Title: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns [Parts 1 and 2] (2012/2013) Synopsis: After ten years of retirement, Batman returns to Gotham to retake control of the city when a new gang called The Mutants threatens to destroy everything. Old foes re-emerge as well when they hear their old adversary has come back. Why you should like it: Frank Miller’s story is told in its entirety here, minus the characters’ inner monologues. Both parts have stylish animation, a great voice cast, and character design that’s true to the original comic. Plus, it’s easily one of the greatest Batman stories ever told. Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns [Parts 1 and 2] (2012/2013)

Synopsis: After ten years of retirement, Batman returns to Gotham to retake control of the city when a new gang called The Mutants threatens to destroy everything. Old foes re-emerge as well when they hear their old adversary has come back.

Why you should like it: Frank Miller’s story is told in its entirety here, minus the characters’ inner monologues. Both parts have stylish animation, a great voice cast, and character design that’s true to the original comic. Plus, it’s easily one of the greatest Batman stories ever told.

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: DREDD 3D (2012) Synopsis: He’s judge, he’s jury, he’s executioner! Judge Dredd takes rookie cop Anderson under his wing as he attempts to find the source of a new drug being manufactured in MegaCity One. But what he assumes will be a routine arrest will turn out to be a fight for his and Anderson’s lives… Why you should like it: Unlike the Sylvester Stallone “Judge Dredd” film, this movie is all about action and virtually nothing else. Karl Urban plays the moody judge in this adaptation of the popular Brit comic, and true to form, he never takes his visor off during the film. Great special effects and thrilling action scenes will keep you at the edge of your seat. Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: DREDD 3D (2012)

Synopsis: He’s judge, he’s jury, he’s executioner! Judge Dredd takes rookie cop Anderson under his wing as he attempts to find the source of a new drug being manufactured in MegaCity One. But what he assumes will be a routine arrest will turn out to be a fight for his and Anderson’s lives…

Why you should like it: Unlike the Sylvester Stallone “Judge Dredd” film, this movie is all about action and virtually nothing else. Karl Urban plays the moody judge in this adaptation of the popular Brit comic, and true to form, he never takes his visor off during the film. Great special effects and thrilling action scenes will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: Wonder Woman (2009) Synopsis: After a battle that should have chosen the fate of humanity, the Queen of the Amazons locks up Ares, the God of War. Secluded on their hidden island home, Themyscira, the Amazons live peacefully until Ares escapes. Diana, the Queen’s daughter, is dispatched to help the rest of the world fight the godlike threat looming over them. Why you should like it: Wonder Woman is an important character in DC Comics, one of the Trinity, the three most important characters in DC Comics that also include Superman and Batman. If you’re skeptical because you don’t think she’ll be portrayed well (past versions of the character have suffered at the hands of sexist writers), you can rest easy. She very thoroughly kicks ass whenever she gets in a fight, with or without assistance. (Rumor has it that this movie used to be rated “R”, but they toned it down to be more PG-13 suitable. So there’s that.) Availability: DVD, Digital Download. (Possible blu-ray?)
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Title: Wonder Woman (2009)

Synopsis: After a battle that should have chosen the fate of humanity, the Queen of the Amazons locks up Ares, the God of War. Secluded on their hidden island home, Themyscira, the Amazons live peacefully until Ares escapes. Diana, the Queen’s daughter, is dispatched to help the rest of the world fight the godlike threat looming over them.

Why you should like it: Wonder Woman is an important character in DC Comics, one of the Trinity, the three most important characters in DC Comics that also include Superman and Batman. If you’re skeptical because you don’t think she’ll be portrayed well (past versions of the character have suffered at the hands of sexist writers), you can rest easy. She very thoroughly kicks ass whenever she gets in a fight, with or without assistance. (Rumor has it that this movie used to be rated “R”, but they toned it down to be more PG-13 suitable. So there’s that.)

Availability: DVD, Digital Download. (Possible blu-ray?)

Title: Batman: The Animated Series (1992) Synopsis: You KNOW what Batman’s about. Don’t make me tell you because you already know. Everyone knows who Batman is and what he does. Why you should like it: IT’S THE GOD DAMN BATMAN THAT’S WHY. Some of the episodes are admittedly cheesy, and the visuals have dated a bit, but overall, this is probably the best superhero series ever made, and it’s been awarded that title many times. It sneaks in some adult jokes every once in a while, much like the other DC cartoons have, and keeps grown-ups as entertained as the kids. Even the worst episode of this series is still enjoyable, and that says a lot. Availability: DVD, VHS, Digital Download.
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Title: Batman: The Animated Series (1992)

Synopsis: You KNOW what Batman’s about. Don’t make me tell you because you already know. Everyone knows who Batman is and what he does.

Why you should like it: IT’S THE GOD DAMN BATMAN THAT’S WHY. Some of the episodes are admittedly cheesy, and the visuals have dated a bit, but overall, this is probably the best superhero series ever made, and it’s been awarded that title many times. It sneaks in some adult jokes every once in a while, much like the other DC cartoons have, and keeps grown-ups as entertained as the kids. Even the worst episode of this series is still enjoyable, and that says a lot.

Availability: DVD, VHS, Digital Download.

Title: Breaking Bad (2008) Synopsis: When he’s diagnosed with cancer, high-school chemistry teacher Walter White begins cooking meth to try and make sure his family is well-supported when he dies. Why you should like it: It’s arguably the best drama on TV. Every single season has been nominated multiple times for a variety of awards, winning lots of them. The humor is gleefully dark, the tension keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the characters are both colorful and intriguing. Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: Breaking Bad (2008)

Synopsis: When he’s diagnosed with cancer, high-school chemistry teacher Walter White begins cooking meth to try and make sure his family is well-supported when he dies.

Why you should like it: It’s arguably the best drama on TV. Every single season has been nominated multiple times for a variety of awards, winning lots of them. The humor is gleefully dark, the tension keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the characters are both colorful and intriguing.

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: Green Lantern: First Flight (2009) Synopsis: As a league of interstellar species fight to preserve the universe, a human happens upon their organization and becomes the bravest of them all. Why you should like it: Seriously, f—k the live-action movie with Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds, we’re still good, but that movie was god awful. If you want a real GL movie, try this on for size.  Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: Green Lantern: First Flight (2009)

Synopsis: As a league of interstellar species fight to preserve the universe, a human happens upon their organization and becomes the bravest of them all.

Why you should like it: Seriously, f—k the live-action movie with Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds, we’re still good, but that movie was god awful. If you want a real GL movie, try this on for size. 

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: Justice League: The New Frontier (2008) Synopsis: An evil creature bent on destroying mankind must be stopped by individuals with the powers to protect the innocent. Why you should like it: It’s f—kin’ Justice League. The Flash and Green Lantern kind of take the cake here above the rest of the cast, but that’s alright. It works. Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: Justice League: The New Frontier (2008)

Synopsis: An evil creature bent on destroying mankind must be stopped by individuals with the powers to protect the innocent.

Why you should like it: It’s f—kin’ Justice League. The Flash and Green Lantern kind of take the cake here above the rest of the cast, but that’s alright. It works.

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: Wanted (2008) Synopsis: An average Joe working a mundane office job with a heart condition discovers he’s being caught up in an organization of assassins. Why you should like it: It’s not as good as the comics, but the movie is pretty f—king awesome by itself. With a lot of cool action sequences (human shields, curving bullets) it makes the movie an absolute blast. Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: Wanted (2008)

Synopsis: An average Joe working a mundane office job with a heart condition discovers he’s being caught up in an organization of assassins.

Why you should like it: It’s not as good as the comics, but the movie is pretty f—king awesome by itself. With a lot of cool action sequences (human shields, curving bullets) it makes the movie an absolute blast.

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: R.E.D. (2010) Synopsis: When a Black Ops agent retires, a team of assassins try to take him out of the picture. While he’s on the run, he tries to piece together who called the hit out on him before they shut him up permanently. Why you should like it: Because Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Morgan Freeman are all in an action movie together. Why else? Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: R.E.D. (2010)

Synopsis: When a Black Ops agent retires, a team of assassins try to take him out of the picture. While he’s on the run, he tries to piece together who called the hit out on him before they shut him up permanently.

Why you should like it: Because Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Morgan Freeman are all in an action movie together. Why else?

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: No Country for Old Men (2007) Synopsis: An average Joe stumbles across a cartel shootout while hunting and gets caught up in something he doesn’t fully understand. Why you should like it: Like the novel, the movie has excellent dialogue, an interesting cast of characters, and a number of tense, suspenseful scenes that’ll bring you to the edge of your seat. Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: No Country for Old Men (2007)

Synopsis: An average Joe stumbles across a cartel shootout while hunting and gets caught up in something he doesn’t fully understand.

Why you should like it: Like the novel, the movie has excellent dialogue, an interesting cast of characters, and a number of tense, suspenseful scenes that’ll bring you to the edge of your seat.

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: Minority Report (2002) Synopsis: In the future, police stop murders before they happen with the help of three psychics. When the chief of police is predicted to murder someone, he gets involved in a deadly conspiracy. Why you should like it: Because Philip K. Dick, that’s why. He’s written Blade Runner and Total Recall, and the movie’s done by Steven Spielberg. Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
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Title: Minority Report (2002)

Synopsis: In the future, police stop murders before they happen with the help of three psychics. When the chief of police is predicted to murder someone, he gets involved in a deadly conspiracy.

Why you should like it: Because Philip K. Dick, that’s why. He’s written Blade Runner and Total Recall, and the movie’s done by Steven Spielberg.

Availability: DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.

Title: Death Note (franchise, 3 films, 1 anime series, 1 manga series) Synopsis: A god of death grim reaper drops his notebook, which allows him to kill humans. It falls into the hands of some kid who decides he’ll try to change the world. Why you should like it: It’s a well-written, intense series with lots of twists and turns. The films + anime are worth checking out if you’ve only gotten into the manga, because each have their own special ending. Availability: Probably a lot of major retailers carry the franchise. Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, etc. DVD/Serialized Manga.
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Title: Death Note (franchise, 3 films, 1 anime series, 1 manga series)

Synopsis: A god of death grim reaper drops his notebook, which allows him to kill humans. It falls into the hands of some kid who decides he’ll try to change the world.

Why you should like it: It’s a well-written, intense series with lots of twists and turns. The films + anime are worth checking out if you’ve only gotten into the manga, because each have their own special ending.

Availability: Probably a lot of major retailers carry the franchise. Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, etc. DVD/Serialized Manga.

Title: Cowboy Bebop (1998) Synopsis: Bounty hunters travel through space, finding interesting targets in each episode. Why you should like it: It’s an anime that’s consistently been rated as one of the best of all-time, and the director himself felt that the American voice cast was better than the Japanese one. Plus, Steve Blum. Availability: There’s a DVD box set (pictured) that contains the whole series on five discs. Single-disc “volumes” are also available. There’s also a full-length animated film that’s worth a watch, too.
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Title: Cowboy Bebop (1998)

Synopsis: Bounty hunters travel through space, finding interesting targets in each episode.

Why you should like it: It’s an anime that’s consistently been rated as one of the best of all-time, and the director himself felt that the American voice cast was better than the Japanese one. Plus, Steve Blum.

Availability: There’s a DVD box set (pictured) that contains the whole series on five discs. Single-disc “volumes” are also available. There’s also a full-length animated film that’s worth a watch, too.

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