Comments on: No Laughing Matter http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:33:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= hourly 1 By: nrlifwszy http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35919 nrlifwszy Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:50:42 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35919 mtaFuD <a href="http://krwatmuxvhsc.com/" rel="nofollow">krwatmuxvhsc</a>, [url=http://qgkczrcuojrg.com/]qgkczrcuojrg[/url], [link=http://hvlhkqahmhyt.com/]hvlhkqahmhyt[/link], http://kfehjmesffrf.com/ mtaFuD krwatmuxvhsc, [url=http://qgkczrcuojrg.com/]qgkczrcuojrg[/url], [link=http://hvlhkqahmhyt.com/]hvlhkqahmhyt[/link], http://kfehjmesffrf.com/

]]> By: Jesse Post http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35918 Jesse Post Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:25:37 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35918 I have less of a problem with violence and whatnot in movies that kids will go to see than I do with questionable moral choices that heroes of kids movies make these days. Violence itself is a part of life, so seeing it, especially with a careful parental eye, doesn't have to be harmful. It's only when "heroes" use violence -- fatal violence -- as a first choice that I get miffed. Back in the '40's when Jack Leibowitz realized that -- oddly enough -- millions of CHILDREN were reading his company's comic books, he decided there should be some rules in place. Number One on the list was that heroes under the National logo would never kill. Sure, that rule meant that heroes weren't exactly mirror images of adult reality. But the point is they inspired young people to be optimistic, to strive for an easier solution than the one that's immediately in front of you and seems, for this fleeting moment, to be the most satisfying. These characters are superhuman after all, what we aspire to be. And I don't think that's a bad thing to have in kids' comics. Batman's shameful role in the death of Ras Al Ghul in "Batman Begins" turned me off to the franchise permanently. He should have found a better, more challenging way, at least for the kids who were looking up to him. I have less of a problem with violence and whatnot in movies that kids will go to see than I do with questionable moral choices that heroes of kids movies make these days. Violence itself is a part of life, so seeing it, especially with a careful parental eye, doesn’t have to be harmful. It’s only when “heroes” use violence — fatal violence — as a first choice that I get miffed.

Back in the ’40’s when Jack Leibowitz realized that — oddly enough — millions of CHILDREN were reading his company’s comic books, he decided there should be some rules in place. Number One on the list was that heroes under the National logo would never kill.

Sure, that rule meant that heroes weren’t exactly mirror images of adult reality. But the point is they inspired young people to be optimistic, to strive for an easier solution than the one that’s immediately in front of you and seems, for this fleeting moment, to be the most satisfying. These characters are superhuman after all, what we aspire to be. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing to have in kids’ comics.

Batman’s shameful role in the death of Ras Al Ghul in “Batman Begins” turned me off to the franchise permanently. He should have found a better, more challenging way, at least for the kids who were looking up to him.

]]> By: Unpopular http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35917 Unpopular Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:50:55 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35917 And I just want to clarify that I loved Cesar Romero and the campy Batman TV show, I loved Batman the Animated Series and Mark Hamill's incredible Joker interpretation (probably my favorite, actually), I now merely enjoy Jack's over-acting and snappy one-liners but probably loved it when the Tim Burton film came out, and I was NOT looking forward to "Brokeback" Joker. However, I'm duly impressed with Ledger's Joker so far, and I probably like it for exactly the same reasons everyone else doesn't. I have never been a serious reader of Batman comics. And I just want to clarify that I loved Cesar Romero and the campy Batman TV show, I loved Batman the Animated Series and Mark Hamill’s incredible Joker interpretation (probably my favorite, actually), I now merely enjoy Jack’s over-acting and snappy one-liners but probably loved it when the Tim Burton film came out, and I was NOT looking forward to “Brokeback” Joker. However, I’m duly impressed with Ledger’s Joker so far, and I probably like it for exactly the same reasons everyone else doesn’t.

I have never been a serious reader of Batman comics.

]]> By: Steve Taylor http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35916 Steve Taylor Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:13:31 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35916 I'll take a good adaptation any day. It's the interpretations I'm having trouble with. It's like Jazz. If the artist is riffing on a certain song and I'm having trouble finding the initial melody then,...what's the point. Sure,..he's called Batman and has pointy ears,...lives in a cave,...has a butler,...etc. But,...? I’ll take a good adaptation any day. It’s the interpretations I’m having trouble with.
It’s like Jazz. If the artist is riffing on a certain song and I’m having trouble finding the initial melody then,…what’s the point. Sure,..he’s called Batman and has pointy ears,…lives in a cave,…has a butler,…etc. But,…?

]]> By: ken http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35915 ken Tue, 25 Dec 2007 19:03:50 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35915 I love Batman, he was my childhood hero, and will see any movie with his name in it anywhere. This new Joker irks me because I just like my Joker to look like the Joker. Shallow perhaps, but I don't watch Batman movies for great thespians giving master performances. I watch for all my old friends, like Batman, The Joker, Alfred...and Robin (who always gets left out of these movies for some ridiculous reason). Anyway, I loved Jack Nicholson and Cesar Romero for different reasons , and without putting too fine a point on it, The Long Halloween was one of the worst Batman tales I've ever read for a bunch of reasons, and I can't take that opinion seriously. I love Batman, he was my childhood hero, and will see any movie with his name in it anywhere. This new Joker irks me because I just like my Joker to look like the Joker. Shallow perhaps, but I don’t watch Batman movies for great thespians giving master performances. I watch for all my old friends, like Batman, The Joker, Alfred…and Robin (who always gets left out of these movies for some ridiculous reason).

Anyway, I loved Jack Nicholson and Cesar Romero for different reasons , and without putting too fine a point on it, The Long Halloween was one of the worst Batman tales I’ve ever read for a bunch of reasons, and I can’t take that opinion seriously.

]]> By: Unpopular http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35914 Unpopular Tue, 25 Dec 2007 07:58:25 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35914 Steve Taylor Says: "I think the Spider-man movies are a great example of a comic book adaptation that worked. The character looked and acted like the guy in the pamphlets,…it was pretty faithful to the source material and people flocked to it. I just don’t get why Hollywood feels like they can’t take the material “as is” and go with it. Imagine if they had given us the Ditko Goblin…and why couldn’t they, really? It seems in this day and age of computer graphics and high end motion picture technology there are no real excuses." Lots of people who seem to want more faithful film adaptations of comic books seem to ignore how ridiculous most superhero comics are in the first place. I just want GOOD adaptations, and they don't have to be completely faithful to the source material in order to be good. For example, the film adaptation of Mark Millar's Wanted looks almost nothing like the comics, and I think it works out better that way. Steve Taylor Says:
“I think the Spider-man movies are a great example of a comic book adaptation that worked. The character looked and acted like the guy in the pamphlets,…it was pretty faithful to the source material and people flocked to it. I just don’t get why Hollywood feels like they can’t take the material “as is” and go with it. Imagine if they had given us the Ditko Goblin…and why couldn’t they, really? It seems in this day and age of computer graphics and high end motion picture technology there are no real excuses.”

Lots of people who seem to want more faithful film adaptations of comic books seem to ignore how ridiculous most superhero comics are in the first place. I just want GOOD adaptations, and they don’t have to be completely faithful to the source material in order to be good. For example, the film adaptation of Mark Millar’s Wanted looks almost nothing like the comics, and I think it works out better that way.

]]> By: Cameron Stewart http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35913 Cameron Stewart Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:51:35 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35913 The worst part about the Batman Begins screenplay is how sledgehammer unsubtle it is in pounding the theme into the audience - every single character makes at least one, usually more, reference to fear - "In order to conquer your fear, you must first become fear, only then can you use fear to strike fear into the fearful hearts of those who truly fear the fear, you hear?" That and the echoing of lines spoken earlier in the story for <i>resonance</i>, which happens like 8 times. Still, I enjoy the movie a lot. The worst part about the Batman Begins screenplay is how sledgehammer unsubtle it is in pounding the theme into the audience – every single character makes at least one, usually more, reference to fear – “In order to conquer your fear, you must first become fear, only then can you use fear to strike fear into the fearful hearts of those who truly fear the fear, you hear?”

That and the echoing of lines spoken earlier in the story for resonance, which happens like 8 times.

Still, I enjoy the movie a lot.

]]> By: rich http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35912 rich Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:27:34 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35912 Dialogue: I thought BATMAN BEGINS had some terrible scripting, if only because everyone seems to make these over-the-top speeches. From Falcone to Wayne, to Whatshername to Ras Al Ghul. Dialogue: I thought BATMAN BEGINS had some terrible scripting, if only because everyone seems to make these over-the-top speeches. From Falcone to Wayne, to Whatshername to Ras Al Ghul.

]]> By: Steve Taylor http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35911 Steve Taylor Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:02:48 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35911 I think the Spider-man movies are a great example of a comic book adaptation that worked. Well,...actually, I can only talk about the first two,...haven't seen the third one yet. The character looked and acted like the guy in the pamphlets,...it was pretty faithful to the source material and people flocked to it. I just don't get why Hollywood feels like they can't take the material "as is" and go with it. Sure, there were some things that weren't spot on. Invariably, those were the things that didn't work for me. The armored Green Goblin for example. Imagine if they had given us the Ditko Goblin...and why couldn't they, really? It seems in this day and age of computer graphics and high end motion picture technology there are no real excuses. It is my apprehension that, for the most part, what we get is what the director can deliver. You're not going to find that many directors committed to the material, like say, Sam Raimi seems to be with Spidey. They seem to be making other movies that they are interested in,... wrapped in a thin choclatey outer layer of the character(s) that they have to make reference to in order to satisfy their contracts and then justify their way out of it. The bulky armored bat-suit is a good example. You'll read where the producers/director maintains that it's more believable that a guy fighting crime out on the streets would protect himself with a little more than spandex long johns. But then, of course, it is no stretch to have the Bat-tank race up the side of a building. I think the Spider-man movies are a great example of a comic book adaptation that worked. Well,…actually, I can only talk about the first two,…haven’t seen the third one yet. The character looked and acted like the guy in the pamphlets,…it was pretty faithful to the source material and people flocked to it. I just don’t get why Hollywood feels like they can’t take the material “as is” and go with it. Sure, there were some things that weren’t spot on. Invariably, those were the things that didn’t work for me. The armored Green Goblin for example. Imagine if they had given us the Ditko Goblin…and why couldn’t they, really? It seems in this day and age of computer graphics and high end motion picture technology there are no real excuses. It is my apprehension that, for the most part, what we get is what the director can deliver. You’re not going to find that many directors committed to the material, like say, Sam Raimi seems to be with Spidey. They seem to be making other movies that they are interested in,… wrapped in a thin choclatey outer layer of the character(s) that they have to make reference to in order to satisfy their contracts and then justify their way out of it. The bulky armored bat-suit is a good example. You’ll read where the producers/director maintains that it’s more believable that a guy fighting crime out on the streets would protect himself with a little more than spandex long johns. But then, of course, it is no stretch to have the Bat-tank race up the side of a building.

]]> By: Unpopular http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35910 Unpopular Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:53:34 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35910 I never said "aimed at kids". I mentioned what kids were watching. Two totally different things. I didn't find the Spider-Man films family friendly. There are plenty of PG films that feature content I wouldn't find family friendly. Alvin and the Chipmunks comes to mind. Enchanted sent a bad message as well. Just to name a few. I never said “aimed at kids”. I mentioned what kids were watching. Two totally different things.

I didn’t find the Spider-Man films family friendly. There are plenty of PG films that feature content I wouldn’t find family friendly. Alvin and the Chipmunks comes to mind. Enchanted sent a bad message as well. Just to name a few.

]]> By: Christopher Moonlight http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35909 Christopher Moonlight Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:09:55 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35909 Just when you think you have the answers, we change the questions. Just kidding... I mean, yeah, why not Phantasm? It had everything all the other movies didn't. They played it strait and had fun. In fact, I think on our schools next movie night, I'll show it to my students. I always try to show films that are relevant to art, and that one sure is. We last showed one about David Mack, and that went over great. I try to time it along with the release of Dark Night, and see what happens. Just when you think you have the answers, we change the questions. Just kidding… I mean, yeah, why not Phantasm? It had everything all the other movies didn’t. They played it strait and had fun. In fact, I think on our schools next movie night, I’ll show it to my students. I always try to show films that are relevant to art, and that one sure is. We last showed one about David Mack, and that went over great. I try to time it along with the release of Dark Night, and see what happens.

]]> By: Marcus Lusk http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35908 Marcus Lusk Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:50:08 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35908 Well, sure. But I thought we were talkin' live action films here. Well, sure.
But I thought we were talkin’ live action films here.

]]> By: Christopher Moonlight http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35907 Christopher Moonlight Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:45:40 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35907 "to me, it was called MASK OF THE PHANTASM." Yeah. You're right. “to me, it was called MASK OF THE PHANTASM.”

Yeah. You’re right.

]]> By: mark coale http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35906 mark coale Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:22:09 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35906 'They still haven’t made the definitive Batman movie in my opinion.' to me, it was called MASK OF THE PHANTASM. ‘They still haven’t made the definitive Batman movie in my opinion.’

to me, it was called MASK OF THE PHANTASM.

]]> By: Marcus Lusk http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35905 Marcus Lusk Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:48:23 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/12/21/no-laughing-matter/#comment-35905 Unpopular said:"It’s not for kids…. it skews older?? Have you seen what kids are watching these days? I work in a movie theatre, so I have. Batman films are on the more family friendly side by comparison. " Okay, what are some of the rough things aimed at kids that you've seen? Name some examples. Having 2 kids myself, I'd wager I've had to suffer through at least as many "family films" over the past decade, so I'm wondering which ones you'd single out. I think the Batman films should be just as family-friendly as the Spider-man flicks have been, if for no other reason than Batman's iconic status. I don't want to see Batman return to campiness, not even in the bizarro Burton style, but I too thought "Begins" skewed older" in unnecessary ways. They still haven't made the definitive Batman movie in my opinion. Unpopular said:”It’s not for kids…. it skews older?? Have you seen what kids are watching these days? I work in a movie theatre, so I have. Batman films are on the more family friendly side by comparison. ”

Okay, what are some of the rough things aimed at kids that you’ve seen? Name some examples.
Having 2 kids myself, I’d wager I’ve had to suffer through at least as many “family films” over the past decade, so I’m wondering which ones you’d single out.

I think the Batman films should be just as family-friendly as the Spider-man flicks have been, if for no other reason than Batman’s iconic status.
I don’t want to see Batman return to campiness, not even in the bizarro Burton style, but I too thought “Begins” skewed older” in unnecessary ways.

They still haven’t made the definitive Batman movie in my opinion.

]]>