Slickster

The most fun I've had at the movies in a good 2-3 years. There were so many markout moments throughout this film I can scarcely remember them all. -The slow build/training sequences were a more plausible explanation for Batman's creation than any of the other movies had tried to do. I mean, a multi-billionaire crimefighter who has ninja-like moves is ordinarily a tough premise to swallow, but this script made it all make sense. -I am VERY happy that so many characters from the comics/TAS were retained. Mr. Zsasz, Falcone, Lucious Fox, Joe Chill...I'm glad they only did the revisionist history on Batman's creation. -I think this movie was very heavily influenced by Batman:TAS in that there is no clear time period in which it is set. You've got quaint 20s-40s architecture and costume among the wealthy (not to mention the vintage monorail system), yet you've got super-advanced military technology. It really gives the film a sense of timelessness that Batman 89 clearly does not have. -Like someone said before, this movie shows a gritty, dirty Gotham City, complete with Kowloon-like slums. The only people who look clean and polished are the aforementioned members of high society. The gloom and depression of the city isn't just dialogue; you can believe it. -The Scarecrow was played to perfection, plain and simple. No full-body spandex costume, no elaborate secret hideout, no kung-fu fighting skills; it was just an ordinary guy in a mask that manifested people's fears. I seriously think they must have had to cut out some of the more disturbing apparitions so as to not totally freak out the audience. -Another thing I liked is that nearly every line *meant* something. There were few throwaway lines in this movie: they were either echoed or referenced later in the film or they further explained some part of the Batman philosophy. The best example I can think of is when Bruce is told that most of the shares were bought by foundations and other organizations. The way that scene is set up I barely even thought about that line (I was too busy watching him to see what he would do next). When it turns out that that line is integral to the ending, I marked out. However, if you miss some of those lines, you don't really lose too much of the film, either. -I seriously got chills when Batman turned over the card at the end. THAT's how you prepare your audience for a sequel without shoving it in their face.

Either the flaming table spot or seeing the return of 'Lionheart' Chris Jericho.

I'm withholding comment until Sen. Frist makes a diagnosis based on the autopsy video.

Well, since Magnus is Italian-American, couldn't this end with him revealing that he is Italian and the last six months were actually a 'Black Like Me'-inspired experiment to see how racist WWE fans are? "You people are even more racist than you thought! You make me sick! Just because I come out here and claim to be of Arab descent, you boo us week after week! Well, guess what? My real name is Mark Magnus and I'm an Italian-American from Syracuse! Daivari's real name is Shawn and he's from Minnesota, for God's sake!" Then he can go on berating the audience until Daivari tries to get him to stop, saying that he's proved his point. But Magnus/Hassan refuses, continuing to berate the crowd. Daivari and Magnus get in a shoving match, then Magnus jumps Shawn from behind. Daivari recovers and cleans house, ending the segment/angle with Magnus as a big-time heel and Daivari as a face.

I was renowned in high school for my willingness to bump for anyone who randomly attempted a wrestling move on me.

By the way, the voiceovers of Sara's stalker were done by none other than.....Vince McMahon. That's his (heavily distorted) voice you hear during all the first-person stalker videos. Some writers at TheSmarks.com messed with an audio clip of the stalker and removed all the distortion. Then the WWE tried to sue them for copyright infringement (partly because Vince was the original choice to play the stalker before HHH got hurt).

I think it's a defense mechanism because many smart fans feel that the WWE only wants its own creations to succeed, therefore they think WWE would want to try and cover up ECW's success or bury ECW.

RAW is Business Casual Menswear!

"That's gimmick infringement and you KNOW IT."

KURT

HHH is AWN FIYAH

Yeah, I'm sure that's how it will go down. That said, I think The Undertaker is a good choice to be the draftee.

I dunno....Snitsky's a sick fuck who enjoys hurting people, that point has been well-established.

Snitsky: It...uh, it WAS my fault! I MEANT to do that last October! Yeah!

Observation: Maria Kanellis is being trained as a ring announcer. I'm watching the International Heat show that aired last night and she announced during the show.

Way to hide those 'ECW' anvil cases, guys.

Do you think ECW will be restored an an active promotion (if not as a third brand) due to the overwhelming success of this event?

Yeah, remember that the replays and DVD may edit out some stuff, in particular Heyman's 'shoot' promo.

IIRC we knew about WM21 the next night.

I think Lawler should never refer to 'Thuganomics' again.

Did they actually book Cena-Xian for Vengeance?

Well, Francine looks better in a dress than Flair does. Not that I would know or anything....

Sarge has now worked the Flag Day RAW for three consecutive years.

To their credit, I'm glad Shane and co. decided to emphasize the early history, knowing that ONS will focus on post-1996 ECW history. That way, fans don't get two shows of the same thing. Also, it makes both HH and ONS kind of companion shows, which can only help HH when the DVD comes out.

Depends on the person. IIRC, each legend gets offered the same $$ for their likeness, so, say, Ultimate Warrior and Paul Bearer would be offered the same amount. Obviously, it wouldn't be worth it for Warrior since he is more in demand than Bearer is. This isn't a deal that could put Bearer on TV; it just permits WWE to sell merch of him.