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 There’s no more highly anticipated movie this summer than Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight,” the sequel to 2005’s “Batman Begins.” And the film (screened yesterday for local critics) delivers on that anticipation. It’s a (mostly) fast-paced, intelligent action film; leave out the fact that its main character dresses up in a bat costume, and it’s still an exceptionally executed action thriller. Some quick highlights: 1.
ACTING: Yes, Heath Ledger’s jittery, unhinged portrayal of the Joker (pictured) is every bit as arresting as early reports have indicated. I’ve not always been a huge fan of Ledger’s past work, but his turn raises “The Dark Knight” several levels above just another ordinary superhero movie. With his creaky voice (which reminded me a bit of Peter Lorre), roughly applied makeup and menacing stare, he’s simply magnetic; it’s impossible to notice anything else when he’s onscreen.
But Ledger’s isn’t the only impressive performance. In keeping with the growing trend of casting talented actors in thoughtfully written comic-book films (“Batman Begins,” “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk”), “Dark Knight” boasts a top-caliber cast, none of whom simply cashes a check. Gary Oldman, in particular, shines as Batman’s police ally Jim Gordon, fully inhabiting this slightly schlumpy, dedicated cop; a wrenchingly emotional scene toward the end of the movie shows that Oldman takes his work here seriously.
Aaron Eckhart (as crusading district attorney Harvey Dent) and Maggie Gyllenhaal (taking over for Katie Holmes as Batman/Bruce Wayne’s kinda/sorta love interest, Rachel Dawes) also deliver strong performances; Gyllenhaal, in particular, has a brief but heartbreaking scene that will stay with you long after the film ends. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine execute their supporting roles with aplomb. Even smaller roles are impressively cast. (Oddly enough, star Christian Bale isn’t given all that much to do, comparatively, but he turns in solid work nonetheless.) 2. ACTION: There’s plenty of it, from an opening bank robbery (with William Fichtner as a bad-ass bank manager) to an assault on a Hong Kong office tower that would feel at home in a James Bond film. And there’s a high-speed car chase, of course, the main attraction of which is the introduction of the BatPod, basically an economy-size motorcycle. 3. TONE: Take the “Dark” part of the title seriously. The cinematography boasts a modern urban palate of dark shadows, dim lighting, concrete and steel, especially the streets of Gotham City, which forsake the ornate structures and murky, nightmarish feel of Anton Furst’s designs in the Tim Burton “Batman” movies for a more conventional but still slightly imposing cityscape. On the story side, there’s a fair amount of violence (but little blood or gore—with one notable exception—to endanger the PG-13 rating), and a few very intense moments not recommended for small children (especially involving Eckhart and Gyllenhaal). The Joker’s twisted manipulations are far more chilling than anything in any of the “Saw” movies. And thematically, the film deals a lot with the idea of what it means to be a hero, in some gloomy ways, but without falling into easy postmodern cynicism. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures ( Full article and comments) Top 5 cupcakes at the Atlanta Cupcake Factory
642 N. Highland Ave. NE, 678-358-9195, www.theatlantacupcakefactory.com 1.Strawberry 2.Chocolate Peanut butter 3.Key Lime (pictured) 4.Carrot Cake 5.Red Velvet ( Full article and comments) 1. “I Was Told There’d Be Cake”: In true Gen-Y form, Sloane Crosley’s charming collection of essays (about her own life, told from a twentysomething’s point of view), has already been optioned by HBO. 2. “Stuff White People Like: A Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions” (pictured): From blog to book form, Christian Lander’s painfully spot-on cultural observations (about NPR, Nalgene bottles and Macintosh devices) hit uncomfortably close to home. 3. “Chasing Darkness”: Robert Crais’ latest novel starring wisecracking P.I. Elvis Cole is a typically grabbing, fast-paced thriller filled with indelible characters, complex turns and powerful writing. 4. “When You Are Engulfed in Flames”: David Sedaris tallies up the most bizarre moments of his last 25 years, filled with his trademark wit and biting honesty. 5. “Dear American Airlines”: Jonathan Miles’ hilariously sad account of a stranded passenger who takes a complaint letter much further than it should ever go—but in a good way. ( Full article and comments) We love free stuff, and we're sure you do, too. Sushi Kiku is offering readers to come out and try their fresh sushi for free. Crazy, right? But it's true. They're just trying to get their name out there with their grand opening party and free food. Anyway, we'd be crazy not to get the word out to you that you can confidently fill your gas tank up this Saturday night, because dinner's free!
WHEN: Saturday, July 12, from 7 to 9 p.m.
COST: $0 (but good manners say tip your server)
WHERE: Sushu Kiku, 2770 Lenox Road, Atlanta, 30324
CONTACT: 404-467-4544. www.kikujapanese.com.
DON'T FORGET: Tell 'em you heard it from The Sunday Paper ( Full article and comments) Having a party anytime soon? (Maybe that T-Mobile housewarming thing we just discussed?) Check out this drink calculator I found at Evite. You just enter in the amount of people that are coming, along with how long you'll be partying, and if you'll be serving wine, liquor or beer (we like all three), and if your guests are light, average or heavy drinkers (guess which category we fall under). And voila! You'll instantly know how many bottles of liquor, wine and beer to have on hand. Don't forget to collect everyone's keys at the beginning of the evening! ( Full article and comments)
OK, so it's a terrible time to try to sell a home. That's no secret. It's certainly an OK time to buy one. But it's always a good time to get something for free, yes? And who wouldn't want a new home? T-Mobile's giving one away at its National Open House on July 12, 2008, from noon to 4 p.m. at Peachtree Center (235 Peachtree Street Ne Ste C-29f, Atlanta, GA 30303). The T-Mobile Ultimate Home Giveaway is your chance to win a new home or other great prizes, and it's the phone company's chance to tell you about its new T-Mobile at Home service (home phone service with unlimited nationwide calling for just $10 a month). If you're the lucky winner, make sure you invite us to your killer housewarming party! ( Full article and comments)
Is just standing there and soaking up the envy more your cup of tea? Take your smokin' hot self to the small screen. ABC is casting for a new show called "The Great American Beauty." If you’re beautiful and between the ages of 18-29, contact Brian at updyke.brian@gmail.com. Darn, we just missed the cutoff age. ( Full article and comments) If you think you've got singing and dancing skills a cut above the rest of the rhythm nation--we're talking Janet Jackson (pictured) or Justin Timberlake-level chops--tomorrow's your chance to put your money where your groove thing is. MTV, 25/7 Productions and Wright Crear Management are holding an open call audition as part of a nationwide search for singers and dancers to take part in Mz. Jackson's new reality show. Those who are chosen get to compete to become Jackson's protege, as she and choreographer Gil Duldulao shape one lucky winner into tomorrow's superstar. Auditions take place Wednesday, July 9 at Dance 411 Studio, 749 Moreland Ave. SE in Atlanta. Registration is from 9a.m.-3p.m. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, and not appear older than 22. You must also be able to sing a cappella and dance in your own personal style. Those who impress the casting director will be invited to a second call-back round in front of Gil Duldulao. For more information, visit www.prodigycasting.com. Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) 1. “I Survived a Japanese Game Show”: Ten unsuspecting Americans go in, one comes out. 2. “Flipping Out”: Paranoid, bipolar house-flipper Jeff Lewis (pictured) takes his frustrations out on his assistants and somehow manages to work the current housing market to his advantage. 3. “Hopkins”: While Dr. House takes a summer hiatus, catch real resident surgeons at Johns Hopkins Hospital strike a balance between patients and their personal lives. 4. “Wipeout”: Arrogant and moderately crazy athletes battle the elements (and obstacles like the Big Balls and the “Dreadmill”) in this mud-filled take on Spike TV’s “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge.” Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) If you haven't already, check out this week's cover story on 10 signs of the apocalypse. Then send us your own. Is there something that just doesn't seem right in the world today, a signal that the planet has shifted on its axis, that reality has taken a horrifying left turn? Let us know. Submit them to us via the "Write In" feature at the top right-hand corner of our Web site, or post them as a reply to the story itself. Who knows? We may even publish some in an upcoming edition of SP. (Photo by Raymond Hagans) ( Full article and comments) |