was very fun and produced that weird sick feeling when you drink/eat too much dairy. But, we got the shot done. Finally, it is poisioned milk that leads Robin into the clutches of the derivative when he drinks a spiked glass of milk at the theater.

In other words citizens, milk does a body good. But, if a strange man comes up to you wearing a "henchman" shirt and offers you a drink, don't accept it least you fall into a manical madman's clutches!

ZWANK!

Robin

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Batman the Animated Series

Citizens,

After reading over the posts, I was surprised to find that Batman never commented upon the great wonder of Batman the Animated Series. I'm sure most of you remember it, the classic beginning, the great griping two part episodes, and Mark Hamil as the Joker. In this super hero's mind, this show was better than Batman Forever, Batman and Robin, and even some aspects of Batman Begins. This show truly looks at Batman as someone keeping their promise to protect gotham, no matter what the cost. The characterization of Robin and Batman's relationship too is great. It's just priceless. In tribute, I have posted a few of my favorite quotes to enrich your lives:

[Holding a picture of his dead wife] Mr. Freeze: I failed you. I wish there were another way for me to say it. I cannot. I can only beg your forgiveness, and pray you hear me somehow, someplace... someplace where a warm hand waits for mine.

The Riddler: My, my, my, can we actually have a brain beneath that pointy cowl of ours?

Batman: Red Claw, a woman?
Red Claw: Do you have a problem with that?
Batman: Not at all. I'm an equal-opportunity crime fighter!

[Discussing Batman over a poker game]
The Joker: He sure gets around for one guy.
Two-Face: Yeah, well that's where you're wrong. I don't think it is one guy.
Killer Croc: Huh?
Two-Face: The way I figure it, Gordon's got a bunch of 'em stashed someplace like a S.W.A.T. team. He wants you to think it's one guy, but...
The Joker: Ah, you're always seeing double.
The Penguin: It's obvious our cowled friend suffered some crime-related trauma when he was younger. Perhaps an over-anxious mugger blew off a piece of his face.
The Joker: Sure, he could be all gross and disgusting under that mask! Uh, no offense, Harv. Two-Face: Just deal.
Killer Croc: Well, you know what I think?
The Joker: Not the robot theory again.
Killer Croc: Well, he could be.

Harley Quinn: Gee, boss, you really know how to put the fun in funeral.

Bruce Wayne: I know it must be very difficult.
Dick Grayson: If only I could have stopped him! I saw him coming out of the tent! I knew he didn't belong there!
Bruce Wayne: I know. You keep thinking, If only I had done something differently. If only I could have... warned them. But there isn't anything you could have done. There isn't anything either of us could have done.
Dick Grayson: Your mom and dad? Does the hurt ever go away?
Bruce Wayne: I wish I could say yes. But it will get better in time. For you. That I promise.

Two-Face: [finishing his "almost got him" Batman story] ... And if it weren't for this blasted coin... I would have got him.
The Joker: Gee, that's too bad, Harv, but I guess you'll always come in second. Anybody else want to go?
Killer Croc: [hits the table] ME! There I was, holed up in this quarry, when Batman came nosing around. He was getting closer... Closer...
Poison Ivy: And...?
Killer Croc: I threw a rock at him!
[everyone stares in dead silence]
Poison Ivy: So, Harvey, when became of the giant penny?
Killer Croc: It was a big rock...
Two-Face: They actually let him keep it!

The Joker: [to Harley, enraged, after she has nearly succeeded in a plan to kill Batman that the Joker had abandoned] But you had to explain it! A joke is't funny if you have to explain it!

The Joker: [singing] Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg, batmobile lost a wheel, and Joker got away!

[flashback on the Penguin's "almost-got-him" Batman story]
The Penguin: Greetings, Batman! You have taken the bait, as I knew you would. Now, prepare to meet your end, within my Aviary of Doom!
Poison Ivy: [interrupting] Aviary of what?
The Joker: Yeesh, Pengers! How corny can you get?
The Penguin: Fah! Just because you mundane miscreants have no drama in your souls! Anyway, there he was in my av... uh, big birdhouse...

Robin: You were right, y'know, not bringing me along. You knew I'd take it too personally. Batman: It wasn't that, Robin. It wasn't that at all. Zucco's taken so much, caused you so much pain. I couldn't stand the thought that he might... take you, too.
[pause]
Robin: Come on, partner. It's been a long night.

[On a stakeout]
Robin: If I knew it was gonna be this long, I would have brought my homework. You sure about this extortion ring?
Batman: Uh-huh.
Robin: It's been four hours.
Batman: Uh-huh.
Robin: You still think they'll show?
Batman: Uh-huh.
[pause]
Robin: Lucky for me you're such a good conversationalist.

Selina Kyle: You've got to admit there's something between us.
Batman: Yes. It's the law.

D.A. Janet Van Dorn: I see now there's a need for what you do. But I'm still going to work towards a city that doesn't need Batman.
Batman: Me too.

OOF!!,

Robin