Greetings kids.
After four days immersed in the fullness of geekdom, the splashdown back into the real world was especially brutal. So brutal, in fact, that I'm going on vacation next week.
Sure, spending nearly a week at Comic-Con seems like fun and games, but when you grind like we ground last week, it can deplete your tank in a hurry.
Not that I'm complaining, because I'm not. Being surrounded by wall-to-wall affirmation of our culture is a lot of fun. You get exposed to new ideas, new products and, unfortunately, new smells each day you're on the floor of the convention center.
Back in the real world this week, I've been hearing a lot about a new movie that opens today. It's another superhero movie from what I've been hearing.
I kid.
Today marks the arrival of the final chapter of Christopher Nolan's epic Batman series,
The Dark Knight Rises. I didn't make it out to a midnight showing, but I'll be seeing it later tonight.
Based on the early reviews, Mr. Nolan is going out with a bang.
I knew I had to make this week's cheesecake selection
TDKR based, but we've previously featured Catwoman (Catwomen) -
Anne Hathaway,
Halle Berry,
Michelle Pfeiffer,
Lee Meriwether - so I had to go another way.
Please say hello to Marion Cotillard.
Due to my own personal
TDKR embargo, I know Ms. Cotillard is in the movie, but I have no idea what her role is. Based on 30+ years of Batman reading and research, I'm pretty sure I know who she will be, but my suspicions won't be confirmed until I see the movie.
Despite winning an Oscar in 1997 for her role in
La Vie en Rose, Ms. Cotillard has yet to become a household name in America. I think its safe to say that will all change after she visits Gotham City this weekend.
In addition to her Oscar winning role, Ms. Cotillard has also appeared in
Midnight in Paris, Inception, Public Enemies, Nine and
Contagion.
We will now see if she can combine her Oscar and her Bat cred to make a run at mainstream Hollywood success.
Let's hit the links.
Up first, a look at the best Batmans (Batmen?) of all-time.
One horny dude's recollection of Appetite for Destruction 25 years later.
Fred Willard is apparently taking career advice from Pee Wee Herman.
Ken Block abuses the streets of San Francisco: Gymkhana V
Baroness, tracking drums for ‘Yellow & Green’ [video]
The Ramones – ‘It’s Alive’ – Rainbow, London, Dec. 31, 1977 [video]
Rhys Ifans vs. The Voodoo Mama
Face tattoos…and the people who wear them
Killswitch Engage – LIVE! – Rock am Ring 2012 (full set)
Entertaining 404 Error message pages
Taiwanese animation gets Penn State/Jo Pa (barf) situation right
Bulletproof iPad case
Mashed potato and gravy machine…with a Big Gulp!
Backwards Masking 4 Dummies
Big 10 commish wants power to fire coaches, contemplating ditching Penn State
Where are they now? The Pop Class of 1990.
A primer on the 1000th episode of Raw.
Unlikely...but not impossible...comic book projects.
The dangers of fantasy sports...social and otherwise.
In what is a sure sign of the end times...Pete Rose gets a reality show.
Someone's list of the top 25 movies of 2012...so far.
And finally, here's what next for Marvel Studios.
