war paint hero
A group of us saw the late showing of The Dark Knight yesterday evening. It was the second time I had seen the movie in theaters. The first time, I knew it was incredible. After viewing it a second time, I understand just why.
This movie is amazing. Every single string of dialogue is brilliant, and the acting is out of this world. Even seeing everything for the second time, my breath was taken away, time and again. This viewing experience is why movies are made. Critics were right in declaring that this will be more than just a notch in the Batman saga; this film will long stand out as one of the greats of all time. The entire cast and crew deserves thundering applause, but for me, my dear Heath Ledger stole the show.
I watch The Joker in this movie with a mixture of tears. Some for the awe at the genius of the character, some for the sadness of missing Heath Ledger still. He wasn’t Elijah high on my list of loveable Hollywood boys, but oh… he was something very special to me. I have to shut my eyes tight on that smile I always remember from Ten Things I Hate About You. And on that well-formed scowl that was so becoming on his face in Brokeback Mountain. The Joker makes me laugh, he impresses me, and he pushes the boundaries of all my broken sense of right and wrong in Gotham or any part of the world.
Why so serious? My boyfriend laughs when I deepen my voice and do that impression here and there. It’s my favorite part. That, and, when the mob asks if The Joker plans to just walk out of the room with their money and he simply goes, “Yeah.” Makes me laugh, makes me ponder, makes me want to examine every line of depth integrated in this clown decorated in war paint.
Do you want to know how I got these scars?
Maniacal laughter. Thoughtless cruelty. Unplanned explosions enough to drive an entire city to the insanity The Joker himself possesses. Joe and I had a long discussion on the walk back home from the theater concerning whether or not The Joker was insane. I believe that he was. Joe argued that he wasn’t - that he was sinister, mad, caught up in a dog-eat-dog world. I agree with these things, but my contention is that the reason The Joker has for this madness and destruction is nothing short of insanity. Like the movie points out, he has no motive that any common criminal can identify with. He does these things, he creates this chaos, on a moment-to-moment basis, just because it amuses him. Because he’s wild and dangerous and death and disorder makes him laugh.
I’ve decided that what makes him such a divine villain is that, despite what I call his insanity, his mind still retains the intellect that most who have lost their sanity have been deprived of. He’s an exceptional villain. His endeavors are senseless and… elegant. He’s terrifying but I wouldn’t be afraid. The very distortion of his world view, the skewed way in which he speaks, thinks, acts, laughs… chills me and thrills me in lovely shivers of impressed goosebumps.
I hate the way Heath doesn’t get the chance to bask in his achievement. But what a way to be remembered. What a mark to leave that should never be smudged.
Feelin’ It | Bouncy
This movie is amazing. Every single string of dialogue is brilliant, and the acting is out of this world. Even seeing everything for the second time, my breath was taken away, time and again. This viewing experience is why movies are made. Critics were right in declaring that this will be more than just a notch in the Batman saga; this film will long stand out as one of the greats of all time. The entire cast and crew deserves thundering applause, but for me, my dear Heath Ledger stole the show.
I watch The Joker in this movie with a mixture of tears. Some for the awe at the genius of the character, some for the sadness of missing Heath Ledger still. He wasn’t Elijah high on my list of loveable Hollywood boys, but oh… he was something very special to me. I have to shut my eyes tight on that smile I always remember from Ten Things I Hate About You. And on that well-formed scowl that was so becoming on his face in Brokeback Mountain. The Joker makes me laugh, he impresses me, and he pushes the boundaries of all my broken sense of right and wrong in Gotham or any part of the world.
Why so serious? My boyfriend laughs when I deepen my voice and do that impression here and there. It’s my favorite part. That, and, when the mob asks if The Joker plans to just walk out of the room with their money and he simply goes, “Yeah.” Makes me laugh, makes me ponder, makes me want to examine every line of depth integrated in this clown decorated in war paint.
Do you want to know how I got these scars?
Maniacal laughter. Thoughtless cruelty. Unplanned explosions enough to drive an entire city to the insanity The Joker himself possesses. Joe and I had a long discussion on the walk back home from the theater concerning whether or not The Joker was insane. I believe that he was. Joe argued that he wasn’t - that he was sinister, mad, caught up in a dog-eat-dog world. I agree with these things, but my contention is that the reason The Joker has for this madness and destruction is nothing short of insanity. Like the movie points out, he has no motive that any common criminal can identify with. He does these things, he creates this chaos, on a moment-to-moment basis, just because it amuses him. Because he’s wild and dangerous and death and disorder makes him laugh.
I’ve decided that what makes him such a divine villain is that, despite what I call his insanity, his mind still retains the intellect that most who have lost their sanity have been deprived of. He’s an exceptional villain. His endeavors are senseless and… elegant. He’s terrifying but I wouldn’t be afraid. The very distortion of his world view, the skewed way in which he speaks, thinks, acts, laughs… chills me and thrills me in lovely shivers of impressed goosebumps.
I hate the way Heath doesn’t get the chance to bask in his achievement. But what a way to be remembered. What a mark to leave that should never be smudged.
Feelin’ It | Bouncy