PCR past banners Now in our sixth calendar year
PCR #274  (Vol. 6, No. 25)  This edition is for the week of June 20--26, 2005.

THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"Land of the Dead"
 by Mike Smith
ASIAN FILM UPDATE
Hayao Miyazaki and "Howl's Moving Castle"
 by Peter Card
COUCH POTATO CONFESSIONS
Are You Eating It...Or Is It Eating You?...Shades of Lynch....Early TV Preview
 by Vinnie Blesi
ODDSERVATIONS
Back....Con-Gort-U-Lations To Will Moriaty for "William Moriaty's Florida"....Dungeons & Dragons Illustrator Dies
 by Andy Lalino
SPLASH PAGE
Two Thumbs Down & a Bag of Doritos....Black Rednecks and White Liberals....Fuel Some Flames--Part Deaux
 by Brandon Jones
CREATURE'S CORNER
"Batman Begins"
 by John Lewis
MATT'S RAIL
Apologies....JawsFest
 by Matt Drinnenberg
MIKE'S RANT
Cancer....On The Subject....Movie-Going in the 21st Century....Or Maybe It's Just Those Southern Baptists....Oprah, I Hardly Knew Ye....Jaws: The Story, Part 22
 by Mike Smith
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Creature's Corner

Welcome fellow PCR Enthusiasts:
You know, just when we get done moving the "Dungeon" around all of a sudden Gorblie comes up with this lame-brain idea that him and the Professor are concocting. They want to open up the south tunnel so they can create their own secret cave laboratory(I knew I shouldn't have taken them to see "BATMAN"). They brought me all these elaborate plans loaded with ideas. I was about to say no when they added that the plans included a film studio to work out of. I then said okay and they went on their merry way. I'll tell you one thing though; I'll get the last laugh because they didn't even ask why the south tunnel was cordoned off in the first place. Let the screaming begin! HAHAHA!!!

Batman Begins
Anyway, here we go on another amazing journey into the madness I call my life. First up, as promised, The Dark Knight strikes again. Yep...you got it; We're talkin' "BATMAN." We went to see it Saturday night right after a wrap party and I'll tell you what; speculation ran rampant. Was it going to be good? Was it going to suck? Was it going to be worth seeing? My vote was for it being good as I knew the movie would be in good hands with David S. Goyer writing the screenplay. He wrote for DC Comics for a while and thus understood the nature of comic characters ( He also wrote the screenplays for the first two "Blade" movies and Directed the third installment). I read his relaunch of the JSA and enjoyed it immensely.

The usual cast of characters accompanied me; Ashley, Mark, Nikki, Doctor 'Ed Shrinker, Eunice, the other Mark, Gorblie, and the Prof. (I think that's everybody) We got into the theater early and got great seats. I, of course, wore my new glow-in-the-dark Batman shirt for the occasion (hey, give me a break; it's as good an excuse as any other to justify buying this way-too-cool shirt).

The movie began with a re-telling of Batman's origin though it added a few extra details into the psyche of Bruce Wayne, millionaire playboy. A more thorough examination was offered into the things that led to his decision to become the man, the Bat. I won't give anything away for those few who may still be a bit fuzzy as to the origins of the "Batman." Suffice it to say you will have no more questions as to the character's motivations after you see this film (and see it you must).

Did I like it?............................YES!!!! I thought it was a great movie.........For the most part. The action was well paced and the drama was intense. The villains (Ra's al Ghul and the Scarecrow) were both sinister without taking over the production. Overall I'd say the cast, which includes; Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Ken Watanabe, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, and, of course, Liam Neeson, gave solid performances adding to the enjoyment of the story.

Were there any dark clouds hanging over this gothic masterpiece?......Yes, though not bad enough to hurt the story. There's a little spoiler here but, oh well. What is with Batman's destructive nature when he gets inside his new "armored" Batmobile. I mean, the guy takes out a good chunk of the city, including it's finest.. Though the TV reports said noone was killed I ain't so sure it wasn't a cover-up. Some of those police cars were moving pretty fast when they wrecked. Even though millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne could afford the bill, there's no way he could stop public opinion that everyone's favorite Dark Night Detective is actually a destructive menace to society. I just don't know what got into that boy (well, besides the "Bats" in his belfrey). Why I'll bet there's people lined up down the streets of Gotham waiting to get a piece of "Batman."

Well, I've got news for them...now they can. All they have to do is go down to their local COMIC BOOK store and buy a box of "Batman Begins" trading cards. Besides getting a really nice 90 card set they can also get a piece of movie memorabilia or an autograph, special embossed foil cards, Holograms, etc.

While you are there (yes, I changed persons) pick up all the cool Batman comics DC is releasing like mainstays Detective, Batman, Gotham Knights, and Legends of the Dark Knight. Also there are two really cool specials out; one starring Ra's al Ghul, the other starring the Scarecrow. Finally, for the collector who must have it all there are certainly hundreds of action figures and the highly sought after New York Post special edition Jim Lee Batman comic that came with the paper last monday.

Anyway, the movie was great so go SEE IT and don't forget to hit your local comic store after that.

Have a Great weekend and I hope to see all of you alive next week after we deal with all those nasty walking dead in George Romero's triumphant return with "LAND OF THE DEAD."

I'll be there C-Ya!!!

The "Creature"  The Creature from Clearwater


"Creature's Corner" is ©2005 by John Lewis.  Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova.  All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2005 by Nolan B. Canova.