[Jason] The Dark Knight reviewed

The Dark Knigh Reviewed

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Thanks to TechCrunch.com I was able to see the latest Batman film–The Dark Knight–tonight at the IMAX theater at Universal City in Los Angeles. It was an amazing film, with stunning visual, amazing performances and a great story. I thought I would give you my impressions.

IMAX, IMAX, IMAX

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First, you have to see this film in IMAX. If you haven’t seen an IMAX film yet this is the one to see. Now, the entire film isn’t filmed in IMAX but the parts that have leveraged this technology are like nothing you’ve seen before. For most of the film (i.e. non-action sequences) the film is in letter box with the top and the bottom of the screen not being used. However, when the film moves to cityscapes and action sequences–BANG!–the full screen is used.

This is done so seamlessly that you wouldn’t even notice the switch in formats. It really adds to the film. It’s almost midnight and I’m dead tired, but if you offered me a second showing the Dark Knight on IMAX right now I would go. It’s a two and half hour film and I’ve got a breakfast in the morning so this is a significant statement.

Heath Ledger’s Performance

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Heath Ledgers performance as the Joker is–in a word–epic. It’s perhaps one of the five most haunting and disturbing performances captured on film. If you take the most evil and demented characters ever captured on film, including Anthony Hopkins’ Hannible Lecter and Robert DeNiro’s Max Cady in Cape Fear, they pale in comparison.

Ledger’s Joker shares almost nothing in common with the campy Tim Burton version played by Jack Nicholson, No, Ledger’s Joker is a psychotic terrorist looking to nothing more than cause as much pain and suffering as possible.

His performance makes the Dark Knight feel less like a superhero film and more like a horror film combined with a film noir crime flick.

How great is this film–really?

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No one who seems this film will deny it is the best superhero film ever made. If you loved Iron Man, X-Men, or Superman you will be enamored with this film.

If you are a fan of crime films like HEAT, The Killers or The Departed you will love this film. It’s a real crime thriller with a great story line.

Right now I can’t think of a better film than this in the past year. If you compare it to best picture nominations/winners from the last couple of years Dark Knight stands right up there with There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, The Departed, and Munich. It’s certainly better than Mystic River, Seabiscuit, Ray, Sideways, Juno, and Little Miss Sunshine. As such, it’s clearly going to get nominated for best picture.

I’m predicting it will clean up at the Oscars this year, including awards for Heath Ledger and Best Picture.

Are you cool with this?

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Not sure if you guys want to hear me talk about stuff other than technology, business and media. Should I really be sharing this with you on the email list? I wouldn’t think twice about posting this on my blog, and since the email newsletter is supposed to replace the blog I figure this wouldn’t be a big deal…. you can always hit the delete key right?

Don’t worry….I’m not going to review every film I see–this one is special.

On that note, you’re welcome to reprint or forward this email as you like as long as you don’t do it for profit and you keep it whole.

Finally, I have to say I’m loving the email relationship I’m building with you guys. So many of you respond to the messages with considered thoughts. So many of you read the entire emails–that’s just great.

Question: how many emails would you like to hear from me? 2-5 a week I’m thinking right now.

best regards,

Jason