Sunday, September 8, 2013

Batman? Lennie James



This isn't anything to do with Ben Afleck hating...what it has to do with is who is the best actor who could play Batman the way I read him, the way I hear his voice, the way he carries himself, and the way he is menacing and threatening with single glance or word but driven and fiercely intelligent...the actor who best embodies the Dark Knight detective is British actor Lennie James.

 If you have seen the Walking Dead...especially last season's BEST episode "Clear" then you have some idea of the intensity and talent Mr. James brings to the screen.  Didn't see it or don't like zombies stuff? Go over to Netfilx and check out the TV series Jericho. For two seasons Mr. James was THE reason to watch that show and you will get a much better idea of his range as an actor.  Want to see a more recent and  take on his talents? Check out the AMC series Low Winter Sun.


In all of these, and many more, Mr. James is able to pull off not only the necessary requisites of disarming charm of a Bruce Wayne, and an Eastwood like menace and strength with a simple look...but as importantly he clearly conveys intense, single-minded, driven intelligence that is often missing from a more rounded and I'd say proper vision of Batman. 

Like most everyone else we kicked around in our social circles who could be Batman...and once I came up with Lennie James it just clicked for everyone.  There were takeaways from everyone else mentioned, Mr. James was the only actor who everyone agreed could pull off all the dimensions of Batman and would give a script writer something to work with beyond gadgets and special effects.

If you've seen Mr James's skills on screen, you know he could do it...and if you haven't? Brother you are in for a treat.

Monday, September 2, 2013

What does #1 mean?

According to ICV2 Pathfinder is the #1 selling RPG and it has been the #1 line for the last year.


Top 5 Roleplaying Games – Spring 2013

Title
Publisher
1
Pathfinder
Paizo Publishing
2
Dungeons & Dragons
Wizards of the Coast
3
Star Wars
Fantasy Flight Games
4
Iron Kingdoms
Privateer Press
5
Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch
Fantasy Flight Games

Top 5 Roleplaying Games – Fall 2012

Title
Publisher
1
Pathfinder
Paizo Publishing
2
Star Wars
Fantasy Flight Games
3
Dungeons & Dragons
Wizards of the Coast
4
Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch
Fantasy Flight Games
5
Iron Kingdoms
Privateer Press

Top 5 Roleplaying Games – Summer 2012

Title
Publisher
1
Pathfinder
Paizo Publishing
2
Dungeons & Dragons
Wizards of the Coast
3
Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch
Fantasy Flight Games
4
Dragon Age
Green Ronin Publishing
5
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Goodman Games


Top 5 Roleplaying Games – Spring 2012

Title
Publisher
1
Pathfinder
Paizo Publishing
2
Dungeons & Dragons
Wizards of the Coast
3
Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch
Fantasy Flight Games
4
Dragon Age
Green Ronin Publishing
5
Marvel Heroic Roleplaying
Margaret Weis Productions


According to Inc. Paizo Publishing is ranked #2370 of the top 5000 list.

2013 STATISTICS
Rank: 2370
3-year growth:152%
2012 Revenue:$11.2 million
2009 Revenue:$4.4 million
Web site:Paizo.com
Employees: 42
Jobs added, prev. 3 years:17
Founded: 2002
Location:Redmond, WA
Industry: Retail

There is quite a bit of information and speculation to be gleaned from these simple information bits. This kind of information should also help explain why Hasbro is expanding the license of D&D continually into boardgames, lego like toys, video games and other non-rpg fields.