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Happy 1 year anniversary, The Dark Knight!!!
posted by
moviebuff82
on
July 23, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Last weekend one year ago, Warner Bros. Pictures released what would be the most popular superhero movie of all time (adjusted for inflation)…“The Dark Knight”. The film, a sequel to the surprise 2005 hit “Batman Begins”, became more famous after the untimely death of Heath Ledger, in his last public role as The Joker, and the film outgrossed all other movies and scored some awards, including Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars. The film was also notable for being the first major film to have several major action scenes shot in IMAX, the version of which can be seen on the bluray version of the movie. A sequel is in the planning stages as of this post.
Comments (23)
I’m not sure how news items like this relate to Cinema Treasures?
I agree; what does it have to do with any particular theater, restoration or preservation issue, theater technology or exhibition concern?
Maybe I’ll repost this on its 5th anniversary.
I was in Ojai at this time last year. There was a 2 p.m. matinee at the local theater. It seemed to me that the whole town had lined up for the show.
I’m not sure why some of you object to the posting. Granted, the movie isn’t one of my favorites, it is hardly a classic, but to him it is a “memory” and was categorized as such and if memory serves me correctly, theatrical memories ARE a part of the site. To him, it is a treasured cinema moment. Perhaps, Justin should’ve written something more along the lines of his fond memory of experiencing this film in a grand IMAX theater such as NYC’s Lincoln Square. And if memory serves me correctly, last year someone did a posting about his/her memories of seeing Return of the Jedi 25 years ago? Did anyone object? Not that I recall.
I’m with you on this, JodarMovieFan. I see nothing wrong with posting an article here on CT about the first anniversary of Dark Knight. I saw Dark Knight at a local theatre not far from where I live, and although it wasn’t in 3D, and it was certainly not West Side Story, it was well worth seeing and I enjoyed it immensely. The only thing I objected to about it was the fact that there was a little too much exploding on the screen at times, but, other than that, it’s a good film. Besides, I enjoy seeing postings about an anniversary of a cool movie.
I agree with the last two posters. Some of the most entertaining CT articles I’ve come across have been the anniversary celebrations of “Star Wars”, “Superman”, etc. If it calls up fond memories of going to the movies, it belongs on Cinema Treasures. And while I agree that “The Dark Knight” is not one of the best movies I’ve ever seen, to many people (especially those younger than me) it is exactly that. And it does have the distinction of being one of the biggest reasons there will be ten Best Picture Oscar nominees next year instead of five.
what a nice movie…
make money from home
I saw it after midnight, during a late matinee show, in DLP digital projection at the Clearview in Mansfield rather than the AMC in Rockaway, which was probably crowded at the time. This is because I stayed over at my dad’s for that weekend. The movie wasn’t all crowded, and I sat throughout the whole movie without going to the restroom. It was enjoyable and the film was worth seeing. Today, according to what people say on Twitter, Gary Oldman says that shooting of the new Batman movie will start next year. I can’t wait for that….it’ll be too bad that the Joker won’t be around.
“Some of the most entertaining CT articles I’ve come across have been the anniversary celebrations of "Star Wars”, “Superman”, etc. If it calls up fond memories of going to the movies, it belongs on Cinema Treasures."
Thanks, Bill Huelig. The above-mentioned quote from your post says it all…in a nutshell.
Justin Fencsak: This:
“it’ll be too bad that the Joker won’t be around.”
is really too bad about Heath Ledger. He died much too young, imo.
Didn’t TDK open July 18th last year?
I think so.
Its ok I guess to remember a movie after 1 year, but how about some REAL anniversaries?? 70 years, “Gone With The Wind” AND “Wizard Of OZ”. 40 years, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, and “Woodstock”, 30 years ago, “Alien”, a movie that even today still scares the living you know what out of me. I mean some of the oldies are deserving of remembering, not something that only came out last year.
How about another REAL Anniversary: the 50th-year Anniversary national re-release of the film West Side Story, in all the United States' Theatres? That, imho, would be cool
Just y’ll wait until December and I will unleash the most extravagant, stupendous, gar
gantuan, ravishing, spectacular 30th anniversary memory of that great classic…..
DRUMROLL….
Star Trek: The Motion Picture!!!! :)
Star Trek? Aha. Never saw it, though I did hear about it.
DRUMROLL…..
WEST SIDE STORY!!
As for West Side Story, since it came out in the fall of 1961 (October 18th, 1961, to be exact), the year 2011 will be the 50th-year Anniversary of this great, golden oldie-but-goody movie/musical classic! Here’s hoping that there’s a national re-release of WSS in theatres throughout the United States.
Not just United States MPol – around the world (particularly Australia) so we can all rejoice in this wonderful classic
Not meaning to go way off topic, but there IS a newer 70mm print of WSS in circulation. Just go to in70mm.com and see for yourself. When WSS was here at the AFI, it was only in 35mm, but they always manage to get 2001 and Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm, but hardly anything else.
Now to the topic at hand :). My memory of first experiencing Dark Knight was in IMAX. Prior to its release, I had read that Director Nolan had filmed some scenes in IMAX and with the hype surrounding Heath Ledger’s death there was increased interest in seeing this movie. I remember that on Fandango, the King of Prussia IMAX had sold out its entire weekend of shows through late Sunday!
The movie was rather dark and, yes, Heath Ledger was good in it and there were some interesting twists at the end with the Commissioner. The masking of this movie was annoying as it has with movies like this that aren’t truly IMAX having the width but not height of a regular one. If only they had curtains to hide that dead open space, it would make the viewing more immersive. The few shots that were shot in IMAX were the action scenes towards the end, it just made you want the whole movie to be that way. Also, this particular IMAX theater doesn’t have the thundering bass that the best THX cert theaters can deliver.
In the end, with all the killing and bloodletting, I felt numbed. Christian Bale is numbing to watch on the big screen. He seems to always brood and be in a bad mood. Knowing that Ledger was dead also cast this dark cloud over the movie. That fact was also numbing. If I had surgical knowledge, I probably could have performed my own appendectomy without anesthesia being so numbed out. For these reasons and probably more..now that the feeling of numbness is coming back, this movie isn’t one of favorites, but the experience is memorable. :)
Yes, JodarMovieFan, but what a sad inditement that there appears to be only one new 70mm print of West Side Story in circulation – and predominantly in Europe. Only takes one stuff-up to ruin a (previously) pristine print. Let’s keep hoping for a brand new 70mm print run for world wide distribution.
Good point, bercy.
JodarMovieFan and bercy: you’ve made some good points about the newer 70mm print of the film West Side Story. It would be wonderful to have brand-spanking-new 70mm prints of WSS to show throughout the United States and the world. God….I’d have my OWN llittle celebration if that happened.
On the flip side of this, however, from what I’ve read/heard, there are some issues with the latest 70mm print of the film West Side Story; some of the channels are missing, or something, plus the projector has to be specially calibrated for 70mm film, which can get awfully expensive.
Back to Dark Knight: Some of the aerial shots of Gotham kind of reminded me of those in the film West Side Story.
I think this falls under the category of “nostalgia for the era we actually live in”.
MPol,
Regarding the sound issues with the new WSS print: The only source of information on this subject I’ve come across is on a post by one of this site’s regular contributors, who in my opinion has very credible credentials. The alleged issues concern the DTS, but if I’m not mistaken, the print should have a backup Dolby soundtrack which could alleviate the situation. I have yet to see it, and when I do I’ll post something to that effect. BTW, I did see WSS in Broadway (at the Palace) earlier this summer, and it was stunning!
JSA
Thanks for the information, JSA. I’d love to see the newly-printed out 70mm version of the film West Side Story, but I’ve also heard that there are some small issues with this new 70mm print, too; The color contrast was really, really intense in some areas, resulting in some blurriness in certain sections of the film. Correct me if I’m wrong on this, JSA.
Regarding the new Broadway revival of West Side Story: I’ve also read that they’re due to go on a national tour in the fall of 2010, and, if it comes to either Boston or Providence, RI (which is just a bit over an hour’s drive south of where I live), I might consider going, providing I can get a seat for a decent price, with a good view of the stage. Right now, as I said before, I’ve got mixed feelings about the whole thing.
this is jordan rogers i love the joker so much i have his bike and action figure and all the posters i have shirts and hats i love the joker because he is awesome and really crazy plus he likes to laugh alot like me!