Joe’s Review: The Dark Knight

I’m sure that you guys have read tons of reviews of The Dark Knight. Yes, I should have had mine up earlier, but I guess I’m not supposed to provide opinions on movies before they come out because of the privilege I have of seeing them before they come out. But back to the reviews. Do I agree with the majority of them? Let’s sum up what they mainly say:

• The Dark Knight is awesome.
• Heath Ledger did an incredible job as the Joker.
• This is the best movie of the summer so far.

Uhhh.. YEAH. Those words definitely sum up what I thought of The Dark Knight. Honestly, it was a really incredible movie, very well done. DC comics has a definite hit in this movie, and it made the numbers that Iron Man put up look like nothing. Yes, The Dark Knight has set record after record, and I really feel that it deserves it.

This film picks up where Batman Begins left off. Gotham City, once overrun by crime, is starting to get some sense of order. With the help of Batman, the Mayor, Lieutenant Gordon, and the new D.A. Harvey Dent, the war against crime has an end that everyone can see. The mob’s money is being tracked, Batman is bringing people to Justice, and Dent is putting them away for good. Everything seems to be working out just fine, until a crazy guy who just goes by “The Joker” begins starting his own havoc. He doesn’t even seem to have any goal, he just wants to cause crime.

In steps Batman. He’s never faced an enemy like the Joker before, and has to use all his resources, and bring himself to the edge of his own morals to decide what to do.

I really really don’t want to spoil this for anyone, so I’m sorry if the synopsis I have there is a little lacking. What I can say is.. this movie is definitely worth seeing. There’s going to be a lot of talk about who is the better Joker, which one will really make more money, and which Batman movie is the best, but I’m not going to go there right now. I will definitely encourage you to make the trip out to go see it. The dark vision that Christopher Nolan was going for really worked. What this new franchise is providing is a deeper look into “who is Batman?”

Not everyone will agree with me, but for a character actor, Christian Bale really does Batman well. I’ve enjoyed his performances in the past two films, and I do hope that he continues in the franchise. I’m also going to say that I think Heath Ledger had a wonderful performance, and is deserving of all the talk of a potential post-mortum Academy nomination. You may not agree with me on that point either, but I would like to hear why, because I think he did a fanatastic job. It was scary how good that performance was.

If you’ve seen the movie, what do you think?

Rating:

- Best movie of 2008 so far!

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Why you should watch movies during Holidays

Holidays are a great time to go see movies, with a lot of major releases focusing around holiday time, when more people are free to go to the movies.  To go along with that theme, it’s a great time for families to go to the movies, since mostly everyone is at home during the movies.  Knowing that though, is it worth it to go on a holiday?  Let’s take a look at some of the pros:

Better Movies are Released During Holidays

This is true for the most part, but you can’t always guarantee quality.  A great example of a quality movie released during the holidays was the first Chronicles of Narnia. Narnia was definitely a holiday movie, with the setting of the movie in the winter time and all.  It definitely makes sense for a studio to release a movie at this time.. with more people home (as mentioned before), and better marketing opportunities available, especially at Christmas time.  I’d say that 90% of the Holiday releases are better than your typical fare, though probably not as good as the summer blockbusters.

More Time to Go the Movies, and it can cost less!

This is key.  A lot of times, people don’t want to go to the movies simply because they don’t have time (and cost).  The holiday season addresses both of these issues, at least partly.  Cost is a major contributing factor to the decline in moviegoing.  So why do more people go to the movies on holiday?  Gift Cards.  Gift cards make it seem like you’re not spending as much money because someone else gave you that money… you’re not spending your own.  When you get that brand spankin new gift card on Christmas day, what better thing to do with it than head to the movies to catch the latest release.  Most times, that card will even get you some refreshments!  Ok… maybe part of a drink or popcorn.

Time.. the other factor.  When you go to the movies, you generally don’t have to take care of much.  Getting yourself there, purchasing tickets, not extremely difficult things.  But, you have more time to do this during the holidays, and aren’t always rushing to make sure you make a movie on time, or rush so that you can make it home in time for work the next day.  Having this time is very conducive to going to the movies!

There are a couple things that I think lead to increased attendance on Holidays.  Basically, it revolves around convenience.  Studios aren’t stupid, and realize that people will go to see movies they wouldn’t have otherwise seen if they have the time to go do it.  Holidays provide this opportunity.

Take advantage of your holidays and plan accordingly.  Spending the day at the movies can be a fun, and often times cheaper experience than going on vacation!  Or.. drop the kids off, and let us take care of them for a couple hours while you enjoy your own little vacation..

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I Didn’t See Narnia Today :-(

I really wanted to see Prince Caspian today, and I even convinced the girl to see it with me! It must have been my viewing of What Happens in Vegas with her last week! I really enjoyed the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. I think it might have been the last one I went to go see by myself actually. I don’t know why I did it, but I really really wanted to see it at the time, and I think that kinda translated onto this movie as well!

Anyway, we were this close to seeing the movie. We’d just pulled up to my theatre, and found a nice parking spot when some random lady tells me to lower my window. Great… I was hoping she wasn’t going to complain about me parking next to her. She didn’t, thankfully, but instead gave me some information that kinda ruined my day a bit.

The theatre has no power.

BOOOOOOO! It’s going to be hard enough to keep up with seeing blockbuster after blockbuster this summer! Now I have to wait to go see Narnia. Hopefully I find some time this week.. but I don’t know. In any case, we headed back to my place and ended up watching the red sox, then heading out for dinner afterwards. I still had a good day! Even though Bed Bath and Beyond only had a dented version of the trash can I want to get for my room…

Any of you guys seen Prince Caspian yet? I’d like to hear your reviews if you get a chance. I think I might do my first video review with this movie. I just set up my tripod for my Flip Video Camera and I can’t wait to have some more fun with it. My previous videos have been pretty crappy because I’ve had to hold onto the camera, and I’m not the steadiest of hands.

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Random Thoughts :-)

Hi all.. I’m back again this week! I know, it’s a shock. I don’t really have anything to say about the movies for right now, but some of the stuff I’ve been up to lately. How about that? Well… even if you don’t want to hear it, you’re going to because I’m going to write it here anyway. Read more

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Just Thought I’d let you know

That Hell’s Kitchen is coming back on! The first new episode is on Tuesday, so don’t miss it. Of course, I’m gonna have to ask that you guys can’t spoil it for me because I have to work. I will, of course, be DVR-ing it, so I’ll be sure to make some comments on it afterwards.

Do any of you guys who still read this watch Hell’s Kitchen? Maybe I’ll make a weekly post about it, because I really really enjoy this show. I have to say that it’s one of my favorites. Gordon Ramsay is the man. I enjoyed his other show too, but I’m having a brain fart and can’t remember what it was called. Kitchen Nightmares! That was it. I loved that one. Dunno what it is I liked about those shows so much, but I do.

Now if only I could cook like him, I think my girlfriend would appreciate my love of the show that much more.

Get ready for Hell!!!!!! (’s Kitchen)

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The Drive Thru

I like drive thrus. Usually, they make things quicker, like getting my coffee in the morning. You ever run into someone who doesn’t know how the drive thru works? I think you guys known what I mean. This morning, the person in front of me neglected to order when he/she was at the speaker. They just continued to drive through. When they got to the window, they just took what was handed to them, paid, and left. Of course… this was my order. So the cashier handed me what the person behind me ordered.

It wasn’t what I wanted, so I made them get me a new one. I like my iced coffee. Anyway, it was surprising that the person in front of me apparently wanted the same thing as me because they didn’t change the order. It was a surprise to the people at the window though. They just seemed really confused. It could be a cool way to get a new surprise every day. Just go to the drive thru, and take the first thing handed to you, pay for it, and go. Even quicker! You don’t even have to order, lol.

Speaking of something you Drive Thru….I’ve always wanted to go to a drive in movie. You don’t really have many of these anymore, which is a shame. Now those screens were huge, and with the sound systems in some cars these days, you can get pretty good quality. Not to mention it’s much more private than a traditional theatre, and you don’t have to deal with the common annoyances in a traditional theatre. Could just be you and your lucky lady/guy.

Another perk about drive ins is that you usually get two movies for the price of one. Of course you do have to worry about the weather, but I wouldn’t mind during the summer at all!

That’s all for my short ramblings today…. new movie releases tomorrow!!! I should probably do laundry as well…I also just noticed that there is a turkey in the drive through in that picture above. Actually I’ve seen some wild turkeys recently. They’re not scared of anything!

Anyone who reads this ever gone to a drive in movie?

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Name that Blog!

Well, Mrs. Mandypoo has put us all to the task of naming her blog. I am personally a fan of the name as it is, but as well all know, change has to occur at some point. She’s even having a contest for a gift card to Starbucks for the person who has the best name for her blog! I think it’s a great idea, and I feel in a giving mood, so I’m going to add to the incentive.

First though, here’s my suggestion for Mandy’s new blog name.. how about MamaMandy.com? Maybe not the most creative thing in the world, but it eases the transition to the new name…. right? We all know blog names are important, and while I hope I win, here’s how I’m gonna help you out Mandy!

I’m going to get the domain for you, from GoDaddy, Mandy, for 1 year! All you have to do is drive people to comment on this post with a suggestion, and sign up for our (mine and yours) RSS feeds by email. If you can get 20 different people (not including you or myself), I’ll get you any one (non-premium) domain that you choose from the entries! That way you’ll have a great new domain name to attach to your blog, and hopefully some new subscribers!

The person who’s domain name choice gets picked will get a free movie ticket! Gotta have my movies attachment somewhere!

Pretty simple, I hope! Now get out there and get your entries in…our favorite Mommy Blogger needs a new domain name!

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Horton Hears a Who’s that behind me??

The answer to that question is nobod. Horton’s been kickin some butt. Man.. it’s been a busy weekend over here! I knew it was gonna be that way when people were lining up with their kids before we opened. Who really goes to the movies at 10 am? I’ll tell you. 185 people, kids and parents. And that was just for one movie. What I do like about the early morning crowd is that they’re really appreciative that we’re open early, and are generally very pleasant to serve.

I even found out that the weather does affect people’s decision to come to the movies. It actually went like this (directly from a guest)

1. We already wanted to go to the movies, but were going to wait for a late afternoon show of Horton Hears a Who.
2. Decided to leave earlier… but there is bad weather (rain).
3. Well.. don’t really want the kids at home all day, so this is good idea. Going to the movies keeps them out of the house so that it doesn’t get messed up inside.

I was surprised. I mean, we always think that the weather will make business pick up, but it must really be true. How about you? Does it affect your choice?

Actually, it’s pretty funny… I think that a majority of the people who read this… minus Fletch, don’t really go to the movies that often. What really goes into the decision to go to the movies?

Anyway, Horton has been going crazy this weekend. It’s going to be the top movie by far, which is kinda what I expected, but wasn’t completely sure. I guess I should have known because of how well all the kids movies have been doing recently. What’s nice is that kids movies always do well, but often they don’t even get close to being something that would be considered great cinema. I think part of great cinema is getting people out of their homes and to the movies. Without these types of movies, theatres probably wouldn’t exist!

The day continues on though, and things can’t stay good all day. The droves eventually overwhelemed the staff that I had working, and I was all over the place, selling tickets, concessions, and cleaning. And I still go to take the time to hear from several people that I wasn’t trying hard enough, that I needed to force people to come in. You try telling teenagers that you need help and they need to come in. Not as easy as you might think!

Got through it though, and I’m ready for it again tonight. Hopefully I won’t have as many complaints, and I will be able to relax a bit. I need to go see Horton now though….

That’s all for now, more tomorrow, including my pick for a name for Mandypoo’s site!

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Not Exactly Movie Related

Edit - I did not get my PR back… dang Google Toolbar. lol

But I got my Page Rank Back. Well, part of it. I’m a 2 now! Yay! I guess Google has recently noticed that I stopped doing paid posting… as much as I enjoyed the dinero from it. I want to build this back into a more quality blog, and it seems that Google is noticing this.

Definitely glad about this, and it appears that things are looking up.

Anyone else notice their Page Rank Going up? I started checking again after hearing some rumors about it over at One Man’s Goal.

I wonder how important it really is, this pagerank phenomenon. It’s weird because some people will base how good a website or blog is based on this, but I never really thought about it too much. I was pumped when I first started blogging and saw a 4, but then it dropped to zero and I found that I really didn’t care too much. I only post my update because I saw a lot of other people posting about it.

Anyway, onto a little other random stuff. I really want to preview a movie tomorrow. Right now I’m thinking 10000 BC, but I’m conflicted. There are definitely other things that I want to do tomorrow too. There’s a hockey game in Providence that I’d like to see… mainly because it features my beloved Boston University Terriers! My girlfriend has also invited me out on a date…. and I’m generally not one to say no to her. Too bad I can’t combine the three… or can I?

More tomorrow. Time for bed, folks!

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Not As Easy as You Think…

Phew. I just put together a barstool (kinda like this one on the left), and let me tell ya, that was a heckuva lot more difficult than I thought it was going to be. I was actually proclaiming it to be “impossible”. Well, I was wrong about that, but it definitely wasn’t easy. Swivel barstools shouldn’t be that hard to put together, but …. yeah.

What made it so difficult is that you have to actually swivel the chair and hold onto it while screwing the base in. I figured that since most barstools swivel pretty easily, that the swivel part would be easy to hold. I was definitely wrong. It was a two person job, maybe even three people if you don’t have a strong person to hold it together while the other people screw the screws in.

The part that made it frustrating was that after I sat down in it… it swiveled very easily. Why couldn’t it be like that when I was building it!?! It’s worth it though, it looks great at our kitchen island. I’ll post up some pictures of the house when its all cleaned up. It’s a little embarrassing how messy it is now… lol.

I was also wondering… would anyone be interested in having the Tuesday movie release update as a newsletter? I can still post it here also, but the newsletter could have more interesting tidbits… like a trivia section.. or contests! Let me know if you guys have any ideas about that. I’ve been toying around with the idea, I think it could be fun!

The bills are coming in for the new house. Home ownership is expensive, even if you only own 25%. lol.

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