Comments on: Three thoughts on 'The Dark Knight' http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/ Watch Showbiz Tonight on HLN at 11pm ET/PT Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:21:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Commissioner Gordon http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-5315 Commissioner Gordon Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:07:12 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-5315 1. The old "Rain Man" argument that an actor shouldn't be lauded for a "one-note" performance is foolish. That dooms anyone playing the Joker to dismissive reviews. And I can't dismiss either Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger for their spectacular, nuanced performances. 2. I thought 1989's "Batman" was too dark, too murky. Many comic book movies are, and that's why I found "The Dark Knight" a refreshing mix of tones. 3. I think Chicago is a good change of locale for the Batman series. I agree that the city's criminal pedigree makes it a conveniently nuanced background. And speaking of Peter Lorre, I too thought Ledger at times almost sounded like him. 1. The old "Rain Man" argument that an actor shouldn't be lauded for a "one-note" performance is foolish. That dooms anyone playing the Joker to dismissive reviews. And I can't dismiss either Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger for their spectacular, nuanced performances.

2. I thought 1989's "Batman" was too dark, too murky. Many comic book movies are, and that's why I found "The Dark Knight" a refreshing mix of tones.

3. I think Chicago is a good change of locale for the Batman series. I agree that the city's criminal pedigree makes it a conveniently nuanced background. And speaking of Peter Lorre, I too thought Ledger at times almost sounded like him.

]]> By: sean http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-5228 sean Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:47:03 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-5228 Wow, can't believe how many people attacked that person for making a joke about buildings in NYC falling down. That was 2001. It's almost 7 years since that happened. If New Yorkers (of which I am one) can't get over it and move past it, then....well....maybe that's why we're still at war in the middle east. And if you can't joke about it - if it's somehow "off limits" - than you are completely missing the point about American freedom and are falling into line with the terrorists. If someone dies, or if one of Manhattans million skyscrapers fall down, and I CAN'T joke about it, then what has America become? (Oh and PS: how many buildings have we knocked down in the middle east since October 2001? How many people have we killed? Self-righteous jerks.) Wow, can't believe how many people attacked that person for making a joke about buildings in NYC falling down. That was 2001. It's almost 7 years since that happened. If New Yorkers (of which I am one) can't get over it and move past it, then....well....maybe that's why we're still at war in the middle east. And if you can't joke about it – if it's somehow "off limits" – than you are completely missing the point about American freedom and are falling into line with the terrorists. If someone dies, or if one of Manhattans million skyscrapers fall down, and I CAN'T joke about it, then what has America become? (Oh and PS: how many buildings have we knocked down in the middle east since October 2001? How many people have we killed? Self-righteous jerks.)

]]> By: Karen http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-4648 Karen Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:42:42 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-4648 Not to divert this enthralling geography lesson...but I'd like to show my appreciation for this movie and the cast. Heath and Christian get a lot of props, but I must agree that Gary Oldman was ridiculously great. He is a phenomenal actor - not many people could move from Harry Potter (Sirius Black, of course) to Batman (Lt. Gordon) to JFK (Lee H. Oswald) and be so amazingly convincing in all three. The only weak spot in the cast was Maggie G (better than Katie H of course, but she set the bar awfully low). Maggie is such a great actress, she just lacked chemistry with her male counterparts... The Dark Knight was a great movie - see it often! Not to divert this enthralling geography lesson...but I'd like to show my appreciation for this movie and the cast.

Heath and Christian get a lot of props, but I must agree that Gary Oldman was ridiculously great. He is a phenomenal actor – not many people could move from Harry Potter (Sirius Black, of course) to Batman (Lt. Gordon) to JFK (Lee H. Oswald) and be so amazingly convincing in all three. The only weak spot in the cast was Maggie G (better than Katie H of course, but she set the bar awfully low). Maggie is such a great actress, she just lacked chemistry with her male counterparts...

The Dark Knight was a great movie – see it often!

]]> By: the joker http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-4593 the joker Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:16:15 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-4593 Heath Ledger's performance earns him Oscar buzz. period. Heath Ledger's performance earns him Oscar buzz. period.

]]> By: David http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-4498 David Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:48:47 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-4498 I must agree about Gary Oldman and Aaron Eckhart. I've always loved Oldman, and his performance of Gordan as an understated Mensch is brilliant. No scene stealing, no over the top scenery chewing, just getting recognized for hard work and a fine fine portrayal. Eckert as well is riveting as Harvey Dent. So much so I was hoping Two-Face wouldn't happen until another movie. As for Bale not being mentioned, well he was fine, but so much about Batman isn't about Batman but about the surrounding characters. This movie made choice and it works very well. From Freeman, to Caine, to Oldman to Eckhart, an embarrassingly talented ensemble. talent. I must agree about Gary Oldman and Aaron Eckhart. I've always loved Oldman, and his performance of Gordan as an understated Mensch is brilliant. No scene stealing, no over the top scenery chewing, just getting recognized for hard work and a fine fine portrayal.

Eckert as well is riveting as Harvey Dent. So much so I was hoping Two-Face wouldn't happen until another movie.

As for Bale not being mentioned, well he was fine, but so much about Batman isn't about Batman but about the surrounding characters. This movie made choice and it works very well. From Freeman, to Caine, to Oldman to Eckhart, an embarrassingly talented ensemble. talent.

]]> By: Self http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-4380 Self Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:33:12 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-4380 Isn't it amazing how many angry people there are in the world? I have not seen the movie but am looking forward to it. If people are fans of comics and choose to have a friendly intellectual debate about which real city is/was being represented by a fictional one, that is there right, and perhaps they enjoy the discussion and reading other peoples opinions. From everything I have read, it sounds like an enjoyable time at the movies, which is all I expect. Isn't it amazing how many angry people there are in the world? I have not seen the movie but am looking forward to it.

If people are fans of comics and choose to have a friendly intellectual debate about which real city is/was being represented by a fictional one, that is there right, and perhaps they enjoy the discussion and reading other peoples opinions.

From everything I have read, it sounds like an enjoyable time at the movies, which is all I expect.

]]> By: Michelle http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-3935 Michelle Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:27:32 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-3935 JD, if you're still reading this - yes the tag is necessary as the opinions stated in this article are produced by CNN, which is - by however many degrees - related to the film itself. In other words, we want you to know that we realized that we are connected, and in saying that, are not biased (someone somewhere would point that out, so they say it first). It's just a technicality to cover themselves. If you read a lot of articles, you'll see that alot - it's ok. It's just a journalism thing, but it is necessary. JD, if you're still reading this – yes the tag is necessary as the opinions stated in this article are produced by CNN, which is – by however many degrees – related to the film itself. In other words, we want you to know that we realized that we are connected, and in saying that, are not biased (someone somewhere would point that out, so they say it first). It's just a technicality to cover themselves. If you read a lot of articles, you'll see that alot – it's ok. It's just a journalism thing, but it is necessary.

]]> By: Inés http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-3928 Inés Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:10:23 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-3928 I'm enjoying all your comments, keep it up that's what true fans do! I'm enjoying all your comments, keep it up that's what true fans do!

]]> By: Dan http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-3923 Dan Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:07:42 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-3923 It feels like Batman has come full circle with the first in the series directed by Tim Burton. Doesn't the Joker look like "Beetlejuice", another of Burton's characters? It feels like Batman has come full circle with the first in the series directed by Tim Burton. Doesn't the Joker look like "Beetlejuice", another of Burton's characters?

]]> By: Dale http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/14/three-thoughts-on-the-dark-knight/#comment-3922 Dale Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:19:52 +0000 http://cnnmarquee.wordpress.com/?p=63#comment-3922 John, While indeed Nicholson's Joker was amazing it wasn't really the Joker. Joker is a maniac. Not the dancing romantic maniac but the maniac who knocks on Barbara Gordons door and shoots her leaving her handicapped. Nicholson was far to goofy. The Joker is the maniacal evil to Batmans darkness trying to cling to light. Nicholson is a great actor but personally I think that Michael Keaton would have been a better choice as Joker. Did you know Keaton was turned down to play Bruce's father in the new version like Adam West was in the 1st Tim Burton film. John,

While indeed Nicholson's Joker was amazing it wasn't really the Joker.
Joker is a maniac. Not the dancing romantic maniac but the maniac who knocks on Barbara Gordons door and shoots her leaving her handicapped.

Nicholson was far to goofy. The Joker is the maniacal evil to Batmans darkness trying to cling to light.

Nicholson is a great actor but personally I think that Michael Keaton would have been a better choice as Joker.

Did you know Keaton was turned down to play Bruce's father in the new version like Adam West was in the 1st Tim Burton film.

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