Tim Burton's "Batman"...20 years ago.

Do you remember what you were doing 20 years ago this evening? I do. I had a date! I know it probably doesn't seem that big of a deal to you, but you don't realize how rare of an occasion that was. A good friend took pity on me and accompanied me to a late evening showing of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," which I had already seen once. As we exited the theater around 11:00 that evening, we passed by the line that had formed for the midnight showing of the summer of 89's most anticipated movie..."Batman." The June 23rd release date had been stamped on our brains many months before, and now the day was upon us. Part of me wanted to suggest to my date that we just turn around and make the night a double feature, but I ended up waiting for the first showing the next day. My movie pals and I lined up early and we had such a great time. The movie was worth the wait. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years.

With all the excitement, deservedly so, over Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" last year, I fear that many have forgotten what a great movie Burton's "Batman" is. This was only Burton's third feature. With only the bizarre fun of "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and "Beetlejuice" under his belt, he seemed an odd choice for such a potentially big franchise. But Burton's take on the material was spot on. Jack Nicholson was an inspired choice to play the Joker and Michael Keaton gave the fanboys who whined about his casting a swift batkick to the pants. Mix it with the incredible production design and what is still one of Danny Elfman's best scores, and you've got a classic.

Happy 20th to Tim Burton's "Batman!" You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

"The Dark Knight" with Kids

All I can say is you gotta love Youtube...

The Dark Knight

Image details: Batman fans line up ahead of opening night for The Dark Knight served by picapp.com

Yikes, it's been like a month since I've posted anything. Bad blogger, baaaaaad blogger. Well I've been busy. I'll share a bit about what I've been busy with as soon as I get my pictures a bit more organized. Anyhow, this week I've been slowly getting back to the office, but also getting some rest. Part of "rest" was to take in "The Dark Knight" on opening day! No that's not me in Joker garb above.

In the summer of 1989, I lined up on opening day to catch Tim Burton's "Batman" at the first show of the day. Back then midnight shows were not as common, if my couch potato brain remembers correctly this show started around lunch time. Burton's film is a classic! As entertaining today as it was when it was released 19 years ago (ouch...I just felt a hair turn gray).

When the series relaunch, "Batman Begins," was released a few years ago I wanted to see it, but I didn't hurry out to the theater. In fact, I ended up having to wait for the DVD. "Batman Begins" was an excellent film. I think it's fair to say it's a better film than Burton's, but the two exist on different levels. My fondness for the "Batman" of 1989 has not diminished. Burton's film is otherworldly, taking place in a Gotham that could never be reality. The Gotham of the new films seems like a real American city.

I think the reason I had to see "The Dark Knight" on opening day was the return of the Joker. While the Batman of the comics has dealt with many different baddies, it's the Joker that makes Batman...well Batman. In one scene the Joker even tells the caped crusader, "you complete me." We're not talkin' "Jerry Maguire" type of "you complete me" here either.

I almost hesitate to say it, but the 30 year reign of Richard Donner's "Superman" at the top the heap of superhero films may be over. "The Dark Knight" is quite possibly the best superhero movie ever made. It had me on the edge of my seat for 2 1/2 hours. It's tense, gritty, disturbing, and even funny at times. I look forward to seeing it again.

Will the Real "Dark Knight" Trailer Please Stand Up

A few weeks ago I shared the new trailer for the latest big-screen Batman film, "The Dark Knight." See it here.

Courtesey of someone with a lot of time on their hands...here is that same preview...the 1966 version



...and, of course, the 1989 version.

The Dark Knight

After months of little glimpses here and there of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight," the first real trailer is now out. So if you haven't seen it yet, here ya go.

When it was announced that Heath Leger was playing the Joker I thought..."seriously?" It didn't seem like a good choice to me...but at least it wasn't Sean Penn (which had been rumored). But now I'm officially creeped out. This isn't the giggling buffoon portrayed by Cesar Romero, or the cocky clown of Jack Nicholson. And I have nothing against Romero or Nicholson. I love their portrayals for other reasons. But this is just plain scary. I can't wait.

I don't think we need to worry about nipples on the bat suit

Bat Flake

I work with a bunch of creative people. It's kind of a tradition around the office that many of them make snowflakes out of coffee filters at Christmas time. My favorite this year, Brandon's "Bat Flake." That sounds like a title out of MAD Magazine, doesn't it?

Here's the folded up version, so you can see how it was cut out.