The Batman

Originally envisioned as part of the DC Extended Universe with Ben Affleck not only reprising his version of Batman, but also him cowriting and directing, The Batman was changed to be a separate entity from the rest of the DCEU due to problems in Affleck's personal life. Matt Reeves took over directing and cowriting duties, alongside Peter Craig, while Robert Pattinson inherited the cape and cowl alongside new actors playing Gordon and Alfred. Taking cues from Year One and The Long Halloween and inspired by Hitchcock films and thrillers like SE7EN, this first entry in a new trilogy sees Pattinson's Batman, in only his second year, solve murders perpetrated by the Riddler. To catch him means solving the criminal's riddles, puzzles, and other games that exposes Gotham's corruption throughout its history. Along the way Bruce Wayne has to learn how to be more involved and use his influence to inspire people, recruits Selina Kyle to expose corrupt politicians and cops, and learns the connection between his parents and mob boss Carmine Falcone. While I would have loved to see Affleck in his own standalone film as the Caped Crusader, this reboot's fresh start feels needed due to the writing often making Ben's take hard to connect with. Pattinson, thanks to Reeves's and Craig's writing and direction, gives us a Bruce Wayne who starts out detached while relying more on the fear aspect to his superhero persona and perfectly develops into someone who becomes more open and realizing that hope is just as effective as fear. While he isn't afraid to beat criminals to a pulp, he's smart enough to not kill them knowing they'll be afraid when they see the Bat Symbol. The rest of the cast also deliver and give some of the most unique characterizations compared to previous versions of them. Jeffrey Wright's Gordon is rather laid back and at times comical due to how he talks with Batman, Andy Serkis plays an Alfred that keeps secrets from Bruce, the Selina played by Zoe Kravits perfectly balances vulnerability and badass, Paul Dano portrays one of the most disturbing Riddlers ever brought to the screen, and Colin Farrell is unrecognizable and brilliant as Penguin. As a director Reeves is perfect due to the dedication he gives towards Batman's detective skills as much as the heroics. His action and fight scenes are well shot and choreographed, while the Bat Suit is tough but shows some good wear and tear. The writing is incredible and manages to give us a fresh and unique take on the franchise despite how many times the character has appeared onscreen. Despite how serious the story takes itself, there are still some genuine funny moments that lighten up the movie and feel perfectly placed. One good note is how Bruce is still learning to be Batman, between learning to spread hope for the people of Gotham and not just fear towards criminals and some of his gadgets not always working when he needs them. Compared this to most other live action interpretations, this entry masterfully captures the detective angle that Batman is best known for in the comics. One would think that a movie telling a murder mystery at nearly three hours would feel long, but thanks to editors William Hoy and Tyler Nelson the film felt brisk and well paced. If a superhero film was ever shot by Roger Deakins it would be a powerful competition against Greig Fraser's exquisite cinematography that captures Gotham's desolate bleakness in such a way that is so beautiful. For every new version of Batman, there's always new music to go along with it and for this, and hopefully the rest of the trilogy, we have Michael Giacchino. A lot of the music, whether Giacchino's score or the songs chosen, perfectly fit this movie and often elevates the story. Giacchino's main score for Batman, in particular, has a horror vibe to it that when he appears often makes him seem like a horror villain in the vain of Michael Myers or Jason Vorhees. One issue with it however is how overplayed it gets and while great, isn't as memorable as Danny Elfman's or the Dark Knight Trilogy's. Between the story, cast, direction, and so many things, The Batman is more than just a superhero film, it's a phenomenon. Over all: 100%

2022 top list so far:

1. The Batman

2. Dog

3. Scream 2022

DC First: Flash/Superman #1

Part of a series of one-shots in the early 2000s, DC First: Flash/Superman #1 is a story that partly retells the original race from the 1960s between the two superheroes. With this comic, however, Superman races against the original Flash, Jay Garrick rather than Barry Allen, to save the current Flash, Wally West. After the futuristic magician, Abra Kadabra, escapes from prison he places a curse on the three heroes in which Superman and Jay have to race against each other to save Wally who is aging at a rapid rate. The race, caused by their powers, causes them to travel into the future wherein they manage to fix the curse and capture Abra. This one-shot's story isn't entirely unique or does anything that's truly remarkable, but Geoff Johns's writing is still well told and the dialogue is good and kept at a minimum so that the artwork can also tell the story. Speaking of the artwork, it's pretty much expected from a comic book of 2002, but with great lighting and detail. That work by Rick Burchett as well as the coloring and shading from Prints Rollins, James Sinclair, and Digital Chameleon also add to the good art. The art and writing both work together to give us a fun story that isn't afraid to tackle some of the sillier aspects of superhero stories while still having a lot of serious moments. Not every comic everyone reads needs to be expected to be something huge and important, some just need to be fun and well written as DC First: Flash/Superman #1 is. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)

2. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special

3. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

4. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1

5. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1

6. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800

7. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1

8. DC First: Flash/Superman #1

9. Aliens: Defiance #1

10. Iron Man (2020-) #1

11. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale

12. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened

13. DC Universe: Legacies #1

14. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image

15. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One

16. Champions (2020-) #1

17. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0

18. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76

19. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1

20. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
21. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
22. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)

23. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
24. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
25. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

Dog

Channing Tatum and his regular producing partner Reid Carolin have their feature directorial debut with Dog. In this, Tatum stars as Jackson Briggs, a U.S. Army Ranger suffering PTSD and whose injuries have kept him out of the battlefield. To prove himself and being accepted by his superiors, Briggs has to take Lulu, a military dog his unit worked with, to the funeral of her handler and one of his unit members. It's no easy task as Lulu also suffers from PTSD and her violent tendencies have led to the decision of euthanizing her after the funeral. Throughout the long road trip, Briggs is initially annoyed by Lulu's antics, the two get in some predicaments, start to bond from their similar issues, and as she learns to trust him Briggs sees that there's more to life than fighting in the battlefield. For first time directors, Tatum and Carolin prove that they're more than capable of giving a very moving and emotional story. Carolin's script is well thought out in giving us well written characters with a good blend of drama and comedy that doesn't feel forced when either is in play. All the while Tatum gives one of his strongest performances by giving us a man who wants to fight but isn't afraid to be vulnerable and isn't portrayed as a grunting muscle man. Briggs doesn't have to be a gun totting Rambo to be considered memorable, he just needs to show that those with PTSD are just as human as any other person. Editor Leslie Jones should be given credit for such a lush and quick process that helps keep the movie from feeling too slow or too fast. While the cinematography from Newton Thomas Sigel isn't extraordinary but how he captures the majestic landscapes and backgrounds throughout the trip is such a wonderful thing. If Tatum and Carolin made something as incredible as Dog, I for one am exited for whatever comes next from them. Over all: 100%

2022 top list so far:

1. Dog

2. Scream 2022