Eye of the Duck: A Film Podcast

The fire rises, brother! This week we conclude our Nolan run with the biggest and most divisive entry in his Batman saga.

Also discussed this week: the origins of Tom Hardy’s infamous Bane voice, whether or not Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character should have just been named Dick Grayson, and…why the hell is Bruce so fucking cruel to Alfred?

Next week it’s bonus time, baby! Alejandro González Iñárritu may not have made a Batman movie per se…but there’s no way we could skip BIRDMAN for this series. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Batman vs. Bane
• The War on Wall Street
• Race to the Reactor
• Gotham’s Reckoning
• The Nolan Variations by Tom Shone
• The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy by Janine Pourroy and Jody Jesser Duncan
• CineFex 2012 No. 131 Production History
• British Cinematographer Production History
• Happy Sad Confused Jonathan Nolan Interview
• Happy Sad Confused David Goyer Interview
• Empire Cinematography Breakdown
• Nolan Screens Prologue For Directors
• Marion Cotillard “Screws Up” Her Death
• Bale Denies More Batman
• Aurora Tragedy
• Fans Leave Death Threats
• Bale Meets With Trump
• James Newton Howard Doesn’t Return
• Trump Reviews The Dark Knight Rises

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listeners, you either die a normal film podcast, or live long enough to see your show completely devolve into a Christopher Nolan marathon.

Between Heath Ledger’s legendary turn as the Joker, Nolan’s transformation into an IMAX-first director, and the coolest truck crash in cinema history, there’s so much to explore in this sprawling behemoth of a picture. We went for nearly four hours on this one, and could easily do another four. THE DARK KNIGHT is (still!) just that good!!

Next week, our Nolan era comes to a climactic finish with THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• The Prologue
• New Batsuit
• Joker Theme
• Hong Kong Jump
• Challenges of the Chase in IMAX
• SWAT Van Into River
• Destruction of Batmobile
• Bat-pod
• Helicopter Crash
• Lamborghini Crash
• Hospital Explosion
• Collider Nathan Crowley Interview
• StarLog Production History
• CineFex 2008 No. 115 Production History
• Jonathan Nolan Wants to Take the Batman Franchise For a Ride
• Empire The Making of the Joker
• Happy Sad Confused Jonathan Nolan Interview
• The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy by Janine Pourroy and Jody Jesser Duncan
• Variety Nolan Interview
• IGN Nolan Interview Part 1
• IGN Nolan Interview Part 2
• LA Times Nolan Interview
• Empire Jonathan Nolan Interview
• The New York Times Nolan Interview
• The New York Times Heath Ledger Interview
• Empire Cinematography Breakdown
• Collider Jonathan Nolan & David Goyer Interview
• The ‘Curse of Batman’
• Nolan Doesn’t Get His Little Brother’s Writing
• Matt Damon Turns Down Harvey Dent
• Obama Cites The Dark Knight In Strategy Meetings

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“Why do we fall, Master Bruce? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up. Batman Begin.“

This week, we’re celebrating the greatest tweet ever made. Michael Caine’s post from August 19, 2024 inspired a generation of Batman storytelling. And this is where is it all begins.

Also, we’re going to talk about Christopher Nolan.

Next week, we we either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain. Get ready for our epic THE DARK KNIGHT episode. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Batman: The Journey Begins
• Shaping Mind and Body
• Cape and Cowl
• Christopher Nolan Forward in The Long Halloween
• Christopher Nolan Lies to Warner Brothers Executives
• Armchair Expert Jonathan Nolan Interview
• The Hollywood Reporter Revamping the Batman Franchise
• The Hollywood Reporter Christopher Nolan Interview
• LA Times Rescuing Batman
• Joel Schumacher Signs Up For Fifth Batman Film
• Happy Sad Confused David Goyer Interview
• CineFex No. 103 Production History
• American Cinematographer Wally Pfister Interview
• Collider Nathan Crowley Interview
• Empire Batman Begins Set Visit
• Batman Begins Production Notes
• Batman Begins: The Official Movie Guide by Claudia Kalindjian
• StarLog Magazine Production History
• James Newton Howard on Scoring Batman Begins
• Collider James Newton Howard Interview
• IGN Hans Zimmer Part 1
• IGN Hans Zimmer Interview Part 2 
• Christopher Nolan LIES About Rubbing Your Chest

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Holy Nu-metal, Batman! It’s the year 2039, Bruce Wayne is a grouchy old man, corporations rule the world, and Batman is a moody teen. Has there ever been a cooler superhero show?

This we're week going long on one of our favorite animated series, BATMAN BEYOND, and the standalone film that reunited Mark Hamill’s Joker with Bruce Timm, Kevin Conroy, and the whole BTAS gang for a truly horrific vision of the Bat-Family’s future. Cyberpunk is so back!

Next week, our Nolan era finally begins with BATMAN BEGINS (2005). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Commentary
• Andrea Romano and Mark Hamill Create Shorthand
• Cancelled “Batman: Arkham” Film
• Bruce Timm Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Screenplay
• Jim Harvey Bruce Timm Interview
• Batman: The Complete History by Les Daniels
• World’s Finest Alan Burnett Interview
• Brandon’s Substack Alan Burnett Interview
• DC Animated Will Friedle Interview
• Kevin Conroy Changes His Voice
• Retro Cool Nerd Kevin Conroy Interview
• Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Animation Studio
• Production Forced to Make Cuts
• All Changes Between Return of the Joker Cuts
• Will Friedle on Acting in Return of the Joker
• IGN Batman Beyond Production History

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s that time of year again…we are pausing our regularly scheduled programming to commence the second annual season of MINISERIES MAYHEM!

That’s right, just like last year, we’re asking YOU to decide the future of Eye of the Duck. What should we cover for our big summer miniseries? Listen in to hear our three contenders, and hop over to the Discord on May 5 to cast your vote!

Next week, we return to our Duck Knight series for the BATMAN BEYOND film, RETURN OF THE JOKER (2000). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our Schumacher era concludes with this week’s episode on the most toyetic of all toyetic films in human history!

But, this isn’t the last time we’ll be talking about BATMAN & ROBIN… On May 20, join us at the Nitehawk Theater where we’ll be in-person to introduce Schumacher’s exceedingly demented opus on the big screen!!

Grab your tickets here: https://nitehawkcinema.com/prospectpark/movies/batman-and-robin/

Next week, we’re going fully cyberpunk again with BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER (2000). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Shadows of the Batman: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Pt. 6 - Batman Unbound
• Maximum Overdrive: The Vehicles of Batman & Robin
• Dressed to Thrill: The Costumes of Batman & Robin
• Arnold Keeps Mr. Freeze Costume
• Schumacher Doesn’t Think Batman is Gay
• Stephen Goldblatt Responds to Questions
• LA Times Rescuing Batman
• The Hollywood Reporter Production History
• Film Scouts Production History
• 46 Things You Probably Don’t Know About the Batman Films
• George Clooney Films ER
• Cinefantastique Vol 29 No 1 Production History
• CineFex 1997 No 071 Production History
• Akiva Goldsman Reflects on Batman & Robin
• George Clooney Reflects on Batman & Robin
• Joel Schumacher Apologizes For Batman & Robin

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rest in peace, Val Kilmer. This week, we’re devoting our episode to Val and his smoldering performance in Joel Schumacher’s first foray into the Batman franchise. There will never be another Dark Knight like you, Mr. Kilmer.

Between Jim Carrey’s unhinged take on the Riddler, Tommy Lee Jones trying against all odds to out-crazy him, and the overwhelming aura of horny energy exuding from Nicole Kidman, there is a lot to unpack with this 90s classic. Strap in, we’re getting takeout in the (very phallic) Batmobile.

Next week, it’s Schumacher’s even more deranged follow-up, BATMAN & ROBIN. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Pt. 5
• Riddle Me This: Why is Batman Forever?
• Out of the Shadows: The Production Design of Batman Forever
• The Many Faces of Gotham City
• Scoring Forever: The Music of Batman Forever
• Michael Keaton Confirmed to Star in “Batman 3”
• Michael Keaton Drops Out
• Michael Keaton on Batman Forever
• William Baldwin Among Many Considered For Batman
• Johnny Depp Considered For Batman
• Nicole Kidman Wants to Kiss Batman
• Burton Pushed Out Of Batman Franchise
• Empire Tim Burton Interview
• The Beginning of Patrick Leahy’s Journey in Hollywood
• Warner Brothers Unhappy with Batman Returns
• Entertainment Weekly on “Batman 3”
• John McTiernan Turns Down “Batman 3”
• Joel Schumacher Replaces Tim Burton
• The Hollywood Reporter Production History
• Cinefantastique Vol 26 No 4 Production History
• CineFex 1995 No 063 Production History
• Forbes Joel Schumacher Interview
• Janet and Lee Batchler Discuss Writing Batman Forever
• Vulture Joel Schumacher Interview
• Entertainment Weekly Joel Schumacher Interview
• Film Stories Production History
• Janet & Lee Batchler Old Script

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bonus! Johnny To’s windswept, smoldering superhero masterpiece may not exactly exist in the Batman continuity… but we sure as hell are going to talk about it anyway.

Starring Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, and Maggie Cheung, we thought this bonkers dream of an action noir would be the perfect appetizer for our upcoming Schumacher era. Whether it was intentional or not, Schumacher’s films look suspiciously similar to THE HEROIC TRIO. And we’re going to get to the bottom of it!

Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Superhero Sisterhood
• No Ordinary Actor: Anthony Wong
• Planet Hong Kong: Popular Cinema and the Art of Entertainment by David Bordwell
• Hong Kong Cinema: The Extra Dimensions by Stephen Teo
• Hong Kong New Wave
• Sight & Sound March 1995 Vol. 5 Production History
• Metrograph Production History
• House of Asian Cinema James Pax Interview
• Henry Sheehan Johnnie To Interview
• Michelle Yeoh Takes Down Conan

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bruce Timm’s animated Batverse is for many people the defining adaptation of the character, and this week we’re here to tell you why.

We’re going deep on THE ANIMATED SERIES over on our Patreon show (link below!) but here on the main feed it’s all about the original villain, The Phantasm, and how she helped inspire a tormented Bruce Wayne to leave his personal life behind for a life in vigilantism.

Also…Abe Vigoda? A young, creepy Joker?! The Phantasm’s return in JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED: EPILOGUE? We are in Batman heaven this week.

Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Empire Production History
• The Making of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
• DC Animated Alan Burnett Interview
• The Hollywood Reporter Production History
• The Hollywood Reporter Batman: The Animated Series Production History
• UCSB Script to Screen: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
• SDCC Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Panel
• Back Issue Batman: The Animated Series Oral History
• Wild Cartoon Kingdom Issue #2 Production History
• Comics Scene V.2 #40
• Comics Scene #43, June 1994
• Hans Zimmer Helps Shirley Walker
• Alan Burnett Takes Credit For Andrea
• Batman: The Animated Series Podcast Alan Burnett Interview

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Griffin Newman returns! And this time he’s brought with him the Bat, the Cat, the Penguin, and….Shreck?

Yes, we’ve got THE TICK’s Arthur to talk all things superhero movies, performing in costume, transitioning from comedian to action hero, and why there will never be a better Bruce Wayne than Michael Keaton.

Also, we gush about how truly reprehensible and brilliant Danny DeVito is in this film! He stayed in character throughout the entire production! Demented!

Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• The Bat, the Cat, and the Penguin
• Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 4
• Making-up the Penguin
• Assembling the Arctic Army
• Bats, Mattes, and Dark Knights: The Visual Effects of Batman Returns
• Inside the Elfman Studios: The Music of Batman Returns
• Fangoria #160 Production History
• Cinefantastique Vol 22 No 2 (Oct 1991) Production History
• Cinefantastique Vol 23 No 1 (Aug 1992) Production History
• Cinefantastique Vol 23 No 2-3 (Oct 1992) Production History
• Burton on Burton by Mark Salisbury
• Cinefex #51 Production History
• The Hollywood Reporter Production History
• Stan Winston Penguin SFX Breakdown
• Stan Winston Army of Penguins SFX Breakdown
• Marlon Wayans Cast (Then Cut) as Robin
• Sean Young on Playing Catwoman Now
• Tim Burton on Returning to the Franchise
• Money Into Light Daniel Waters Interview
• ASC Cinematography Breakdown
• Empire Danny Elfman Interview
• AFI Production History
• Daniel Waters on Batman (1989)
• We Are Cult Production History
• “Batman 2” by Sam Hamm

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.