Here it is! Episode 63 is live and on this weeks show we talk about the DC Film Slate going forward. What do we think of the solo Harley Quinn film being planned, the alleged early screenings for Suicide Squad, and finally the MAIN EVENT Geoff Johns being promoted as the head honcho of DC Films. Strap yourself in and get ready for an amazing episode of Shanlian On Batman.

Ever since voices on the Internet discovered they can be louder than others, people have fought for the short attention spans of millions of clickers. When it comes to the lock and key entertainment industry, the main thing “journalists” thrive off of is guesswork. Information leaks. It happens; however, it would have to happen from inside the operation. A trigger happy Marvel executive posted the first Age of Ultron trailer on YouTube last year, it’s not like Joe Schmoe had a spy on the inside who got the trailer and ran away slow motion while the building exploded.

What’s happening to the comic book movie genre right now is a little case of Coke vs Pepsi, Steelers vs Ravens, Yankees vs Red Sox, Orange vs Apples. It’s brand loyalty, or often just character loyalty. Rabid fans think that others should fail and theirs should succeed just because their opinion is on one side rather than the other or multiple sides. And then there are the average folks who are simply fans of the movies and never got into comics. Lots of these guys and gals think that there’s a need to proclaim one company superior. Unfortunately to do so they look at Rotten Tomatoes, box office totals, and then hop on Twitter to tell the world how smart they are. I’ve seen lots of comments from people who know almost nothing about Batman or Superman except seeing their pictures on lunchboxes trashing Batman v Superman MONTHS before it came out. It’s not a healthy environment for the loyal comic fans who want to see their worlds on screen, nor is it healthy for general audience members to get the impression that comic books are a source of nothing but unattractive controversy, like discussing politics or something. The average moviegoer wants to believe in the superhero movies, not be told which ones they should or should not watch. The flame wars are petty and ridiculous.

Which leads me back to my main point. One of the biggest fuels to this fire are the guessmaster Internet journalists who provide “scoops” into upcoming superhero films, which usually don’t turn out to be true. They live the cycle of denial—they make a statement that their “sources” brought them, such as Devin Faraci’s claim that Jim Gordon was already dead in the DC Universe, and then they deny their own words and play a victim card when people call them out for being wrong. Devin Faraci has been proven to be biased towards Marvel. He is wholly a DC film hater. That’s ok to have your own opinion, but pretending to have sources inside Warner Bros, and ALWAYS making up negative rumors about DC’s films, is NOT ok. But he still gets away with it because undeniably he does hold a strong place in film critique. He just shouldn’t be reviewing and “reporting” on the films he hates, because that’s not fair to DC fans nor is it fair to general readers who take his words seriously. Most of what he reports are rumors that he guesses up. The media needs to take a step back and learn the difference between fact and fiction. Faraci has never once proven his sources or his information. He correctly guessed Doomsday (conveniently after the info leaked on Instagram by one of the villain’s animation artists)  but anyone can be good at guessing. Don’t get me wrong; he’s not the only one out there. But he’s the best example of the biased journalist that people take too seriously. He’s actually fueling the fire by sporting this obvious animosity towards DC films, and manipulating his followers and others into this hate bandwagon, but the minute any DC fans say, “Hey, Faraci, are your sources even real? You’ve never really given me reason to believe them.” At that point he’ll probably shout “troll!” and either ban you from commenting on his website or communicating with him on Twitter. It’s a childish cycle of anger that goes around and around, journalists trying to get clicks and attention, and fighting or hiding from anyone who calls them out or disagrees. It’s a toxic environment, because these grown men, film critics, are playing the 8 year old “mine’s better! No, mine!” argument. There’s nothing wrong with a healthy, kind opinion debate. But that’s not what goes around on the internet. It’s mostly forceful, loud speech or just pure, awful hatred.

So unless an article explicitly states that it comes from Warner Bros or Disney, or whatever company is keeping these films alive for us, don’t believe it. It’s that simple. It’s only manipulation or just attempts to get your attention that aren’t worth the time. I understand hunger for information. For some reason, people are so desperate to hear everything about their movie before it’s through the pipeline. Just don’t believe the rumors, and don’t take the journalists seriously. They don’t have real sources. The day will come when these films will probably die. Let’s not make that day soon due to vitriol and war. Let’s celebrate ALL superhero films, TOGETHER. They are all special. I have a dream where Iron Man can stand side-by-side with Batman on film. I have a dream where Superman AND Spider-Man visit the sick child who wants to see his heroes. Not hatred and nasty judgement or championing a victor.

John McGee

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment are already in talks with Margot Robbie to reprise her role in a future spinoff film starring none other than Harley Quinn.

That is just the tip of the iceberg with this report. Not only will this film star Robbie as Quinn, but the studio will be focusing on some of DC’s biggest female super-heroines and villains. Some of these heroes that are being tossed around right now include Batgirl, Birds of Prey, Katana, and Poison Ivy. Another interesting tidbit mentioned is that Robbie herself will help produce this film for the studio.

As of now everything is under lock and key, but the report also mentioned that a female writer is penning the script too.

Exciting news is finally coming from the WaterTower in Burbank. Sound off below your thoughts of this breaking news. Like it or love it? Let us know in the comment section below.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

By John McGee

No matter what you were doing, you will probably remember where you were when the news hit you that Prince was found dead. I believe the 24 hour news cycles have beaten the possibilities endlessly. Rather than ponder the causes I’m here to talk about what his music meant to me as a Batman fan.

As a music fan, I was never deep into pop, but Prince’s impact on the genre and the way musicians go about the art, is certainly undeniable. He is one of the most unique talents in modern music. A man who wrote songs and sent them to other artists without taking any credit. A collaborator and a man who only wanted to express himself and further the art form. Although I know not much of his career, I admire the impact he’s obviously demonstrated.

As a Batman fan, I have been deeply moved by his work on Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989. I never would have imagined pop music in a Batman film, and after his work, I probably will not ever again. One of the themes in Burton’s film was outward image, which I’ll be calling the “false face.” Everyone in the film carried one. Bruce Wayne as Batman: Napier as Joker. In the 80s, image was everything; you had to look perfect. Burton made fun of that perspective several times throughout the film.

Prince’s music, however, served as an honest expression of himself. So for all the Elfman portion of the soundtrack we are imagining the dark and crazy world of Burton’s Batman. Then Prince puts it to words. It’s pop, certainly, but it actually served the same purpose, just with a real beat in a new manner. Imagine Elton John scoring a Spider Man movie, or Taylor Swift contributing to Wonder Woman. It was a pretty big deal to have such a big music name attached to such a big project, one that took half a lifetime for Michael Uslan to bring about.

Prince made great Batman songs because he effortlessly poured his heart into every project he took. Someone who cares that much after all the fame they’ve experienced is rare, and my respect for him and his hard work will never die.

RIP Prince Rogers Nelson 1958-2016

Chris Stuckmann reviewed Batman v Superman like many others: great visuals, acting and writing, but the story was not as cohesive as expected.

However, he recently made an effort to fix that, regarding the battle between Batman and Superman. Take a look:

https://twitter.com/Chris_Stuckmann/status/721417846610198528

So, I’m sure we can all agree, that’s some pretty lame writing there. To be fair, he wrote it in 20 minutes, but still he didn’t proofread what he called an “improvement” over the finished film, so it’s very comforting to know he won’t be attached to any DC Comics productions (that we know of).

But were his intentions right? Did we need a prelude to the fight to wind down and listen to the titans give us more information? No. Here’s why:

The film is called Batman v Superman. Anyone in the theater must have followed at least one bit of the marketing, which did a good job of explaining why they were fighting. There were countless interviews where the cast managed to tell people why they were fighting without spoiling the plot. Average moviegoers going to see a Batman v Superman movie aren’t asking for the plot to be explained in action AND in dialogue before the fight begins. All that Stuckmann did here was rehash information that was given to us earlier in the movie.

Chris Terrio wasn’t aiming for a Marvel movie or a Spider-man movie, where you’ll usually see the protagonist (s) helping the audience understand why what is happening is happening by quipping or striking up monologues, much to the dismay of hardcore fans who can figure out for themselves the why. Terrio was aiming for what we call tragedy, a Shakespearean style battle. We as an audience know that both of these men are imperfect, but also striving to be heroes. We know that we don’t want them to fight, we’re supposed to yell out, “No, talk it through, don’t let Luthor win!” That’s called good writing, as it gets you invested in the action, rather than just watching a couple titans trade blows for 2 hours. How often in our daily lives do we actually think a situation 100% through, especially if it triggers us? How often are we quicker to throw the proverbial punch than calmly sit down and discuss our problems? If I’m honest, not often to the first and very often to the second.

If Stuckmann were to rewrite the battle scene to include more information for the audience, he might as well have gone all the way:

Superman:

Bruce! Yes, I know who you are. Listen, I know I threatened you last time we met, I also suspect that you don’t entirely trust me. But things have changed! I’m NOT the monster you think I am! Lex Luthor has my mother!

Batman:

Your mother?

Superman:

Yes, I came to earth over 30 years ago. She raised me. Lex will kill her if I don’t kill you.

Batman:

Are you going to kill me?

Superman:

No! I need your help to save Martha!

Batman:

My mother’s name was Martha. She and my father were gunned down in a gutter for no reason at all. But how do I know you’re telling the truth?

Superman:

Luthor confessed to manipulating you by sending notes on your employee’s checks.

Batman:

Damn him!

Superman:

So your mother was killed? That explains your methods…I lost my father. All he tried to do was protect me.

Batman:

I’m so glad we had this talk. Lucky we read both versions of the script! Now I won’t have a headache.

Superman:

Thank God we’re flawless, perfectly intellectual beings who have armchair quarterbacks like Chris to help us out!

Batman:

Martha won’t die tonight. You distract Lex while I save her.

Jokes aside, the above is not that far off from the method Stuckmann suggests. If they were going to spoon feed the audience information we already know, they might as well just fix the whole premise thing and lock up Lex to save the day! The whole point of the Batman v Superman battle was that it was a consequence (Google it, Marvel readers) of the actions the heroes took earlier. The do you bleed scene was the most important puzzle piece of the film, because it directly led to the premise, even more so than the Metropolis destruction or Lex Luthor’s manipulations. Even in a short animated movie, the do you bleed scene would have led to a Batman/Superman scuffle, because Superman directly challenged the identity and integrity and grit of Bruce. It only makes sense that they fought without really talking about why.

But I guess I should tell all this to Zod’s snapped neck. Did I believe a pair of glasses could fool the world’s greatest detective?

By

John McGee

Did we love or hate Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? What worked, what didn’t work and what should have been left on the cutting room floor? All these questions are answered and more in Episode 58 of Shanlian On Batman. Make sure you check it out as we go spelunking into the wondrous new Batfleck Batcave. We talk about all the the things that we loved in this film, and some of the things that we thought didn’t work, so make sure you give it a listen and let us know what you think! We would love to hear some feedback from YOU the fans.

There is also a HUGE SPOILER WARNING ahead! So if you have not had the chance to see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice go watch that film and then come back and listen to this episode. We promise you won’t regret it.

Thanks to Team Coco for this hilarious cold opening to the Conan O’Brien show where Conan and Andy get to drive the Batfleck Batmobile! Definetly click the link to check it out.

If you go into “Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice” hoping for a bunch of fun one liners, and upbeat, wholesome story you will surely be disappointed. These films are completely different from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Three years ago Warner Bros. announced they would jump start their shared universe after the events of “Man Of Steel”. Everyone is dying to know whether this DC film will stand up to its Marvel competitors.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is a remarkable film, with plenty of action a story that will engage you and your emotions throughout. As good as the film is, it does suffer from flaws that like most films have these days. Does that mean that this film is bad? Not at all. This film is well made, a technical juggernaut and a feast for the eyes. It has its flaws but make no mistake, Dawn of Justice is a bold film with big ideas and is breathtaking,

Unlike the MCU, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” doesn’t need innocuous one liners, or tongue and cheek action sequences. Not to say that Marvel has been doing superhero movies wrong or  badly, but this film offers so much more.  Like its predecessor, “Dawn of Justice” tries to remove itself from comparisons to the MCU.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of “Batman v Superman,” let’s take a moment to talk about the rating. “Dawn of Justice” is dark. I’m not here to dole out parenting advice, but maybe your 10 or 11-year-olds should stay away from this one. Though it’s nowhere near the level of violence or sensuality seen in “Deadpool,” it does push that PG-13 rating.

Although I appreciated a lot of things about this film let’s take a pause and talk about the things I did not care for.

The biggest flaw in the film has nothing to do with the narrative, the actors or their acting, and even the dialogue from Chris Terrio is smart, engaging and truly a gem. The characters were fleshed out in a fast and interesting way without banging us over the head with the usual origin stories. Pacing is where “Batman v Superman” really misses the mark and is quite possibly the biggest issue that “BvS” faces. The first twenty minutes or so viewers are swiftly taken back into the world Snyder and company have created. This film begins with a great emotional opening scene, which is then followed by a great action set piece shot in Detroit. But once things get going with Lex Luthor’s diabolical plan you can’t help but wonder why the editing team didn’t leave a few of those scenes on the cutting room floor. The rest of the film is a little jagged around the edges as well. As a completed work, the film could have used one more round of edits to fix those places that drag. These scenes are few, but unfortunately they are not far between as it is a strand of narrative that could have been shaped in a different way during post-production . I’m critical of this because the Filmmakers had over 3 years to finalize an incredible final cut. The film is great, even amazing at times, but it doesn’t transcend in the way that “The Dark Knight,”  “Superman: The Movie,” or even “Spider-Man 2” does.

Now onto the good.

We know Zack Snyder knows how to capture amazing visuals and action sequences. What most people don’t give him enough credit for are those quieter moments between two actors. Snyder was able to pull some truly great performances from Jesse Eisenberg, and Ben Affleck. It was a treat to see Henry Cavill evolve as an actor in this film as well; his portrayal Superman has truly some great emotional underpinnings. He’s dealing with that hangover from Man Of Steel just like the rest of the world is. 

Ben Affleck is the definitive version of Batman. He cuts a dashing figure as The Caped Crusader. His Batman is brutal and is ripped right from the pages of Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns.” There are so many nods to that version of Batman in this film not just within the overall look of the suit, but in the way Affleck portrays his version of The Dark Knight Detective. Affleck’s take on Bruce Wayne is fantastic too, we simply cannot talk enough about how good he was in this film as both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Wayne is much more active in this iteration compared to previous versions of the character where he was seen as being more reactive, like in the Burton or Nolan films. He also does more detective work too which was phenomenal to see. Although it’s totally open to interpretation, there is an aspect to his Batman that many might find out-of-character. It’s happened before on the silver screen, but for spoilers sake I’ll leave out the issue I had with Batfleck’s Batman.

The real MVP is Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. He gives a tour de force performance as a man who is clearly flawed, utterly insane and willing to stop at nothing to kill both Superman and Batman. The final scene for his character is fantastic and it really begins to set up him for future installments, since in a way he is the key to the DC Villains on the silver screen. Contrary to popular belief, Gal Gadot isn’t the real stand out. She’s fine in the minor role that she plays in the film, and when she finally shows up as Wonder Woman you truly jump out of your seat in utter excitement. There isn’t much that she does in the film other than be a really interesting super-heroine that you want to get to know more about.

Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL definitely contribute to the team of major all-stars that this film puts forward. Not only are they able to crush the score again with the Superman theme, but the new Batman theme that plays throughout is incredible and it helps aid in the emotional beats of the film. You only get a hint of the new Wonder Woman theme two-thirds of the way in, but when it plays it’s unforgettable. I hope whoever the composer is for “Wonder Woman” keeps that riff for her future outings on the big screen.

As a minor note on the death of Wayne’s parents: I’m tired of seeing that happen in every live action version of Batman. “Dawn of Justice” not only gives us something completely different, but it stays within canon. It’s now my favorite version of that pivotal moment in Bruce’s life. It’s cinematic and completely emotional. Junkie XL and Hans Zimmer’s music in these scenes are able to achieve something most films can’t come close to.

The ending of the film is nearly flawless. The action is tight and the character motivations are fleshed out. The CGI at the end is not top-notch unfortunately. The only thing to compare it to is the CGI in the recent Hobbit films. It almost takes you out of the film, but you’re so drawn to each and every beat of the finale that it’s hard to really care about such minor detail.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is not perfect. There are glaring flaws in the cohesion of this film, but it’s a complete step up from “Man Of Steel” and it improves every aspect of that film. The only question that remains is “how will the fans respond?” If the fans aren’t so warm to this version of Batman and Superman is it time to shut the universe down and get someone else to helm the next versions? Only time will tell. At this point Snyder and company should be making nearly flawless films that hit home by being faithful to the mythology of all their characters. Maybe this will be the final nail in the coffin for the people who have reacted negatively toward Zack Snyder’s position at the helm of the DCEU. If fans don’t go in droves to see it….well, maybe it is time for Snyder to walk away. As much as I enjoyed this film, the bottom line is money talks and the rest walks. If this movie doesn’t score a big opening weekend and have legs…well, ladies and gentleman I’m not sure what the studio will do. As I would like to see where the characters will go from here, especially Ben Affleck’s Batman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.

What did you think of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? Let us know in the comment section below.