Since The Dark Knight slapped up on the Silver Screen, there has been one thing the people have wanted.

The next Batman movie.

That's right; let's forget that it should feasibly take another 2 years--maybe 3--before anyone could respectfully write, film, produce and release another ridiculously high-caliber Batman movie to follow up. Forget how mind-explodingly good The Dark Knight was, let's get to the next movie already! Who will the villains be!? OMG!

This is all any self-respecting entertainment journalist with a microphone, keyboard, and/or mouth has asked of anyone within a 100 mile radius of anyone involved with the monstrously revamped Batman movie franchise. (What would YOU ask Christopher Nolan if you had him for 26 seconds and tape recorder??? Ed. Note: please no lewd comments) And all those people told all those entertainment journalists: (to paraphrase) There is no new Batman movie currently in the works. Please just let us digest having finished The Dark Knight before we even start thinking about what's next for the caped crusader.

Looks like the joke (hope you pun fans are keeping score; I just chalked up a fat one there) is on us. This newly released trailer from Warner Brothers reveals that Christopher Nolan's third installment in the Batman series is not only underway, but well on it's way to hit theaters this summer. And let me tell you; if you thought Ledger's Joker was phenomenal--then hold on to your butts. Who's the villain you say? Well riddle me this, riddle me that, Harvey Dent's back with a big black cat.

We don't do this much here at the Scene & Heard factory, but given the circumstance(s) of this week, we're taking a turn for the serious (gasp!) with today's YouTube Monday. Seriously, take a look around. See that? There is way too much going on in the serious world to focus on something sensational in the music, film, or pop culture realms. So serious we are; escapism can wait. (Can't take serious? I understand. Tune back in tomorrow when I'll surely be acting ridiculous as per usual again!)

Most obviously, today is Martin Luther King Day. Always an important day to remember and observe, certainly; but it takes remarkable precedence this year.



The Doc's dream that he spoke of and fought so valiantly for long ago marches across a new milestone this week with the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama.

But not because he will be our first black president.

Though you can argue some cast their vote for Obama solely because he is black (and not from Texas), I believe Obama was voted into office not because of his skin color, but because of the hope he represents, the fact that people don't think "ugh, another politician" when they watch him or listen to him. I'd like to think Obama won the vote on Nov. 4 because the majority of us believe in him--regardless of his experience or what he looks like. And that was the dream the Doc spoke of in front of the Lincoln Memorial all those years ago. Not about blacks winning equal opportunities from whites, but that no dream is out of reach for any man or woman. Heck, that's not even the Doc's dream. That is THE AMERICAN DREAM--although it was disgustingly unbalanced for a loooooong time, and Obama is an appropriate distinction to show how far that dream has come.

I've been in an argument or two (or thirty-seven) over the past few months where I've been told that all this hope and dream talk is ridiculously hokey and has noooooo credence or place in politics, especially given the current economic climate. Well, I continue to differ. Look around. 2009 looks bleak. People are losing jobs. Wars 'round the globe continue to rage. The economy continues in it's coma. Plus we got all that global warming business. And the Eagles lose, again.

And the flying cars! Where are the flying cars we were promised in the 21st century?

It seems we're losing everything, including belief in ourselves and the people that we love. Even my parents are in a disheartening tangle of not talking to one another. Everything is falling apart. Hokey hope and dreams right now are EXACTLY what we need; a beacon that continues to glow while the rest of the world's lights shut off around it. And if you listen to Obama talk about hope...he isn't asking us to believe in him, but to believe in ourselves and the change that we can make ourselves. That's inspiring, and that's what we need.

Obviously, I expect Obama to eventually walk the walk and will call him on it if he doesn't. But right now, his journey to the White House is enough to keep me going, hoping, and working to change myself for the better in this awfully depressing climate of affairs. 2009 is at once, the most exciting time to be a 24-year old homeboy in America, and the most depressing. It is a dark, cold hour.

Frankly, all that someone like me has right now is a dream.

Barack Obama's speech before last year's Martin Luther King Day at Doc's old church

That's what I'm thinking about this Martin Luther King day.

But let's not forget today is also the last day of George W. Bush's presidency. The most unpopular president since Nixon, totally, but I think some people will ease up on his legacy in the coming decades. He was a often a bumbling goon, often stubborn, and often went about certain things the wrong way (not to mention, in an un-American way). Buuuuut, was it really that bad of a thing that he knocked Sadam from power in the Middle East? He played dirty no doubt, but Sadam was no angel either. Bush always meant well for us, that I am sure.

And I'm sorry, but his megaphone address to September 11 rescue workers in the middle of the clean up carnage, is one of the most uplifting moments I've seen from a politician--no cue cards, no footing around what he's trying to say--just "I hear you. The world hears you. We are America." That was a message of hope--our president in the dirt with us, talking in a megaphone.



Remember, we consoled in Bush when we came under attack that year. Bush was the light of hope we needed then. Barack is the light of hope we need now.

"Brothers and sisters, we cannot walk alone. In the struggle for peace and justice, we cannot walk alone. In the struggle to heal this nation and repair this world, we cannot walk alone. So I ask you to walk with me, and march with me, and join your voice with mine, and together we will sing the song that tears down the walls that divide us, and lift up an America that is truly indivisible, with liberty, and justice, for all. May God bless the memory of the great pastor of this church, and may God bless the United States of America." - Barack Obama

Our hometown home boys in InnerPartySystem are back with yet ANOTHER video for their first single "Don't Stop." If you saw the first version, this new version prods the same veins (see: melting lipstick, zombified couple foaming of the mouth while watching TV, human Barbie & Ken dolls), but with a lot more band and a lot more performance, and thus a lot better. Cool video; check it out!



And since it's Monday, why not a bonus?! I stumbled across this short of them remaking a scene from The Big Lebowski, ala Spin Magazine. The System abides.

Remember the days when video killed the radio star? Well 2008 was the year that Real World killed the video star. The last place to catch music videos on MTV was TRL, which, oops got canceled this year. And then earlier this month, the music video grave was further cemented (lol! i love the headline of the link's story) over when MTV announced that it would adding even MORE reality television programming to it's already unwatchable listings. Time's is tough!

However, music videos are fighting to live long and prosper via YouTube and quite a few slick ones turned up this year. (MTV, you are the weakest link...goodbye!) So here's some of the best music videos from 2008. But first, let's bow our heads in remembrance for MTV and all the great years of music television it gave us, because that MTV is long since dead (tho, I am a regular frequenter and enjoyer of MTV.com and it's blogs for entertainment blabble). Fire up some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy.

Radiohead - House of Cards
Last year, Radiohead released a record called "In Rainbows" without rules or a record label. This year, they made a music video without using video cameras for one of the most haunting, tormented love songs from that album. I love this band.

Weezer - Pork & Beans

A music video for the YouTubers? One of 2008's more brilliant shimmers of light.

Arcade Fire - Black Mirror
These guys & gals gave up on MTV a good while ago (oddly enough, I didn't discover this band until I caught a video of their's on MTV2 a few years back when I was in college), and did something totally nuts for their Black Mirror video. They made it a hypnotic and interactive flash website where you are in charge of how the song sounds while the video plays. Your move, Radiohead.

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk

This is another one of those fun single shot camera timing-trick flicks that are always, ALWAYS a blast to watch. Especially with the Vamps spinning around, moving like robots, changing their bright wardrobes over and over, and all kinds of other fun little tricks. Dig when the guy on the keys spins around in the fake snow round the one minute mark! Electrifying!

M83 - Kim & Jessie

Sure, I was obviously won over by that steamy, sultry half minute mark. But it helps that the rest of the video is ridiculously playful, and the song itself is one of the greatest things 2008 is responsible for.

All American Rejects - Gives You Hell
I grew tired of the 'Jects 3 minutes into what I thought was their 5 minutes of fame (I gotta hand it to them for still ticking on after all this time), and this song hasn't changed my opinion. BUT! This video rules! I can't wait for summer to roll around again so that I can get up on the lawn tractor and rock out like that. Simply brilliant.

Miniature Tigers - Cannibal Queen

This is like the Vampire Weekend video, but with a cinematic story going on too! In which a dude cuts off his limbs to make a lover out of scratch who then cheats on him with a guy who looks like Jesse Ventura that she meets on the internet. Lost? Who cares? It's sick! And speaking of sick, dig the Jesse Ventura dude shredding up the barb-wire on that guitar solo! Nasty! And what's a miniature tiger anyway? A kitten???

I know I posted this last Christmas, but Santa is coming to town, and The Killers want to remind you that your life is on the line. Our fav jolly ol' elf isn't afraid to lay the smack down on all the bad boys and girls. I fancy this video so much, that watching it has become like listening to Bing Crosby by the fireplace on Christmas Eve.



And keep checking back for more songs of Christmas, because I got another Christmas dual to share with you. Song 2 will be posted later today.

As with any viral clip that the former Doogie Howser can weasel himself into, the Prop 8 musical (featuring an awesome Jack Black Jesus, mind you) has been all the rage on the nets lately. So it certainly has a home here on Youtube (even though it's from FunnyOrDie) Mondays.

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... by Jack Black

Well, the new Star Trek trailer hit the web last week... and while I've never been any kind of Trekkie, this new trailer has me as nerded up for the new movie the way The Dark Knight trailers geeked me out a year ago.

But what's even better than a new Star Trek movie with Spocks and Kirks and Scottys?

How bout' some Star Trek 2.0? Beam that up, baby.

And you thought the X-Games were off the wall? Check out today's YouTube clip. It will knock your pants off.

Well here we are, election eve. The respective campaigns would have you believe this is the most important choice America has had to make since democracy's inception. Which means you got a lot riding on your back when you are forced to choose Obama or McCain at the polls tomorrow. So for those who are split down the middle, there is only one fair way to settle this.

A dual!

But we can't have them handle this the way Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton did. We have to do this right.

A break dance dual! Who's the better man? You decide.

Tune in to Game 5 of The World Series tonight to catch our home town boy, Daryl Hall give the world some National Anthem, Phill-ay style.

This means we've won more games (series is 3-1, if you for some reason are wicked out of it) AND had way better anthem singers than Tampa Bay in this series. I mean, seriously. Backstreet Boys? Fail. Los Lonely Boys? Strike 2.

So let's kick Game 5 off right, with the Philly anthem in today's YouTube Monday clip. Here's to hoping the Phils get to dance at the top of the steps tonight, Rocky style.

Go Phils!

Well, the obvious new item on the inter-waves this Monday morn is the instantly classic Palin rap courtesy of one of the weirdest SNL episodes in recent memory. I still can't watch this clip without LOSING it when the moose waltzes onto the set, but dang did Poehler own that. Without further adieu..


But while that's as fantastic as it is, I spent more time this weekend memorized by this wacky little music video from Phoenix, Az band Miniature Tigers. A fun little indie band to keep an eye on, no doubt, but this quirky little Michel Gondry-style vid directed by JD Ryznar (Yacht Rock infamy) is one of the more poignant musiv vid's to catch my eye recently. Like seriously, how can you deny any video with a mustachioed brute who makes a guitar appear out of spontaneous combustion to rip into a killer solo? So sick!

Any other good music videos floating around recently? Please share in the comments. I'm hungry for that sort of thing right now.

Well, after digging up the High Fidelity clip in my last post, I felt obligated to start this week off right; with another High Fidelity clip. This one being the infamous Monday Morning mix tape scene.

"C'mon, don't you want to hear what's next?"

It's hard not to point out the things that make us all different. But it's even harder to ignore the few intrinsic things that make us all one. Today's video is one of those things, with a little dude named Matt Harding who left his job as a video game developer to spend the past 14 months dancing like a white fool around the world at some of the coolest and most surreal landmarks and locales imaginable. And the world joined him.

Just try to watch this video without smiling to yourself. It rules. Ladies and gentlemen, "Where The Hell is Matt?"



What's more, this wasn't Matt's first international dance off. Here's the first one, just as special, considered one of the best original videos to ever be made for YouTube.



And aw heck, just for fun, check Mario get his Tony Manero on.

If you were featured on a previous YouTube Monday here, chances are you might be in the new Weezer video. And you hear this song? It's like we're Weezer from the mid-90s again! Absolutely on fire! Of course, the rest of their new album (in stores today) is total eh. But hey, a new Weezer album is like a new Indiana Jones movie--good, even when it's bad.

Weezer - "Pork & Beans"

This week's YouTube Monday is presented to you without it's usual arty graphic to indicate that it's YouTube Monday. Why? because I'm at war with the internets today and so far, I'm losing. But hey, here's your video. It's simple; a complacently-expressioned dude with musical talent in the crevice of his hands. Dig it!

It's an utterly cold Monday morning, so let's be blunt today.

Here's a movie that's a bit hard to swallow! To today's teenage boys flooding out of their eye sockets with hormones, there is nothing scarier than falling for a girl who is living out a pledge of chastity. Hence the latest--albeit weirdest--horrorflick to flicker across the big screen, aptly titled "Teeth."

I'll let the movie trailer do most of the talking, but I have to say that the phrase "sex can be a weapon" has never packed more oompth than in this movie.

Wonder if she'll ever have to get her wisdom teeth taken out?