The Dark Knight

[ResidentAlien]

Nobody was saying that The Dark Knight won't or can't be better. I just stated that to me Begins was a perfect Batman story. I would expect the same from Nolan in a sequel. I could give a rat's a$$ what you think!

What the hell is your point?


If you could "give a rat's ass" about Spalko's opinion then why bother responding?


You can and do care very much what Spalko says.



Baaaah. Baaaah.

[Ska]

I was right about KOTCS. I'm almost always right on my predictions.

...and what you don't already know, you find out the, what is the expression, old-fashion way.

[agentsands77]

So it's okay when Nolen does a new take on Batman, but not Tim Burton? Yeah, that makes sense. :confused:
When did I say it wasn't okay with Tim Burton? :confused:

[Agent Spalko]

...and what you don't already know, you find out the, what is the expression, hard way.

Yes.... The Phantom Menace.

[Ska]

haha

I can't enter a single thread without everyone being pissed at Spalko! Sorry ResidentAlien, it looks like we got a new bad guy in town.

You sure do make the place "lively"! :up:

[Michael24]

When did I say it wasn't okay with Tim Burton? :confused:
Sorry. My reply wasn't deliberately directed at you. It was just in reference to what you were saying, how Nolan is simply doing a new take instead of just copying the comic book, and I've seen many fans complaining about Batman Returns for basically the same reason. It's like it's a double standard or something.

[Ska]

I think most of the Raven members need to physically read "in my opinion" after each of your posts.

People seem to forget that messageboards are full of opinions.

Not everyone shares the same ideas. That's what makes us individuals.

To everyone who has a problem with Agent Spalko:
Don't take offense to the posts. Use them as a method of seeing the other side of the fence. You might just see things in a different light.

[sandiegojones]

To everyone who has a problem with Agent Spalko:
Don't take offense to the posts. Use them as a method of seeing the other side of the fence. You might just see things in a different light.

I don't take offense to the posts. Stating opinions is what this site is for, but when your opinion declared untrue and someone else claims theirs is fact, that's when I get upset.

[sandiegojones]

Fact, Batman Begins is flawed.

Like I said, you claim your opinion is fact, therefore believing that your opinion invalidates my opinion somehow.

Maybe you should read what you type more clearly if you feel I'm making baseless accusations.

[Agent Spalko]

Like I said, you claim your opinion is fact, therefore believing that your opinion invalidates my opinion somehow.

Maybe you should read what you type more clearly if you feel I'm making baseless accusations.

Reciprocally what makes your opinion any more valid? You stated yours, I stated mine, but you're the one who felt threatened by mine as if it was invalidating your own and proceeded to resort to verbal insults. That's your problem, not mine.

[Crusade>Raiders]

Neither one of you are "right", but don't go around stating your opinion as fact.

[sandiegojones]

Reciprocally what makes your opinion any more valid?
Nothing makes it more valid, but I did not use the word FACT.

I stated my opinion first and I believe it was you who made the intial repsonse stating that, in FACT, BB is flawed and that my opinion was wrong. You can go just 2 pages back and see for yourself!

[Agent Spalko]

Fact: The Dark Knight will make Kingdom of the Crystal Bore look like fly turds on the window. :p

[sandiegojones]

Fact: The Dark Knight will make Kingdom of the Crystal Bore look like fly turds on the window. :p
I thought a bigger man would make a more intelligent response! :rolleyes:

FACT, on page 50 & 51 you attacked my opinion with absolutely no instigating from me. All I said was to me, BB was a perfect Batman film - not film in general, but just a perfect Batman film. You threw the first stone.

[Moedred]

You can go just 2 pages back and see for yourself!
Not if I have to keep deleting your posts, Spalko and sandiego. If you can't PM this argument amongst yourselves, that means it's either no fun without an audience or not worth having (possibly both).

[Agent Spalko]

I thought a bigger man would make a more intelligent response! :rolleyes:

FACT, on page 50 & 51 you attacked my opinion with absolutely no instigating from me. All I said was to me, BB was a perfect Batman film - not film in general, but just a perfect Batman film. You threw the first stone.

Fact: You really are delusional and paranoid if you think I ever attacked your opinion. Merely just by disagreeing with you that's throwing the first stone? Now THAT is being closed-minded. Apparently everyone has to agree with you otherwise they are perceived as attacking your opinion.

Fact: Batman Begins is not a perfect film. It's damn good, but far from perfect. The Dark Knight will be better. By this weekend you'll see.

[RocketSledFight]

3 nights from now I'm probably going to be pissing myself...

[ResidentAlien]

Just snagged my tickets. Two for Friday at 7:30 at the Historic Senator Theater of Baltimore. Quite anxious.

[No Ticket]

Just snagged my tickets. Two for Friday at 7:30 at the Historic Senator Theater of Baltimore. Quite anxious.

I've already got mine. I'm arriving two hours early to ensure that I get good seats. They've already sold out of both the midnight showings.

[Agent Z]

I think you guys will like the film. I'm going back for a second showing later in the week, but then I'm sometimes accused of (on this forum) as being easy to please with films of this nature. ;)

Hmmm, I wonder if "The Man" is alright? :confused: This is practically his thread and no posts from him lately. I hope he is doing well wherever he is.

[Agent Spalko]

Got my Imax tix but I just realized I still have my free ticket from the Batman Begins bluray so looks like I'll be going again on Friday. :up:

[Agent Crab]

People in my area have been buyin' tickets as is in my area. Damn. I hate to go on opening day. When I go, I'll probily go when the herd thins out.

[Forbidden Eye]

I checked the two theatres closest to me(well there's one at the mall, but I'd like to pretend it doesn't exist :down:) and while the one farther away had 5 showings(one at the IMAX) on opening, and they all were sold out, that they even put out a 3:00 showing. While the theatre closest to me only has one showing and it's not even sold out yet. :confused:

Either my city isn't as big as I think it is or the area where I live just doesn't hold many film fans.

Either way, I'll sit out opening weekend on this one! :p :D

[Agent Crab]

I checked the two theatres closest to me(well there's one at the mall, but I'd like to pretend it doesn't exist :down:) and while the one farther away had 5 showings(one at the IMAX) on opening, and they all were sold out, that they even put out a 3:00 showing. While the theatre closest to me only has one showing and it's not even sold out yet. :confused:

Either my city isn't as big as I think it is or the area where I live just doesn't hold many film fans.

Either way, I'll sit out opening weekend on this one! :p :D


Gonna be waitin' as well?

I swear, our threater will be packed on opening day.

[Dr.Sartorius]

Hmmm, I wonder if "The Man" is alright? This is practically his thread and no posts from him lately. I hope he is doing well wherever he is.

Who gives a ****?

[ResidentAlien]

Who gives a ****?

http://pics.livejournal.com/cutetoes/pic/000k6qah

[bonoferox]

Only 8.5 hours until I see it :)

[sandiegojones]

I'm dying to see this but may have to wait. My son is only 3 and I doubt I can take him to this even though I let him watch "Begins" (I may have to go alone, but my wife hates when I do that). It's hard to get a babysitter out in the desert since I still don't know too many people. I HATE PHOENIX! :down: I wish I still lived in L.A. or DC...damn work relocation!

[Agent Spalko]

Review from The Digital Bits:

Okay... so I had a pretty good evening last night. An opportunity presented itself yesterday that I couldn't turn down, cold be damned. So I cleaned up and made my way to Universal CityWalk for an IMAX press screening of Warner's The Dark Knight. And let me just say... wow. This is the best film of the summer, and it's arguably the finest superhero movie to date. Actually, calling The Dark Knight a superhero movie seems to cheapen it somehow. This is simply a great piece of filmmaking - sophisticated, intelligent and uncompromising. It grounds the boilerplate comic-book trappings in a context that seems more real and immediate that we've seen before, even in the first film. It delivers everything you'd hope for in terms of action, and then it delivers on a whole other level as well. Without spoiling anything, the plot can perhaps best be described as a psychological dissection of the nature of good and evil, and the perilously fine line that often separates the two. This film is truly dark. This is Batman for adults, so don't bring the younger kiddies to this one. Every single piece of the chain holds tight: acting, production design, direction - all of it. I don't want to say too much about Heath Ledger's Joker, because you just really need to experience it yourself. But I will say I think the posthumous Oscar talk is well founded. His performance makes Nicholson's Joker seem almost cartoonish by comparison... and I loved Nicholson's take. But Ledger's is a cinema villain for the ages. If you can, see the film in IMAX format, because it really gives the action scenes that little extra punch when suddenly the image expands to fill the complete IMAX screen (something we hear the Blu-ray will replicate). More than once an audible gasp passed through the audience when it happened in the screening I attended. The Dark Knight is like an origami made out of black construction paper, that keeps unfolding and revealing itself right to the very end. If it's not quite a true masterpiece of cinema, it certainly (and legitimately) deserves recognition amid the ranks of other classic big-screen crime dramas. And it's without question the new masterpiece of the 'superhero' genre, raising the bar for everything that comes next. The film opens this Friday, and I'm betting it's going to break all kinds of records, because I defy you to see it once and not want to see it again. Absolutely don't miss it.

By the way, Larry King was at the screening last night too, so I suspect he'll soon call Dark Knight: "The best superhero movie I ever saw!" For once, he'll be right.

[bonoferox]

Just got back from the advance screening and holy hell.......You have GOT to see this in Imax

[HovitosKing]

I'm dying to see this but may have to wait. My son is only 3 and I doubt I can take him to this even though I let him watch "Begins" (I may have to go alone, but my wife hates when I do that). It's hard to get a babysitter out in the desert since I still don't know too many people. I HATE PHOENIX! :down: I wish I still lived in L.A. or DC...damn work relocation!

I guess "earmuffs" and "blaster shields" wouldn't work in this case, lol. But maybe...

[Crusade>Raiders]

Just got back from the advance screening and holy hell.......You have GOT to see this in Imax

But the nearest IMAX theater is 90 mins away

Screw that, gas money aint cheap :D

[muttjones]

But the nearest IMAX theater is 90 mins away

Screw that, gas money aint cheap :D

well mine is just down the street and i'm seeing it this week!!:D

[DarthMickey]

Well I've just seen the Movie. Better wait and judge the film yourself. All the gushing is just a matter of choice. The worst part about this film is the Jokers parts.You will see what I mean when you see it.They come in and out of the film like there tossed in like a sub plot.All the oscar talk is really a joke. But then again they gave a Oscar to M-Moore the slobinator. Jack Nicholson is still the Joker.The Movie is Good, not great and certainly not the best comic book movie ever made. You will be looking at your watch! :dead:

[HovitosKing]

My worst fear is that Ledger's death is going to paint people's perceptions of this film and have people saying that it's something it isn't. I'll reserve judgment until I see it, but it can't be as good as everyone's saying it is...

[Agent Spalko]

Ledger's death has absolutely no bearing on his performance. This role would have sealed his position in the A-list stratosphere anyway. I love Jack Nicholson as the Joker but he played it like a gangster thug and not a true psychopathic killer like the comic books. Ledger nails the way the Joker is depicted in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum. He ain't no kiddie Joker. Ledger's will go down as one of the most sadistic madmen in film history and will make Hannibal Lector look like an amateur lightweight.

[bonoferox]

Ledger's death has absolutely no bearing on his performance. This role would have sealed his position in the A-list stratosphere anyway. I love Jack Nicholson as the Joker but he played it like a gangster thug and not a true psychopathic killer like the comic books. Ledger nails the way the Joker is depicted in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum. He ain't no kiddie Joker. Ledger's will go down as one of the most sadistic madmen in film history and will make Hannibal Lector look like an amateur lightweight.

I agree with you 100% on this. The first time we see Joker in costume with the mob leaders he does one act that just shows how maniacal he is. It was really well done and the theater applauded.

I was also suprised by how much Gary Oldman seemed to grow in the role of Gordon. He really stole almost every scene he was in

[Maybe.Not Today]

I saw it last night, and I loved it. Personally I thought Ledger gave an outstanding performance, and the script was one of the best written I've seen this year.:up:

[Shortie]

I do want to see this but I have 2 problems, right now no one wants to see it with me & I don't feel like giving this movie money because of the fanboys. Over at Super Hero Hype they go over to other forums & troll it. (Hulk & Hellboy praticularly, they used to do IM before it was a hit)

I'm looking forward to the interrogation scene, I dunno why but that scene looks awesome.

[Agent Z]

Ledger's death has absolutely no bearing on his performance. This role would have sealed his position in the A-list stratosphere anyway. I love Jack Nicholson as the Joker but he played it like a gangster thug and not a true psychopathic killer like the comic books. Ledger nails the way the Joker is depicted in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum. He ain't no kiddie Joker. Ledger's will go down as one of the most sadistic madmen in film history and will make Hannibal Lector look like an amateur lightweight.

You haven't even seen the film yet! *LOL*

So silly! :p

[Agent Spalko]

You haven't even seen the film yet! *LOL*

So silly! :p

That's why I'm Agent Spalko. I'm clairvoyant. :whip:

[Nurhachi1991]

Ledger's death has absolutely no bearing on his performance. This role would have sealed his position in the A-list stratosphere anyway. I love Jack Nicholson as the Joker but he played it like a gangster thug and not a true psychopathic killer like the comic books. Ledger nails the way the Joker is depicted in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum. He ain't no kiddie Joker. Ledger's will go down as one of the most sadistic madmen in film history and will make Hannibal Lector look like an amateur lightweight.



Lmao good one Spalko thats why the Dark Knight is a pg-13 movie face it its a kids movie






No one is this crazy especially not some pg-13 comic book character

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/rockybalboa91/hannibal.jpg

[Agent Spalko]

Who says it has to be R-rated? The Joker is every bit as demented without the gratuitous blood.

"Wrong choice of words." ;)

[Nurhachi1991]

Who says it has to be R-rated? The Joker is every bit as demented without the gratuitous blood.

"Wrong choice of words." ;)



Well when you target audience is children..................





Blood makes a character way more demented.

[Agent Spalko]

Besides, Brian Cox was much more frightening as Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter. He was more of a thinking-man's serial killer, not some cartoonish farce that Anthony Hopkins turned him into in Hannibal.

http://www.cavecc.com/uploads/manhunter.jpg

[Nurhachi1991]

Ok I have 12 bucks to kill on itunes............ Spalko is Batman Gotham Knight any good? It is between that or Ghostbusters which I have seen a million times.

[Agent Spalko]

I was disappointed in Gotham Light. Save your 12 bucks for Dark Knight.

[Nurhachi1991]

I was disappointed in Gotham Light. Save your 12 bucks for Dark Knight.


No see its a gift card I can't get cash. Well Ghostbusters it is than!
Or I could buy Superbad hmmmmmmm

[Agent Spalko]

Download TDK soundtrack. It is awesome.

[Nurhachi1991]

Not as awsome as the KOTCS soundtrack.............. ahh who am I kidding

[HovitosKing]

Dude...it doesn't get much better than Ghostbusters...

[Nurhachi1991]

Dude...it doesn't get much better than Ghostbusters...


Don't cross the streams!

[ResidentAlien]

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/REVIEWS/55996637

[Dr.Mirakle32]

MY REVIEW:

Last night, I went to an IMAX screening. No, I didn't bust a nut, and it isn't the greatest film EVER made, but it was pretty damn good. As a film, it gets high points on almost every level: The actors were great; the locations were spectacular; as was the cinematography; and Howard and Zimmer do it again with a top-notch score.

I liked BATMAN BEGINS, don't get me wrong; but I always tended to prefer the original Burton film. Its probably safe to say TDK is the finest of Batman movies, and even though the title hints at it, I was surprised by how surprisingly dark and emotional it was.

Yes, yes, Ledger was fantastic, and very natural in the role. It was a damn shame he died, as this movie could have taken his career to a whole new level. Better than Nicholson? It's subjective. Both were excellent Jokers; both were true to the comics in their own way; and both were extremely charismatic, which is a MUST for anybody playing the character. And yes, Ledger was funny, like the Joker SHOULD be. And honestly, despite being creepier looking, and doing a lot of ****ed up **** in this movie, I think Nicholson's Joker got away with more stuff in the original film.

Anyway, I was even more impressed with Aaron Eckhart. His Harvey was EXTREMELY likeable and noble, and turned out to be the DEFINITIVE Two-Face. I actually liked this character more than the Joker, which was surprising as Mr. J is my favorite Bat-character. The special effects used to create him were incredibly realistic. And yes, Harvey Two-Face DIES, but I felt the character was done justice, and there wasn't much more they could do with him in a sequel. I applaud Nolan's decision. Tommy Lee who?

And of course, Freeman, Oldman and co. give it their all. Maggie Gyllenhall was cute, and seemed more sympathetic than Holmes.

Whatever you do, don't expect BATMAN BEGINS 2. Unlike the three Spider-Man films which are all pretty interchangable, this is a VERY different Batfilm. The tone is MUCH darker, the action is ALOT better, and the entire visual feel is almost completely different. This is an epic; both visually and in length. Unlike BEGINS which had a pretty straight-foward story, there are many subplots and stories going on, which form this massive comic book-like story-arc.

While dark and well-made, it's still a commercial film used to sell shirts and toys. It's like Nolan watched HEAT, GOODFELLAS, and some James Bond flicks, and knew how popular they are, so he decides to make a Batman film like that to attract audiences. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's obvious Warner Bros. knows what's hot. It's louder, and MUCH more high-tech than BEGINS, and fit the tone of the modern comics perfectly.

The new bat-suit was incredibly unnecessary, aside from some minor improvements like the head-turning, and shooting gauntlets. There was no reason to go all Shumacher on it, other than to give the toy companies our money. Christian Bale gives us more of the same, except his voice REALLY annoyed me the second time around, and sounded even more forced and phony than in BEGINS. If his Battitude annoyed you the first time around, it might really get to you the second time. However, his Bruce Wayne was cool, as always.

Overall, a solid 4/5 and probably the BEST bat-film yet. This could be Nolan's last Batman, and I would be satisfied. There are only so many times you can rehash the same character, and basic plot; however, when he does make a third, I hope he does it differently; as different as TDK was to BB,
and maybe takes it into a slightly lighter direction, without going into Shumacher territory. Bring on a traditional batmobile, use some completely new villains who haven't been done before, and do something new.
If he makes it the same way he made TDK, it will be hard to top it, so the only way he should do it, is if he can TRULY make it original, and still respectful to the first two.


As good as IRON MAN, but with me, it's apples and oranges. Here is how I rank the series:

1. THE DARK KNIGHT: The modern, hi-tech Batman comics of the 90's and 00's. A modern crime drama.
2. BATMAN: The classic Batman of the 30's and 40's as Kane and Finger created him. Gothic horror meets Warner gangster.
3. BATMAN BEGINS: A pretty faithful adaptation of YEAR ONE, mixed with the O'NEIL stories of the 70's. Origin Story.
4. BATMAN RETURNS: An original Tim Burton film. German Expressionism.
5. BATMAN FOREVER: The campy comics of the 50's and 60's updated for the 90's. Commercial summer blockbuster.

Did I miss any?:p

[Nurhachi1991]

Weren't you the guy that spoiled KOTCS for everyone?

[Goonie]

Did I miss any?:p

Ya, you forgot the one with the rubber nipples!

[Nurhachi1991]

Now this is the Batman I remember! I watched this every night on tv land when I was in the 6th grade


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[agentsands77]

Besides, Brian Cox was much more frightening as Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter. He was more of a thinking-man's serial killer, not some cartoonish farce that Anthony Hopkins turned him into in Hannibal.

http://www.cavecc.com/uploads/manhunter.jpg
Cox's Lecktor (spelled differently in MANHUNTER) was neither particularly frightening, nor particularly interesting. Much like the film he was featured in.

[Agent Spalko]

Manhunter is a classic. Michael Mann, William Petersen, Tom Noonan and Dennis Farina. Brett Ratner desecrated it with Red Dragon.

Tom Noonan's Dollarhyde is one of the creepiest screen killers of all time.

http://blogs.chron.com/blog9/manhunter.jpg

[muttjones]

Now this is the Batman I remember! I watched this every night on tv land when I was in the 6th grade


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AWK
KRUNCH
OOOFFF
BAM
POW
CCRRRAAAAACCKKK

Classic! I love all of it: the crazy punch titles, the slightly on angle camera shots but i especially love how every punch misses by a foot!:p

CLASSIC!!!!!

AWK:p

[nezobiwan]

My absolute favorite line from Batman: The Movie, starring Adam West...

ROBIN: What's your game, Penguin???

That part of the movie is SO CHEESY. The Penguin is standing like 4 feet away from them, pretending to NOT be the Penguin and Batman/Robin are discussing his true identity and then all of a sudden Robin turns and explosively vomits that line at sonic speed. Classic. I might just watch that movie tonight in preparation to see Dark Knight this weekend. HAHA! :D

[deckard24]

Manhunter is a classic. Michael Mann, William Petersen, Tom Noonan and Dennis Farina. Brett Ratner desecrated it with Red Dragon.

Tom Noonan's Dollarhyde is one of the creepiest screen killers of all time.

http://blogs.chron.com/blog9/manhunter.jpg
Agreed!

In that pic Noonan looks kind of like Brad Pitt! LOL

[TheMutt92]

Agreed!

In that pic Noonan looks kind of like Brad Pitt! LOL

Thats who I thought it was before I read the comments!

[Agent Spalko]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t313/napier07_2007/joker_retro.jpg

[No Ticket]

I just got back from seeing it.

*standing ovation*

:hat:

Best movie I've seen all year. Yes. The best. Heath Ledger KILLS as The Joker. Literally at times. It seemed like everyone in this cast was just on the same page. This is the perfect Batman movie. Perfect everything. Even the ending.

... I'm gonna go see it again tomorrow. That's how good it was.

[Niteshade007]

I'm leaving today to go to Tallahassee. I'm seeing it with some friends tomorrow afternoon. I'm really looking forward to it, although I'm disappointed that I didn't get to go to a midnight showing.

[Arab Swordsman]

I just got back from seeing it.

*standing ovation*

:hat:

Best movie I've seen all year. Yes. The best. Heath Ledger KILLS as The Joker. Literally at times. It seemed like everyone in this cast was just on the same page. This is the perfect Batman movie. Perfect everything. Even the ending.

... I'm gonna go see it again tomorrow. That's how good it was.

I totally agree. I'm going again tomorrow. I don't want to stir up a $#!$ storm but this movie blew Indy out of the water. I enjoyed it much more as a crime drama versus an action movie. The acting and script was near flawless and Heath's Joker could be the best written and acted villian in movie history.

[The Man]

It doesn't bow in Ireland for another seven days! The reviews this past week have been quite phenomenal. Could it crack 130 million in a weekend? What were the crowds like last night?

[HovitosKing]

I totally agree. I'm going again tomorrow. I don't want to stir up a $#!$ storm but this movie blew Indy out of the water. I enjoyed it much more as a crime drama versus an action movie. The acting and script was near flawless and Heath's Joker could be the best written and acted villian in movie history.

I'm not getting around to seeing it until the weekend, but your comment about it being more of a crime drama than an action movie has got me really excited about it. I love the Batman Detective stuff so much more than Batman caped crusader stuff!

[Mike00spy]

I'd give it a B+

There's much to like about the movie, but it is not perfect.

[indythecat]

I just got back from seeing it.

*standing ovation*

:hat:

Best movie I've seen all year. Yes. The best. Heath Ledger KILLS as The Joker. Literally at times. It seemed like everyone in this cast was just on the same page. This is the perfect Batman movie. Perfect everything. Even the ending.

... I'm gonna go see it again tomorrow. That's how good it was.

I also agree. It felt like director/writer Nolan went into the minds of "comic-nerds" and finally put everything we've ever wanted to see in a Batman movie up on the big screen in one giant feast. I can't think of anything I would change.

I went to a midnight screening in Sanford, NC; a fairly small to moderate sized town; and it was packed. Once the credits started rolling, a good portion immediately got up and I heard a few comments about the running time. But once they left and only the diehard fanboys were left in the theater, I heard lots of gushing praise.

And Heath Ledger's Joker is amazing without stealing the movie from the other characters. As I was watching it, it didn't FEEL like an actor was playing Joker. It was just JOKER. Without giving anything away, Joker does about 5 things in this movie that if Wizard magazine ever wrote an article entitled "The top 20 Joker Moments of All Time", those 5 things would show up on that list. AMAZING crafting of the character by Ledger and the writers. This is what the Joker CLAIMS to be in the comics, but most comic writers have trouble elevating him to that level. The Dark Knight pulls it off brilliantly.

[agentsands77]

Manhunter is a classic.
Only in certain circles. The majority of folks don't even know what it is.

Michael Mann, William Petersen, Tom Noonan and Dennis Farina. Brett Ratner desecrated it with Red Dragon.
Give me Brett Ratner's lazy RED DRAGON over the weak TV movie that is MANHUNTER.

[The Man]

Give me Brett Ratner's lazy RED DRAGON over the weak TV movie that is MANHUNTER.

Oh, take it! Please do!;)

[RelicHunter]

saw it at midnight. Best movie of the year if not ever A+. Heath Ledger was fantastic as expected! I did get my costume finished and wore it to the premiere so I will post some pictures for everyone when I can get them uploaded to the internet

[Crusade>Raiders]

In a word: Incredible. Flawless perfomances from the main cast, Joker is one the greatest villains ever, the script is so polished, so good. I think it goes on a little long, but man its still great in the overlong minutes.

IDK about all this "best movie EVER!!!1" hyperbole(I don't really want to judge it just yet anyway), but man...best comic book movie for me. Sorry Spidey 2, we got a new king.

And yes I will be seeing it again tomorrow.

(Also, I never thought a Watchman movie would work, and it won't be nearly as good as the novel but uh...HYPE)

[The Man]

The ker-chinging is be-ginning...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080718-1254-ca-boxoffice-darkknight.html

[Crusade>Raiders]

The ker-chinging is be-ginning...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080718-1254-ca-boxoffice-darkknight.html

“The Dark Knight” figure did not include any of its 3 a.m. or 6 a.m. showings."

Wow...

[HovitosKing]

LMAO...Dark Knight grossed more at its 12:01 am showing than Mike Myer's Love Guru did in its entire opening weekend. Now that is funny stuff, Mike.

[Agent Z]

3 a.m. and 6 a.m. showings should be the norm year-round for every film. I want my theaters running 24/7...ushers begging their respective Gods for mercy, as they trudge their bloodied, mangled feet up and down....and back up and down the aisles...

[The Man]

Could it - will it - break the billion, though?

*strokes chin*

[Agent Spalko]

Epic masterpiece. This is how you make a film. Spielberg and Lucas should hide their faces in shame.

"It's not about money. It's about making a statement."

HaHAHAhahAHAHahahAHAHAHahAHAHAhAHHaahHAHAHAHhA

[Crusade>Raiders]

Epic masterpiece. This is how you make a film. Spielberg and Lucas should hide their faces in shame.

"It's not about money. It's about making a statement."

HaHAHAhahAHAHahahAHAHAHahAHAHAhAHHaahHAHAHAHhA

Did Agent Spalko...post a positive reply?

ATTENTION FELLOW RAVEN ATTENDERS! PLEASE REPORT TO THE NEAREST BOMB SHELTER!

[Agent Z]

I...I...can't find the bomb shelter!! :eek:

All I have is......a fridge?!

[QBComics]

Did Agent Spalko...post a positive reply?

ATTENTION FELLOW RAVEN ATTENDERS! PLEASE REPORT TO THE NEAREST BOMB SHELTER!

Dammit! I just sold my fridge! :eek:

[The Man]

Did Agent Spalko...post a positive reply?

ATTENTION FELLOW RAVEN ATTENDERS! PLEASE REPORT TO THE NEAREST BOMB SHELTER!

There is good in him...

[Agent Spalko]

There is good in him...

Let's put a smile on that face!

http://craigbe.typepad.com/movieblog/WindowsLiveWriter/image_41.png

[Agent Z]

I am happy for Spalky Poo. All those months of him watching his Kingdom bootleg, enduring his self-inflicted pain, over and over on an endless loop.

I don't know......it's like, he needed this, to bring him back to the world.

*getting misty-eyed*

I'm sorry. I need a....moment....



damnit! I said I wouldn't cry and here I am.....back on that damn porch watching the fireworks.

Spindy! Disengage!

[Indy Byrd]

[QUOTE=Crusade>Raiders]Did Agent Spalko...post a positive reply?

ATTENTION FELLOW RAVEN ATTENDERS! PLEASE REPORT TO THE NEAREST BOMB SHELTER![/QUOT

:eek: My fridge isn't lined with lead!!!! Where is the Terminator when you need him!!!!:dead:

[The Man]

I am happy for Spalky Poo. All those months of him watching his Kingdom bootleg, enduring his self-inflicted pain, over and over on an endless loop.

I don't know......it's like, he needed this, to bring him back to the world.

*getting misty-eyed*

I'm sorry. I need a....moment....



damnit! I said I wouldn't cry and here I am.....back on that damn porch watching the fireworks.

Spindy! Disengage!

May all creeds and species bask in this love...

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh172/jthees/lolcats/Serious-Cat-Joker.jpg

[sandiegojones]

Epic masterpiece. This is how you make a film. Spielberg and Lucas should hide their faces in shame.

"It's not about money. It's about making a statement."

HaHAHAhahAHAHahahAHAHAHahAHAHAhAHHaahHAHAHAHhA

So Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders, ET, Saving Private Ryan, Close Encounters and Schindlers List prove that they can't make a good film. Not everything is perfect.

That's a foolish statement! You are a just a TDK troll.

[RocketSledFight]

Oh my God.

Such a wonderfully amazing film. And I thought I loved Batman Begins.

Heath deserves the highest accolades. I walked out more upset about his passing than I had ever before, his performance is that great.

Aaron Eckhart is amazing as well...everyone is pretty top notch. I can't wait to see it again.



...And holy crap, the Watchmen trailer!

[Tsar]

Awesome film, KotcS doesn't compare.

[Forbidden Eye]

I'll never look at pens the same way again.

[RelicHunter]

If anyone wants to check out my costume from the Midnight showning last night. cnn.com has posted it in the Ireporters section. Here is the link

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-47315

Let me know what you guys think:)

[Agent Spalko]

Why so sideways? HahAHAHahahAhHAhhahAhHAhhh

Awesome costume Mutt.

[Goonie]

The Dark Knight - 1966 Style!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iHufrsP9XMA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iHufrsP9XMA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

I saw the original Batmobile last year in Reno at the car museum there. I'd love to drive that thing around town. It's a pimpmobile.:up:

I won't have a chance to see the movie until next weekend because I'm going to Calgary on Sunday. However, they do have an IMAX...:cool:

[ResidentAlien]

Incredible.

[otto rahn]

I enjoyed "The Dark Knight" and was very impressed with Heath Ledger's performance as "The Joker". Of course I fully expected to like it more than Nicholson's performance, which I did NOT like, either when I first saw it, or on subsequent viewings. Is it Oscar worthy ? I'm not sure; but I assume it might get a nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" rather than "Best Actor". I also like Michael Caine's version of Alfred as well !

[Gustav]

I liked Joker's magic trick at the beginning. I'm glad they didn't kill him.. He caused so much chaos, I don't know how they can make the next villain be more villainous without the movie being 3.5 hours long. I don't think they should even try. It wouldn't be right for someone to upstage Joker. But I still like Jack Nochilson's version more.


As for Two-Face that's it? Is he really dead? All he did was ***** about Rachel for about half an hour and shoot a few people. Maybe they sent him to Arkham and just said he was dead. He needs to do more.

[graz]

Oh my God.

Such a wonderfully amazing film. And I thought I loved Batman Begins.Heath deserves the highest accolades. I walked out more upset about his passing than I had ever before, his performance is that great.

Aaron Eckhart is amazing as well...everyone is pretty top notch. I can't wait to see it again.



...And holy crap, the Watchmen trailer!

I'm interested to know, if you found Batman Begins a bit dull and uninspiring, are you likely to like this one any more? Does The Joker make a big difference? Is there more action? Is it better basically?

I don't want to sit in the Cinema for 2 1/2 hours if its just more of the same, but I am quite interested to see it.

[muttjones]

i found Batman Begins very boring. But the bad guys in DK are alot cooler and well known. Two Face and the Joker are my favourite baddies and Heath Ledger's version looks awesome.
I'm seeing it on tuesday and i cant wait!

[The Man]

Where we can get those wonderful toys...*

http://www.hottoys.com.hk/product.php?cat=66

http://www.hottoys.com.hk/photo/377DSC_3854_gd_3x4.jpg http://www.hottoys.com.hk/photo/378DSC_5109_gda_3x4.jpg
http://www.hottoys.com.hk/photo/370DSC_1390a_3x4.jpg

Stunning!



*I just ordered the Batman: The Dark Knight Version figure and The Batpod from E-bay. They won't arrive 'til late December or the New Year. Bwah!

[Eric Solo]

I stayed up late to watch it last night. Over all I liked it. I thought Ledger's performance was brilliant although he may have overdone the tongue flapping thing a little bit.
My favorite scenes are the disappearing pen scene and the scene where the Joker is blowing up the hospital.
One thing that makes this movie hard to swallow is that most of the Joker's crimes involve a great deal of organization and discipline and professionalism and cooperation. How can a deranged lunatic be that organized and how can he get people to help him when he double crosses everyone he works with? He recruits insane people from the asylum to help him, but again...how can they be that organized? But what the hell? It's only a comic book, right?

I thought the role of Rachel could have been better served by another actress. Maggie Gyllenhall is just not likeable or attractive to me at all. She just comes off as an arrogant b**** in my opinion.
I really like Aaron Ekhart, but didn't think he was the best choice as Harvey Dent. He would make a great Captain America, but Harvey Dent? Maybe not the best role for him.
Christian Bale was solid as always. Oldman and Cain were great. I loved the blackmail scene with Freeman

[agentsands77]

I really like Aaron Ekhart, but didn't think he was the best choice as Harvey Dent. He would make a great Captain America, but Harvey Dent? Maybe not the best role for him.
His Captain America-ness is exactly what makes him perfect for their Dent. Their Dent is the savior of Gotham, the handsome, all-American savior of Gotham city. And that's a really wonderful way to go about it.

[The Man]

Aggressive expansion...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUrp4FEo_7YQxrTpBze-Hk4ob7PAD92104UG0

[vf wing]

I'd buy that Batmobile for my 1:18 guys!

It was a decent movie. Anything that long and involved is gonna have plot holes and a need for belief suspension, but i didn't try to pick it apart on that level.

I'm kind of in the same camp as graz. Begins was a bit underwhelming for me. This one i found marginally better, mostly due to Heath's performance. He really went all out and became the centerpiece of the film.

I can see why fans appreciate these films. They're well-made and take their subject matter very seriously. But i've come to appreciate the fun factor above all else when i go to the movies, and it was here that i found Dark Knight kinda lacking. And there's quite a bit of sermonizing filling up that 2.5 hours.

So, while i appreciate it's technical qualities, i had more fun at Hellboy, Indy, and Iron Man. The more serious Hulk made its points with more brevity (although i'm eager to see a longer version of it too) and was a little more fun than DK as well.

[Eric Solo]

His Captain America-ness is exactly what makes him perfect for their Dent. Their Dent is the savior of Gotham, the handsome, all-American savior of Gotham city. And that's a really wonderful way to go about it.

He LOOKS like the poster boy savior of Gotham, but I think he was not believable as the fly-off-the-handle anger-management-issues side of the character.

[HovitosKing]

Actually got to see it last night, earlier than I expected I'd get to. Great film, but I don't think it lives up to the hype. Sorry. Heath and Aaron gave amazing performances, but overall the film fell a little short for me. I didn't think it was better than Begins, but definitely a great film.

[sandiegojones]

I thought the role of Rachel could have been better served by another actress. Maggie Gyllenhall is just not likeable or attractive to me at all. She just comes off as an arrogant b**** in my opinion.
[/spoiler]
Totally agree! She was the only thing about the film I ever questioned and most of my feelings before hand were validated after seeing the film. Katie Holmes had better chemistry with Bale and is more attractive (at least a few years ago before Tom). There's nothing Gyllenhaal does in this film to add to the character, but I didn't think she was detriment to the film either. She did a fine job on screen with Eckhart (which was good as she was Dent's motivation for what happens later in the film), it was just the scenes with Christian Bale that were a little cold.

Heath was fantastic! I was on the Ledger bandwagon from day one! He gave a disturbing performance that hopefully will be rewarded.

For being 2 1/2 hours long it flew by to me. When it was over I wanted more. I can't wait for #3!!! I'm curious who could be the new villain. I'm guessing they had intended to have the Joker return but I can't see them re-casting that role. I don't think Catwoman or Penguin could exist in Nolan's "real" Gotham. Perhaps Robin Williams as "The Riddler"? Williams was in Nolan's Insomnia and can be a good dramatic actor. Maybe Guy Pearce?

[DocWhiskey]

It was a fantastic film. Personally, it lived up to the hype for me. It's better then Batman Begins in every way IMO. Ledger was great. He didn't steal the movie like Nicholson did with Keaton, they focused on Batman and didn't make it the joker movie. I was pleased. I hope to god that if their is a sequel Two Face will be in it. But if there is not, and this is the last movie of the Batman franchise, then I'm completely satisfied.

I'm a huge Batman fan and this was a dream come true. It was a dark, gritty crime drama with a blowout cast. I'm such a huge fan I dressed up as Joker for the midnight showing! I've never done that with any other film, never even considered it. I was happy I did when I arrived and I won best costume. The theater managers kept posing me in front of TDK posters, taking pictures, and telling me they're going to send them to WB. I have no idea why. I had to pose with hundreds of people for pictures that night but it was awesome.It made me feel good. And I kept in character the whole time. People got a kick out of it.

This was taken by my friend before we left:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/scarecrowx41/IMG_2156.jpg

[The Man]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/scarecrowx41/IMG_2156.jpg
http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070720/070720_scoop_gyllenhaal_vmed4p.widec.jpg

That rocks! Do you ever get 'Maggie Gyllenhaal'?*




*Meant in the nicest possible way, of course

[roundshort]

Holy Sleep attack Batman!


Wow, talk about a movie that should have had 1/3 of it on the editing floor. This thing had more endings than that last lotr movie! I feel asleep this thing was so dull.

I found very little redeeming about this movie. Each character was so 1 dimension it was sad. Even 2 face, which by his name should have had at least two sides to his character. Maggie did not look good, Bale was bland, even Michael Cain was lame.

And the joker, well the last time I have seen over acting like that was Pacino in Scent of a woman!

ugh.

Sorry, I know many LOVE this movie, but I didn't enjoy it from the out set. And since when has Gotham been Chicago? WTF?!?!

[The Man]

Holy Sleep attack Batman!


Wow, talk about a movie that should have had 1/3 of it on the editing floor. This thing had more endings than that last lotr movie! I feel asleep this thing was so dull.

I found very little redeeming about this movie. Each character was so 1 dimension it was sad. Even 2 face, which by his name should have had at least two sides to his character. Maggie did not look good, Bale was bland, even Michael Cain was lame.

And the joker, well the last time I have seen over acting like that was Pacino in Scent of a woman!

ugh.

Sorry, I know many LOVE this movie, but I didn't enjoy it from the out set. And since when has Gotham been Chicago? WTF?!?!


http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10062/Batmandisgust.jpg

[Mike00spy]

So Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders, ET, Saving Private Ryan, Close Encounters and Schindlers List prove that they can't make a good film. Not everything is perfect.

That's a foolish statement! You are a just a TDK troll.


Heh. Just a random thought- someone who has been 100% positive and giddy about this movie for months has enjoyed it, while at the same time a movie he hated for months he hated.

[Mike00spy]

Holy Sleep attack Batman!


Wow, talk about a movie that should have had 1/3 of it on the editing floor. This thing had more endings than that last lotr movie! I feel asleep this thing was so dull.

I found very little redeeming about this movie. Each character was so 1 dimension it was sad. Even 2 face, which by his name should have had at least two sides to his character. Maggie did not look good, Bale was bland, even Michael Cain was lame.

And the joker, well the last time I have seen over acting like that was Pacino in Scent of a woman!

ugh.





Sorry, I know many LOVE this movie, but I didn't enjoy it from the out set. And since when has Gotham been Chicago? WTF?!?!


Oh no. People are not going to like your opinion- funny enough Im sure that some of the same ones who were neg about Indy.

I'd give the movie about a B+/A- Very entertaining, but not life changing.

[sandiegojones]

Heh. Just a random thought- someone who has been 100% positive and giddy about this movie for months has enjoyed it, while at the same time a movie he hated for months he hated.
WTF? Is that even a sentence? Was that directed at me?

I love The Dark Knight! I stated before that I thought Batman Begins was a perfect Batman film and expected the same from TDK. I love Chris Nolan too as Memento is one of my favorite films. I just don't think that there are any valid comparisons between KOTCS and TDK. Why can't someone like both? They're different films.

[sandiegojones]

He LOOKS like the poster boy savior of Gotham, but I think he was not believable as the fly-off-the-handle anger-management-issues side of the character.
I thought the scene where he almost shot one of Joker's henchmen set up that he does fly off the handle.

[Mike00spy]

WTF? Is that even a sentence? Was that directed at me?

I love The Dark Knight! I stated before that I thought Batman Begins was a perfect Batman film and expected the same from TDK. I love Chris Nolan too as Memento is one of my favorite films. I just don't think that there are any valid comparisons between KOTCS and TDK. Why can't someone like both? They're different films.

No, it was not at you. It was referring to your original post and I was responding to your statement.

I was responding to this exchange:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent Spalko
Epic masterpiece. This is how you make a film. Spielberg and Lucas should hide their faces in shame.

"It's not about money. It's about making a statement."

HaHAHAhahAHAHahahAHAHAHahAHAHAhAHHaahHAHAHAHhA


So Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders, ET, Saving Private Ryan, Close Encounters and Schindlers List prove that they can't make a good film. Not everything is perfect.

That's a foolish statement! You are a just a TDK troll.

[sandiegojones]

No, it was not at you. It was referring to your original post and I was responding to your statement. I think the original post referred to Spalko.

Okay, you quoted me so I was confused.

Yeah, I think Spalko was going to hate KOTCS all along and was here only to troll for TDK. The thing is that there's no need to do so as TDK is a great film. There was an intent for TDK to be a serious and dramatic film, KOTCS was made for fun, regardless of Raiders greatness. If you didn't like Indy 4 then cool, but to be an ass about it for 2 months....:down:

[DarthMickey]

I was a teenage Joker is not going to please everyone. So to each his own. I also found the movie way over- rated. I don't buy the teenage Ledger Joker crap. After a while I start to laugh at him. JACK N owns this part and always will. If I had to watch this movie over and over I would go insane.To bad these brainless Movie makers morans can't come up with something new for a change. What's next Batman Vs Catwoman and Penquin! :dead: :dead: :dead: :dead: :dead: :dead:

[agentsands77]

JACK N owns this part and always will.
Nah. That isn't to say he wasn't good - he was - but he was far from being all that the Joker could be. With better material and a performance with the intensity of his work in THE SHINING, yeah, he could have been. But as it stands, Nicholson wasn't all that.

[Agent Spalko]

I was a teenage Joker is not going to please everyone. So to each his own. I also found the movie way over- rated. I don't buy the teenage Ledger Joker crap. After a while I start to laugh at him. JACK N owns this part and always will. If I had to watch this movie over and over I would go insane.To bad these brainless Movie makers morans can't come up with something new for a change. What's next Batman Vs Catwoman and Penquin! :dead: :dead: :dead: :dead: :dead: :dead:

Ledger was 28 ya numskull. He owns the role now and will always be the "definitive" Joker. Jack who?

Burton's Batman is just a vague memory now. TDK won't be partying like it's 1989.

[The Man]

Let's not trash Ol' Jack's Joker. It was a wonderful performance for that film.

[Agent Spalko]

Heh. Just a random thought- someone who has been 100% positive and giddy about this movie for months has enjoyed it, while at the same time a movie he hated for months he hated.

Nope. I was't even excited about TDK until Indy let me down. I was disappointed in Batman Begins but now I'm a true believer. The sad thing is I love Indy more but he just hasn't got it anymore. At least I still have the first 3 films to cherish. Indy R.I.P. :dead:

[The Man]

Nope. I was't even excited about TDK until Indy let me down. I was disappointed in Batman Begins but now I'm a true believer. The sad thing is I love Indy more but he just hasn't got it anymore. At least I still have the first 3 films to cherish. Indy R.I.P. :dead:

I never thought the gulf in quality between the two would be quite so immense. Indy was destroyed by the very people entrusted with his legacy. Shame...

[Raiders112390]

Nope. I was't even excited about TDK until Indy let me down. I was disappointed in Batman Begins but now I'm a true believer. The sad thing is I love Indy more but he just hasn't got it anymore. At least I still have the first 3 films to cherish. Indy R.I.P. :dead:


"Why So Serious?"

You hated Indy before it was released. Funny. You didn't have an open mind toward Indy at all. You claimed you were disappointed with it even before it entered theatres. And you said you knew Batman was the best before it even opened. You're a very close minded and sad shell of a person.

Meanwhile, George Lucas is laughing at Spalko all the way to the bank. Poor Spalky's childhood (cause you know, a film can time travel back 20 years and change someone's whole life) has now been raped twice.

HahahHahHAahahAHA

[agentsands77]

Let's not trash Ol' Jack's Joker. It was a wonderful performance for that film.
Yes, quite. It's not worth trashing. It's an enjoyable performance.

I'd never say his performance was ever all it could have been, though, even given the way that film was approached. Nicholson could have given a lot more intensity. Heck, when he's Jack Napier he has that intensity... it's just that he soon loses it once he's the Joker.

[Agent Spalko]

I'm not one of the sad sheep that have to delude themselves into believing KOTCS was a good movie. This has been a disaster in the making for over a decade and it all comes down to George's stubborness and laziness to get what he wants at the expense of quality and effort. Nolan just showed Lucas and Spielberg that you don't need CGI to make a quality blockbuster, just a good story and a superb cast. Two essential ingredients that Spucas have essentially forgotten in their old age.

[sandiegojones]

Ledger was 28 ya numskull. He owns the role now and will always be the "definitive" Joker. Jack who?

Burton's Batman is just a vague memory now. TDK won't be partying like it's 1989.
I agree with you there. I have good memories because I was 10 years old when that Batman was released, but Jack was just playing Jack with clown makeup and Batman was a secondary character. Heath played the Joker not just a caricature of himself and there's no silly Prince music either. If you read comics then you'll know that this was the Joker. Terrifying and unstoppable. Same goes for Two-Face. Batman Forever was on TV Thursday and just watching the first 5 minutes you realize how bad Tommy Lee Jones was too compared to Eckhart and Nolan's accurate portrayal of Dent.

I think Gyllenhaal was the only weak part of the film (to me she didn't come across as someone Bruce would love like Holmes was in BB), but she didn't really detract from the greatness of the overall film.

[The Man]

Holmes was fine in Begins - it's just fashionable to bash her now on account of you-know-who...

[HovitosKing]

Ok so here's my in-depth take (for what it's worth). For a week now I've been reading rave reviews and hearing how this film is the best comic film to date, movie of the year, perhaps movie of the decade. It's wasn't. I've been hearing how the film has finally done something none of the others has done--capture the Batman universe (especially Joker) we all know from the gritty, dark graphic novels such as The Killing Joke, Arkham Asylum, etc. Well, it certainly came closer than anything before it, but didn't quite nail it just right. Now that doesn't detract from the film, it just makes me wish these reviewers would actually read a few of the graphic novels they refer to in their reviews.

Heath Ledger's performance was fantastic, but not legendary or Oscar-worthy. Sorry. He stole the show, turned in a fantastic performance which was undoubtedly the pinnacle of his career, but it fell just short of genius.

Aaron Eckhart, Christian Bale, and Michael Caine were brilliant as usual. However, only Eckhart was given a role truly worthy of his talent, and he delivered a knockout in return. Bale and Caine were excellent, but took a back seat in my opinion. Maggie Gyllenhaal, who I love and think is quite beautiful in the right light, was as forgettable as the first Joker henchman who bit the bullet.

The film itself had less intellectual and emotional depth than Begins, and as a result was able to move much more quickly and aggressively. The action was incredible, exciting, and tense. However, I missed the story-driven depth of the first film and found myself longing for a slightly less complicated (convoluted) plot.

Finally, I really really liked the disappearing pencil magic trick and wanted to try it out myself on the three annoying teenie-bopper girls sitting behind me talking, texting, and giggling the whole time about how great Heath Ledger was and how funny and dreamy the Joker was.

All in all it was an excellent film, even if it was about 30 minutes too long. I don't think it was better than Begins, but definitely far superior to any other comic-based film to date. Rock on Nolan, rock on.

[ResidentAlien]

Holmes was fine in Begins - it's just fashionable to bash her now on account of you-know-who...


Gotta disagree. She was stilted, flat and unconvincing even with what little screen time she had. She was completely outclassed by everyone else in the film and flatly did not belong.

[sandiegojones]

Holmes was fine in Begins - it's just fashionable to bash her now on account of you-know-who...
Agreed, but she turned TDK down. They asked her back and Tommy wouldn't let her.

[Agent Spalko]

Holmes was fine in Begins - it's just fashionable to bash her now on account of you-know-who...

Not really. Couldn't stand her in Begins. I could not believe that Dawson's Creek was intelligent enough to pass the bar to become Gotham's lead prosecutor.

Maggie was better but she's still not particularly attractive. I'm just glad she got blown up.

[sandiegojones]

I'm just glad she got blown up.
:D Me too! She's kind of a useless character at this point and it leaves room open for the 3rd film.

Anybody guessing who the villain(s) will be for "The Dark Knight Returns/Strikes Again"? Do you think there'll be more than 3 films? I think some villains should be left alone (like Penguin, Poison Ivy and Catwoman), but Riddler could work in this world and as bad as Arnold was as Mr. Freeze, I did like how he was done in the Batman Animated series of the early 90's. Same for Clay Face. Nolan could make it work I think. Two Face was done similarly in the animated show too.

[The Man]

Gotta disagree. She was stilted, flat and unconvincing even with what little screen time she had. She was completely outclassed by everyone else in the film and flatly did not belong.

She really didn't bother me at all. She's also cuter than Maggie...

[Agent Spalko]

:D Me too! She's kind of a useless character at this point and it leaves room open for the 3rd film.

Anybody guessing who the villain(s) will be for "The Dark Knight Returns/Strikes Again"? Do you think there'll be more than 3 films? I think some villains should be left alone (like Penguin, Poison Ivy and Catwoman), but Riddler could work in this world and as bad as Arnold was as Mr. Freeze, I did like how he was done in the Batman Animated series of the early 90's. Same for Clay Face. Nolan could make it work I think. Two Face was done similarly in the animated show too.

If they get a villain as gay as The Riddler they might as well cast Jake Gyllenhaal and call it Brokebat Batman.

Catwoman would work. Maybe Angelina Jolie?

Penguin could just be some mob boss they call "The Penguin" and have a minimal role like Falcone but the last thing I want is a Batman Returns Redux.

[Agent Crab]

I wonder if this film will repair my brain from KOTC. Hellboy II repaired half of it. Still havn't seen Dark Knight. I do plan on seein' it, though.

[sandiegojones]

Gotta disagree. She was stilted, flat and unconvincing even with what little screen time she had. She was completely outclassed by everyone else in the film and flatly did not belong.
I feel the same about Gyllenhaal though. To be honest why does there HAVE to always be a woman in these films?

[The Whip]

Got see the movie this afternoon (late to the party just one day into release) and of course loved it like everyone else.


You know one thing that really impressed me about TDK was the return of the lost art of subtelty. I had read how violent this movie is and how people couldn't believe that it was just PG-13 etc, etc.

This type of press had me prepared for a brutally violent film... BUT. With the exception of Two-face, this is a nearly bloodless film. The "magic trick" was bloodless and you don't see the pencil go in.

The impact of the violence is created through suggestion and editing and I LOVE that about this movie.

[sandiegojones]

Catwoman would work. Maybe Angelina Jolie?

Penguin could just be some mob boss they call "The Penguin" and have a minimal role like Falcone but the last thing I want is a Batman Returns Redux.

I agree about the Pengiun if the role was minimized, but I HATE Jolie! She's way overrated and wouldn't fit with Bale in my opinion.

[The Man]

Got see the movie this afternoon (late to the party just one day into release) and of course loved it like everyone else.


You know one thing that really impressed me about TDK was the return of the lost art of subtelty. I had read how violent this movie is and how people couldn't believe that it was just PG-13 etc, etc.

This type of press had me prepared for a brutally violent film... BUT. With the exception of Two-face, this is a nearly bloodless film. The "magic trick" was bloodless and you don't see the pencil go in.

The impact of the violence is created through suggestion and editing and I LOVE that about this movie.

Indeed. It's rating feels almost incidental. Certain films merely pander to the MPAA (*cough* no pointy guns in trailer! cough*).

[Agent Spalko]

I agree about the Pengiun if the role was minimized, but I HATE Jolie! She's way overrated and wouldn't fit with Bale in my opinion.


Is there another attractive actress with the physical stamina of an action star that could pull off the role in the shadow of Michelle Pfieffer's Selina Kyle?

[HovitosKing]

I agree about the Pengiun if the role was minimized, but I HATE Jolie! She's way overrated and wouldn't fit with Bale in my opinion.

Problem with Jolie is she's too much of a blockbuster "star." I don't want big namers trying to steal the spotlight from the lead character, a la Batman Forever & Batman and Robin.

[The Man]

Problem with Jolie is she has to be the only star of whatever she's in. Pass.

Rose Byrne could work as Catwoman. Think about it...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v719/gofugyourself/GFY092007/80982323.jpg

[Agent Spalko]

Rose Byrne could work as Catwoman. Think about it...

Rose who? Definitely not Rose McGowan.

[The Man]

Rose who? Definitely not Rose McGowan.

Byrne (Sunshine, Damages, er, Troy)...

[Agent Spalko]

Catwoman has to have physical stamina as well, not just another pretty face. She has to know how to cat-fight and make it look real.

[agentsands77]

Gotta disagree. She was stilted, flat and unconvincing even with what little screen time she had. She was completely outclassed by everyone else in the film and flatly did not belong.
Quite right. Gyllenhaal was a massive improvement.

[The Man]

Catwoman has to have physical stamina as well, not just another pretty face. She has to know how to cat-fight and make it look real.

Byrne could probably be whipped into shape. She can handle an American accent, too. Jolie is too predictable a choice. Nolan needs to stay leftfield.

[Agent Spalko]

Byrne could probably be whipped into shape. She can handle an American accent, too. Jolie is too predictable a choice. Nolan needs to stay leftfield.

I'll agree with that. Ledger certainly came out of leftfield for the Joker and knocked it out of the park.

[agentsands77]

If they get a villain as gay as The Riddler they might as well cast Jake Gyllenhaal and call it Brokebat Batman.
Clearly you don't know the Riddler. He doesn't have to be Frank Gorshin-esque. They frame it right, he could be a great foe for the third installment, especially if they decide to take a page from the real-life Zodiac killer. My choice? Casey Affleck.

Catwoman would work. Maybe Angelina Jolie?
Jolie? Ew. Not good enough of an actress (we all know she'd ham up the part), overexposed, and utterly uninteresting. We need a real actress. Someone classy, but utterly sexy, who won't bring the role into the realm of camp. And she has to be a convincing romantic lead for Bale. Not an easy casting call, to be sure.

[The Man]

I'll agree with that. Ledger certainly came out of leftfield for the Joker and knocked it out of the park.

Nolan really aced it with that choice. He just is The Joker...

[Agent Spalko]

Isn't there a Batman villain called Zodiac?

[sandiegojones]

Catwoman has to have physical stamina as well, not just another pretty face. She has to know how to cat-fight and make it look real.

I think they should stay away from Catwoman given the camp nature of her character and the Halle Berry fiasco from a few years ago. I don't think the character fits in this Batman world and it would be hard to set up her character in a third film if the third is to be the final installment.

I actually like the idea of Clay Face (Guy Pearce?) if done right and if they can do for the Riddler what they did to the Joker then he could work too.

[Agent Spalko]

Aw here it is. Zodiac Master:

The masked villain known as the Zodiac Master makes his presence known in Gotham by predicting a succession of disasters, all of which he has secretly orchestrated. Having cemented his reputation, he starts offering odds on the relative success or failure for the plans of various criminals, all in exchange for 25% of the take.

[sandiegojones]

Isn't there a Batman villain called Zodiac?
He means the real Zodiac killer who left silly zodiac riddles at the crime scenes. This is similar to the RIddler's M-O.

[Agent Spalko]

I think they should stay away from Catwoman given the camp nature of her character and the Halle Berry fiasco from a few years ago. I don't think the character fits in this Batman world and it would be hard to set up her character in a third film if the third is to be the final installment.

I actually like the idea of Clay Face (Guy Pearce?) if done right and if they can do for the Riddler what they did to the Joker then he could work too.

But Clayface would have to have his molecular structure mutated ala Hulk and I don't think mutants would work in Nolan's universe.

[agentsands77]

I think they should stay away from Catwoman given the camp nature of her character and the Halle Berry fiasco from a few years ago.
Camp isn't intrinsic to the character of Catwoman.

I don't think the character fits in this Batman world and it would be hard to set up her character in a third film if the third is to be the final installment.
It'd be incredibly easy to set up her character for a third installment, and appropriate given how the world of Gotham City needs to progress. Her current comic-book origin is perfect for Nolan's world.

[sandiegojones]

But Clayface would have to have his molecular structure mutated ala Hulk and I don't think mutants would work in Nolan's universe.
Sure but they could re-invent the back story to make it plausible. I mean, look what they did for Two Face.

[sandiegojones]

Camp isn't intrinsic to the character of Catwoman.

No, but it's pretty close. The whole "kitten with a whip" thing. Too bad Bettie Paige is dead!

[Agent Spalko]

But how do you make a man of clay work in Nolan's Gotham? That just baffles me.

[agentsands77]

But Clayface would have to have his molecular structure mutated ala Hulk and I don't think mutants would work in Nolan's universe.
Not if you did it based around the Clayface's original appearance, where there wasn't anything sci-fi about the character at all. Then again, there wasn't really much interesting about him, either.

[agentsands77]

Sure but they could re-invent the back story to make it plausible. I mean, look what they did for Two Face.
Uh, Two-Face's backstory was already pretty plausible long before Nolan ever touched it.

[Raiders112390]

Now it's number 1 on IMDB's top 250 movies of all time list, beating out the Godfather, Citizen Kane, Raiders of the Lost Ark and many others.
Can you say, "massively overhyped?"

[Agent Spalko]

Not if you did it based around the Clayface's original appearance, where there wasn't anything sci-fi about the character at all. Then again, there wasn't really much interesting about him, either.

And therein lies the problem with the next film... an interesting villain that couldn't possibly live up to The Joker.

[agentsands77]

No, but it's pretty close. The whole "kitten with a whip" thing. Too bad Bettie Paige is dead!
Well, just as the Joker was modified, Catwoman could be modified. You don't need to go the whole S&M route with the character.

[Agent Spalko]

Now it's number 1 on IMDB's top 250 movies of all time list, beating out the Godfather, Citizen Kane, Raiders of the Lost Ark and many others.
Can you say, "massively overhyped?"

Can you say "massively jealous?" :p

HahAhAhHAaHAAHAhaHAhAHaHAhAHAHaAh

[agentsands77]

Now it's number 1 on IMDB's top 250 movies of all time list, beating out the Godfather, Citizen Kane, Raiders of the Lost Ark and many others.
Yeah, but the IMDB's top 250 was already a sham. Especially the top 10. I don't know why anybody gives a rip about it, or THE DARK KNIGHT's placement on it.

[Raiders112390]

Can you say "massively jealous?" :p

HahAhAhHAaHAAHAhaHAhAHaHAhAHAHaAh

No, but can I say massively overhyped. The Godfather is better than any stupid comic book movie.

[Agent Spalko]

No, but can I say massively overhyped. The Godfather is better than any stupid comic book movie.

Godfather... yawn. Massively overrated. :sleep:

[Raiders112390]

Godfather... yawn. Massively overrated. :sleep:

You mean like the Dark Knight?

[sandiegojones]

But how do you make a man of clay work in Nolan's Gotham? That just baffles me.
The same way they did Two-Face. They made it gruesome but also had restraint to keep it real. If anyone could do it, Nolan can.

I think the Riddler is the best way to go. He's one of the top 5 villains (Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, Two Face). They could bring Scarecrow back again too.

There's also Mad Hatter, Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy.

I think only Riddler - Guy Pearce - and maybe Penguin - Philip Seymor Hoffman - (if he shown as more of a crime lord than that DeVito thing) together would work best. Then you still have the villain with psychological issues and a mobster type. That seems to be the line in the two films so far.

[Agent Spalko]

This is why Nolan should have saved Scarecrow for the third film and kept the focus on Ras Al Ghul and the League of Shadows in Begins.

[sandiegojones]

This is why Nolan should have saved Scarecrow for the third film and kept the focus on Ras Al Ghul and the League of Shadows in Begins.
Yeah, but Scarecrow fit with the whole "fear" aspect of BB. I think there's a reason for the little cameo in TDK. I'm guessing it's set up for #3.

[agentsands77]

The same way they did Two-Face. They made it gruesome but also had restraint to keep it real. If anyone could do it, Nolan can.
Nah. You can't make a man of clay seem real. No way, no how. And thankfully, Nolan understands his limits. The Clayface they'd have to go for was the mask-wearing Clayface killer that was the character's original incarnation.

[agentsands77]

Yeah, but Scarecrow fit with the whole "fear" aspect of BB. I think there's a reason for the little cameo in TDK. I'm guessing it's set up for #3.
I don't think anything in THE DARK KNIGHT is really there as set-up. Nolan has no idea if he even wants to do a third installment (and I don't think there needs to be a third installment, either).

[sandiegojones]

I don't think anything in THE DARK KNIGHT is really there as set-up. Nolan has no idea if he even wants to do a third installment (and I don't think there needs to be a third installment, either).
You're as crazy as Joker if you think there isn't going to be a third one. I've heard Bale mention 3 before and given the box office it'll be greenlit Monday morning.

What purpose was Scarecrow in TDK for then?

[Agent Spalko]

I don't think anything in THE DARK KNIGHT is really there as set-up. Nolan has no idea if he even wants to do a third installment (and I don't think there needs to be a third installment, either).

You know the studio will demand it and if Nolan's not directing I don't want another Brett Ratner hijinx of a perfect franchise.

[Raiders112390]

You know the studio will demand it and if Nolan's not directing I don't want another Brett Ratner hijinx of a perfect franchise.

I hear George Lucas is set to direct the third Batman film.

[sandiegojones]

You know the studio will demand it and if Nolan's not directing I don't want another Brett Ratner hijinx of a perfect franchise.
They'll get Brian Singer to re-imagine the third film as a sequel to Batman Returns instead! :D

[Agent Spalko]

I hear George Lucas is set to direct the third Batman film.

I'd rather it was Joel Schumacher.

[Forbidden Eye]

One huge plot-hole has been bugging me(SPOILER):


It's quite obvious during the funeral scene that there are tons of cops in Gotham City, yet when they get it out of the Joker the two locations of where Rachael and Harvey are at, they don't have enough cops to go save both of them and keep guard of the Joker and his henchmen? Or are the entire police department(including Batman himself) really that clueless?

There were other flaws I found with the film, but this is the only one that weakens the story.

Overall, TDK is certainly a good movie, but I do feel if some of these ridiculous praises keep up, I'll probably join the "this movie is hugely overrated" crowd, even if it's probably the best film of the year. But still, I had a lot more fun at KOTCS, and no film, not even this one, will have as much affection from me as Indy this year.

[Raiders112390]

I'd rather it was Joel Schumacher.

I hear David Koepp is penning the script based on a story by George Lucas. Shia LeBeouf will co-star as Robin, and Hayden Christianson will also have a key role. Rumors have it Scarecrow is the villain, and that he will be an entirely CGI character.

[agentsands77]

You're as crazy as Joker if you think there isn't going to be a third one. I've heard Bale mention 3 before and given the box office it'll be greenlit Monday morning.
Oh, I'm sure there will be a third. I'm only 80% sure Nolan will be back, though. He's stated again and again that he created THE DARK KNIGHT as independent and successfully concluded, and that he doesn't know what will happen in regards to a third.

What purpose was Scarecrow in TDK for then?
To point to the aftermath of BEGINS and demonstrate the state of Gotham City as of THE DARK KNIGHT's opening.

[sandiegojones]

It's quite obvious during the funeral scene that there are tons of cops in Gotham City, yet when they get it out of the Joker the two locations of where Rachael and Harvey are at, they don't have enough cops to go save both of them and keep guard of the Joker and his henchmen? Or are the entire police department(including Batman himself) really that clueless?


Um, not all cops are in one place, there are multiple precincts they work from. For a funeral they all come out. Batman went to Harvey, Gordon and a few cops went to save Dawes and the rest were in the precinct guarding the other prisoners and filing paperwork and stuff. Lets not forget that some of the cops are bad too. No plot hole.

[agentsands77]

It's quite obvious during the funeral scene that there are tons of cops in Gotham City, yet when they get it out of the Joker the two locations of where Rachael and Harvey are at, they don't have enough cops to go save both of them and keep guard of the Joker and his henchmen? Or are the entire police department(including Batman himself) really that clueless?
Not all cops are available when something like that goes down, you know. The full police force of Gotham City doesn't work around the clock, and many of them are spread out across the city (especially during nighttime). It's not easy to get tons of cops to appear within a five minute period.

[QBComics]

Lord, I want to see this movie. :dead: Clayface would be interesting in This kind of Batman universe. He also has been my favorite underdog Batman villain so i wouldn't be dissapointed if he appeared.

[sandiegojones]

Was I the only one who got chills when the Jokers music preceded him in every scene after his intro? It was like playing a violin with a razor blade.

[Mike00spy]

[QUOTE=Forbidden Eye]One huge plot-hole has been bugging me(SPOILER):


It's quite obvious during the funeral scene that there are tons of cops in Gotham City, yet when they get it out of the Joker the two locations of where Rachael and Harvey are at, they don't have enough cops to go save both of them and keep guard of the Joker and his henchmen? Or are the entire police department(including Batman himself) really that clueless?

There were other flaws I found with the film, but this is the only one that weakens the story.

Overall, TDK is certainly a good movie, but I do feel if some of these ridiculous praises keep up, I'll probably join the "this movie is hugely overrated" crowd, even if it's probably the best film of the year. But still, I had a lot more fun at KOTCS, and no film, not even this one, will have as much affection from me as Indy this year.


There are plot holes, though I wouldn't pick that one.

After seeing it for the second time, the 3rd act is really a let down and ruins part of the experience for me.

I'll mask it as best I can to avoid spoilers:

1) Joker's escape from jail is a MAJOR plot hole. You don't guard a prisoner like that- leaving him uncuffed and with a policeman in the room. Considering he only had a piece of glass in his hand, no cop could get a clear shot at him? Not even when he grabbed the cell? From that range, a shot to the head would have killed the Joker before he even thought about using that piece of glass to slit the cop's throat.

And, after the cell phone bomb- I am to believe that it killed everyone in the room except the Joker? Please!

2) Harvey Dent's arc takes a bad turn after his burning. I know why Dent would want revenge on the people responsible for the death if his love. Makes sense. But, he spares the one person most responsible, the Joker? Then, the mob boss as well? They should have been #1 and #2 on the list!!!! Instead, he goes after Gordon's family???? How many of you would let the Joker live in the same situation? None.

3) The Joker lets himself get cornered in a building with no escape? But, he then takes the trouble to arrange an elaborate hostage situation in case the cops come?

4) By far the most head scratching was letting the Joker live. This was only done to set up a sequel, and it ruins the ending of the film. Let's not forget that Batman had no problems letting Liam Neeson's character die in the last film. Why does the Joker deserve to be saved? Besides, the Joker's plunge off the building was self-defense, why did Batman have to go out of his way to save him? Really Really stupid there.
I 100% loved the movie until the above scenes.

[Mutt-Jones III]

Was I the only one who got chills when the Jokers music preceded him in every scene after his intro? It was like playing a violin with a razor blade.

Du-duh, du-duh! Loud scary beats? :whip:

[Goonie]

I hear David Koepp is penning the script based on a story by George Lucas. Shia LeBeouf will co-star as Robin, and Hayden Christianson will also have a key role. Rumors have it Scarecrow is the villain, and that he will be an entirely CGI character.

That sounds pretty good. They better bring back the rubber nipples.:whip:

[DocWhiskey]

2) Harvey Dent's arc takes a bad turn after his burning. I know why Dent would want revenge on the people responsible for the death if his love. Makes sense. But, he spares the one person most responsible, the Joker? Then, the mob boss as well? They should have been #1 and #2 on the list!!!! Instead, he goes after Gordon's family???? How many of you would let the Joker live in the same situation? None.



Well, he bases his kills of flipping his two headed coin. Heads=You Live, Tails=You die. It's an intricate part of the character.Hence the name "Two-Face". The movie DID show a dark side to dent at times, but in the comics it's established that Harvey has a duel personality that he's kept masked due to psychological therapy. When he gets scarred, his other personality is unleashed. That's left out so your point is technically valid. But I do agree completely with your other plot holes.

[ResidentAlien]

Well, he bases his kills of flipping his two headed coin. Heads=You Live, Tails=You die. It's an intricate part of the character.Hence the name "Two-Face". The movie DID show a dark side to dent at times, but in the comics it's established that Harvey has a duel personality that he's kept masked due to psychological therapy. When he gets scarred, his other personality is unleashed. That's left out so your point is technically valid. But I do agree completely with your other plot holes.


It's hinted at a lot in the movie. With the admission that he has a reputation amongst the cops and in the way he threatens Joker's henchman in the alley after the shooting. We see a few brief glimpses of how truly unbalanced he is before he turns. I think it's well enough established at least.

[Gustav]

[QUOTE=Forbidden Eye]1)
4) By far the most head scratching was letting the Joker live. This was only done to set up a sequel, and it ruins the ending of the film. Let's not forget that Batman had no problems letting Liam Neeson's character die in the last film. Why does the Joker deserve to be saved? Besides, the Joker's plunge off the building was self-defense, why did Batman have to go out of his way to save him? Really Really stupid there.
I 100% loved the movie until the above scenes.

The reason he let Joker live I think was because of Rachel. In Batman Begins when he revelaed that he planned to assassinate Joe Chill, Rachel said that wasn't justice, that was revenge, then she slapped him and told him his father would be disappointed. To take revenge on Joker because of Rachel would have been an insult to her memory. Batman did throw Joker off the building so he would have been killing him. With Ras Al Guhl he just didn't save him.

This is obviously something I've thought about.

[Gustav]

Lord, I want to see this movie. :dead: Clayface would be interesting in This kind of Batman universe. He also has been my favorite underdog Batman villain so i wouldn't be dissapointed if he appeared.

I can't see Clayface existing in this Batman universe. I would really like to see more of Two-Face, but more like he was in the comic book. I also want to see Penguin and Catwoman but I heard that Nolan said he wouldn't be using them because they are too over-the-top. He's almost taking this series too seriously.

One villain I can see him using is a toned down Riddler. That's toned down from the comic book version of the Riddler and Far away from Jim Carrey's version of the Riddler.

[The Man]

Are there any figures to confirm this yet?*

http://sify.com/movies/hollywood/fullstory.php?id=14719678




*If so, hurrah!

[QBComics]

Is this what Two Face looks like? (possible spoilers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBAH9_3Idk&feature=related

Becasue I thought I would be a bit scared when I saw it... Photoshop?
EDIT: oh ****, nevermind... I feel pathetic :o

[indifan101]

Awesome movie simply incredible next to the previous Batman movies I've seen deffinetly want to see it again.:D :up:

[The Man]

Is this what Two Face looks like? (possible spoilers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBAH9_3Idk&feature=related

Becasue I thought I would be a bit scared when I saw it... Photoshop?
EDIT: oh ****, nevermind... I feel pathetic :o

That's the real deal, alright.

[HovitosKing]

From CNN.com breaking news:

"Dark Knight" sets opening-weekend box office record of $155.34 million, AP reports.

Not bad. I think we found the opening-weekend box office ceiling.

[agentsands77]

Is this what Two Face looks like? (possible spoilers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBAH9_3Idk&feature=related

Becasue I thought I would be a bit scared when I saw it... Photoshop?
EDIT: oh ****, nevermind... I feel pathetic :o
No. That's not the film Two-Face. It's close in some respects, but not in the details.

[The Man]

From CNN.com breaking news:

"Dark Knight" sets opening-weekend box office record of $155.34 million, AP reports.

Not bad. I think we found the opening-weekend box office ceiling.

Yep...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jb68x_tOGx8QHjI0Cr6C-Vy79OGgD921LBQO0

[The Man]

Lead in the head, anyone?

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/891997/the_joker_pencil_trick.html?cat=40

Anyone?

[Young Indy]

Saw The Dark Knight at Midnight. This is what I thought about it.

The Good:
The film looks excellent, the acting is good, and the story has compelling moments. Ledger's Joker is insane and puts moral questions in the forefront with his acts destruction. The thematic element of escalation in the film is a nice touch. If a dark vigilante dressed up as a bat started fighting crime for the good guys what will the bad guys come up with? The Joker of course. On the filp side I actually enjoyed the Harvey Dent character more then the much praised Joker. Harvey Dent and his fall to the dark side was a much more compelling character then a maniac clown that kills just because he is insane. In a way the Joker is just a catalyst for Harvey's downfall. I had mixed feelings when they killed Harvey because I was looking forward to a Two-Face centric Batman picture but, I think writers did the right thing.

The Bad:
Why so Serious? This picture is very dark. Some moments even made me sqeemish. Unlike many summer movies it's not one I would like to see over and over again for the fun of it. It also gets a little long. A two and half hour Batman movie? Many scenes seemed to drag for dark dramatic effect and just get a little melodramatic. There is also no jaw dropping action scene like you would except from a Batman film. There are some good moments but nothing special.

The Ugly:
Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne was on target. His Batman, should not talk. I felt his gravely Batman voice was passable at best and embarrassingly bad at worst. Maggie Gyllenhall was a poor substitute and is not very attractive to me for a leading lady. Another aspect of Nolan's Batman series is the more "realisitic" approach. He discards the batcave in this movie for a well lit subbasement with computers. He gets rid of the batmobile for the tumbler and it's weird escapepod dubbed by a friend of mine the tumblecycle! With Batman the simpler the better. No robot powered hands that can bend steel with a Batsuit that harkens back to the Bruckheimer days. You lose part of the mythology of Batman with these poorly designed substitutes.

The Final Word:
Overall, a well made film with some minor flaws. Superior in most respects to Batman Begins buy not as enjoyable to Burton's Batman.

[agentsands77]

The Bad:
Why so Serious? This picture is very dark. Some moments even made me sqeemish.
From my perspective, that's a good thing. Besides, Batman's been much darker and more violent in the comics than this.

He discards the batcave in this movie for a well lit subbasement with computers.
Only because Wayne Manor is being rebuilt. And the comics actually did this for a while, for what it's worth.

[Young Indy]

From my perspective, that's a good thing. Besides, Batman's been much darker and more violent in the comics than this.


Only because Wayne Manor is being rebuilt. And the comics actually did this for a while, for what it's worth.

Well, the dark factor is all a matter of opinion. The batcave could of been there if they wanted it to be there. They could of rebuilt between the movies. Anyway I just didn't like that small part of the film.

[Gustav]

Only because Wayne Manor is being rebuilt. And the comics actually did this for a while, for what it's worth.

Right. At the end of Batman Begins, Alfred suggests that rebuilding Wayne manor would be a good opportunity to improve the "foundations". I was hoping they would have the bat cave done by this movie, but they don't.

With Batman the simpler the better. No robot powered hands that can bend steel with a Batsuit that harkens back to the Bruckheimer days.

What Bruckheimer days?

[Young Indy]

What Bruckheimer days?[/QUOTE]

Good point. Sorry I meant Schumacher.

[RocketSledFight]

"We're destined to keep doing this forever, you and I." - The Joker

I love that line, but both times it was like a kick in the gut ... after only seeing the Joker for the entire running time of the film, Heath's death shines through and makes this line more poignant than it has a right to be.

[Agent Spalko]

If he were still alive I'm pretty sure he'd be back for the third film. Sadly, we will never again get another cinematic performance as definitive as Heath's. Ledger owns the role.

[WillKill4Food]

True, but I think it might seem like they were just trying to cram as many villains in there as possible to appease fans. See Spider-Man 3.
Yeah, it was really lame the way Eddie Brock just happened to be praying for Peter's death when the symbiote attached to him.

[RocketSledFight]

Yeah. I'm wondering how problematic his death makes finishing the story arc of 3 movies for Nolan and the gang.

But ultimately, I'm happy he stuck to his guns and composed the film the way he would have regardless.

And

SPOILER



Even if The Joker being alive and most likely incarcerated and absent from the events of the third film is troublesome, I love the fact that the character lives on whereas Heath can't. It makes the performance feel timeless, and I'm sure I'll be watching the movie years from now feeling that somewhere Heath's Joker is still up to no good in Gotham.



END SPOILER


I recently read something interesting about Edison, in that he didn't so much invent the motion picture technique for entertainment value, but for the sake of being able to see the dead being brought back to life years after passing, to reanimate what was already gone. Films like this are tragically true to that vision.

[Agent Spalko]

DK on bluray November 17!!! :up:

[sandiegojones]

Yeah. I'm wondering how problematic his death makes finishing the story arc of 3 movies for Nolan and the gang.

But ultimately, I'm happy he stuck to his guns and composed the film the way he would have regardless.

I was thinking that perhaps there is some cutting room floor material of HL as Joker that could maybe be used in a third film, like a scene that was cut and not related to a scene seen in TDK and could somehow work as a cameo like Scarecrow's in TDK.

After thinking about a third film I'm thinking they'll definitely go with The Riddler as the psycho villain and the Penguin could be the new mob boss with Falcone and now Maroni gone.

[sandiegojones]

DK on bluray November 17!!! :up:
Any news about the presentation? I heard that the disc will have the regular widescreen 2:85-1 version and also have the IMAX version which will go from 2:35-1 to 1:78-1 (full screen HD with no bars) for the scenes shot in IMAX and will have higher HD resolution. I want to get a 70" DLP for that!

[Agent Spalko]

Nolan said all footage of Heath has remained in the film. There will be no deleted scenes on the DVD because there aren't any scenes that were removed.

[Agent Spalko]

Any news about the presentation? I heard that the disc will have the regular widescreen 2:85-1 version and also have the IMAX version which will go from 2:35-1 to 1:78-1 (full screen HD with no bars) for the scenes shot in IMAX and will have higher HD resolution. I want to get a 70" DLP for that!

Yes, the Imax shifted aspect ratio will remain on the Bluray. Read about it here:

http://www.ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=6466

[RocketSledFight]

I was thinking that perhaps there is some cutting room floor material of HL as Joker that could maybe be used in a third film, like a scene that was cut and not related to a scene seen in TDK and could somehow work as a cameo like Scarecrow's in TDK.

I don't know if I'd really want to see that though. I think on a gut level I would feel better if I just knew that he was out there, somewhere, ready to strike again. But who knows, I trust whatever Nolan chooses to do after this film.

(Thinks back to an identical statement concerning Sam Raimi post-Spiderman 2, crosses fingers that he isn't stabbed in heart again)

DK on bluray November 17!!! :up:

Confirmed?! Where? EDIT: Beat me to it. Thanks, Spalko! Now I have to get a Blu Ray player.

[Gustav]

"We're destined to keep doing this forever, you and I." - The Joker

I love that line, but both times it was like a kick in the gut ... after only seeing the Joker for the entire running time of the film, Heath's death shines through and makes this line more poignant than it has a right to be.
Sadly, we will never again get another cinematic performance as definitive as Heath's. Ledger owns the role.
I'm sure I'll be watching the movie years from now feeling that somewhere Heath's Joker is still up to no good in Gotham.


I recently read something interesting about Edison, in that he didn't so much invent the motion picture technique for entertainment value, but for the sake of being able to see the dead being brought back to life years after passing, to reanimate what was already gone. Films like this are tragically true to that vision.

Okay Okay okay okay OKAY. It's very sad, but I think I'm going to vomit after the next overly-sentimental post inspired by Heath Ledger's passing. I don't know about any of you, but I didn't know the guy. I would feel like a fraud saying some of this ...stuff.

Isn't there a Heath Ledger memorial thread somewhere?

RocketSledfight- I hope you're not saying they should have cut that line from the film.

[ResidentAlien]

"We're destined to keep doing this forever, you and I." - The Joker

I love that line, but both times it was like a kick in the gut ... after only seeing the Joker for the entire running time of the film, Heath's death shines through and makes this line more poignant than it has a right to be.


That line, and nearly that whole scene is almost verbatim from The Killing Joke.

[RocketSledFight]

Okay Okay okay okay OKAY. It's very sad, but I think I'm going to vomit after the next overly-sentimental post inspired by Heath Ledger's passing. I don't know about any of you, but I didn't know the guy. I would feel like a fraud saying some of this ...stuff.

Isn't there a Heath Ledger memorial thread somewhere?

RocketSledfight- I hope you're not saying they should have cut that line from the film.

What exactly about my post was overly-sentimental? I merely expressed what I thought of when I heard that line, and what I envisioned for the future of the character - one that I wouldn't particularly like to see recast in this series of Batman films.

I'm not claiming to be a personal friend of the man, but I'm no fair-weather fan of his, either. It simply makes for a more interesting and textured experience watching the film, knowing that the most powerful performance within is bound to a untimely passing months prior.

Should they have cut that line? F*** no. It's my favorite thing that spills out of the Joker's infected mouth.

[HovitosKing]

After thinking about a third film I'm thinking they'll definitely go with The Riddler as the psycho villain and the Penguin could be the new mob boss with Falcone and now Maroni gone.

That would be cool, as the Riddler was always a favorite of mine growing up. However, Nolan would need to re-invent this character. The Riddler of the 60's show was overly campy, the comic book Riddler has always seemed weak and whiny, and Jim Carrey's characterization was just his own thing. I'd like to see Riddler done as a dark psychotic who gets off on giving folks the clues they need to bust him but in a manner too ingenious for them to figure out in time. Like the Zodiac, sort of. Playing a game with Batman...if you were smarter you'd prevent all these deaths. The blood's on your hands sort of thing. That would be cool.

[sandiegojones]

I don't know if I'd really want to see that though. I think on a gut level I would feel better if I just knew that he was out there, somewhere, ready to strike again. But who knows, I trust whatever Nolan chooses to do after this film.
Well, I was thinking that it'd be an Arkham Asylum type scene. I thought that maybe they filmed something or had some prison scenes that could be used in a different context.

The Long Halloween is a comic book that Nolan and Goyer have drawn inspiration from and there is a Hannibal Lector type character. "The Calendar Man", that assists Batman in finding a serial killer from inside his Arkham cell. I thought maybe the Joker could be this character for a third film, but per Spalko Nolan says there is none. They certainly could just use the character in the comic too if they wanted to stray from the normal rouge's gallery.

Scarecrow could be that guy too since he's likely locked up in Arkham and is also a shrink with a prior relationship with Batman.

[RocketSledFight]

That would be cool, as the Riddler was always a favorite of mine growing up. However, Nolan would need to re-invent this character. The Riddler of the 60's show was overly campy, the comic book Riddler has always seemed weak and whiny, and Jim Carrey's characterization was just his own thing. I'd like to see Riddler done as a dark psychotic who gets off on giving folks the clues they need to bust him but in a manner too ingenious for them to figure out in time. Like the Zodiac, sort of. That would be cool.

I like the serial killer/Zodiac idea. It could also work on the level that the Riddler is steering Batman down a path that involves him with the other sordid denizens of Gotham, such as the Penguin (who I refuse to believe couldn't be depicted well within Nolan's universe).

Perhaps what could be more powerful than recasting the Joker or using footage in a Marlon Brando-esque fashion would be to strengthen the character of Batman by the wounds the Joker created and the loss of Rachel. I don't know if any villain will come across as powerful onscreen as the Joker did. But maybe feature the Riddler as a physical villain with the Joker as a more psychological, haunting villain for Bruce Wayne. Undoubtedly, I think the curveballs that he threw at Batman during this film will make him a more well-rounded, interesting character in the third, not to mention a better detective.

[sandiegojones]

Like the Zodiac, sort of. Playing a game with Batman...if you were smarter you'd prevent all these deaths. The blood's on your hands sort of thing. That would be cool.
I think if they did The Riddler and had a story like The Long Halloween it could be awesome. That story revolved around Harvey Dent and his wife, but the plot (the criminal acts) could be reworked for The Riddler and allow for use of The Calendar Man. It'd be a bit of The Zodiac meets Silence of the Lambs meets Batman.

[agentsands77]

As much as it's clear that the Joker and Batman's relationship doesn't end with THE DARK KNIGHT, I don't think that's necessarily a sequel set-up. Jonathan Nolan said this about where THE DARK KNIGHT leaves off: "I think the idea, as much as anything, is to make a complete film; but also one that suggests the universe that the comic books…to me this is how I always imagined it. If we hadn’t made a sequel to Batman Begins, you would imagine that the Joker card explained where we’re at in the comic books and sort of opened into that universe." I think that's what he's dealing with.

And frankly, even if Ledger was alive, I don't think a return would be warranted. THE DARK KNIGHT pretty much uses the Joker to his full potential... I can't imagine a return being anywhere near as thrilling. It's for the best that THE DARK KNIGHT will have to find a new source of villainy, if you ask me.

[sandiegojones]

It's for the best that THE DARK KNIGHT will have to find a new source of villainy, if you ask me.
Given where Batman's character is left at the end, having a new villain like a a Zodiac style serial killer (Riddler) could create good drama and trouble for Bat's as I'm sure Gotham's citizens may think it's "The Batman" committing the crimes.

Regardless of what they end up doing I'm sure it'll be great.

[Agent Spalko]

It's going to be an uphill battle for Nolan on the third film. The Dark Knight is the magnum opus of an operatic masterpiece. I fear things could only go down from here. He has his work cut out for him, that's for sure.

[agentsands77]

I fear things could only go down from here.
Maybe so.

But a film that's somewhat inferior to THE DARK KNIGHT doesn't make it bad, or not worth doing. It could still be incredibly good in its own right, even if it doesn't quite reach the level THE DARK KNIGHT does. Nolan just has to do something different enough from what's come before.

[sandiegojones]

There's a good TDK feature on IGN that has the rouges gallery and how they could or could not work in Nolan's world. I do like their take on Mr. Freeze and some posters mention of Guy Pearce.

http://comics.ign.com/articles/891/891521p1.html

[RocketSledFight]

Maybe so.

But a film that's somewhat inferior to THE DARK KNIGHT doesn't make it bad, or not worth doing. It could still be incredibly good in its own right, even if it doesn't quite reach the level THE DARK KNIGHT does. Nolan just has to do something different enough from what's come before.

I'm sure Nolan will deliver something worth seeing. But to be honest, he could leave the series be and I would be entirely satisfied.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

I'm sure Nolan will deliver something worth seeing. But to be honest, he could leave the series be and I would be entirely satisfied.
That is exactly how I feel. I think this could be the last Batman film in ten years, because of how good it was (and because they've made too many anyway.) If (when) Nolan does a third, he should take it into a completey different (and even lighter) direction, without going into Shumacher territory. Like in BATMAN BEGINS, give us villains who have never been used on screen before (like Mad Hatter, Man Bat, Clayface, Black Mask etc. Screw "realism," it's still Batman) get the batcave/Wayne Manor up and running, introduce a traditional looking Batmobile for familiarity, and give us something new and refreshing in terms of plot and action.

As great as TDK was, it's nothing we haven't seen before in some form or another on screen. Let's see something new.

[deckard24]

Wow...what an awesome moviegoing experience that was!! TDK is by far the best film I've seen this year, and the new pinnacle of superhero films. Too bad Spielberg and Co. didn't take a page out of Nolan's book! Ledger was fantastic and surely deserves an Oscar nod, but man what a shame that he's gone now and we'll never get to see his version of the Joker in a new film again, or any other role he'd have probably made history with!!

One thing is for sure, Nolan really has his work cut out for him for the third act. I don't know if they are thinking of more then 3, but TDK will be almost impossible to top! It truly is the best second act film in a series I've seen since The Empire Strikes Back.

As for future villains I don't know what they'll do? The Riddler could be interesting if they took a Zodiac approach to him. Catwoman I'm not so sure about, and I've read of rumors of the Penguin being played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Also there's a lot of talk about recasting the Joker for a return, but in my opinion that would be a big mistake that would just end up in endless comparisons between whoever they'd choose and Ledger, and that would just overshadow the third movie! As for Robin:down: !

Whatever they end up doing, 3 years is a long time to wait!!

[Agent Spalko]

I'm seeing it again right now! :up:

"And here we... go!"

[Jonesy9906753]

Ledger's death has absolutely no bearing on his performance. This role would have sealed his position in the A-list stratosphere anyway. I love Jack Nicholson as the Joker but he played it like a gangster thug and not a true psychopathic killer like the comic books. Ledger nails the way the Joker is depicted in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum. He ain't no kiddie Joker. Ledger's will go down as one of the most sadistic madmen in film history and will make Hannibal Lector look like an amateur lightweight.

and it damn well did!:whip:

[Deckard]

Wow...what an awesome moviegoing experience that was!! TDK is by far the best film I've seen this year, and the new pinnacle of superhero films. Too bad Spielberg and Co. didn't take a page out of Nolan's book! Ledger was fantastic and surely deserves an Oscar nod, but man what a shame that he's gone now and we'll never get to see his version of the Joker in a new film again, or any other role he'd have probably made history with!!

One thing is for sure, Nolan really has his work cut out for him for the third act. I don't know if they are thinking of more then 3, but TDK will be almost impossible to top! It truly is the best second act film in a series I've seen since The Empire Strikes Back.

As for future villains I don't know what they'll do? The Riddler could be interesting if they took a Zodiac approach to him. Catwoman I'm not so sure about, and I've read of rumors of the Penguin being played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Also there's a lot of talk about recasting the Joker for a return, but in my opinion that would be a big mistake that would just end up in endless comparisons between whoever they'd choose and Ledger, and that would just overshadow the third movie! As for Robin:down: !

Whatever they end up doing, 3 years is a long time to wait!!

I think 3 should go w/ Riddler and Hush. And Riddler should not be whacky like Jim Carrey or Gorshin, but a mastermind sort who plays Hush against Batman like a game of Chess. Deal w/ them knowing Bruce's identity. Hugo Strange would also work well in the Nolanverse.

Also Falcone never stood trial. He was declared mentally incompitent most likely, which means he could "get better" and get out and take back over. Then you could work the Sylina Kyle wants revenge on the mob story angle.

[Agent Spalko]

Bring back Eric Roberts as Maroni. This is the best role of his career since Runaway Train.

[The Man]

"This is different. They crossed the line..."

http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/07/the-dark-knight.html

[Deckard]

Now I know it hasn't been out near long enough to hold this spot, and I don't put any stock into IMDB but check this out, I think its the first movie to knock the Godfather out of that number 1 slot :

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/deckard86/DARKKNIGHT1.jpg

[The Man]

Now I know it hasn't been out near long enough to hold this spot, and I don't put any stock into IMDB but check this out, I think its the first movie to knock the Godfather out of that number 1 slot :

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/deckard86/DARKKNIGHT1.jpg

That's quite some company for The Dark Knight to be in. Considering the quality and diversity of that top-thirty, IMDB may not be as off-beam as many Indy apologists would have us believe.

[Deckard]

Now I know it hasn't been out near long enough to hold this spot, and I don't put any stock into IMDB but check this out, I think its the first movie to knock the Godfather out of that number 1 slot :

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/deckard86/DARKKNIGHT1.jpg


I also Highlighted Raiders. Notice 4 points score differance between Raiders and Godfather. Same 4 point differance between Dark Knight and Godfather, it is way out in the lead right now, also take into account the movies like Sunset Blvd. which only have 35,000 voters.

[The Man]

I also Highlighted Raiders. Notice 4 points score differance between Raiders and Godfather. Same 4 point differance between Dark Knight and Godfather, it is way out in the lead right now, also take into account the movies like Sunset Blvd. which only have 35,000 voters.

It's nice to see The Silence Of The Lambs ranked so high...:up:

[muttjones]

I also Highlighted Raiders. Notice 4 points score differance between Raiders and Godfather. Same 4 point differance between Dark Knight and Godfather, it is way out in the lead right now, also take into account the movies like Sunset Blvd. which only have 35,000 voters.

anyone noticed wall-e up there to? i think both it and dark knight will slowly drop down.

[HovitosKing]

That list is a joke. The Godfather is good, but it's not top 5 of all-time. Wall-E is also a joke.

[The Man]

Catwoman would work. Maybe Angelina Jolie?

You have some support, Comrade...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/07/angelina-jolie.html

'...The best option seems to be Catwoman and the best Catwoman seems to be Jolie.'

[Pale Horse]

I found the editing to be hack and best, the cinematography to be too close-up in too many scenes and the plot was muddy and drawn out.

Kudos to the marketing department on this one, to overshadow these flaws.

[deckard24]

Here's some possible suggestions (I've heard about, read about, or came up in discussions with friends) for who could play the villains in the next film:

The Joker-I hope they don't do a recast, but some suggestions I've heard have included: Johnny Depp, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Javier Bardem, and Brad Pitt

The Riddler-Adrien Brody, Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Bettany, and Crispin Glover

Catwoman-Angelina Jolie, Shannyn Sossamon, Megan Fox, and Lena Headey

The Penguin-Philip Seymour Hoffman and Bob Hoskins

Other then these, who have you guys thought of or heard mentioned?

[HovitosKing]

I found the editing to be hack and best, the cinematography to be too close-up in too many scenes and the plot was muddy and drawn out.

Kudos to the marketing department on this one, to overshadow these flaws.

Not to mention the utter cheesiness and yack factor involved in Gotham's most insane and ruthless oversized crazy securing the detonator from Gotham's finest and tossing it overboard. And this film is supposed to be grounded in reality? Pleeeeease.... That's about as bad as those crap scenes from the Spider-Man movies where New Yorkers band together to show Spidey's villains how united they are. Ugh.

Oh, P.S., *spoiler alert*

[The Man]

Catwoman-Angelina Jolie, Shannyn Sossamon, Megan Fox, and Lena Headey.



Shannyn Sossamon popped into my mind aswell...*

http://p1.hotornot.com/bl/brands/GZOU/AQWMRCFNSMSCLCPKHBHN.jpg


*Though she does that quite a lot...