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ShabbyDoll23
Reviews
Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
The Batman We Need
How strange and wonderful that this version of Batman was presented on a kids' show. It was a strange brief era when the writers of a kids' show didn't condescend to the children. This show showed more respect for the audience than most shows that are aimed at adults.
Kevin Conroy is my Batman. Conroy was seen after hundreds of voice actors auditioned and didn't cut it. Conroy had history in theatre and television but never had done voice work and knew only of Adam West's Batman. Yet, he was the only actor that knew, and knew quickly who Batman was. Though it's pretty common that every Batman now has a distinct voice for Bruce Wayne and Batman, Kevin knew how to emote and express so much in the voice of Batman. While many live-action Batmans now resort to having a gravelly voice that sounds as if they've repeatedly pulled out an incubator tube, Conroy's Batman sounds menacing but there is much more to his Batman than a cape and deep voice.
Conroy recognized that Batman was the definition of a tragic classical hero. Batman is not an anti-hero. Batman is defined by the need to save and never have those suffer as he did. He feels guilt every time he "fails." He couldn't prevent his parents' death and in one of Two Face origin stories couldn't save his close friend, Harvey Dent. Though as the series progresses, Conroy's Batman often skirts the line between having a moral center and seeking vengeance that turns into revenge, he has a code. It's unfortunate that his character is so misunderstood. BTA made clear the complexities of Batman; 1) that there is no longer a Bruce Wayne. Bruce died with his parents. Bruce is the facade. Batman is the man. 2) Though Batman is "the night and vengeance," he is also justice. He doesn't see justice in killing, he believes in punishment and retribution. Death doesn't meet that criteria. Certain recent interpretations don't seem to understand Batman's motivations and the reason for his code.
Mark Hamill's Joker is pretty damn brilliant. His style worked perfectly. If you have any doubt listen to comparisons on Youtube between his readings and BTA's original Joker, Tim Curry. As great as Curry is, Hamill's Joker fits the series. This voice cast was amazing and because this was a time when the voice actors performed in the same room, you can feel the actors playing off each other.
"Batman the Animated" series had a beautifully dark look to it. A strange combination of Art Deco and contemporariness that does not feel anachronistic. It has a timelessness to it. Done in the old ink and cell animation it's a testament to how amazing that lost art form could be.
The show isn't perfect. Episodes like "The Forgotten" demonstrate how wrong an episode could go. But this show was incredible. No matter what DC continues to do, I return to this series. It's "only" a children's show that has shown more realism and depth than most of the live-action movies. He is both the hero we deserve and need.
Law & Order: Bodies (2003)
Good Premise, Bad Execution
There are good aspects to this episode. The performances are great (except for the always wooden Röhm). It brings up the issue of how the basic principles of client-attorney privilege may not always serve the public or how it goes against what we would see as moral. But by presenting in a way so unrealistically is infuriating.
Nothing McCoy does is ethical or could be done. Like someone stated earlier, a jury wouldn't be deciding attorney-client privilege. It's very rare that could be broken and it's an issue only someone who studied law could and should decide on that. From leaking information on the young attorney to the press and trying to push the lawyer's hand to break the law, everything McCoy is doing is wrong.
Also, McCoy and Southerlyn are full of it when they say a law firm would "understand." No. Schwimmer would be disbarred. End of story.
There could be a great episode and discussion about the how attorney-client privilege has fundamental flaws. Instead we are presented with another episode of McCoy doing "the wrong thing for the right reasons."
If the writing staff had a modicum of respect for their audience they could've brought up a compelling argument. Instead they play to emotion and ignore basic facts. Law & Order chose not to portray the circumstances with any connection to reality.
Sorry, Mr. Wolf. Dismissed with prejudice.
Depeche Mode: 101 (1989)
DM's FANS 101: movie may contain less Depeche Mode than your cinematic requirement
Here's your spoiler: this documentary has very little to do with Depeche Mode.
They are supporting characters in a movie focused on their annoying teenage fans. Any insights on the band are few and far between. We see that Dave Gahan was showing some signs of trouble long before his heroin addiction days during "Songs of Faith of Devotion." He is short-tempered with one of the crew and he talks about getting into a physical fight with a cabbie. He describes this as a good thing because it's had been a while since he had a good fight. It would be interesting to get a bit more footage of the Gahan then. So...we watch Gahan play pinball while listening to Roxy Music and discussing how he is over-using steroid spray for his vocals. That's about it.
Martin and Fletch are seen buying music in a local music shop in the American South. The few interesting aspects are Fletch doing a phone interview accurately describing the band as Dave is the leading singer, Martin as the songwriter, Alan as the good musician, and that Fletch " just bums around." This dynamic would eventually lead to Alan leaving the band. More is revealed about the band in a sentence than in the other two hours of this movie.
Footage of Alan describing how the synths work during the show and create the DM experience is really interesting (although the director D. A. Pennebaker refers to this as a Spinal Tap moment on the DVD commentary years later). It's also very short.
We do see some great live performances but not enough. Also, don't get the DVD assuming you'll get the full concert. The full concert doesn't exist on film because according to Pennebaker, this was a documentary (of sorts) not a concert film.
The majority of the film is focused on the teenage fans who won a radio contest to follow the band on the road. Most of the film we are on a bus or various motels with these idiots. The girls get hit on by a few dudes at one of the motels. One guy insults Guns N' Roses by calling them Guns & Posers. And there is the saga of one guy catching his girlfriend cheating on him.
It's a precursor to MTV's The Real World. Perhaps we can blame Pennebaker for beginning the trend of reality tv. It's especially disappointing considering the fine work he did before and after this movie. I couldn't care less about these obnoxious little fans.
What we could have gotten was a movie really about Depeche Mode right before they achieved their pinnacle of superstardom with "Violator," and the fractured atmosphere of "Devotion." We aren't flies on the wall; we just get small snaps shots (we are closer to "flies on the windscreen").
You'll get a bit more insight with DVD commentary but no Alan. The band members are not speaking together. There's a problem if you have to wait 14 years after the initial release to get more information about the band in documentary's title.
Unless you like reality tv, the movie is just a wasted opportunity to record the history of an incredible band.