Jake
Founder/Owner jake@themoviespace.com
I consider Batman Begins to be the best comic book film of all time, hands down the standard by which all other movies of the genre are judged. I was already a fan of Christopher Nolan’s work, as well as Christian Bale and Liam Neeson, and Gary Oldman. The film blew me away, and when I saw the Joker’s card at the end of the first film, I was almost giddy, wondering who would take on the arduous task of bringing the Joker to life once again on the big screen.
When I heard that Heath Ledger got the part, I was stunned but was not going to pass judgment, because Heath had always surprised me. Then I saw the makeup, and I knew things were going to be as they should: darker, creepier, and altogether devilishly delicious. Finally I saw the trailer and I was fulfilled. This was going to be perfect. And silence all of those people who kept saying that no one will improve on Jack Nicholson’s take on the character.
If you are one of those people I am glad to say that all of you are wrong. When the Joker first appears on screen, it is magical. I don’t throw that term around loosely, it is hands down the best performance by anyone this year, and one of the best I have seen on film, ever. He is flawless, perfect, and I am thankful that I got to witness this master at the peak of his craft. When he makes the pencil “disappear” I knew that this was going to be one of the best on-screen villains ever.
The other characters in the film are altogether wonderful and all have great stories of their own to tell. Including Detective Gordon, and the wonderful Harvey Dent. I think that by now we all know that Dent becomes Two-Face, so I hope that I haven’t just ruined some one’s day. A great character and beautifully done by Eckhart and the director, as well as great motivation for his transformation from hero to villain.
Christian Bale was back and was as good as ever, he was somehow more somber than in BB but good nonetheless. This is chapter two in the trilogy, so the standard literary cycle holds true here. The first chapter is motivation/transformation, chapter two is temptation, and three is resolve. Needless to say it is a dark time for Batman, but Bruce Wayne is doing just fine, a contrast from the first film.
As good as the rest of the cast is, the film does seem noticalby vaccant when Heath Ledger is off-screen, he truly lifted what would be an above averag film to heights of film greatness. The Dark Knight has taken the top spot of my Top 10 Comic Book films, and has easily made a notch for itself as the best Batman film to date.
I will be seeing this movie again.
We have all read them and seen them quoted on the posters and DVD cases of countless movies, little snippets of wisdom from the masters of film review. From Rolling Stone, Ebert & Roeper and local radio and newspaper ads, we have all been duped and surprised by their suggestions and positive and negative quips. They are all quite cross influenced as well, as these lines of sage wisdom are being more and more recycled as the days go by. But beware, these people really don’t know what they are even saying anymore, they only poses a collection of sentences that are randomly selected and slapped on a marketing campaign and the studios and distributors are glad for the opportunity. With all that in mind here are some definitions of the most used fanciful fragments.
“A White-Knuckle Thrill Ride!’
This one is getting more usage as the American film market keeps remaking classic and foreign horror films. All this means is that there are plenty of “jump” segments with no substance and a sub-standard narrative, with no scare factor at all. Just cheap thrills that are created by the editor and composer, not the cast nor the director.
“…Keeps You Guessing to the End!”
Ah the twist, the trend that is getting old way too fast, and has lost its theatrical savor as well. There are films that have great twists e.g. The Empire Strikes Back, Fight Club, The Sixth Sense etc. but now it is popular to do so. And never put this catchy little ad in or on a review, it kind of ruins the surprise effect that the screenwriter intended.
“Adrenaline Fueled Action!”
Most used on the films of the dwindling action film genre, that is in bad need of reinvention and a good housecleaning. The action that we see in a movie labeled with this kiss-of-death phrase usually includes useless pretty boys trying to look tough and a script that is trying to be smarter than it really is. We don’t need “smart” action movies, we need straight-up Die Hard styled stories with explosions and an interesting villain, that’s all.
“Insanely Funny!”
I’m quite sure that any movie labeled with this is NOT funny, there are very few movies that make me laugh anymore, and it is usually not a comedy that does so. I know that everyone finds different things to be funny, but I have never seen a comedy with this phrase in the advertising to be funny. Watch for recycled jokes, sexual banter, and irreverence in these titles.
I suppose that I have vented enough for now, be watching for the second installment!
Batman Returns…
This could be the best summer for comic book fans, as far as the movies go. With the release of the stellar Iron Man, and with several more premier superheroes hitting the cinemas again this season, we have reason to rejoice. The 2005 film, Batman Begins, was in my opinion the best superhero movie to date. It was near perfect. The Dark Knight is set to hit theatres this July and looks to be on par with the first in the series, and maybe just a touch above.
Here is why I think so:
- The Joker
- Maggie Gyllenhaal has replaced Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes
- Harvey Dent is played by Aaron Eckhart
- Gary Oldman is Back
- The Joker
Although it may be hard for some to see this film due to Mr. Ledger’s recent parting, I am going to view it as his last hurrah, and view in awe his master-craft at it’s peak. As far as The Joker goes, I am delighted that the writers and director have decided to take this film’s Joker in a completely different and sadistically dark direction. This is to keep from drawing more of the still inevitable comparisons to Tim Burton and Jack Nicholson’s take on the character. I knew when I saw the joker card at the end of Batman Begins that this was the direction that Christopher Nolan was going to take, and I couldn’t be happier.
It also looks as though this will be the rough patch for Bruce Wayne/Batman, if the standard cycle of trilogies rule holds true here. Strangely the rule did not apply to the Spiderman franchise, in which the events got ridiculously atrocious, not only fighting three baddies at once but was also battling the breakup of his engagement, as well as the black suit and finding out that his Uncle Ben’s death was still not avenged. There is no way that anyone could stand all of that at once, superhero or not. I told you not to let me get started on Spidey 3.
Back to Batman, the hype and excitement around this movie will no doubt continue to grow until its release. I am truly excited about this film and we all have a right to be. Not only did Christopher Nolan give us Batman Begins but also, Insomnia, Memento, and The Prestige. See you on July 18th, in a cape and cowl, or not. It’s optional.
I love music, I also love movies, why then do I hate the average musical? I will more than gladly tell you why. There comes this moment in every musical that the cast burst forth into song like spontaneous rays of sunlight over a field of golden grain. It just doesn’t make sense, and I don’t believe it is happening, it just isn’t plausible.
However, in the past year there have been several musical films that have swayed me adamant disdain for them. The most notable of these is the little indie film that made it big, Once. With authentic musicians, a great story and quick and dirty style of shooting it won me over, I believed it.
The next was August Rush. Although some of the music was mimed and dubbed there was enough emotion here to allow me to enter the fantasy, and the music permeated the film from beginning to end. The film was and is music, every aspect and every facet and John Rhys-Myers has a surprising amount of musical chops to boot.
Of course the most entertaining was the reunification of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp on Steven Sondheim’s adaptation of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. With terrific singing, bloody good action and revenge, this film was magic.
Well that is all for now, I anxiously await the next musical and hope that the current trends continue.
Do you have a favorite musical?