The Dark Knight

[tenebrae]

I was fairly impressed, but Iron Man was still better in my books. Also, while I though Heath was good, Aaron Eckhart was better.

[Mischief]

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Well to avoid the 2 villains in one movie down, they didn't really have to kill Dent.  I mean he could have survived that fall, he certainly seemed enough of a hard ass to do so.  But you're right, batman has plenty of villains to pick from, I for one would love to see a proper Bane in a batman film - not that abomination in Batman and Robin.

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But, as Batman mentions to Gordon, Gotham would not have survived Dent's Fall. Fortunately, Joker does not not need to have scene time to make an impart on a movie. It only takes one fatal Misery moment, on Harley's part, to turn Mr. J into an imaginary Puddin'

Best Actor is not a lock. There are still months before the Oscars are nominated. Better acting may still appear later in the year. Of course, any competion will need to compete with how memorable Heath's Joker was. Regardless of how good his acting was Aaron will not get a nod for Best Actor. Not enough screen time. Supporting Actor on the other hand, is a possibility, Though supporting roles tend to have the better actors filling them.

[Sletchman]

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But, as Batman mentions to Gordon, Gotham would not have survived Dent's Fall. Fortunately, Joker does not not need to have scene time to make an impart on a movie. It only takes one fatal Misery moment, on Harley's part, to turn Mr. J into an imaginary Puddin'

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I know what you mean, but they could still attribute his murders to Batman, and put him in a special instutition, while publicly "He's recieving the best healthcare money can buy, after his horrible burns, and near explodedness."

And speaking of Harley, I noticed someone is credited as playing her in the film, but I didn't notice them during the film, perhaps her scenes never left the cutting room.  I would like her to have screen time in upcomming films, but for her to truly work, she'd need to be brilliantly cast.  I'll admit revenge is a tired motive, but in this case, it'd work.  Find the right girl, who tiptoes that line between seductive and psychotic, and have her spout some oh so familiar lines at a few choice moments and see where we get to...

Why revenge? If the Joker isn't executed by the state after the events of the movie, and he was pretty clearly in custody at the end of it, they its only because they didn't handle him well [again].

You'll note in the thread above that discussion is already occurring, with considerable (and considerate) USE OF SPOILERS. For those of us with small children, who only get to the theatres at odd and unpredictable times, simply waiting until Monday for open discussion is not sufficient.

Yes, I could just avoid the thread, but then how would I torture myself with the films greatness?

Walter

I'm trying my best to avoid wrecking anything for anyone, as I know what its like to have a film spoiled by someone who isn't considerate [on the only other forum I read].  After all I didn't see Ironman till 3 weeks after it was released due to being stuck 400 Km's [250 Miles] from a Cinema on a contract job.

With regards to the Best Actor Oscar, not to sound callous or disrespectful, but I think Heath will get it.  Not necessarily because he's the best actor [which it could be argued that this year he is, at least so far], but because he's dead.  People tend to get sentimental about stuff like this, and it will be their last chance to give him one, so IMHO, they'll take it.

[Desertpuma]

I enjoyed the film and easily mark it as great. Ledger's performance stole the show and without giving away too much I'll simply say I'm torn as to which scene of his is the best. It is either in the interrogation room (which was in a small blip of the trailer) or in the nurse's outfit (which is a very nebulous way of saying "once you see the film you'll understand" and still not spoil it for anyone). All in all, I did like Iron Man more (and admit to being partially biased since I've been an Iron Man since the early 80s). But these two films are on unequal footing as Dark Knight is a sequel while Iron Man is an origin story.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Robert Downey Jr and Heath Ledger battling for Oscar in February but I have a feeling they'll be in different categories and could both receive an Oscar (RDJ is definitely under Best while Ledger would Best Supporting).

As for the outcomes of certain people in the film, I'm glad it ended the way it did as chaos, and what you expected to have happen ... didn't, was the order of the day. Kudos to the twists in the story and remember that although the Joker prides himself on chaos, he did a remarkible amount of planning.

Kudos to those guest stars making cameos like William Fichtner at the bank, Eric Roberts, Keith Szarabiaka (of The Equalizer fame as a cop), Ron Dean (who has played more cops in Chicago based films than any other actor in America), Michael Jai White (who was Spawn), and to the #2 pencil for disappearing so damn effectively!

[Toccata]

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The observation I made about the Joker's plans is that while they were quite elaborate and well laid, they were exclusively short-term in nature.

[Golden Dragon]

You'll note in the thread above that discussion is already occurring, with considerable (and considerate) USE OF SPOILERS. For those of us with small children, who only get to the theatres at odd and unpredictable times, simply waiting until Monday for open discussion is not sufficient.

Yes, I could just avoid the thread, but then how would I torture myself with the films greatness?

Walter

1. Part of the reason I asked was to give others a chance to object to the proposal. Objection noted.

2. I find something aesthetically unpleasing about holding a discussion behind spoiler tags. That's part of the reason I'm interested in an open discussion.

Let me know when a reasonable time for open discussion is.

[Sletchman]

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The observation I made about the Joker's plans is that while they were quite elaborate and well laid, they were exclusively short-term in nature.

Along a similiar vein - I really appreciated that all the characters stayed very much "in character".  Nothing ticks me off more then when a character in a movie does something against their character [unless its part of a big character turning point that events have been building to], and I can't think of any point where this happened in this movie.

[ThunderMonkey]

Kudos to those guest stars making cameos like William Fichtner at the bank, Eric Roberts, Keith Szarabiaka (of The Equalizer fame as a cop), Ron Dean (who has played more cops in Chicago based films than any other actor in America), Michael Jai White (who was Spawn), and to the #2 pencil for disappearing so damn effectively!

And Tiny Lister (It took me a while, but then I was ahhh).


I hope that Nolan tries to bring back the Joker character. There was a moment towards the end of the film that Ledger transcended into the character and I felt that I was no longer watching an actor trying to fulfill a role.

I'm not sure to my overall reaction to the film.

My first reaction is that: Did I just watch that? Did I just watch a comic book movie?

Had it been any other film, I would have been floored, but as a comic book movie, it certainly set a new standard.

[Desertpuma]

I forgot about Tiny Lister...

[ThunderMonkey]

One of the critisms that I heard about "The Dark Knight" was how horrible the fight scenes were shot. Confusing, unsteady were among the words used.

Okay, granted Nolan doesn't know how to shoot a good fight scene yet... but I thought it was intentional. If Nolan's attempt was to root Batman into reality, then fighting isn't going to be some choreographed ballet. It's going to be brutal and dirty. Which seemed to fit the Joker just fine.

It's been nearly 12 hours since I've seen the movie... I just about got my review written for the TV guide I put together and I have to say it's becoming pretty darn close to becoming one of my top movies of the year. Overall? It's in my top 25, but I haven't checked it in a while and I need to add another movie ("The Incredible Hulk") in there some where...

[Sletchman]

Okay, granted Nolan doesn't know how to shoot a good fight scene yet... but I thought it was intentional. If Nolan's attempt was to root Batman into reality, then fighting isn't going to be some choreographed ballet.

The bulk of the fighting was pretty much what a real KFM fight looks like.  I'd say Bale underwent pretty hardcore levels of training to make his moves that fluid.  Not my personal fav fighting style, but its a better self defense system then most.

My one beef is the now ubiquitous shaking action cam^tm.  I don't understand why someone would mentally connect action sequence with motion sickness and think that its a good thing.  At least Dark Knight kept it to a minimum, unlike other films [I'm looking at you Transformers].

[Crafty_Pat]

Steve and I were talking after the movie and I made the point that even though they can't feasibly bring back the Joker they could certainly carry on his legacy. In fact, the villains I'd most like to see next in the series are Catwoman (oh what Nolan could do...) and Harley Quinn.

[Krensky]

I think the Riddler's been hinted at. Catwoman in an anti-heroine/femme fatal mold would be great, but I wonder if she could be worked into a plot with another villain, and if she should be.

[Crafty_Pat]

I think the Riddler's been hinted at. Catwoman in an anti-heroine/femme fatal mold would be great, but I wonder if she could be worked into a plot with another villain, and if she should be.

Riddler could work. They'd have to lose the costume, obviously.

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Now that Rachel's dead they have room for a new romance and portraying Catwoman and Quinn as romantic rivals (toying with Bruce Wayne/Batman's affections) as well as criminal ones (to fill the vacuum left behind after Joker's capture) seems like the seed for some great new drama. Not quite as gritty as the second movie but neither was the first and the series would be best off IMO not trying to walk in its own footsteps.

[TheTSKoala]

Riddler could be good, in a noir horror sorta way.  Leaves clues to people he's about to kill before he kills them... and.. just re-work the costume.   Maybe he's tattooed with ?'s everywhere... and only has one eye.  LOL.  As for Catwoman, I dunno.. after the "Catwoman" movie.. I shudder at the reference...