Wow- watched Vantage Point last night. It is a seriously action packed movie, and I like the basic method of telling the story...you get one "vantage point", in the beginning, and then it rewinds the event and shows it again froma different vantage point; each time you learn more of the story. Lots of twists etc, and the chase scene is almost Bourne-like....Dennis Quaid does a good job in the main role of a Secret Service agent back too soon after an attempt on the Prez's life.
I think most of you guys will like it if you like action-dramas similar to Bourne Identity etc. It has some weak moments, but overall well done.
B+

later
TY

Anyone planning on seeing "The Dark Knight"? I'm not one for superhero movies, but everyone's been talking about just how good Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is, that my curiousity is piqued.

I have no desire but I am sure hubby and son will go. I am so not into superhero movies. What I will be going to see with my son is Space Chimps!

apparently it's a big deal around here, tickets are selling out for Batman showings. It's mostly teenager/HS student age range, from what my daughter tells me. One of her friends is going as Joker with full face paint etc....kids

I may go see it, I enjoyed the last Batman, thought it was much better than the previous versions. I'll let you know what my teenager says after she goes to it this week.

Speaking of my daughter, I had to work last night, so her and Mom watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding again (probably the 30 th time at least).
It does have some laugh out loud funny stuff in it. I'm not a big chick-flick fan, but it's up there with the ones I'll watch.

Rented Bank Job today, looking forward to it.

Later

I plan to go see it. The trailers look very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed Batman Returns - far better than the Tim Burton series.
As for the superhero movies, I am very selective about which ones I'll watch. Some just seem so hokey. Others very cartoonish - and not in a good way.

Anyone seen Hanc*ck?

Saw "The Dark Knight" over the weekend. Great action movie but perhaps a little over hyped (because not much else is out worth seeing)?

No question, the Joker steals the whole movie. He was superb!! In fact I would say if it wasn't for him I would have ranked the movie a little above average. Granted it is based on a cartoon but the plot was ridiculous and I'm not a fan of Christian Bale. The Bruce Wayne character is over-the-top cocky and the Batman voice sounds like Clint Eastwood with emphysema. Still a good movie though.

I happen to catch Bareback Mountain on sattelite Sat night only hours after seeing Batman. Hard to believe the difference in Heath Ledger's characters. No doubt the guy was destined to be a great actor.

Report from my teenage daughter about it- seems all of her age group from local high schools pretty much converged on the local theaters this past Friday night for the midnight showings and overwhelmed them. That probably enhances the experience far more than just watching the movie, is seeing it with several hundred of your closest friends but she said it really was good, her best friend loved the last Batman anyway, and said this one was a definite "buy" for her. So, from her and her friends, it's a definite go see.

Finally watched Bank Job with Jason Stratam (sp?), you may remember him as Handsome Rob in the Italian Job...since it was partially based on a true story, it has some validity in the story line. Which, overall, is a great story. But- it should be rated double R (if there was such a thing)or X even, due to some extremely graphic scenes, basically pornography. If you can get past all that, (which is fundamental to the story but filmed in way too much detail) it is a pretty good bank heist movie.

later
TY

I recently saw Vantage Point on DVD- really liked that one. The pacing was nice, and at what seemed like less than a 90 minute film...well worth the time spent.

The Dark Knight however...leaves me with a different perspective. I won't give any plot spoilers away, but I came away grossly underwhelmed. I told myself I wouldn't go in with great expectations...but I did anyway (**shame on me for buying into all the hoopla**), and left the theater unsatisfied.

I loved Batman Begins (and still feel it was a superior movie in almost every way), and I expected to be blown away by the Dark Knight. Man, was I disappointed! Heath Ledger stole every scene he was in. I happen to like Christian Bale (although I LOL at the comment about the voice of Batman being annoying!) and I still think he is a great fit for Batman.

Some of my buds are calling this one of the greatest movies ever made. This leaves me seriously scratching my head, because I think the first installment was better than the sequel. What this movie really lacked was engaging dialogue. The effects were nice, the action was plenteous, the background music is effective, but I found myself not really caring what happened to any of the characters. To me, this is a classic indicator of failed character development and poor dialogue.

My advice...wait for the Dark Knight on DVD. It's def. worth a rental.

Fendercaster - Your summary is dead-on correct and a better description than what I typed. The movie was all about the Joker's character and the action itself (pyrotechnics and violence). Very little to do with storyline/plot and character development. Yes, no question Batman Begins is a better, more engaging storyline and quite frankly I much preferred Casino Royale, War of the World and Mission Impossible 3 as far as action movies go. Don't get me wrong it doesn't suck and is worth seeing....just very over-hyped.