My blog
-
Out of reach...for now
Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008 12:12AM / Standard Entry / Members only
http://www.hottoys.com.hk/product.php?cat=66&pid=369
http://www.hottoys.com.hk/product.php?cat=66&pid=376
-
The Dark Knight Review
Monday, Jul 28, 2008 11:24PM / Standard Entry / Members only
Batman's reputation grows in the underworld striking fear into mob bosses. However, the balance is thrown off when a new stranger known as the Joker enters the picture. Along with the newly-appointed District Attorney, Harvey Dent, Batman will have to do everything in his power to stop the madness.
The summary above barely explains the depth The Dark Knight went into. Every character was thought out, providing their own story and comes together to form a complex storyline. Written by Jonathan Nolan, the story takes us into the viewpoints of several characters such as Batman, Gordon, Harvey Dent, and the Joker. Each one sees Gotham differently and wants to change it.
We must remember that the characters are all part of a comic book universe but because of how the story is told, it is easy to forget. The Dark Knight can be described as a paradox because while it does not have a comic book, it doesn't stray away from its sources. In fact, how the characters are portrayed is almost directly lifted from the comics.
I believe the Nolan brothers have an accurate understanding on who the characters are. Bruce Wayne was played off as someone who gives the impression that he is restless in a board room, yet knows the dealings without anyone letting on. He has been known to have a soirée of beautiful women in hand but always uses it to make sure he is never suspected of being Batman. Dan Didio of DC Comics stated that in their stories "Batman is the true persona and Bruce Wayne is the mask." The Dark Knight went in that direction. Bruce is always Batman even when he's not wearing the costume. As Batman, we see how investigator and detective. While he can't wear the cowl during the day, it does not stop him from trying to figure out who the Joker is. Batman is who he is.
The highlight of the film is definitely the performance Heath Ledger gave as the Joker. Here is someone who studied the character and put his own spin creating a truly terrifying character. He described the character as a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy." which is EXACTLY what he was in the film. I've always believed that a good actor will make you forget he is acting and Ledger exceeded all of my expectations. There was nothing recognizable or make you realize that it was Ledger. I don't think his performance is something that can be put on paper, Nolan had to give him the freedom to play the Joker how he felt fit the story. The little quips, sarcasm, and intensity are what Ledger brought to the table. It is terribly sad that he is no longer with us but Heath Ledger gave us what almost all will consider the performance of a lifetime.
For the film itself, there were many improvements made to make it stand out from the rest of the Batman movies. Fans have always complained about several things such as the costume, and using lenses on the cowl. Nolan acknowledges that and placed things in to please the fans. Previous costumes have been known to restrict the movement of the neck and placing Batman at a disadvantage. This time, costume creators were finally able to give the actor the ability to move his head freely from the body. The white lenses used is an answer to those who felt lenses can hide the eyes of Batman and making him scarier. However, Nolan's rule of making sure everything is used for a reason is also applied here. Used as sonar, it had to serve a purpose.
My personal enjoyment was being able to see how Batman takes down his opponents. The fight scenes were edited to make sure every movement. In the previous film, it was edited so quickly and choppy it was impossible to figure out who was hitting who. Batman is an unstoppable force and it truly showed.
The music was again scored by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. It was more fast paced and compliments the flow of the film nicely.
Overall, I loved every aspect of this movie. There was not one dull moment and every scene kept you on the edge of your seat. Whether it was to see what the Joker would do next or what surprises were in store or even the anticipation of Harvey Dent transforming into Two-Face, The Dark Knight did its job engaging the audience. Absolutely recommended.
-
Waiting
Thursday, May 22, 2008 10:00PM / Standard Entry / Members only
You know those songs where the lyrics talk about how someone will wait the rest of their lives for their one true love to come back to them? I'm just curious...has anyone done that before? Has someone put their love life on hold just patiently waiting for that person to come back?
-
I Like Comic Book Art!
Friday, May 9, 2008 4:56AM / Standard Entry / Members only
For years comic books have gotten a bad rap for being childish and a waste of time. Even I agree to a certain extent. However, comics are another medium for artists to showcase their talent. Of course comics need good writers to engage readers and capture their attention but comics are essentially an art form. Each artist is chosen to bring the story alive two-dimensionally as well as put their own unique spin on the characters. Without them, the story might as well be a novel classified in the science fiction section of Barnes & Noble.
When I was younger, I loved going to the comic book store every Friday night with my dad and brother. Whenever there was a sale on back issues, we would go nuts looking for comics. I'd go home, read it, and try to copy the artists' style. I enjoyed drawing comic book heroes. My favorite artists were Jim Aparo, Mark Bagley, Norm Breyfogle, and Greg Capullo. Then somewhere along the line, probably around high school, I stopped reading it. I lost track of what went on in the comic universe and who the best artists were.
Then in 2005, I got interested in comics again after watching Batman Begins. I started looking up the old back issues when I saw a new take on Batman by Jim Lee. It absolutely blew me away. The art was jaw dropping, it was so good. And just like that, I was drawn (no pun intended) back into the wonderful world of comics. I started buying his Batman comics like crazy. From him, I've been able to take interest other people's styles like Bruce Timm, Matt Wagner, Andy Kubert, Tim Sale, and Tony Daniels.
I recently attended New York Comic Con and got a chance to meet some of the top artists in the industry. I was even able to get some sketches from them. I'll post them up soon. Anyway, when I showed them to my mom and while she thought they were nice, she told me that I should submit my work to DC or Marvel. I don't know why but it felt like a really great compliment.
What was the point of this blog? Actually I have no clue, I just felt like expressing my appreciation for comic book artists. They're able to take me away from reality and suck me into a world of superheroes, supervillians, and ultimately doing the right thing.
-
RIP Heath Ledger
Friday, Jan 25, 2008 11:45PM / Standard Entry / Members only
On January 22, the world was stunned with the death of Heath Ledger. At the age of 28, he was found in his apartment by his masseuse and housekeeper. It was the end of such a talented individual. Even now, officials are still in the dark about how he died. Tests have been proven inconclusive and the story is just becoming more tragic
I'd never really been affected by celebrity deaths except Aaliyah and Christopher Reeve. I think the reason why Ledger's death got to me was because I'd been talking about him non-stop for the past few months. I'd been looking forward to seeing him play the Joker in The Dark Knight. I was extremely excited to see his take on the character and after watching the two minute trailer, I knew it was going to be something special.
Its a shame because while he was never one of my favorite actors, I did respect him. I've seen a few of his movies before like 10 Things I Hate About You and Brothers Grimm and I thought he was really good. When I heard he was cast as the Joker, I admit I did have my doubts but I trusted Nolan because he said he was "fearless." I didn't know what he meant by that but I was blown away with what I've seen.
I read up that Ledger was really serious about getting the character right. He wanted to put his own spin and to do that he kept a journal of the things Joker would find funny, no matter how terrible it was. Heath said the Joker would think AIDS was funny. While it was sick, it was true. He described the character as a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy." That descrīption told me that Ledger knew exactly who Joker was and I was convinced that he was the only man to play the part.
It sucks that someone like Ledger, with years ahead of him had so much potential to become one of the best actors of our generation had his life end so shortly. I believed he was getting in a good place in life. Even though he had broken up with Michelle Williams late last year, he still had his daughter who he obviously loved very much. People in the area where he lived described him as a happy person who was always playing with his daughter. I'd like to believe that he either mixed medications by accident or he overdosed. I don't want to think that he tried to commit suicide.
There's a ton of celebrities which probably should've gone before him. I know its very wrong for me to say this but Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and those girls were a mess. When Anna Nicole Smith died, no one was really that surprised. Ledger just didn't seem to fit into this category. I guess the only thing to do is wait for the toxicology reports.
RIP Heath Ledger. You've made me a believer.
Stats
- Born and raised in the suburbs of New York, I graduated in 2005 with a BA in Communications. I am currently working at the College of Mount Saint Vincent as an assistant director of public relations. ...
- Gender: Male
- Total visits: 2,217
