The Riddler

I don't remember if I linked to the Batman sequel fan art from a week or so ago, but in addition to the very cool pic of Kristen Bell as Harley Quinn, apparently there was also a mock up of David Tennant as the Riddler. How brilliant is that? I can't seem to find the poster anywhere else, but what a great casting idea. I would also like to see Johnny Depp in the role (that is, if the Riddler ends up in the next film). Other possibilities? Ryan Gosling, Edward Norton, maybe Joseph Gordon-Leavitt? Although I'm not sure he has the gravitas to pull that off quite yet. Hmmm - Guy Pearce? I've also heard Adrien Brody and Casey Affleck thrown out as suggestions, but I just can't see them enjoying the role enough. I've also heard Crispin Glover, but I think he's a bit too out there. Finally, Kevin Spacey has been mentioned, which is fun, but I can't see them casting someone significantly older than Christian Bale. Oddly. But I just get the feel that the new direction, in addition to being darker and more dramatic, is also younger. As for Paul Bettany, Neil Patrick Harris, David Hyde Pierce, or Robert Downey Jr.? Phhhhttttt. Now you're just throwing out names. (Watch: NPH will walk away with the role).

Out of all of these, I'm most sold on David Tennant. He has the manic energy, the sly wit - and he played a psycho in HP4 (well, and apparently in Secret Smile as well, though I haven't seen it). I love on Doctor Who when you watch as his mind jumps around at a thousand miles an hour, which would be perfect for the Riddler, who is supposed to be that clever.

Finally, I heard one person say that William Fitchner's name tag in the bank scene was Edward Nygma. Was that true, or wishful thinking?

Whoever they go with, I think someone talented without being too famous may be the way to go. Johnny Depp is good in almost everything he does, but his star power might overwhelm the character. Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart worked because they were known names, but smaller stars (and both very good). Cillian Murphy was even lesser known (despite being a fantastic actor).

Also - I completely forgot to mention before that I saw Red Dragon (how did they get that cast into such a giant mess?), Death Proof (Oh so awesome! AND Butterfly wears a shirt I own. Double fantastic.), and Murder by Numbers (it was late and I was tired. That is also what inspired the Ryan Gosling suggestion above). And Season 2 of 30 Rock over at Hulu. You know, to counteract the blood and gore.

More Choke fun

Clips are going up all over the place, and while I was initially torn as to whether or not to watch them, my love of all things Sam Rockwell won out. And lucky for me, they are all great and I don't think they've spoiled anything. I can understand not wanting to see half the movie before it opens, which is why I often stop watching clips a few weeks before a premiere - the Dark Knight being a case in point. But occasionally a studio has the good sense to release just a few good clips, which actually make you excited to see a film, without giving away the best parts or major plot developments. It makes me happy when Hollywood gets it right.


Anyhoo - clip 1 (Colonial America), clip 2 (visiting Angelica), clip 3 (Angelica and young Victor - love the hat!)


Also, the higher def Frost/Nixon trailer can be found here.

That's all the update from here, and as I'm taking off for labor day, I probably won't get back into the swing of actual updates till September. At that point, I'd like to try writing some more columns, in addition to your regularly scheduled linkspam, but as I still don't have a laptop, we will see how that pans out.

EEEEEE!!!!

It's blurry, but SAM ROCKWELL WANTS TO PUT NIXON ON TRIAL. Go see it. Go see it noooow.

Also - Michael Sheen's "I'm sorry?" at the end is priceless. I hope he doesn't get overshadowed again come awards season.

Sorry for the absence, boys and girls. Have you ever had one of those weeks where you've been meandering along, punching the clock and then 10 million tons of stuff lands on your head all at once? It was one of those weeks last week. C'est la vie. Among the many, many things, one of my best friends is off to Ireland, my brother got a scooter, I got a pay raise, and I won advance screening tickets to Hamlet 2 tomorrow. I also saw Tropic Thunder, which was very funny. It's pretty up and down, but there were some really hysterical moments. Unfortunately (?) the absolute best comes during Robert Downey Jr.'s fake trailer, which is right at the start.

I won't bother with a full slate of linkspam, but there were a couple of things that caught my eye.

This is beautiful. I particularly like the AT-ATs by the cliff house, and the subbing in for the Blue Angels. *sigh* I miss SF.

The Bulwer-Lytton winners

Also I can't stop listening to this.

Frank Miller Disney Princesses

This made me laugh

And finally, I skipped over this a week or two ago, but the alternate Bond theme is really, really worth a moment of your time. It's still making me smile today.

Save the Lips!

Not much going on here. I got a call from one of my best friends who is in Kenya, informing me that she is engaged (yay!) which means not only do I get to be a bridesmaid for the first time, but I get to help plan her hen night! Mwahahahaha....

Watching the olympics. They're using the Kaiser Chiefs as background music. I wonder how many Americans catch that? Also - there's an ad on for Kath and Kim, which I never got into in Oz. Bring over Rove!
Ha. And now the Sarah Connor Chronicles is on (I'm trying to catch up on what it's about before Shirley joins) and who should appear but Dean Winters! He was so fab on Oz. Hmmm... I'm liking it. Not anything groundbreaking, but plenty of action.

Saw Persepolis, which has terrific animation, and I think the storyline was streamlined incredibly well. I highly recommend it. Also saw Elizabeth: the Golden Age, which was very pretty, if somewhat convoluted. The first one was better. And I'm sorry Samantha Morton didn't have a lot to do as Mary Queen of Scots. (Also - why was Tom Hollander doing 2 scenes in the whole thing? What a waste of talent. Did he have a friend on set and swing by for an afternoon?)

Political: McCain's 'respectful' campaign, Vote for Bush? Pay up, McCain's green eyed monster, Mr. Darcy comes courting. Maureen Dowd is particularly good at the moment.

Hurrah for gorrillas and the WCS!

Bert and Ernie; Gangsta rappers

A map of olympic medals. Too much fun - I wasted a ton of time on this; who new Kiwis were so good at horses?

A Farm Boy Reflects

The Hot Ticket adds Cirque. I LOVE Cirque! Also - I'm on the hot ticket notification list for the second the RENT tickets go on sale.

Image of Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray, Colin Firth and Ben Barnes alone do not an Oscar Wilde adaptation make *sigh* I'm still sad they went with Colin Firth. Although maybe the middle-aged ladies will help bump up the box office. (I forget if I already posted these; Easy Virtue pics)

Trailers: The Lucky Ones, Happy Go Lucky, the Haunting of Molly Hartley, Fireflies in the Garden, Yes Man, The Informers, Winged Creatures, Role Models,

Positive Valkyrie review

Save the Lips!

Robbie Coltrane; teenage burglar

Saul and Dale before Pineapple express. Ha.

Sci Fi saves Shakespeare Man, I would give my right arm to see that Hamlet, but I can't imagine what the insane British Who fans would be like.

The Deal is better than the Queen. I really want to see the Deal. I thought Michael Sheen was fantastic in the Queen.

Latest Watchmen production journal

New LOSTies

Megan Fox is an NC-17 Mother Theresa

Movies that deserved a different rating

4 More Join Inglorious Bastards

Would you rather... I think I can easily say which one I'd choose (although sex tourism in Thailand? euch.)

Cloris Leachman is funny

Um... Josh Holloway? What have they done to your hair?

Kevin Smith wins his R (I love his quote)

Are you speaking Bat?

The cinematical seven: the Bechdel Rule