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Are you anxious to see ‘Dark Knight’ and Heath Ledger?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As soon as the calendar turned to July, these words, spoken so breathily and with twisted menace by the late Heath Ledger in the trailers for the next Batman movie “The Dark Knight,” began to swirl in my head:
“This city deserves a better class of criminal,” he says so eerily as The Joker. “And I’m going to give it to ‘em.”
“Dark Knight” debuts in theaters July 18. I will see the movie several days beforehand.
I am conflicted about it. I am anxious to see what looks like it could be a great performance. At the same time, I’m saddened at the thought of seeing the film at all. Ledger’s death in January seems too fresh, too tragic.
I think most people are just beginning or will soon begin to realize what a good actor Ledger was. Cate Blanchett was quite good in “I’m Not There.” But I think Ledger did a better job of capturing the conflict in Bob Dylan’s brain.
Ledger was just about perfect in “Brokeback Mountain.” And I’m still wondering why his excellent performance in “Candy,” an Australian tale of bohemians and drugs, never caught fire in America. I thought he was good in “Ned Kelly,” “Monster’s Ball,” “A Knight’s Tale” and “Ten Things I Hate About You.”
I met Ledger in 2002. It was a time when he was first trying to break away from Hollywood’s perception of him: that he should be consistently cast as a teen heartthrob.
Soon we’ll be seeing him as the Joker … deep in character, performing as an artist and not a movie star.
My guess is it will be something memorable to see.
Are you anticipating seeing “The Dark Knight” and Heath Ledger?
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Bob Longino
Comments
By southside girl
July 3, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Yes! IMAX, here we come!
By Big Trouble
July 3, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Taking the day off to see this movie. Nolan has found the true spirit of the Detective; Bale plays it better than anyone.
From the early reviews, Ledger’s performance will render people speechless. The Joker is dark, twisted, maniacal and dangerous; I hope Ledger is remembered/honored for an incredible take on a demented character.
By ESR
July 3, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
I found the ads repulsive for this movie, cashing in on the death of Heath Ledger for publicity. The previews didn’t show or mention Batman, it was all the Joker. I won’t participate in the whoring of a dead man for Hollywood for profit.
By Brandon
July 3, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
ESR, I understand why you would feel that way, but if you look it up online you’ll see that the marketing campaign for the movie focused on the Joker way before Ledger’s death. Namely, the “Why so Serious?” website. Nolan, the director, even mentioned they considered changing all the marketing but after consulting with the family, everyone agreed Ledger wouldn’t want anything changed.
By Perkle
July 3, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Can’t wait to see if but really not because of Ledger. The only Batman movie so far that I though was any good was Batman Begins. Christian Bale should be the only one to play Batman. Looks like a lot of the same people are in the new one (except Katie Holmes - thank goodness, she was terrible) I will be on vacation that week and will take the family to see it! I hope the buzz about Ledgers performance is true.
By CommunistAJC
July 3, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
ESR, You have the IQ of a carrot. Are you really that stupid.
By KP
July 3, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
I just can’t wait to see this film. And far as Heath Ledger goes, by looking at the trailers it looks like after watching the movie we would feel wanting more of Joker, but sadly we won’t get it:(… I would be really surprise if Heath didn’t win an Oscar for his role. He looks Outstanding and memorable. I think he would surpass the Great Jack Nicholson and be in our memories forever!!!
By Carmine Falcone
July 3, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
This will be the greatest movie of the year. Early reviews are confirming that it will be the standard for comic book movies and just an all around great movie. It’s going to reach beyond the genre of comic book movies.
ESR-you have no idea what you are talking about-going back to last July, marketing has been done to promote the performance of Ledger as the Joker. And as others have said, the marketing continued at the wishes of Heath’s family.
Furthermore, if you had seen Batman Begins, you would know that these movies by Chris Nolan are about Batman, not the villians. The Burton/Shumaker films focused on the villians, not the hero. Sure the Joker will be heavily involved, but this movie is about Batman. Just because they have marketed the Joker, doesn’t mean this is a movie about the Joker. It’s about Batman and his struggle to walk the line between being a hero and a letting the criminal underworld turn him into a vigilante.
By CP
July 3, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I’ll probably wait until it comes out on DVD; the babysitter would be more expensive than a night out at the movies even with the inflated prices there. But after seeing some of the trailers, it looks like it’s going to be really good.
I like Ledger as an actor, always have. I agree it seems a bit soon after he died to have the movie released, but if he had passed after the movie opened it would probably have just served to revamp interest in the movie. Personally I hope it’s a really great film that showcases his talent. That would be a tribute to what a good actor he was.
By CommunistAJC
July 3, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
As a proud gay male I loved Heath in Brokeback Mountain. I will wear my Heath on my sleeve and in my heart at the Gay Pride Festival this weekend. I still cry when I think of him, I loved him so. I am almost in tears now. So sad…to die so young…I love you Heath..I mean I really love you.
By Cesar Romero
July 3, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Ledger is just another dead dope fiend. He was just an actor, hardly an educated courageous individual. Grossly over compensated for his contribution to society. But, “fans” blubber over his memory. He didn’t have cancer; he killed himself. And, while he was alive, it’s not like he concocted the Salk vaccine or wrote the Declaration of Independence. This movie star worship is pathetic, but it serves as an anodyne in your own pedestrian lives.
By CommunistAJC
July 3, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
To the guy who stole my name commenting as me. Nice. ESR, thanks for that coming out of the closet for Heath comment. Shows that I was right on target. You do indeed have the IQ of a carrot but maybe that was being too generous. My wife got a laugh at your expense my mindless comrade.
By Cesar Romero
July 3, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Ledger is just another dead dope fiend. He was just an actor, hardly an educated courageous individual. Grossly over compensated for his contribution to society. But, “fans” blubber over his memory. He didn’t have cancer; he killed himself. And, while he was alive, it’s not like he concocted the Salk vaccine or wrote the Declaration of Independence. This movie star worship is pathetic, but it serves as an anodyne in your own pedestrian lives.
By AlwaysaBatmanFan
July 3, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
I have always loved batman.. what happened to the old batman movies after the first director left was a total shame. Went from a great dark night to a joke of a movie. After Michael Keaton left and Tim Berton stopped directing… it took a huge nose dive. It is going to be hard to top Jack Nicholson as the joker, he is naturally psychotic. I fell in love with Christian Bale as an actor after seeing Equilibrium. I think he is a very strong actor and beats anyone who has played batman so far hands down. Good Director, Main actor and great scripts so far. Cant wait for the movie!
By Jessica
July 3, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Its the first “dark” movie of the year. last year was sweeney todd. Liked the first batman always liked the joker character ever since the cartoons.
By eric s.
July 3, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
I’m more excited about this movie than any other for the year. (I was wowed by “Iron Man,” but I had no expectations for that movie.) I got chills down my spine the first time I saw Ledger in previews for the movie. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are sure to be at the top of their game. How can you top that cast? (well, maybe the return of Ras Al Ghul (Liam Neeson)? After all, we never really did see what happened to him after the train crashed in Batman Begins, did we? :-) Chris Nolan rules. (See “Following” or “Memento” or “Insomnia” for more of his genius.)
By Doug C.
July 4, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Ummm… This really isn’t about The Dark Knight, but rather a lamentation Bob’s man crush on Heath Ledger. I’m a huge Batman fan and I can’t wait to see this film. I’ve stayed away from reviews as much as possible, but I’ve read most of the non-spoiler section’s of Peter Traver’s review and this movie sounds like the real deal… I can’t wait to see Nolan’s next master piece.
By Kimi
July 4, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I’m looking foward to it. The previews I saw at the 3d Imax theater last winter looked excellent.
By DonQCitizen
July 4, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
The one thing about Nolan’s Batman series, is his ability to capture the “story” behind the hero. Even before seeing the second installment, I am confident that everything is in good hands with Bale, Nolan, and the dearly departed Ledger. I CAN’T WAIT!!!
By N.R. Ticulate
July 4, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Anxious to see Batman???
No, I have no anxiety about seeing this film.
I am, however, rather eager to see it.
By jsellers186
July 4, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
This movie is already setting records for pre-sales on Fandango. I’m going to see it on Imax at 3AM Friday morning, because the 12:01 show is already sold out. This movie is going to be simply amazing!
By marvin
July 7, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
I honestly cannot wait to see this movie. Dark Knight is the first movie I have really wanted to see. So much so that I’m afraid it will dissapoint me. I don’t think it will happen because I can’t wait to see Heath Ledger’s artistic portrait of the Joker. If this movie doesn’t set records or win anything, I will be upset beyond any level I’ve ever been.
By amy
July 7, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
By Cesar Romero : You hit the nail on the head. He was a drug addict people! and while his death was unfortunate (I’m not a hater, I have a heart) and it happened too soon, we must teach our kids that his behavior was wrong, and not glorify it just because he was a celebrity. I loved him ever since I saw him in 10 Things I Hate About You, but to give so much press to someone who was so into drugs…Prescription Drug Abuse is just as bad and rampant as street drug abuse….that is what needs to be remembered here. As far as the original question goes, I will see it, as I have seen all of the Batman movies, just maybe might wait till I can rent it. Movie ticket prices are $10 here in Connecticut. And that is for the Matinee (sp?) prices.
By Michael S
July 10, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know if the page at fandango is right and the dark knight is playing on the 11th at startime? Hopefully this is true but i’m skeptical.