tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post7598124857508882048..comments2024-03-18T10:29:46.055+00:00Comments on Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff: Dark Knight – Who Was Heath Watching?Ken Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-7436963239464270442021-06-16T04:12:07.260+01:002021-06-16T04:12:07.260+01:00Obviously Jack Lemmon and Tom WaitsObviously Jack Lemmon and Tom Waitsglen8phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08623479542062370888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-86603183121434582572008-12-14T23:59:00.000+00:002008-12-14T23:59:00.000+00:00Of course when you said "don't look at my blog", I...Of course when you said "don't look at my blog", I ran straight over. (How did this post miss my feedreader?)<BR/><BR/>Must admit I will never see this one. Scared of clowns for one, scared of scary movies for another! I covered my eyes when the wolves attacked Belle in Beauty and the Beast (yes, the Disney one).<BR/><BR/>And yep, that poster looks a bit like my face these days...yuck!Susan at Stony Riverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10385202649291774852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-82567381150715694822008-12-14T15:47:00.000+00:002008-12-14T15:47:00.000+00:00You should see Dirty Harry, Reggie. In its time, ...You should see Dirty Harry, Reggie. In its time, there was nothing to match it and it spawned several generations of movies.<BR/><BR/>ktales: welcome! I think, 'subconcious roll' may well be quite right.<BR/><BR/>Hi Linc: I'm sure he was meant to show up in future movies. The fact that Heath made the part so much his own, and then died, begs that question - who, if anyone, will do it now?<BR/><BR/>Jena: It is a dark movie - even the resolution is dark - don't we appreciate the light more after we come out of the darkness, maybe that's the value of dark entertainment?<BR/><BR/>Hi Jim: Interesting that - I can't see much 'John Lydon' in his portrayal but he should know, I guess...Ken Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-58621744085513271842008-12-14T11:55:00.000+00:002008-12-14T11:55:00.000+00:00Seems he actually based him on Johnny Rotten altho...Seems he actually based him on Johnny Rotten although I have no doubt as an actor his was familiar with both examples you give.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-84634511813973911502008-12-14T10:54:00.000+00:002008-12-14T10:54:00.000+00:00Hi Ken,It was a dark movie for me. Even most of t...Hi Ken,<BR/><BR/>It was a dark movie for me. Even most of the events seem to occur in the dark. It was okay but not that memorable for me. And I don't have that talent of yours in doing movie reviews. Thanks for sharing with us that talent. Cheers.Jena Islehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609925272840089993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-24441381192033181212008-12-14T03:46:00.000+00:002008-12-14T03:46:00.000+00:00watched it last 'knight' on dvd ... not a batman f...watched it last 'knight' on dvd ... not a batman fan ... but i really thought heath was incredible. i'm not a movie nerd like you guys clearly all but watching the clips i'd say you are bang one. (i mean that in the most affectionate way). my only worry is that not being a comic nerd either - what if the joker is supposed to show up in future sequels - who the hell could follow that? sorry about the punctuation and such - birthday drunk. my pencil - let me show it to you ...<BR/><BR/>/not as dirty at is sounds.Canuckleheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01140214439953571489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-50679982805641504602008-12-14T03:28:00.000+00:002008-12-14T03:28:00.000+00:00I can see the similarities on the characters on th...I can see the similarities on the characters on their, it may not have been a conscious effort but a subconscious roll also could have led to a similarity between the characters mentioned in the post. Unfortunately we'll never know.<BR/><BR/>good post,<BR/><BR/>ktktaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15810017104145576663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-81482774992227129662008-12-13T23:38:00.000+00:002008-12-13T23:38:00.000+00:00I didn't see that movie (Dirty Harry) but I might ...I didn't see that movie (Dirty Harry) but I might just have to see it after your review. Not that I'm in to twisted movies but I do watch a lot of CSI and other such murder mystery shows... so maybe I am into twisted things!<BR/><BR/>Anyway, that was a very fresh perspective on DK. I hadn't realised the Jack Lemmon connection until you mentioned it. Without even watching the video I knew exactly what you were talking about (I recently saw him with Marilyn in 'Some Like it Hot' - brilliantly hilarious movie).<BR/><BR/>I have to say, I'm even more impressed with you now and have to thank you for this fresh look. I love the DK even more now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-41991521769096669192008-12-13T19:56:00.000+00:002008-12-13T19:56:00.000+00:00Hi Andy, you had me salivating over your bacon but...Hi Andy, you had me salivating over your bacon butties earlier (no that is *not* rude). I'm glad you agree on Andy, I know you know your stuff!<BR/><BR/>Kat, I'll tell you again about my little error, I'm sure you'll smile. I haven't seen that original 'insomnia' - well, i saw a little of it but that doesn't count. I will keep an eye out for it.<BR/><BR/>Hi Matt: I enjoy seeing references and derivations but as you rightly point out, they only enhance the experience for me. I think a little tip of the hat to earlier material is intelligent and commentable. As you say, this is a fine film and I wouldn't want to leave anyone with anything other than that impression.<BR/><BR/>(isn't it great how I only get excited about movies months after everyone else has seen them? :) )<BR/><BR/>Hi Hope: Knight's Tale was good fun actually, I didn't think it was going to be from the trailer.Ken Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-27441921091168765622008-12-13T17:04:00.000+00:002008-12-13T17:04:00.000+00:00Interesting conclusions, probably right on. I say ...Interesting conclusions, probably right on. I say "probably" only because there are certain movies in life which have too much hype and thus kills my interest. I'm not fond of "dark" and it can be highly overrated.<BR/><BR/>That said, I'd rather have the picture in my head of a past "knight" role by Heath Ledger, the one he played in "A Knight's Tale". Lots of good music in that one used with great comedic effect. :)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for saving me money on movies I'd hate so I can shuffle it towards one I'd enjoy.hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03306622656461205674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-85778949359707886662008-12-13T15:43:00.000+00:002008-12-13T15:43:00.000+00:00Every movie is derivative. There are few unique p...Every movie is derivative. There are few unique performances that don't owe their pedigree to someone who came before them, as there are no more truly original ideals, just recycled ones with endless permutations.<BR/><BR/>Look at Revolution Road, coming out xmas from Sam Mendes (American Beauty), Kate Winslet, Leo DiCaprio and Kathy Bates---it's hubby Sam Mendes writing for Kate and Leo to get them the Oscars they deserve with an assist from Ms. Bates, but what it is is simply recycled American Beauty. Will it work? Maybe. But 10 years ago American Beauty was original. After countless knockoffs and last year's Little Children, I think they're fighting against the "been there done that" syndrome. It might be great movie-making, it might have great acting, it might have a great story, but movie goers are harder and harder to impress each year.<BR/><BR/>That being said, can the movie not stand on its own? Of course it can. The question is: was all the necessary care to establish the story, the settings, and define the characters given? Or does it rely on the American Beauty to fill in the gaps?<BR/><BR/>Batman: The Dark Knight, stands on its own. You don't have to see Dirty Harry in it for it to be a great movie. You don't need to see the school buses in Dirty Harry and connect them with The Dark Knight to make the movie great. The Dark Knight stands on its own. That it references other classics that came before it does not make The Dark Knight a remake or even derivative. It makes the Dark Knight even more than the sum of its parts, and by giving nods to classic movies and performances of the past, it hands out a hidden easter egg or two for those who can spot the nods.<BR/><BR/>Cheers!Matthew S. Urdanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15423237354496730048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-89656954738295898462008-12-13T14:57:00.000+00:002008-12-13T14:57:00.000+00:00Ken, whatever "prod" you may have gleaned, I assur...Ken, whatever "prod" you may have gleaned, I assure it you it was unintentional - I have no idea what you fixed.<BR/><BR/>Kat<BR/><BR/>P.S. Have you seen the original "Insomnia"? It's brilliant!Kat Mortensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877694888419628533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-22352178699528197822008-12-13T14:49:00.000+00:002008-12-13T14:49:00.000+00:00Thanks Kat, you know I love your comments, the mor...Thanks Kat, you know I love your comments, the more the merrier.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, particularly, for a gentle 'prod' showing me a rather basic mistake in my post which I have now fixed. You are very subtle and kind. :)Ken Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-8260581478943275482008-12-13T14:45:00.000+00:002008-12-13T14:45:00.000+00:00Andrew Robinson... yes definitely!I once heard rum...Andrew Robinson... yes definitely!<BR/><BR/>I once heard rumour that it was Robinson who was seeded to take on Ledger's role in the other film he was working on when he died (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), but ultimately Jonny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell were cast in different aspects of the role.<BR/><BR/>Robinson is another understated actor, from the Gemini Killer above, to the Cardassian taylor/spy Elim Garak of Star Trek: DS9.<BR/><BR/>True legends of hardcore acting, up there with Gary Oldman in my humble oppinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-33525627104681677672008-12-13T14:44:00.000+00:002008-12-13T14:44:00.000+00:00Sorry, I just have to comment again. I wonder if ...Sorry, I just have to comment again. I wonder if some film student somewhere has come to the same conclusion about the Dirty Harry Connection (good title, by the way) and is writing his/her thesis on it as we post?<BR/><BR/>KatKat Mortensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877694888419628533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6496460488742488789.post-91964910150271382452008-12-13T14:42:00.000+00:002008-12-13T14:42:00.000+00:00I didn't have to read any further - Andy Robinson ...I didn't have to read any further - Andy Robinson with the piercing "Scorpio"-eyes - the villain in the 1st (best) Dirty Harry movie. Yeeees!<BR/><BR/>Oh, but you also just nailed it with the Jack Lemmon (God, rest his soul!)<BR/><BR/>Sorry to say, I am not a fan of the Dark Knight (having come from the campy school of Adam West). Too gruesome - and I really detest clowns!<BR/><BR/>KatKat Mortensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877694888419628533noreply@blogger.com