Batman and all that

Posthumous Oscar? I have to say, I really didn't think it was all that great. Is that scandalous or even blasphemous to say that today? You'd think so, from all the hype. I think the best performance was from either Commissioner Gordon or from Michael Caine's Alfred the Butler. I mean, Heath Ledger was fine, good even, but I think once again the film has suffered from being over-hyped. If "suffer" can an appropriate word to use in relation to the highest opening gross making film of all time, or whatever it is. I mean, we went to see it on the basis of the hype. Well, not only the hype, more the fact that Batman Begins was truly excellent, and this had the potential to be even better. Except it wasn't.

I mean, it was okay, and it was mildly entertaining. There were a few laugh out loud moments, for example: "No, I've to kill the bus driver." "The bus driver?" BANG. It'll make sense when you see the film, I promise. There were a couple of big ideas - sometimes someone has to be bigger than a hero, someone who will sacrifice the hero idea to take the flack, he's the hero we deserve, we have to chase him ... all that stuff. And, in the beginning at least, the coin idea was a good one, even if it was obvious. (That will also make sense when you've seen it.) But it was too dark a film - you could hardly see the action (actually, in some cases that was good, because you wouldn't want to), but also you could hardly hear some of it either, which was more problematic - why are all those buildings being evacuated? Ah, he must have said he was going to blow one up ... I presume that's why they are doing that ... Now, what's going on with the boat ... ? Did I miss something? (Oh, actually, I did - this is one LONG movie, and even if you've got a cast iron bladder you made need to leave the cinema at some point, so if you haven't then I recommend sitting by an aisle.)

Right. So, it was okay, but the love interest was all a bit bizarre, some of the traitors were easy to spot - let's just dwell on that cop for a bit longer, shall we? - the action scenes were too dark to follow properly, both the leads spoke with lisps that made them a bit more difficult to follow and meant I was wondering if all the facial make up and costume was affecting their speech, it was a bit surreal (obviously, the villain was the Joker after all) in places, and the ending was also a bit too open and fluffy (but in a nebulous way as opposed to a soft and comforting way). Other than that, it was perfectly all right, but I'll not be rushing to watch it again.

3 out of 5?

On the other hand, we have watched some interesting films on Sky Box Office recently.

Charlie Wilson's War - I didn't know much about the whole Afghan/Russia conflict, so this was very interesting and informative, with a great last line. Sad.

The Bucket List - Great film, highly recommended. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson; what more needs to be said? Well, I was in tears at the end. Twice. Very sad, very moving, very funny, very watchable, very loveable. (The trailer doesn't really do it justice.)

I Could Never Be Your Woman - Now, here was an unusual film to be chosen by H. As it started, Tracey Ullman appeared as Mother Nature. Later, the mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) and daughter go to choose tampons together to mark the daughter's first period. It is definitely a womanly film! But very enjoyable nonetheless. A bit bizarre, and it's hard to see that the relationship would last, but quite sweet too.

Spiderman 3 - We love this one! Except for the bizarre middle section with the blue suit where he goes all ghetto. But that bit was quite funny though! Anyway, this one we would really recommend.

So, there you go. If you want a superhero, either stick to Batman Begins or try out Spiderman 3. Lots of angst in both, and you know you'll be getting a good deal.

NOTE: H has just reminded me that we both watched and enjoyed Iron Man at the cinema as well. Very silly, but it never claimed to be anything else. Very funny as well. So there's another hero for you. Just don't expect too much!