Before The Dark Knight came out, I remember reading something about how Jack Nicholson was angry about all the positive buzz Heath Ledger's performance was getting.  Because Jack wanted to be remembered as the best Joker ever for his performance in the Tim Burton version.  Well, sorry Jack.  We all love you, but your Joker seems so tame now.  Heath Ledger's version feels like the real one, the only one.  Good luck to the next guy playing The Joker!

Steve McQueen

Image source

He was one of the all-time greats of Hollywood and gave a new face to the Western genre: Steve McQueen. His cool demeanour was his label and made him an idol for young actors and fans worldwide. His first film appearance was in Somebody Up There Likes Me in 1956. His fame was made with The Magnificent Seven. One of his most famous movies was Getaway where he starred besides Ali McGraw. His yearly average income these days is estimated at $6 million.

Marilyn Monroe

Image source

Her name stands in for the word sexy: Marilyn Monroe. Her first film appearance was in Dangerous Years in 1947. Her fame was made with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. One of her most famous movies was Some Like It Hot. Privately she was unhappy and lover to a President and his brother. As a singer she was just plain awful. Her yearly income these days is estimated at $6.5 million.

Andy Warhol

Image source

His name is synonymous for pop art: Andy Warhol. His colourful screen prints of celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, or Audrey Hepburn are known to everybody. Actually he was very talented as painter, photographer, and videographer, but these expressions of his art are widely ignored. He is estimated to earn $9 million a year.

John Lennon

Image source

His name is a legend in itself: John Lennon. He is one of the members of the unforgettable Beatles, husband to the aristocratic and eccentric Yoko Ono, a fighter for peace. After the split of the Beatles, he became successful as a singer and songwriter in his own right. Just imagine he is still earning $9 million every year.

Dr. Seuss

His most famous figure is the Grinch: Dr. Seuss. His children's book The Cat in The Hat is still a favourite in the United States. His many books and comics are still selling. Estimated income from his writing and drawing is at $12 million a year.

Aaron Spelling

One of the most famous producers ever was Aaron Spelling. His series are cult. Whatever he took a hand to was made to money. Starsky and Hutch was a big hit even in German, after all the fun had been translated out of it. And of Charlie's Angels we must face further spinoffs, I think. His income a year is estimated at $12 million.

Albert Einstein

His name is used instead of the word genius: Albert Einstein. His physical theories changed the way we look at the world today. He was not only one of the most brilliant scientists of all time, but also one of the best earning ones as well. Put in relation to the income of the top earner of this list, it's relatively small, but his income these days is $18 million a year.

Heath Ledger

Brokeback Mountain put his name on the map: Heath Ledger. Coming to the screen in some rather quirky films, he made it big with Brokeback Mountain. He was nominated for an Oscar for the role of a gay cowboy in that movie. His last role as Joker in Batman - The Dark Knight made a legend of him. His income this year is estimated at $20 million.

Charles M. Schulz

Image source

Peanuts are money, too: Charles M. Schulz. His Peanuts conquered the world and have enriched children for it. They also generate a yearly income of $33 million.

Elvis

Image source

The King: Elvis. Even though he lives, he tops this list with ease. Even his awful films are still being shown. His acting potential was on a par with Marilyn Monroe's voice power. His estimated income is at $52 million a year.

Jack Nicholson's 'Joker' character in 1989's "Batman" directed by Tim Burton, was dark and psychotic as 'The Joker' was in the comic books, but it was very cartoonish.  However, it was stylish with all of the gags and "jokes" and antics that Nicholson's character would use.  However, there was a major flaw in Burton's version.  'The Joker' didn't kill Bruce Wayne's parents.  It was very animated in Tim Burton's style of filmaking.  One could almost always recognize a Tim Burton film without knowing that Tim Burton made it.  Heath Ledger's portrayal of 'The Joker' had a much darker approach in Christopher Nolan's depection of "The Dark Knight", the highly successful sequel to "Batman Begins" also directed by Nolan.  Ledger's 'Joker' was beyond crazy.  He was completly insane who just happened to be an anarchist at the same time.  Now that's dangerous combination.  Christopher Nolan in a lot of people's opinions as well as mine, got 'Batman' right as far as how the stories should be told. 

Nolan got all the key facts of the 'Batman' saga right.  'Joe Chill' killed Bruce Wayne's parents.  Audiences also learned how 'Batman' acquired all of his cool gadgets and the 'Batmobile'.  Not every villian was killed off.  We got to see Bruce Wayne's struggle between being the socialite who yearns for a normal life and his calling to be Gotham City's guardian and protector. Nolan's vision of Batman is exactly how I always read the Batman comic books.  It wasn't outlandish but at the same time, it wasn't dull and plain.  It was dark and brooding and more realistic as it should be in my humble opinion. There were however, many humorous moments in "The Dark Knight" which Ledger stole every scene he was in.  Some scenes were not meant to be funny but you couldn't help but laugh. 

Are we as society so messed up in our heads that we laugh at something beyond the norm in film but in reality, we gasp?  Or was it that Ledger had the perfect delivery for his role?  Hard to say really.  Probably both.   Batman was never intended to be a ridiculous cartoon character or the campy, hip Batman such as Adam West's portrayal of The Caped Crusader in the 1960's Batman television show.   The point that I am trying to make is that one cannot compare Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker to Jack Nicholson's.  They are two completly different styles.  Two different visions.  They weren't even remakes of the same movie.  The two plots were completly different.  I am however, more partial to Nolan's vision, because that was the version i always read in the comics. 

I'm sure that people would feel the same way about Burton's version because of the style it was written during that time period.  I'm not going to say that one was better than the other.  I have my opinion which I'm going to guarantee is a lot different than anyone elses.  I'm almost willing to bet that right now you as the audience is thinking, "Is this guy a complete nerd?"  That's okay because i know i am.  However, if being a nerd is what keeps me going, then so be it.  Today's lesson, don't compare the two different styles, compare the original to the remake.

He fully through himself into the part and held nothing back. From his snake like tongue flicking to his Gruesome acts of violence I left the movie wanting to see more of the joker. But unfortunately that won't happen because Ledger died. I really hope that in the next movie they don't give some one else Heath's part. It would be a Terrible mistake.

One thing I don't get is why this movie is rated PG-13. Although the language isn't bad and there isn't much blood, There are a ton of disturbing deaths and many violent fights. This is an R rated movie. I would not recommend it for anyone under age 12. But this is a classic movie and its goes in my top 3.

I'm not going to go into great detail here, because I assume you all will see this movie. Christian Bale is back as Batman, and though he does a fine job, the star of this show is undoubtedly Ledger's Joker. This is a villain unlike any we've seen before. He is thoroughly uninterested in money and power, the usual drugs of choice for Gotham's crime lords. He is an anarchist who thrives on chaos. He relishes evil, and his greatest pleasure is in revealing the capacity for evil that resides in all of us, especially in those who seem to be incorruptible. He is the most terrifying sort of villain: he is completely insane, absolutely brilliant, he has nothing to lose, and really, nothing to gain. As he himself puts it, he is the immovable object to Batman's unstoppable force.

This film explores with unflinching candor the human capacity for evil. But perhaps hitting closer to home is its depiction of good people faced with overwhelming pressure to compromise. It is impossible to miss the parallels to our nation's current struggle against terrorism. To what depths will we sink to eradicate this threat? As Batman says, "I've seen what I would have to become to fight men like him." Another character, before fully realizing the import of his words, says, "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

I could go on an on. Suffice it to say that you must see this film.

A word of warning to parents out there: Dark Knight achieved a PG13 rating because there is no sexuality, no foul language that I can recall, and the violence is, for the most part, insinuated. There's no blood onscreen--which, if you ask me, is the most effective way to induce squirming in an audience. What I imagine will always be worse than what you can show. The tension is interminable and at times, almost unbearable. We realized at the end that we had been tensed through the entire thing; our muscles literally ached. This is not a movie for kids. But it is the best movie of the year so far.

Director, Christopher Nolan, also introduces another well known Batman villain, Harvey Two-Face. The motivation he used to move Harvey from good to evil is certainly questionable. On top of this, Harvey seems to be too attached to his girlfriend to catch on to what's happening around him fast enough. However, Nolan's portrayal of human frailty is so strong I will say it's almost believable. I thoroughly enjoyed Christopher Nolan's examples of relationships gone bad, crazy clown's who play mind games, and a heroes conflict with who he is and who he wants to be.

Christian Bale brings a lot of new humanity to Batman, but with it also came a new sound to come out of Batman's mouth. In Batman Begins, Bale dropped his voice and added more breathe when in the Batman costume and took it to the extreme for the Dark Knight. I can understand the need to disguise his voice so that the blind can't identify him, but the voice disguise is pushed a little too far. Thus an attempt to intimidate the enemy becomes comical. Voice problem's aside, I do like the way Bale brought back the Micheal Keaton Batman, and made him seem just a pinch more vulnerable.

I'm giving the cinematographer two thumbs up on his beautiful camera work. You feel as though you're there with the cast. You follow the Bruce Wayne out windows and down buildings; it's as close to being Batman yourself as you're going to get. The director who brought you “Memento”, “Insomnia” and most recently “The Prestige,” continues his refreshing, more serious Batman, giving us all a break from the silly, wannabe-comedy Batman as brought to us by Joel Schumacher. The Dark Knight's week Two-Face motive and comical Batman voice are countered by a strong and engaging story line, wonderful camera work and new perspectives; wich is why I'm giving The Dark Knight a B+.

So, I guess what I'm saying is neither did a better job than the other but in this last Batman movie. It wasn't Heath Ledger playing The Joker. Heath Ledger WAS The Joker...

1. Go to the bathroom beforehand. You don't want to be sitting in the theater with your bladder about to explode, and you definitely don't want to miss one moment of the action in your dash to the bathroom.
2. Don't buy a drink. Alright, a lot of you might think that's going a little far, but trust me on it. The movie is over two and a half hours long (which is longer than most movies these days) and if you get a drink you'll definitely need to go to the bathroom by the end. There isn't a moment in the movie that someone should miss - so make sure you don't!
3. Don't bring your baby or any very small children. A lot of little kids obviously want to see the movie, but if they are still at an age where they cry easily you shouldn't bring them to the theater with you. It's likely that they'll cry with scary characters like Joker in the movie. Keep the experience enjoyable for yourself and all of the other people watching the movie; if you have a baby crying in the theater people will get angry, and you'll have to leave which will make you miss the movie.
4. Don't wear big hats. This isn't as much a tip for this movie, but common movie etiquette. If you wear a big hat it could block the view of the person behind you, and that's just inpolite
5. If you're going to talk, whisper. Okay, we all know that it's a really exciting movie, and you'll definitely want to be talking about it with you're friends as all of the juicy action takes place. Please, if you're going to talk make sure you whisper, because not everyone in the theater wants to hear your commentary.
6. See it during the week while everyone else is at work. If you get a day off for some reason, this is the best time to go see The Dark Night, because there won't be many people at the theater since it's the middle of the day. Otherwise, I'm sure it'll be jam-packed.

Anyway, I had honestly been waiting to see this film for an age, having an interest in all things Batman from TV shows to comics to films from a young age, the prospect of Batman being in the mass media once again was immediately tantalising right from the start, and I have to say I wasn't disappointed.

Without giving that much away I will attempt to portray how I felt and still feel about viewing the film. Nolan's cinematography and direction to me isn't rivaled by any of his contemporaries as it creates a sense of the unique. His camera movement is poignant yet pacy and his editing raunchy yet realistic, which adds to all his films a dimension his rivals arguably can only lust for. It is this which allows the actors he employs to grace us with such outstandingly original performances. Most of the attention of course is piled on Heath Ledger and his posthumous Oscar prospects, and without a doubt, he sure deserves the nomination and the chance of winning it. His performance hits you like a bullet in the head, his makeup looking like the tissue Jordan wipes her face with gives him that deranged edge that his almost Pearl Jam hair and comic book dress reinforces. As the Joker he tops even the almighty Nicholson, as this cerebral personification of criminality oozes a darkness so emaciating that even the staunchest of Saints begin to sympathise with him.

Other indoctrinating performances from Bale, Gyllenhaal and Caine are also present but for me were all outshined by the actor I least expected to be amazed by. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face simply blew my head off, well half of it at least. As most of the film we see him portraying Dent we get a chance to fully understand the dichotomy between the two personalities yet also the similarities, something also applicable to the character of Batman himself, who arguably takes a backseat when on screen with the two villains of the film. Dent's transformation into Two Face however was the pinnacle of the film for many; a scene so fiercely anticipated by the audience that when it arrived no one quite knew which facial expression to form. I merely gawped in awe at the first sight of the left side of Eckhart's face, as it rained down a sickening euphoria that satisfied the darker side of me for a long time afterward. From then on, the schizophrenic slaughter that ensues is mind numbing with the hyperbolic actions of the Joker contrasted with the euphemistic ones of Two Face, ending the film in a climax too insatiable to spoil.

Regardless of all its positive aspects I have to say the film disappoints in its length carrying sometimes unnecessary scenes and repeating a problem shared by The Return of the King, this being an ending often looked in sight at various points but just never came when you expected it and was eventually undermined by the action. This combined with my own personal dissatisfaction with the screen time or lack of it of Dent as Two Face did leave me a little down, however the pros outweigh the cons and there sure are a lot of pros.

Overall, there is no doubt that the film will be a success and no doubt that I will be buying it on DVD as soon as it is released, the only thing I do doubt however is that the next set of Batman villains will be able to compete with either of Eckhart's or the late Ledger's performances, who for me really summed up such a great Summer film.

Why so serious?

Because it simply is that damn good.

First of all, The Dark Knight is not a superhero movie, well not the kind where the characters are omnipotent and out of this world. The character of Batman in this film is undeniably human, vulnerable to physical and emotional pain and capable of making wrong decisions, as he showed while beating up Joker in the interrogation room, relentless, angry and vengeful for loosing the love of his life, Rachel.

Think of The Dark Knight as another true to life story of a cop who performs his duties as protector of the community in a little bit exaggerated plot. Bruce Wayne's ((Christian Bale) alter ego is gifted with the technology, training and great brains (including his) his huge fortune can afford.

The Dark Knight looks and feels very human, a powerful force that effect in its viewers the connection, unusual in Marvel or DC-inspired movies. In this sequel, Batman was confronted with uncertainty, torn between his one rule to keep his secret identity and putting a halt to the rampant, useless killings of the Joker just so he would show the face behind the mask. He was lucky enough that one person, of Henry Dent (Aaron Eckhart), sacrificed to be a fall guy, to literally save his face in the last minute. Dent the new DA of Gotham City, Batman's love rival, because of his faith in Batman's ability to protect Gotham City from lawbreakers, including the still standing international mobs, never let him give in to the Joker's whims.

In the end, Batman's inner goodness triumph over his dark side, so he didn't kill Joker. The movie was not able to establish whether Joker was captured or he escaped again, but it might be a prelude to another sequel. For now, I don't mind.

Joker, the name will stick with Batman but the actor is legendary. Heath Ledger is the best Joker so far, even better than Jack Nicholson in the Dark Knight. He is a complete distinction from the bell-ringing, headdress wearing nuisance that we grew up with. But of course, the plot is also very different from the previous Batman so we couldn't really compare.

Anyway, I love Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker, its excellent, well rendered and very convincing. He is despicable, purely evil, a true scion of Satan, out to sow chaos to the city, play with Batman;s conscience and test the morality of the people of Gotham City. He succeeded only with Henry Dent who became the avenger Two-Face, but with everyone else, Batman included, he failed. The citizen of Gotham didn't let their selfish part take over their fair judgement when they decided not to blow the ship holding the criminals of Gotham, shattering the grand ploy of the Joker for a midnight fireworks.

The Joker has his own share of misfortunes, like any else in this world, when his father slice the sides of his mouth during a fight with his mom and his wife despised him. I felt the sadness in his eyes concealed behind the scary make-up. Joker was driven by his own tragedies to execute his evilness but relied on Batman's own goodness for his life. He knew Batman will not kill him.

You will feel for him, get mad at him, loath him but he is undeniably funny in a sarcastic kind of way, and he makes sense all the time. That kind of reality in his jokes provokes even the straightest guy in the film, Batman and was able to transform the audacious DA of Gotham into a guy of darkness.

You would wish Ledger lived long enough to witness his confirmation as a real and A-list actor through his portrayal of the Joker.

As for Gary Oldman (Lt. Jim Gordon), Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhall (RoseDawes), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth) and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) rendered plausible performance, as expected from top calibre actors, to establish the personality of Batman and give totality to the movie, although their performances are overshadowed by Ledger's performance.

The cinematography doesn't veer away from typical Hollywood action flick, but of course it is also a requirement for the movie. Kudos to Bale for standing at the edge of one building, held only by a thin steel string, for the sake giving the audience real thrill.

The lighting is superb, very Batman. I especially like the scene where Two-Face is holding hostage Gordon's family and only the side of his face is shown.

I miss the OST though, they didn't play it so much in this movie, or I was just too engrossed with the acting.

The make-up is fantastic. Ledger has to go through an hour of preparation for the silicon plastered in his lips but it made a lot of impact and conviction in his character while Two-Face's make-up or animation is simply wow!

Some Spoilers (It Can't be That Perfect)

There is one editing glitch in the scene where Wayne is stitching himself from dog bites; the cutting of the scene while he was looking down is quite awkward.

The scenes where Batman is scanning the whole building with hostages that looks like the Joker, while chasing the real one is too long and boring at some point.

Car chase is very typical, but again, that is what Batman is all about, the self-destructing car and the Bat-pod. Where else to showcase all these nice motors but in an all too familiar, overrated highway scene?

Nonetheless, Batman is my new favourite superhero and the Joker is my all time antagonist. The movie is definitely worth every cent and I'll probably go back for another ride. And don't forget to grab the original DVD once it came out. Everyone should have The Dark Knight, Heath's legacy.