A great band from Liverpool.
Our picks - New music releases this week: Elvis Costello, Saint Etienne, Cameroon Funk, more!
Click the links to order items from Amazon.
Batman '66 unmasked! Exclusive action figure available from Target
Now available for order from Target, it's a 7-inch, 1966-style Batman revealing his secret identity!
Pop Culture Roundup: Hobbit by Jansson, Batman by Robbins, Maori by Lorde, more!
ITEM! A look at Moomins' creator Tove Jansson's delightful illustrations for the 1960s Finnish edition of "The Hobbit."
ITEM! Singer Lorde has released a surprise EP of tunes sung in Maori.
ITEM! A look back at writer.artist Frank Robbins' Batman run.
ITEM! JazzWax remembers disc jockey and Charlie Parker expert Phil Schaap, who died this week.
Coming up: Citizen Kane (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD + Blu-ray] out in November
Out Nov. 23. Available for order now from Amazon.
Details:
In the most dazzling debut feature in cinema history, twenty-five-year-old writer-producer-director-star Orson Welles synthesized the possibilities of sound-era filmmaking into what could be called the first truly modern movie. In telling the story of the meteoric rise and precipitous fall of a William Randolph Hearst–like newspaper magnate named Charles Foster Kane, Welles not only created the definitive portrait of American megalomania, he also unleashed a torrent of stylistic innovations—from the jigsaw-puzzle narrative structure to the stunning deep-focus camera work of Gregg Toland—that have ensured that Citizen Kane remains fresh and galvanizing for every new generation of moviegoers to encounter it.
4K UHD + BLU-RAY COMBO PACK SPECIAL EDITION FEATURESNew 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack 4-DISC EDITION includes one 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and three Blu-rays with the film and special features Three audio commentaries: from 2021 featuring Orson Welles scholars James Naremore and Jonathan Rosenbaum; from 2002 featuring filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich; and from 2002 featuring film critic Roger Ebert The Complete “Citizen Kane” (1991), a rarely seen feature-length BBC documentary New interviews with critic Farran Smith Nehme and film scholar Racquel J. Gates New video essay by Orson Welles scholar Robert Carringer New program on the film’s special effects by film scholars and effects experts Craig Barron and Ben Burtt Interviews from 1990 with editor Robert Wise; actor Ruth Warrick; optical-effects designer Linwood Dunn; Bogdanovich; filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Henry Jaglom, Martin Ritt, and Frank Marshall; and cinematographers Allen Daviau, Gary Graver, and Vilmos Zsigmond New documentary featuring archival interviews with Welles Interviews with actor Joseph Cotten from 1966 and 1975 The Hearts of Age, a brief silent film made by Welles as a student in 1934 Television programs from 1979 and 1988 featuring appearances by Welles and Mercury Theatre producer John Houseman Program featuring a 1996 interview with actor William Alland on his collaborations with Welles Selection of The Mercury Theatre on the Air radio plays featuring many of the actors from Citizen Kane Trailer English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing PLUS: Deluxe packaging, including a book with an essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri
DC Comics announces "Batman Day" celebrations
Batman Day is a "holiday" that DC Comics created to promote its most successful character, which seems pretty dang cynical. But we like Batman and Batman stuff. So, here are details of the celebrations this Sept. 18:
The fight for justice goes global to honor the enduring legacy of the iconic Super Hero on Batman Day, Saturday, September 18, 2021. Headlined by two breakthrough releases, BATMAN: THE AUDIO ADVENTURES and BATMAN: THE WORLD, DC and Warner Bros. will recognize the iconic character’s longevity and impact across comics, film, television, and more, with a massive collection of partnerships, special releases and initiatives in honor of the Dark Knight.
On Batman Day, fans can enjoy all ten episodes of the thrilling new Batman original scripted podcast BATMAN: THE AUDIO ADVENTURES exclusively on HBO Max!
Starring Jeffrey Wright as Batman, Rosario Dawson as Catwoman, John Leguizamo as the Riddler, and a who’s who of incredible Saturday Night Live alums, BATMAN: THE AUDIO ADVENTURES draws inspiration from the vintage noir atmosphere of the celebrated Batman: The Animated Series, the spirited fun of the classic 1960s Batman TV series, and the entire 80-plus year history of Batman. This rollicking, over-the-top Batman adventure is written and directed by Emmy-winner Dennis McNicholas (Saturday Night Live), includes devilishly delightful original music by Doug Bossi, and also features performances by Chris Parnell, Melissa Villaseñor, Seth Meyers, Brent Spiner, Ike Barinholtz, Bobby Moynihan, Kenan Thompson, Jason Sudeikis, Alan Tudyk, Heidi Gardner, Brooke Shields, Paul Scheer, Tim Meadows, Fred Armisen, and Ray Wise.
In the scripted audio original, produced in partnership with Warner Bros. and DC, Gotham City comes to lurid life in the theater of your mind with a sensational pageant of technicolor villainy unlike any other on Earth. Mafioso Penguins. Thieving Catwomen. Terrorizing Riddlers. Killing Jokers. A city where some problems can only be solved by a billionaire in a bat costume.
To take listeners deeper into the mysteries featured in the podcast, DC will publish a special Batman: The Audio Adventures comic in October. The 80-page, prestige format one-shot features a prequel story by Dennis McNicholas, Bobby Moynihan, Heidi Gardner, Paul Scheer, and others; art by Leonardo Romero, Juni Ba, and others; and cover by Dave Johnson.
Honoring Batman’s international influence on popular culture, DC will launch a first-of-its-kind publishing event, BATMAN: THE WORLD. This massive 184-page hardcover anthology releases globally in 14 international markets on Tuesday, September 14, and features Batman stories by top creative teams across the globe. These stories will take place in their home countries and each version of BATMAN: THE WORLD will be localized and distributed in the following territories: United States, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, and Turkey.
Headlining the anthology is a story from the award-winning duo of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Lee Bermejo (Batman: Damned, The Joker) in which Batman reflects on his time in Gotham, protecting his city and its inhabitants from all manner of threats.
Participating comic book retailers, digital platforms, book stores and DC UNIVERSE INFINITE will feature a free BATMAN: THE WORLD “sampler,” featuring the complete lead story, “Global City” by writer Brian Azzarello and artist Lee Bermejo, plus previews of some of the stories from the international talent teams contributing to this landmark collectible hardcover.
DC will release a special reprint of the hugely popular crossover release BATMAN/FORTNITE: ZERO POINT #1. The series was an immediate hit for fans of Batman as well as Fortnite and marked the first time that the world of the popular online game appeared in a DC comic.
FaZe Clan, the leading digital lifestyle and media platform rooted in gaming and youth culture will release a comic with DC on September 24—the first gaming organization to create a comic with DC! The limited-edition comic will feature popular FaZe Clan members like FaZe Banks, FaZe Apex, FaZe Temperrr, FaZeRain, FaZe Adapt, FaZe Rug and FaZe Blaze in Super Hero form. And this is just the beginning: there’s even more FaZe Clan and Batman coming in Batman Month that fans won’t want to miss, including limited-edition Batman and FaZe Clan merchandise like esports jerseys, tees, hoodies and more, available on fazeclan.com, shop.dccomics.com and NTWRK. Make sure to check out the BatmanDay.com hub, and follow @FaZeClan on Twitter and Instagram.As a companion to the recently released BAT-TECH app, participating comic book stores, digital platforms and DC UNIVERSE INFINITE will feature a special BATMAN DAY edition of the first issue of BATMAN KNIGHTWATCH BAT-TECH limited series.Across the Batman monthly comic books, the Scarecrow launches his campaign of terror in Gotham City, and it’s up to Batman and his allies to stop him in the can’t-miss publishing event BATMAN: FEAR STATE, launching in September, and continuing throughout the months of October and November across all Batman family titles.
WEBTOON Entertainment Inc., the world’s number one webcomic platform, is releasing the first WEBTOON set in the DC universe: Batman: Wayne Family Adventures. Batman needs a break, but with new vigilante Duke Thomas moving into Wayne Manor and an endless supply of adopted, fostered, and biological vigilante children to manage, Bruce Wayne is going to have his hands full. Being a father can't be harder than being Batman, right? Read the first episode here.
BATMAN AR EXPERIENCE & TOYS
Marking the ultimate Batman augmented reality mobile experience, the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app launched around the world in 13 languages, allowing kids to join Batman’s crime-fighting team, the Knightwatch. Through augmented reality (AR), kids can experience the world of Batman, learning how to use his Bat-Tech to fight crime and help defend Gotham City from his adversaries. Free to download and play on Apple and Google Play, the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app immerses kids in narrative-driven, technology-inspired activities. Fans can get exclusive Batman content, AR filters, a digital comic book and technology-based Batman learning experiences. On Batman Day, a new mission will drop, continuing the Bat-Tech app storyline. Players will be able to infiltrate Mr. Freeze's lair and discover that a bank heist was a diabolical diversion just as the Bat-Tech App was being hacked by the Riddler. Can the Riddler actually use Batman's technology against him to find the Batcave? Batman needs you and the entire Knightwatch team to help stop these Super-Villains.
Delivering an epic Bat-Tech toy line, leading global children’s entertainment company Spin Master fuses innovation with the world’s greatest Super Heroes and Super-Villains. Kids can immerse themselves in adventure with the Batman® Bat-Tech Transforming Batcave Playset™ (Age: 4+; SRP $99.99). Standing at just under 3 feet tall, this epic Batman figure transforms to reveal a Batcave playset featuring 10 areas for action, an elevator that travels through the levels activating lights and sounds, and an exclusive figure and accessories. The Batman® All-Terrain RC Batmobile™ (Age 4+, SRP $54.99) takes missions to the next level, offering unstoppable all-terrain performance; grass, mud, snow, it even drives on water!
BATMAN NOW
With the popular Super Hero at their fingertips, fans can stream, listen to, and download Batman on various platforms including:
A massive catalogue of Batman film and TV releases including platform originals like Titans and Harley Quinn and animated features based on some of the best-selling Batman comics such as Batman: Hush, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Death in the Family and more are available for streaming now on HBO Max.
All month long, DC UNIVERSE INFINITE will feature collections highlighting the most essential and fan-favorite Batman storylines including classic Bat-tales like BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, THE JOKER WAR, BATMAN: THREE JOKERS, and BATMAN: COURT OF OWLS. Additional Batman titles such as BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH #1, BATMAN: YEAR ONE PARTS 1-4, BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD and more will be available to read for free for all registered users.
DCComics.com will have news and features highlighting your favorite Bat-Family characters and featuring deep dives into Batman's history, gadgets and greatest battles.
BATMAN AROUND THE WORLD
All-new global experiences inspired by the world of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains including a unique immersive Batman-themed experience to premiere in London in 2022 in partnership with Department Studios, Inc. and Myriad Entertainment. Fans in the U.K. can also enter to win a complimentary meal for 4 at Park Row - the brand-new premium DC immersive restaurant in London - and tune-in to Cartoon Network to win the ultimate Batman toy bundle from Smyths.
Batman will be celebrated all month in France with unique Batmobile experiences for fans with the Batmobile in the biggest toy shop in Paris, Village Jouéclub Paris: includes chances to sit in the Batmobile, signing sessions at Le Louvre with a live fresco reproduction of the cover from BATMAN: THE WORLD and more.
France, Japan, Spain, Italy and Latin America will feature Batman themed programming on HBO, HBO Max, TCM, Boing, Cartoon Network and more.
In Italy, the Dark Knight will personally deliver amazon.it packages to lucky recipients on Batman Day.
In Spain, Amazon Alexa devices will recite famous lines from the Caped Crusader such as “I’m Batman” and “Gotham City needs me” on Batman Day.
German fans can save on digital home entertainment releases of top Batman titles on Amazon, Apple, Google and other participating video stores.
In Japan, THE ART OF DC - THE DAWN OF SUPER HEROES exhibition will launch in Fukuoka City on Batman Day. It will be cross-promoted with Kodansha, DC’s publishing partner on the original manga production Batman: Justice Buster – available now at all book retailers in this market!
BATMAN ON SCREEN
Cartoon Network will celebrate the Dark Knight with an action-packed lineup of Batman-themed programming. The festivities will kick off at 9 a.m. ET/PT on September 18 with an all-new Teen Titans Go! episode, “Batman’s Birthday Gift,” which follows the Titans as they try to deliver a birthday gift to Batman but face detours several times along the way. Kids and families can tune back in later in the day at 6 p.m. ET/PT for a showing of Warner Bros. Pictures’ smash-hit film, The Lego Batman Movie. Fans can also check out the Cartoon Network app throughout the day for “Best of Batman” groupings featuring more Batman-centric episodes of Teen Titans Go!, DC Super Hero Girls, Justice League Action and more.
Disney+ celebrates Halloweenstream with huge slate of programming
Disney+ kicks off Halloween early with new "Star Wars" and "Muppets" specials and loads of old favorites.
Details:
Premiering October 1, "LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales" is a seasonal celebration of the villainous dark side of the Star Wars galaxy - just in time for Halloween. After the events of "The Rise of Skywalker," Poe and BB-8 must make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar where they meet the greedy and conniving Graballa the Hutt who has purchased Darth Vader's castle and is renovating it into the galaxy's first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel. While waiting for his X-Wing to be repaired, Poe, BB-8, Graballa, and Dean (a plucky and courageous young boy who works as Graballa's mechanic) venture deep into the mysterious castle with Vader's loyal servant, Vaneé. Along the way, Vaneé shares three creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of Star Wars. As Vaneé spins his tales and lures our heroes deeper into the shadowy underbelly of the castle, a sinister plan emerges. With the help of Dean, Poe and BB-8 will have to face their fears, stop an ancient evil from rising, and escape to make it back to their friends.
The Muppets' first-ever Halloween special "Muppets Haunted Mansion" will premiere on Friday, October 8 on Disney+. The brand-new special will feature a star-studded Muppets cast, celebrity cameos, all-new music and spooky fun for families to enjoy together. "Muppets Haunted Mansion" takes place on Halloween night, when Gonzo is challenged to spend one very daring night in the most grim grinning place on Earth ... The Haunted Mansion.
Here's a look at what else showing during Disney's Hallowstream. Most movies and shows available starting Sept. 24:
Movies and Series
Bride of Boogedy
Can of Worms
Don't Look Under the Bed
Edward Scissorhands
Frankenweenie (2012)
Gargoyles
Girl vs. Monster
Gravity Falls
Halloweentown
Halloweentown High
Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge
Hocus Pocus
Invisible Sister
James and the Giant Peach
Maleficent
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children
Mom's Got A Date With A Vampire
Mr. Boogedy
Phantom of the Megaplex
Return to Halloweentown
So Weird
Spooky Buddies
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
The Ghosts of Buxley Hall
The Haunted Mansion
The Scream Team
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Twitches
Twitches Too
Vampirina
Wizards of Waverly Place
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
ZOMBIES
ZOMBIES 2
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror (I - XXX) and The Simpsons Horror Collection
Shorts and Specials
Captain Sparky Vs. The Flying Saucers
Frankenweenie (1984)
Lonesome Ghosts
Mater and the Ghostlight
The Legend of Mor'du
Toy Story of Terror!
Trick or Treat
Vampirina Ghoul Girls Rock!
Haunting Episodes
WandaVision - "All-New Halloween Spooktacular!"
What If...? - "What If...Zombies?!"
The Muppet Show - "Vincent Price"
Behind The Attraction - "The Haunted Mansion"
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse - "Houseghosts"
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse - "Once Upon An Apple"
Prop Culture - "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
Earth To Ned - "Night of the Living Ned"
The Incredible Dr. Pol - "Pol-Tergeist"
America's Funniest Home Videos - "Scared Silly, Trick or Treat, and a Home Wrecking Rodent"
America's Funniest Home Videos - "Tricks & Treats, Costume Party and Baby Monsters"
America's Funniest Home Videos - "Halloween Classics, Magic Mishaps, and Spiders"
America's Funniest Home Videos - "Halloweenies and Creepy Crawlies"
America's Funniest Home Videos - "Halloween, Instant Karma, and Scared Stupid"
America's Funniest Home Videos - "Halloweenies 2012 and Second Guy Bites It"
Disney Channel Halloween Episodes
A.N.T Farm - "Mutant Farm"
Big City Greens - "Blood Moon Part 1 / Blood Moon Part 2"
Bunk'd - "Camp Kiki-slasher"
DuckTales (2017) - "Terror of the Terra-firmians!"
Even Stevens - "A Very Scary Story"
Girl Meets World - "Girl Meets World of Terror"
Good Luck Charlie - "Scary Had a Little Lamb"
Goof Troop - "Hallow-Weenies"
Gravity Falls - "Summerween"
Hannah Montana - "Torn Between Two Hannahs"
Jessie - "The Whining"
K.C. Undercover - "All Howls Eve"
Kim Possible - "October 31st"
Lab Rats - "Night of The Living Virus"
Liv and Maddie - "Haunt-A-Rooney"
Lizzie McGuire - "Night of the Day of the Dead"
Mickey Mouse (Shorts) - "Ghoul Friend"
Phil of the Future - "Halloween"
Phineas and Ferb - "Terrifying Tri-State Trilogy of Terror" (Part 1 and 2)
Raven's Home - "Switch-Or-Treat"
Recess - "Terrifying Tales of Recess"
Shake It Up - "Haunt It Up"
Sonny With A Chance - "A So Random Halloween Special"
Star vs. The Forces of Evil - "Hungry Larry/Spider with a Top Hat"
Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure - "The Wrath of Ruthless Ruth"
That's So Raven - "Don't Have a Cow"
The Proud Family - "A Hero For Halloween"
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody - "Ghost of 613"
The Suite Life On Deck - "Sea Monster Mash"
Wizards of Waverly Place - "Halloween"
Disney Junior Halloween Episodes
Doc McStuffins - "Boo-Hoo to You! / It's Glow Time"
Doc McStuffins - "Hallie Halloween / Don't Fence Me In"
Doc McStuffins "Mirror, Mirror On My Penguin / Hide and Eek!"
Fancy Nancy - "Nancy's Costume Clash / Nancy's Ghostly Halloween"
Goldie & Bear - "Witch Cat is Which? / Trick or Treat Trouble"
Handy Manny - "Halloween / Squeeze's Magic Show"
Henry Hugglemonster - "Halloween Scramble / Scouts Night Out"
Henry Hugglemonster - "Huggleween Moon"
Imagination Movers - "A Monster Problem"
Imagination Movers - "Haunted Halloween"
Jake and the Never Land Pirates - "Escape from Ghost Island / The Island of Doctor Undergear"
Jake and the Never Land Pirates - "Night of the Golden Pumpkin / Trick or Treasure!"
Jake and the Never Land Pirates - "Phantoms of Never-Nether Land / Magical Mayhem"
Jake and the Never Land Pirates - "Pirate Ghost Story / Queen Izzybella"
Jake and the Never Land Pirates - "Tricks, Treats and Treasure! / Season of the Sea Witch"
Little Einsteins - "A Little Einsteins Halloween"
Mickey and the Roadster Racers - "Goof Mansion / A Doozy Night of Mystery"
Mickey and the Roadster Racers - "The Haunted Hot Rod / Pete's Ghostly Gala"
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - "Mickey's Monster Musical" (Part 1 and 2)
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - "Mickey's Treat"
Miles from Tomorrowland - "Ghost Moon / Stormy Night in a Dark Nebula"
Muppet Babies - "Happy Hallowocka!/The Teeth-Chattering Tale of the Haunted Pancakes"
Out of the Box - "Trick or Treat"
Puppy Dog Pals - "Return to the Pumpkin Patch / Haunted Howl-oween"
Sheriff Callie's Wild West - "The Great Hallow"
Sofia the First - "Cauldronation Day"
Sofia the First - "Ghostly Gala"
Sofia the First - "Princess Butterfly"
The Lion Guard - "Beware the Zimwi"
Vampirina - "Hauntleyween / Frankenflower"
Pop Culture Roundup: Batman, Pinocchio, Piper and more!
ITEM! Streaming audio adventures on TV seems weird to me, but if you're into it, you can hear all 10 episodes of a new Batman series on HBO Max on "Batman Day," Sept. 18.
ITEM! Former "Doctor Who" star Billie Piper appears on the BBC's venerable Desert Island Discs program.
ITEM! Very sad to hear about the death of "The Wire" star Michael K. Williams this week.
ITEM! The recent lawsuit filed by Scarlett Johansson vs. Disney over streaming of the Black Widow film has the Russo Brothers re-thinking future film work with Marvel.
ITEM! A biopic about "Chronicles of Narnia" author C.S. Lewis is in the works.
ITEM! Actress/singer Jane Birkin is recovering from a minor stroke.
ITEM! David and Georgia Tennant will star in a new take on "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)