Merry Christmas Guys and Gals

Some Men Just Want to Watch the World Burn

"The Dark Knight," the second installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman reboot is the best superhero movie ever made. In fact, the sequel to "Batman Begins" is the best film I have seen this year. It is closer to a crime epic than a superhero film. The audience is launched into a Gotham City on the brink of collapse. It has been brought to this point by the self-described "agent of chaos," The Joker played by Heath Ledger. In a film full of spectacular performances, especially by Christian Bale and Aaron Eckhart, Ledger's Joker stands out as a classic villain performance. Constantly licking his lips and walking with an animalistic hitch in his step, the Joker emerges fully formed with no back story or motive. He asks, "Do I look like someone who has a plan?" and mocks average citizens who try to make meaning out of their existence, "I'm a dog chasing cars. I don't have plans. I just do things. I'm not a schemer." He is pure id, pure anarchy. What is particularly interesting is the suggestion that it is Batman who is complicit in the escalation of Gotham's violence. The Joker tells him as much, "You've changed things... forever. There's no going back." The symbiotic relationship between the Joker and Batman transforms "The Dark Knight" from a standard superhero film into an existential meditation. We see the toll Bruce Wayne's personal mission has taken on him and his loved ones. Batman is Gotham's Dark Knight. Aaron Eckhart plays its White Knight as Harvey Dent, a courageous District Attorney who is the symbol Gotham needs because he can inspire good. Unlike Batman, who only inspires fear and a string of incompetent copycats. Nolan does an exceptional job of maintaining tension and strikes the right emotional note at every turn. The film's moral ambivalence and downbeat ending does not come at the expense of the action which is worthy of a Batman film. Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Maggie Gyllenhaal all turn in excellent supporting performances. See "The Dark Knight" and see it in Imax.

"Why don't we cut you up into little pieces and feed you to your pooches? Hmm? And then we'll see how loyal a hungry dog really is. It's not about money. It's about sending a message."
~The Joker

I Work Through Pain

It's no secret to anyone who reads this blog that I am somewhat looking forward to The Dark Knight. Okay, I would marry that movie if I could. I bought my tickets today to see it on Imax this Saturday. I wanted to see it on opening day but I have to work and a couple friends wanted to go out Friday evening. Even a huge nerd like myself couldn't justify picking a movie over socialization so I'll have to wait until Saturday afternoon. How will I do it? I fully expect this movie to cure cancer, heal centuries old rifts in the middle-east, and satisfy you sexually. Umm... I'm just saying my expectations are high.

My expectations are so high that I bought "Gotham Knight," an animated Batman film meant to bridge the gap between "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight." Visually, "Gotham Knight" is pretty slick. It has a pseudo-anime style with a more western sensibility. I wish the six interlocking stories were a little deeper. Instead, they feel short and underdeveloped. I also wish Christian Bale's voice could have been used for Batman for the sake of unity but substitute Kevin Conroy does a fine job. The stories generally provide glimpses of how Gothamites view Batman and the myth he has cultivated. Check it out if your a Bat fanatic but it's not essential viewing.

Here's the trailer:

Why So Serious?

Full disclosure: I'm an enormous Batman fan. I have been one since I was a child. Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns ranks among one of my favourite books let alone comic books. Of all the superheroes, Batman is the most relatable because of his tortured psyche and absolutist moral code. I was very impressed with Christopher Nolan's revamp of the film series "Batman Begins" and I can't even begin to write how stoked I am about its sequel "The Dark Knight." It features two of my favourite actors in Christian Bale and Michael Caine and, sadly, features the last performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker. I'm looking forward to this movie so much that it can't help but disappoint. Or could it? Rolling Stone has an early review and it is positively glowing. I can't believe I have to wait until July 18th to see it.

Here's the trailer:

Spring Hiatus

Hello loyal listeners,

I'm just writing to let you guys know that I'm going to the Canadian east coast for the next week or so so I won't be updating the Buddha until May 29th. Good luck navigating the blogosphere without me.

But seriously, don't forget about me!

Until then, let me tide you over with the first look at Heath Ledger as the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie. Holy John Wayne Gacy, Batman! I'm going to have nightmares!

A Serious Threat from the Joker!

Most people know that Heath Ledger will be playing Batman's achvillain, the Joker, in the upcoming movie, "The Dark Knight." However, I wonder if director Christopher Nolan will find a way to work this Joker gem from an old comic book into the new movie:

What? You had to expect juvenile humour at some point, right? It can't be cool music and political debate all the time...

I'm Sorry.

Comics! Comics! Comics!

A few years ago, I wrote an article for Access (the Ontario Library Association Magazine) about the ten graphic novels that every library should have. You can read the article on the OLA website (go to page 52). However, I've thought that I left a few deserving titles off the list. Therefore, to assuage my nerd guilt, I decided to post two new lists that I feel represent the best of the genre. I've divided the list between Superhero and Non-Superhero books: Superhero:

1. The Watchmen by Alan Moore: Simply the best. The only graphic novel to be included on Time's 100 Greatest Novels list. The Watchmen is one of my favourite books, let alone comic books, period.
2. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
3. Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb
4. Arkham Asylum by Grant Morrison
5. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore - V is every bit as much of a Superhero as Batman
6. Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb
7. Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore
8. Kingdom Come by Marc Waid
9. The Death of Superman
10. Batman: Year One by Frank Miller

I know I'm heavy on the Batman but he's just the best.

Non Superhero:

1. It's a Good Life, If you don't Weaken by Seth
2. Maus by Art Spiegelman
3. Jimmy Corrigan: Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware
4. I Never Liked You by Chester Brown
5. Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
6. The Golem's Mighty Swing by James Sturm
7. Louis Riel by Chester Brown
8. Blankets by Craig Thompson
9. From Hell by Alan Moore
10. Sin City: The Long Goodbye by Frank Miller

I also recommend Scott Mcloud's Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art if you're just getting started.

There, I feel vindicated now. Finally I can sleep again.