The Dark Knight Rises.... and wanes...

[Guest]

Arrrggghhh!!! This is so frustrating.

It's so hard to explain how I feel about this conclusion to the Dark Knight Saga. It was so awesomely good and so awesomely lacking. Ouch!

Okay, one piece of advice. Although Rises is so much better to see if you remember the story from the previous episode, I suggest not to watch the previous episode before you watch this one. Just wikipedia the plot to get the story.

I watched the entire trilogy at the theater last night - back to back. First movie started at 6:30PM and it was a refreshing set-up to the marathon... getting you into the groove again. The 2nd movie with Heath Ledger is just... ah, is just too crazily awesome. I've seen that movie probably 20 times, but last night was somehow more adrenaline-pumping with all the Batman fanatics clapping when the Joker first appears, going psychotic at every major Joker performance, etc. Oh yeah, I watched the entire thing with costumed Batmen all over the place... The 3rd movie had no chance. I mean, watching it right after the Joker pans out of the screen... it was just so unfair.

I was thinking in-between the 2nd and 3rd movie, "Wow, that was just so awesome I don't know how you can top that"... but then, if there's anybody who can match The Joker, it would be Tom Hardy. I love that guy!

So then the conclusion started promptly at midnight, I'm well into my 3rd popcorn bucket... and sure enough Bane hulks his way into the first 5 minutes... ohhh... sooo cool! Yeah, very promising indeed. We're still in the groove, we're still all in suspended disbelief... and we realize, dangit, that stupid mask covering Tom Hardy's best feature is starting to get really annoying. And, me with English as my 3rd language is wishing for the subtitles so I can understand what he's yammering about! No, don't get me wrong, Tom Hardy was super aweseome despite having to emote only through his eyes... that guy grew big in the Warrior movie, but as Bane, he even got bigger if you can imagine that! I mean, he was really ginormous without any cgi-effect or rubberized bulkers... which was really menacing. But when he talks, they made it so it's echo-ey and cavernous like Darth Vader so it made it feel like it's detached from Tom Hardy! I mean - c'mon you already took out the use of half his face, now you took out his voice too... it's just too much a challenge for an actor even as magnificent as Tom Hardy to overcome.

Okay, so the rest of the movie unfolds, we're waiting for Bruce to finally get off the couch and don the batsuit and... he doesn't. For a while. So I'm just wanting him to get on with it already! And then he finally does, he gets on a gig with Catwoman (Anne Hathaway was surprisingly cool - I mean, I wasn't expecting much from her - except they gave her such a shallow subplot which is so un-Nolan), gets on a street-brawl with Bane (I'm still not sure how I feel about that - I mean, this is Batman, the gadget king, and he goes mano-a-mano with the ginormous Bane, but then, I liked how it looked on the screen)... and then takes off the suit again... for a very long time... very very long time. So, besides the new bat plane (which I thought was lackluster compared to the bat mobile), there's really not much gadgets for the nerds to be satisfied with this movie.

So anyway, tra-la-la Batman saves the day on an age-old race-against-time-until-the-very-last-second way... it's okay as a satisfying conclusion, but not something you would expect out of Chris Nolan, ya know? I mean, you expect something more brainiacky... but, it's fine. Even after realizing that it's already 3:00AM when the curtain finally closed.

Everyone else - Gary Oldman, Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotilliard, Morgan Freeman... they were all great in their own roles.

But, I think, if I just didn't watch the 2nd movie right before this one, I would have felt much better about this movie. The 2nd movie is the best out of all batman movies - ever... I mean including the very old ones.

I'll watch it again tomorrow and see if I feel any better about it.

Oh yeah, one last thing... it's filled with political stuff. And they're all conservative-leaning. Just so you know...

Edited July 20, 2012 by anatess

[Dravin]

*Resists the urge to change the spelling of "wanes" to "Waynes" to amuse himself*

[norah63]

Violence is reaching a peak in our society. These movies cannot be a way to improve our lot.

[pam]

Gunman kills 12 in Colorado movie theater - CNN.com

[Guest]

After what happened in Colorado, I'm not going to watch it. It would just seem too depressing.

Violence is reaching a peak in our society. These movies cannot be a way to improve our lot.

What are you guys talking about?

Okay, Colorado. Why would that make watching the movie too depressing? I mean, was going to school depressing after the shooting in Columbine? I don't understand what you mean.

What does the movie have to do with violence reaching a peak in our society? You see a lot more violence on CNN at any day of the week than in this movie. More graphic even.

[Dravin]

Why would that make watching the movie too depressing?

Because she'd probably be thinking of the CO shootings while watching it. It wouldn't be my thought process, but to each their own.

[Jennarator]

Anatess, turn on the news. There was a mass shooting at one of the premiers in CO.

[Guest]

Anatess, turn on the news. There was a mass shooting at one of the premiers in CO.

I know that. I heard it right after I got out of the theater last night - about one hour after it happened. I don't understand how a shooting in Colorado would make it depressing to watch Batman. Dravin mentioned about being reminded of the shooting when watching the movie... I guess that's a reason. My mind doesn't work that way. I don't get depressed going to school after Columbine. I don't get depressed walking into a building or riding an airplane after 9/11. If anything else, watching Batman after the shooting is an affirmation that bad guys always lose to the good guys. But, that's just me.

[Dravin]

Violence is reaching a peak in our society. These movies cannot be a way to improve our lot.

What do you mean by violence is reaching a peak? Because to my understanding violent crime rates are at historic lows (at least in the US).

Links:

FBI: Violent crime rates in the US drop, approach historic lows - U.S. News

Bureau of Justice Statistics Violent Crime Rate Trends

Edited July 20, 2012 by Dravin

[norah63]

Well CNN covers the news.

Violence in the movies is just another way to infiltrate the mind.

'What so ever things are good, what so ever things are lovely, virtue, praise, think on these things....'

As a society and a people called to higher things, especially Christians we must set an example of a better way of life.

[Guest]

Well CNN covers the news.

Violence in the movies is just another way to infiltrate the mind.

'What so ever things are good, what so ever things are lovely, virtue, praise, think on these things....'

As a society and a people called to higher things, especially Christians we must set an example of a better way of life.

Ooooh-kay. Let's see. How can you see the lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy if you don't see the opposite thereof? How do you see something beautiful if it doesn't rise above ugly? Okay, let's make it simpler, just read 2nd Nephi Chapter 2.

Batman, the movie, is not about violence. It is about.. uh, Batman! The non-radiated, non-alien, nothing but human Superhero! And like all other superhero stories, he is not perfect - he has to work at his own weaknesses to rise to superhero status. Violence is not glorified in any of the Batman movies. It is merely the backdrop by which we can juxtapose the Goodness of Batman to the Badness of... okay, Bane.

So, I guess we can't have a movie about Abinadi because... gasp... it's so violent to be scourged and then go through death by fire. Oh wait, Jesus got crucified... we can't have a movie about him either.

[Guest]

Sorry, Colorado is my home state, I grew up close to where this happened. It's not the movie's fault, you are right, but it's also not right to just go on with life like nothing ever happened.

Okay, that makes a lot of sense. I'd go see Batman then. It's a great movie to show the resilience of good people when faced with seemingly insurmountable adversity. Gives you hope in the midst of things like Colorado shootings...

What's up with Colorado and shootings... cheez lueez...

[applepansy]

Ooooh-kay. Let's see. How can you see the lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy if you don't see the opposite thereof? How do you see something beautiful if it doesn't rise above ugly? Okay, let's make it simpler, just read 2nd Nephi Chapter 2.

In our world today there is so much "opposition in all things" that you really don't have to go far to see the comparisons between good and evil. We've been repeatedly warned to be careful of the movies we watch and the music we listen too.

Batman, the movie, is not about violence. It is about.. uh, Batman! The non-radiated, non-alien, nothing but human Superhero! And like all other superhero stories, he is not perfect - he has to work at his own weaknesses to rise to superhero status. Violence is not glorified in any of the Batman movies. It is merely the backdrop by which we can juxtapose the Goodness of Batman to the Badness of... okay, Bane.

Its not about the movie. Its about what happened AT the movie.

So, I guess we can't have a movie about Abinadi because... gasp... it's so violent to be scourged and then go through death by fire. Oh wait, Jesus got crucified... we can't have a movie about him either.

We do have a movie about the crucifiction of Christ.

Nobody is saying you can't go see the movie or should be judged because you did. But you seem to be saying that if someone makes the choice to not see the movie because of the violence that occurred in Colorado they are wrong?

I don't have a problem getting on a plane. I don't have a problem walking into a school. I always remember my son when I drive over the Malad Pass in Idaho where he died.

Everyone is different and responds to tragedy in different ways. Neither is right nor wrong. Its just their way.

[Guest]

In our world today there is so much "opposition in all things" that you really don't have to go far to see the comparisons between good and evil. We've been repeatedly warned to be careful of the movies we watch and the music we listen too.

Its not about the movie. Its about what happened AT the movie.

We do have a movie about the crucifiction of Christ.

Nobody is saying you can't go see the movie or should be judged because you did. But you seem to be saying that if someone makes the choice to not see the movie because of the violence that occurred in Colorado they are wrong?

I don't have a problem getting on a plane. I don't have a problem walking into a school. I always remember my son when I drive over the Malad Pass in Idaho where he died.

Everyone is different and responds to tragedy in different ways. Neither is right nor wrong. Its just their way.

Uhm, no. That's not what Norah63 was saying. The post that I was responding to.

You're convoluting 2 separate conversations inside the thread together.

[Guest]

I know English isn't your first or second language, which is why I'm asking, do you realize that when you start a statement with "Uhm, no." or "Okaaaay. . ." or such things, it comes off as very rude and condescending?

[Guest]

I know English isn't your first or second language, which is why I'm asking, do you realize that when you start a statement with "Uhm, no." or "Okaaaay. . ." or such things, it comes off as very rude and condescending?

It is? No, I didn't know that. I wrote it exactly as I would have said it. So, imagine me saying Uhm, no. Exactly that sound - uhm (mid-pitch and pause) no (lower pitch). Which I do a lot. At work even (professional setting). With nobody telling me it is very rude and condescending. I use it just like I hear it said by other people - yes, even at work too - an indication that you want to convey the indecision before coming up with a disagreement, which is different from just saying plain No where there was no indecision whatsoever as to the negative answer. The indecision, of course, can stem from either, 1.) you weren't sure if you disagreed but after thinking about it, you decided to disagree, 2.) you weren't sure if it's worth expressing a disagreement because you're sure they would disagree too if they just thought more about it. The following statements would then determine which of the 2 it is. So, in my case above, it's #2 - I was fairly certain that applepansy would not have said what she said if she didn't convolute the 2 conversations together.

Oooh - kaaay... said the exact same way - Oooh (low-pitch) kaaay (elongated climbing pitch). Which I also do a lot. At work too. With nobody telling me it is very rude and condescending. I use it the way I heard other people use it as well. An expression to convey... "I'm going to take the bait" or "I'll bite". Basically, I know it's probably going to be beating the dead horse or end up pointless (minds already made up without hope of budging before the discussion) but I'll go ahead and discuss it anyway.

[Guest]

If someone talked to me like that in person I'd think they were rude and condescending, but I probably wouldn't tell them so. I'd just not talk to them any more than I had to. But maybe i'm not understanding well enough how you're saying it. The main thing is that in written language, no one can hear your tone or see your body language, so intent is harder to interpret.

[Guest]

If someone talked to me like that in person I'd think they were rude and condescending, but I probably wouldn't tell them so. I'd just not talk to them any more than I had to. But maybe i'm not understanding well enough how you're saying it. The main thing is that in written language, no one can hear your tone or see your body language, so intent is harder to interpret.

In a forum, I found that my intent has not much bearing. The perception of the reader holds the sway. I stopped trying to over-analyze my posts as to the jillions of ways a reader could misinterpret my intentions. If the reader is intent on understanding, they'll understand. If the reader is intent on taking offense, they'll take offense. Regardless of my intent. Simple as that.

So, I guess what I'm saying is - I'm fine with you taking it as rude and condescending unless of course the majority finds the way I express myself rude and condescending.

[Guest]

In a nutshell: you don't care. Got it.

[Guest]

In a nutshell: you don't care. Got it.

I do, of course. But, I'm not going to change the way I express myself to please one person. I'd go psychotic. You would too. I would rather you change your perception of what I wrote - especially after I explained myself. But then, I have a feeling you'd rather not. That's okay too.

[Heber13]

Gunman kills 12 in Colorado movie theater - CNN.com

Its a sad day. This happened not far from me, and my 17 yr old daughter was out at the same time watching the movie at a different theater. She came home and told me all about it, as facebook and texts were ringing off the hook about it.

It is a tragedy. What evil lies in the hearts of some people?...it is just too difficult to understand!

My family will be taking a break from movie theaters for a while. We can watch DVDs at home. That is not the solution, but it is how we feel we'll deal with it for now.

I pray for the people and families in my neighborhood who will be dealing with this for some time.

When news like this happens close to home, it makes it scary, and we are just "lucky" my daughter wasn't at the wrong theater at the wrong time for a random act of evil. It makes me sad.

[Echo2002]

I thought about seeing the movie today, but after hearing about what happened last night I'm not going to. I wouldn't be able to get the shootings out of my head while watching it. Of course I will watch it eventually, just not now.

[RipplecutBuddha]

I was at work when it hit the news. I immediately panicked, thinking that there was every chance that my sister and her family could have been there. It took some time for it to occur to me that my sister lives in Arvada, not Aurora. Still part of Denver, but far enough away they wouldn't have been there.

I understand the dissociative mind when it comes to tragedies that don't connect to you directly, but believe me, for the moments I was worried for my sister, I was struggling to put two cohesive thoughts together without thinking of the shooting. When a serious tragedy impacts you directly, your mind behaves in a very different manner, and I cannot say it is a pleasant experience. If even risking that feeling again meant I could never see the movie, so be it. There are lots of great movies I've never seen. One more won't ruin me.

After I correctly recalled the area my sister's family lives, I was able to calm down and focus again. At the same time, I sill sorrow for the people who were killed and injured. Time to re-focus my prayers, it seems.

[Guest]

I was hoping to be able to talk about Batman. But it seems like there might not be many people who will watch because of the shooting so I may not have anybody talking to me about it!

I understand that watching a movie after this incident might be painful for those living closeby but I have to say - this is the intent of acts of terror. They want to terrorize you so much that you stay at home. I would be Batman and prove to the terrorists that they cannot win! I would go out and watch 5 movies this weekend just to show the terrorists that their acts of terror failed.

That's what I would do.

Borrowing from the words of the Native American Tecumseh:

"Live your life so the fear of death can never enter your heart... When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home."

[Bini]

On topic.

I very much would like to see Batman. I foresee hubby and I checking it out next weekend or the week thereafter, only because our schedules are so super busy right now, with remodeling our basement and getting the house ready to sell! I have enjoyed the previous Batman movies with Christian Bale. I expect a stellar performance from him in this one. I haven't read the OP cos I'm afraid of spoilers! LOL..

PS. I don't watch the news, hardly ever. I was completely unaware of this shooting incident that has taken place, until, like 2 minutes ago when I started reading this thread. My thoughts go out to those that are affected by it. How very sad :[