It's Catwoman and Bane for The Dark Knight Rises

Just announced, Anne Hathaway has been cast as Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. And apparently Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson) will play Bane, the muscle-bound villain last scene in 1995's Batman Forever.

I don't know, Catwoman and Bane just don't seem to jibe in Nolan's gritty, reality-based Caped Crusader crime sagas. Nor does Anne Hathaway for that matter. I think the next logical step for that world would have been the Riddler. And Tom Hardy would have made a cool one.

Mr. Nolan deserves the benefit of the doubt, though. If anyone can make these two characters work, it's him. We'll have to wait until July 2012 to see how it all plays out.

5 Films That Deserve Some Love In 2011

While we're all either making or breaking our New Year's resolutions, I thought it fitting to plead my case on a handful of long-neglected films that could use a little love on the home-video front in 2011.

Some 14 years into the digital format and the following five films have either not been released on DVD or they've been saddled with such sub-par editions it's downright laughable. They all deserve better and someone needs to step up and make it happen.

The Black Stallion - One of the most beautifully scored and photographed films of all time, this 1979 adaptation of Walter Farley's classic novel was released on DVD by MGM in 1998 with no extras and a non-remastered transfer and soundtrack. Someone like Criterion could really give this film the polish it deserves, especially on Blu-Ray.

The Color of Money - Martin Scorsese's classic 1986 follow-up to The Hustler was released on DVD by Touchstone in 2002 with no extras, a meek stereo soundtrack and a non-anamorphic transfer (even though the packaging claims to be 16:9 enhanced). As the film is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, what better time to clean things up.

High Road to China - Ok, so it's not one of AFI's Top 100 Films, but this 1983 adventure starring Tom Selleck is actually great fun on a Saturday afternoon and has a loyal following. It's never been released on DVD; as Warner Brothers held the video rights in the '80s, this would be a great title for their made-to-order Warner Archives Collection.

Matewan - John Sayles' powerful 1987 coal-mining drama was released on DVD by Artisan in 2001 with no extras and an unforgivable full-screen transfer. My 15-year-old videocassette copy looks better. This is another title for Criterion to take charge of.

Thief - Michael Mann's 1981 crime-noir thriller was released by MGM in 1998 with no extras, a limp stereo soundtrack and a non-anamorphic transfer. This film should crackle and spark for its 30th anniversary.

Director Peter Yates Dead at 82

Oscar-nominated director Peter Yates, whose versatile career included such films as Bullitt, Breaking Away and Krull, has died after a long illness. He was 82.

Born in Hampshire, England, Yates helmed more than 20 feature films over 32 years and seemed just as comfortable directing comedies and fantasies and he did thrillers and dramas.

Twice nominated for a Best Director Oscar, Yates orchestrated one of the greatest car chases ever put on film in the crime-thriller Bullitt, infused warmth and wit into the coming-of-age-comedy Breaking Away and turned Krull from a blatant Star Wars rip-off into an engaging and memorable fantasy adventure.

Other noteworthy Yates films include The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Mother Jugs and Speed, The Deep, The Dresser and Suspect.

Star Wars Saga Arriving on Blu-Ray in September

Just announced today at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, the complete Star Wars Saga will arrive on Blu-Ray this September (exact date still pending).

Fans will be able to buy all six films in one complete set or individually by trilogy (original or prequel). Amazon has listed the complete set at $89.99 and each trilogy at $44.99.

Nice to see Lucas offering each trilogy individually. I couldn't take Jar-Jar in 1080p.

Gerry Rafferty Dead At 63

The hits keep on coming this week. First actor Pete Postlethwaite , now Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty has died after a long illness. He was 63.

Don't remember Rafferty? I bet you remember his hit Baker Street, truly one of the greatest songs of the 70s. Six minutes of pure mellow bliss. According to The Guardian, that one song still netted him 80,000 pounds annually. Not a bad legacy. I know I'll never get tired of listening to it on a Sunday morning.

Pete Postlethwaite Dead At 64

Veteran character actor Pete Postlethwaite, best known for playing Daniel Day-Lewis' father in In the Name of the Father and the mysterious Kobayashi in The Usual Suspects , has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 64.

Born in Cheshire, England, Postlethwaite's career spanned nearly 100 film and television appearances over 35 years, including memorable performances in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Amistad and last year's Inception and The Town.

Known for his distinctive voice and working-class looks, Postlethwaite was virtually unknown to mainstream audiences prior to 1993. That all changed when director Jim Sheriden cast him in In the Name of the Father as a man accused of conspiring with his son in an IRA bombing. Postlethwaite received an Oscar nomination for the role and went on the next year to play the enigmatic Keyser Soze's cool-talking counselor, Kobayashi, in the hugely popular The Usual Suspects.

Thanks for all the great roles, Mr. Postlethwaite. You will be missed.

Film of the Day: The Poseidon Adventure

There's no better way to ring in the new year than this 1972 New Years Eve-set disaster film at sea. A tidal wave. An ocean-liner. Hackman. Borgnine. Red Buttons. A drenched Shelly Winters. What's not to love? Happy New Year!