The Dark Knight Rises

There are very few events that are so highly anticipated as this week’s release of The Dark Knight Rises(2012), third installment in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy. I do not doubt that Christopher Nolan is one of the Best Directors working right now. Even though he has directed only 7 feature length movies until now, he has cemented his position with every single movie. Considering the fact that every movie he has made recently has been as highly anticipated as this one is quite a feat for any director. It also helps that this is final episode of Batman Trilogy, which at least I do not have any qualms in calling the Best Superhero Series made ever. Considering the legendary status of first two movies which are quite often credited for being game-changer for superhero movies, with all the expectations and anticipations this movie had quite a mountain to climb and I am happy to say that Christopher Nolan delivers it yet again. It is very rare on this blog that I review new releases, mainly because I am usually late to the party. But, if I don't write about the most anticipated movie of the year, I really don't see what else can I do around here ?

Picking up 8 years after the events in The Dark Knight(2008) where Harvey Dent is still Gotham’s Messiah and Batman is a criminal wanted for his murder and hence is still in hiding, Gotham has been blessed with years of tranquility due to ‘Dent Law’. Envisioned by the man himself, this law has been criminals’ nightmare, successfully bringing the crime rate down and making the streets of Gotham safe for everyone. Bruce Wayne has taken off his mask as city no longer needs Batman and hence has been in kind of recluse in his own mansion with only Alfred to accompany him. One day, one clever and also beautiful thief by the name of Selina Kyle breaks into his sanctuary to steal his mother’s pearl necklace which also has his prints on it. After a long time, this small event gets better of his curiosity and he soon realizes that she is linked to a mercenary named Bane who has just arrived in Gotham. When his trusted friend and Police Commissioner Jim Gordon gets a taste of Bane’s wrath, Bruce Wayne soon realizes that it might be the time where he will have to come out of his retirement and put back his cape on. Despite Alfred warning him for not being ready to face him, when Batman finally confronts Bane, Bane comes on top of that encounter and even breaks Batman’s back. Badly beaten and almost physically unable to move, Bane puts him in a prison where it is almost impossible to escape from. Back in Gotham, with no one to stop him, Bane completely isolates Gotham from rest of the World and takes control of it. Bruce Wayne not only faces a humiliating defeat from the hands of terrorist but has to see the city, he is been trying to protect from dangers exactly like Bane, in complete anarchy. However, this is exactly where this Dark Knight has to rise from ashes to bring back what was rightfully his.

For some reason, every Nolan movie is and probably will always be remembered as Christopher Nolan movie rather than actors in it. It is rather a compliment to the brilliance of that man as I am yet to see a movie he directed with a bad acting performance. There are bunch of series regulars that we see here again but actual scene stealers are the additions to this already stellar bunch. Christian Bale is his usual self but with little bit more resolve and grit because of all his falling and rising. Tom Hardy, though quite limited because of his mask and rather incomprehensible voice, does great job with his eyes and his body language. I will not forget those eyes and his response in the very end of the movie when Batman damages his mask. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does good job as well as the cop who always believed in Batman. I did not expect Marion Cotillard to have as much screen time as she has but she not only looks pretty but also does pretty good job. Michael Caine brings much needed emotional depth to this movie. Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman, two returning veterans are as effortless as ever. However, by far the real highlight of this extremely talented cast was, you have no idea how happy this makes me to say, Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle. Selina Kyle is a woman with integrity and morales, even though she keeps on denying it in favor of being a tough, mysterious woman. Batman sees through this mask she has pulled over for her survival and reaches to that person who knows the difference between right and wrong. Ever since this decision of casting Hathaway was announced, I heard a lot about how miscast she is and even though I am not like smitten by her or something but ever since then I wanted her to prove them wrong. Well, she did some serious ass-whooping here.

 

To Tell you the truth, Christopher Nolan movies have a long history of being too convoluted for me to understand fully in very first viewing. I did not understand The Prestige(2006) after first viewing, The Dark Knight(2008) pretty much left me exhausted after and Inception(2010), well, a little too high. But I have loved very single one of them. This one is no different. I am quite sure that I will pick up few small threads here and there on 2nd and 3rd viewing, but still this is as epic as it gets. It is dark, it is grand, huge and it is every single thing I expected it will be. Wally Pfiser's cinematography and Hans Zimmer's score are two important factors in making it big, though I did feel like score was tad overused. Bane, though not as crazy as Joker was, his complete chaos of the city had much more purpose to it and I believe that can be just as terrifying. As a matter of fact, the threat Bane possesses is much more palpable to make us realize that all it takes is a little tumble of the cliff for even the most sophisticated of our societies to fall into the pit of anarchy. Fighting against your own fears, Rising from a fall to be a better man can be called as some of the basic philosophies that played instrumental part in Batman's foundation and he returns to his basics yet again in this final battle. Christopher Nolan brings a plethora of characters from Bat-world in this and deserves a real credit for making a brilliant use of all these characters to develop this gritty tale. Being the last installment in trilogy, it was probably needed for him to bring it all together but it doesn't feel like he keeps on throwing characters with no real purpose. Before going in, I heard a lot of people talking about first half being quite slow and lot of characters being introduced. I did not have any such problem, I actually thought it used it's time really well. Off course, because of Indian movies I am quite used to longer movies but I checked my watch only once during the whole 165 minutes.

Even though I think The Dark Knight Rises is an almost perfect ending to this trilogy, I won't go as far as calling it a flawless movie. I wouldn't even call it the best of the trilogy. Personally, I still haven't connected the dots properly and it feels little haphazard to me which - history is my witness - Nolan movies are anything but. It will probably make much more sense to me on subsequent watches, which I know there will be many, and then I will also be able to put it more into perspective. I also could not connect with Bane's political aspirations or the reasons why he did what he did. In case of Joker, it was chaos for the sake of chaos. Bane seems to have a little more motivation or thought process behind it. But at this point I am not exactly sure what it was? and it is very well possible that it's there in the movie but I missed it because of Bane's voice. Also, final twist does belittle his larger than life tale thus far. But TDKR does one thing that so many other concluding chapters fail to do, it brings the whole trilogy to full circle and therein lies its biggest success.Christopher Nolan really DOES know how to make blockbusters !!

Rating(out of 5):

Profile of a Director

Mr. Reliable: Christopher Nolan
I studied English Literature. I wasn't a very good student, but one thing I did get from it, while I was making films at the same time with the college film society, was that I started thinking about the narrative freedoms that authors had enjoyed for centuries and it seemed to me that filmmakers should enjoy those freedoms as well. - Christopher Nolan

I have seen kind of polarized opinions about the director in question here - Christopher Nolan. I know a lot of people who consider him Greatest Director Ever and on the other hand I have seen or read many people calling him most over-rated director of all time as well. Even though I can see why haters hate him, hypothetically if ever a war breaks out between his devotees and his opposition, I will side up with his devotees as I still consider him as one of my favorite directors. Out of 10 movies he directed, 2 are shorts and 1 is still in production. So, out of remaining seven, his lowest rated movie is at 7.2, he has 5 movies in first half of IMDb 250, 1 in top 10, 2 in top 20, 3 in top 50 and 4 in top 100 - numbers don't lie. Do they? He is probably the only director I have seen whole work body of and one of the directors I have learned to trust blindly even though I still have my reservations going as far as naming him the Greatest director ever.

When it comes to English movie world, I have been a kind of late bloomer. English being my Third Language, I started learning English at the age of 10. Till I was 16, it was just a subject in school I had to get through. After I was introduced to Harry Potter, I started reading English books at the age of 16. Conversational English came a little later at around 20 and was soon followed by the movies. So to tell you the truth, I have been a serious movie enthusiast for just about 5 years now. So, it probably will come as a surprise, but first time I heard of anyone called Christopher Nolan was when The Dark Knight(2008) released in 2008 and it swept me off my feet. Watching The Dark Knight was an experience like I never had. Two and half hours of continuous high-octane action was too much for me. Walking out of the theater, after watching it for the first time, I could not remember half of the things I saw but I knew I just saw something great, something I will not be able to describe in words. For a novice like me who didn't know much about Batman, It took me around 2 more viewings to get around to know Batman's world completely. Till today, I still haven't seen any other version of Batman, but to tell you the truth, I never felt like it as well. I have been content with Nolan and his version.

 

As the years passed by, I became more and more avid movie-goer and Nolan became a household name for me. I got around to all the other movies on his resume as well. Probably The Prestige(2006) was the first one to go down. Again, I found it hard to follow all the twists and turns in the end. Similar experience like The Dark Knight. It demanded multiple viewings but has never failed to amaze me even when I knew what to expect next. And so did Memento(1999). Just an idea of starting the movie at the end and then coming towards the start is simply phenomenal and then to do it when you are virtually unknown will need insurmountable courage and confidence. But, Boy! did it pay off? He again kept me busy throughout the movie, putting all the pieces together. Then there is first installment of Batman Trilogy, Batman Begins(2004). Here, Nolan shows us how a great franchise should start. It might be a little slower in comparison to some of his other films, but by no means it is any inferior to any of them. And then thanks to Netflix, I also got around to Insomnia(2003) and his debut feature Following(1997). However, for me highlight of his career or rather my whole film-watching experience has been Inception(2010). For the better part of 2010, I was following every news, every picture, every trailer. So by the time it released I had sky loads of expectations and it is always great to see something you love go beyond your expectations.

 

With his usual crew of cinematographer Wally Pfister, Composer Hans Zimmer, Editor Lee Smith, Wife-Producer Emma Thomas and writer-brother Jonathan Nolan along with the cast of Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Cilian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, Nolan has created movies which are not just entertaining or commercially successful but are real masterpieces. Strong characters, catchy dialogues, amazing action scenes, great pace and to add it to all extremely well thought musical scores have always been some of the highlights of his movies. But, like any notable director, he never loses the sight of what his movie needs to accomplish and like a master craftsman when he reaches their, we can only stand and adore what lies before us. All the factors above make a movie stand out from the crowd but they are mere embellishments. At its core, any movie worth remembering needs to have a Story and in my opinion, that is where Nolan's actual achievement lies. Standout factors in his movies all his career so far have been his Screenplays and the way he brings them forward for all us viewers in his direction. Academy can snub him as much as they want but this will be what Nolan will be remembered and respected for by all his fans. 

But still, I am uncomfortable comparing him with the likes of Hitchcock and Scorsese and Spielberg and Wilder. Why? Because he is just 41 yet. Because he has made only 10 films. He sure is one of the most exciting, young directors to watch for and I am sure he still has many more tricks up his sleeve to dazzle us. He still has a lot of years left in him to take his career whichever way he wants. So, let us not pass any judgement yet. Just wait and enjoy the show while we can. He is a kind of director I will watch anything of just because him name is associated with it. I am even taking Zack Snyder's Man of Steel(2013) seriously because Nolan is given the credit of it's story. All the buzz behind The Dark Knight Rises(2012) should bare testimony for it as well. Even though I am being cautious comparing him with the likes of Scorsese and Spielberg,  I firmly believe that he does the have a potential to be up there. He has proven it time and again and these coming years will also be witness to that.    

Previous Profiles:
Sidney Lumet
Martin Scorsese

Woody Allen

If You Say So...

 Some of my favorite dialogues from various films

My Best Friend’s Wedding(1997)

Julianne: I'm pond scum. Well, lower actually. I'm like the fungus that feeds on pond scum.

Michael: Lower. The pus that infects the mucus that cruds up the fungus that feeds on the pond scum. On the other hand, thank you for loving me that much, that way. It's pretty flattering.

Julianne: Except it makes me fungus. 

   

Juno(2007)

Bren: Oh, you think you're so special because you get to play Picture Pages up there? Well, my five year old daughter could do that and let me tell you, she's not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed. So why don't you go back to night school in Mantino and learn a real trade.

Pulp Fiction(1994)

Jules: The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

My Cousin Vinny(1992)

Vinny Gambini: I bought a suit. You seen it. Now it's covered in mud. This town doesn't have a one hour cleaner so I had to buy a new suit, except the only store you could buy a new suit in has got the flu. Got that? The whole store got the flu so I had to get this in a second hand store. So it's either wear the leather jacket which I know you hate, or this. So I wore this ridiculous thing for you.

The Dark Knight(2008)

Harvey Dent: You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

The Joker: This city deserves a better class of criminal. And I'm gonna give it to them!

As Good As It Gets(1997)

Carol: I don't quite get how that's a compliment for me.

Melvin: You make me want to be a better man.

Carol: ...That's maybe the best compliment of my life.

Melvin: Well, maybe I overshot a little, because I was aiming at just enough to keep you from walking out.

Inception(2010) 
Cobb: Dreams fell real when we're in them. Its only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange

Goodfellas (1990)

Tommy DeVito: I'm a little f*cked up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to f*ckin' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

The Sound of Music(1965)

Maria(to Butler):  I'm from the convent. I'm the new governess, captain.

Butler: And I'm the old butler, fräulein.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring(2001)

Galadriel: The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

Inglourious Basterds(2009)

Lt. Aldo Raine: You probably heard we ain't in the prisoner-takin' business; we in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, business is a-boomin'.

The Godfather(1972)

Don Corleone: I'm gonna make him an offer he won't refuse.

No Country for Old Men(2007) 

Anton Chigurh: What's the most you have lost in a coin toss? 

A Life In Movies Part 1: 2001 to 2010

                     This is an Interesting Idea. I read on one of the blogs that few months ago, ‘Fundago Groovers’ asked their viewers to list best film for each year they have been alive. Now that is an interesting Idea. However, I think doing all the years in one post might take a little yoll on me. So I am going to go by the decades here also because I am not really comfortable with late 80’s and early 90’s.This will be more interesting post to write than read. So I will ask you to do the same if you are reading this.  Starting with 2010 as there will be lot to see in 2011 yet.

And off course, they are my choices. It is possible that some other films might be better than the ones I am listing here. But these films, maybe, connected somewhere. Enjoy!!

2010: Inception, Hands Down. There were few really good movies in 2010 like The Social Network, True Grit, Blue Valentine, How To Train Your Dragon but no film is any where near Inception. It is only 10/10 movie in my list. I usually go crazy when I talk about this. Even almost after a year, I can go on discussing about where Sato and Cobb are still in their dream or in Reality for like hours at stretch. Just an amazing film yet again by Christopher Nolan.

2009: Inglourious Basterds. Again I can name handful of really good films like Up In The Air, An Education and I haven't seen A Serious Man yet but looks like everyone is impressed by it. But I doubt if that will be better then Inglourious. Typical Tarantino Film - violent, unrestrained and thouroughlly entertaining. Inglorious probably is his best work since Pulp Fiction. One most notable thing in this is length of scenes. Longer the scene, the better it becomes and there are so many examples. Very first scene of film, Scene in the bar with Diane Kruger, Scene where Hans Landa meets Shosanna- they are all simply amazing.

2008: The Dark Knight. Christopher Nolan just touches different heights with his each venture. I never thought it was possible to make a better action film than The Dark Knight. Film keeps an amazing pace throughout even though it clocks well over 2 hours. It has some of the most memorable lines and off course Joker, one of the best villains of all time. Some other notable mentions of the year: Turns out it is one of my favorite years. A lot of gems in 2007 e.g. Waltz with Bashir, In Bruges, Frost/Nixon, Wall-E, Mary and Max and Rachel Getting Married.

2007: No Country For Old Man. Coens Brothers went little off their usual track of dark comedies but then made maybe even better film than what they are known for. What strikes me the most in this film is philosophy of this film and amazingly strong characters and yes, excellent cinematography. This film also gave one of the fiercest villains ever. Anton Chigurh asking that shop owner 'what is the most you have lost in Coin toss?' still kinda freaks me out. Notable Mentions: Juno, Zodiac, Gone Baby Gone and Michael Clayton.

2006: The Departed. It has an amazing male cast ensemble and great direction. I have rarely seen a movie which has likes of Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and Michael Sheen and they all do exceptionally well in it. Greatness of Scorsese lies in using this star-studded cast and giving each character a significant role to play. Few others worth mentioning are The Lives of Others, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Devil Wears Prada, Once and V For Vendetta.

2005: Munich. It is a powerful and thoughtful drama about the human costs of International Terrorism. This film has some of the best Storytelling I have seen. Every frame has a Speilberg stamped on it. Just like any other Spielberg film, his camera tells you a lot more than characters do. As it is based on an historical event, You will enjoy it even more if you are interested in politics. Also see Walk The Line, Good Night and Good Luck  and Match Point.

2004: Finding Neverland. I am not really worried about the historical accuracy of this movie because I have cried every single time I saw this movie and still I have seen it multiple times. This warm, heartfelt drama has a a charm of its own. Johney depp is an amazingly versatile actor but for some reasons, I never imagined Johney Depp in role of Peter Pan's creator. However, he portrays it with equal finesse as of Captain Jack Sparrow. Also, Worth watching: Shaun of the Dead, The Motorcycle Diaries, Hotel Rwanda.

2003:  The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Probably the weakest year in the decade. There are very few films adapted from the novels which are as good as original novels. LOTR Trilogy is an excellent example of this. Peter Jackson did splendid job of bringing JRR Tolkien's universe almost exactly it is described in the book. Almost every aspect of the story, their costumes, their behavior, their looks is true to the original book. Runner Up - Lost In Translation.

2002: City Of God: Tells us Partially true history of birth of Gang Wars in the slums of Rio de Janirio. One of the most realistic films I have seen in recent times. Its shocking, its disturbing but its compelling at the same time. All the violence, drugs, poverty makes it a hard film to watch but its even harder to look away from it. All the violence is particularly stunning because of the ages of the characters portrayed by Kids who actually are of same age as that of the characters. Also, Worth watching: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Catch Me if You Can, Minority Reports.

2001: A Beautiful Mind: Real Life story of mathematician Steve Nash loosing his sanity and rising back to win Nobel, based on novel by Sylvia Naser. One of Ron Howard's most well-known works, definitely my favorite with some of the memorable performances from Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly. Also watch: Amelie, Memento, Monsters Inc., The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

And that is it for the Decade. In the next post, I will try to go all the way till 1986. Believe me, I had a lot of fun making this list. You should try it too. And if you haven't seen any movie in this post, I highly recommend you to watch it.