Well, bat-fans, the wait is nearly over. For fans of Batman Begins, director Christopher Nolan dishes out the second gritty take on a cultural icon: The Batman. At the end of Batman Begins, Batman comes across an ominous playing card–the Joker. Fans in the audience have inside knowledge concerning the origin of this card and are stoked for the grand appearance of Batman’s arch-nemesis the Joker in The Dark Knight releasing on July 18. Movie theaters around the country are already selling out for midnight showings. Since Batman Begins features an origin story of Batman, we are to assume that Batman is yet to learn of the devious and ultimately insane threat of the Joker. And we get to watch it all over again. Many fans got a taste of the Joker through Jack Nicholson’s take on the character back in Tim Burton’s Batman with Michael Keaton in the title role. Some may even remember Cesar Romero’s Joker portrayal in the campy television series Batman in the 1960s. If you can’t wait to see the Batman on the big screen come to SJCPL to check out the many Batman-related titles in our comics, graphic novels, book collection, and on DVD.
July 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
Cool! this really makes me want to re-delve into the bat-world! I loved campy Batman of the 60′s….it is time for me to embrace Batman again! Thanks Jeremy! Great blog!
July 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
Cool! this really makes me want to re-delve into the bat-world! I loved campy Batman of the 60′s….it is time for me to embrace Batman again! Thanks Jeremy! Great blog!
July 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
Cool! this really makes me want to re-delve into the bat-world! I loved campy Batman of the 60′s….it is time for me to embrace Batman again! Thanks Jeremy! Great blog!
July 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
Cool! this really makes me want to re-delve into the bat-world! I loved campy Batman of the 60′s….it is time for me to embrace Batman again! Thanks Jeremy! Great blog!
July 14, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Nice graphics! great post!
July 14, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Nice graphics! great post!
July 14, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Nice graphics! great post!
July 14, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Nice graphics! great post!
July 14, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Thanks…and I even forgot to mention the appearance of another villain. It seems that when Gotham district attorney Harvey Dent has an “accident” and loses one side of his face to acid, he becomes Two-Face–who decides to whimsically follow either path of good (justice) or evil (crime) at the mere flip of the coin. Heads, good. Tails…EVIL!! Two-Face traditionally parades around in suits half one color and half another. His face, handsome on one side, and hideous the other. I look forward to seeing what actor Aaron Eckhart (from Erin Brokovich) does with this role. It has tons of potential. Like _Batman Begins’_ villains Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow, _Dark Knight_ also features Two maniacs after the Batman…that will get my movie dollar anyday!!!
July 14, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Thanks…and I even forgot to mention the appearance of another villain. It seems that when Gotham district attorney Harvey Dent has an “accident” and loses one side of his face to acid, he becomes Two-Face–who decides to whimsically follow either path of good (justice) or evil (crime) at the mere flip of the coin. Heads, good. Tails…EVIL!! Two-Face traditionally parades around in suits half one color and half another. His face, handsome on one side, and hideous the other. I look forward to seeing what actor Aaron Eckhart (from Erin Brokovich) does with this role. It has tons of potential. Like _Batman Begins’_ villains Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow, _Dark Knight_ also features Two maniacs after the Batman…that will get my movie dollar anyday!!!
July 14, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Thanks…and I even forgot to mention the appearance of another villain. It seems that when Gotham district attorney Harvey Dent has an “accident” and loses one side of his face to acid, he becomes Two-Face–who decides to whimsically follow either path of good (justice) or evil (crime) at the mere flip of the coin. Heads, good. Tails…EVIL!! Two-Face traditionally parades around in suits half one color and half another. His face, handsome on one side, and hideous the other. I look forward to seeing what actor Aaron Eckhart (from Erin Brokovich) does with this role. It has tons of potential. Like _Batman Begins’_ villains Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow, _Dark Knight_ also features Two maniacs after the Batman…that will get my movie dollar anyday!!!
July 14, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Thanks…and I even forgot to mention the appearance of another villain. It seems that when Gotham district attorney Harvey Dent has an “accident” and loses one side of his face to acid, he becomes Two-Face–who decides to whimsically follow either path of good (justice) or evil (crime) at the mere flip of the coin. Heads, good. Tails…EVIL!! Two-Face traditionally parades around in suits half one color and half another. His face, handsome on one side, and hideous the other. I look forward to seeing what actor Aaron Eckhart (from Erin Brokovich) does with this role. It has tons of potential. Like _Batman Begins’_ villains Ra’s Al Ghul and the Scarecrow, _Dark Knight_ also features Two maniacs after the Batman…that will get my movie dollar anyday!!!
July 14, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hey Jeremy,
Love what you did with the graphics. As you know, I’m not very Batman literate, but I’m looking forward to watching the movie soon! Although, I think I might understand it even better if I re-watched “Batman Begins” first. What do you think?
July 14, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hey Jeremy,
Love what you did with the graphics. As you know, I’m not very Batman literate, but I’m looking forward to watching the movie soon! Although, I think I might understand it even better if I re-watched “Batman Begins” first. What do you think?
July 14, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hey Jeremy,
Love what you did with the graphics. As you know, I’m not very Batman literate, but I’m looking forward to watching the movie soon! Although, I think I might understand it even better if I re-watched “Batman Begins” first. What do you think?
July 14, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hey Jeremy,
Love what you did with the graphics. As you know, I’m not very Batman literate, but I’m looking forward to watching the movie soon! Although, I think I might understand it even better if I re-watched “Batman Begins” first. What do you think?
July 15, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Definitely re-watch Batman Begins…the Rha’s Al Ghul storyline is great as is Cillian Murphy’s take on the Scarecrow. If you can get past Katie Holmes mediocre performance, I say go for it!!!
July 15, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Definitely re-watch Batman Begins…the Rha’s Al Ghul storyline is great as is Cillian Murphy’s take on the Scarecrow. If you can get past Katie Holmes mediocre performance, I say go for it!!!
July 15, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Definitely re-watch Batman Begins…the Rha’s Al Ghul storyline is great as is Cillian Murphy’s take on the Scarecrow. If you can get past Katie Holmes mediocre performance, I say go for it!!!
July 15, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Definitely re-watch Batman Begins…the Rha’s Al Ghul storyline is great as is Cillian Murphy’s take on the Scarecrow. If you can get past Katie Holmes mediocre performance, I say go for it!!!
July 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
A great encapsulation Jeremy. But lets not leave out the superb version of The Joker that a Mr. Mark Hamill did in Batman: The Animated Series. Great voice work indeed. On a side note I’d like to open up another thread on the possibility of an Academy Award Nomination for the late Heath Ledger. Several points worth discussing: Is the performance Oscar worthy or is it being bandied about purely due to his untimely death? Since Oscar bait films are typically released towards the end of the year (closer to when the Academy sends out its ballots) will The Dark Knight be forgotten? Only one actor has ever won the award posthumously, Peter Finch for Network. So if an award is forthcoming is it due to his performance or more for sentimentality?
July 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
A great encapsulation Jeremy. But lets not leave out the superb version of The Joker that a Mr. Mark Hamill did in Batman: The Animated Series. Great voice work indeed. On a side note I’d like to open up another thread on the possibility of an Academy Award Nomination for the late Heath Ledger. Several points worth discussing: Is the performance Oscar worthy or is it being bandied about purely due to his untimely death? Since Oscar bait films are typically released towards the end of the year (closer to when the Academy sends out its ballots) will The Dark Knight be forgotten? Only one actor has ever won the award posthumously, Peter Finch for Network. So if an award is forthcoming is it due to his performance or more for sentimentality?
July 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
A great encapsulation Jeremy. But lets not leave out the superb version of The Joker that a Mr. Mark Hamill did in Batman: The Animated Series. Great voice work indeed. On a side note I’d like to open up another thread on the possibility of an Academy Award Nomination for the late Heath Ledger. Several points worth discussing: Is the performance Oscar worthy or is it being bandied about purely due to his untimely death? Since Oscar bait films are typically released towards the end of the year (closer to when the Academy sends out its ballots) will The Dark Knight be forgotten? Only one actor has ever won the award posthumously, Peter Finch for Network. So if an award is forthcoming is it due to his performance or more for sentimentality?
July 18, 2008 at 1:26 pm
A great encapsulation Jeremy. But lets not leave out the superb version of The Joker that a Mr. Mark Hamill did in Batman: The Animated Series. Great voice work indeed. On a side note I’d like to open up another thread on the possibility of an Academy Award Nomination for the late Heath Ledger. Several points worth discussing: Is the performance Oscar worthy or is it being bandied about purely due to his untimely death? Since Oscar bait films are typically released towards the end of the year (closer to when the Academy sends out its ballots) will The Dark Knight be forgotten? Only one actor has ever won the award posthumously, Peter Finch for Network. So if an award is forthcoming is it due to his performance or more for sentimentality?
July 21, 2008 at 6:16 am
So now that The Dark Knight is a money making record breaking machine, shall we discuss? Initially the record for midnight showing was broken at $18.5 million besting Star Wars Episode 3. Next the opening day record set by Spider-Man 3 was broken by raking in $67+ million dollars. And finally the largest weekend gross was obtained when The Dark Knight made $155 million over Spider-Man 3s previous record of $151 million. Whew, lots of people seeing movies this weekend. Going back to my previous question, now that the film is a qualified success will this help or hurt its award possibilities?
July 21, 2008 at 6:16 am
So now that The Dark Knight is a money making record breaking machine, shall we discuss? Initially the record for midnight showing was broken at $18.5 million besting Star Wars Episode 3. Next the opening day record set by Spider-Man 3 was broken by raking in $67+ million dollars. And finally the largest weekend gross was obtained when The Dark Knight made $155 million over Spider-Man 3s previous record of $151 million. Whew, lots of people seeing movies this weekend. Going back to my previous question, now that the film is a qualified success will this help or hurt its award possibilities?
July 21, 2008 at 6:16 am
So now that The Dark Knight is a money making record breaking machine, shall we discuss? Initially the record for midnight showing was broken at $18.5 million besting Star Wars Episode 3. Next the opening day record set by Spider-Man 3 was broken by raking in $67+ million dollars. And finally the largest weekend gross was obtained when The Dark Knight made $155 million over Spider-Man 3s previous record of $151 million. Whew, lots of people seeing movies this weekend. Going back to my previous question, now that the film is a qualified success will this help or hurt its award possibilities?
July 21, 2008 at 6:16 am
So now that The Dark Knight is a money making record breaking machine, shall we discuss? Initially the record for midnight showing was broken at $18.5 million besting Star Wars Episode 3. Next the opening day record set by Spider-Man 3 was broken by raking in $67+ million dollars. And finally the largest weekend gross was obtained when The Dark Knight made $155 million over Spider-Man 3s previous record of $151 million. Whew, lots of people seeing movies this weekend. Going back to my previous question, now that the film is a qualified success will this help or hurt its award possibilities?
July 21, 2008 at 9:16 am
It is hard to say if he will be given the Oscar. I do think he earned it and wonder if the character had some play in Ledger’s need for anxiety/antidepresseant medication in the first place. Typically, though, it does seem to me that movies starting earlier in the year or midyear tend to be overshadowed by the flood of Oscar-level movies later in the year. Even if Ledger does get the Oscar, it won’t answer the question. Some will think he got if purely for his acting chops while others will say it was partly sentimentality. Assuming he does get it, I don’t know if we will ever know the truth. Since you have not yet seen the movie, I will say nothing more but ENJOY! The appearance of a few other noteworthy villains is icing on the cake.
July 21, 2008 at 9:16 am
It is hard to say if he will be given the Oscar. I do think he earned it and wonder if the character had some play in Ledger’s need for anxiety/antidepresseant medication in the first place. Typically, though, it does seem to me that movies starting earlier in the year or midyear tend to be overshadowed by the flood of Oscar-level movies later in the year. Even if Ledger does get the Oscar, it won’t answer the question. Some will think he got if purely for his acting chops while others will say it was partly sentimentality. Assuming he does get it, I don’t know if we will ever know the truth. Since you have not yet seen the movie, I will say nothing more but ENJOY! The appearance of a few other noteworthy villains is icing on the cake.
July 21, 2008 at 9:16 am
It is hard to say if he will be given the Oscar. I do think he earned it and wonder if the character had some play in Ledger’s need for anxiety/antidepresseant medication in the first place. Typically, though, it does seem to me that movies starting earlier in the year or midyear tend to be overshadowed by the flood of Oscar-level movies later in the year. Even if Ledger does get the Oscar, it won’t answer the question. Some will think he got if purely for his acting chops while others will say it was partly sentimentality. Assuming he does get it, I don’t know if we will ever know the truth. Since you have not yet seen the movie, I will say nothing more but ENJOY! The appearance of a few other noteworthy villains is icing on the cake.
July 21, 2008 at 9:16 am
It is hard to say if he will be given the Oscar. I do think he earned it and wonder if the character had some play in Ledger’s need for anxiety/antidepresseant medication in the first place. Typically, though, it does seem to me that movies starting earlier in the year or midyear tend to be overshadowed by the flood of Oscar-level movies later in the year. Even if Ledger does get the Oscar, it won’t answer the question. Some will think he got if purely for his acting chops while others will say it was partly sentimentality. Assuming he does get it, I don’t know if we will ever know the truth. Since you have not yet seen the movie, I will say nothing more but ENJOY! The appearance of a few other noteworthy villains is icing on the cake.
July 21, 2008 at 9:18 am
..And yes, Mark Hamill’s take on the Joker voice is itself worthy of award. The 90s series, to me, is THE series to watch hands down. What beautiful production value and adherence to what Batman is all about!!
July 21, 2008 at 9:18 am
..And yes, Mark Hamill’s take on the Joker voice is itself worthy of award. The 90s series, to me, is THE series to watch hands down. What beautiful production value and adherence to what Batman is all about!!
July 21, 2008 at 9:18 am
..And yes, Mark Hamill’s take on the Joker voice is itself worthy of award. The 90s series, to me, is THE series to watch hands down. What beautiful production value and adherence to what Batman is all about!!
July 21, 2008 at 9:18 am
..And yes, Mark Hamill’s take on the Joker voice is itself worthy of award. The 90s series, to me, is THE series to watch hands down. What beautiful production value and adherence to what Batman is all about!!
July 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Of course one of the reasons that Batman has endured over the centuries IS the ability of different artists and actors to lend their take on the iconic character. Just like the new Gotham Knights DVD, Batman looks veryyy different than your “traditional” interpretation of the character. Actually the first vignette of the DVD plays on just that, each teen saw the detective a unique way. Modeled on a creature of the night, enveloped in shadows, clad all in black the image defies definitive description. So each generation can reinvent or reinterpret the look and lore of The Batman.
July 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Of course one of the reasons that Batman has endured over the centuries IS the ability of different artists and actors to lend their take on the iconic character. Just like the new Gotham Knights DVD, Batman looks veryyy different than your “traditional” interpretation of the character. Actually the first vignette of the DVD plays on just that, each teen saw the detective a unique way. Modeled on a creature of the night, enveloped in shadows, clad all in black the image defies definitive description. So each generation can reinvent or reinterpret the look and lore of The Batman.
July 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Of course one of the reasons that Batman has endured over the centuries IS the ability of different artists and actors to lend their take on the iconic character. Just like the new Gotham Knights DVD, Batman looks veryyy different than your “traditional” interpretation of the character. Actually the first vignette of the DVD plays on just that, each teen saw the detective a unique way. Modeled on a creature of the night, enveloped in shadows, clad all in black the image defies definitive description. So each generation can reinvent or reinterpret the look and lore of The Batman.
July 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Of course one of the reasons that Batman has endured over the centuries IS the ability of different artists and actors to lend their take on the iconic character. Just like the new Gotham Knights DVD, Batman looks veryyy different than your “traditional” interpretation of the character. Actually the first vignette of the DVD plays on just that, each teen saw the detective a unique way. Modeled on a creature of the night, enveloped in shadows, clad all in black the image defies definitive description. So each generation can reinvent or reinterpret the look and lore of The Batman.