Having just watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, I’m in the mood for something slightly more uplifting than watching small children being murdered at the hands of their own fathers in an ironic twist of fate that I may have just spoiled for anyone who hasn’t yet seen it. Ah well, it’s not exactly the most cheery of films anyway, so maybe choose something else from the Pyjama canon of works – perhaps Bananas in Pyjamas or something like that. Anyway, rambling isn’t getting me anywhere, so I’m channeling the spirit of movie merch nostalgia once again to try and cheer the whole ruddy miserable world up. And with that in mind, this week’s cornucopia of merchandising magic comes courtesy of a phenomenal Joker action figure from Sideshow, a set of incredible Art Nouveau posters from a bona fide legend-in-the-making artist and a winning blast from the past from Tiger Electronics…

Why Watch? Because you’ve always wondered who would win in a fight between Batman and… The legality of all this is completely unclear (to a simple caveman like me), and it would be a shame to ruin the surprise of the characters who show up here, but Batman has to take on some baddies that are new to Gotham. All of them are iconic to film fans, but they’re fresh off the boat as far as Bruce Wayne is concerned. This extended fight sequence was written and directed by Sandy Collora who has done creature effects, design and gained some acclaim for writing/directing Hunter Prey recently. Plus, it features Andrew Koening (yes, the guy who played Boner on Growing Pains) as a surprisingly creepy Joker, and a Batman that sounds like Keaton mated with Bale (in the good way). Enjoy geeking out. Or biding your time before The Dark Knight Rises hits your eyeballs. What does it cost? Just 6 minutes of your time.

You’ve stumbled upon Circle of Jerks, our sporadically published, weekly feature in which we ask the questions that really matter to our writers and readers. It’s a time to take a break from our busy lives and revel in the one thing that we all share: a deep, passionate love of movies. If you have a question you’d like answered by the FSR readers and staff, send us an email at editors@filmschoolrejects.com. What villains have you liked more than their hero counterparts? – Nathan S.

One of the best findings this site ever made was the pair of Freddy Krueger Nikes that were circulating a while back. If you’re both a movie fan and pay attention to what kicks you wear, this new discovery should also cause your blood pressure to rise just slightly. Don’t complain to your doctor that we didn’t warn you.

If you want any more proof as to what a dollar can do in the filming industry these days, look no further. With the belching bloat of some studio productions that spend $2 million on bagels (the good kind), it seems almost paradoxical, but on the other side of the fence is the lowering cost of making a short film of your very own. So that’s what you do – especially if you’re Aaron Schoenke, and you want to make a calling card with one of the most famous bat-obsessed super heroes.

Fans are calling for Heath Ledger’s rendition of The Joker in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster bash The Dark Knight to be acknowledged as the pinnacle of the character’s representation on film.

Rachel Weisz as Cat Woman? Robert Pattinson as The Joker? Is anyone taking this seriously?

DC Comics has hooked our good friends over at /Film up with an awesome first look at the upcoming cover of MAD magazine, which is due to hit stores on December 16th.

The Joker doesn’t really come off as the fighting type, but as you can see in the new Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe game… it would be pretty damn fun to play as The Joker.

I’m sure that you remember the various film themed sneakers that we have featured on the site. Well another awesome pair has been brought to our attention by an FSR reader.

While I’m happy with the concept that was used in the actual film, can you imagine how much darker the film might have been with one of these concepts?

You can now wear a piece of The Joker’s lunacy right across your chest for just $22.94. I’m sold.

We all know how people are going to flock to The Dark Knight this weekend, especially in IMAX theaters. I don’t know if it’s wise to drink before seeing this in IMAX, but who am I to judge?

If you’re anything like me then you are counting down the hours until The Dark Knight is released. Well, it looks like the Joker has the film on his mind too. He laid waste to all the promotional items that Warner Bros. has put out for the most anticipated movie of the year.

No other superhero has changed faces or directions more, for better or worse, than the Caped Crusader. Batman’s long strange trip through film is a tale of success, followed by a hellacious fall. But as Alfred would remind us, “Why do we fall,sir? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”

I may be $20 closer to the poor house, but at least everyone will know I’m a bum with style.

It’s been over a year since the viral marketing for The Dark Knight really got cranked up. In that time, people have learned second languages, taken first steps, and gotten promotions at work. I, on the other hand, have spent most of my time following the ad campaign and avoiding showers.

An early whispering campaign has already begun in Hollywood for a posthumous Oscar to be awarded to Heath Ledger for his brilliant performance of the villainous Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.

“Yeah, it’s the most fun I’ve had, playing a role.” said the late Heath Ledger in an interview with FHM Online while the actor was on location in Chicago during the filming of The Dark Knight in 2007.

I took one look at it and I said “Oh my god, I need this!” You can expect it in stores in August, which will probably be the month you have to go on welfare after all the awesome Dark Knight collectibles hit stores.