We Are ALL Batman: LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT

(Dedicated with great affection and admiration to Chuck Moore, Brant Fowler, and John Wilson)

As a blogger, I always receive press releases around products, movies, etc - many of which I either ignore or forward to others. So when I received an e-mail announcing that the Legends of the Knight would arrive on Hulu, I filed it away for July's Comic Related column. However, since the site's closing...I sure as heck wasn't going to let this opportunity pass me by, so consider this my final column.

Growing up, I played Batman incessantly .Yes, Poplar Street in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood was protected by a young, chubby boy wearing a DePaul Blue Demons t-shirt, hand-sewn cowl, and towel wrapped around my neck. (Insert "that explains a lot" reference here). Although I was crazy for superheroes....I loved Batman. He was, in a weird way, an aspirational character - I wasn't lucky enough to have been rocketed from another planet (trust me, I asked Mom. Multiple times), but I could, if I applied myself, aspire to become Batman.

That's the premise of Legends of the Knight, a 2013 documentary that is a must-watch.

As I'm writing this, San Diego ComicCon 2015 has come and gone, with a plethora of moments, trailers, and all sorts of talk. I've also been witness to a bit of a back-and-forth in another fandom, leading me to wonder what my place is in fandom. Thankfully, Legends of the Knight was a great wake-up call for me, reminding me that at its core, fandom is about sharing common values, as well as a great love for a character.

Make no mistake - I'm not being cynical or snarky when I tell you that this is the most heartwarming movie about Batman that you will ever watch. (And I've embedded the video so you can watch at your heart's content).

Many of the stories focus on how the character of Batman - most ironically - is one of the more compassionate characters in popular culture. Legends of the Knight focuses on many such stories: the man who dresses up like Batman and visits sick children; the writer who uses Batman as a role model for facing her own challenges; and even a prison chaplan who describes Batman as a powerful metaphor for a unique cultural experience.

(Even the talking head segments focus as much on psychological and emotional aspects to Batman than on the usual comic/pop cultural bits.)

But my favorite part of the movie - Petaluma Batman. An anonymous college student decided to dress up like Batman and bring a positive attitude to a small California community. Unlike the HBO documentary Superheroes, this isn't a case of a damaged person trying to bring order: just a regular person deciding to be a beacon of hope. (Sadly, he has since given up being Petaluma Batman...but this movie is a fine tribute to that spirit).

And ultimately, that's what makes this movie a must-watch: one of the biggest items from San Diego was the Batman Vs. Superman trailer, which put superheroes in almost god-like positions. One of the great arguments that Legends of the Knight makes is that Batman - perhaps more than any other hero - reminds us that we have our own challenges. As we face and overcome those challenges, we find something deeper, even more heroic than we could expect....and in those small moments of heroism, we find the strands of humanity that connect us all.

As the movie puts it very succinctly, "We are Batman" 

5 Reasons Why I'm Watching IRONSIDE on NBC This Fall

As many readers of this blog know, I am deeply in the throes of a major "thang" for the classic Ironside series of the late 1960s/early 1970s. (So much so that I record the morning reruns on MeTV here in Chicago, and I've burned through several seasons on Hulu).

So when pal Ron of the awesome Zone 4 podcast  and Facebook page mentioned that this was being revived, my nearly burnt-out-by-cynicism-and-too-many-butter-omelets heart burst with joy. Why, do you ask? I've posted the trailer, and for your reading pleasure, here are five reasons why I'm glad this is coming (other than, well, it's Ironside).

1. It Is Both Timely and Timeless - although the notion of a "sitting detective" isn't new (both a classic pulp and mystery trope), there is something about a 21st century cop - all action and muscles - being struck down in his prime and using his smarts? Great idea. Plus, it can lead to some great Law & Order-esque storylines. 
2. Great Casting - honestly, Blair Underwood isn't exactly the first person I would think of to cast in the role....but he nails it. Plus, there's that guy from The Wire, and some other familiar faces. It's actually a good idea, unlike, say, casting Dirk Benedict as Columbo. Yes, that actually happened. 
3. It's a Classic Universal Franchise - In the 1970s, Universal seemed to have a monopoly on television mysteries, especially the classic "Sunday Night Mystery Movie." And let's face it, nobody wants to see a prime time version of McMillan and Wife. Ok, maybe me, but other than that...with "franchises" driving creativity in Hollywood, this may not be the best known brand, but if pitched right (say, "House as a cop"), you'll have a hit.
4. It's Part of a Current Trend - Like House, Monk, and the late, lamented Law & Order: Criminal Intent, it features a lead character with some particular quirks. Underwood's Ironside looks to be a lot more harder-edged and nastier, and although I don't necessarily like characters darkening...it seems to have potential.
5. New York Rather Than San Francisco- I just love New York's architecture, almost as much as Chicago's. Plus, it just seems much more appropriate to the character.

And now, who do I blackmail to pitch a script? Or at least get my hands on the writer's bible? 

Happy Serling & Bogie Day! (And Christmas As Well)

No matter what holiday you celebrate, I like to propose for those who may need an alternative to consider celebrating today as the anniversary of Humphrey Bogart's birth, or the anniversary of Rod Serling's birth.

As promised, here are some Bogie Day and  Serling Day holiday viewing treats for you to enjoy!

5 Reasons to Watch COMMUNITY When It Returns

One of the ways in which I've been handling some of the rigors and stresses of job searching is to dive deep into some of my (now) new favorite shows.

One of them has been NBC's Community - when I first heard the premise, I thought it was a little too wacky (and too similar to many other sitcoms). Thankfully, after viewing the first season on DVD, I'm a convert.

And taking my cue from another, better blog, here are five reasons why you should watch Community when it returns in February:

1. It's a Show That Dares Mess With Its Premise - although it started as a more "typical" sitcom, the show basically stretched its limits by being a little more experimental. From paintball-driven pastiches to explorations of "alternate timelines", the writing on this show is very top notch, and quite honestly - deserves more attention than it gets.
2. Still Proof Chevy Chase Was Never Funny - Playing the obligatory "goofy old man", Chevy Chase is...well, when you're frustrated, you are more than welcome to mock him, saying, "You're Chevy Chase...and nobody cares." (But thankfully, the other characters are more mocking)
3. Troy and Abed In the Morning - Probably the best double act on television. There, I said it.
4. It's More Than Just "Inspector Spacetime" - Many Doctor Who fans are agog over the semi-spoof that runs throughout season three. But there's so much fine, just out-there humor that it's well worth checking out on its own.
5. It Admits That It Gets Meta - Not only has the show "parodied" other shows (like Law & Order), Community is more than willing to admit - with more than a wink and a nod - that it knows it's a television show.

So please, check out the DVDs, head to Hulu, do whatever you can to watch Community before it comes back in February. It's one of the few, truly pleasurable experiences on network television.

Your Political Satire/Pop Culture Moment of Zen

From this past week's Saturday Night Live:

No Laughing Matter: Rod Serling's THE COMEDIAN

When I was younger, I had always wanted to see some of Rod Serling's earlier television work. I never thought I would have the chance. Thankfully, one boredom-driven Sunday afternoon web search later, I found The Comedian - one of Serling's plays - available for watching via Hulu.

Normally, Serling has been accused of being a wee bit too sentimental, and the premise - Mickey Rooney as an egotistical comedian - might have an assumed conclusion around his redemption. But the focus isn't on Rooney's character so much as two hangers-on: his brother Lester (Mel Torme) and his head writer (Edmund O'Brien).

Without going into details, it deals with both men attempting to find some form of redemption and self-satisfaction. Whether they do or not....well, the only way you'll find out is by watching.

And this is well worth watching indeed.

Your Sunday Night Movie

In an effort to provide more entertainment value, please check out the following documentary, Grant Morrison: Talking to Gods, brought to you by the wonderful people at Sequart. Watch this, folks. I think you'll enjoy it.

Public Domain Drive-In: Labor Day Film Festival

Since you have the day off (and given these tough economic times, possibly little money in your pocket), allow me to provide some family-friendly videos - found through the magic of YouTube, Hulu, and the Public Domain Drive In - for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

(Gullivers Travels also available for download via the Internet Archive)

(Angel & The Badman also available for download via the Internet Archive)

Your Friday Moment of Awesome

Yes, I know I've been away - slogging away at trying to find gainful employment. However, caught this via Hulu last night, and thought I would share.

Even more proof of the awesomeness of Roger Ebert:

Public Domain Drive-In: The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes

In lieu of actual content - here's a public domain Sherlock Holmes film that's a rare adaptation of The Valley of Fear...and is pretty cool in its own right.

(For some reason, the first two minutes are silent and blank. Blame Hulu)

TV Then and Now

Some people prefer their slightly flawed heroes to have some of that good old-fashioned 21st century angst....and that they be in the medical field:




But me, I prefer them in nice, almost moral tales, featuring aging vaudevillians and the lead character getting shot in the first 10 minutes:




I may be old fashioned, but that's the way I roll.

Start Spreadin' the News

I'm heading to the Big Apple for the day - yes, it's work related. It's also for a potential client who...well, if my agency gets this, would be a big deal. Trust me.

The internet might crack in half.

Anyway, to keep you entertained, I'm stealing a page from the Roger Green playbook.

Basically, you Google your name - and post the first few results (at least, that's what the top Google result for "Gordon needs" says). However, here are my results 2 - 11:

• Gordon needs to change
• Gordon needs to build for the future
• Gordon needs more than 19 Congressional standing Ovations
• Gordon needs another war to save him
• Gordon needs to get moving
• Gordon needs prudence...and patience
• Gordon needs to open the door in Darfur
• Gordon needs to see the money

Don't worry - will try to take pictures while I'm in NY. Or maybe I'll run into Redhead Fangirl.

But hopefully, I'll have some mega cool news...and we'll have a cool client.

But until then...here's an episode of Outer Limits:

Hey, It's Dance Party Friday!

And here's a little something for you, dear reader:



And at work, I and several of my colleagues will be doing this:

Cutting Edge Intellectual Content

Although many of you have publicly enjoyed this piece on eDemocracy, I wanted to continue the tradition with these videos. I think that, after you watch these short subjects, you will begin to believe in the fundamental goodness of humanity, and the power of the Internet.

Your Moment of Newsradio Zen

While You're Waiting

Unfortunately, I seem to have hit a little bit of a dry spell, blog wise - nothing major or traumatic; just that the old creative juices aren't flowing. Probably means that tomorrow, I'll be blogging up a storm.

Until then, please enjoy some spoiler free Battlestar Galactica videos from Hulu.com, the new lazy blogger's friend.





Have a frakkin' good day, y'all.

He Can't Be Wounded 'Cause He's Got No Heart

Many of my fellow bloggers have their own particular unusual likes - those things that make them quite unique. Dorian has Wildcat. Greg has Abba. Polite Scott has House, MD. Chris Sims has the cheerleading classic Bring It On. Mike Sterling has Swamp Thing.

And now, I have my own, unique thing that makes me distinctive...that goes beyond my obsessive love of Doctor Who and Mythbusters.

That, dear readers and close personal friends, is an appreciation for the unique genius of Ironside.

Making my way through Ironside: Season 1 on DVD, it's easy to think of this as another run-of-the-mill detective show. In fact, the early 70s seemed to have a ton of detectives on television. I think that it might have been a reaction to lawless times...but I think it's just more that they wanted to do contemporary Western-style shoot-em-ups. In fact, if this show were made today, it would be a high concept show - House, MD meets the Mod Squad with a bit of Law & Order ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling. A former chief of detectives, disabled by a sniper's bullet, forms a crack team that consults on special cases with the San Francisco Police Department...and this was created in 1967.

Even though Shout Factory! (or, the people who helped make Rhino cool before it became a reissue arm for Time Warner) is touting the series for its storylines and before-they-were-famous appearances, there's one reason why this show works, why - despite the somewhat formulaic writing - it has a little bit of a snap.

Raymond Burr.

It would have been easy to make Ironside a gentle-hearted man, made cynical by an accident of fate, and then move towards redemption. However, Burr makes Ironside hard-boiled from the pilot. He drinks bourbon. Out of coffee mugs. In the afternoon. He uses the word "flaming" as a substitute for a harder obscenity. He also provides the right mix of emotions, serving as the driver of the narrative...but gives some softness where appropriate. It speaks volumes that crime writer Jim Thompson novelized the pilot episode.

The other killer factor (please pardon the pun) is Quincy Jones' theme for the show. His first season arrangement is, I think, a little stronger than the later Dick-Dale-meets-Isaac-Hayes version. With an intro later cribbed by Quentin Tarantino, this is one of the most distinctive title sequences...where the lead actor gets shot 15 seconds into the sequence.

Is this one of the most cutting-edge shows ever created? Well, no...but it's pretty solid entertainment. The focus on more deductive reasoning - rather than car chases and fist fights - makes it a notch above typical television fare of that era. I would suggest renting the discs on Netflix...but for an initial taste, thanks to Hulu.com, I'll be posting two episodes online. The first, "The Past is Prologue", features some young actor who never did anything after this episode. The second, "A Force of Arms", is kind of unique...and if JJ Abrams or Joss Whedon wrote it, the Internet would be gushing over it.

Recommended.
(Note - since Hulu is moving towards a subscription-only model, no embedded video....but you're more than welcome to find it streaming online elsewhere. That's why Google was invented).