Damn. Both of those experiences sound like pure shit. I hope you both have better luck next time 'round. I’ve seen the film five times now, and only had one crap experience. Nothing like either of those, but still crappy. The third time I went to see it, about a week ago, the people in the row behind me would not shut the fuck up during the whole movie. It was a bunch of 10-15 year old kids, and they kept making ‘cute’ or ‘clever’ remarks everytime Batman or the Joker would say something. God-damn-it-all. It’s times like that that make me not want to have children of my own. Just for the fear that they might turn out to be douch-bags.
they won’t turn out to be douch-bags if you do your job as a parent right. anyway, i would have told them to stfu, i wouldnt let no stupid kids ruin my movie experience.
I saw it opening night last week here and it is totally awesome. The characters really work great with these actors. Bale is super cool and Ledger as the joker is just mindblowing.
The story was a bit allover the place and I aint too sure about that number one imdb spot. But fuck, one hell of an entertaining movie.
It ain’t my Nr.1 movie of all time either (That would be Kill Bill Vol.2), but imo it deserves the spot more than The Godfather. And as a long time Batman fan, I am happy for all the respect, hype and critical praise TDK is getting.
I dunno, I always get a bit reserved for praise if everyone loves it. As if there should be something wrong with it. In this case it’s ledger’s death. On one hand I was watching this thinking: Omg Ledger is doing such a great job. And still, on the other hand, getting pulled out of the movie when realising he was dead.
Plus it feeled like everyone wasn’t all sincere about how they reacted towards his role. It was like everyone immediately started laughing or cheering when he entered the screen. A lot of people acted in a way that looked a lot like: “Look at me I am such a big moviefan, I totally and utterly love this and want to let everyone in the audiance know that too” Plus: “did you know how much I love Heath and how much it hurts me that he is dead?” attitude by people that shouldn’t be allowed to have an opinion at all. I think that this sentiment and overexposure of personal snobby feeling hip and in touch what with is supposedly good and politically correct to feel is the main reason it;s number one on imdb.
Which kinda makes me throw up in my mouth, because underneath this sheepish behaviour its one hell of a movie and Ledger is perfect as the joker.
There is no denying that Heath Ledger completely steals the show. When you watch it, it isn’t like you’re thinking “Well he’s been overhyped, he isn’t that good…” because he IS that fucking good.
Such a waste of pure talent. He would have been bigger than DeNiro/Pacino had he have lived and that’s a fact.
I went to watch this at the IMAX last week, and I was absolutely blown away. I was a bit sceptical as obviously having to sit so close to a massive screen has its problems. However, the only problem I had was not movie-related - the seats were far too close together and so there was no leg room, so a bit uncomfortable. Besides that, I would advise everyone to watch this at an IMAX, this film especially. There are many intimate, close-up moments with the characters which the IMAX serves to enhance. And the action, WOW. Particularly the scenes shot with the IMAX camera, I wished it was ALL shot in IMAX. My only gripe actually with this film was that Nolan chose some pretty random scenes to shoot in IMAX at times. For example, one IMAX scene was when Bruce Wayne is in his Lamborghini - why? It doesn’t seem to have much purpose. As soon as the opening shot was shown in it’s full IMAX glory, I was stunned. The buildings seemed to look 3D, it was amazing. Everyone in the audience were like "woowwww!"
With regards to the Ledger thing - I’ve only seen him in one other film 3 years ago, and I didn’t like it. I don’t consider myself a Ledger fan, nor do I know anything about him. His death was untimely and I, along with many others was surprised as anyone would be when someone dies at such a young age. I can’t say his death saddened me to a large extent. However, then I watched The Dark Knight, and I was watching the Batman-Joker interrogation scene and suddenly it hit me. I was watching one of the greatest scenes I have ever seen, with two of the best performances, one of them being absolutely masterful. And I grew teary eyed as I realised that not only would I not be seeing such a performance ever again, but that Ledger is not here to see the outstanding critical reaction he has received. It was simply overwhelming, and what was happening on screen definitely played with my emotions. I mean the Joker being masochistic. He tempts Batman to beat the shit out of him. Just seeing him get beat up, and his facial expressions and stuff - absolutely, breathtakingly overwhelming.
Also, I know Nolan looked to Heat for a lot of the sequences. However, The Dark Knight blows Mann’s effort the fuck away. It doesn’t even compare. The bank scene, the action scenes and the face-to-face moments between opposing characters in The Dark Knight were far superior to those similar scenes in Heat. What’s more, Bale and Ledger out-perform Pacino and De Niro to such an extent it’s not even funny. Here are two actors considered the greatest ever who perform less than satisfactorily in such a high profile film. They’re capable of outstanding excellence, yet don’t take the opportunity to impress us. Bale and Ledger show them how it’s done.
Overall, The Dark Knight is a brillian film, whch builds on its predecessor in almost every way without having to re-do chunks of it like many other sequels are prone to do. Nolan has an excellent grasp of the camera and visuals, and knows exactly how to induce a certain effect at a given time. Dialogue is as you expect from a comic book movie, with smart quips and wit. All departments from visuals to music to costume design are virtually faultless. All actors are on great form. Perhaps the only downside is that when we are away from the Joker for too long, we start to miss him, which makes a large segment in the middle of the film start to get tedious and slightly boring.
9/10.
[quote=“Ify”]
IAlso, I know Nolan looked to Heat for a lot of the sequences. However, The Dark Knight blows Mann’s effort the fuck away. It doesn’t even compare. The bank scene, the action scenes and the face-to-face moments between opposing characters in The Dark Knight were far superior to those similar scenes in Heat. What’s more, Bale and Ledger out-perform Pacino and De Niro to such an extent it’s not even funny. Here are two actors considered the greatest ever who perform less than satisfactorily in such a high profile film. They’re capable of outstanding excellence, yet don’t take the opportunity to impress us. Bale and Ledger show them how it’s done.
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;D
I don’t think Al and Bobby need any acting lessons from anyone, honestly. Besides, I’m pretty sure Pacino and DeNiro wouldn’t have been as good in The Dark Knight in the same way that Ledger and Bale wouldn’t have been as good in Heat. Two different films, four different characters. No basis for comparison.
Also, whilst Ledger was definitely phenomenal, Bale’s performance was nothing out of this world.
I have to say I think Heat was a total fluke. He got lucky with that script/cast. I mean he couldve shot that blindfolded and the movie wouldve rocked with the actors that were in it. I dont think Mann is as great as many people seem to. The only movie of his I liked alot was Heat actually. The rest is just so so.
But Nolan is quickly becoming a director I think is one to watch. Hes getting better with each film he does.
He doesn’t take the piss out of his audience, he’s very much like Tarantino. He’s a movie fan first before he’s a filmmaker, and he makes films for himself, he makes them like he wants to enjoy them as much as we do.
I first saw Heath in Brokeback Mountain, and that’s when I realised that this guy was not the average actor, he was pure talent walking. He should have got an Oscar for Brokeback. And if he doesn’t get one for The Dark Knight, it would be a travesty beyond words. No other performance has stood up against his in years.
One of the scenes in The Dark Knight which stood out for me was when he asked that cop “How many of your friends have I killed?” And when the cop replies with the number 6, The Joker mouths “Six?” Sublime.
[quote=“Yasmin”]
One of the scenes in The Dark Knight which stood out for me was when he asked that cop “How many of your friends have I killed?” And when the cop replies with the number 6, The Joker mouths “Six?” Sublime.
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I love that scene too. Ledger gives the Joker some really dark charisma.
[quote=“Scarface”]
;D
I don’t think Al and Bobby need any acting lessons from anyone, honestly. Besides, I’m pretty sure Pacino and DeNiro wouldn’t have been as good in The Dark Knight in the same way that Ledger and Bale wouldn’t have been as good in Heat. Two different films, four different characters. No basis for comparison.
Also, whilst Ledger was definitely phenomenal, Bale’s performance was nothing out of this world.
[/quote]
Well that’s just the thing. You know Pacino and De Niro are capable of something better, what happened? Tony Montana & Michael Corleone and Jimmy Conway & Jake La Motta were some of the best characters I’ve ever seen played. In Heat, they didn’t even put half as much effort in, at least none of it showed anyway.
And obviously, when I compare the two films/four characters, I’m talking about their performances in those respective films. By the logic you stated, you couldn’t compare almost any actor with one another seen as almost every film is different to another.
Also, I beg to differ, I think Bale and Ledger could have done something really special in Heat. Sort of what Pete says “he couldve shot that blindfolded and the movie wouldve rocked with the actors that were in it.” that’s exactly what it seems like. Everyone just took it easy, going by what they were known for. Neither performance was classic - nowhere near the brilliance of Batman/Wayne and The Joker anyway, where Bale and Ledger EARNED their kudos. They’re not living off past glorys.
All I’m saying is, if you build up a movie for a big showdown between these two opposing characters, make sure it’s something special. I’ll say it again, the Batman-Joker interrogation scene shits all over the Vincent Hanna-McCauley diner scene. That’s just my opinion.
But then again I think The Dark Knight is superior to Heat.
[quote=“Ify”]
Well that’s just the thing. You know Pacino and De Niro are capable of something better, what happened? Tony Montana & Michael Corleone and Jimmy Conway & Jake La Motta were some of the best characters I’ve ever seen played. In Heat, they didn’t even put half as much effort in, at least none of it showed anyway.
And obviously, when I compare the two films/four characters, I’m talking about their performances in those respective films. By the logic you stated, you couldn’t compare almost any actor with one another seen as almost every film is different to another.
Also, I beg to differ, I think Bale and Ledger could have done something really special in Heat. Sort of what Pete says “he couldve shot that blindfolded and the movie wouldve rocked with the actors that were in it.” that’s exactly what it seems like. Everyone just took it easy, going by what they were known for. Neither performance was classic - nowhere near the brilliance of Batman/Wayne and The Joker anyway, where Bale and Ledger EARNED their kudos. They’re not living off past glorys.
All I’m saying is, if you build up a movie for a big showdown between these two opposing characters, make sure it’s something special. I’ll say it again, the Batman-Joker interrogation scene shits all over the Vincent Hanna-McCauley diner scene. That’s just my opinion.
But then again I think The Dark Knight is superior to Heat.
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We’re kinda saying the same thing, I think. The Joker and Wayne were more interesting characters than those that Al and Bobby played in Heat…so it’s kinda expected that they will fare better with the general public. The script is 80% of what makes an acting performance memorable.
[quote=“Scarface”]
We’re kinda saying the same thing, I think. The Joker and Wayne were more interesting characters than those that Al and Bobby played in Heat…so it’s kinda expected that they will fare better with the general public. The script is 80% of what makes an acting performance memorable.
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THats so true, if you strip down the special effects, the gadgets and action your left with a fantastic character study which draws you in makes you interested lthats what goodfellas, godfather, pulp fiction have and then add in extradionary characters like bruce/batman and the joker and you got ewasily one of the best movies ever made
Batman is a great movie but the hype has gotten out of control. In no way is it better than Heat…For fuck Sake!!!
That’s a matter of opinion. I found Heat to be a wee bit… dull. I wasn’t excited like I was watching Heath Ledger creep me out and Christian Bale jumping off buildings in Japan.
[quote=“Yasmin”]
That’s a matter of opinion. I found Heat to be a wee bit… dull. I wasn’t excited like I was watching Heath Ledger creep me out and Christian Bale jumping off buildings in Japan.
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Well. Hong Kong actually, but I get your point none-the-less.
in spite of the whole “serious” aesthethic surrounding batman it is a comic book movie after-all. Just because it looks like heat visually in places doesn’t mean it can convey the moral uncertainty and complex characters in as much depth as heat. Like theres a big hole in the plot, harvey dent just turns on the wrong people all too quickly.
its an insult to both the rest of chrisopher nolans career and the history of cinema to call this very well executed action movie the best film of all time. What new boundaries does it break?
A movie doesn’t need to break any boundaries or even push them for me to be able to enjoy the hell out of it. I haven’t seen Heat, so I cannot join into that discussion.
The Dark Knight wouldn’t even feature in my top 20 films list. However, I enjoyed it twice as much as Heat. Heat to me was average for the most part. Except for the incredible shoot out scene, the brilliant story, as well as some of the acting, it didn’t really impress me any where to the extent The Dark Knight did.