RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited November 2007
Heath Ledger on The Joker
Source: The New York Times November 5, 2007
The New York Times talked to Heath Ledger about playing The Joker in Warner Bros.' highly-anticipated The Dark Knight, opening in theaters on July 18, 2008.
Here are clips from the interview:
He is here in London filming the latest episode of the "Batman" franchise, "The Dark Knight." It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy" he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much.
"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," he said. "I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going." One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.
Here too was his Joker diary, which he began compiling four months before filming began. It is filled with images and thoughts helpful to the Joker back story, like a list of things the Joker would find funny. (AIDS is one of them.) Mr. Ledger seemed almost embarrassed that the book had been spotted, as if he had been caught trying to get extra credit in school.
Ledger may not be what I'd envision my Joker would look like had I made this movie but I really think that he'll compensate with a disturbingly, eerie performance. I think that his behavior in the movie will reflect his look.
Just have the laugh... B-)
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I'm going to say that if Im scared of the Joker, I'll be happy. I'd also rather see a good movie than a bad one with a faithful villian. Remember - the Penguin was not a very faithful interpretation. Mr Freeze was far more realistic
I'd also rather see a good movie than a bad one with a faithful villian. Remember - the Penguin was not a very faithful interpretation. Mr Freeze was far more realistic
I didn't particularly like Batman Returns so IMO it was an example of a bad film with an unfaithful interpretation.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited November 2007
I've put a spoiler tag on this post because it's an important part of TDK film. If you want to know read on.... B-)
This courtesy of Latinoreview.com
Exclusive: The Joker Intro For TDK
Date: November 6, 2007
By: Kellvin Chavez
Source: Anonymous
This evening, here in NYC, I had dinner with an executive high up on the Warner Bros. food chain in which we spoke about the on going WGA strike and our conversation changed to one of the most anticipated films coming out next summer.
The following is what he had to say on the introduction of THE JOKER in the upcoming THE DARK KNIGHT!
WARNING! MAJOR PLOT SPOILER AHEAD! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
The Dark Knight begins with the Joker robbing a huge bank (we’ve seen photos of this everywhere). The bank is where the mob and all the gangs in Gotham keep all of their money. The Joker takes this money and holds it “ransom”. The Joker then says to the mob and the gangs of Gotham, “If you help me take down Batman, you’ll get your money back. If not, I’m going to burn it all.” This is how the Joker assembles his army to take down Batman.
IMO, it's not too vital to ruin the film for you...
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
I didn't particularly like Batman Returns so IMO it was an example of a bad film with an unfaithful interpretation.
Yeah, I've never really forgiven Tim Burton for what he did to Oswald Cobblepot X-(
Re: Rogue's latest update...I like it
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
It's an interesting idea having Joker blackmail the mob bosses, but something tells me the end will have them all turning on him.
Any word on whether Falconie is returning?
Whenever people discuss possible plot points (no matter how small), could people please treat them as spoilers?
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
I dunno, when I think of Joker I think of poisonous gas that leaves a smile on your face or flowers that squirt acid. The spoiler Rogue posted does sound interesting, but doesn't feel like a particularly Joker-eque scheme; it seems a bit too straightforward for him and not all that funny.
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
I dunno, when I think of Joker I think of poisonous gas that leaves a smile on your face or flowers that squirt acid. The spoiler Rogue posted does sound interesting, but doesn't feel like a particularly Joker-eque scheme; it seems a bit too straightforward for him and not all that funny.
Yeah, I'm a little thrown off but I think that there may be alot more to it than this cut-n-dry description states, Tony.
I believe that Nolan will procure some of The Joker's nasty habits and mannerisms we've all come to love or hate...at least I hope.
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I love Batman Returns. I think it's one of Tim Burton's very best films. And Michelle Pfieffer. Miaow! :x
I agree with you about Pfieffer. I think she was wonderful. My problem with the film is two-fold; I felt that the film was exceedingly ugly and depressing and I didn't much like the story. Additionally, Penguin was not what I remembered from the TV show.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Well, frankly, I didn't think this was a very big deal, but a featurette on filming the prologue to DK has been posted to the Imax site. Basically, it's Christopher Nolan and the DP talking about how great Imax technology is, but you do get to see some streets, cars, and 'splosions. Knock yerselves out!
Vox clamantis in deserto
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
Thanks for that Hardy- I wonder what's with the all black Lamborghini Murcielago?
I love Batman Returns. I think it's one of Tim Burton's very best films. And Michelle Pfieffer. Miaow! :x
I agree with you about Pfieffer. I think she was wonderful. My problem with the film is two-fold; I felt that the film was exceedingly ugly and depressing and I didn't much like the story.
'Ugly'? It's a fantastic-looking film! Oddly indoors, but the sets and design are superb- that's what I miss about this new Batman; there's no style to it. And without stylisation it feels like we're supposed to take what's happening seriously, which worries me.
Well, frankly, I didn't think this was a very big deal, but a featurette on filming the prologue to DK has been posted to the Imax site. Basically, it's Christopher Nolan and the DP talking about how great Imax technology is, but you do get to see some streets, cars, and 'splosions. Knock yerselves out!
Thanks for the link- that looks fun.
As for the Lambo; I suppose it's just Bruce's car. Didn't he have one in the previous film?
'Ugly'? It's a fantastic-looking film! Oddly indoors, but the sets and design are superb-
It was brilliantly constructed but I was turned off by Burton's vision. He presented a world that was IMO, for lack of a better word, extremely ugly. While Gotham shouldn't look like a nominee for a 'world's prettiest cities' competition, and should present a reason for the need to have a caped crusader, I felt that Burton went to the absolute extreme.
Additonally, I felt that the ugliness was represented by the characters themselves; with the possible exception of Cat Woman, all of the characters came across to me as quite wretched. I didn't like the film's look and tone at all.
that's what I miss about this new Batman; there's no style to it. And without stylisation it feels like we're supposed to take what's happening seriously, which worries me.
My concern about The Dark Knight is that Nolan is so concerned about making it realistic that he has overlooked the fact that Batman by itself is not particularly realistic. Additionally, I don't think he realises that a film can feature numerous 'fantastical' elements and still be convincing and, alternatively, a film can feature only 'realistic' elements and be completely unconvincing.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
It was brilliantly constructed but I was turned off by Burton's vision. He presented a world that was IMO, for lack of a better word, extremely ugly. While Gotham shouldn't look like a nominee for a 'world's prettiest cities' competition, and should present a reason for the need to have a caped crusader, I felt that Burton went to the absolute extreme. [/quote]
But that's what Burton does. The guy sees beauty in things that are twisted or strange. It's there in everything he does, from BR, to his collection of poems, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
I felt that the ugliness was represented by the characters themselves; with the possible exception of Cat Woman, all of the characters came across to me as quite wretched.
Again that's what Burton does. His characters are outsiders. Often they are damaged by some kind of trauma, often rooted in childhood or adolescence. Usually they have something that sets them apart from other people and as a result they are often shunned or regarded as freaks. BR is probably his darkest film, although Sweeney Todd looks set to trump that.
But that's what Burton does. The guy sees beauty in things that are twisted or strange. It's there in everything he does, from BR, to his collection of poems, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Oh, I know that is what Burton does. I just didn't think it was appropiate for Batman. This is why Burton annoys me. I feel that he often lets his love of a certain style run away with the film, even at the cost of everything else and even if it's not appropiate. Although he's very talented in creating twisted (and sometimes beautiful) worlds, I don't think he's particularly talented in determing whether his vision is right for the film. I think he messed up Batman Returns and I was horrified by his treatment of Mars Attacks!. That said, I loved Ed Wood however that was because IMO his style was perfectly appropiate and did not overwhelm everything else.
Again that's what Burton does. His characters are outsiders. Often they are damaged by some kind of trauma, often rooted in childhood or adolescence. Usually they have something that sets them apart from other people and as a result they are often shunned or regarded as freaks.
As I said, I know that is what Burton does however I didn't think it served Batman very well. Although Bruce Wayne is a very complexed and quite dark individual, I felt it was taken to an extreme in Batman Returns. Penguin (who was completely different to the TV show) and Shreck were no different.
JD, it appears that you love Burton, but simply because he does something in all of his films doesn't make it the correct move in every one of his films. I'm probably one of the biggest Scorsese fans on this site but one of my disappointmens with The Departed was the ending in which his interest in violence was taken to an absurd extreme.
BR is probably his darkest film, although Sweeney Todd looks set to trump that.
My fear about Sweeney Todd doesn't have anything to do with its tone but rather that it's a musical.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
Check out the new viral marketing website, which is a virtual Gotham Times Newspaper. And make sure to look at the Hahaha Times by clicking on the rip in the page.
NOTE: There may be a few spoilers in the papers, but nothing that annoyed me, and I think all of them just go more in depth on what had been spoiled previously.
Check out the new viral marketing website, which is a virtual Gotham Times Newspaper. And make sure to look at the Hahaha Times by clicking on the rip in the page.
NOTE: There may be a few spoilers in the papers, but nothing that annoyed me, and I think all of them just go more in depth on what had been spoiled previously.
I read about this yesterday but to be honest, I just can't be bothered to check it out. I hate these "viral campaigns" that make you go thru all these hoops for so little payoff. This is the kind of stuff that actually turns me off to a movie. If they want to give me some pics or clips, then they should just post them up and be done with it. Otherwise, I have better things to do with my time.
JD, it appears that you love Burton, but simply because he does something in all of his films doesn't make it the correct move in every one of his films.
I used to love Burton. I thought Mars Attacks was awful and didn't like anything he'd done for a while. Sleepy Hollow was OK, but ruined somewhat by Johnny Depp's simpering performance. The less said about Planet of the Apes and Big Fish the better. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was just creepy. Check out Crispin Glover's p***-take of Depp's performance in the otherwise awful Epic Movie. It's spot-on. ) But Corpse Bride gave me hope that the old Burton is still in there.
'Ugly'? It's a fantastic-looking film! Oddly indoors, but the sets and design are superb-
It was brilliantly constructed but I was turned off by Burton's vision. He presented a world that was IMO, for lack of a better word, extremely ugly. While Gotham shouldn't look like a nominee for a 'world's prettiest cities' competition, and should present a reason for the need to have a caped crusader, I felt that Burton went to the absolute extreme.
Hmm, don't really see that. It's a rather wonderful, if certainly brutal, piece of design, that film. And some of it is absolutely beautiful- the snowy compositions are amazing and although I might say that some of those characters were ugly if I met them in real life, in that environment and filmed in that way I'd say it's all a fantastic looking vision.
My concern about The Dark Knight is that Nolan is so concerned about making it realistic that he has overlooked the fact that Batman by itself is not particularly realistic.
Yes absolutely. Burton's Batman looked the sanest guy out there in that mad world he'd created; Nolan's Batman is in our world essentially, and a man who takes it upon himself to stop criminals whilst dressed as a bat in this universe looks like an absolute fruitcake!
I read about this yesterday but to be honest, I just can't be bothered to check it out. I hate these "viral campaigns" that make you go thru all these hoops for so little payoff. This is the kind of stuff that actually turns me off to a movie. If they want to give me some pics or clips, then they should just post them up and be done with it. Otherwise, I have better things to do with my time.
Yes, I agree completely. To be honest I don't really get the point of all this stuff- the only people who'll play along are full-blooded Batman fans, and they were coming to see the film no matter what. It's nice for them I suppose and makes them feel involved, but I'd imagine a small percentage of them actually get involved anyway- I don't really see why the marketing guys go to all this effort when they're not actually attracting anyone who hadn't already decided to give Batman their dollar.
Hmm, don't really see that. It's a rather wonderful, if certainly brutal, piece of design, that film. And some of it is absolutely beautiful- the snowy compositions are amazing and although I might say that some of those characters were ugly if I met them in real life, in that environment and filmed in that way I'd say it's all a fantastic looking vision.
I'm not criticising the quality of the design. Rather, I didn't think it was appropiate. I mean, the design, in and of itself was indeed wonderful however I think it was the wrong film to incorporate it and so it came across to me as exceedingly ugly. Unlike the first film, I felt very depressed as Gotham and its inhabitants was so dirty that I thought that Bruce needed to leave the city and go on a vacation, rather than try and save this place. In Batman Begins, Gotham was extremely dark, but there were moments of sunshine (not necessarily literal) which I felt were missing from Batman Returns.
Plus, Keaton himself (whom I loved as Batman in the first film) gave me the impression that he didn't know how to have fun or even how to smile. Keaton, in the first film, and Bale both gave me the impression that they weren't completely obsessed with the darkness in their lives.
As I mentioned in my response to JD, I have no issues with Burton's technical abilities. I just think that for some of his films, his love for dark and twisted design is either inappropiate or overwhelms everything else. I feel that in the case of Batman Returns, the design, due to its extreme nature, was not appropiate and dominated almost other elements.
One more comment about the characters; Penguin from Batman Returns must surely rank IMO as one of cinema's most disappointing villains. Not only did he not present a true threat IMO but he was so perverted and so sad, and in a sense rather pathetic, that he was a major letdown for me, especially since I loved the Penguin from the TV show.
Yes absolutely. Burton's Batman looked the sanest guy out there in that mad world he'd created; Nolan's Batman is in our world essentially, and a man who takes it upon himself to stop criminals whilst dressed as a bat in this universe looks like an absolute fruitcake!
Nolan seems to think that what happens in the film must happen in our world. IMO it's nonsence. I loved Batman Begins, but I fear how the Joker will end up as in The Dark Knight.
A bit like complaining that The Phantom Of The Opera is a musical film, isn't it? It's a film adaptation of the musical- what else did you expect?
Please not this. If the idea that a story has been turned into a musical turns me off, then I probably won't see it. Sweeney Todd is a terrific story, however I'm not particularly happy at seeing a musical version of it, so I'm not going to rush out to see it. As for Phantom, I always felt it was very overrated, so I wouldn't see the film version if only because I don't think it's a great musical.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Plus, Keaton himself (whom I loved as Batman in the first film) gave me the impression that he didn't know how to have fun or even how to smile. Keaton, in the first film, and Bale both gave me the impression that they weren't completely obsessed with the darkness in their lives.
Fair enough. If there's one very fair accusation to level at Returns, I'd say that it's to say that Batman is barely in it. Perhaps Keaton would've got a chance to do a more rounded Bruce in Returns if he'd had some actual screentime!
A bit like complaining that The Phantom Of The Opera is a musical film, isn't it? It's a film adaptation of the musical- what else did you expect?
Please not this. If the idea that a story has been turned into a musical turns me off, then I probably won't see it. Sweeney Todd is a terrific story, however I'm not particularly happy at seeing a musical version of it, so I'm not going to rush out to see it. As for Phantom, I always felt it was very overrated, so I wouldn't see the film version if only because I don't think it's a great musical.
No need to get upset- I just thought that it was a bit odd to say that you're disappointed that the film adaptation of a musical is a musical! Bit like saying I'd really like to see the new Bond movie but I won't because I don't like action films about British spies!
Plus, Keaton himself (whom I loved as Batman in the first film) gave me the impression that he didn't know how to have fun or even how to smile. Keaton, in the first film, and Bale both gave me the impression that they weren't completely obsessed with the darkness in their lives.
I got completely the other impression from the first film. BatKeaton is clearly obsessed with his parents death. His Bruce Wayne is genial in public, but haunted in private.
In BB, BatBale wears his Bruce Wayne identity as a mask to hide his real self, which is the vigilante Batman. All of the stuff Bale's Wayne indulges in; the parties, the girls, the money, is there to make it look like he's the last guy people would figure out was Batman. He's not doing it for fun. He's doing it so can focus on his revenge against criminals and lowlifes. He is completely obsessed.
Bale is intense, but I'm pretty sure he's never had fun in his life. In his new film he eats a raw snake. That's probably his idea of relaxing. ) If you want to hire a middle-aged actor who does obsessive you hire Daniel Day-Lewis. If you want a 30-something who plays obsessed, slightly unhinged people, you hire Christian Bale. That's why he's perfect for Batman.
In BB, BatBale wears his Bruce Wayne identity as a mask to hide his real self, which is the vigilante Batman. All of the stuff Bale's Wayne indulges in; the parties, the girls, the money, is there to make it look like he's the last guy people would figure out was Batman. He's not doing it for fun. He's doing it so can focus on his revenge against criminals and lowlifes. He is completely obsessed.
True, but I think there is still a difference between his level of obsession and Keaton's in Batman Returns. At the end of Batman Begins, Bale made a comment to Rutger Hauer ('and I bought most of the shares - through various charitable organizations, trusts, and so forth. Look, it's all a bit technical, but the important thing is that My company's future is secure...') which I felt that Bruce made for reasons that weren't entirely serious. I can't imagine Batman Return's Keaton making the same comment.
Bale is intense, but I'm pretty sure he's never had fun in his life. In his new film he eats a raw snake. That's probably his idea of relaxing. ) If you want to hire a middle-aged actor who does obsessive you hire Daniel Day-Lewis. If you want a 30-something who plays obsessed, slightly unhinged people, you hire Christian Bale. That's why he's perfect for Batman.
) Bale is completely obsessed, and he actually reminds me of a younger De Niro. However, I don't think that his obsession as an actor necessarily extends to his characters. Although his Batman is obsessed, I do get the sense that he's got a sense of humour and is capable of having fun, unlike Keaton in Batman Returns. I know that my above example may appear to be insignificant, but IMO it was a fantastic moment, and like in some of his scenes with Lucius Fox (such as when he suggested that he needed the equipment to go spelunking), as well as a few other moments, it indicated to me that he does have a sense of humour and, unlike IMO Keaton in Batman Returns , doesn't consider life to be all doom & gloom.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited November 2007
We might want to keep an eye on the site linked below. The full look of The Joker should be revealed real soon courtesy of Empire Magazine. B-)
The Joker is Coming!
Source: Empire Online November 26, 2007
The sneaky Brits at Empire Online are slowly revealing what looks to be a new image of Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight which might be on the cover of an upcoming issue for the magazine. You can check it out here!
Comments
Source: The New York Times November 5, 2007
The New York Times talked to Heath Ledger about playing The Joker in Warner Bros.' highly-anticipated The Dark Knight, opening in theaters on July 18, 2008.
Here are clips from the interview:
He is here in London filming the latest episode of the "Batman" franchise, "The Dark Knight." It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy" he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much.
"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," he said. "I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going." One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.
Here too was his Joker diary, which he began compiling four months before filming began. It is filled with images and thoughts helpful to the Joker back story, like a list of things the Joker would find funny. (AIDS is one of them.) Mr. Ledger seemed almost embarrassed that the book had been spotted, as if he had been caught trying to get extra credit in school.
Ledger may not be what I'd envision my Joker would look like had I made this movie but I really think that he'll compensate with a disturbingly, eerie performance. I think that his behavior in the movie will reflect his look.
Just have the laugh... B-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
This courtesy of Latinoreview.com
Exclusive: The Joker Intro For TDK
Date: November 6, 2007
By: Kellvin Chavez
Source: Anonymous
This evening, here in NYC, I had dinner with an executive high up on the Warner Bros. food chain in which we spoke about the on going WGA strike and our conversation changed to one of the most anticipated films coming out next summer.
The following is what he had to say on the introduction of THE JOKER in the upcoming THE DARK KNIGHT!
WARNING! MAJOR PLOT SPOILER AHEAD! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
IMO, it's not too vital to ruin the film for you...
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Yeah, I've never really forgiven Tim Burton for what he did to Oswald Cobblepot X-(
Re: Rogue's latest update...I like it
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Any word on whether Falconie is returning?
I love Batman Returns. I think it's one of Tim Burton's very best films. And Michelle Pfieffer. Miaow! :x
Yeah, I'm a little thrown off but I think that there may be alot more to it than this cut-n-dry description states, Tony.
I believe that Nolan will procure some of The Joker's nasty habits and mannerisms we've all come to love or hate...at least I hope.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
'Ugly'? It's a fantastic-looking film! Oddly indoors, but the sets and design are superb- that's what I miss about this new Batman; there's no style to it. And without stylisation it feels like we're supposed to take what's happening seriously, which worries me.
Thanks for the link- that looks fun.
As for the Lambo; I suppose it's just Bruce's car. Didn't he have one in the previous film?
Additonally, I felt that the ugliness was represented by the characters themselves; with the possible exception of Cat Woman, all of the characters came across to me as quite wretched. I didn't like the film's look and tone at all.
My concern about The Dark Knight is that Nolan is so concerned about making it realistic that he has overlooked the fact that Batman by itself is not particularly realistic. Additionally, I don't think he realises that a film can feature numerous 'fantastical' elements and still be convincing and, alternatively, a film can feature only 'realistic' elements and be completely unconvincing.
It was brilliantly constructed but I was turned off by Burton's vision. He presented a world that was IMO, for lack of a better word, extremely ugly. While Gotham shouldn't look like a nominee for a 'world's prettiest cities' competition, and should present a reason for the need to have a caped crusader, I felt that Burton went to the absolute extreme. [/quote]
But that's what Burton does. The guy sees beauty in things that are twisted or strange. It's there in everything he does, from BR, to his collection of poems, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Again that's what Burton does. His characters are outsiders. Often they are damaged by some kind of trauma, often rooted in childhood or adolescence. Usually they have something that sets them apart from other people and as a result they are often shunned or regarded as freaks. BR is probably his darkest film, although Sweeney Todd looks set to trump that.
As I said, I know that is what Burton does
JD, it appears that you love Burton, but simply because he does something in all of his films doesn't make it the correct move in every one of his films. I'm probably one of the biggest Scorsese fans on this site
My fear about Sweeney Todd doesn't have anything to do with its tone but rather that it's a musical.
NOTE: There may be a few spoilers in the papers, but nothing that annoyed me, and I think all of them just go more in depth on what had been spoiled previously.
I read about this yesterday but to be honest, I just can't be bothered to check it out. I hate these "viral campaigns" that make you go thru all these hoops for so little payoff. This is the kind of stuff that actually turns me off to a movie. If they want to give me some pics or clips, then they should just post them up and be done with it. Otherwise, I have better things to do with my time.
I used to love Burton. I thought Mars Attacks was awful and didn't like anything he'd done for a while. Sleepy Hollow was OK, but ruined somewhat by Johnny Depp's simpering performance. The less said about Planet of the Apes and Big Fish the better. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was just creepy. Check out Crispin Glover's p***-take of Depp's performance in the otherwise awful Epic Movie. It's spot-on.
Hmm, don't really see that. It's a rather wonderful, if certainly brutal, piece of design, that film. And some of it is absolutely beautiful- the snowy compositions are amazing and although I might say that some of those characters were ugly if I met them in real life, in that environment and filmed in that way I'd say it's all a fantastic looking vision.
Yes absolutely. Burton's Batman looked the sanest guy out there in that mad world he'd created; Nolan's Batman is in our world essentially, and a man who takes it upon himself to stop criminals whilst dressed as a bat in this universe looks like an absolute fruitcake!
A bit like complaining that The Phantom Of The Opera is a musical film, isn't it?
Yes, I agree completely. To be honest I don't really get the point of all this stuff- the only people who'll play along are full-blooded Batman fans, and they were coming to see the film no matter what. It's nice for them I suppose and makes them feel involved, but I'd imagine a small percentage of them actually get involved anyway- I don't really see why the marketing guys go to all this effort when they're not actually attracting anyone who hadn't already decided to give Batman their dollar.
Plus, Keaton himself (whom I loved as Batman in the first film) gave me the impression that he didn't know how to have fun or even how to smile. Keaton, in the first film, and Bale both gave me the impression that they weren't completely obsessed with the darkness in their lives.
As I mentioned in my response to JD, I have no issues with Burton's technical abilities. I just think that for some of his films, his love for dark and twisted design is either inappropiate or overwhelms everything else. I feel that in the case of Batman Returns, the design, due to its extreme nature, was not appropiate and dominated almost other elements.
One more comment about the characters; Penguin from Batman Returns must surely rank IMO as one of cinema's most disappointing villains. Not only did he not present a true threat IMO but he was so perverted and so sad, and in a sense rather pathetic, that he was a major letdown for me, especially since I loved the Penguin from the TV show.
Nolan seems to think that what happens in the film must happen in our world. IMO it's nonsence. I loved Batman Begins, but I fear how the Joker will end up as in The Dark Knight.
Fair enough. If there's one very fair accusation to level at Returns, I'd say that it's to say that Batman is barely in it. Perhaps Keaton would've got a chance to do a more rounded Bruce in Returns if he'd had some actual screentime!
No need to get upset- I just thought that it was a bit odd to say that you're disappointed that the film adaptation of a musical is a musical! Bit like saying I'd really like to see the new Bond movie but I won't because I don't like action films about British spies!
I got completely the other impression from the first film. BatKeaton is clearly obsessed with his parents death. His Bruce Wayne is genial in public, but haunted in private.
In BB, BatBale wears his Bruce Wayne identity as a mask to hide his real self, which is the vigilante Batman. All of the stuff Bale's Wayne indulges in; the parties, the girls, the money, is there to make it look like he's the last guy people would figure out was Batman. He's not doing it for fun. He's doing it so can focus on his revenge against criminals and lowlifes. He is completely obsessed.
Bale is intense, but I'm pretty sure he's never had fun in his life. In his new film he eats a raw snake. That's probably his idea of relaxing.
The Joker is Coming!
Source: Empire Online November 26, 2007
The sneaky Brits at Empire Online are slowly revealing what looks to be a new image of Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight which might be on the cover of an upcoming issue for the magazine. You can check it out here!
http://www.empireonline.com/heiscoming/
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
So, are you Batman sticklers satisfied thus far? Do his lower limbs meet with your approval?
Of course I'm not one to talk. Afterall, I'm very particular about my Bond. :007)
-Roger Moore
So far the outfit is perfect... can't wait to see the whole thing.