I found Batman Returns disappointing and didn't bother with the rest of that iteration. I loved Burton's Batman when it came out, but Batman Begins might have replaced it in my affections (rather than supplementing and surpassing. I'm not sure which is more accurate, but I think one of those).

Laura, has your son read the Battle Royale novel or the graphic novels? I just saw the movie and have a question about the novel. It's In the novel, is there an explanation of how the Battle or whatever is supposed to deter teens from being bad if they don't know it's happening?

He should definitely read the book first

Now I can tell him that Amy said so! I'm thinking if I just leave them in his room they will get read. He can't resist.

lisah, I will check with him. He has gone to Tallahassee for the weekend so I'll send him a text. (gives me an excuse to see if he is still sober enough to text)

I'm not going to not see a movie with Batman in it. That's just how I'm wired. But after Batman Begins, my first reaction was "That-- that's my Batman." And Nolan has been so spot on that the story itself is less important than the fact that that's my Alfred, my Gordon, my everyone. But I do like the stories too. And the Burton work seems campier in reflection.

Jesse, I saw this [link] and thought of you.

Of course you did.

It's funny to me that I had the same "That's my Batman" reaction when I'm not exactly steeped in Batman mythology. I read Dark Knight a million years ago but other than that I don't read the comics. I watched Adam West and Superfriends as a kid. And that's about it. So I don't know where that sureness that Nolan's Gotham is so right came from, but I've got it.

Burton deserves a lot of credit for making a blockbuster movie that took Batman at all seriously, though. That was huge at the time.

Ok, I'm finished, There's more to do in the kitchen, and stuff on the "could do" list, like putting away laundry and clearing the deck. But all the habitable spaces are sparkly and my office and bedroom will be shut off. After Easter, I'll tackle those spaces.

But right now I'm tired and I'm going to take advantage of my clean empty house for a little introvert time. I'm going to make tea and snuggle the dog and read my library Nook copy of William Gibson's Zero History.

All the women of Wisconsin must be thrilled to be liberated from the oppressive yolk of Big Government.

You guys will pitch in for my bail when I drive down there and kick Scooter in the nuts, right? RIGHT???

By the way, they also cut the Earned Income Tax Credit for working poor families as well!

The Recall can't come soon enough.