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October '08
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August '08
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point~counterpoint: Propposing a Sequel to The Dark Knight
By Aaron 8/11/2008
Who doesn’t want to see The Dark Knight Returns? After what many regard as the two best comic book movies ever made, who doesn’t want a third helping?
If you wanted a “series,” you have to realize that a series is more than two films. If you wanted a great story, there is more to tell – there are simply mountains of material. These mountains make another film inevitable – Nolan was able to make his film despite two Schumacher missteps and carve out a new identity for Batman because there was enough source material to do so and should Nolan finish what he started. Given that another film is inevitable the question should no longer be, is another Nolan film necessary, but if QUALITY is necessary. If you think Nolan will make a quality film, you should embrace it even if you do not think it will be “as good” as TDK.
Now a lot of the debate about masterpieces and series relies on the concept that viewing movies in isolation or in conjunction is mutually exclusive – but they’re not. In fact, movies can and should be viewed in isolation and in conjunction. The Dark Knight is so good because it does BOTH and just because it does well on it’s own does not mean that it does not lead into a great third movie, or that a third movie would not also be able to stand alone. More importantly, a third movie needs to resolve plot points regarding both Bruce Wayne and Batman.
 Hovering over this whole discussion is the question of, can you match the greatness of TDK with a third film? First, it is possible that Nolan has been building on each film and that the third film could be his best (that is always a possibility). Second, even if the film is not as good as TDK, it will still be a lot of fun, and be really good.
Batman’s rogues gallery is a reason FOR another film. Even the short list of Posion Ivy, Catwoman, The Penguin, and The Riddler allows for several good choices. For one, introduction of a female character (possibly as a villain) has become a necessity based on the shortage of female characters in the Nolan-verse. Plus, the fact that some of Batman’s villains are too corny just means they need the Nolan treatment.
 Poison Ivy would be great because she is a “true villain” that could be made believable (come on, she’s just a hot  botanist). While some might say she would be similar to the Ra’s al Gul plot, her guile and cunning and trademark poison kiss would be a lot different. Two actresses that would be interesting to see pull on the green leather would be Jaime King or Famke Janssen. Both of them have that dangerous seductiveness and the acting chops to make Ivy the dark villain of the Nolan-verse.
Catwoman would make a good compliment (possibly if Two-Face returns, more below) because she is a dynamic female character that  can double as a love interest. Catwoman is basically a cat burglar so she could fit very well in Gotham’s transition from organized crime to costumed crime. Two actresses that would be interesting to see piece together the shiny black latex would be Charlize Theron or Rosario Dawson (Naomi Watts received some consideration). Both bring different angles to the character – Theron would be the blond eyed beauty with an athletic frame (honed in Aeon Flux) while Dawson would be closer to Miller’s darker more sarcastic African-American incarnation.
The Penguin is little more than a more devious gangster and would be another character who would offer a great transition from the  Maroni gangsters to the costumed criminals we remember. The Penguin would be interesting post-Joker because he would be the new kingpin rising after the Joker shattered the established criminal order. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jack Black would be great choices to pull on the top hat and rock the umbrella. PSH has been rumored – and favored for the role for so long but Black’s facial expressions would be great for a more nuanced and darkly comical Penguin.
And even though I was terrified of The Riddler’s return I think Nolan’s take on him would be diabolical and insane – a sort of half step  between Scarecrow and Joker. The Riddler would be so different than the other criminals because he would not be a fighter, he would just be a brain. I don’t have a quirky costume comment here because I hope Nolan revamps the green suit but someone who could be quirky regardless of costume would be Steve Buscemi or Hugo Weaving. Buscemi would be sillier than Weaving but both would be able to convey the maniacal intelligence The Riddler needs.
There comes a time when everyone has to move on without The Joker – both narratively and performatively. The  Joker is Batman’s best villain, but he is also a villain, that for the sake of Nolan’s darker Gotham, is limited by his proclamation that he would never “kill the Batman.” As far as Ledger is concerned, his portrayal was nothing short of stunning, but his passing should not influence whether generally, a third movie should be made.
One character who could be brought back is Two-Face. While there are some doubters, Two-Face could easily be brought back with the simple  explanation that his “funeral” was faked because Gordon and Batman had to avert The Joker’s chaos. Furthermore, Two-Face deserves his own movie – the tension between him and Batman (relating to Harvey’s respect for him as well as Two-Faces continuing drive for “true justice”) could be further explored.
Finally, not every film has to be a masterpiece – but most movies should be as good as they can be. If movies were not made because the first one was so good, directors like Orson Welles and Quentin Tarantino would never have made another movie. The Dark Knight Returns will be great if Nolan directs it, and better than the alternative. Great stories never end – and The Dark Knight is one of the best.
Read the opposition
I hope you liked our point-counterpoint special feature, if you have questions or comments for me, don't hesitate to shoot me an email at aaron.saltystix@gmail.com. If you want to read some of my other articles, click here.
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Bob’s October Movie Preview
By Bob 10/2/2008
 Now that we have gotten through the sludge of September movies, it’s time for some Oscar contenders, and movies that think they’re good but not. Halloween is also this month so there is bound to be a lot of random horror movies going on and of course a Saw film to soak in. Whatever happens though, I’m gonna guess that at least one of the following gets some nods come Oscar time. With that, my October Movie Preview:
Cops, Robbers, and Blah
10) Pride and Glory: October 24th
From the director of Miracle comes one of the most clichéd trailers of ALL TIME. Edward Norton as A COP. Colin Farrell as HIMSELF. What more could we want from a movie? I don’t know, and I will likely never find out because this is not one flick I will be seeing.
9) Max Payne: October 17th 
As I feverishly go through my mind trying to think of a video game adaptation that has actually been a good movie, I’m also reminded of all of the bad movies Marky Mark has made over the past ever (excluding The Departed and Boogie Nights of course). I would be shocked if there is anybody who is actually excited for this, as anybody who actually played the game has probably outgrown the genre.
8) Body of Lies: October 10th
Leonardo Dicaprio. Russell Crowe. Ridley Scott. Something about spies. The trailers really tell us nothing about this film except, “How am I supposed to run an operation when you’re running a side operation.” I don’t really know what that means, but Leo says it in the trailer. This film looks like another lame attempt by Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe to win Oscars. I’m not buying it.
7) Flash of Genius: October 3rd
Greg Kinnear stars as an man who invents the intermittent windshield wiper, and then has it stolen from him buy the major auto manufacturers. This just looks like a boring film that will get a lukewarm response. For some reason, however, it has been getting a huge level of marketing with television and even radio advertisements. I doubt people will buy it.
6) RocknRolla: October 10th
Guy Ritchie is back in the genre he knows best, and this appears to be an English gangster film much in the mold of Lock Stock and Snatch. We’ll see if he still has his stuff, but for now, I’ll just pop in my DVDs of the older films that I can trust, and look to be almost identical in plot to this one.
Movies that Intrigue Me
5) Changeling: October 24th 
Angelina Jolie stars in this Clint Eastwood film about a woman whose son goes missing and is returned with something different. Any film that Eastwood directs (that’s not Flags of our Fathers of course) is worth checking out, and this looks to be no different. It got solid reviews with it premiered at Cannes, and Angelina Jolie is ready for a solid role.
4) W.: October 17th
 A film that is certain to be the years most controversial, Oliver Stone directs this biopic about our current president. While I am sure Stone will exaggerate many of the details, there is no denying that he has put together an awesome cast including Josh Broling (as Bush), Elizibeth Banks (as First Lady Laura), James Cromwell (as his father H. W.), Richard Dreyfuss (as Cheney), Thadie Newton (as Condoleezza Rice) and others as the rest of his cabinet. Whatever happens in this film, it will certainly be interesting.
3) Synecdoche, New York: October 24th
A film that I have been awaiting since last year, this is Charlie Kauffman’s directorial debut. I have loved the films he has written (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and Adaptation. ) and this should prove to be equally compelling. It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as a playwright who attempts to put on a production in a warehouse that includes a scale model of New York. It will probably boggle our minds, but that is Kauffman, isn’t it?
2) Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist: October 3rd
Michael Cera and Kat Dennings star as the eponymous Nick and Norah who meet each other one night in New York and have adventures. Something about the trailer really brought this movie to my attention, probably the indie style that I love. Cera is always great, and Dennings was really cool in Charlie Bartlett, so I might make my way to a cinema this week to check it out.
1) Zach and Miri Make a Porno: October 31st 
Seth Rogen and Elizibeth Banks star as two best friends who decide to make a porno together. This is Kevin Smith’s first film since Clerks 2, and I can only hope that it matches that film in hilarity. The only thing I don’t understand, is why are they releasing this film on Halloween? I guess there is probably a Saw film being released anyways.
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