Tim Burton’s BATMAN vs Chris Nolan’s THE DARK KNIGHT

With the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises, the third in a trilogy of highly successful Batman movies by Christopher Nolan, and the recent release of the hotly anticipated video game Arkham City, its really never been a better time to be a Batman fan. The past few years have seen a gigantic leap in popularity for DC Comic’s surly, brooding poster boy, a character that has always held a large amount of public affection in its near 80 year history.

With this in mind, WhatCulture has decided to do an article comparing the two most beloved Batman movies: Tim Burton’s Batman from 1989, the iconic and most endearing interpretation of Batman, and The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan’s second take on the World’s Greatest Detective from 2008, the highest grossing and critically revered Batman film to date. As soon as I heard of this, I practically pleaded for the opportunity to write it. I happen to be a huge fan of Batman and all things Batman: the movies, the tv shows (yes, even that one), the video games, and especially the comic books. And to my eternal gratitude, our editor Matt Holmes let me have it.

Just some of my Batman collection.

The two films will be analysed and compared in various categories including characters, music and story with a watchful eye on how true they are to the source material, namely the legion of Batman stories DC have published over the years. Before we get started, I’d like to point out that this isn’t a definitive “which is better” or even the thoughts of the WhatCulture staff as a whole, this will be purely be the opinions of myself, in all my Batman-obsessed glory.

With that said, get your Batarangs sharpened and don your finest cape and cowl, it’s Batman vs. Batman time!

Read more »

Kate Middleton Refuses Peanut Paste, Sets off Pregnancy Rumor

Kate Middleton set off yet another pregnancy rumor when she refused to sample a bit of peanut paste while on a royal gig in Copenhagen, Denmark's capital.

Judging from the photos, it looks as if the duchess declined a taste of Plumpy'nut, a peanut paste which UNICEF gives to children who are severely malnourished. Prince William tasted a bit.

Plumpy'nut was made by the French company Nutriset in 1996. It contains sugar, vegetable fat, and skimmed milk powder, and is enriched with vitamins and minerals, according to the company's Web site.

"Typically, a severely malnourished child will follow a peanut paste treatment programme for a month, before he or she is back to health," UNICEF says on its Web site.

Pregnant women are sometimes advised by doctors to avoid peanuts and peanut products during pregnancy. The duchess is not allergic to nuts, The Sun's royal editor Duncan Larcombe told ABC News.

"Her spokesman went out of their way to stress that she has no nut allergy whatsoever," he said.

But could she possibly be allergic to gluten?

Plumpy'Nut contains maltodextrin, according to the non-profit Edesia, which manufactures ready-to-use foods, including this one. Several Web sites on gluten and celiac disease note that maltodextrin is commonly made from wheat in Europe, while in the U.S. it is made from corn, rice, or potato. This has deterred some people who are allergic to gluten to stay away from foods containing maltodextrin.

There is also the possibility that the duchess is lactose-intolerant, as the bar contains milk products. Then again, it could be nothing. She could just be keeping an eye on her slender figure (a Plumpy'nut bar contains 500 calories).

"If she is pregnant there'll be absolutely no announcement until three months into her pregnancy," Larcombe told ABC News.

Still, a photo does show Prince William reading the Plumpy'Nut label with a furrowed brow.

"When you report on royals often it's the very subtle things that they do which give a lot away," Larcombe said.

Read more »

Carey Mulligan - Carey Mulligan, Johnny Depp, Kissing Scenes Cut After Nerves

Actress Carey Mulligan has revealed her 'kissing' scenes with Johnny Depp in the movie Public Enemies had to be cut from the film because she looked too nervous. Producers thought the actress appeared "uncomfortable" during the romantic scenes with heartthrob Depp, so decided to axe the scenes.

Speaking on Graham Norton's Bbc1 show, set to air tonight (3rd November 2011), the actress said, "I had to kiss him several times. It was 16 times, but it was cut out of the film because I looked so uncomfortable.I was kissing Johnny Depp and I got really nervous". The revelation was made more embarrassing by the fact Depp was also appearing on the show, along with comedian Ricky Gervais. Mulligan said she had always been a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean star, saying, "I grew up watching everything he's ever done and it's difficult as I have to hide my inner fan when I am around him - it's terrible". She next stars alongside Michael Fassbender in Steve Mcqueen's flick 'Shame', which she describes as "a little bit racy", adding, "Dad hasn't seen it. He's not allowed".

Carey is currently shooting The Great Gatsby with another Hollywood heavyweight, this time Leonardo Dicaprio. The movie, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, is set for release on Christmas day 2012.

Read more »

Michael Jackson's Doctor Awaits Trial Verdict

The trial of Conrad Murray, the doctor accused of involuntary manslaughter surrounding Michael Jackson’s death, is expected to come to a verdict tonight at 7pm.

The world-famous superstar was tragically found dead on June 25th 2009, after suffering from acute propofol intoxication. Murray, the doctor who supplied the prescription drug to Jackson, was quickly arrested and is now being held on trial, accused of involuntary manslaughter – an allegation he pleaded not guilty to.

Two years and five months later, the lengthy and highly-discussed trial is drawing to a close, with a decision officially due at 6pm today. But, with such a high-profile and global affair, things were always going to go on longer than expected, and now it looks more likely that officials will come to a decision by 7pm.

Michael’s ever faithful and supportive fans are hoping for a guilty decision as a source of some justice for the loss of their star, who they believe could have been saved and his death prevented had Murray acted more professionally and less incompetently. Others believe that Jackson was entirely at fault over the overdose, and that the Doctor has become a scapegoat for wild fan’s bitterness after they lost their favourite, the King of Pop. This is why the jury face an outstandingly tough decision on what happens to Murray, currently the world’s most notorious doctor.

While no official time is set for the verdict to be reached, Stereoboard will be following the trial closely and vigorously, and will be bring you an extended feature on one of the world’s most infamous trials the music scene has seen for a long time as soon as the judge and jury reach their decision. Watch this space.

Read more »

Westlife - Lighthouse

This kind of love
Is more than a lifeline
For a man as weak as me
Who has no
self belief

This kind of love
Is more than amazing
For a man who
lost his way
Who thought it was too late

How did the sea
How did
the sea
How did the sea get so rough
I would’ve drowned
I would’ve
drowned
If you hadn’t given me your love

***
You’re the light in the
dark
You’re the seat in the park
You’re the lighthouse
You’re the
lighthouse
That I need
You’re the key to the door
You’re the Port in the
Storm
And I need to find a shore
When I can’t swim anymore
You always guide
me back to solid ground
You’re my lighthouse

[***]
This kind of love
Is
more than a feeling
For a man who rarely tried
I get all choked up each
time
You say you love me
You could’ve walked away
Could’ve give my problems
back
Could’ve left
You took the chance

**
How did the
waves
How did the waves
How did the waves get so high
I would’ve
died
I would’ve died
If you hadn’t loved me just in
time

***
You’re the light in the dark
You’re the seat in the
park
You’re the lighthouse
You’re the lighthouse
That I
need
You’re the key to the door
You’re the Port in the Storm
When I need to
find a shore
Cos I can’t swim anymore
You always guide me back to solid
ground
You’re my lighthouse

**
Yeah, I owe it all to you everything I have
right now
I owe it all to you everything I didn’t have you found
Everytime take me
back to you

***
You’re the light in the dark
You’re the seat in the
park
You’re the lighthouse
You’re the lighthouse
I need
You’re the
key to the door
You’re the Port in the Storm
And I need to find the shore
Cos
I can’t swim anymore
You always guide me back to solid ground
You’re my lighthouse

Behind The Scene "Lighthouse"

Read more »