I hate hype. It's killed or stalled my love for so many things: The Strokes, Lebron James and "Napoleon Dynamite" among other things.
The only thing worse than that is self-generated hype, which I instilled in myself approximately three seconds after "Batman Begins" ended and my mind began to pump out ways that a sequel could possibly improve what was the best super hero movie I'd ever seen.
Well, it's No. 2 now.
WGR showed a sneak peak at "The Dark Knight," the latest installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman series, Wednesday night at the Transit Imax, and the film is as good or better than any other super hero movie ever made. Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker is the best comic book villain performance of all-time as well.
This has nothing to do with Ledger being dead. At the risk of sounding insensitive, it doesn't matter if Ledger is alive, dead or breakdancing on Jupiter, his performance should jump into legendary status instantly, his maniacal smirk, lip-smacking and high regard for chaos are mesmerizing, and there are two or three scenes in which he literally removes your focus from anything but his character.
A lot of folks have said "The Dark Knight" should be up for an Oscar. Not sure if that's accurate, but Ledger could go up for best actor or supporting actor, and Aaron Eckhardt as Harvey -- eventually "Two Face" -- Dent is almost as impressive. Well, to be completely honest, Eckhardt is perfect as Dent the political figure, who is charismatic and more.
"The Dark Knight" is made even more sinister by the eerie music that precedes each brutal attack or menacing confrontation, and director Chris Nolan does almost everything right with the plot. There's a review out there that said Nolan showed the perfect amount of each character, and that's astute.
The only knocks on the film are some of the minor characters' dialogue, and Two Face's ugly side will need the test of time, and another few viewings. I'm just not sure the special effects/make-up sold me.
This movie is slated to be my "No Country for Old Men" of this year, approved for multiple viewings at the theater and a Day One DVD buy. Definitely go see it, enjoy Ledger's last performance and send me your thoughts on where the franchise should go. Christian Bale signed on for three turns as Batman, so he's set, but they need to ink Nolan if he still has ideas bumping around.
Right now, he's created "The Godfather" of super-hero movies, and let's hope he doesn't throw-up on a third version. He may be too intimidated to try and top Ledger's Joker. The Riddler is really the only hero who could be creepy enough, a "Saw"-esque incarnation with the right actor could complete an exemplary "trilogy" for Bale and Nolan.
To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 1 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 2 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; tournament; WGR; Jeremy White; Golf; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 3 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 4 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 5 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 6 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 7 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 8 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala;
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