Nolan Mulling Batman 3 Aug 19, 2008
is understandably eager to make sure that filmmaker Christopher Nolan, the director of TDK and Batman Begins, returns to helm the third installment in their revitalized Bat-franchise. So far there had been little hard news about Batman 3 (but plenty of unfounded casting gossip about who might play the villains in the next sequel) ... Although the paper doesn't say, it should probably be expected that Nolan's next directing effort will likely be a non-Batman project (assuming he even wants to do... (IGN FilmForce)
Weekend Box Office Aug 19, 2008
It's Batman vs. The Mummy. The Dark Knight breaks $300 million. (IGN FilmForce)
New releases Aug 10, 2008
Much more serious than 2005's "Batman Begins," Christopher Nolan's sequel feels carved from an even longer film, with confusing subplots and loose ends left hanging. Yet it works as an agonized big-muscle action epic with weighty themes, and the late Ledger gives his final performance a squirrelly incandescence. (Boston Globe)
Countdown to Kickoff Aug 8, 2008
Who would win in a fight, Jack Bauer from 24 or Batman. That's easy, Batman. (Texastech.com)
JENEE OSTERHELDT: It's too soon for goodbye, Hello Kitty Aug 6, 2008
But what about sports fans who cover their cubicles with mascots or pop culture hounds and their Batman posters and Star Wars figurines. Since when does grown-up and professional equate to plain and boring. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Braves visit children at local hospitals Jul 31, 2008
Her spirits lifted when McCann and Francoeur came in and delivered a triple-shot Batman action figure, prompting high-fives. Meanwhile, in the pediatric intensive care unit, Mike Gonzalez, Kelly Johnson and broadcaster Joe Simpson were busy spreading holiday cheer. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Bah-humbug to vacation with kids Jul 27, 2008
We are hoping they will let us slip away to occasionally walk on the beach alone or maybe to go to a matinee of the new Batman movie while the baby takes a nap. (We haven t told them this yet. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Comic-Con in San Diego: Get your geek on Jul 25, 2008
(We hear the filmmaker might be bringing rebel-fighter armbands to give away; we also hear he won't be bringing the new John Connor, Batman actor and recent arrestee Christian Bale ... If you prefer utility belts to light sabers, go instead at 10 a.m. to Room 6B for a look at "Batman: Brave " the new animated series featuring the ubiquitous caped crusader who, in recent pop culture at least, is more powerful than his friend from Krypton ... The life of celebrated designer Chip Kidd is a... (Los Angeles Times)
Starters' orders Jul 22, 2008
Batman breaks box office records. FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS. (BBC News -- UK)
Batman`s long reign Jul 22, 2008
9; The Joker, telling Batman a story in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke ... Batman has no superpowers, merely an arsenal of technological toys and fighting skills ... Batman never sank into obscurity, unlike now-forgotten erheroeske Foolkiller or Moonknight. (Business Standard)
You can be Batman, too Jul 21, 2008
Batman: The Dark Knight, the most highly anticipated of the series yet, hit cinemas on Thursday. Everybody likes Batman ... Unlike Superman or, say, the Incredible Hulk, Batman isn't an alien or mutant. (Computerworld Australia)
To The Point Jul 21, 2008
Mattel gets boost from 'Batman ... Mattel () was helped by a weaker dollar, a price hike and toys tied to summer blockbuster movies such as "Batman: The Dark Knight," "Speed Racer" and "Kung Fu Panda." Sales were up for core brands like Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price, but declined 6% for Barbie. (Investors Business Daily)
What every parent needs to know about Batmania Jul 20, 2008
While Batman's latest big-screen battle looks set to top Spider-Man as the highest-grossing comic book film, parents have been advised to keep children away ... " Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Batman and the late Ledger as the Joker, The Dark Knight is the darkest of the Batman films and a long way from Adam West's camp caped crusader of the 1960s television series. In one gruesome scene, the Joker kills a man by impaling his head on an upright pencil. In another,... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Holy Bat-Gadgets! Jul 19, 2008
July 18, 2008 - There are certain staples of any solid Batman diet: cape and cowl, batmobile, Alfred, insane villain; and, of course, bat-gadgets ... For what good is Batman without his trusty utility belt and the many, many enthralling pieces of tech contained therein ... So with The Dark Knight opening this week, IGN Gear decided to take an inventory of the various bat-gadgets that have appeared in the live-action Batman films over the years. (IGN FilmForce)
Mattel's 2Q Profit Falls Sharply, but Tops View Jul 19, 2008
Mattel Inc. said Friday its second-quarter profit fell by nearly half as higher costs offset strong sales of toys related to summer movies like "Kung Fu Panda" and the latest Batman film and the benefit from the weaker dollar ... Entertainment properties fared better, with strong sales of toys related summer movies "Batman: The Dark Knight," "Speed Racer" and "Kung Fu Panda." Products tied to "Kit Kittridge: An American Girl" also performed well, ahead of its opening this month. (ABC News -- Wire)
Review: 'Dark Knight' a stunning film Jul 19, 2008
CNN.com reviewer: "Dark Knight" is an exceptional follow-up to "Batman Begins" ... Film pits Batman against the Joker, who's come to wreak chaos ... You won't have any trouble believing that aphorism when you see Heath Ledger's mesmerizing performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight," Christopher Nolan's hotly anticipated and often brilliantly executed follow-up to "Batman Begins.". (CNN)
Citigroup loss $2.5 billion; shares up 8% Jul 19, 2008
Mattel Inc. said its second-quarter profit fell by nearly half, as higher costs offset strong sales of toys related to summer movies such as Kung Fu Panda and the latest Batman film and the benefit from the weaker dollar. The results still beat Wall Street's expectations. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Toy maker Mattel's 2nd-quarter profit falls by nearly half on higher costs, lower Barbie sales Jul 18, 2008
Sales of toys tied to summer blockbusters including "Batman: The Dark Knight," "Speed Racer" and "Kung Fu Panda" helped lift results, Mattel said. Today in Business with Reuters. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
A darker 'Knight' Jul 17, 2008
Ledger's Joker brings a twisted smile to a long and brooding Batman sequel ... It's not quite fair to say that the late Heath Ledger steals "The Dark Knight" from Christian Bale and the forces of (problematic) good, but, as the Joker, he is the movie's animating principle and anarchic spark - an unstoppable force colliding with the immovable objects of Batman and director Christopher Nolan's ambitions ... Much more serious in intent and message than 2005's "Batman Begins," "Dark Knight" would be... (Boston Globe)
"The Dark Knight" and "Hellboy II": A New Sensibility in Superhero Movies Jul 17, 2008
And, of course, the most anticipated movie of the summer - maybe after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - is The Dark Knight, the second Batman film from Christopher Nolan, a director with an indie mindset who shows he can also handle a $150 million budget. To me, he far outdoes his work on Batman Begins, which seemed awfully generic in its second half, after we learned how Bruce Wayne became the caped crusader ... And when that vigilante, Gotham City's caped crusader Batman,... (The Palm Beach Post)
Bale Doesn't Toy With Batman's Image Jul 16, 2008
Bale: Batman's Image Nothing To Toy With - Entertainment News Story - KPRC Houston ... Christian Bale and his action figure alter-ego, Batman/Bruce Wayne from "The Dark Knight." ... Bale: Batman's Image Nothing To Toy With. (Click2Houston, TX)
These toys are educational — and fun Jul 15, 2008
And it comes from an unexpected source: toys specifically educational ones, a growing niche amid the aisles of Bratz and Batman. Mattel. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
A Knights tale Jul 14, 2008
Lean and mean: In The Dark Knight, the Batman goes for the leaner look, just like the lean, wiry special ops guys as opposed to the big, bulky military types ... The Joker was a master criminal without purpose and always two steps ahead of the law and arch-enemy, the Batman ... In this sequel to Batman Begins, director Nolan, who also wrote the script, wanted to portray a world in which Batman, a vigilante figure and criminal in the eyes of the law, creates a reactionary force among the general... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Heath Ledger's death makes marketing film a tricky proposition Jul 13, 2008
As Warner Brothers rolls out its publicity campaign for "The Dark Knight," the $180 million Batman movie that arrives in theaters Friday, the marketing seems centered, not on Batman himself, but on the man who plays the Joker: Heath Ledger ... This version of the Batman franchise is a departure in tone from the series that director Tim Burton launched in the late 1980s - less cartoonish, more darkly realistic ... Compared with Jack Nicholson's Joker in the 1989 "Batman," Ledger's take on the... (Boston Globe)
One Unpredictable Dude Jul 13, 2008
Highs and lows in Batman history. Article:Highs and lows in Batman history:/c/a/2008/07/11/PKB911IU75 ... DTL Article:Highs and lows in Batman history:/c/a/2008/07/11/PKB911IU75. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Morgan Freeman: How I Mentored Batman Jul 13, 2008
AS Lucius Fox, CEO of Wayne Enterprises and Batman's gadget guru in "The Dark Knight," Morgan Freeman plays the designer of some of the coolest toys this side of James Bond as well as the Caped Crusader's conscience ... What made "Batman Begins" work is that you saw how he begins ... Part of that believability is also that Batman is disturbed. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
'Dark Knight': Is It Good? We Rate The Batman Flick On Key Superhero-Movie Factors Jun 28, 2008
We Rate The Batman Flick On Key Superhero-Movie Factors. Batman Begins' follow-up is a faster-paced ride that will have you wanting to buy a ticket for the next showing when you leave the theater ... Your mouth will drop every time walks onscreen, you will want to own a Batpod, and you'll marvel at the increased powers and flexibility in Batman's new outfit. (VHI.com -- Music News)
New Japanese toys arent just for the kids Jun 20, 2008
Bruno Van Speybroeck, chief operating officer for Upper Deck Europe, said his eye was caught by Hot Toys, a Hong-Kong-based company that makes high-end action figures from movies such as Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean and Alien. Targeting adults and collectors, the company said its replicas are making inroads with finicky Japanese consumers, who typically dismiss foreign toys as inferior. (MSNBC -- Business)
Oscar winner Stan Winston dies Jun 18, 2008
Past Films & Videos -- Iron Man - Special Effects (2008)-- The Deaths of Ian Stone - Producer (2007) -- Big Fish - Special Effects Director (2003)-- Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - Special Makeup Effects Artist, Animatronic Effects (2003)-- Jurassic Park III - Live Action Dinosaurs (2001)-- Pearl Harbor - Special Makeup Effects Artist (2001)-- Galaxy Quest - Animatronic And Creature Effects (1999)-- End of Days - Creature Effects Supervisor, Creature Designer (1999)-- Inspector Gadget -... (Hollywood Reporter)
Mike Myers, Anna Faris, Will Ferrell, Christian Bale Want Your Vote At The Summer Box Office Jun 5, 2008
It's no secret that Batman came thisclose to being recast and dropped into a more lighthearted "Justice League" movie, so purchasing a ticket for will give Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan a mandate to maintain their badass Bruce Wayne. Meanwhile, actor Edward Norton reportedly fought a losing battle to make more brainy than brawny, so if you prefer Ang Lee-like angst, you might want to stay home. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Hasbro Game Night May 17, 2008
Hobbit, Batman, Hulk, more. Game Details for Hasbro Family Game N.. (IGN PS2)
Silent Hunter: U-Boat Missions Review May 17, 2008
Hobbit, Batman, Hulk, more. Game Details for Silent Hunter 4 U-Bo. (IGN PC Games)
Ledger's Joker Figurine Flies Off Shelves May 13, 2008
-- Batman fans and collectors raided toy store shelves Monday, snatching up Heath Ledger's "The Joker" action figures. The $10. (KCRA 3, CA)
Heath Ledger's Joker Action Figures Sell Out in Minutes May 10, 2008
Ledger will be seen as the Joker alongside Christian Bale's Batman in The Dark Knight--which hits movie theaters worldwide in July. COPYRIGHT 2008 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Revving Up the (Powerless) Mach 5 May 10, 2008
I loved Speed Racer as a kid, and it s a shame they didn t spend the money on a real live action version, with some good car stunts and using modern technology to render some of the Mach 5 s gadgets - look at the way Batman Begins brought a comic book world to life. Instead, it s green screen shots that look like a cartoon with real people inserted in the shots - yawn. (New York Times)
'Speed Racer' opening on a crowded track May 9, 2008
studio, which has hundreds of millions of dollars riding on three major releases: the Batman sequel and a big-screen adaptation of the 1960s sitcom. And "Speed Racer" by far is the riskiest of them all. (Los Angeles Times)
Fans Clamoring For Heath Ledger Joker Toy May 8, 2008
While the "Batman Begins" sequel "The Dark Knight" isn't due in theaters for another couple of months, the action figure based on late actor Heath Ledger's character The Joker is already a huge hit ... "The Dark Knight," starring Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne, opens in theaters July 18. (Click2Houston, TX)
Abandon Interactive Entertainment Employs Game Center Group for Freaky Creatures Live Support May 8, 2008
Hobbit, Batman, Hulk, more. Game Details for Freaky Creatures. (IGN PC Games)
The Lord of the Rings: Conquest Unveiled May 8, 2008
Hobbit, Batman, Hulk, more. Game Details for The Lord of the Ring. (IGN PC Games)
Heath Ledger dolls sell out in US May 7, 2008
The toys, which depict Ledger's character in the upcoming Batman sequel The Dark Knight, are a must-have in New York, where the Aussie star died of an accidental drug overdose in January ... 99, are already popping up on eBay - with one being sold as part of a $55 package with a Batman figurine ... PLASTIC toys of Heath Ledger as the Joker in the new Batman sequel are selling out in the US with droves of fans even lining up at shops before they open to battle for the remaining stock. (Daily Telegraph)
'Terminator' guns for kid-friendly rating May 5, 2008
Signing Bale, who also stars in the current "Batman" series, was a huge coup. Sam Worthington, who fronts franchise creator James Cameron's upcoming "Avatar," also stars. (Variety)
EA Deals Prime Real Estate in Monopoly Video Game May 5, 2008
Hobbit, Batman, Hulk, more. Game Details for Monopoly [Working Ti. (IGN Wireless Games)
Hornby steams in to save James Bond and Batman May 4, 2008
Win the chance to live like the rich and famous. Navigation - link to other main sections from here. (Times Online)
Best and worst superhero movies May 3, 2008
Between in 1980 and the Tim Burton "Batman" in 1989, pretty much everything was horrible ... ""The Incredibles"; 4. "Superman: The Movie"; 3. "Spider-Man 2"; 2. "Superman II"; and 1. "Batman Begins") and what made them successful. Feel free to debate my choices in the comments of the SFGate version of the story. I'm going to use this space to name the five worst superhero movies. I've seen just about every superhero movie over the years, even ones that were never released and are only available... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Summer film formula: Youth must be served May 3, 2008
These teenagers are movie-savvy they go to the multiplex often (the mammoth Edwards Mira Mesa is nearby), download trailers ( The Dark Knight, the new Batman adventure, is a favorite) and have strong opinions about what might entice them this summer The Love Guru (Mike Myers' latest), thumbs down; You Don't Mess with the Zohan (Adam Sandler's latest), thumbs up ... There was curiosity over The Dark Knight, which features the late Heath Ledger as a Joker far different from Jack Nicholson's iconic... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Toy story: whatever happened to the old favourites? May 2, 2008
From James Bond to Batman, it relentlessly expanded its range and sold tens of millions of toys worldwide. At its height, the Corgi factory in Swansea, named by founder Philip Ullmann after the Queen's favourite breed of dog in a self-conscious act of patriotism towards his adopted home, employed 6,000 people. (Independent)
Product, legal costs drive Mattel to loss Apr 22, 2008
The company also expected a boost from new product offerings following the theatrical release of movies such as Speed Racer in May, Kung Fu Panda in June, and the Batman sequel The Dark Knight and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, both in July. On the Net: Mattel Inc.. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Iron Man's Favorite Cellphone Apr 12, 2008
In a summer of big films, such as the latest Indiana Jones and Batman Speed Racer, Marvel and Paramount are counting on Iron Man to reel in superfans and geeks. Says Stables, "People hear 'Iron Man' and think it's a movie for men ... It's a giant, pop-culture movie that's absolutely going to be fun for anybody who's interested in technology.". (Forbes -- Technology)
OUT OF THE INK BOTTLE: A Salute to Gould's Legacy Apr 9, 2008
Only Bob Kane's Batman came close to such a strange and large gallery of nemeses. A look at Gould's final products, on display at the museum. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Opening The Vault -- Comics and toys store opens on Racine's north side Mar 16, 2008
This summer s films, he said, include this lineup: Hulk; Iron Man; Batman; Indiana Jones; Hell Boy II; and Star Wars ... "The game playing will include Magic the Gathering, various card games and Heroclix, a miniature table-top game. And Aslani hopes to have official tournaments with sanctioned judges present.Looking ahead, Aslani and other comic book readers are waiting with bated breath for the Final Crisis, a DC Comics mini-series coming out in May."One of the five major superheroes is going... (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Marvel counting on Iron Mar 15, 2008
"I tell people the seminal film that's responsible for everything that has happened was 'Batman ,' " he said, referring to Joel Schumacher's infamously bloated 1997 film for Warners Bros ... Now, the "serious" approach is standard; just look at "Batman Begins," "300" and "Sin City.". (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Weird Chronicles: Geeks In Paradise Feb 26, 2008
Iron Man, like Batman, is relatable because he's not a superhero. He's just a guy. (Click2Houston, TX)
Heath's new doll is no joke Feb 21, 2008
Heath's likeness - a 15cm figurine - is actually his character The Joker in the latest instalment of the Batman films. Although the toy was released for publicity less than a week after the actor's funeral, a family spokesman told the New York Post they supported the decision to market the doll. (Daily Telegraph)
'Dark Knight,' 'Indiana Jones' Secrets Revealed At 2008 Toy Fair Feb 21, 2008
The New York event was an ample proving ground for that theory as movie studios trotted out toys for such established hot-ticket franchises as "Indiana Jones," "Harry Potter" and "The Dark Knight," alongside newer entries like "Iron Man" and "The Spirit." From Indy's lost temple to Batman's latest ride, mysteries were solved as an array of products related to the upcoming films was displayed to a parade of industry professionals in town for the annual trade show ... Lego, which holds a Batman... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Toys-R-New at NYC show Feb 20, 2008
Children insert a cartridge, and Draw projects images onto a sheet of paper, allowing the user to follow step-by-step instructions on drawing popular characters like Scooby-Doo, Hello Kitty and Batman. Recorded verbal prompts and music make things instructional and entertaining while kids draw, color and complete projects from paper airplanes to masks. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Toymakers unveil latest creations Feb 20, 2008
Toy makers are counting on a boost from movie tie-ins this year, with upcoming debuts including "Batman: The Dark Knight," "Speed Racer," "Iron Man," and the animated "Star Wars: The Clone Wars.". For the new Indiana Jones film, Hasbro has coming in May a Sound FX Whip ($20) and a Taters of the Lost Ark Potato Head ($15) complete with a leather jacket, whip and fedora. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Birthday celebrates a boy's generosity Feb 19, 2008
The Batman fan wore his Halloween costume, with black cape, during my visit. Ruth told me Paul sometimes wears it to the dinner table. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Rebooting Hollywood Feb 6, 2008
Tale: Despite persistent rumors that Heath Ledger had not finished recording all his lines for the upcoming Batman movie, Warner Bros ... "When you are doing a movie like Batman, as opposed to The Savages, you loop," he explains ... Many Batman-associated products are aimed at children aged 5 to 9, so, this executive says, Warner was proceeding with a degree of caution even before Ledger's demise because of the intensity of the Joker's character in the film. (Slate)
Hey HD DVD: It's Not Just a Flesh Wound Jan 29, 2008
lol@Bluray being superior tech yet they STILL have not rleased The Matrix or Batman begins since Bluray is NOT advanced enough to handle the same release as HD DVD.. lol@ Bluray STILL having so many crappy mpeg-2 25GB releases with only 15% on the 50GB discs. (Wired News)
Bandages:Unboxed: There's a bandage -- probably 2 -- for whatever ails you Jan 28, 2008
Johnson & Johnson plans Batman strips soon. And -- get in line now -- Nexcare will launch Hannah Montana bandages in March. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
EU plans tighter safety after recalls of lethal Chinese toys Jan 26, 2008
Recalls were driven by the risk of injuries to children from toys with some of the most famous labels in Europe and the United States, including Mattel's Batman and Barbie figures, Fisher Price Sesame Street dolls, toys with the Disney brand from the film Cars, and also some Polly Pocket and Thomas the Tank Engine lines. All were made in China, where the scandals have resulted in the closure of some factories and the loss of jobs. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
'Speed Racer' aims for multiple tie-ins Jan 26, 2008
In a year when the studio is launching the next installments of the "Batman" and "Harry Potter" franchises, it's hoping that the lesser-known "Speed Racer" can blast through the checkered flag at the box office and become worthy of sequels as well. But the family-friendly entry, based on the Japanese anime series of the 1960s, and helmed by the Wachowskis (who worked with Silver on "The Matrix" trilogy) faces a fiercely competitive summer session, bowing just a week after another... (Variety)
Brilliantly drawn girls Jan 23, 2008
Gaggles of teenage boys gawping over the latest Batman toys. Men leading reluctant girlfriends from stall to stall. (Guardian Unlimited -- Media)
In India, Gods Rule The 'Toon' Universe Jan 9, 2008
"Hanuman is the original superhero. He is thousands of years older than Superman, Spider-Man and Batman. He is a brand to reckon with among Indian children today," said Nadish Bhatia, general manager of marketing at Percept Picture Co., which co-produced "The Return of Hanuman.". "Every society is looking for heroes, and we want to make Hanuman global," Bhatia said. (Washington Post -- Technology)
DeMarrais: Painful year for consumers Dec 23, 2007
Included are millions of Polly Pocket, Barbie and Batman dolls and action figures (small magnets that children can swallow); die-cast Sarge cars (excessive lead paint); Barbie accessories (lead paint); and 1. 5 million preschool toys featuring characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo (lead paint). (NorthJersey.com, NJ)
