DC Comics Animated One-offs

Last week I watched five of Warner Brothers Animation Studio's releases of DC Comics based stand-alone films, that is, storylines independant of any WB/DC television series.

Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010), based on the Batman comics storyline of the same name, was about as good as any live action movie. Well animated with a killer script, with top notch voice acting to boot. I remember when Batman: The Animated Series changed the game of cartoons. Nice to see the franchise still hasn't lost it's touch. 9/10.

Justice League: Doom (2012) was enjoyable as well. Batman is one wary dude. Also, Batman is correct. When Superman says "Maybe I can move the Earth's orbit out of the path of the flare." The right reply is "Even if I had a week I couldn't explain all the reasons that wouldn't work." 7/10.

Superman Batman: Apocalypse (2010). I ended up quite liking this in spite of Kara Zor-El's annoying affect in the first half. Character introduction and development, cartoon babes, Batman being a cold badass. Plus, it had some of the best animated fight choreography I've seen in an American release. 7/10.

Superman vs. The Elite (2012). Was worth watching for the sole purpose of witnessing Superman's defense of why he never kills anyone. His illustrative example at the climax of the movie is well worth beholding. As a friend of mine said, "It... it's somethin'!" 6/10.

Batman: Year One (2011). The animated version of Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same name was top notch. Briskly paced, fabulously voice-acted, and an animation style that remained true to the source. However, as an aside, I kept comparing it to the Nolan films, to which there's really no equal. In my opinion Nolan took the best parts from all of the Batman storylines and added his own genius touches and ideas to make The Dark Knight trilogy the ultimate Batman story. Regardless, as a stand alone or in that context, I happily give Batman: Year One 8/10.

Sling Blade (1996)

This was only the second time I've seen this movie... I think. The first being in the theater in 1997. It made such an impact on me from the first viewing that I remembered everything in the movie pretty accurately. It's still unique in it's force.

Also, I don't think I've ever seen the part of the abusive white trash boyfriend/stepfather character written and portrayed as accurately as Dwight Yoakam's Doyle.

9/10.

A Dangerous Method (2011)

9/10. As Dr. Carl Jung takes on patient Sabina Spielrein in the newborn field of psychology, he consults with Dr. Sigmund Freud regarding her case.

Despite a terrible Russian accent, Keira Knightley has won my respect for her acting ability through her performance in this film. Playing Sabina Spielrein, her character's physical and mental contortions and pains are expertly portrayed.

The film as a whole may have surpassed Scanners as my favorite by Cronenberg. To see the founders of psychology laid bare as fallible human beings unable to overcome their natures and sins in spite of their awareness of them or their attempts to overcome them... it was riveting.

Simple direction and cinematography. Expertly written script. Subtle and nuanced acting. A near perfect film.

Warrior (2011)

9/10. So I LOVE Rocky (1976). It's in my all time top ten movies. As far as fighting movies go, Warrior is now a close second.

It's mostly about two estranged brothers training and fighting their way through mixed martial arts battles (MMA), but the inter/intra-personal relationships are the real story here. Don't get me wrong the fights are intense and well choreographed, but they would fall flat without the drama going on behind the bouts.

Behind the camera, Miracle (2004) director Gavin O'Connor returns to the sporting world with a vengeance co-writing and directing a gritty movie about a broken family. Nick Nolte outdoes himself as the recovering alcoholic father of the two brothers. And like I said, the fighting sequences are excellently choreographed by J.J. Perry and are totally believable.

I'm shocked that this film bombed in the theaters only raking in $13 Million with a budget of $30 Million. I just hope that the DVD sales can make up for the loss because this film truly deserves recognition. Even critics like this movie, garnering it an 83% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer as of this posting.

And this movie has one of the best song placements of any film I've seen, climaxing with a live version of The National's "About Today". Listen to the song below, then watch the movie, I'm pretty sure the film will outdo whatever you picture going on in your head.

Doubt (2008)

9/10. This movie elicited the exact responses from me as it intended. I attribute that to the strong writing of the story. I was not surprised to learn that this film was based on a Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play. Aside from musicals and farce, the theater is where real drama is displayed.

The basic story line is of a strict nun who accuses a Catholic pastor of sexually abusing one of the students at the Catholic school. She doesn't do this publicly, but rather behind closed doors and in secret, mostly utilizing and referring to implications and gossip. The pastor maintains his innocence in the face of her certainty. On the third side of this triangle is another younger more naive nun who, like the audience, has doubts at different times as to the genuineness of both the accuser and the accused.

Sound confusing? That's because it is. This play/movie successfully had me second guessing the characters and myself, which I believe was it's full intention. Belying it's title, there were so many messages and truths to be felt and seen in this story that it was somewhat overwhelming. And these messages were not just for the Christian, but for all moral peoples. However, the ultimate overriding force throughout was one of doubt; which, as the pastor foretold in his opening sermon, can divide us or unite in commonality. It is ultimately up to us.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the apt direction of the playwright, and the Oscar caliber acting of all the players. I would definitely like to see this movie again sometime.