The Dark Knight (SPOILERS)

[Tripe]

Whether they intend it or not*, even when writing something as supposedly ephemeral as a comic book, the writers do tap into the archetypes because they have endured since humans first started telling stories.


*and in fact it's often better when it is unintentional.

[bratpop]

Good to know that they are not promoting the story of the film, but just the flashiest aspects. Hooray for Whoreywood.

He's got no story arc

Good. Good. I'm glad the marketing department is getting me all hyped up for a character with no story arc. That's a really great thing. Yes. There are no words joyous enough to describe it accurately.

[Variety of Cells]

One particular character not having a story arc is not a bad thing.  An Arcless character is not necessarily uninteresting or unimportant to the story.  Just as long as there are characters who do change throughout the film, having some that don't can serve as an interesting contrast. 

He's the joker.  Did you really expect him to have a change of heart by the end of the film?  Part of his appeal is his unyielding hate for batman, as I understand it.  Also, being his biggest and most popular enemy, I'm sure they are saving his arc for future films.

[bratpop]

Villains never have a character arc after they become the villain. They just get thrown in jail or killed. But it seems like kind of a waste. Am I really supposed to care about Harvey Dent? His name tells me he's a liar. I hate liars. Plus he's a politician anyway so... redundant. It's just that Nolan kind of admitted Joker is nothing but a big gimmick to sell tickets. Why should I see his movie after he admits it's falsely advertised? And why can't Bruce have the story arc? Why can't everybody have a story arc?

[Variety of Cells]

Because if everyone had a story arc the movie would be 4 hours long.  In movies, as in real life, not everyone changes at the same time.

He didn't admit Joker is a gimmick, he admitted that the Joker is not the main villain of the film, just as the Scarecrow was not the main villain of the first.  Does that mean that the scarecrow was a gimmick to sell tickets? 

You're still going to watch it.  If you liked the first one there's no way you won't see it some day.  Are you really going to fault the film for not being exactly like your preconceived notion of what the story should be that you built based on a few teaser trailers? 

EDIT:  Well now that I'm antagonizing you, you might not see it.  But if I didn't exist, I'm guessing you would.

[Hebs]

Whether they intend it or not*, even when writing something as supposedly ephemeral as a comic book, the writers do tap into the archetypes because they have endured since humans first started telling stories.


*and in fact it's often better when it is unintentional.

If you ever get the chance to hear Steve Ditko expound upon that, be prepared to be amazed AND horrified at his meandering, unceasing rhetoric.

[Tripe]

If you ever get the chance to hear Steve Ditko...

And he would be?

This Fella

[bettertomorrowamy]

Heath Ledger's dead!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/22/heath.ledger.dead/index.html

[Shinigami]

I recently bought the "Why so serious" theatrical poster for $30 including shipping.  After word got out that Ledger died, prices have skyrocketed.  It's kind of sick.

[kodiakthejuggler]

I recently bought the "Why so serious" theatrical poster for $30 including shipping.  After word got out that Ledger died, prices have skyrocketed.  It's kind of sick.

Reminds me of the scene at the beginning of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, when Steve Martin is trying to get a cab to the airport to make his flight right before Thanksgiving, but someone gets one ahead of him, so he offers to pay $50 for the cab, and the guy says "someone who'll pay $50 for a cab would surely pay $75", and Steve, being in a bind, agrees, saying "You're a thief!" to which the man replies: "Close, I'm a lawyer."

When people want something, they'll pay for it. When they really want something, they're willing to be exploited. The sad part is, there are those who exploit for their own gain. Bloody Pirates.

[Hebs]

When I find the source I'll post it, but I read that he was taking sleeping pills because the Joker character was giving him difficultly sleeping   Geesh... and apparently Christopher Nolan backed it up...  weird...

[Courtney]

I think it was a New York Times interview that he said that Hebs, I'll look for it too.  I believe he was on Ambien, which messes people up.  My mom works in sleep medicine and has had patients coming in completely screwed up because of it.

[Hebs]

I think it was a New York Times interview that he said that Hebs, I'll look for it too.  I believe he was on Ambien, which messes people up.  My mom works in sleep medicine and has had patients coming in completely screwed up because of it.

Oh lordy, that's not good.

I took half - HALF and Ambien once at the behest of my old roommate who was taking it - and it put me out for many many more hours than I wanted to be asleep.  So I can't imagine what a whole one, or even more than one does to the body.

[Bob]

I think it was a New York Times interview that he said that Hebs, I'll look for it too.  I believe he was on Ambien, which messes people up.  My mom works in sleep medicine and has had patients coming in completely screwed up because of it.

I think this is the article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/movies/moviesspecial/04lyal.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

[Tripe]

And yet he spoke of taking two and it not having a satisfactory effect. That is some deep seated insomnia.