The Dark Knight

[cleolinda]

So... if you want to discuss the movie, feel free (open spoilers in the comments, obviously). I'm a little shell-shocked at the moment (we all staggered out into the blinding noon sunlight muttering, "Wow... that was a lot of movie") and not terribly coherent. It was great, obviously. We may try to see it in IMAX next weekend. Can't really articulate more than that. You can, if you want.

P.S. I got all the trailers (Bond! Terminator! Tropic Thunder! The Day the Earth Stood Still! WATCHMENNNNN) except for Twilight. It was probably for the best, considering.

Comments

[flamingtoilet.livejournal.com]

I'm really hoping I can get into a showing tonight- my weekend's pretty full and it's my only free time.

[christwise.livejournal.com]

The Dark Knight is good and all but it's got all this hype around it as being OMG SO DARK but I must say it's not nearly as depressing as the storyline for your icon up there. Holy smokes.

[golden-d.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction, too. My boyfriend and I saw it last night and he really wanted to discuss it, and I was all, "That was way too much of a mindfuck for me to possibly process so quickly. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

(It's currently at #3 on the IMDB Top #250. That was fast.)

[sound-of-bells.livejournal.com]

It's at #1 right now.

[starlady42.livejournal.com]

(Warning: unpopular opinion follows)

I enjoyed it, but I didn't think it was, I dunno, the Second Coming of Moviedom or whatever. I found the plot points to be entirely too predictable (Gordon wasn't really dead -- right after the previous commissioner had been killed, opening up the way for Commissioner Gordon? You don't say! Rachel was the one to die, which is pretty much the only thing that would set the Dent-->Two-Face transformation into motion? Shut up! [Also, given that her character is reduced to The Girlfriend, it was even less surprising.]). I was annoyed that it seriously didn't occur to Batman (or anyone else) that the Joker would feed him the addresses backward just to fuck with him, and I was gobsmacked that Lucius would threaten to quit over being Big Brother when apparently no one had any sort of problem with Batman kidnapping a citizen of a sovereign nation from within that nation's borders. I know we're supposed to get the "fine line between hero and villain" message, but when all of the characters in the film seem confused about it themselves, it leaves me a little cold on the seriousness of it.

I did think it was good, but I don't think it comes anywhere close to living up to the hype (to be fair, few films could have). I did enjoy seeing it at midnight (the theatre was also supposed to be doing a midnight showing of Mamma Mia -- I don't think anyone showed up for that) and overall I did enjoy the movie, despite my reservations above.

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

I still prefer the animated series, myself. Especially the animated Joker. That series got everything right, but especially the fact that the Joker is both psychotic and funny, and you feel guilty about laughing but do anyway. The only real time we get that in the movie is when he made the pencil disappear, and the whole audience squirmed and cracked up at the same time. Mark Hamill and Bruce Timm had that DOWN.

[sigma7.livejournal.com]

How were the crowds? I'm still tempted to go, even though the human race is not my favorite thing.

Were there a lot of children? I'd be interested to hear what the parental reaction to the film's going to be for those people who're approaching it with the Tim Burton (or even Adam West) mindset for Junior.

And was the Tiny Lister (the convict who takes the detonator) scene awesome or what? That was the one thing spoiled for me that said I must see this film.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

And was the Tiny Lister (the convict who takes the detonator) scene awesome or what?

I KNOW, THAT PART WAS AWESOME. We were all like, "DUDE, THAT WAS HARDCORE." Which one does not usually say after an anti-violence scene. Who knew?

Were there a lot of children?

I went at 9 am, and it was a goodly sized crowd; I saw one toddler crawling up the steps from the front row afterwards (the Littlest Batfan?) and I was kind of appalled, but other that that, I don't know that I saw anyone younger than 20 or so.

[apples-juice.livejournal.com]

We didn't get Twilight either. Yeah, my sister was upset. But we were not disappointed in The Dark Knight, although I did have to explain to my nephew who Two-Face is. Was going to rent Batman Forever afterwards to show him, but Blockbuster didn't have it *sad face*

Me and my sister were the biggest bunch of sqeelers when we saw Cillian Murphy and Heath Ledger (we have soft spots for bad guys...)

One of the Staff Managers Leaders actually dressed up as the Joker last night. It was awsome. My nephews loved it, and they acted like he was their best friend. What was even more cooler is that he gave them a quarter so they could play the pin ball machine while we waited.

So, down to the point, it was FUCKING AWSOME!! I did notice they didn't mention Commissioner Gordons daughter's name...

[spectralbovine.livejournal.com]

That movie was fucking hardcore. I truly believed that just about anyone could die at any time, including two boatloads of people and Jim Gordon's son. Hell, I actually thought they'd killed off Jim Gordon and was SO CONFUSED AND DISMAYED.

The Watchmen trailer was so awesome. I'm re-reading it right now, and it does look incredibly faithful.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I'd watched it several times here at home, but I actually got chills when I saw it in the theater. EEEEEE.

[purple-chalk.livejournal.com]

Brought face-paints, and a lot of people got really into it.


Also am still dreaming about the pencil trick. Everyone else seems to think it's hilarious, which makes it even scarier!

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I'd heard about it, so I was totally hiding my face when it happened. I finally had to ask my friends what he actually did with the pencil, and pretty much every time the Joker had a knife out after that, I started freaking out because I had no idea what he'd do next. Really well done in terms of the tension there.

[r-a-black.livejournal.com]

Did you love the disappearing pencil trick? XD I think everyone loved how generally horrifying he was, which leaves everybody in awe, but then it mixes in with memories of Heath, so you're left with a feeling that's a bit more bittersweet. I'm not making sense, but I rambled about it here (http://r-a-black.livejournal.com/130682.html) if you'd like to see what went down at my theater without me filling up your comments.

[teirkin.livejournal.com]

Omgomgomg WATCHMEN trailer. I may have hyperventilated a little. March needs to happen NOW.

After seeing TDK, I am so much more creeped out by everyone's Jokerized icons... 0_o

[londonsparrow.livejournal.com]

It was fantastic and taut as hell and gritty.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY:
Though I did appreciate His Baleness in all his finery as usual, I apparently am now going to fantasize about Aaron Eckhart shouting at me, while his burnt half is beguilingly hidden in shadows. We may have been meant to be shocked by Harvey Dent's descent into violence but it seems I also found it to be... really really hot.

Speaking of, at work we were talking about Nolan/Bale and The Prestige and Cleo, I had to quote you on the whole "But she could have had twin Christian Bales!" part.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Hee!

[padparadscha.livejournal.com]

My thoughts on the Joker, let me show you them (http://padparadscha.livejournal.com/260856.html)! I honestly think he's reached godhood in our culture. It's a very short list of fictional characters that people are willing to accuse of having ACTUALLY KILLED A GUY.

Also, Batman's voice drove me nuts. I think they were trying to make him sound like Kevin Conroy.* IN STEREO! And it just made me groan.


*The only true voice of Batman.

[meredithsg.livejournal.com]

There's a really interesting article on washingtonpost.com on this subject

[ironclad1609.livejournal.com]

So, what to say. The first 30-45 minutes underwhelmed me a little, there was a lot of politics and crime talk but not really all that much Batman, it felt like a superhero stumbling into a Michael Mann thriller. I also kinda missed Gotham City having a unique and at least semi-comic-esque look, like in the old films and still parts of Batman Begins. It just looked like Chicago (which it was), with the parade and all. Hell, even the sun was shining sometimes. Intentional choice by the creators, but not what I want in a Batman film. At least I got used to the often discussed Batman voice some people didn't like all that much.

However, before you're starting to think I didn't love this movie let's get to everything from the point of Wayne's party for Dent onwards.
Holy crap.
How Nolan managed to turn the excitement screw closer and closer with every minute of the movie after that part with the character triangle of Batman, Dent and the Joker was just amazing. The action, the timing, the dialoges, the plot, the surprises: perfect. The whole showdown with the two boats and all twists and turns that included was just genius.
All that was not only thanks to a great script but actors at the pike of their abilities. People like Bale, Freeman and Caine always deliver great performances, but the winners of this movie were others for me.
a) Aaron Eckhart who was a perfect Harvey Dent before and after his deformation, for a while even felt like an equally important co-star to Batman / Wayne.
b) Gary Oldman whose part was so much more satisfying and interesting than still in the first movie, carried by his wonderful performance.
and then c) there was Heath Ledger, who somehow wasn't there. I didn't think of him for a second during the movie, because I was watching the Joker, this insane, funny, creepy madman who was pulling all those strings. He will be remembered and talked about for this role for a very long time.
In short, the second half blew me away so much that it more than made up for a few bumps in the first.

Easily the best Batman movie so far.

9 out of 10 disappearing pencil tricks.

[mysticowl.livejournal.com]

That's exactly how I felt about Heath Ledger's performance as well: I forgot it was him and just saw the Joker. Which I think it the highest compliment one can pay to an actor.

[mysticowl.livejournal.com]

Now that you've seen the movie I can share my "gasp" moment with you. I mean, literally gasped at a line for the first time in my life, it was Alfred saying, "We burned the forest." I don't know why it really got to me, it's not like he was particularly sinister saying it, but for some reason it did.

[at-your-knees.livejournal.com]

It's because it was freaking ALFRED

[gabsy.livejournal.com]

Seeing it in Imax is so definitely worth it! I believe there are 6 scenes shot in total Imax format but the transition between the "normal" (yet still big) ones and them is very smooth.

[girlalmighty]

I was stunned, walking out of there, seriously. Aaron Eckhart and Heath Ledger just blew me away. I don't read a whole lot of comics and it wasn't a movie I had really planned on seeing, but a couple friends took me and I'm so glad they did because it was just incredible.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I saw it at a drive in, which was a fun experience, let me tell you.

And while I thought the Heath Ledger Oscar talk was all hype to the hilt and was prepared to be thoroughly disappointed by him, he was AMAZING. He was manic and psychotic and funny and somehow smarter than anyone else not because he was more intelligent but because he was willing to do anything.If Bruce Wayne is a tightly wound ball of restraint, the Joker is everything Bruce is unleashed. The Joker makes you squirm (every time he had a knife out we were all "maybe we shouldn't watch...this IS PG-13, right? He can't like carve someone up in front of us, can he?" which is probably the first time I've ever thought that in a movie. My favorite moment was probably with him in the nurses outfit trying to make the detonator work. It was hilarious and sadistic and SO messed up at the same time, but vintage Joker.

And Bruce Wayne is an interesting character study of someone devolving from a person into a thing or ideal. Batman is no longer the alter ego for Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne is the alter ego for Batman. I saw his losing Rachel sort of the death of his hope and the death of the real Bruce Wayne. Let him think that Rachel was going to wait for him, because anything else would really be too cruel.

[calpurnia.livejournal.com]

Saw TDK at the midnight showing on Thursday with a couple of friends. One really liked it, and the other said, as soon as the credits rolled, "It was good, but I liked Iron Man much better," my sentiments exactly.

Both movies examined concepts of good vs. evil, and TDK was more cerebal, which of itself, is fine, as I generally appreciate things like that, but the movie lost me about midway. There are a few things that have stuck with me (<3 Gary Oldman's performance, among them), but I don't have any desire to see it again.

At least, next week I have Watchmen at Comic-Con to look forward to, and you will see my nerd girl self in line early to grab my spot. WHEE!

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I could definitely see that Iron Man was more fun, and even more enjoyable, in that it was a lot lighter, but... I don't know that I can get behind the idea that it's a better movie. The end of IM just seemed so anticlimactic to me, for some reason, like they got kind of tired and just threw in some action, I don't know.

[alpheratz.livejournal.com]

I thought it was great. It was too long and they squeezed in about 2.5 movies' worth of plot into it, but I enjoyed every second of it anyway. Heath Ledger was brilliance. I really liked that bit of comic relief when he's wearing the nurse's uniform and wig.

Oddly enough, I thought the special effects could have been flashier. They looked realistic, but I guess I wanted them to look a little less so?

Our audience was particularly awesome - when the Joker impaled that mod dude on the pencil, everyone went "AAAAHHH OH SHIT" and then clapped. The bit where the huge convict throws out the detonator, and the bit with the truck overturning got a bunch of applause too.

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

I for one was surprised they went ahead and killed off Rachel. That was different.


It was also surprising to see the Scarecrow again... and Cillian. It was pretty brief, but a nice connection to the first movie.

And the previews we saw of Two Face were right on the money. Wow!

[clodia-risa.livejournal.com]

I was too! I did not expect Rachel to die, and think it worked that they did kill her.

IMAX

[where-ru-now.livejournal.com]

I saw it at midnight on Thursday on IMAX at the Palisades Center and I thought it was one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Word to the wise, though: plan on getting to the theatre WAY in advance to avoid having to sit in the front half of the theatre...I was in like the fifth row and I was getting kind of nauseous.

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

I'll be seeing it tomorrow.

Though, re: Twilight. My poor boy has listened to me rant about it endlessly, and in coming out of the showing of Hellboy he saw the poster.

It confused him, due to the fact I'd never mentioned a movie.

[gwynnywonk.livejournal.com]

Matthew Barney! Flove.

Enjoy TDK!

[christwise.livejournal.com]

My thoughts (http://christwise.livejournal.com/124672.html#cutid1) if you're interested.

My #7 is still my biggest WTF moment from the movie. It's not a plot hole exactly but... really? No one on the boats thought for one second that the detonator was actually for their boat and not the other one? Really?

[sound-of-bells.livejournal.com]

I was POSITIVE that one of them was going to break down and do it and it was going to blow up their own boat. I mean, I was genuinely 100% sure. So yes, color me surprised when that was not the outcome -- and that nobody even thought about it.

[lillbet.livejournal.com]

The "Twilight" trailer was meh. (And this is from someone who is actually slightly enthused about the movie.)

TDK was stunning. We caught a matinee on Friday and I'm still... dazzled.

[derangeddarling.livejournal.com]

First, I totally agree with the previous comment. I totally thought one of those ferries was going to pull the trigger and blow themselves up.

The part where I stopped see Heath Ledger and started seeing Joker was when he kidnaps the fake Batman and is making that video demand for real Batman to reveal himself. He says to the guy "look at me," and he doesn't, so he goes "LOOK AT ME" and my blood ran cold.

I haven't formulated/written the rest of my thoughts yet.

[syneblue.livejournal.com]

I may or may not have jumped out of my skin at that point, showering the poor people sitting in front of me with popcorn

[joshuad369.livejournal.com]

One of the things I really, really liked about this movie is even though we get, three, count em three, villans. This moive succeeded where other multi-villan movies fail. All three were never crammed together as part of the plot, like a bunch of leftovers you have left and thrown into a stew, you got a taste for each one ( of course Cillian" I look like a killer" Murphey had a short part, it was a delightful appetiser ). No movie ( comic book or videogame ) that suffered multi-character-itis ever recovers well or survives its ravages. This movie though smacked it around and called it their bitch. Plus I was very glad we got Two-Face and not some here-is-the-guy-we-might-get-to-play-twoface-but-probably-replace-in-the-next-movie. Thanks for not pulling a JS