I’ll actually try to restrain myself from saying too much about this week’s movie, because I’ve already said a lot (check out chapter four). But I will just mention:
Many scenes involve characters falling from great heights. When I watched this movie in an IMAX theater, with on-screen images filling my visual field, I had to clutch my seat so I wouldn’t fall out of it. It’s delightfully immersive. If you ever get the chance to see it in IMAX, as it was meant/filmed to be seen, do it.
Anyway, hello, welcome, and thank you for stopping by. For new visitors, here’s what this situation is all about:
With Savor the View, we’ll watch, think, and talk about movies and the things that matter. A special welcome and thanks to our regular crew!
Each Monday, I share brief, spoiler-free remarks and questions to frame viewing a movie on our own.
Each Thursday, I share post-viewing questions to poke at the issues, ideas, quandaries, inspirations...whatever...that movie might have summoned (spoilers, ahoy!).
Paid subscribers can talk it all out in a weekly Discussion Thread.
Overview
The Dark Knight (2008): In this sequel to Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan again directs and co-writes with David S. Goyer, now with an additional co-writer, his brother Jonathan Nolan. Notably, Nolan filmed with the still relatively-new technology of IMAX cameras – and with as many practical effects, and as little computer-generated imagery (CGI), as possible.
Like Batman Begins, The Dark Knight is dark, gritty, realistic, and rife with ethical dilemmas. Unlike the earlier film – and most other superhero movies – The Dark Knight got Oscar buzz. While Academy Award nominations for best film and director were still not really an option for the genre, Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker earned him a posthumous Oscar win as best supporting actor. This win – and many others – was well-earned and his loss, heartfelt.
In the same year as this DC Comics cinematic/box office success, Marvel Comics would have its own moment. Iron Man, the second-highest grossing film of 2008 (after The Dark Knight), would launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Both movies combined legacy features of well-known comic-book superheroes with issues relevant to contemporary moviegoers – specifically, September 11 and the subsequent War on Terror.
The universal/general
Be vigilant for more Big Themes! What does it mean to be a hero? A vigilante? A criminal? A villain? A terrorist?
The specific/unique
On the record, Nolan and company insist that any September 11 or War on Terror connections are coincidental. But let me tell you, there’s nothing coincidental about this promotional poster, featuring a bat-shaped flaming crash zone in the middle of a skyscraper. I still remember seeing this poster outside the Gallery Place theater in Washington, DC. This specific image appears nowhere in the actual film. Make of that what you will.
Or, I’ll suggest that you track, as you watch, elements (sights, sounds, settings, scenarios, risks, themes, etc.) that seem related to recent history and contemporary events for viewers in the summer of 2008.
The viewer is always present
It’s easy to miss, so I’ll plant this seed now, before you watch: the two ferries toward the end of the film are called “The Spirit” and “The Liberty.” Be ready to consider – why these names for these boats?
Also, The Joker (Heath Ledger)…he’s actually pretty funny...I mean, right?
Why subscribe?
Paid subscribers can gather round their screens and share their thoughts on each week's Discussion Thread and get full access to the publication archives.
Subscribe any which way to get full access to the newsletter.