Villains Cast in new Batman Movie: "The Dark Knight Rises"

[dualedge]

No, I'm suggesting that she hasn't done anything that warrents her even being an option for playing the role of Selina Kyle and Catwoman. Every film she's be in, she's always played the same character, which is always whiney and indecisive...

I can see your point. I don't share your view of her but I understand what you mean.

Christian Bale is really an actor I've come to be impressed with for the exact reasons you stated but that's a rarity to see someone of his level of commitment and discipline.

The funny thing is that at least based on the movies I've seen Anthony Hopkins in (all you listed with the exception of the Fastest Indian), I view him sort of how you view Anne Hathaway. Don't get me wrong - I was amazed at his performance in the Silence of the Lambs but everything since then has seemed "phoned-in" to me personally... Maybe I'll like him better in Thor. But he never disappears into his characters in my opinion. Few actors do these days unless they're unknowns (and thus have no baggage) or really talented like Bale.

But if you like him, for example, and not Hathaway, I understand. Different strokes for different folks and all that...

 

[CB2001]

Well, I didn't say his opinion was wrong, now, did I? I said that statements by him in the vein of "Inception is the most boring of Nolan's films" and trying to support his arguments by anecdotally offering the ratio of people dressing up in costumes at cons and the like as just the folly of youth. More adolescent gobbledy-**** like that, and I'd be swayed to CTF's appraisal that he's bordering on the ignorant.

So, yes, I know "ignorant" is an emotionally-loaded word, but applies to most kids, yes? Haven't seen enough of the world yet.

Actually, you've combined two separate topics into one argument. You are combining my comments of TDK Joker popularity in compariosn to the film as a whole to how boring I found Inception to be. Obviously by mismashing them, you're going to confuse me with some 10 year old dumb-ass. But I'm 28 years old, have grown up watching movies and can tell the difference between a boring film like "Inception" and films that are interesting. And frankly, I could watch "Heat", "Memento" and "Dreamscape" back to back and get a more enjoyable experience than what was presented with "Inception." The whole time in the theater, I was like, "Okay, when is the film going to change gears?" There was no hook. The acting, especially with DiCaprio, felt forced. Even with the whole "urgency" of the situation didn't really feel urgent at all and frankly, Nolan didn't give the audience a reason to care about the characters enough to make you want to root for them to succeed. Not to mention the giant plothole that pretty much negates the whole purpose of the film and the Cobb's character's reason for doing what he does. Nolan's films "Memento" and "Insomnia" were probably the best ones I've seen by him, not just because of the style, but because of the story and characters. I actually was rooting for Leonard Shelby the whole story in hopes that he would get his man, even after the truth is revealed. I was rooting for Pacino's character in "Insomnia" because he know he made mistakes and he wanted to atone for them. "The Dark Knight" only gets honorable mention for how the Joker plays out. "Inception" is a Twinkee, all filler and no substance. At least "The Dark Knight" had some substance, and that was because of the Joker character alone. For "Inception", Nolan lost all of the things that helped make the audience care about the characters and fell flat on the story.

 

[Larry Young]

...you're going to confuse me with some 10 year old dumb-ass. But I'm 28 years old, have grown up watching movies and can tell the difference between a boring film like "Inception" and films that are interesting.

So, you're a 28 year old dumb-ass? :lol

 

[CB2001]

I'm not sure I'd go all the way to "ignorant," but you sure are a cheeky little monkey. :lol

My point was that the TDK's Joker is more memorable, recognizable and popular than Bale's performance as Batman in two separate films. And that out of both films, the Joker is probably the only long standing memorable thing that is redeeming out of both films.

Does that help clarifying things?

 

[CB2001]

So, you're a 28 year old dumb-ass? :lol

Rahter be a 28 year-old dumb-ass than a 40+ year-old virgin like yourself.


BURN! :lol

But seriously, I have a very wide palette when it comes to films. Hell, if you saw my collection of DVDs, you'd be like "Why the hell do you even have that one in your collection?" I appreciate A-grade as equally as B-grade. I have modern mixed with classic, U.S. films mixed with foreign films. Action, horror, drama, sci-fi, comedy, all mixed together.

But seriously, even with the wide palette I have when it comes to "Inception", it just was boring to me. And that's that.

 

[Larry Young]

My point was that the TDK's Joker is more memorable, recognizable and popular than Bale's performance as Batman in two separate films. And that out of both films, the Joker is probably the only long standing memorable thing that is redeeming out of both films.

Does that help clarifying things?

I'm sure you think you're clarifying things, but, as I said, your critical thinking isn't up-to-speed. You're giving Ledger's performance vis-a-vis Bale's the credit you'd seemingly give the sky for being blue and the water for being wet. The Joker is the only super-villain to headline his own comic book, so obviously he resonates with the audience.

And, really? 40+ virgin? If you're really 28, I was getting laid before you were born. :lol

 

[IpkissMask]

Who said CATWOMAN is in this movie??
Christopher Nolan only confirmed Selina Kyle, who's to say she will become Catwoman?

She may just be the love interest, no one even mentioned Catwoman...

 

[Larry Young]

Who said CATWOMAN is in this movie??

It's a conversational shorthand.

 

[CB2001]

I'm sure you think you're clarifying things, but, as I said, your critical thinking isn't up-to-speed. You're giving Ledger's performance vis-a-vis Bale's the credit you'd seemingly give the sky for being blue and the water for being wet. The Joker is the only super-villain to headline his own comic book, so obviously he resonates with the audience.

And, really? 40+ virgin? If you're really 28, I was getting laid before you were born. :lol

If Joker being a supervillian in general is the reason why "The Dark Knight" version of Joker being memorable, then wouldn't a lot of the younger generation know of not just Nicholson's performance as the Joker, Hamill voicing Joker in the animated series, but of Romero's performance as the Joker as well?

Half of my classmates in film school didn't even know there was a Tim Burton's "Batman" and that Nicholson played the Joker until we had an assignment for Digital Cinematography where we had to remake a scene from the film, and I was the only one who knew of Romero's performance of The Joker from the "Batman" TV series (honestly, one of my classmates stated, "The only thing about the '60s "Batman" series I know is that Adam West was Batman... And I know that because of "Family Guy.") And none of them knew that Mark "Luke Skywalker" Hamill voiced Joker in the animated series and the "Arkham Asylum" video game.

 

[Larry Young]

Half of my classmates in film school didn't even know there was a Tim Burton's "Batman" and that Nicholson played the Joker until we had an assignment for Digital Cinematography where we had to remake a scene from the film, and I was the only one who knew of Romero's performance of The Joker from the "Batman" TV series (honestly, one of my classmates stated, "The only thing about the '60s "Batman" series I know is that Adam West was Batman... And I know that because of "Family Guy.") And none of them knew that Mark "Luke Skywalker" Hamill voiced Joker in the animated series and the "Arkham Asylum" video game.

Sounds like you went to film school with a bunch of folks who weren't well-versed in pop culture.

 

[CB2001]

Who said CATWOMAN is in this movie??
Christopher Nolan only confirmed Selina Kyle, who's to say she will become Catwoman?

She may just be the love interest, no one even mentioned Catwoman...

Let's see... "Two-Face" isn't spoken of for "The Dark Knight", but Harvey Dent is spoken of. And what happened? He became "Two-Face." and is still credited as "Harvey Dent" in the closing credits.

So, if Selina Kyle is mentioned, it's a safe bet that Catwoman is going to be in it, or at least start in the film, much like Dent's "Two-Face" started and ended in "The Dark Knight."

 

[Larry Young]

 

[CB2001]

Sounds like you went to film school with a bunch of folks who weren't well-versed in pop culture.

A few of them knew of the Joker from the comics, knew he was a supervillain because they grew up reading them (like myself). A couple of them even read "The Killing Joke" before they saw "The Dark Knight" and even recommended that I read it (to which I did. One of Alan Moore's best written character studies, next to "Watchmen", of course).

But then again, you also have a valid point, as some of my classmates didn't know of the George A. Romero "Dawn of the Dead" and thought the remake was "the best zombie film ever," (which I found a rather insulting thing to hear) and a couple of them had no idea who John Carpenter was, but knew of "Halloween" and "Escape from New York."

 

[CB2001]

You know, I'm surprised there hasn't been a few of people here making an argument and backing up the idea of Ashley Judd playing Selina Kyle/Catwoman. I mean, yes, she's a bit older, but she's not only proven herself being able to play shy, meek and weak for the Selina Kyle side of the role, but with a little training she can meet the physical requirements for the role of Catwoman, not to mention that she can pull of the aggressive playfulness that Catwoman has towards Batman and still has just as much sex appeal that Catwoman uses as a tool. And not to mention that, if they go with the "Year One" origins for the character, she's capable of playing a bit emotionally unbalanced that someone who's been abused for years would have. After all, back before there was a "Catwoman" movie, all throughout the 1990s, many people believe she'd make a perfect Selina Kyle/Catwoman enough to take it up a notch from Michelle Pfiffer's performance.

But then again, I'm surprised someone hasn't made the argument for Malin Åkerma, who played Silk Spectre II in "Watchmen" either.

Just as long as someone doesn't make the argument for someone like Rachel Weisz, Jessica Alba or Milla Jovovich or someone else along those lines.

 

[Larry Young]

You know, I'm surprised there hasn't been a few of people here making an argument and backing up the idea of Ashley Judd playing Selina Kyle/Catwoman... Malin Akerman... Rachel Weisz, Jessica Alba or Milla Jovovich or someone else along those lines.

Well, probably because arguing about a done deal is an inefficient use of time (even on a message board), and that Anne Hathaway is a perfect choice.

 

[CB2001]

Well, probably because arguing about a done deal is an inefficient use of time (even on a message board), and that Anne Hathaway is a perfect choice.

You never know, she could still get replaced a couple of weeks into filming. It happened with "Aliens", with James Remar being replaced by Michael Beihn after a week of shooting. It also happened with "Back to the Future", where Eric Stotlz was replaced by Michael J. Fox after four weeks of production.

Besides, how many times has someone been announced as being involved in a film, only for a few days later, a second report coming out saying that it's not true?

I'm just saying, there's always the possibility.

 

[Larry Young]

I'm just saying, there's always the possibility.

Keep 'em flying.

 

[dualedge]

Let's see... "Two-Face" isn't spoken of for "The Dark Knight", but Harvey Dent is spoken of. And what happened? He became "Two-Face." and is still credited as "Harvey Dent" in the closing credits.

So, if Selina Kyle is mentioned, it's a safe bet that Catwoman is going to be in it, or at least start in the film, much like Dent's "Two-Face" started and ended in "The Dark Knight."

I was actually just about to point out the same thing. I think that's one thing that Nolan does right with the Batman-verse... he doesn't "label" the characters per se - just sets them up to become the characters they're based on.

I think that's EXACTLY what he's going to do with Catwoman. Set her up to be a super-cat-burglar and let the story evolve from there.

And I'd agree that Ashley Judd would have made a great choice... I really like Malin Akerman though I wouldn't have thought of her. Loved her in Watchmen though...

 

[nickytea]

Ledger was the only redeeming "thing" in The Dark Knight?

I'd call you crazy, but I think "ignorant" would be more apt.

I suggest you hunt out Nicky's analysis of that show.

Hey, thanks for the mention! (Surprised anybody read that.)
For anyone still interested, the link:
Cinema Analysis by Nick Tierce: The Dark Knight: Perfection Justified

 

[darthgordon]

If Joker being a supervillian in general is the reason why "The Dark Knight" version of Joker being memorable, then wouldn't a lot of the younger generation know of not just Nicholson's performance as the Joker, Hamill voicing Joker in the animated series, but of Romero's performance as the Joker as well?

Half of my classmates in film school didn't even know there was a Tim Burton's "Batman" and that Nicholson played the Joker until we had an assignment for Digital Cinematography where we had to remake a scene from the film, and I was the only one who knew of Romero's performance of The Joker from the "Batman" TV series (honestly, one of my classmates stated, "The only thing about the '60s "Batman" series I know is that Adam West was Batman... And I know that because of "Family Guy.") And none of them knew that Mark "Luke Skywalker" Hamill voiced Joker in the animated series and the "Arkham Asylum" video game.

Yeah... pretty simple. Many probably weren't comic fans to start. Most probably were too young to remember the summer of '89... when Batman was everywhere. A lot of people never saw TAS, because it was considered a kid's cartoon... and if you're not a Bat-fan to start, why bother watching a kid's show? My partner had never really seen TAS either, but was blown away when I showed it. Unless you looked it up, who would guess that was Mark Hamill? It sounds nothing like him.

Romero's Joker is somewhat forgettable... even then, how many of them would really bother watching the '60s Batman?

They remember Ledger's Joker, because they were at that age when they noticed. They were old enough to watch and appreciate it. It was two freaking years ago.

Young people mostly know only what they grew up with... and pop-culture from the time they were young.