The Dark Knight (cont'd)
September 9, 2008
"I Love Ya' Cleveland!"
I guess I'm not surprised at the furor I caused by my recent honest critique and review of the incredibly popular movie, THE DARK KNIGHT. I received more responses from this review than any other movie we've talked about in the past in the Drennan Movie Blog. Let me begin with responding to your messages you left me from that last entry. . .in which I said to you that I didn't get it. . .I couldn't see what the big deal and popularity of this film was all about. . .heck! I even questioned myself. . .!
The first response I received was from Antonio from Dublin, Ohio who first wrote as for the Joker. . .he was out to prove that people are only as good as the world allows them to be. Antonio loves me (aw!) but he disagreed with what I had to say. He let me know that Batman doesn't know if he is a good guy or a bad guy. . either. Antonio. . I really can't respond to your comments. . until I see this film again.
John from Vermilion writes that I was off base and perhaps I need to see the first film in order to more fully understand the dark nature of "this" Batman. . .
I have just rented Batman Begins. . .and I'll review that after I respond to all of you. As you know. . .I did not see Batman Begins. . .before seeing Knight.
John stated that the comics have always made Batman out to be more than a feared crusader...who will do anything to win...
Ryan from Norwalk stated that he admits it wasn't the best movie of the year. . .the distinction still goes to Ironman which is an entirely different subject. . but he also told me to see Batman Begins to grasp Knight.
Dom. . from Poland, Ohio. . .let me know that he also disagreed with me .. but he still thinks I know my movies! Thanks, Dom. . .I do appreciate your kind words!
Mike, from Bowling Green writes I think you should definitely watch Batman Begins. . .to discover where Bruce Wayne is coming from and also. . to better understand the plot
James, from Findley writes that Heath Ledgers' performance reminded him of Daniel Day Lewis from a year ago. . . in that they were both done in a very "showy"manner. . almost hypnotic. . . Heath deserves the Oscar!
I want you to know that I'm going to give Heath a second look. . when I view the film again. As far as Daniel Day Lewis' performance last year. . .there is no way Heath even comes close to the magnitude of Daniel's work! Day Lewis is absolutely in a league of his own! That was one of the best performances I've ever seen on the big screen. His performance in THERE WILL BE BLOOD was mesmerizing! I'm sure that when you read what I say about Batman Begins you'll get a better understanding of my appreciation for Knight.
Matthew in Vienna. . also advised me to see Batman Begins first! He shared that fact that his Dad didn't like Knight either. . .until he saw Batman Begins. . .and now he loves it too!
Tim & Carol. . .Thanks for your comments.
Chris. . next time you write. . .please let me know your age. . .as I am curious after reading your comments. It made me question you. . as to some flick you may have NOT seen as of yet. . .from many years ago. . .Have you seen Silence of the Lambs with Hopkins?
Antonio wrote again. . .the had KNIGHT been allowed an R-Rating, he feels the Joker would be closer to an Alex Delarge type character from A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. . who Antonio finds. . most horrifying.
You may be right, Antonio.
Finally Aaron from Fostoria lets us know that the first Batman movies by Tim Burton were a Joke! Aaron is also anxiously awaiting the third one!
So. . .as I told you earlier. . I did rent BATMAN BEGINS. Let me be perfectly honest. . that I was extremely surprised how mesmerized I was by the first hour and 15 minutes of the film! All of you who suggested that I see this film. . .were absolutely correct! I cannot emphasize how much doing this explained so much more for me. None of the original Batman movies explained how Bruce became Batman. . .unlike this one.
I found in quite intriguing how this film showed us how he became Batman. . unlike the original movies. . with Kilmer, Clooney, etc. None of those movies explained this. . they were a joke! It was intriguing to see him going to Asia and being taken in by Liam Neeson. By the way. . I was very impressed by the cast. . .Liam was great. . .Ken Wantanabe of LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA was good in his cameo role. I came to learn more of the role of Michael Caine as Alfred. I also came to know the role of Morgan Freeman as the weapons and tech advisor to Bruce and I also thought that Gary Oldman did a very good job as the sympathetic detective. Tom Wilkinson is an actor who I absolutely love! He was nominated for best actor, opposite Sissy Spacek in IN THE BEDROOM. He was hilarious in The Full Monty and was excellent as General Cornwallace in The Patriot. Here he plays the gangster. . and as usual was very effective in his role. I found Bruce's training quite interesting . .. how he came back and goes to Freeman. . and then builds the Bat cave. . etc. I liked the way that Richardson took us back and forth throughout the entire process. I found it fascinating. . .I loved it. . .I certainly realized that it makes me anxious to now see BATMAN RETURNS. . .a second time. I'm sure that I'll appreciate it more. . however. . .I must tell you that "the end" of BATMAN BEGINS. . .after he becomes Batman. . started to lose my interest, because it's just like all the others. . it's far-fetched. . I mean. . .he's flying all over the place. . .and cleaning up all the crime. . .and the whole bit with the mask. . .with the gas exuding. . .it's just a typical action movie in the second half of the film. . .
I will say that this part of the film is just so common today. . .
Now. . all of you big fans of DARK KNIGHT. . .I promise you that I'm going to see this movie a second time and then I'll give you a review of it and an honest second opinion of Heath Ledgers' performance as the Joker. . who was getting a great deal of Oscar Buzz when the film first came out.
Speaking of Oscar Buzz. . it is not too early to start looking at some films, which will be released in the Fall. I have begun my "must see" list. . after doing some research. .
On September 19th, a western will be released called APPALOOSA with Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris (who has never won an Oscar). The original starred Marlon Brando. . although I am not sure if the story will be the same. I am curious to see these two fine actors in their respective roles. Seems as though Westerns have been making a comeback for a while now, doesn't it?
Also, being released on the same day is THE DUCHESS. This is a period piece with Kiera Knightly, who plays the Duchess of Devonshire. . who is loathed for her excessive political and personal life. Ralph Fiennes is the male lead. . .such a great talent whom we have not seem of late. I am sure this film will receive nominations for costume design, art direction and set decoration. . .we'll wait and see on the acting. . .
Now. . on October 10th. . .what sounds like an intriguing, espionage, intelligence. . counter-intelligence type of film is being released. . .entitled BODY OF LIES. Ridley Scott teams again. .with Russell Crowe (Gladiator). Leonardo DiCaprio plays an injured journalist. . who along with Crowe works for the CIA. These two men are two of my favorite leads. . .so I am really looking forward to their performances!
Talk about careers for these two! DiCaprio has never won an Oscar. . he is due! My favorite performance of his. . was for the work he did in BLOOD DIAMOND.
On October 24th. . .Changeling will be released. Angelina Jolie stars in this film in which she plays a mother. . who suspects the child returned to her after a kidnapping. . .is not hers. You will recall that Angelina won a best supporting actress award for GIRL INTERRUPTED.
This movie's director. . .Clint Eastwood! Anytime he has this title. . I want to see it! It will be a noteworthy film. . .I am sure. Just think. . .in the second half of his career. . he has given us UNFORGIVEN, MYSTIC RIVER, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, & MILLION DOLLAR BABY!
Speaking of Clint Eastwood. . Spike Lee took a shot at Eastwood a few months ago for Letters. . ., which I thought, was a very cheap shot! Spike was in the process of directing his own WWII story. . .which is entitled MIRACLE OF ST. ANNA. . which opens on September 26. It's the story of 4 black soldiers who are WWII fighters in Italy. There's already Oscar Buzz on this one. . so I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Lastly. . The Coen Brothers have directed a film already released called BURN AFTER READING. . .which has a very impressive cast. You may have already seen the promos. . .Brad Pitt looks hilarious! Along with Brad. . .are George Clooney, Francis McDormand, Tilda Swinton (who won Best Supporting Actress for MICHAEL CLAYTON last year) and John Malkovich.
I always enjoy Fall Movie Viewing. . .don't you? In the meantime. . .we'll talk soon. . after I see KNIGHT. . .again! See. .. I'm listening to all of you. . .! and most importantly. . remember: I I I I I I I I LOVE YA' CLEVELAND!!!!
