December 19, 2011

The Dark Knight Rises Trailer
— Ace

Nolan seems to have -- presciently? -- crafted a movie questioning private property and its distribution.

This doesn't necessarily means it leans left (thought it might); he explored tough questions about liberty and privacy vs. security and safety in the Dark Knight.

I have to say, though, that I didn't love The Dark Knight, largely because he seemed to be making a movie about a political issue using Batman, The Joker, and Two-Face as props to ask various questions about the issue, and seemed less interested the characters of Batman et al.

His filmmaking style is cerebral and very formalistically dialectical. In every movie he sets up a tension between one thing and the other, using characters as avatars of that thing. In Batman Begins, it was fear/insanity(Scarecrow) versus self-mastery/self-control (Batman) and vengeance (R'as) versus justice (again Batman). In The Dark Knight it was order and state control (albeit -- a quasi-state control imposed by a vigilante) versus chaos and anarchy.

The Dark Knight actually got absurdly formalist, depicting Two-Face as a synthesis of thesis Batman and antithesis Joker. Come on. There's nothing wrong with adding some intellectual themes into a movie but please don't push them into the foreground. Subtext shouldn't become text.

He's got good points, too, but where he falls down it's because he's overintellectualizing something that really isn't intellectual.

Based on what I see here, Catwoman is being shoehorned into the role of Economic Anarchist, someone who has a philosophical objection to private property. She says to Wayne, "When it's all over, you'll wonder how you all could have thought you could live so large while leaving so little for everyone else."

Catwoman has never, AFAIK, been depicted as a revolutionary, or as having some philosophical commitment to bringing down the capitalist system. What she is is a thief who, while she's not stealing from the very rich, likes mixing socially with the very rich.

She's always been a bit comical in her larceny -- she's shameless about it. She just likes stealing. Maybe she actually considers herself an elite capitalist with he skill set of "taking the capital of others."

But I never got the vibe that she wanted to end private property, or lead the poor in a revolution against the rich. She likes the rich. (And, she likes stealing their money.) Without the rich, she wouldn't be rich herself.

This is what annoys me about Nolan-- jamming square-peg human beings into the round holes of his pretty scheme of dialectical inquiry.

I'm not seeing movies for this. I'm particularly no seeing Batman movies for this. I might see a minor, low-budget European movie where the main characters stand in for philosophical questions, but I'm looking for a Batman movie to be a Batman movie.

Even if I were seeing a movie for this -- that's not Catwoman.

Posted by: Ace at 09:27 AM | Comments (326)
Post contains 484 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Double, double, double, double vision!

Posted by: Unclefacts Out Of Commenting Retirement Just For This One Thing at December 19, 2011 09:28 AM (6IReR)

2 The only way Ron Paul gets 23% if his results get posted twice.

Posted by: t-bird at December 19, 2011 09:29 AM (FcR7P)

3 Ron Paul is so nice, Ace posts on him twice.

Posted by: al-Cicero, Tea Party Jihadist at December 19, 2011 09:31 AM (yQwq5)

4 I may have double standards, but at least I don't double post.

Posted by: Ron Paul at December 19, 2011 09:31 AM (XVGEg)

5 I had no idea the Klan didn't allow black members.

Posted by: Zombie Sen. Robt. "Sheets" Byrd at December 19, 2011 09:31 AM (yQwq5)

6 This post is double-plus good!

Posted by: johnd01 at December 19, 2011 09:32 AM (ukNFU)

7 OF COURSE, PPP is manipulating these polls.  They have to keep the Race card going in this campaign.  The next attack from the Left will be against Romney and Gingrich for failing to denounce Ron Paul, which of course indicates their own tacit approval of his racist beliefs.

Posted by: rockmom at December 19, 2011 09:32 AM (qE3AR)

8

I've always WANTED to experience deja vu.............

Posted by: JustTurnRight at December 19, 2011 09:32 AM (z83Rd)

9 I'm seeing double!

Posted by: NukemHill at December 19, 2011 09:32 AM (7WLzC)

10 The Double Standard on Ron Paul: I have no idea what's being written in my name, I do not take any managerial interest in the million-dollar-a-year venture that I'm supposedly in charge of, and I cannot manage a sprawling bureaucracy of a mere seven staffers.

Sounds reasonable to me.

Posted by: Eric Holder at December 19, 2011 09:32 AM (7BU4a)

11 I had no idea that waitresses don't like to be sandwiched between two fat sweaty drunken U.S. senators.

Posted by: Zombie Sen. Ted Kennedy at December 19, 2011 09:33 AM (yQwq5)

12 I love double posts and this one is super-sized! Neat.

Posted by: twiceblessedmom at December 19, 2011 09:34 AM (HjxoE)

13 Look, I just pass the bills, I don't read 'em.

Posted by: Nancy P at December 19, 2011 09:34 AM (ZKzrr)

14 Rather then getting muddy with the pigs over these racism and anti-antisemitism, which make all Republican candidates look bad by association -- why cant he be hammered off of the stage based on his spending and earmarking record?

Posted by: Jean at December 19, 2011 09:35 AM (WkuV6)

15 More like a quadruple standard.  Think about the broohaha over what was written on a f*cking rock at Rick Perry's dad's hunting camp, years before they rented it.  Ron Paul could spray paint "KIKE" on a rock tomorrow and the press would either ignore it or parrot whatever bullshit rationalization he produces, with a straight face.  (for now - if god forbid he ever got the nomination the press might somehow become interested in his past)

Posted by: buzz at December 19, 2011 09:35 AM (i27M5)

16

I have no idea what's being written in my name, I do not take any managerial interest in the million-dollar-a-year venture that I'm supposedly in charge of, and I cannot manage a sprawling bureaucracy of a mere seven staffers.

Oh, great, Ace is complaining about when the cob loggers post something before he does.

Posted by: Mama AJ at December 19, 2011 09:35 AM (XdlcF)

17 Rush is so impressed with Jeb Bush's editorial that he's talking about him running. Give me a break. Are we that easy to impress?

Posted by: Joffen at December 19, 2011 09:36 AM (zLeKL)

18 That Hitler had some good ideas but he did tend to go a little overboard.

Posted by: RON PAUL!!!!! at December 19, 2011 09:36 AM (yQwq5)

19

Barack Hussein Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

I denounce myself.

Posted by: Alte Schule at December 19, 2011 09:36 AM (MLJu8)

20 @16: At first, I thought he was talking about the blog, too.

Posted by: Joffen at December 19, 2011 09:37 AM (zLeKL)

21

I think part of the problem is that a lot of the talk radio guys have been largely ignoring Paul as irrelevant.  People don't realize the outrageous things this guys believes.

As they start to give him a little more time, more of the Republican base will begin to realize that he is not an acceptable candidate.

So I hope that the talk radio big hitters start really hammering on Paul.

Posted by: dan-O at December 19, 2011 09:37 AM (sWycd)

22 Now think of all the years you tried to
Find someone to satisfy you
I might be as crazy as you say
If I'm crazy then it's true
That it's all because of you
And you wouldn't want me any other way

You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
It's too late to fight
It's too late to change me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right

Posted by: Ron Paul channeling Billy Joel at December 19, 2011 09:37 AM (dOsjQ)

23

Fox has already started the excuse machine, the caucus might be hacked. 

http://zapit.nu/1mP

Posted by: Mister Money at December 19, 2011 09:37 AM (wN82N)

24 If twiceblessedmom posts a comment on an Ace double-post, does that mean we are quadruply blessed?

Posted by: chemjeff at December 19, 2011 09:37 AM (qVUxp)

25 The Double Standard on Ron Paul: I have no idea what's being written in my name, I do not take any managerial interest in the million-dollar-a-year venture that I'm supposedly in charge of, and I cannot manage a sprawling bureaucracy of a mere seven staffers. (uncomfortable silence)

Posted by: barry o'potus at December 19, 2011 09:38 AM (FcR7P)

26 Damn. That bat signal post worked twice as well as I thought it would.

Posted by: Andy at December 19, 2011 09:38 AM (5Rurq)

27 Fill my eyes, .....with that Double Vision........

Posted by: Foreigner at December 19, 2011 09:38 AM (z83Rd)

28 When I look in the mirror and see my reflection, I just have to shake my head. I'm hero on this side of the mirror and a heel on your side...

Posted by: Luap Nor at December 19, 2011 09:38 AM (136wp)

29 @17 Big Rush fan here, and I've tried to defend him from some of ace's diatribes, but if Rush is touting Jeb for president, I will be reevaluating my esteem for Rush.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 09:38 AM (Xm1aB)

30 Great minds, Joffen, great minds.

Posted by: Mama AJ at December 19, 2011 09:38 AM (XdlcF)

31 People are fed up with the political system. Ron Paul is basically a "Mickey Mouse" protest vote.

If this poll is accurate, I doubt many of the people supporting him have any knowledge of his newsletter past.

Either that or they really don't care.

Posted by: Jason at December 19, 2011 09:38 AM (qd/wm)

32 @27: I wouldn't listen to him right now then...

Posted by: Joffen at December 19, 2011 09:39 AM (zLeKL)

33

Progressive Logic: If standards are good then double-standards must be twice as good!  AmIright?

Posted by: Alte Schule at December 19, 2011 09:39 AM (MLJu8)

34 A day without a double post is like a day without sunshine.

Posted by: ol_dirty_/b/tard at December 19, 2011 09:40 AM (IoUF1)

35 We have the chance to nominate a conservative for president and win the White House in 2012. We can fumble that chance away by settling for a nominee we canÂ’t trust to pursue conservative policies in office, or we can make a stand for the best, most conservative potential president in the field. ThatÂ’s Rick Perry, and we enthusiastically endorse him to be the 45th President of the United States.

http://tinyurl.com/8ywqkls

Posted by: al-Cicero, Tea Party Jihadist at December 19, 2011 09:40 AM (yQwq5)

36 Heh, fools seldom differ?

Posted by: Joffen at December 19, 2011 09:40 AM (zLeKL)

37 PPP/Daily KOS is just making mischeif. They know the longer Paul stays in the race and the more attention he gets the better it is for Obama.

Posted by: robtr at December 19, 2011 09:40 AM (MtwBb)

38 >> Give me a break. Are we that easy to impress?

Yes

Posted by: Andy at December 19, 2011 09:41 AM (5Rurq)

39 Is there an echo echo in here?

Posted by: Iowa Bob at December 19, 2011 09:41 AM (RJ+Yj)

40 If this poll is accurate, I doubt many of the people supporting him have any knowledge of his newsletter past.

Either that or they really don't care.

Posted by: Jason at December 19, 2011 01:38 PM (qd/wm)

Or they are too busy playing "Cornhole"

Posted by: The Robot Devil at December 19, 2011 09:41 AM (136wp)

41 (Reuters) - After 10 months of secret dialogue with Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents, senior U.S. officials say the talks have reached a critical juncture and they will soon know whether a breakthrough is possible, leading to peace talks whose ultimate goal is to end the Afghan war. Oh yeah negotiating with the Taliban, What could possibly go wrong?

Posted by: nevergiveup at December 19, 2011 09:42 AM (i6RpT)

42 I'm sorry, but so far 2 out of 2 Bushes have pretty much put a shiv in the conservative "movement." I will never, ever vote for Jeb or any other Bush for that matter.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 09:42 AM (Xm1aB)

43 39 Is there an echo echo in here?

Is there an echo, echo, echo in here?

Posted by: The Robot Devil at December 19, 2011 09:42 AM (136wp)

44 Actually, the results kinda do make sense - the race is so wide open and there are so many uncommitted voters, or voters that have only a slight preference, that there can be wild poll swings from day to day.  People haven't locked in their preferences yet.

At least that is how I see it.

Posted by: chemjeff at December 19, 2011 09:42 AM (qVUxp)

45 Who did Iowans Iowa give us in '08?   Yeah, you know who.  Iowa needs to get to the back of the line.

Posted by: dogfish at December 19, 2011 09:42 AM (NuPNl)

46 That mirror post?

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at December 19, 2011 09:42 AM (zLeKL)

47 PPP is PushPushPolling, except they do this little trick where their "last" poll is miraculously accurate.

Posted by: AmishDude at December 19, 2011 09:43 AM (T0NGe)

48 Oh yeah negotiating with the Taliban, What could possibly go wrong?

If you're female in Afghanistan, probably a lot.

Posted by: Meiczyslaw at December 19, 2011 09:43 AM (bjRNS)

Posted by: laceyunderalls at December 19, 2011 09:43 AM (pLTLS)

50 Stay out da Bushes!

Posted by: Jesse Jackson at December 19, 2011 09:43 AM (5Rurq)

51 Saw something on the net this morning about Iowa's governor warning that democrats can change registrations and participate in the Republican caucus. I remember back in 2008 feeling very frustrated that non-Republicans were choosing our nominee. And of course the witless GOP hasn't done a damn thing to change it.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 09:44 AM (Xm1aB)

52 No way he wins any primary. Tis same hype happened nearly 4 years ago and he barely made a dent

Posted by: Flapjackmaka at December 19, 2011 09:44 AM (FKQng)

53 Iowans need to get the hell under the stairs!

Posted by: laceyunderalls channeling Soothie at December 19, 2011 09:44 AM (pLTLS)

54 Still waiting for Jeff B. to come back with a response to the Mittens video.

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at December 19, 2011 09:45 AM (zLeKL)

55 Oh, and I'm voting for Ron Paul in the Iowa caucuses. Not because I want him to be the nominee (I think he's a nut job and cannot possibly beat Obama) but because I'm sick of Iowa going first every four years. I think it's a shitty way to select our nominee and I hope that Ron Paul winning in Iowa will finally force the party to come up with a better system.

Ron Paul, because in your heart you know he's nuts.

 

Posted by: Iowa Bob at December 19, 2011 09:45 AM (RJ+Yj)

56 Posted by: chemjeff at December 19, 2011 01:42 PM (qVUxp)

And the one constant will be the unwavering support for Ron Paul by his small, but deeply disturbed followers. So I agree, the data do make a bit of sense.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at December 19, 2011 09:45 AM (nEUpB)

57 O/T: well that settles it, Bob Dole is definitely not running.

Posted by: chemjeff at December 19, 2011 09:45 AM (qVUxp)

58 Hey maybe after Newt "Single Payer" Gingrich bites the dust... ...you guys can dust off Huntsman. The guy who worked for Obama. BWAHAHAHA

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:45 AM (tJa5V)

59 Is this a triple post?

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at December 19, 2011 09:45 AM (zLeKL)

60

They warned me that double vision was something I might experience with the MG diagnosis....

....I guess they were right!

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, TX at December 19, 2011 09:45 AM (0xqzf)

61 Its almost like your being trolled by your own party.

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:46 AM (tJa5V)

62 Oh where is Wendell Wilkie when we need him?

Posted by: The Robot Devil at December 19, 2011 09:46 AM (136wp)

63 I find it hard to believe than any thinking conservative could give Ron Paul the time of day. He is erratic and almost hyper at times. He truly lives in never never land on foreign policy.

Posted by: Edward Cropper at December 19, 2011 09:47 AM (Oilt3)

64 Was talking with some Paultards at a Christmas party the other night. I was half-drunk, but still got tired of hearing, "You're right. That's a good point."

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at December 19, 2011 09:48 AM (zLeKL)

65 Ron Paul harping about how Bachmann hates Muslims and is going after them reminded me of why I just like Michelle. By the way, has Rep. Ellison starved to death yet?

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 09:49 AM (Xm1aB)

66 Charlie Gibson sock? Never heard of it!

Posted by: Joffen at December 19, 2011 09:49 AM (zLeKL)

67 War with Iran seems like a perfectly tenable foreign policy... ..especially if you are an emissary/lesser minion of Satan.

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:49 AM (tJa5V)

68 Shame that Hitchens passed on last week, because he'd be the perfect person to shred the Paul candidacy.

Posted by: Chris P at December 19, 2011 09:49 AM (LuvqF)

69 @54. I think he already did in the thread by accusing DrewM of conspiring to bring Mittens down due to his rabid hatred of all things Rombley. Or some such thing. Some other Romney supporters had more reasonable (but perhaps not necessarily convincing) responses in which they actually addressed the content of the video.

Posted by: chique d'afrique (the artist formerly known as african chique) at December 19, 2011 09:49 AM (21lBC)

70 Its almost like your being trolled by your own party.

You don't say.

Posted by: NY-23 at December 19, 2011 09:50 AM (GBXon)

71

Well done, ace.

This has to be some of your best work.

Posted by: garrett at December 19, 2011 09:50 AM (KjdW9)

72 And of course the witless GOP hasn't done a damn thing to change it.

I keep asking this question, and I never get an answer:  How do you plan to "change it"?  Most states when you register to vote--by mail, by internet, at the DMV, via ACORN drive--you check a box on the form and voila, you're a Registered Republican.  How do you propose to decide who gets to vote?

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 19, 2011 09:50 AM (ZKzrr)

73 Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 01:45 PM (tJa5V)

Are you really that stupid that you believe that Ron Paul has any chance, or that his policies are anything other than bat-shit crazy, or that his foreign policy in particular is a guarantee of death and destruction on a scale never seen before?

Wow. Just...wow.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at December 19, 2011 09:50 AM (nEUpB)

74 Over at HotAir headlines, this from Insider Advantage:
Iowa: Paul 24, Romney 18, Perry 16, Gingrich 13

Posted by: Y-not at December 19, 2011 09:51 AM (5H6zj)

75 ...foreign policy in particular is a guarantee of death and destruction on a scale never seen before?... So what do you estimate? In a full scale ground invasion of Iran... minimum 50,000 KIA? 60? 100 K maimed? eat a dick you satanic piece of shit

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:52 AM (tJa5V)

76 @68: Ah, yes. I remember that. Yikes. That's all they got, eh?

Posted by: Joffen at December 19, 2011 09:52 AM (zLeKL)

77

Dear Leader posted twice THE VERY FIRST TIME HE BLOGG'D.

Posted by: Kim Jong Il's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:52 AM (q/kmn)

78 73 Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 01:45 PM (tJa5V)

Are you really that stupid that you believe that Ron Paul has any chance, or that his policies are anything other than bat-shit crazy, or that his foreign policy in particular is a guarantee of death and destruction on a scale never seen before?

Wow. Just...wow.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at December 19, 2011 01:50 PM (nEUpB)

He's just trolling. It's Average Joe or a lefty to be named later. I mean, who could be that blind?

Posted by: joncelli, too stressed by half at December 19, 2011 09:53 AM (RD7QR)

79 @72 I have never had to check a box to identify which party I affiliate with. I can't even remember ever being offered an opportunity to do so. However, in those states where voters do identify, it seems logical that the parties have the ability to limit voter participation in their respective party primary or caucus to identified members of their party.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 09:53 AM (Xm1aB)

80 When he took down the second post, he also killed the "double standard for Ron Paul" addendum, unfortunately. 

Posted by: Y-not at December 19, 2011 09:53 AM (5H6zj)

81 So what do you estimate? In a full scale ground invasion of Iran... minimum 50,000 KIA? 60? 100 K maimed? eat a dick you satanic piece of shit Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 01:52 PM (tJa5V) NO BODY ever has talked about a land invasion of Iran

Posted by: nevergiveup at December 19, 2011 09:53 AM (i6RpT)

82 I still want an Ewok signal.

Posted by: alexthechick at December 19, 2011 09:54 AM (VtjlW)

83 Because someone -- I don't know who -- double-posted. It wasn't written by me and I don't care to find out who the guilty party is.

But you signed it ...

Oh, right. That doesn't matter either.

Posted by: Andy at December 19, 2011 09:54 AM (5Rurq)

84 Are you really that stupid that you believe that Ron Paul has any chance, or that his policies are anything other than bat-shit crazy, or that his foreign policy in particular is a guarantee of death and destruction on a scale never seen before?

About two minutes, Lemmings scene from "White Wilderness"

http://tinyurl.com/yvjzas

Posted by: The Robot Devil at December 19, 2011 09:54 AM (136wp)

85 Seems like Perry is moving in the right direction, no?

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 09:54 AM (Xm1aB)

86 So what do you estimate? In a full scale ground invasion of Iran... minimum 50,000 KIA? 60? 100 K maimed? Why do we give a fuck how many Iranians are killed or maimed? It's not like they even grow any fuckin' Chronic, maaaannnnn...

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 09:55 AM (l9zgN)

87 Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum

Think this guy is or is related to the guy in that link I posted earlier?

I hope he gets a Secret Service visit.....

Posted by: laceyunderalls channeling Soothie at December 19, 2011 09:55 AM (pLTLS)

88 it seems logical that the parties have the ability to limit voter participation in their respective party primary or caucus to identified members of their party.

How?


Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 19, 2011 09:55 AM (ZKzrr)

89 Llolz, we should send only the children of supporters of war with Iran to fight it. Sacrifice your babies to Moloch. for the oil cartel

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:55 AM (tJa5V)

90

Early polling already shows Un edging out a lead over the other despot rulers vying for The Wraparound Sunglasses of Total Authority.

Shhhh...

Do you hear it in your ears?

Do you feel it across your skin?

The winds of change, dickmunches.

The winds.  Of change.

Posted by: Kim Jong Un's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:55 AM (q/kmn)

91 Like I said a few days ago, Ron Paul < Obama, because Ron Paul could potentially get us all killed, in which case all discussion about the economy becomes moot.

Posted by: chique d'afrique (the artist formerly known as african chique) at December 19, 2011 09:56 AM (21lBC)

92 im hitting a raw nerve

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 09:56 AM (tJa5V)

93 it seems logical that the parties have the ability to limit voter participation in their respective party primary or caucus to identified members of their party.

I mean, this already happens in Iowa.  The people who identify as members of their party--by checking the box on the form--are the only ones who get to enter the caucus. Since this isn't good enough for you, tell me how you would ensure that only "real" Republicans get to participate.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 19, 2011 09:56 AM (ZKzrr)

94

@54. I think he already did in the thread by accusing DrewM of conspiring to bring Mittens down due to his rabid hatred of all things Rombley. Or some such thing.

he also whined in the debate livestream about the Jen Rubin jokes, I really liked JeffB even w/ him being a squish but his Romney support is now delving into outright hackery, same with War

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 09:56 AM (yAor6)

95 @88 Are you being serious? Poll watchers at Republican primary voting places will be allowed to turn away voters who have registered as anything other than Republican and vice versa. Think.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 09:56 AM (Xm1aB)

96 Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum

Aw. Delusion. Apparently it's what's for dinner lunch.

We mock you, dick-breath.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at December 19, 2011 09:57 AM (pLTLS)

97 Joffen: my response is that I don't give a shit.  I don't for one second think that Mitt Romney will do anything other than repeal Obamacare, and if you want to throw that video at me (despite the fact that it could be interpreted any number of other ways, included as a garbled statement of the perfectly kosher idea of "repeal and replace"), then I'm more than happy to point you to video of Newt telling us in 2009 that we all needed to work with Obama to pass Obamacare, and backing the individual mandate as recently as May of this year.

We have no perfect answer.  Everyone in this race has something to answer for.  You make your choice and I'll make mine.  I've explained my criteria over and over again, and my choice isn't going to change at this point absent something truly earth-shaking.  I suppose yours isn't either -- the only difference is that Newt will probably give you that earth-shaking thing (like just this weekend, when he decided he was going to eliminate the independent judiciary and undo the Founding because hey, 9th Circuit!), and Romney won't.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

Posted by: Jeff B. at December 19, 2011 09:57 AM (hIWe1)

98

55....I'm sick of Iowa going first every four years.

Hey, we're laughing all the way to the bank. This caucus scam is the best!

Because we call it a 'caucus' instead of a 'primary', we don't get our delegate numbers cut in half. And we get millions in revenue from all the media people pouring in here, and from the candidate's campaign workers. It's sweet! 

We're entitled to all this because we were clever enough to have thought of this scam.

Posted by: Iowa at December 19, 2011 09:57 AM (HvKWW)

99 im hitting a raw nerve

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 01:56 PM (tJa5V)

No.  You're just annoying.  Congratulations.

Posted by: really ... at December 19, 2011 09:57 AM (meyVd)

100 Seems like Perry is moving in the right direction, no?

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 01:54 PM (Xm1aB)

appereantly so, he needs to stay off the pills cause he does better w/o them

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 09:58 AM (yAor6)

101 89 Llolz, we should send only the children of supporters of war with Iran to fight it.

Sacrifice your babies to Moloch.

for the oil cartel

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 01:55 PM (tJa5V)

Moloch sacrifices have traditionally been understood to mean burning children alive to the god Moloch, some have suggested a rite of purification by fire instead. SO, in a demented way, you are right...

Posted by: The Robot Devil at December 19, 2011 09:58 AM (136wp)

102 Did anyone see Romney's appearance on Fox News Sunday? 

I read an account of it in which the claim was that he took three positions on the Iraq war, but the source was Tommy Christopher so huge grain of salt, I think. 

Posted by: Y-not at December 19, 2011 09:58 AM (5H6zj)

103 You know, I'm not one to criticize one's physical apparent (for very obvious reasons, one of which is the "stones/glass-houses" example), but damn, SecState Clinton looks terrible! 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 09:59 AM (9hSKh)

104 For all of you ill-informed and naive Newt-smoochers out there, Rush just cited a piece on Newt's book -- coming out in 2013 -- that says a global warming pusher writes a chapter in his book. That barking twat has snookered you again. Go ahead, vote for him, and spend the next four years listening to a RINO end conservatism.

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 09:59 AM (LgjGs)

105 Okay I now changed the post to a Batman post.

Posted by: ace at December 19, 2011 09:59 AM (nj1bB)

106 Llolz, we should send only the children of supporters of war with Iran to fight it. We already do, asshole. It's called the ALL-VOLUNTEER MILITARY. And they say constant pot smoking has no effect on intelligence. You're Witness A for the prosecution, motherfucker. Correction: Witless A.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 09:59 AM (vzFJV)

107 "Aw. Delusion..." All the days, weeks, months you people spent anguishing over Obamacare... ...And then you'd gladly pull the lever for Newt. Is such a cosmic-scale mindfuck. See you in Iowa, bitches.

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (tJa5V)

108 Wait... and now this is a movie review?

Posted by: Y-not at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (5H6zj)

109 Better them dead than us.
End of discussion.

Posted by: Mr. Wonderful at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (sFhEw)

110 Are you being serious?

....

Think.

Go fuck yourself with a rusty chainsaw, you condescending twat-ooze.  You were the one bitching about "not-Republicans" voting.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (ZKzrr)

111

im hitting a raw nerve

I hit 18 of them THE VERY FIRST TIME I TROLL'D!

Posted by: Kim Jong Un's Momentum at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (q/kmn)

112

I suppose yours isn't either -- the only difference is that Newt will probably give you that earth-shaking thing (like just this weekend, when he decided he was going to eliminate the independent judiciary and undo the Founding because hey, 9th Circuit!), and Romney won't.

your once again stereotyping all the anti-Romneys as Newt guys, Joffen is all in on Perry, i've debated/argued him before

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (yAor6)

113 103 You know, I'm not one to criticize one's physical apparent (for very obvious reasons, one of which is the "stones/glass-houses" example), but damn, SecState Clinton looks terrible!

Yea, she has really let herself go... Those cankles must be gigantic by now...

Posted by: The Robot Devil at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (136wp)

114 So this point now has a topic? No. Let me be all ADD and what not...

Posted by: laceyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:00 AM (pLTLS)

115 For all of you ill-informed and naive Newt-smoochers out there, Rush just cited a piece on Newt's book -- coming out in 2013 -- that says a global warming pusher writes a chapter in his book. That barking twat has snookered you again. Go ahead, vote for him, and spend the next four years listening to a RINO end conservatism.

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 01:59 PM (LgjGs)

so whos your guy? and I dont let talk radio hosts pick my candidate

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:01 AM (yAor6)

116 By all means, Jeff B. I support Perry. I think both Newt and Mitt would be horrible candidates. However, you're outright denial is disturbing and bordering on mental illness.

Posted by: Joffen at December 19, 2011 10:01 AM (zLeKL)

117 Rick Perry.

Posted by: Entropy, and if you don't agree you hate America and want Obama to win at December 19, 2011 10:02 AM (AuQqX)

118 I knew Newt would self-immolate.

He just can't shut the fuck up.

Posted by: Mr. Wonderful at December 19, 2011 10:02 AM (sFhEw)

119 Hey, my laptop is personal property, which I don't have to share, and your shit that I want to take from you for free is private property, which is evil!!!  Dude! Don't you know the difference between personal property and private property?1?!1!eleventy!??

Posted by: Fucking Idiot OWS Douche at December 19, 2011 10:02 AM (wMsKw)

120

The Hell?

Where's the comments on the Batman movie review post?

Posted by: Nr. Natural at December 19, 2011 10:02 AM (vza7I)

121 Wasn't catwoman an animal rights envirowhacko? Did that make it in the movie?

Posted by: Johnny at December 19, 2011 10:02 AM (J3/db)

122

Posted by: Ron Paul's Momentum at December 19, 2011 02:00 PM (tJa5V)

With all due respect, your guy belongs in a nut house and your non sequiturs and sophistry are tiring.  Get bent..pretty please. 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 10:02 AM (9hSKh)

123 See you in Iowa, bitches.

And then what? Candidate Geritol himself said he doesn't have the steam to make it through 12 more months let alone another four years.

So the question is....what will you do when the r3VOlution is over in Feb?


Posted by: laceyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:02 AM (pLTLS)

124 im hitting a raw nerve

Stop playing with yourself for awhile. It will heal.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at December 19, 2011 10:03 AM (JYheX)

125 Discount double post!

Posted by: Lincolntf (I'm a Robot) at December 19, 2011 10:03 AM (hiMsy)

126 @110 How can one not be condescending "conversing" with you?

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 10:03 AM (Xm1aB)

127

Over at HotAir headlines, this from Insider Advantage:
Iowa: Paul 24, Romney 18, Perry 16, Gingrich 13

Hot Air?

Never heard of it.

Posted by: Rick Perry at December 19, 2011 10:03 AM (XdlcF)

128 I really hope Perry becomes the next and final notRomney. If they try to use videos of his gaffes, we could say something like, "I'll raise you one inhalator/breathalyzer to your oops. ". Or however you Americans say it. Think of all the delightful Obama gaffes that are at our disposal. Then once we have established that they are both gaffemeisters, we can then compare the results of their governance.

Posted by: chique d'afrique (the artist formerly known as african chique) at December 19, 2011 10:04 AM (21lBC)

129 Meh, I lost interest in the Batman franchise when they threw in with the Sarah Brady crowd by publishing "Seduction of The Gun" comic in 1993.

Posted by: Scott J at December 19, 2011 10:04 AM (KC2BE)

130 I have to say, though, that I didn't love The Dark Knight, largely because he seemed to be making a movie about a political issue using Batman, The Joker, and Two-Face as props to ask various questions about the issue, and seemed less interested the characters of Batman et al.

Great fiction often concerns politicals questions - see the Divine Comedy as a preeminent example. And I think he did it pretty well in the last movie (no not as well as Dante but that's rather a high bar).

Posted by: 18-1 at December 19, 2011 10:04 AM (7BU4a)

131 I'd like to jam my square peg into Catwoman's round hole.  Just sayin'.

Posted by: Analogy Guy at December 19, 2011 10:04 AM (wMsKw)

132 I don't advocate invading muzzie hellholes.
I would however be in favor of some long range, stand off disinfectant.

Posted by: ontherocks at December 19, 2011 10:04 AM (HBqDo)

133 I'm tired of relentlessly politicized shit, and have been boycotting such "entertainment" for quite a while now.

Want to spew some political message in a movie?  Fine.  Just don't feel entitled to my money if you choose to do so.

Hollywood feels entitled to our money no matter how bad they crap up a movie.

Fuck that shit.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 19, 2011 10:05 AM (hsBSk)

134 Course Ron Paul's a fucking lunatic, but we all knew that.

Suddenly, he becomes the official spokesman for CAIR, as if the electorate gives a shit about their creepy Islamonazi whining agenda.

He's toasted like a Thomas English Muffin.

A batshit crazy one...

Posted by: Mr. Wonderful at December 19, 2011 10:05 AM (sFhEw)

135 Did anyone see Romney's appearance on Fox News Sunday? 

I read an account of it in which the claim was that he took three positions on the Iraq war, but the source was Tommy Christopher so huge grain of salt, I think.

I saw it (if you go to Foxnewssunday.com you can watch the whole thing yourself).  Obviously I'm going to say this, but I thought it was a superb appearance.  And I had sort of feared a bloodbath, because apparently it's a known fact that Chris Wallace hates Romney's guts.

His position on the Iraq War was actually 100% correct, in the sense that it's the way I feel about it (and, I would guess, Ace and most of the commenters here too): it's stupid to say whether he'd "do it all over again" because we didn't and couldn't know then what we know now in hindsight about Hussein's WMD program.  He pointed out that Hussein was violating sanctions, preventing weapons inspectors from accessing palaces and potential WMD sites, and generally giving us every reason to believe that he really had WMDs, so it's farcical to blame Bush for getting wrong what everyone else in the world got wrong too.  He then criticized Obama for the way he's handled the post-surge scenario, and for withdrawing troops.

Honestly, it was just about as measured and intelligent an answer to the question as you could hope for: acknowledging that, yeah, maybe in retrospect the Iraq War wasn't such a great idea, but we couldn't have reasonably known at the time, and the responsibility now is not to forfeit our hard-won gains the way Obama is doing.

It's answers like that which are precisely the reason why I think Romney would be a pretty good candidate AND President, really.

Posted by: Jeff B. at December 19, 2011 10:05 AM (hIWe1)

136

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 01:59 PM (LgjGs)

Shit. My inner voice again. Look, I'm not going to kill myself! Stop it! Where are my meds?

Posted by: joncelli, too stressed by half at December 19, 2011 10:05 AM (RD7QR)

137 131 I'd like to jam my square peg into Catwoman's round hole.  Just sayin'.

If yours is square, you should see a doctor....

Posted by: The Robot Devil at December 19, 2011 10:05 AM (136wp)

138 Rick Perry has back surgery as a (albeit flimsy) excuse for all his gaffes.

What's Obama's excuse? Right. A Harvard law degree.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:06 AM (pLTLS)

139 Based on what I see here, Catwoman is being shoehorned into the role of Economic Anarchist, someone who has a philosophical objection to private property.

Its a change, but why not? Why not take a silly character that seems to only have been around to fill a catsuit and make her a serious representation of the Occupiers? How is that a loss for the literary world of Batman?

Posted by: 18-1 at December 19, 2011 10:06 AM (7BU4a)

140 At least you can understand a fucking word she's saying. Either give a character a stifling mask OR a funny voice. Not both.

Posted by: Jim Treacher at December 19, 2011 10:06 AM (X3KAb)

141 So Ace managed to completely replace an entire post in situ but couldn't pull off a simple update to one without a double-post?

Yep, it's definitely Monday.

Posted by: Andy at December 19, 2011 10:07 AM (5Rurq)

142 Did Batman seriously punch Alien Face-Hugger Villain in the mouth just then?

Posted by: Broken Knuckles and Fingers at December 19, 2011 10:07 AM (wMsKw)

143 Just keep on picking candidates before any polls, in a primary election, have opened anywhere, and keep on watching them go down like a clown. My absolute, no way under the sun do I vote for 'em are Newt Romney, Paul and Huntsman. NOT picking anyone of those does NOT make me guilty of causing anyone to be POTUS, it simply means that I hew to PRINCIPLE, and refuse to continue eating shit-burgers doled out to me by the RINO Mafia. I would vote some other option, which there will surely be.

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 10:07 AM (LgjGs)

144 I'm Batshit.

Posted by: Ron Wayne at December 19, 2011 10:07 AM (q/kmn)

145 I've got a disagree.  I found The Dark Knight to be a great film precisely because Nolan chose to use the characters to explore deeper issues.  Of course, I also felt that the characterizations were good too.  I don't think I would have cared for it if that weren't the case.  If figure he's earned enough credibility for me to go into The Dark Knight Rises with an open mind.  Even if it does wind up having a political bent I disagree with, if it's as good as his other films, I'll consider it money well spent.

Posted by: Salamandyr at December 19, 2011 10:07 AM (P1rza)

146

damn. 

my Batman Underoos are in the wash.

Posted by: garrett at December 19, 2011 10:07 AM (KjdW9)

147 I'm tired of relentlessly politicized shit, and have been boycotting such "entertainment" for quite a while now.

IMO, the problem isn't politicization, but simplistic, dogmatically leftwing politicization.

Posted by: 18-1 at December 19, 2011 10:08 AM (7BU4a)

148 Thousands of great books and short stories out there and we have to settle for round XX1 of fucking Ratman. Sheesh.

Posted by: maddogg at December 19, 2011 10:08 AM (OlN4e)

149 Man, I must be in the wrong thread.  I thought this was about Batman/ Nolan's interpretation of Batman, but all I see are Ron Paul arguments. 

Posted by: shillelagh at December 19, 2011 10:08 AM (hRzu2)

150 Will I be able to pause and rewatch the scene every time Bane says something in the theater?

Posted by: Z Ryan at December 19, 2011 10:08 AM (tsC/8)

151

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 02:07 PM (LgjGs)

you really are an idiot huh?

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:08 AM (yAor6)

152 I mean seriously. Why do they make the same shit year after year into movies?

Posted by: maddogg at December 19, 2011 10:08 AM (OlN4e)

153 I know longer understand the comments in this post -- am I going to have to read what it's about?? - gah!

Posted by: lazyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:08 AM (pLTLS)

154 137 If yours is square, you should see a doctor....

Remember Bonsai Kitty?  More or less the same situation on a different scale.

Posted by: Doofus at December 19, 2011 10:09 AM (YEelc)

155 Oh, Perry was out, for me, before he ever entered...

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 10:09 AM (LgjGs)

156 Is this somebody's perverse idea of claiming high thread counts at this no-tell establishment?

.....because I'm delicately complected

Posted by: ontherocks at December 19, 2011 10:09 AM (HBqDo)

157 I must have jumped some sort of a blog warp.  I thought this thread was about Catwoman.  Damn!

Posted by: Soona at December 19, 2011 10:09 AM (AB6pF)

158 by the way since we changed subjects i'm excited for this movie as well

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:09 AM (yAor6)

159 Oh, Perry was out, for me, before he ever entered...

Cool.

In other news, no one really gives a flying Fig Newton.

Posted by: lazyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:09 AM (pLTLS)

160 Its a change, but why not? Why not take a silly character that seems to only have been around to fill a catsuit and make her a serious representation of the Occupiers? How is that a loss for the literary world of Batman?

Just in case anyone has forgotten - Mega-Actress Worth $58 Million Caught Trying to Go Incognito During Occupy Protest

You know, when Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) joined the Occu-tards last month, maybe it wasn't so much a political statement as a way to get free/cheap advertising for The Dark Knight Rises for when it was conveniently "revealed "that Anne joined the turd-balls for a day. 


Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 10:10 AM (9hSKh)

161

"but where he falls down it's because he's overintellectualizing something that really isn't intellectual."

No way, that's what made it cool.  It gave Batman more meaning, made it more real, that a superhero's job would be more complicated than just fighting bad guys. 

For a Brit, Nolan sure knows how to tap into the American psyche. I'm looking forward to the new one.

Posted by: alidade at December 19, 2011 10:10 AM (xXhWA)

162 @128

Yeah, that thought had occurred to me, too.

Obviously being a Perry support, I wish he had not made the gaffes he made, but one thing I really have observed is that he has handled them with good humor.  It's not a reason to vote for someone, but I think Rick is the nicest of the candidates. 

Posted by: Y-not at December 19, 2011 10:10 AM (5H6zj)

163 @138. Given his greatly improved performances, I strongly suspect that his back meds really impacted his previous performances.

Posted by: chique d'afrique (the artist formerly known as african chique) at December 19, 2011 10:10 AM (21lBC)

164 claims he has a video of Newt saying he is a progressive.

Posted by: Miss'80s at December 19, 2011 10:10 AM (d6QMz)

165

105 Okay I now changed the post to a Batman post. [Ace]

Since Ron Paul is batshit crazy......seems like a good segue.

Posted by: wheatie at December 19, 2011 10:10 AM (HvKWW)

166

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 01:59 PM (LgjGs)

This makes me think of a bit from an early-90's stand-up comedian.  I will leave it up to the Moron Horde to remember his name.

"Kill your bossssss...."

"What?"

"Kill your bossssss!!!!!"

"...umm...I'm self-employed..."

"Steve?"

"Uh, no.  Sorry.  You have the wrong head."

"Oh, sorry.  I thought you were Steve."

Posted by: reason at December 19, 2011 10:11 AM (q/kmn)

167 He pointed out that Hussein was violating sanctions, preventing weapons inspectors from accessing palaces and potential WMD sites, and generally giving us every reason to believe that he really had WMDs

Saddam even had his field generals fooled about the stuff.  When we started rolling, there were frantic communiques being shot around about not getting quantity shipments of WMD to deploy against us.

If Saddam's own military was fooled into thinking quantity volumes of the shit existed, what chance did outsiders have of divining only relatively minor quantities in relatively  poor repair existed?

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 19, 2011 10:11 AM (hsBSk)

168

Posted by: Miss'80s at December 19, 2011 02:10 PM (d6QMz)

I consider myself a progressive too, so does the Puerto Rican right-center party which is fighting the unions over there, we need to stop going crazy over anyone calling themselves a "progressive"

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:11 AM (yAor6)

169 Of course, a thief would resort to 'property is theft' arguments, and Chicago, I mean Gotham City, is more amenable to that argument, than most.

Posted by: lyndon larouche at December 19, 2011 10:12 AM (AH8RI)

170 Wow. That scene where Bane blows up Heinz Field is some of the worst CGI i've ever seen

Posted by: Ben at December 19, 2011 10:12 AM (wuv1c)

171 >>>164 claims he has a video of Newt saying he is a progressive.

And people laughed at Glenn Beck.

Can't wait. 

I think Perry is a loser and I'm just not really a fan the way a lot of people around here, but I don't dislike him (seems like a pretty cool guy, actually -- that New Hampshire 'drunk' speech everyone else panned was a turning point for me).  I really fucking hate Newt Gingrich, however.

Posted by: Jeff B. at December 19, 2011 10:12 AM (hIWe1)

172 Given his greatly improved performances, I strongly suspect that his back meds really impacted his previous performances.

Me too. What an awful situation to be in. You can't really come out and say you're on prescription drugs. People won't have faith in your confidence. So he gets to sound like a loopy dipshit.

Posted by: lazyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:13 AM (pLTLS)

173 Wow. That scene where Bane blows up Heinz Field is some of the worst CGI i've ever seen

Posted by: Ben at December 19, 2011 02:12 PM (wuv1c)

he should have blown up Gillete Field

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:13 AM (yAor6)

174 rollcall Craig James Enters Texas Senate Race: http://t.co/Cn5NTnEg

Posted by: Miss'80s at December 19, 2011 10:13 AM (d6QMz)

175

This is why the only movie I'm planning to see in the next few years (at least in theaters) is The Hobbit (both of them, since it's two movies and I don't know HOW they're planning to span The Hobbit across two movies, but whatever, I'm there).  

I enjoyed The Dark Knight primarily for Heath Ledger's Joker.  I thought he gave the character a perfectly infernal, insane quality.  He wasn't an over-the-top prankster; he was a flatout psychopath.  I fast forward most of the rest of it.

And don't get me started on Batman Begins.  That movie is boring as hell until about the last thirty to forty-five minutes.  I understand establishing backstory and atmosphere, but good God.  Bruce Wayne's transformation into an ass-kicking force of nature does not need to be dramatized in real time.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Hobbit at December 19, 2011 10:13 AM (4df7R)

176 I had to watch that "One Day" movie starring Anne Hathaway this weekend with my wife. Would anyone like to know why it was totally worth it?

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 10:13 AM (l9zgN)

177

And people laughed at Glenn Beck.

I havent stopped laughing

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:13 AM (yAor6)

178 Re Perry, I also like his good humor. Plus, he kills bad people which is a plus in my book.

Posted by: Mike at December 19, 2011 10:14 AM (0hdwM)

179

Catwoman has never, AFAIK, been depicted as a revolutionary, or as having some philosophical commitment to bringing down the capitalist system. What she is is a thief who, while she's not stealing from the very rich, likes mixing socially with the very rich.

If Nolan wanted to go down this road (in a way), he would have Poison Ivy as one of the main antagonists, but it would be a more environmental-themed message than an anti-capitalism flick.

Perhaps the reason for this re-imaging of Catwoman is more simpler - Nolan got too much flack for making The Dark Knight appear as a pro War on Terror movie. 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 10:14 AM (9hSKh)

180 149 Man, I must be in the wrong thread.  I thought this was about Batman/ Nolan's interpretation of Batman, but all I see are Ron Paul arguments.

The post was a double post of the PPP poll, then an open thread, and now a Batman post.  Comments have been kept since the first version.

Posted by: Y-not at December 19, 2011 10:14 AM (5H6zj)

181 Another RINO is being tossed out there now as a possible write-in candidacy is Jeb Bush.

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 10:14 AM (LgjGs)

182 ...don't get me wrong, if this has turned into a movie thread without the long ass obligatory review, I'm not complainin'

Posted by: ontherocks at December 19, 2011 10:14 AM (HBqDo)

183 I thought The Dark Knight was terrific, the best Batman movie yet.

Posted by: Dr Spank at December 19, 2011 10:15 AM (H/kgP)

184 176 I had to watch that "One Day" movie starring Anne Hathaway this weekend with my wife. Would anyone like to know why it was totally worth it?

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 02:13 PM (l9zgN)

Because you got a blowjob?

Posted by: maddogg at December 19, 2011 10:15 AM (OlN4e)

185 Okay, my pizza is suppurating and my inner voice is talking smack about politics. Where are my freakin' meds?!

Posted by: joncelli, too stressed by half at December 19, 2011 10:15 AM (RD7QR)

186 Would anyone like to know why it was totally worth it?

Because she doesn't look like a horse in this one??

What is it with her? She's either really hot or....really not.

Posted by: lazyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:15 AM (pLTLS)

187 Another RINO is being tossed out there now as a possible write-in candidacy is Jeb Bush.

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 02:14 PM (LgjGs)

everyone is a RINO according to you huh? is this Vic's alter ego or something?

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:16 AM (yAor6)

188

I'd like to jam my square peg into Catwoman's round hole. Just sayin'.

If yours is square, you should see a doctor....

Man, I have to use the one the manufacturer installed . . .

Posted by: Analogy Guy is Actually A Robot at December 19, 2011 10:16 AM (wMsKw)

189 Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 19, 2011 02:05 PM (hsBSk)

Embrace the torrent. They don't respect us, so why should we respect them?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at December 19, 2011 10:16 AM (nEUpB)

190
So Catwoman supports the rape tent?

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at December 19, 2011 10:16 AM (JYheX)

191

I had to watch that "One Day" movie starring Anne Hathaway this weekend with my wife. Would anyone like to know why it was totally worth it?

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 02:13 PM (l9zgN)

*SPOILER ALERT*

she dies in the movie

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:17 AM (yAor6)

192 NRSC: Integrity Matters, Ben Nelson

Two years ago, Ben Nelson sold his deciding 60th vote in favor of Obamacare. Hold him accountable. End the buy-offs for Senator Ben Nelson.

Posted by: Miss'80s at December 19, 2011 10:17 AM (d6QMz)

193 Catwoman per se is not our enemy

Posted by: Joe "Batman" Biden at December 19, 2011 10:17 AM (DzX9o)

194 Maddogg, the same reason we have the same sports leagues playing year after year. People like something enough to shell out their cash to see it, then someone's gonna keep making it. I think it's a law of nature.

Posted by: Lincolntf at December 19, 2011 10:17 AM (uIz80)

195 It gave Batman more meaning, made it more real, that a superhero's job would be more complicated than just fighting bad guys.

If you want your heroes to be real, show them sitting on the throne grunting trying to squeeze out a loaf, then looking at a bowl full of blood and bitching about hemorrhoids, then have the Batmobile up on a lift for a transmission replacement when he really needed it...then he's forced to take the bus to a rescue.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 19, 2011 10:17 AM (hsBSk)

196 I thought The Dark Knight was terrific, the best Batman movie yet.

Posted by: Dr Spank at December 19, 2011 02:15 PM (H/kgP)

agree

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:17 AM (yAor6)

197 Well, I don't have any doubt myself that Jeb is a RINO. Hard to believe that Rush is pimping him. And by the way, there's no way this is a movie review....way too short.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 10:18 AM (Xm1aB)

198

Well, I don't have any doubt myself that Jeb is a RINO.

huh? what are you smoking? he did great as Guv of my state

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:19 AM (yAor6)

199

I'm not sure why they would even bring Catwoman into this movie. She's one of the less real characters in Batman. She has super cat powers. That makes total sense.

 

Raj Al Gul was believable. Part of a ruthless and efficient cult.  The Jokers was believable as an insane anarchist. Even the two-face character from TDK was believable.

 

Catwoman? I don't think so.

 

This looks awful but it'll make a billion dollars.

Posted by: Ben at December 19, 2011 10:19 AM (wuv1c)

200 I finally broke down and watched Batman Begins and DK. It was entertaining. Those of you who expect great art are nuts. I also rewatched Drive and changed my mind about it. I can see why the ladies like Ryan Gosling. I like him because he's always photographed with his dog. The dog is old so he carries him/picks him up a lot. That's love.

Posted by: Mike at December 19, 2011 10:19 AM (0hdwM)

201 Embrace the torrent.

I'm not interested in watching politicized shit even if I can pirate it for free. 

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 19, 2011 10:19 AM (hsBSk)

202 Eh, I've heard him talking that compassionate conservatism pablum too many times. What makes you think he'd be different than his dad or his brother?

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 10:20 AM (Xm1aB)

203

Wow. That scene where Bane blows up Heinz Field is some of the worst CGI i've ever seen

*cough*

Posted by: The Last Starfighter at December 19, 2011 10:20 AM (q/kmn)

204
I might go see it if they have that dead guy play the Joker again.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at December 19, 2011 10:20 AM (JYheX)

205 194 Maddogg, the same reason we have the same sports leagues playing year after year. People like something enough to shell out their cash to see it, then someone's gonna keep making it. I think it's a law of nature.

Posted by: Lincolntf at December 19, 2011 02:17 PM (uIz80)

I call it cowardice. Rather than take a chance on making a fresh movie out of a fresh story, they prefer to go with a track record.

Posted by: maddogg at December 19, 2011 10:20 AM (OlN4e)

206 An Ace trailer review? How long will the movie review be?

Posted by: mpfs, Back From Vegas and All I Got Was This Lousy Hangover at December 19, 2011 10:20 AM (iYbLN)

207 >>If you want your heroes to be real, show them sitting on the throne grunting trying to squeeze out a loaf, then looking at a bowl full of blood and bitching about hemorrhoids, then have the Batmobile up on a lift for a transmission replacement when he really needed it...then he's forced to take the bus to a rescue.


I'm glad you don't make movies.

Posted by: Dr Spank at December 19, 2011 10:21 AM (H/kgP)

208 Jeb is somewhat conservative.  Not really a northeast type RINO.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 19, 2011 10:21 AM (hsBSk)

209 194 Maddogg, the same reason we have the same sports leagues playing year after year. People like something enough to shell out their cash to see it, then someone's gonna keep making it. I think it's a law of nature.

Yes.  The Star Wars prequels sucked something fierce, but they still pulled in a ton of money because Star Wars has a huge fan base.  Same thing with Batman.  This movie may suck, but I'll probably go see it.

Or wait for the DVD and put the closed captioning on so that I don't have to watch it twice or rewind it (like Z Ryan suggested). 

One other question - why is Bane dressed like the main singer for an '80s Euro band? 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 10:21 AM (9hSKh)

210

Bane has his gas mask. Michael Caine sounds like he had a stroke. Batman growls. And Anne Hathaway says stupid shit I've trained my brain to filter out.

Posted by: Z Ryan at December 19, 2011 10:22 AM (tsC/8)

211 What makes you think he'd be different than his dad or his brother?

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 02:20 PM (Xm1aB)

his dad was a CT lib GOPer turned Texan, his brother came from a red state, Jeb comes from a moderate reght-center state where he comprised an awesome record and record approvals. not to mention I fimrly believe he'd beat Obama.

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:22 AM (yAor6)

212 Okay how the f*ck did Luap Nor wind up dominating this thread?  Call the exterminator we have RP bugs.

Posted by: mpfs, Back From Vegas and All I Got Was This Lousy Hangover at December 19, 2011 10:22 AM (iYbLN)

213 Can I haz some of Perry's meds?? I can no longer follow this thread....

Posted by: lazyunderalls at December 19, 2011 10:22 AM (pLTLS)

214 One of the high water marks of Batman comics was when Frank Miller interjected some more thoughtful themes into the mythos, and while since then, it's been done poorly and overdone, it's not exactly right to say Batman never had any intellectually minded treatment. The reason I liked the second movie is that it juxtaposed something like real world moral dilemmas and a philosophical view of humanity and the world. Oh well.. hope you're not disappointed if you do see it!

Posted by: soopermexican at December 19, 2011 10:22 AM (VUjCZ)

215 Like most of the male population, I ignored the Anne Hathaway movie "Love & Other Drugs" when it came out because it looked like a terrible chick flick.  My wife was watching it the other day on one of the movie channels, and the first half is basically a soft-core porn starring a sex-crazed Hathaway.

Y'know, if you're into that sort of thing.

Posted by: John E. at December 19, 2011 10:23 AM (nRTou)

216 Anne Hathaway says stupid shit I've trained my brain to filter out.

LOL Z Ryan


Posted by: mpfs, Back From Vegas and All I Got Was This Lousy Hangover at December 19, 2011 10:23 AM (iYbLN)

217 Maddogg, the same reason we have the same sports leagues playing year after year. People like something enough to shell out their cash to see it, then someone's gonna keep making it. I think it's a law of nature.

O/T but now that they review every score, and thereby have squeezed in more commercials before the extra point, football is officially becoming unwatchable for me.

Carry on.

Goddamn italics.

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 10:23 AM (lU2av)

218 Well, I don't have any doubt myself that Jeb is a RINO.

Hard to believe that Rush is pimping him.

And by the way, there's no way this is a movie review....way too short.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 02:18 PM (Xm1aB)

 

I don't think Rush is pimping any specific person over another.  He's pimping the idea that getting an American to be president is much better, even if they're RINO, than the Kenyan marxist in the WH now.

Posted by: Soona at December 19, 2011 10:23 AM (AB6pF)

219 AuthorMendez, I'm usually with you, but daddy Bush and George soured me on the Bush dynasty, and I don't have any reason to believe Jeb would turn out any differently.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 10:24 AM (Xm1aB)

220 Y'know, if you're into that sort of thing.

Posted by: John E. at December 19, 2011 02:23 PM (nRTou)

Well, maybe if I mute it and watch it alone...

Posted by: joncelli, too stressed by half at December 19, 2011 10:24 AM (RD7QR)

221

My wife was watching it the other day on one of the movie channels, and the first half is basically a soft-core porn starring a sex-crazed Hathaway.

new movie added to my list of must watch

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:24 AM (yAor6)

222 You know, when Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) joined the Occu-tards last month, maybe it wasn't so much a political statement as a way to get free/cheap advertising for The Dark Knight Rises for when it was conveniently "revealed "that Anne joined the turd-balls for a day. 


Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 02:10 PM (9hSKh)

Give Jane Hathaway a couple of years to hone her limouosine liberal protest skillz and she'll be squatting in trees before you know it.  I'd rather see her stuck in a tree than acting, anyway.

Posted by: really ... at December 19, 2011 10:24 AM (meyVd)

223 The Ron Paul thing has me wondering if we should just give up and let Obama become dictator.  We'd deserve it if Paul gets the Republican nomination.

First, the guys freaking older than shit.  In just last 4 years, he's gone downhill fast.  He shakes badly, walks slowly, he's shrunk quickly, and his posture is terrible.  He's not a healthy man.

Second, hes not a conservative.  Look at the 3 'legs to the stool' of conservatism... Socially conservative - nope.  Supports the military and a strong national security policy - nope.  Fiscally conservative... we have a partial yes here, but he's a snake oil salesman.

He talks about the gold standard, but there isn't enough gold in the solar system to cover our economy and especially not the world economy.  His bizarre talk of 'silver dimes' should be reserved for George Noory's crazy ufo talk show.  "Just a while ago, you could buy a gallon of gas with a silver dime!" ... ok.  Next, he puts a crapload of earmarks in legislation, then yells and screams of the evils of earmarks and how responsible he is, then he votes against it.  nice right? Well he knows these votes would've passed without his vote anyway, so this makes him a scumbag at the least.  He gets way too much credit for his economic stance.  I don't think he knows what the hell he's talking about.

How he's a Republican is anyone's guess.  If he gets the nomination, i'll vote for him over Obama but god help us all.  His stance on Iran is scary.  He continues to lie in debates by saying 'the CIA came out and said Iran isn't even working on a bomb anymore' ... RIIIIIIGHT

We are fucked

Posted by: What a Jerk at December 19, 2011 10:24 AM (bcmD0)

224 Wasn't the Michelle Pfiffer Catwoman forced into a womyns-rights mold?

Posted by: reason at December 19, 2011 10:25 AM (F26eZ)

225

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 02:24 PM (Xm1aB)

I might be bias because I grew up in FL w/ him as my Guv before we got juad Crist and good record but unlikable guy Scott but his record as Guv here makes me confident he'd be better then both dad and brother, even poppy Bush thinks so.

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:25 AM (yAor6)

226 O/T but now that they review every score, and thereby have squeezed in more commercials before the extra point, football is officially becoming unwatchable for me.

Carry on.

Goddamn italics.

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 02:23 PM (lU2av)

The magic of DVRs can save you, fellow sports fan. Record the game, FF through the annoying bits. It's the only way I can get through a game these days.

Posted by: joncelli, too stressed by half at December 19, 2011 10:25 AM (RD7QR)

227 For me, Nolan's work is impressive technically but it always leaves me cold.  There really don't seem to be characters in his films, only pieces on a chessboard getting moved around.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 19, 2011 10:26 AM (i0App)

228

before we got judas* Crist

FIXED

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:26 AM (yAor6)

229 224 Wasn't the Michelle Pfiffer Catwoman forced into a womyns-rights mold?

*sighs*.  Yes.  "Life's a bitch, now so am I".

Don't judge me! 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 10:26 AM (9hSKh)

230

For me, Nolan's work is impressive technically but it always leaves me cold.  There really don't seem to be characters in his films, only pieces on a chessboard getting moved around.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 19, 2011 02:26 PM (i0App)

really? I have the total opposite view on the characters and im usually very strict on the characters making the movie work

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Keeper Of The Troll Hall Of Fame at December 19, 2011 10:27 AM (yAor6)

231 @225 I do remember being impressed by Gov. Bush when he took on the teacher unions in FLA and backed vouchers.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 10:27 AM (Xm1aB)

232
*sighs*.  Yes.  "Life's a bitch, now so am I".

Don't judge me! 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 02:26 PM (9hSKh)

That was Batman Forever, right?

Posted by: joncelli, too stressed by half at December 19, 2011 10:28 AM (RD7QR)

233 Stupid people ruin everything.

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 10:28 AM (lU2av)

234 The Manning lawyers seem to be using the “Animal House” defense …
You f*cked upÂ… you trusted us! Hey, make the best of it! Maybe we can help.
Â… if the German had bombed Pearl Harbor, IÂ’d think he might have a chance.

Posted by: John Blutarsky at December 19, 2011 10:28 AM (e8kgV)

235 Ron Paul is NOT A REPUBLICAN!! When people say that they entirely forget he ran as Libertarian LONG AGO and failed, so now he's an erstwhile, ostensible Republican...another breed of RINO.

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 10:28 AM (LgjGs)

236 there isn't enough gold in the solar system to cover our economy

Actually, there's a LOT of gold in the solar system.  There's orders of magnitude more dissolved in the sea water of the oceans than has ever been mined during all of human history

At current insane prices, seawater extraction might be becoming economically viable.  At $35/oz way back when, it wasn't. 

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 19, 2011 10:29 AM (hsBSk)

237

I'm glad you don't make movies.

Twue awtistwy is wost on yew wubes...

Posted by: Barney Fwank at December 19, 2011 10:29 AM (F26eZ)

238 I think that what people are missing is the similarities between The Dark Knight and current events.  Like; Did you know that in real life, Batman murdered his siblings just like Kim Jong Un.  Most people don't even associate the two.

Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at December 19, 2011 10:30 AM (jx2j9)

239 That was Batman Forever, right?

No, the Burton Batman movie with Catwoman was Batman Returns.  I think I'm one of the half-dozen or so people who enjoyed Batman Returns, despite The Penguin's grotesque origins.  The Penguin was much better character in the Batman Animated Series and even in the 60's TV series. 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 19, 2011 10:30 AM (9hSKh)

240 Because you got a blowjob? Yes, but not because of the movie. Although the movie contributed to the hot tears on my satchel, which felt really nice, but because the movie ended like this: Nothing. But. Net.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 10:31 AM (0yt4x)

241 Catwoman has never, AFAIK, been depicted as a revolutionary, or as having some philosophical commitment to bringing down the capitalist system.

Interesting observation. ...

Does Catwoman get naked at any point in this movie? 

Posted by: Phinn at December 19, 2011 10:31 AM (KNtHw)

242 Since this was an open thread before it became a batman thread after being a ron paul thread, for those who may remember me asking for advice on what to say to my 17-year old son about getting his ear pierced---I've already revoked my permission. Little shit got busted by dad Saturday night. He's lucky he still has ears.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 10:31 AM (Xm1aB)

243 Ben in the side bar got it right.  Don't settle - vote Perry.

Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at December 19, 2011 10:32 AM (jx2j9)

244

In The Dark Knight it was order and state control (albeit -- a quasi-state control imposed by a vigilante) versus chaos and anarchy.

Certainly that wasn't all you got from that film. I saw a whole lot more in it than that.

As for establishing Catwoman as an avatar for the OWS types, I would not jump to conclusions that her apparent viewpoint is being displayed as a good thing. Hopefully the end of the film will blow up her philosophy as hypocritical and ignorant, but my suspicion is it will be the stereotypical Hollywood ending with her being caught and thrown in prison but with Batman (and by extension the viewer) being forced to grudgingly agree that she was mostly right.

Posted by: Ghost of Lee Atwater at December 19, 2011 10:33 AM (JxMoP)

245

Never seen any of the Batman movies. Have no clue how many there are, but suspect its more than two. I recall a couple of times seeing one playing on TV as I channnel surfed past it as quickly as possible.

 

Thats all. 

Posted by: Jimmah at December 19, 2011 10:34 AM (TMeYE)

246 Is Catwoman's costume "perky" enough for Ms Hathaway?

Posted by: Jean at December 19, 2011 10:35 AM (WkuV6)

247 Someone school me on why Republicans still accept that either Bush was as bad as the left claims? I can't remember any of their claims about either administration that weren't eventually proven wrong and/or hypocritical.

Posted by: Mr. Obvious at December 19, 2011 10:36 AM (2uovW)

248

EOJ

Link fail.

Posted by: maddogg at December 19, 2011 10:37 AM (OlN4e)

249 I do remember being impressed by Gov. Bush when he took on the teacher unions in FLA and backed vouchers.

Posted by: Dave at December 19, 2011 02:27 PM (Xm1aB)

 

That is one thing I'll give him.  Actually, our nation's education system should be the number one priority on any candidates list of drastic changes.  Our public education system has caused more harm to this nation than anything I can think of right now.

J. Bush is an AGW believer, though.  And I could never vote for him.

Posted by: Soona at December 19, 2011 10:37 AM (AB6pF)

250 A comment thread is not a good place to learn history

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 10:37 AM (LgjGs)

251 Any one catch the end of Dexter or Homeland? Both sucked big time.

Posted by: Mike at December 19, 2011 10:41 AM (0hdwM)

252 Sorry, maddog. Fuckin' Blackberry's hard to do this with. Let's try this again

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 10:43 AM (l9zgN)

253 The best Batman was still the first run of animated series from 1994 & the first animated movie, Mask of the Phantasm.

The subsequent change of animation in the later series and movies under the direction by the same people making the Superman animation ruined what had been a top notch production.

I still think Mark Hamil's Joker from the first series & MotP as the best live depiction of the Joker ever in the spirit of the original character. Heath Ledger's depiction however was probably the best and most disturbing as an adaption to what the character would be like in the real world.

Posted by: Blue Falcon in Boston training for the ONT mudwrestling match at December 19, 2011 10:43 AM (ijjAe)

254 ...another breed of RINO.

Posted by: Your Inner Voice at December 19, 2011 02:28 PM (LgjGs)

Thank you.  Yeah, I always hated the term "RINO" because it implies Republicans are supposed to be solid tea party conservatives and it's never really been that way.  But if it fits anyone it's Paul.  Libertarian, Republican by name only.

Posted by: alidade at December 19, 2011 10:44 AM (xXhWA)

255

I enjoyed the Burton Batman movies.  They were, to me, what movie versions of comic books are supposed to be.  Over the top characters in a world that is only loosely connected to real life.

These Nolan Batman movies are too grounded in reality.  Which is depressing.

If I wanted a story based in reality, I would go ahead and live my own life for the next two hours, instead of sitting in a room full of strangers and watch a made-up story about the same sucky reality that I already exist in and experience.

I guess this boils down to personal expectations of what a movie is, and is expected to function as.

This is why I always explain to my wife that the reason I'm not interested in scary horror movies is, quite simply, that real life is scary enough.  I get enough horror reading news articles about people setting other people on fire in elevators.  I don't need a made-up bonus story along the same lines.

Contrary to all of this, I found the first Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes immensely entertaining, and I am hoping that the second one will not disappoint me.  Based in "reality," yes, but not a world I live in, so I guess that's where I find the escape aspect.

Posted by: reason at December 19, 2011 10:44 AM (F26eZ)

256 After nearly 40 years in public education, Patrick Godwin spends his retirement days running a horse farm east of Sacramento, Calif., with his daughter. His departure from the workaday world is likely to be long and relatively free of financial concerns, after he retired last July at age 59 with a pension paying $174,308 a year for the rest of his life. When it's all over, you'll wonder how you all could have thought you could live so large while leaving so little for everyone else.

Posted by: PR at December 19, 2011 10:44 AM (T7Z8q)

257 I thought The Dark Knight was pretty conservative, I think he's trying to fit villians into the real world. They need real world reasons for their actions, economic terrorism fits this. R'as has been drawn previously as an ecoterrorist so it doesn't really bother me if there motivation changes slightly. Oh yeah I think he's gonna kill batman at the end too.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at December 19, 2011 10:45 AM (tKFT6)

258

Since this was an open thread before it became a batman thread after being a ron paul thread

I'm pretty sure it's a thread about why nor luap should not play Batman.

Posted by: Mama AJ at December 19, 2011 10:47 AM (XdlcF)

259 >>>For me, Nolan's work is impressive technically but it always leaves me cold. There really don't seem to be characters in his films, only pieces on a chessboard getting moved around. Exactly, I should have said it this pithily. Even The Prestige -- I loved it, but it was so plotty. Still a great movie, but it has that "getting moved around like chesspieces" feel. I suppose I don't mind that because I had no expectations of these characters except to be chesspieces, whereas I have ideas about batman.

Posted by: ace at December 19, 2011 10:54 AM (nj1bB)

260 Good post Reason.

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 10:55 AM (lU2av)

261 I'm far more a sports guy than a movie guy, so the relative quality of comic book movies is not my thing. I end up seeing most of the big movies eventually and I remember thinking that at least one of the Batman movies totally sucked, can't remember which.

Posted by: Lincolntf at December 19, 2011 10:57 AM (hiMsy)

262

THe genius behind Nolan's Batman was the same genius that was in the Frank Miller "Dark Knight" and in the Daniel Craig Bond movies: they are more realistic.

These charachters are all supposed to inhabit the real world. The Deus ex Machina gadgets (really. fucking invisible, bulletproof car fight. really. Fleming weeps) just takes you out of the movie. I thought the message from the Nolan Dark Knight was very sympathetic to the conservative cause, though it also showed the potential pitfalls involved (which are true). I really don't mind him adapting catwoman to be more relevant to the story. Her contributions as just "thief" don't really add to any story. Done well, I don't think I'd mind it.

Posted by: Jollyroger at December 19, 2011 10:58 AM (NCw5u)

263 a trailer for the trailer

There is such a thing as too much foreplay.

Posted by: Waterhouse at December 19, 2011 10:58 AM (rOPwp)

264 Is it too soon to reboot the trailer for the trailer?

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 11:00 AM (lU2av)

265 So basically Catwoman represents Occupy Wall Street:  she wants all the fruits of labor without any of that pesky laboring.

Posted by: Chesty LaRue at December 19, 2011 11:01 AM (KTtrN)

266 Brian Dennehy did a great job as Anne Hathaway's rack in "Havoc".

Posted by: Waterhouse at December 19, 2011 11:02 AM (rOPwp)

267 Brian Dennehy has been in all of Nolan's Batman films. He takes over for Michael Caine in the distance shots and does many of the stunts, no lie.

Posted by: Blue Falcon in Boston training for the ONT mudwrestling match at December 19, 2011 11:05 AM (ijjAe)

268  She says to Wayne, "When it's all over, you'll wonder how you all could have thought you could live so large while leaving so little for everyone else."

You're over-analyzing this, ace. This is just standard occupooper rhetoric that Nolan has latched onto. You were expecting originality? From Hollywood?

Posted by: OregonMuse at December 19, 2011 11:06 AM (RsgV/)

269 So, what Ace is really saying here- is that Nolan mistook an asshole for a pussy.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 19, 2011 11:06 AM (XBdI0)

270

First off:  first 100 or so comments about Ron Paul?  WTF?

This is Ace's Movie thread..  heh

I can only speak to GWB hate as conservatives who supported him, as i did and do are terribly unsatisfied with his un-conservative squish domestic policies and spending like a drunken democrat to try and keep the Congress doing his bidding.  The democrats played him like a fiddle and he let them....   and he NEVER stood up for himself or his folks allowing the lies and BS to fester.

honorable man; lousy conservative   .     I didn't care much for his Dad, but he was better than the competition.   Likewise, Bush 43 was the clear choice over Gore or Kerry for sure....

Posted by: Yip OMG at December 19, 2011 11:06 AM (cQhQZ)

271 The Dark Knight actually got absurdly formalist, depicting Two-Face as a synthesis of thesis Batman and antithesis Joker.

Either the dialectic is subverted--rejecting the synthesis as undesirable failure--or you're misreading it, and simply shows what happens when someone doesn't resist the impulse to 'fall' (figuratively, before the literal).  It's heavily motives, too--Dent was ambitious, by default acting from selfish motives, while Wayne...well, that probably oversimplifies again.

As for TDKR, we'll see.

Posted by: NY-23 at December 19, 2011 11:08 AM (GBXon)

272 This thread begs the question: Who wins in a playoff game between 11 Nolan Dark Knights vs. one mini-Tebow? ....Mini-Tebow!

Posted by: Da Fans at December 19, 2011 11:09 AM (hiMsy)

273 *tssshhh* do not copy  --  over. *tssshhhh*

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 11:10 AM (lU2av)

274

259....I'm pretty sure it's a thread about why nor luap should not play Batman.

But he would make a great Penquin.

Posted by: wheatie at December 19, 2011 11:11 AM (HvKWW)

275 What kind of pinko commie uses the word "dialectic?"

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 11:12 AM (vzFJV)

276 It's interesting to see that a lot of people like Dark Knight better than Batman Begins. I was the opposite, largely for the reasons ace and some others are talking about - it is too self-aware that it's a movie about a theme - so heavy-handedly that the characters and the story were secondary to the "message." It's too early to tell about the new one but I have no reason to waste time/money seeing it at a theater. And yes, Catwoman was not a terrorist, or an occupooper. The whole trailer just pretty much confirms that Nolan is following the descent into the sewers that most of the comic industry started in the 90s, which I could not have objected to more. The "rises" thing looks to just be a play on words to the "fall" series, also the presence of Bane. And in the trailer, Wayne has an expression in every scene as blank and clueless as Matt Damon. Not promising.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 19, 2011 11:17 AM (bxiXv)

277
Exactly, I should have said it this pithily.

Even The Prestige -- I loved it, but it was so plotty. Still a great movie, but it has that "getting moved around like chesspieces" feel. I suppose I don't mind that because I had no expectations of these characters except to be chesspieces, whereas I have ideas about batman.

Posted by: ace at December 19, 2011 02:54 PM (nj1bB)

You were too busy talking about how "formalistically dialectical" Nolan's film making style to be pithy.  And I really don't understand your objections to characters being used as chesspieces.  They can still be written and acted to have a discernable and memorable character while also being pawns in a grand game/plot. And the assertion that the movies don't really have characters, like say ... The Phantom Menace, is flat out wrong on its face so I'm not sure why you would agree with BeckoningChasm about that.

Posted by: Sigh at December 19, 2011 11:18 AM (+mQW9)

278

227 Merovign,

I loved Batman Begins. Loved it more than any other Batman movie before it. I watched it over and over. ....Dark Knight was depressing. I watched it once, and had no desire to ever see it again.

If I want to be depressed.......I don't have to pay for a movie to help me out with that; I just watch the news. 

Posted by: wheatie at December 19, 2011 11:22 AM (HvKWW)

279 279......ack, that should be 277 Merovign. Sorry.

Posted by: wheatie at December 19, 2011 11:23 AM (HvKWW)

280

I knew they'd fuck this up

I agree with your assessment- when I go to see a Batman movie, I wanna see a Batman movie- the Batmobile, utility belt gadgets, battles with villains, damsel-in-distress  rescues, and the love/hate thing between Batman and Catwoman that was hinted at in the old TV series

 

"I get it- you're a gifted filmmaker- now STFU and make me a Batman movie"

Posted by: Jones at December 19, 2011 11:33 AM (8sCoq)

281 If I want to be depressed.......I don't have to pay for a movie to help me out with that; I just watch the news. Posted by: wheatie at December 19, 2011 03:22 PM (HvKWW) It's almost like we need a new film rating system D for depressing, P for heavy-handed polemics, M for mindless sarcasm, R for clumsily-inserted relevance to current events, PKD for slavish devotion to Philip K. Dick, etc.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 19, 2011 11:33 AM (bxiXv)

282 Also saw the pre-trailer for Prometheus, which should have been subtitled "It's really time for Ridley Scott to retire." Dude, you didn't redefine any genres. Calm down.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at December 19, 2011 11:36 AM (bxiXv)

283 @282:

Buahahahaha.  I need to write those down. 

Posted by: ConservativeMonster at December 19, 2011 11:42 AM (wYy6e)

284 where he falls down it's because he's overintellectualizing something that really isn't intellectual.

No, that's what you're doing here, Ace.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at December 19, 2011 11:44 AM (r4wIV)

285

If it's too overtly leftwing it will bomb at the box office, just like every other overtly left-wing film does.  I'm pretty sure Chris Nolan understands this.  My guess is he will do just as good a job as he did the last time leaving Left and Right arguing about which side won.  To me that is great moviemaking.  Real life isn't black and white, all good vs. all evil, and that is the core of the Batman story.  We have Superman as the all-good superhero.  Batman is the human, the guy with no actual superpowers which also means he is subject to human frailty, ambiguity, desires, and madness. 

Posted by: rockmom at December 19, 2011 11:45 AM (NYnoe)

286

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at December 19, 2011 02:43 PM (l9zgN)

Jeff, if you ever have to negotiate price for sitting through "The Notebook", know that it would be worth at least 2 BJ's and a round of anal. Be forewarned.

Posted by: maddogg at December 19, 2011 11:46 AM (OlN4e)

287 What happened to the days of Catwoman (Julie Newmar) trying to commit the purrrrrfect crime and get under Batman's (Adam West) utility belt?

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 19, 2011 12:01 PM (1Jaio)

288 Yes, overtly left-wing films bomb all the time.
Like that huge flop Avatar. Remember that? So transparently about evil western capitalist militarism destroying the noble, at peace with the earth, natives.

Come on, it was Dancing With Wolves in space!

There's no way Americans will flock to a movie about how much American sucks. What are we, a bunch of idiots?

I suppose there's some alternate reality where a left-wing propaganda film like Avatar becomes the highest grossing film in history, but thank god we don't live in that reality, amirite?

Posted by: Clubber Lang at December 19, 2011 12:04 PM (QcFbt)

289 I always get a kick when someone starts talking about not leaving any money for anyone else, if you add up those evil 40 richest people in the world Forbes talks about every year they're worth about 800 billion to 1 trillion. Sounds like a lot right? Well, it is, until you find out that the current amount of currency in circulation right now is about 10 trillion, 3 trillion of which gets confiscated by the US government every year. So "everyone else" has 3 trillion set aside for them every year plus another 6 trillion out there just waiting for someone to come and get it, so pardon me if i don't get all weepy for "everyone else".

Oh, and i lost hope for Dark Knight Rises when Anne Hathaway was announced as Catwoman, in a land of obnoxious hollywood people, she's one of the most obnoxious.

Posted by: booger at December 19, 2011 12:04 PM (EjNp5)

290 Oops, that should be richest people in America, not the world.

Posted by: booger at December 19, 2011 12:10 PM (EjNp5)

291 I'm disappointed at how shitty the CGI of Heinz Field's field collapsing looked. Seriously, that looked like some 2002 special effects. CHEAP 2002.

Posted by: deepelemblues at December 19, 2011 12:13 PM (Jov5i)

292 Come on, it was Dancing With Wolves in space!

That's funny I thought exactly the same thing when I saw it for the first time on Cinemax this week.

But damn it do look good.

I could only hang with it for about and hour though.  The pretty- pretty gets boring after awhile and then you're stuck with the silly-ass story.

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 12:13 PM (lU2av)

293 Yes, overtly left-wing films bomb all the time. Like that huge flop Avatar.

Congratulations, you found the one exception to the rule in the last 10 years and 1000 films. And why did people flock to the film? Because it looked nifty in 3D in the theater. Watch it now again and revel at how lame it is. A lot of these huge films do not tolerate re-viewing again very well.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at December 19, 2011 12:16 PM (r4wIV)

294 I don't get people thinking that because Catwoman's progressive the movie will be progressive. She is a villian, after all. I've seen some libs argue that The Dark Knight was conservative and totally hate it.

Posted by: JDTAY at December 19, 2011 12:19 PM (QiIwt)

295 Perry is probably going to perform better than polling in Iowa suggests, just given how he's camaigning.

It's time to volunteer for Perry if you support limited government.  He's the best on that one.

Just last year Romney was praising Obamacare for how it gets everyone on insurance, which I interpret as praise for the ind. mandate over the country.  This is the most blatant flip flop I've ever seen in modern politics.  We cannot trust Mitt Obamacare Romney.

Newt I can accept, but I think Perry's the toughest politician.  He's got the record to compare against Obama.  His case is simpler, but truer, and will resonate with folks much faster.

Plus he really aims to lead on reform, and that is the right way to go at this late stage in the progressive collapse Mitt Romney, more than any other Republican alive today, has aided, since he birthed Obamacare and so greatly aided it.

Posted by: Dustin at December 19, 2011 12:20 PM (rQ/Ue)

296 ^ dammit wrong thread.

Posted by: Dustin at December 19, 2011 12:20 PM (rQ/Ue)

297 Wonderful...

Posted by: Rodney C. Johnson at December 19, 2011 12:22 PM (5uGq7)

298
This Batman movie needs the "Bat Climb" with celebrity cameos.

Celebrities like Ellen, Whoopi and Dr. Phil would be pretty cool.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at December 19, 2011 12:31 PM (QMtmy)

299 This Batman movie needs the "Bat Climb" with celebrity cameos.

Celebrities like Ellen, Whoopi and Dr. Phil would be pretty cool.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at December 19, 2011 04:31 PM (QMtmy)


Only if they're falling out of the windows

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 19, 2011 12:32 PM (1Jaio)

300 Only if they're falling out of the windows

Actually, Whoopi falling out the window and getting impaled on one of the Batmobile's fins would be very cool. Then Alfred could tidy it up.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at December 19, 2011 12:36 PM (QMtmy)

301 Actually, Whoopi falling out the window and getting impaled on one of the Batmobile's fins would be very cool. Then Alfred could tidy it up.

You have redeemed yourself.

Posted by: eleven at December 19, 2011 12:40 PM (lU2av)

302

And in the trailer, Wayne has an expression in every scene as blank and clueless as Matt Damon. Not promising.

Dude...

Posted by: Keanu Reeves at December 19, 2011 12:41 PM (5npD/)

303

Impaled-impaled?

Posted by: Whoopi's agent at December 19, 2011 12:43 PM (5npD/)

304

I'm guessing the catsuit is going to need to show off the lack of hygine of typical Occupi, so at a minimum, it will need clever cutouts to show off the pit hair.

#OccupyCatwoman:  The world is my litter box!

Posted by: reason at December 19, 2011 12:45 PM (5npD/)

305

I didn't read all the comments so i don't know if this was said already, but the other thing you can't do with a Nolan Batman film is take what characters say their motivations are as their actual motivations.  Remember how the Joker told the story of how his face was deformed what, 3 times, and it was different every time?  It was the fact that he told the story differently every time and what kinds of stories those were, that told you more about him than knowing the literally true story ever could.

Just because Catwoman vocalizes that that is her mission statement doesn't mean that it is, or that Nolan intends it to be.  AND--that remains appropriate for a comparison with OWS, who dissembles their true selfish and narcissisitic motivations behind feel good, do-gooder rhetoric as well.

A lot of selfish people glom onto movements bigger than themselves for their own selfish reasons, and mouth words to make their evil choices seem justified.  There is not a contradiction in this case either.

Posted by: arminius at December 19, 2011 01:07 PM (cDnhR)

306 Ace, 2011: "I have to say, though, that I didn't love The Dark Knight"

Ace, 2008: "Honestly, I donÂ’t know how theyÂ’re ever going to top this film."

Posted by: Old Ace at December 19, 2011 01:16 PM (gVqQ3)

307 Some popular left-wing films -- typically the villain is some evil capitalist or uptight religious right or suburbia or just America. Most movies are left-wing, cause they are written, acted, and directed by left-wingers. (Doesn't mean they aren't good movies even.) Avatar Dance with Wolves JFK Apocalypse Now Norma Rae Silkwood Dead Man Walking The Insider American Beauty A Civil Action Erin Brockavich Born on the 4th of July The American President Fahrenheit 911 The China Syndrome Footloose

Posted by: Clubber Lang at December 19, 2011 01:32 PM (QcFbt)

308 Ace, 2011: "I have to say, though, that I didn't love The Dark Knight" Ace, 2008: "Honestly, I donÂ’t know how theyÂ’re ever going to top this film." Posted by: Old Ace at December 19, 2011 05:16 PM (gVqQ3) From where I come from, we used to call it "consistency".

Posted by: Mitt Romney at December 19, 2011 02:19 PM (7FA+I)

309 Some popular left-wing films

And all but one of them came out before 2001 - you can't count Fahrenheit 9/11 as a popular movie. It got horrible box office, it just was popular for a documentary. That's like saying the banana slug is the most popular slug. Hard left message films bomb now unless the audience can be dazzled into ignoring what is annoying the hell out of them.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at December 19, 2011 02:25 PM (r4wIV)

310 I was hoping he would have made her into a street-punk whore like in Batman - Year One.  Maybe she is playing a occuwhore...

Posted by: LurkingPoet at December 19, 2011 02:39 PM (dtnTq)

311 Wait a second... You guys think Avatar is a lefty movie? All in the eye of the beholder I guess. I chose to ignore the environmental themes and Avatar quickly turned into a biography about the father of the Democratic party: Andrew Jackson It was a highly stylized sci-fi version of the trail of tears! Add in some freaky-deaky sex scenes (Why do the blue people use their pony tails to ride horses, fly dragons, and get it on?)

Posted by: Engelwood at December 19, 2011 02:58 PM (3/vNF)

312 Um... Catwoman has frequently been portrayed as a revolutionary, ever since the late 80's and early 90's. Even in Batman:TAS. Generally they make her an animal liberationist or an environmentalist, but there's also the "Catwoman just hates everyone and everything except animals" version.

I really miss the days when Catwoman just enjoyed theft for theft's sake. She used to take pride in her craft.

Posted by: Maureen at December 19, 2011 03:04 PM (Z0eCR)

313 Of course, back then Catwoman had no superpowers and relied solely on her normal human acrobatic abilities, her devices, and her brain. This was part of why Batman liked her; also, because she was an Ordinary Decent Criminal, as the Brit police used to say, who was out for money without resorting to firepower -- not some kind of bizarre psycho out to kill people.

The fact that every iteration of Catwoman becomes more insulting to women, and less of a savvy cat burglar, is just the icing on a very nasty cake.

Posted by: Maureen at December 19, 2011 03:12 PM (Z0eCR)

314 Excellent, Im in the 300s on this one. Sorry Oh Master of the blog Ace, but one thing I try to do when viewing a flik like Batman is to obliterate my knowledge of all things political. I loved the joker and his over the top chaos theory. I live for shit like that in fliks and I got a heaping helping with Heaths character. Suspend reality once in awhile BossMan, its good for the soul.

Posted by: Rich K at December 19, 2011 04:02 PM (X4l3T)

315 What is a batman with out a JEF joker?

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321 Anne Hathaway has a degree in....wait for it..... Women's Studies.  Talk about knowing less when you leave school than you did when you got there.  The problem with these kinds of people is not that they don't know anything, but that everything they've learned is wrong. 

Maybe this isn't so much Nolan as it is Hathaway ad-libbing?

She's excruciatingly sexy and beautiful and it pains me to know that she's completely full of shit because I'd probably (definitely) still hit it...if I were single. 


Posted by: Lee Reynolds at December 19, 2011 07:40 PM (rJMw2)

322 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterfark of a miserable failure.

Posted by: corsets at December 20, 2011 04:39 AM (Wj3p5)

323 I must disagree. Nolan didn't push Two-Face into a role. The reason there's always been tension between Batman, the Joker and Two-Face is that they represent basically three extreme reactions to the same experience. All had their lives destroyed in a tragic event (although we never learn what the Joker's was in Nolan's telling).

Wayne responded by obsessively seeking to impose Order, so that no one else would go through what he did. The Joker seeks the opposite, sheer Anarchy. (This is why his relationship with Batman was remained so vital after decades and decades of face offs.)
He, in Michael Caine's memorable phrase, "Just wants to watch the world burn."

Two-Face rejects both these outlooks, as he becomes purely a Nihilist. He believes in nothing, that the universe is purely random, and thus surrenders the illusion of free will to his coin. This is why the scene where the Joker gives Dent the chance to kill him is so key. Dent becomes Two-Face in this scene, as he allows his fiancee's killer to leave unharmed after a coin flip, because no action Dent can make can possibly mean anything.

To someone who was livid watching Schumacher / Tommy Lee Jones' Two-Face continue to flip his coin to get the 'right' outcome, Nolan's focus on the essential psychology of these characters was thrilling stuff.

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Posted by: kadin at December 21, 2011 03:18 AM (wOHIa)

326 Ace ace ace, I think you've read too much into the trailer. It seems clear Catwoman appears to be a Occupy crowd, and I certainly expect the movie to be about Batman (who is a symbol for the America that has just passed - the one Bush led - it's no coincidence this movie is set eight years after Dark Knight) taking on the Occupy mentality - but Catwoman's character you just don't know. I think you'll see her basically realise she's nothing but a thief and join Batman at the end of the film. Dark Knight was a refreshing conservative movie which managed to get in under the radar. It was not about state-control, Batman was an analogy of Bush and his America, his government - which is why Batman carries out just about all the "controversies" Bush et al got themseleves into, the movie is a defence, a "it's not that simple" where it ends with Batman/Bush's america being hated < yet you NEED the guard standing on the tower, even though you claim you hate him. Clearly Nolan WAS subtle enough as most people just didn't get this, despite it being heavy handed (Batman literally doing rendition etc) - which surely means it wasn't heavy handed? The Joker was indeed an analogy for Islamic Terrorism - as Batman tries and fails to understand the Joker's motives. But Nolan(s) never lets the political subtext get in the way of a good movie. Which is why the Joker is also his own character (a Nihilist). The movie has plenty of flesh not related to the political subtext, which if it was too overt would receive the hatred of many Hollywood pals. It's first and foremost, a fun movie! Politics is secondary. The way a good movie should be.

Posted by: Poosh at December 22, 2011 08:37 AM (wblz8)

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