2081 replies to this topic

[Monkeyfoahead]

I saw the newest trailer before Iron Man, and it looks really good. I want to see this movie so bad, and my DVD christmas shopping list is going to be long.

[sharpshooter]

The official site has been updated by the way. It has a flash new animation and all three trailers are available to view.

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/

[Harmsway]

Yup, it also demonstrates that the film has been rated by the MPAA.

THE DARK KNIGHT is PG-13, "for intense sequences of violence and some menace."

Now, I get the intense violence bit (just the Two-Face concept is enough to demonstrate that this film has no qualms about pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in a mainstream blockbuster... and I've heard about some other things that really make me raise my eyebrows). But what the heck is "some menace"? The MPAA is worthless.

[Judo chop]

But what the heck is "some menace"? The MPAA is worthless.

Some: Not all, but more than none.

Or is it the

[Harmsway]

Or is it the 'menace' part that is confounding you, Harms? I'm afraid I can't help you there. Menace can be offensive, I guess.

I don't even know what they intend to refer to by use of the word "menace."

Personally, I'm not going to see the new Indy film for the simple fact that I heard it has been given the PG-13 rating "for some images of suggestive menace and scenes of implied strong and/or intense graphic imagery."

The real MPAA rating for INDY IV is a bit clearer: "PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images." In other words: "It's the same crap as the other Indy films."

[Mr. Blofeld]

But what the heck is "some menace"? The MPAA is worthless.

I think they're understating the menace quotient, my friend...

"HEE-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAA!!!"

[Loomis]

Now, I get the intense violence bit (just the Two-Face concept is enough to demonstrate that this film has no qualms about pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in a mainstream blockbuster...

How does the Two-Face concept push the boundaries of what is acceptable in a mainstream blockbuster? Anyway, wasn't Two-Face used in BATMAN FOREVER?

and I've heard about some other things that really make me raise my eyebrows)

Would you care to be more specific? Understood if you don't feel comfortable spilling the beans, but I'm curious as to what you're talking about (well, obviously). Are you talking about nudity, drug-taking, Tarantinoesque swearing? What?

But what the heck is "some menace"?

What the MPAA is driving at is that there are scenes in which Indy and co. are, well, menaced, and even though nothing violent or explicit may actually happen it's still felt that the atmosphere of terror created may well unnerve some viewers under the age of thirteen.

I gather it was the exact same deal for TEMPLE OF DOOM, the film for which the PG-13 rating was created in the first place. Basically, it's seen as intrinstically scary for young children, even though it may really all be one big tease to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, with little actual graphic content or none at all.

ETA: Oops, I see you were talking about THE DARK KNIGHT, not CRYSTAL SKULL. "My bad". Anyway, my explanation still stands - for Indy read the Bat, basically. Merely the spectacle of Batman looming around will be enough to create "some menace", let alone all the other villains and their antics.

[Judo chop]

The real MPAA rating for INDY IV is a bit clearer: "PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images."

A-ha! Now I've got you! Did the rating for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly mention anything about the film having "adventure violence"?

Hmmm? Did it? Hmmm?

(I'll cry if you say it did.)

To Loomis, I'm sure Harms is talking about how the film shows Two Face... earning his 2nd face. It was in the trailer and it gave me a little chill. Quite menacing, really.

[Harmsway]

How does the Two-Face concept push the boundaries of what is acceptable in a mainstream blockbuster?

By concept, I meant design, which was released a bit ago. Here's the concept art for the final design of Two-Face in the film:

http://img.photobuck...7/DentBurn2.jpg

Absolutely brutal in concept - once that mock-up has been done-up with decent effects work and truly applied, it has to look horrific. I'm shocked Nolan even had the balls to go that route.

Would you care to be more specific? Understood if you don't feel comfortable spilling the beans, but I'm curious as to what you're talking about (well, obviously).

Spoiler

In particular, the sequence where Harvey Dent is scarred, burning on the floor in gasoline. By 2 and 2 together, I think the sequence also entails Dent watching his fiancee, Bruce's old flame Rachel Dawes, burn to death in front of him. Very brutal.

[Loomis]

Hmmm.... Cheers, Harms. Big character death spoiler there, though.

And, yeah, that Harvey Dent pic does look rather unpleasant.

[Judo chop]

By concept, I meant design, which was released a bit ago. Here's the concept art for the final design of Two-Face in the film:

http://img.photobuck...7/DentBurn2.jpg

I think I remember seeing that guy in Casino Royale! He was an extra in the Body Works scene, I believe.

[Tarl_Cabot]

How does the Two-Face concept push the boundaries of what is acceptable in a mainstream blockbuster?

By concept, I meant design, which was released a bit ago. Here's the concept art for the final design of Two-Face in the film:

http://img.photobuck...7/DentBurn2.jpg

Absolutely brutal in concept - once that mock-up has been done-up with decent effects work and truly applied, it has to look horrific. I'm shocked Nolan even had the balls to go that route.

Would you care to be more specific? Understood if you don't feel comfortable spilling the beans, but I'm curious as to what you're talking about (well, obviously).

Spoiler

In particular, the sequence where Harvey Dent is scarred, burning on the floor in gasoline. By 2 and 2 together, I think the sequence also entails Dent watching his fiancee, Bruce's old flame Rachel Dawes, burn to death in front of him. Very brutal.

It's pretty horrific imagery. Reminds of Scarface when the guy gets chainsawed off camera...his expression on his face is worth a thousand Friday the 13ths.

[sharpshooter]

The scene in question is just downright cruel quite frankly. They are pushing the barriers it seems with this film.

[Harmsway]

The scene in question is just downright cruel quite frankly.

I'm not sure it will play out the way I think it will... I'm just guessing. But even if doesn't play that way, it'll still be pretty dark.

They are pushing the barriers it seems with this film.

Looks like it.

[sharpshooter]

In New York stores, the Joker action figures which retail for about $10 dollars sold out within minutes of going on sale.

If they line up and clean out all the Joker action figures in the warehouse, imagine what the box office will be.

[Harmsway]

In New York stores, the Joker action figures which retail for about $10 dollars sold out within minutes of going on sale.

If they line up and clean out all the Joker action figures in the warehouse, imagine what the box office will be.

Wow.

THE DARK KNIGHT's gonna be huge.

[dodge]

I must say I'm very surprised by a few predictions here that TDK's (I nearly wrote BM's) box office will plummet because of a dark tone, Ledger's death, etc. I dunno, guys, I dunno. But I still don't believe KL's death will impact the film negatively one iota. Nor do I think any morbid interest will set the registers ringing. I believe in the Almighty Buzz. And the few clips I've seen of KL's performance really do seem to me to be the stuff of legend. I see a monster hit here. Finally, I don't see the darker tone hurting the film's profits. I believe Joe Public and Family will feel the same thing I feel when I see this villain, this new Joker:

Who IS this guy!

[Judo chop]

Ledger's death will have the same effect on TDK's draw as the title "Quantum of Solace" will have on that film's draw: Not one iota.

(Or maybe just ONE iota, but then a positive iota.)

[Harmsway]

I must say I'm very surprised by a few predictions here that TDK's (I nearly wrote BM's) box office will plummet because of a dark tone, Ledger's death, etc.

I don't quite know what you're responding to - I haven't read a post that suggested Ledger's death would *hurt* the film. I actually think Ledger's death has increased the hype and attention paid to the film.

Now, I do think the dark tone could hurt it a bit by keeping out the kid market, which is a huge part of these superhero megabusters, but that won't at all effect its immediate weekend gross, which should be in the $100-150 million department.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I don't quite know what you're responding to - I haven't read a post that suggested Ledger's death would *hurt* the film. I actually think Ledger's death has increased the hype and attention paid to the film.

It's sad, really; a bit like Jean Harlow's death during Saratoga, or James Dean's death after Giant.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Shoot, double-post...

[Cruiserweight]

In New York stores, the Joker action figures which retail for about $10 dollars sold out within minutes of going on sale.

If they line up and clean out all the Joker action figures in the warehouse, imagine what the box office will be.

The Joker's Wild
by Mike Krumboltz
May 7, 2008 04:38:37 PM

A lot of this summer's flicks have their own action figures, but only one film boasts a figure that's disappearing from store shelves and selling for a premium online.

We speak of "The Dark Knight." The film, which stars the late Heath Ledger as the criminally insane Joker, is on a tear in the Buzz. Searches on the film are up 42% this month and related lookups on "heath ledger joker," "joker pictures," and "heath ledger joker poster" are turning law-abiding citizens into search-hungry lunatics.

But even more interesting than the rising searches is the run on Joker action figures. According to the New York Post, the toys, which retail for $9.99, are sold out all over the Big Apple. An article from Shine explains that capitalists are selling the figures for up to $30 online. We assume that Caped Crusader action figures are readily available, but fans don't seem to care. Holy injustice, Batman!

[sharpshooter]

The first Dark Knight TV spot:

http://www.superhero...ews.php?id=7191

[Qwerty]

Few new shots of the Joker.

[coco1997]

The first Dark Knight TV spot:

http://www.superhero...ews.php?id=7191

Wow, am I the only one getting some serious Bond/Q vibes in that scene with Bruce Wayne and Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox?

"Maybe you should read the instructions first."

[sharpshooter]

Morgan Freeman is always great with sayings like that.

[AngryPolarBear]

Who's the Joker talking too?

[Blonde Bond]

Apparently to one of his henchmen, since we see a burning stack of Benjamin's and Washington's in the background. Kind of motivation speech he gives to those who work under him. Saying the other crooks ain't all that and a bag poetaytoe chips

[sharpshooter]

To quote Jules from Pulp Fiction, Joker probably thinks it is just a cold-blooded thing to say to a mother before you pop a cap in his .

[Mr. Blofeld]

Well, I think it's just jokey...