THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)

I was one of the few who were underwhelmed by Christopher Nolan's BATMAN BEGINS. I did not like the move to bring Batman into the real world. There is a sub-species of comic fandom that takes all this sort of stuff very seriously but when it comes down to it Batman is a man who jumps of high buildings dressed as a bat. It seems generally agreed that THE DARK KNIGHT is the best film ever based on a comic and the best Batman film to date. Not for me, I'm afraid. I much, much prefer the two Tim Burton films - Burton, for me, getting the balance of the character just right. The first hour of THE DARK KNIGHT bored me and I had to watch the remainder of the film in two sittings. I thought that the dramatic construction of the film poor and Nolan's script confusing. Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne/Batman is almost wilfully uninteresting. Best performance comes (according to everybody) from the late Heath Ledger as The Joker (I still prefer Jack Nicholson) but even there the praise heaped on Ledger for what is just a very good performance is ridiculous. If a posthumous statuette is awarded this year Hollywood sentimentality will have triumphed once again. As the Joker says "why so serious?" Indeed. But maybe I'm just missing something. Rating **

THE PRESTIGE (2006)

My initial reaction to this movie was diappointment. I really enjoyed much of the plot because it is set in the same milieu as the novel "Carter Beats the Devil" - the world of stage illusionists. When the film's twist was finally revealed I felt hugely let down that the story had moved into the world of science fiction. I spent the whole of the next day mentally deciding how I was going to express my disappointment on this blog. Finally, I sit at the keyboard and wham! I realise just how clever the film is...and how I really need to see it again and how it will become a different film. I'm not even sure that the film's ultimate twist is revealed to the audience if what one of the characters says is adhered to.....

So, I'm going to write absolutely nothing about the plot. If you've not seen it, do so. If you like it, watch it again and, more importantly, if you don't like it, still watch it again. Director is Chistopher Nolan and he's working with two of his Batman stars - Christian Bale and Michael Caine and Hugh Jackman is excellent as well. Look out for David Bowie in an important supporting role. Rating ***