Redoing My Life (Modern Family)

YouTube Video from the Channel: JakeTalksComics

The video is titled "IT'S TIME! GOING TO SEE THE BATMAN!"

The screen fades in to reveal Jake, a bald-headed, average-looking man in his mid-30s, standing outside a movie theater.

"Hey guys, it's Jake here," he says, grinning at the camera. "Today is the day. The Batman—the movie we've been waiting for—is finally here."

He takes a deep breath, exhaling with excitement. "Man, this is crazy. I started this channel two years ago, when the first rumors about DC's new movies started floating around. I just wanted to talk about it—speculate, share my thoughts, and see if anyone out there cared as much as I did. And now… this channel took off, changed my life… and I'm finally about to watch The Batman—numero uno."

Jake walks toward the theater entrance. "I've seen the reviews—critics are loving it, but hey, I'll judge for myself."

As he enters the building, he continues talking about his expectations. "I've made so many videos speculating about this movie—who's going to appear, how it will connect to the upcoming films. They're doing it the Marvel way, after all."

He keeps talking as it's soon time for the movie to start.

Jake stops walking and turns the camera to face him directly. "Alright, I'm going in now. I'll see you guys when I get out."

The video cuts to black.

When the footage returns, Jake is standing outside the theater again—but this time, his face tells a different story. His eyes are wide, his lips trembling. He's emotional.

He breathes out, shaking his head in disbelief. "I… I have no words."

He pauses, trying to collect himself, but his voice wavers with emotion.

"This… this is Batman," he says, almost in a whisper. "This is the Batman movie I've been waiting for my entire life."

Jake lets out a short laugh, rubbing his face as if trying to ground himself.

"Christopher Nolan… Daniel Adler… you guys… you made me happy," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "I—" He stops, taking another breath, visibly holding back tears.

"The Batman was amazing. Worth the wait. Worth everything. I'm so happy right now."

He shakes his head again, still overwhelmed. "I'll have a full review up soon, but for now… just know—this movie is special."

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YouTube Video: "The Batman - Spoiler Review"

The video starts with Jake sitting in his usual recording setup—a dimly lit room with comic book posters and Batman collectibles lining the shelves behind him. The title card fades in: "The Batman - Spoiler Review."

Jake leans forward in his chair, hands clasped together.

"Alright, guys—this is it. The spoiler review. If you haven't seen the movie yet, stop watching now. Go check out my non-spoiler review from yesterday. But if you have seen it—let's get into it."

He takes a deep breath, eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Now, I already talked about cinematography, direction, and all that technical stuff in my previous video, so today I just want to focus on the plot. The story. The heavy stuff. And man—there's a lot to talk about."

Jake gestures with his hands. "First off—the opening."

"I like how Bruce literally just falls into the Batcave as a child, and they kept circling back to this moment throughout the film. They really explore his fear, his guilt, and how he eventually overcomes it."

"And his dad coming to save him? That was such a poignant scene. It really establishes the father-son relationship early on."

"Speaking of father figures—Michael Caine as Alfred? Fantastic. The guy's just a legend. He's not your super badass, ex-SAS Alfred like in some other versions, but he doesn't need to be. His role in this movie is emotional and supportive. You really feel his concern for Bruce. And honestly? That's more than enough."

"The new character Rachel Dawes—now, I don't hate her, but… she was just okay for me. I get her role in the story—she's there to remind Bruce of his humanity—but I really hope they don't push a romance angle too hard in the sequels. By the end of the movie, it kinda seemed like they resolved that, so… fingers crossed."

Jake suddenly leans in, eyes wide with enthusiasm.

"Now this is where I start losing my mind. Jensen Ackles as Batman? Phenomenal. He looks like Bruce Wayne. He looks and sounds like Batman. The voice, the physicality, the intensity—it's all on point. You believe this guy has spent years training his body and mind to fight crime."

"And you know who we have to thank for this casting? Daniel Adler. This man does not miss. I remember when the casting was first announced, and some people were skeptical—but damn, did it pay off."

"I know it's only been one movie, but I'm saying it now—Jensen Ackles is already the best live-action Batman. I've already sung praises of him in my last video… I cannot wait to see what they do with him next."

The video continues for a while, with Jake praising Commissioner Gordon and the cast's chemistry.

"Alright—now let's talk about some big story stuff, the villains, and, of course, that insane post-credits tease."

"So, first off, let's talk about the villains. We had two major ones in this movie. Scarecrow was more of a secondary villain, but damn, Cillian Murphy absolutely killed it in the role. He was creepy, unsettling, and those fear toxin scenes? Straight-up nightmare fuel. If they bring him back in future movies, I won't complain at all."

"But the real big bad of the movie was Ra's al Ghul, played by Liam Neeson. Now, I'll be honest—I thought he was good, but he didn't amaze me like I hoped. He was a solid villain, and I liked how they explored Bruce's moral dilemma through him. But for me, the most interesting thing is what this sets up for the future. Because let's be real—Ra's al Ghul never stays dead. The League of Shadows is out there, and I guarantee we haven't seen the last of them."

"Now, here's where things get really interesting. If you were paying attention during the Arkham Asylum scenes, there were some major teases for future Batman villains."

"For starters, Black Mask was mentioned in passing—nothing major, just a name drop—but that's huge. That means he exists in this universe. And I swear I caught a reference to Selina Kyle. I think it was in a newspaper article or something Bruce was reading, talking about some kind of heist? I need to rewatch the movie to confirm, but if Selina is out there, Catwoman might be coming soon."

"But none of that even comes close to the biggest surprise of the movie: Dick Grayson is in it."

Jake leans forward, eyes wide with excitement.

"Yes, they actually introduced Dick Grayson. The moment when Bruce finds him after his family's murder? That was heartbreaking. And the fact that they already set him up as a potential Robin? That's massive. Now, some people might say it's too early—since, in the movie, Batman has only been active for about a year—but honestly? I trust Christopher Nolan and Daniel Adler to handle it right. They clearly have a plan."

"Also, I need to see Selina in the next one. I feel like they're building toward it."

"Okay. Now for the juiciest part."

Jake takes a deep breath, grinning.

"The Joker."

"The Joker was teased in the end-credits scene. And let me tell you—the moment that Joker card showed up, my theater lost it."

"Now, the way they did it was so smart. Gordon tells Batman that they're seeing more criminals dressing up ever since he started fighting crime in costume. And then, he hands him a playing card—a Joker card—and says there's a new gang in the city, led by a guy who dresses like a clown."

Jake shakes his head, still in awe.

"I love this tease. And man, I cannot wait to see what direction they go with him. Are they gonna go for a more classic take? Or something completely different?"

"And also—are they going to bring in Harley Quinn at some point? That's another big question. I really hope they do."

Jake leans back in his chair, taking a deep breath.

"This movie set up so much for the future. And if this is just the beginning of the DCU? Oh man—we are in for one hell of a ride."

The video fades to black with a final message: "Let me know your thoughts in the comments. See you in the next video!"

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The Batman Shatters Records With $190 Million Opening Weekend

By Elias Smith | The Hollywood Reporter

The Dark Knight has indeed returned in record-breaking fashion.

Christopher Nolan and Daniel Adler's The Batman has exceeded all expectations, raking in a massive $190 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend. Not only does this mark the biggest opening for a superhero film, but it also breaks the record previously held by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which debuted with $169 million in 2011.

Heading into its debut, box office projections for The Batman were strong, with analysts estimating an opening between $90 to $100 million. However, strong word-of-mouth, glowing critical reviews, and overwhelming enthusiasm from fans propelled the film to nearly double those early expectations.

Globally, The Batman has amassed an astonishing $420 million in its first three days, making it one of the biggest global openings of all time. Some other notable figures from the film's record-setting weekend include:

Thursday Previews: $28.3 millionIMAX & Premium Formats: $55 million (showing strong audience demand for high-end experiences)International Box Office: $230 million from 75 markets, including a stunning $45 million debut in China

With this explosive start, The Batman is now on track to potentially cross the $1 billion mark before the end of the month. If it maintains its momentum, it could become one of the highest-grossing movies of all time.

This success is a major win for DC Studios and its parent company, Stardust, which has been crafting its cinematic universe under the guidance of Daniel Adler. With Wonder Woman and Superman already in the works, The Batman's monumental success only solidifies the DC Universe's future as a box office powerhouse.

A Revival of the Superhero Genre?

Since the '80s, the dominance of superhero films had faded, but The Batman has proven otherwise. Coming off the back of Marvel's continued success, it's now evident that audiences still have an insatiable appetite for comic book adaptations.

"This is a defining moment for superhero films," said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore. "With The Batman delivering a record-breaking performance and Marvel continuing its success, we are witnessing the revival of the genre in a way that will shape Hollywood for years to come."

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Fox to Reboot X-Men Franchise 

By Tracy Williams | The Hollywood Reporter

After the massive success of The Batman and the upcoming release of The Avengers, it seems that 20th Century Fox is ready to revamp its X-Men franchise. According to industry insiders, the studio is developing a fresh take on the mutants, starting with a film centered on a young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, better known as Professor X and Magneto.

While no official confirmation has been made, the move signals a potential soft reboot for the X-Men universe, which has struggled with inconsistent reception in recent years.

With Marvel and DC both dominating the box office, it makes sense for Fox to reinvigorate one of its biggest superhero properties.

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The Batman Crosses $1 Billion in Just 20 Days, Becoming DC's Highest-Grossing Film Ever

By Elias Smith | The Hollywood Reporter

It's official: The Batman has soared past $1 billion at the global box office in just 20 days, making it the second-fastest film to reach the milestone—just behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which achieved the feat in 19 days.

Christopher Nolan and Daniel Adler's reimagining of the Dark Knight has exceeded all expectations, becoming DC Studios' highest-grossing film ever and cementing the superhero genre's dominance at the box office.

The Batman's record-shattering performance continues to defy industry projections. Key financial milestones include:

Domestic Box Office: $470 million

International Box Office: $540 million

IMAX & Premium Formats: Over $150 million globally

China Box Office: $110 million

Can Marvel's The Avengers Break This Record?

While The Batman has dominated the month of May, all eyes are now on Marvel Studios' highly anticipated The Avengers, which is set to release in June.

Industry insiders are already speculating whether The Avengers can outpace The Batman's record-setting run. Given the buildup over the past few years—with Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and The Incredible Hulk all laying the groundwork—Marvel's first major crossover event has massive potential.

Early box office tracking suggests The Avengers could debut north of $200 million in its opening weekend, potentially challenging The Batman's own impressive start. With the growing popularity of interconnected superhero universes, Marvel's ensemble film could easily surpass The Batman at the box office—but only time will tell how both films ultimately compare.

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@MattJ_872: Just saw The Batman and I'm HOOKED. I need to read some comics ASAP. Where do I start? Help me out, Twitter!

💬 Replies:

@LeoBaker_993: Welcome to the Bat-family! Start with Batman: Year One and The Long Halloween. They're basically required reading.

@TheRealNick23: Comics? Nah, just rewatch the movie 10 more times like I'm about to.

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@Chris_Winters94: The Avengers are NOT touching The Batman's box office numbers. They're toast.

💬 Replies:

@TonyD_563: Marvel really had to move their release date because Batman pulled up. LMAO.

@Jenna_Karlsson12: Imagine what Justice League will make if a solo Batman movie is doing this kind of damage.

@Paul_Baker_771: Marvel paved the way for this. Without Iron Man Thor and Cap, Adler wouldn't even have a DCU to build.

@DannyRivers89: Oh please, Adler is just copying what Marvel did first. DC is playing catch-up.

@RickyT_23: Y'all are delusional. The Avengers will hit $2 BILLION EASY. Batman was mid.

@DCStan_45: Yeah bro, that's why Avengers had to change release dates to not get bodied. Stay mad.

@MarvelRules_314: Enjoy your little Batman moment while it lasts. Once Avengers drops, it's over.

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Reddit Post on r/DCU

Just Saw The Batman—What Are Your Reviews?

Just got out of The Batman, and I'm still processing how GOOD it was. Seriously, this feels like the perfect start to the DCU. Jensen Ackles absolutely killed it as Bruce.

I want to hear your thoughts! What did you love? Anything you didn't like? Let's discuss!

Top Comments:

BatFan_92:

Easily the best Batman movie we've ever gotten. Nolan and Adler knew EXACTLY what they were doing. Jensen is perfect—he's got the voice, the presence, and the intensity. And finally, we're getting an age-appropriate Robin!

TheRealDCGuy:

This was everything I wanted. Gotham was terrifying, Batman felt like a detective and not just a guy who punches criminals, and that tease at the end? We're getting Joker in the next one. IT'S HAPPENING!

NotBruceWayne:

I love Michael Caine, but he feels a bit too old for Alfred. I kind of wanted someone younger who could be more hands-on. Maybe that's just me.

TwingSoon:

I love how they're setting up Dick Grayson right from the start. No weird timeline skips, no "oh, he was here the whole time" nonsense. Just a solid build-up. Adler knows what he's doing.

RogersTheGreat:

I liked the movie, but I wasn't a fan of Rachel Dawes. She just felt unnecessary. This should've been Selina Kyle's role. I hope they bring Catwoman in for the next one.

MattHatesClowns:

This was great cinema. The way they handled Bruce's trauma, the League of Shadows, and Gotham's corruption was brilliant. I love how this movie sets up so much for the future while still standing on its own.

DModeOn:

I'm just happy Batman actually does detective work in this movie. The way he pieces things together, the intimidation tactics—it all felt so right. We finally have THE Batman.

Knightfall87:

The suit is still too stiff for me. The fight scenes were great, but the suit looks like it limits his movement. I hope they tweak it in the next one.

TimeLordNerd:

So the movie is set in 2002, but Adler already confirmed Superman and Wonder Woman happen in the 2010s. That means Batman is going to be REALLY experienced and older when the Justice League happens. I wonder how they'll handle that.

RonEra:

I think most of the Batman movies will take place in the 2000s. It gives time for Robin to grow up properly. Maybe we even get multiple Robins?

Mtiveory:

Did anyone else catch Metropolis and Central City being mentioned? IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER, BOYS.

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Forum Post: Glad The Avengers Moved Its Release Date!

HeroFanatic_101

Man, I'm so glad The Avengers moved its release date. If it had gone up against The Batman, it would've been absolutely destroyed. The Batman is breaking records left and right, and it's the most talked-about movie right now. Marvel was smart to move, because if they had kept their original date, it would've been a bloodbath.

Top Replies:

StarkIndustriesFTW

Relax, buddy. The Avengers is the most anticipated superhero movie right now, just like The Batman was for DC fans. Both would've done fine, but releasing at the same time would've hurt both studios. It was a smart business decision, not Marvel "running away."

GothamKnight22

Nah, Marvel knew what was coming. The Batman is on track to be one of the biggest movies of all time. The hype is REAL. If The Avengers had released at the same time, it would've been crushed.

Cap4Life

Lmao, you DC guys are funny. You really think The Avengers wouldn't hold its own? This is Marvel's first big team-up movie! We're talking Iron Man, Cap, Thor, Hulk—this thing is going to print money. The Batman is doing great, no doubt, but don't act like Marvel is scared.

SpeedforceJay

Why do we always have to fight over this? We're finally getting the superhero movies we've always wanted. Hell, both studios even have a good relationship! Just enjoy the golden age of comic book movies, guys.

SuperHeroUnite

Agreed. We're about to witness two of the biggest superhero movies ever. This competition is good for us fans—it means both studios will keep pushing for quality movies. Win-win.

TheJokerLaughs

Okay, but imagine if they HAD released on the same weekend. The internet would've exploded.

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After the Avengers came out.

@MarkusJ_87

Omg, omg—ADLER WAS IN THE AVENGERS!!! The motherfucker was literally playing chess with STAN LEE!!

💬Replies: 

@Carter4Real

I SAW IT TOO!!! Dude was just casually sitting there, playing as black in chess with Stan Lee.

@DianaFan_94

Wait, he was playing as black?? That's actually hilarious, lmao.

@MovieBuffMax

STOP WITH THE SPOILERS!

@NerdyJay

Wait, wait—is he really there, or are y'all trolling?

@TheRealComicGeek

Yeah, he's REALLY there. It's in the Stan Lee cameo scene—you have to pay close attention, but it's 100% him.

@LiamMovies

[Attached Image]

Yeah, that's totally him. Dude even changed his hair a bit, but I RECOGNIZE THAT FACE.

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You can read up to chapter 179

p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)