Nerd in the 'Noke

The Lego Batman Movie (2017), PG, 104 minutes - Do you like Batman?  Did you like 2014's The Lego Movie?  If you answered 'yes' to either of those questions, you will love this flick! The Lego Batman Movie accomplishes something that, on paper seems virtually impossible: it strips down the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman (Will Arnett) to the basics while at the same time cleverly and seamlessly referencing every era of the character's history from both film and print. Lego Batman is used to being the solo hero of Gotham.  No problem is too tough to handle on his own and he thrives on the city's adulation.  What he's quick to deny though, is that he is lonely and that his solitary existence at Wayne Manor/Island is beginning to weigh on him.  The more light-hearted nature of the Lego-based movies allows for the sometimes-over-the-top exploration of his relationships, not just with allies such as Alfred (Ralph Fiennes), Dick Grayson/Robin (Michael Cera), an...

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), PG-13, 112 minutes - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is Edgar Wright's (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) film adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's series of manga sized graphic novels (Oni Press). A couple of friends have been ranting and raving about the Scott Pilgrim books for a couple years but I had never read them myself until about two weeks ago. I highly recommend them (buy them here ). Should you be any interested, I strongly encourage you to read them all (6 total) before seeing the movie as it covers the entire story. I know, I know, it sounds like a lot, but trust me - these bad boys read very quickly . I was able to knock each one out in about an hour and I'm not a very speedy reader. Now that I've gotten that out of the way - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is an absolutely fantastic adaptation of the source material. The film clocks in at just under two hours and covers all of the key points throughout the graphic novels. The tr...