Unofficial Tex Murphy

I don't know about everyone else, but this week (for me) is going to be one of the highlights of 2008 because of the release of The Dark Knight. I have been waiting so long for this film and it is finally here! Criticial appraisal from early reviews have done nothing but rave about the dramatic quality of the film. One reviewer has even gone as far as referring to it as "The Godfather Part 2 of the franchise". That's not something you say lightly unless you have no value for your creadability as a journalist and critic.

Some people are even suggesting that Heath Ledger could be up for a nomination. In regard to this, I really wish him the best and hope it works. A lot of people i've spoken to about this take the cynical argument of "...oh its just a sympathy vote for his death, kind of like the year where Denzel Washington and Halle Berry won the Academy award for their ethnicity". This year, I think if (the late) Heath wins the award, I really think its his acting that will do it. I admit, I am judging probably a little too early, but from the previews, his performance looks remarkable. I mean...mind blowing, it's pure character acting. I really hate saying this, because I loved what Jack Nicholson did for the role (and believed it couldn't be beaten), but its looking even stronger than the Burton portrayal of the character.

As with Indiana Jones, a friend and I have Director's Suite tickets so we can make an event out of it. I am so pumped, I anticipate that sleeping will become more and more difficult as the film approaches. But the best part? I'm seeing it Wednesday, not Thursday, that's right, Wednesday, the day before release. I don't know how, but Hoyts are telling us we have tickets to the Wednesday session. I really questioned it, but somehow they've managed to open Directors Suite 1 day prior to the official opening.

So excited, i'm calling it Christmas in July!!!!


So, who's with me?

I am so overhyped for this movie! Gonna watch it in cinemas like 10,000 times!

I didn't like the movie Batman Begins, I doubt I'll like Dark Knight... You just can't top Jack as far as the Joker goes in my opinion...

I used to love the old Batman movies by Tim Burton, but not after I saw Batman Begins. I think the new and old Joker are of two very different world. Jack is utterly a clown compared to what Heath made of him. Personally I prefer the new one.

To me, Batman The Animated Series will always be the best Batman. Dark, well-animated, noir, moody... and The Joker? Mark Hamill.

I am really looking forward to this one.

I am sorry to say that I didn't really care for any of the earlier Batman movies until Batman Begins. As far as I'm concerned, Batman Begins *is* Batman's beginning.

I also gotta say, from what I've seen in the previews, Heath Ledger's Joker is absolutely beyond imagination. If the previews are representative of the rest of the film, Ledger has a well-deserved Oscar coming. Those brief little glimpses of his performance are what have me so anxious for the Dark Knight.

I agree. Ledger's performance looks like something worth waiting for. Also, the person who noted that it was the Godfather 2 of comic flicks was none other than movie director and comicwriter / comic-lover Kevin Smith.

Looking forward to it.

A small aside for noirish films - Anyone see the Max Payne trailer that hit the net two days back?

-Fred

ps: I don't mean to derail the thread, it's just... y'know... Noir

Fred Buer wrote: Looking forward to it.

A small aside for noirish films - Anyone see the Max Payne trailer that hit the net two days back?

-Fred

ps: I don't mean to derail the thread, it's just... y'know... Noir

Oh yes. The movie has suck potential, but I don't care. I loved the games a lot, and I'm looking forward to this.

I've been all pumped up for years for this damn movie to come out and now I'm ready to explode in one gigantic tear of joy. This reboot of the franchise is just as magnificent as Batman TAS but in all its live acting glory, and for the first time ever, we might actually get a scary Joker played by a human being. I can't wait to see the way they'll handle Two Face, one of my all time favorites from TAS.

I'm most certain Heath at least deserves the possible nomination for this role, but I just find it sad it took a tragic death for the academy to acknowledge the existence of this kind of movie. I'm not entirely sure there would be serious talks of nominations without his passing due to the nature of the role, much like Bill Murray in all his comedic genius and fascinating skills was always snubbed. Although I have to say they tend to be more opened with supporting roles, such as Joe Pesci in Goodfellas.

As for Payne, the list of actors is scarily depressing, the in-game music was much better than the trailer's, but it actually doesn't look half bad and so far I'm genuinely surprised.

You know what else is getting me all rilled up this month? X Files. Oh yeah! I still want to believe!

The Max Payne trailer really didn't do that much for me I have to say I'm a fanatic of the games, but the film looks like its trying to hard to both be a noir film and simultaneously appeal to the hardcore Max Payne gamers. History (such as Doom, Hitman, Tomb Raider, Street Fighter and Mortal Combat) to me has proven that you really can't achieve a middle ground between game and film, you have to choose which you want it to be.

Max Payne just looks overly sombre with a hint of pretentiousness (such as the Angel dragging the man from the building). This was one major flaw in the Hitman movie where it tried to be an ideal mix between the feel of the games and a European spy thriller. It just didn't balance. Although a good cast, Max Payne looks like it may fall into the same trap.

Maybe. But I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt until I see it.

-Fred