A dark night in July

Rating: 10/10 (26 July 2008)

Have just watched this film this evening in the Electric cinema in Notting Hill (if you haven't been....book in soon, for what is probably the most comfortable and Movie centric cinema in London, if not Europe).
I will make this post short and sweet.
1. A disappointment from having listened to hype and IMDb ratings 2. Beautiful direction from Mr. Nolan (some of the best cut scenes and editing I have seen for some time) 3. Outstanding performances from all leading roles, notably, Bale, Caine, Eckhart and Oldman (who continues to deliver a resoundingly strong depiction of the uber-straight police chief Gordan)....also very notable is Maggie Gyllenhaal (Katies holmes replacement) who outshines her predecessor in spades (or jokers) 4.The films direction is so fast pace that towards the end of the film it almost overtook itself...from a viewers perspective...this could leave you feeling somewhat confused as to what is happening. Never the less the finale and ending was well structured, routing the Dark night into is place within Gotham and more importantly...the very successful franchise....left on a limb, so we expect more. 5. This Film sets a new benchmark for the comic book Genre and whilst I can absolutely, hand on my heart say that this is not the best film ever made (as IMDb and media reports have been claiming), it does put all of the previous production attempts in the Marvel/DC arena to shame & a tough challenge for the future to step up to this same calibre & level of production. 6.Ledger - Posthumous Oscar? - Maybe! The man delivers a truly absorbing and convincing performance, which not only firmly concretes this film together but keeps you guessing and transfixed on the persona that he portrays. A very disturbed and pchycotic individual he is too! 7. Moral Standpoints? Some have written that this film depicts and glorifies everything that is wrong in the world today....Excessive Violence, Knife crime, , extortion....disregard for society, not to mention using a School bus to facilitate a robbery. These comments have weight to them and the film touches on many taboo subjects which are not suitable for under 13's, in my opinion....but differ little from the norm in this and similar genres of film - 8. In summary, this film is hugely entertaining with plenty of surprises and great moments of cinema genius which will stay with you long after the film has ended.
Don't hype yourself up - view with an open mind and not what you have read and you will undoubtedly enjoy this film. (especially in your own leather arm chair at the Electric Cinema, Notting HIll !!)