Checked out the 3rd Batman flick, The Dark Knight Rises?

[BIL]

You're saying that Morgan Freeman is Black, I take it.

Huh? Oh, race neurosis. Yes Mischief Maker, by making the well-spoken Lucius Fox sound like oafish Senator Clay Davis from The Wire, I am totally drawing attention to Morgan Freeman's skin. I just thought it was important that everyone remember all three are ultimately "Black" and not to be trusted about sophisticated auto-piloting software, supporting my argument that Batman actually did kill himself instead of bailing out, and the cafe scene is actually Alfred's dream. Any other questions?

Also:

I thought the Bat Bike was supposed to be some emergency escape vehicle from the superior Batmobile. Why is it exploding Batmobiles left and right? Especially when the Bat Copter barely makes a dent? Oh right, because a strong female character is driving it.

Actually, the Tumblers, Batplane and Bike were all equipped with Rockets, which are deadly to Tumblers, Batplanes and undoubtably Bikes. As seen by the Batplane hauling ass away from a Tumbler's Rockets and leading one back to the same Tumber which blows up. To avoid destroying the truck carrying the Massive Nuclear Bomb the Batplane was firing Bullets, which are apparently not much use against Tumblers or Batplanes, but would probably fuck up the Bike. Bat-vehicle pilot gender equality restored?

[Mischief Maker]

I don't think you guys have the slightest inkling what a "phoned in performance" is.

[...]

Shatner's acting in anything is "phoned-in".

Clearly you don't have the slightest inkling what a "phoned in performance" is if you're lumping Shatner in with that list. "Phoning it in" means the actor isn't putting in the energy that the role requires, either because they consider the material beneath them or they don't have the chops to pull it off.

Shatner is a "scenery chewer," the complete opposite extreme. He brings... so much energy... that it borders... on the absurd! Fun fact: The way Nicholas Meyer got Shatner to give the best performance of his career in Star Trek II was to do dozens and dozens of takes until Shatner was so tired out and bored that his energy dropped to believable levels.

[njiska]

I don't think you guys have the slightest inkling what a "phoned in performance" is.

[...]

Shatner's acting in anything is "phoned-in".

Clearly you don't have the slightest inkling what a "phoned in performance" is if you're lumping Shatner in with that list. "Phoning it in" means the actor isn't putting in the energy that the role requires, either because they consider the material beneath them or they don't have the chops to pull it off.

So Marlon Brando in anything?

[Mischief Maker]

I don't think you guys have the slightest inkling what a "phoned in performance" is.

[...]

Shatner's acting in anything is "phoned-in".

Clearly you don't have the slightest inkling what a "phoned in performance" is if you're lumping Shatner in with that list. "Phoning it in" means the actor isn't putting in the energy that the role requires, either because they consider the material beneath them or they don't have the chops to pull it off.

So Marlon Brando in anything?

Exactly.

[njiska]

Clearly you don't have the slightest inkling what a "phoned in performance" is if you're lumping Shatner in with that list. "Phoning it in" means the actor isn't putting in the energy that the role requires, either because they consider the material beneath them or they don't have the chops to pull it off.

So Marlon Brando in anything?

Exactly.

Then I definitely cannot agree that Ann Hathaway phoned-it-in by that definition, because she not only was incredibly anxious to receive the role, she's on numerous cases commented on putting a lot of energy into it. I honestly think the problem here is that you're trying to make a claim about her acting, but the issue you have is more with characterization. Nolan's Selina Kyle, and I shall stick to that name because she is never referred to as Catwoman, is a completely different beast than most previous interpretations. That doesn't mean Hathaway's acting was bad, or that the character doesn't work, just that it's different than preconceived expectations. I will admit that her chemistry with Batman doesn't feel right, but that's primarily due to the decision to play it cold for the bulk of the film (which was a good idea) and then rush the change of heart at the end, particularly with the end scene in Florence. That's a pacing and plot issue though, not an acting fault.

[Mischief Maker]

Then I definitely cannot agree that Ann Hathaway phoned-it-in by that definition, because she not only was incredibly anxious to receive the role, she's on numerous cases commented on putting a lot of energy into it. I honestly think the problem here is that you're trying to make a claim about her acting, but the issue you have is more with characterization. Nolan's Selina Kyle, and I shall stick to that name because she is never referred to as Catwoman, is a completely different beast than most previous interpretations. That doesn't mean Hathaway's acting was bad, or that the character doesn't work, just that it's different than preconceived expectations. I will admit that her chemistry with Batman doesn't feel right, but that's primarily due to the decision to play it cold for the bulk of the film (which was a good idea) and then rush the change of heart at the end, particularly with the end scene in Florence. That's a pacing and plot issue though, not an acting fault.

There are 2 options in the definition:

• 1) Considers the role beneath them (Brando as Jor-El)
  2) Doesn't have the chops to pull it off. (Keanu Reeves as anything but Ted)

I'm sure that Anne Hathaway tried really hard to come up with "nervous teenager" for when she was playing dumb or terrified of bane and "snotty teenager" when it's time for her to be badass; but as Linkin Park says, in the end it doesn't really matter. This is a role that was written with the idea that "Selina Kyle" is a maneating seductress femme fatale, from the aforementioned kidnapping of the Senator, to the fascination she evokes in Bruce Wayne, all the way to the part where she's menacing the bad-apple businessman by holding a sharpened stiletto heel to his neck from a standing position. Michelle Pfeiffer had the chops to pull that kind of role off, Anne Hathaway didn't.

I will definitely say that Christian Bale was just as awful throughout the trilogy, too, but people have been saying that for years and this thread is about movie #3. More than anything, Hathaway's miscasting sticks out like a sore thumb in TDKR. To me it's kind of poetic how this interpretation of Batman is a rich man whose superness comes from a huge support network of science geniuses and mercenaries giving him all the logistical suport he needs to punch badguys, because throughout this trilogy, Bale has only succeeded by standing on the shoulders of his much more talented supporting cast.

[Skykid]

-Even though xlbox has annoyed the entire forum by spamming the same emoticon (which really doesn't make much sense to boot) I will still give him credit over Skykid as he has seen the movie already. While Skykid hasn't started bashing this one (yet), why spend so much time in a thread that dissects the movie before seeing it? Wouldn't that effect one's judgement? He is right about Nolan's choice of leading women though. But even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Cheers.
Not sure where that came from, I only discussed the cinema shooting and mentioned Christian Bale's acting. Beyond that I didn't get involved in the DKR discussion at all.

Went to see it yesterday. Nothing wrong with Hathaway, she was one of the better elements. The sound mixing in the entire movie is fucked unless you watch it in an IMAX, as has been explained as a 'cinemawide' problem of complaints because of Nolan's anal retentiveness.

Bane was a good character well performed, despite being nigh on impossible to understand. The film was too long and convoluted and Nolan's editing is often inexplicably poor, especially when he cuts comedy 'quips' with the wrong timing.

Christian Bale was the poorest actor in the film by a country mile - laughable in moments - but good performances from Tom Conti, Hathaway, Hardy, Caine, Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard strengthened it out.

Political communist/financial/occupy sentiment felt a little tacked on, and the plot was a reprisal of Begins for the most part, but it was convincing enough to hold together, despite feeling bloated. I felt as though it was watchable, but not particularly entertaining, which is a bit of a shame. May take a repeat viewing to better digest.

Probably a little better as a whole than Begins, which suffers from weaknesses throughout its first half, but not better than Dark Knight. It is trilogy consistent at least.

[Mischief Maker]

Political communist/financial/occupy sentiment felt a little tacked on,

Check out the villain from the new Call of Duty game, created by the Dark Knight Rises cowriter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQv90T800kw

I'm sensing a theme here.

[GaijinPunch]

Cheers.
Not sure where that came from, I only discussed the cinema shooting and mentioned Christian Bale's acting. Beyond that I didn't get involved in the DKR discussion at all.

Right, but do you read them? I'm sure you won't like this movie as you didn't care for the first two. We all know it's coming. However, this place is rife with spoilers. Just seems kinda weird to be here at all. Unless you dodge the spoilers (which I just can't do).

Went to see it yesterday. Nothing wrong with Hathaway, she was one of the better elements. The sound mixing in the entire movie is fucked unless you watch it in an IMAX, as has been explained as a 'cinemawide' problem of complaints because of Nolan's anal retentiveness.

Did you see it in IMAX? Thinking of going. Never seen IMAX other than a 10 minute turd at Universal Studios like a million years ago.

[njiska]

Did you see it in IMAX? Thinking of going. Never seen IMAX other than a 10 minute turd at Universal Studios like a million years ago.

I saw it in IMAX and it was completely worth it. It's a bit weird as the aspect ratio of IMAX is pretty square, but the scenes look amazing. There's an unparalleled level of detail and crispness. The scenes not shot in IMAX looked a bit blurry when I saw it. Not sure if this was bad scaling of the 35mm film up to IMAX or the projectionist's fault. Either way I'm glad I saw it in IMAX.

[Skykid]

Right, but do you read them? I'm sure you won't like this movie as you didn't care for the first two. We all know it's coming. However, this place is rife with spoilers. Just seems kinda weird to be here at all. Unless you dodge the spoilers (which I just can't do).

I dodged the spoilers, thanks to MM's notations. I've already seen the movie, as mentioned in the rest of the post above (below the part you quoted.)

I don't hate the series, you have me wrong there. I only ever said Nolan was overrated; an appraisal I remain unmoved on. Regarding the films, they're all enjoyable enough with some genuinely excellent elements and probably stand as the best examples of 'Hollywood' cinema in many years. They're comfortably better than just about all other popcorn movies in the last decade, give or take a few, I just offer criticism where due.

In order of preference, I'd go best to worst Dark Knight, Dark Knight Rises, Batman Begins - but they're all pretty consistent in what they do, there's not a great deal in it.

[rapoon]

saw this past weekend at the Omni in Fort Worth (a proper IMAX experience. 120' wide, dome screen).
Tom Hardy was fucking awesome as Bane. I've never cared for Christian Bale, minus Empire of the Sun
and American Psycho.

[GaijinPunch]

I've never cared for Christian Bale, minus Empire of the Sun
and American Psycho.

The Machinist was great. Really dark though... and I don't mean Batman dark. Kinda hard to watch at times dark.

[Randorama]

The Machinist was great. Really dark though... and I don't mean Batman dark. Kinda hard to watch at times dark.

Lynch/Cronenberg dark?

[BIL]

Taxi Driver-style alienation and withdrawal with overtly nightmarish elements. I found the plot slightly predictable but the subject matter is still pretty strong stuff and it unravels quite stylishly. Michael Ironside is great as usual. Worth a watch.

[GaijinPunch]

Michael Ironside is great as usual. Worth a watch.

Fuck yeah, he was! Miss that guy from the 80's. What was his biggest role, Jester in Top Gun? I think he could've been "the go-to bad ass villain" but maybe he just wasn't into it. Anyway, good flick, and pretty gut-wrenching if you consider Bale's next roll was Batman Begins, for which he was far bulkier than Dark Knight or Dark Knight Rises. Jennifer Jason Leigh is a good whore, as well.

[njiska]

I've never cared for Christian Bale, minus Empire of the Sun
and American Psycho.

The Machinist was great. Really dark though... and I don't mean Batman dark. Kinda hard to watch at times dark.

I still find it hard to watch the scenes where he has his shirt off. Can't believe what he did to his body for that role. Great film though.

[Mischief Maker]

Michael Ironside is great as usual. Worth a watch.

Fuck yeah, he was! Miss that guy from the 80's. What was his biggest role, Jester in Top Gun? I think he could've been "the go-to bad ass villain" but maybe he just wasn't into it.

I've solved your little mystery.

[GaijinPunch]

Michael Ironside is great as usual. Worth a watch.

Fuck yeah, he was! Miss that guy from the 80's. What was his biggest role, Jester in Top Gun? I think he could've been "the go-to bad ass villain" but maybe he just wasn't into it.

I've solved your little mystery.

I went there to make sure he was Jester and not Viper. Thanks for the thought though.

[cj iwakura]

Just watched Begins again before I see TDKR in IMAX this weekend.

God has it aged well. I could watch nine hours of Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow.

[undamned]

Just watched Begins again before I see TDKR in IMAX this weekend.

God has it aged well. I could watch nine hours of Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow.

Serious. I really enjoyed him in 28 Days Later, as well.
-ud

[njiska]

Just watched Begins again before I see TDKR in IMAX this weekend.

God has it aged well. I could watch nine hours of Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow.

Serious. I really enjoyed him in 28 Days Later, as well.
-ud

And Red Eye. Honestly Cilian Murphy is great in nearly everything.

[GaijinPunch]

I was a hater at first. There was something he was in (the airplane movie) that made me think he was some emo dingle berry... and I only saw the trailer. I didn't even recognize it was him in 28 Days Later. I won't blow the guy, but his Scarecrow was great.

[DEL]

Enjoy the bass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvnNX5hY ... ature=plcp

[third_strike]

Watched this any days ago.
02:30 and I could not see a single drop of blood. Lock up police in the sewer and feeds them, wtf. Save the city from bomb lol. The called Darkest Batman ever owed by Catwoman and do nothing
Film to kids.

[GaijinPunch]

From IMDB Dark Knight trivia. Not a shocker you wouldn't see any this time.

Blood is only ever seen three times on-screen: on the face of the civilian Batman that the Joker hangs, on Harvey's pillow in the hospital, and on Batman's arm due to the dog attacking him; most of the violence either occurs off-screen or is obscured by camera angles.

[emphatic]

Watched it last night. No boner from Hathaway. Unimpressed by twists. Better conclusion than expected. Btw, Michael Ironside was in Justified this season IIRC. Badass but old.

[neorichieb1971]

The movie was far fetched. But it resonated with my feelings and got me worked up. Bane was too strong and Batman a bit weak.

At least it wasn't like a Michael Bay movie where a switch is turned and suddenly the bad guys can't hit shit after dominating the first 1hr 45 mins of the movie. I think those type of movies are garbage (Gi Joe, Transformers dark of the moon etc etc).

[GaijinPunch]

Watched it last night. No boner from Hathaway. Unimpressed by twists. Better conclusion than expected. Btw, Michael Ironside was in Justified this season IIRC. Badass but old.

Shit -- need to catch up. Only watched Season 1 thus far.

[emphatic]

Only watched Season 1 thus far.

It's such a great show.