The Zone

by **tapehead** on Thu Jul 26, 2012 6:15 pm

Me too - the guy is pretty critical of Nolan, but there's not actually one point he makes that I felt like I could disagree with much. He has also written a great piece on Promtheus recently that might interest you - *spoilers* he really likes it, and doesn't give much of a fuck about the narrative inconsistencies writer-orientated critics were banging on about incessantly when it came out.

by **caruso_stalker217** on Thu Jul 26, 2012 6:21 pm

tapehead wrote:Me too - the guy is pretty critical of Nolan, but there's not actually one point he makes that I felt like I could disagree with much. He has also written a great piece on Promtheus recently that might interest you - *spoilers* he really likes it, and doesn't give much of a fuck about the narrative inconsistencies writer-orientated critics were banging on about incessantly when it came out.

I'll have to read that, as I really disliked that one.

by **Chris a.k.a StuntMike** on Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:51 pm

TheBaxter wrote:
caruso_stalker217 wrote:
Spandau Belly wrote:I can't believe those cops would all funnel down one street making their numbers meaningless and charging straight at automatic weapons. Didn't those cops read 300 or SIN CITY or see the movies? Those should be required reading for anybody living in a Frank Miller universe!

Hey, they had Matthew fucking Modine leading them. Victory was never an option.

i just realized something. i guess we did get to see Bane vs the Joker in this film after all.

Gotham's reckoning is only a few days away, and the cops of the Gotham City Police Dept are salty. They are ready to eat their own guts and ask for seconds. The detectives are proud to see that we are growing beyond their control. The GCPD does not want robots. The GCPD wants killers. The GCPD wants to build indestructible men, men without fear.

It was nice to see Modine got his spittle/denture problem fixed since Transporter 2 but yeah, fuck him just the same.

by **ironic name** on Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:30 pm

tapehead wrote:
ironic name wrote:http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2012/07/the_dark_knight_rises_a_hero_a.html

It's a great analysis - did you manage to get through it yet?

I posted it. http://youtu.be/kIsRoIx5tjA?t=12s
there were a lot of points that I was thinking about while watching that are addressed in that article, but I really enjoy Nolan's static image style.

by **tapehead** on Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:52 am

Oh I get it - I wasn't sure if you were inarticulate or just largely illiterate. Ironically (that word has an actual meaning, which someone could explain to you), Nolan's simple 'grand vista' framing would work really well in stereo, while at the same time, he's often just cribbing from framing in classic cinema. Not a patch on Scorsese, or Ridley Scott, his idol.

by **ironic name** on Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:00 am

tapehead wrote:Oh I get it - I wasn't sure if you were inarticulate or just largely illiterate. Ironically (that word has an actual meaning, which someone could explain to you), Nolan's simple 'grand vista' framing would work really well in stereo, while at the same time, he's often just cribbing from framing in classic cinema. Not a patch on Scorsese, or Ridley Scott, his idol.

like I said, you're just a bitch. a dumb one, too.

by **Peven** on Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:08 am

here we go with the juvenile TB mentality again. thanks for staying on top of that shit, mods :roll:

by **BuckyO'harre** on Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:16 pm

What and break up the comedy duo Pompous & Obnoxious?
No, this isn't on the mods; these two should know by now to give each other a wide berth.

Ironic- Perhaps next time you could actually give some inkling to why you're posting a link. Do you agree, disagree... spot a hilarious typo, what? I know you're a visually oriented guy, often replying with images or video clips, but work with us here. It's a discussion forum. Use your words, man!

Tapehead- Don't bait. We get it. You're well versed, and better informed than most of us, in matters of film technology, image composition, and symbolism. You shouldn't feel the need to drive it home in such a priggish and often condescending manner.

Now shake hands and go to your corners.

by **tapehead** on Fri Jul 27, 2012 11:02 pm

You're right, it's a bad habit and not a fun contest. No more from me.

by **so sorry** on Sat Jul 28, 2012 12:51 pm

THIS mod is on a weekend vaca right now. Popped in by chance...wtf is going on? I ont even understand the argument between you two. Refrain from the name calling please.

by **Wolfpack** on Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:47 pm

Why always the fighting?

by **Maui** on Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:09 am

Pretty much agree with the sentiment here regarding the rushed Batman recovery, the cops coming out of the tunnels (after 3 mos.) looking like they just slept in their uniforms for 1 night and the relaxing prison environment with the nice ole guys and the flat screen. While I had a difficult time wrapping my head around Anne Hathaway being cat woman (Pfeiffer is still the one to beat), she did an admirable job and the conflicting chemistry between her character and Bruce Wayne/Batman worked for me. I did enjoy the film, the action scenes were superb but TDK is still the superior film in the Nolan trilogy.

by **ironic name** on Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:35 am

how does bane eat? HOW DOES HE EAT?

by **caruso_stalker217** on Sun Jul 29, 2012 3:56 pm

ironic name wrote:how does bane eat? HOW DOES HE EAT?

With his mouth.

by **RogueScribner** on Sun Jul 29, 2012 5:43 pm

This film was a mixed bag for me. It's not as dumb or incoherent as Spider-man 3 or Crystal Skull, but it's a definite step down from the first two films. Batman just didn't seem like Batman in this movie. The script was at times bloated and sparse. It's awkward to watch Batman disappear, make a comeback, then disappear, make a comeback, then disappear again. It seemed a bit much for one movie. I liked JGL though that name drop at the end was eye-roll inducing. Gary Oldman didn't have enough to do. And Michael Caine was just a big cry-baby. Bane was okay as a villain, but I feel like Batman should have outsmarted him in the end and not just have resorted to another slugfest. I guess it's an all right way to wrap up Nolan's grander story, but I feel the execution was lacking. It needed a tighter script; character motivations needed to be better defined; and it desperately needed some more fun injected into it.

by **ONeillSG1** on Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:13 am

RogueScribner wrote:This film was a mixed bag for me. It's not as dumb or incoherent as Spider-man 3 or Crystal Skull, but it's a definite step down from the first two films. Batman just didn't seem like Batman in this movie. The script was at times bloated and sparse. It's awkward to watch Batman disappear, make a comeback, then disappear, make a comeback, then disappear again. It seemed a bit much for one movie. I liked JGL though that name drop at the end was eye-roll inducing. Gary Oldman didn't have enough to do. And Michael Caine was just a big cry-baby. Bane was okay as a villain, but I feel like Batman should have outsmarted him in the end and not just have resorted to another slugfest. I guess it's an all right way to wrap up Nolan's grander story, but I feel the execution was lacking. It needed a tighter script; character motivations needed to be better defined; and it desperately needed some more fun injected into it.

My thoughts exactly.

by **Heyoucantlaughatthat** on Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:15 am

One more thing.

Bane is Talia's guardian in the hell hole prison thing. She breaks out, and looks down for one last time at Bane (The only time we really see Hardy's face.) I'd say Bane/Hardy has to be at LEAST 25 years old in that scene, conservatively. Hardy is actually 35 years old. Talia couldn't have been any older than 10 when she broke out. So you figure Bane is at least 15 years older than Talia.

In the present day story, Talia has to be at least 35 as Miranda Tate. Cotilliard is actually 37. That puts Bane's current age anywhere from 50-60 years old.

Not really a plot hole or anything, just something to think about. I guess he does have a pretty gruff voice.

by **Spandau Belly** on Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:34 am

Yeah, Bane's age and nothing else about the character really makes sense, mostly because Nolan is being cagey and playing the character's identity and motivations for the sake of twist reveals.

by **TheBaxter** on Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:44 am

the ending of this film felt like Batman taking the Kobayashi Maru test. unfortunately his solution felt more like Kirk's than Spock's

by **ironic name** on Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:53 pm

GENIUS.

by **Bloo** on Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:37 pm

So I finally got around to seeing this. Twice actually. Back to back I can't remember the last time I've done that for a movie. But that's not a sign I liked or loved this movie. I'm actually very conflicted, like most of us around here. I went in with my expectations so lowered the only way I would end up hating this is if it went into M. Knight (see what I did there

) territory.

What question that stood out to me (besides all the others like 3 mo magical back healing prison and Nolan's fuckery with time and how the cops look so clean and proper after 3 mos in the sewers and what the fuck kind of police commisioners sends the majority of his force into the fucking sewers and out of the hundreds of sewer exits that was just mentioned prior to Gordon falling, how did JGL find Gordon was where the hell did Matthew Modine's guns go and where did he get his guns?. In the final fight Modine empties the clip on his clip and it looks like he's getting a 2nd clip, but then the next shot he's firing a machine gun. HUH? Where the hell did he get a machine gun at? Then after the evil tumblr kills him (with a meme apperantly

), he has no guns around him, or gunshot wounds or blood. I know it's a PG13 movie, and I'm not asking for an evistered Modine, but still jesus. Also if I had Batman's super bionic knee Stone Cold Steve Austin knee brace, that can kick through stone why the hell was he having a slugfest and relaying on Selina to kill Bane with a machine gun? I'd just kick him in the nuts with my bionic stone breaking knee brace.

Also what was up with JGL's floating Boston accent?

However there were parts of it I really enjoyed. I liked JGL actually you know demonstrating his dective skills, something we've never really seen a Nolan Batman doing and people forget that Batman is also known as the Great Dective. I liked he was using his enviroment 9like kite string and chalk) instead of fancy Lucius Fox toys. I enjoyed Anne Hathaway's Catwoman, more so then any prior Catwoman to be honest with you (I've never really been a fan of BDSM crazy Catwoman). And I enjoyed what Nolan was trying to do.

Because fandoms are lazy and the "media" loves to stir up trouble, lets compare this to The Avengers. It can't be done. The Avengers was a pure comic book movie, this was a "city at seige" movie that featured a comic book hero.

by **caruso_stalker217** on Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:16 pm

TheBaxter wrote:the ending of this film felt like Batman taking the Kobayashi Maru test. unfortunately his solution felt more like Kirk's than Spock's

I'm finding it difficult to actually read your posts with that sig, Baxter. That's my Kobayashi Maru.

by **TheBaxter** on Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:18 am

caruso_stalker217 wrote:
TheBaxter wrote:the ending of this film felt like Batman taking the Kobayashi Maru test. unfortunately his solution felt more like Kirk's than Spock's

I'm finding it difficult to actually read your posts with that sig, Baxter. That's my Kobayashi Maru.

sorry. the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

by **King Of Nowhere** on Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:10 am

I finally went to see it. I'm not really sure where I stand, to be honest. I enjoyed it more than TDK, but the two share many problems.

Assortment of thoughts incoming...

It did still feel a bit like a Call of Duty game where they go "look at this fucking set-piece" every five mins.

The pacing was as bad as TDK.

A lot of the early dialogue felt forced.

I liked that Alfred had another "Tangerine" type scene, but they kind of ruined it by cutting to him sitting in the cafe and acting out what he was saying. Don't get me wrong, I understand that film is a visual medium and whatnot, but his monologue would've been a lot more powerful had they stuck on him.
I dunno if its been said here (because I've avoided the thread for quite a while), but people often say that Nolan's films are intelligent, or smart and whatnot. I think the scene with Alfred is a good example of that not really being true. He doesn't just imply, he goes out of his way to disrupt an emotional performance in order to make something ridiculously clear to the audience (if you couldn't tell how the film would end after that early scene, you'll probably disagree).

I enjoyed the scene where Catwoman was introduced. I think the lighter tone of this one (compared to TDK) helped the character. She was probably the most loyal version of the Nolanized Batman characters (at least from what I remember her being like in TAS).

Bane was ok. I think Hardy was kind of wasted in the role though. He shares the same problem that most of the characters in Raimi's version of Spiderman had (and I things like The Power Rangers, but they could be extra camp to make up for it).

I was surprised that Nolan went back to the awkward, close camera fight scenes. They were a little easier to keep up with than those in Begins, but would've looked a lot better if he applied what he learned (or at least showcased) during Inception.

JGL surprised me. I was expecting him to be some kind of hipster, man-child douche like in 500 Days of PLEASE, SOMEONE, KILL ME NOW!, but he was a grown up man in this.

by **ironic name** on Wed Aug 01, 2012 6:59 am

King Of Nowhere wrote:I dunno if its been said here (because I've avoided the thread for quite a while), but people often say that Nolan's films are intelligent, or smart and whatnot. I think the scene with Alfred is a good example of that not really being true. He doesn't just imply, he goes out of his way to disrupt an emotional performance in order to make something ridiculously clear to the audience (if you couldn't tell how the film would end after that early scene, you'll probably disagree).

this.

by **Spandau Belly** on Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:59 pm

Potential for even more plot holes!

by **Peven** on Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:02 pm

I feel sorry for people who weren't able to enjoy this movie......

by **Spandau Belly** on Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:03 am

your pity is appreciated. if you'd care to make a donation, it would help support me in going to see movies I do enjoy.

by **Seppuku** on Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:43 pm

I feel sorry for people with leprosy.

by **Peven** on Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:29 pm

like candy from a baby

by **Wolfpack** on Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:26 am

Rape is no laughing matter, unless you're raping a clown.

by **Chris a.k.a StuntMike** on Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:56 pm

ironic name wrote:
GENIUS.

Bless your heart.

Going for my fifth viewing on Sunday.

by **caruso_stalker217** on Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:43 am

Chris a.k.a StuntMike wrote:Going for my fifth viewing on Sunday.

You are a machine, sir!

I never made it to a third viewing. :oops:

by **SilentBobX** on Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:44 am

I barely made it through once.

Mahalo

by **Spandau Belly** on Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:29 am

Chris a.k.a StuntMike wrote:
Going for my fifth viewing on Sunday.

That's true love, man. Don't let that shit slip away.

by **SilentBobX** on Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:18 am

Was reading RS and was taken aback by Matt Taibbi's review of TDKR saying it was a(and this is no joke) "A hitlerian whack-off fantasy"

I've looked but can't find the review online, it's only in the print edition. It's only a paragraph or 3 long so it's not as if you'd have to buy it. But it is accented by a funny pic of Batman with the Penguin's top hat and monocle. It's an entertaining read but off-base totally about the character of Batman but he does raise the issue about superhero films being darker and that 'we're a long way from Chris Reeve pulling a cat out of a tree'.

Mahalo

by **King Of Nowhere** on Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:06 pm

Can we get this moved to Movie Discussion before the DVD comes out?

Also...

by **TheBaxter** on Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:46 am

i wonder if this place belongs to this guy

there can't be that many batman superfans out there who can afford to drive a lamborghini, can there?

by **Spandau Belly** on Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:16 am

That Batman tv room is really cool. If I were to do something like that, I would probably go with a James Bond theme.

I wonder if Nic Cage has a Fortress of Solitude tv room in his house?

by **TheBaxter** on Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:23 am

i plan on modelling my home theater after Eyes Wide Shut. or maybe Caligula. can't decide.

by **caruso_stalker217** on Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:29 pm

TheBaxter wrote:i plan on modelling my home theater after Eyes Wide Shut. or maybe Caligula. can't decide.

You could save a lot of money by just buying fist-shaped furniture.

by **ironic name** on Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:51 pm

by **TheBaxter** on Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:14 am

i'd rather buy Nicole Kidman shaped......

furniture.

by **ironic name** on Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:21 pm

by **so sorry** on Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:25 pm

Well that was kind of a stretch, no?

by **TheBaxter** on Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:41 pm

ironic name wrote:

now i know why bane sounds so much like captain picard. it's because he's picard's clone!

by **ironic name** on Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:12 pm

so sorry wrote:Well that was kind of a stretch, no?

eh, yeah. but I still thought it was worth making.

by **ironic name** on Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:49 pm

finished.

by **caruso_stalker217** on Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:56 pm

ironic name wrote:
finished.

What does God need with a Batpod?

by **Fried Gold** on Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:10 pm

Well played, Amazon: