Sunday, July 20, 2008

The battle with me and The Dark Knight-

*(Note- I love Heath Ledger. When he died, I was sad. I couldn't believe it. He was one of those that I thought was untouchable. I am not celebrity obsessed, I assure you, but this is one guy that I have always loved. Matt knows, he is aware of this, so don't be worried about this. He even crafted a picture of me and Heath together and left it on my dresser. I wouldn't usually blog about this, but I feel like doing it, so here goes)
72 hours later, I am still not sure if I liked it or hated it, so I am going to write my thoughts out. Beware, if you haven't seen it and want to, I am not hiding any secrets here. I had been debating if I wanted to go and see the Dark Knight. I don't love SuperHero movies or Action movies, for that matter, and this was a mix of both.

Maybe it was the mix or maybe it is because we went and watched it at 11:59 Thursday night, but I am still brooding over it.
There was so much hype and since I love Heath Ledger, I gave in and went with my bros and a couple other teenagers. Matt, was smart and slept instead.
But, you see, I like Heath Ledger when he looks like he does in that picture up there. When he is smiling, laughing and well, cute. But, I knew this was the last film he finished and I have to admit, I wanted to see what all the hype was about.
I left the theatre feeling disturbed. Maybe it was because I had just watched 2 hours and 45 minutes of things blowing up. Maybe it was because Batman sounded like he was growling under his suit. Maybe it was because the girl died, yeah. What Superhero can't save the girl? come on! This is a movie, and I expect it to play out as such. SAVE HER! Maybe it was because there was so much going on, I was confused. Maybe it was because the Commisioner was supposed to be dead, but then he wasn't. Maybe it was because the good guy turned bad and started randomly killing people. Maybe it was because everything was happening so fast that I couldn't follow what was going on. Maybe it was because me and this other girl were texting each other and wondering when we were going to break down. Maybe it was because a hospital got blown up or maybe it was because Heath was unrecognizable. I know that is a good thing when someone plays a character and you don't recognize them, but it was truly creepy. The joker was pure evil. I had to cover my eyes. alot. I felt guilty because I wanted the joker to die, but Heath was already dead. I wanted to blame the character.
I was bothered because people in the audience laughed at some of the evil stuff he said. I didn't think it was funny. I wanted to not know that it was him acting. It was amazing in one way, but so sad in another. I know, I know, I am giving this way too much thought, but when people ask me if I liked it, I don't know what to say. I am confused as to how to explain it. It is just so dark.
So, I am still confused, but felt better when I watched this Video on youtube. Now, that is how I want to remember him.
I wasn't really prepared for what I saw. I know it is just a movie, but he was a real person. I know there are alot of other things I should be thinking and pondering about. I know it really doesn't matter in the scheme of things or in my life's big picture, but that's what I am thinking and feeling today. So, yeah, that's it.

6 comments:

Jared and Katy said...

I saw the movie this weekend and let me re-assure you...you are not crazy. I had the same feelings you had...you beat me to it in writing your post. I felt the same way when I watched it although what was going through my mind more was that I hoped the Joker died in the film so that no one else would have to play Heath Ledger's role. And then the other thing that made me sad was that the Joker was a role he never played before and this would have really shot his career on fire because you must admit as dark as he role was, he sure played it VERY well! Ok I could continue you type, but maybe you should just call me. Then we'll feel better...(check you facebook) :)

Mary Ann said...

I do admit that he played the role well, and I think that made it harder to accept, because he was completely unrecognizable.

Trishelle said...

Thank you for the book scoop!! I'm eager to dive right into Bhutto's book. She was an incredible, forward thinker who even after her martyrdom has great potential for change. Her assassination was so shocking and devastating. In the days preceding her death she continued her fight knowing it could very well end her life. I watched the news broadcast just heartbroken. Yet it gave her message a greater urgency. It made people start taking notice.

Okay, as for 'The Dark Knight', I really appreciate the synopsis of your impressions. I have been having the same debate myself. It was really sad to see the promotionals for the film include the very unsettling interpretation of The Joker. He looked so menacing, so evil.

It got me thinking about how much I used to love the Batman movies (yes, yes, even the George Clooney one). I wondered what happened in my life to change the way I feel about these action-packed, super-blow-up-in-your-face movies. (still a sucker for Transformers though...it's a childhood happiness).

Possibly, it is because I had kids. Suddenly, it became more important to surround them with joy and to sheild them from the worst aspects of this world; blood, gore, violence against women and children, everything this movie depicted. There is so much of it in real-life that perhaps when we take the time to suspend our reality, we want to have fun, be happy and go back to our lives feeling a bit refreshed (for lack of a better word).

Maybe we also don't want to have the memory we have of Heath Ledger, a talented entertainer, to be that of a sadistic sociopath who represents everything we are trying to protect our families from.

So, those are my two cents and just know that you are definitely not alone in that assessment.

Trishelle said...

PS That is a great pic of Heath Ledger. He looks so happy.

I added you to my bloggin' buddies too! :)

Jaime said...

gosh, he is so good-looking in that pic, it's just so sad. i probably wouldn't like movie then, if it makes you feel anxious and it's that evil.

africa said...

I am so glad that I am not the only one. I don't know what to say when people ask me if I like it either. I don't know and it was very disturbing the girl sitting next to me. I wanted to smack her and ask her what was wrong with her.