thedubbs's Xanga

Steven Curtis Chapman is a class act

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:53:03 GMT

Last night I went with my brother and brother-in-law to the "United" tour with Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith at DTE Energy Music theater.

First off, I have to confess that I was ignorant of who the opening act, Matthew West, was. I had heard him in the background at FCS but never really listened to his music. I have to say I dig him and I'll have to get one of his cds sometime soon.

As for Steven Curtis Chapman, he proved to me last night that even if I haven't dug all of his recent cds (although "This Moment" is growing on me), he is a classy guy.

I'm sure most of you know about the tragedy that took place in his family earlier this summer. This was only his 2nd or 3rd concert back after that and I think he was well aware that it was not only the elephant in the ampitheater, but that it was going to be impossible to be genuine without bringing up the struggle. So he came out very low-key and sat at the keyboard and confessed that he has struggled greatly in the past few months, doubting everything he believes and asking questions he never thought he'd ask but that he was confident that the answer was found in God.

He then said that in the moments following the tragedy there was one song that immediately came to mind and that he didn't think he'd ever be able to stand before an audience again and not sing it. I was actually thinking he'd then start singing one of his songs, like "With Hope," but he actually led the crowd in the worship song 'Blessed be the Name.' And when you are standing watching a man who's had his family torn apart and had to face something no parent should ever face, there's a genuine power in hearing the words 'you give and take away' come through. It was a classy and moving way to start the evening.

Unfortunately, the rest of the show didn't go so smooth. I don't know if was the hot weather or recent storms or what, but the power kept cutting out once he started playing his songs. Again, this is something that I think proved his classiness. Instead of immediately leaving the stage and refusing to come out until the problem was solved, he fought through. He came out three times and started playing...and the power cut out at the very end of all three songs. Finally, when it became apparent that the show would most-likely not go on, he stood on the edge of the stage, without a microphone and said there was still something he needed to say. He pulled out a Bible and read from a Psalm (I couldn't hear which one) and then I heard him thank the audience for all their prayers and thoughts and that the evening needed to be a reminder that it wasn't about SCC or Michael W. Smith, but about God, the source of real power.

We waited about an hour to see what would happen, but it was becoming pretty clear they wouldn't be restarting the show. Finally at about 9:45, with only minimal power running, Michael W. Smith and SCC came on stage and announced that they regretably had to cancel the concert but would try and come back soon. Then SCC played three worship songs on his guitar while Smitty led the crowd in singing. I think it was very fitting that the only songs they were able to finish that night were not penned by them, but were worship songs written by someone else. I would love to see these two tour on an acoustic set.

So yeah, it was a bit disappointing that the concert was cancelled. But then again, I also was able to see how much class, integrity and passion these two guys have.

Cdubbs

Movie Review

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:26:10 GMT

So, I guess embargo doesn't really mean anything anymore, as nearly every paper is filled with "Dark Knight" reviews today...the film does, after all, open at midnight tonight--but good luck trying to get a ticket.

So rather than keep all of my Constant Readers in suspense, I figured I'll draft up my thoughts, even though my official review will run in the paper tomorrow.

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008, Dir. Christopher Nolan, PG-13)

The lion's share of the hype surrounding 'The Dark Knight' concerns Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker. It is, of course, the last role that Ledger completed before his accidental death in January. And it was his first major role after being nominated for an Oscar for his work in "Brokeback Mountain." Even before any critics had seen the movie, there was buzz throughout the Internets that Ledger was going to turn in an Oscar-winning performance as the Clown Prince of Crime.

And the hype, for once, is valid. As restrained and low-key as his work was in "Brokeback," here he's completely unhinged, maniacal and terrifying. He's not a cackling goofball ala Caesar Romero and he's not a one-liner spouting ne'er-do-well like Jack Nicholson portrayed. Here, Ledger is covered in grimey, decaying makeup. His face is scarred and his green hair hangs in greasy tangles while his yellow teeth sneer at everyone else. And he plays the role fiercely, telling jokes that only he laughs at, most amused when he can cause mayhem, death and destruction. He gets a kick of torturing people with the various stories of how he got his scars. He's not in it for money or power...he only wants to see society unravel and watch innocent people turn into murderous beasts. Ledger is not only is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination next winter, but he's created the iconic portrayal of one of pop culture's greatest villains; it will be hard for anyone else to take on this role in any medium ever again.

But it would be a mistake to focus solely on Ledger's performance. Everything about Christopher Nolan's sequel to "Batman Begins" is perfect. It's becoming cliche now to say that "The Dark Knight" is not just a great comic book movie, but also a thrilling crime drama, but that's the honest truth. A friend texted me after the screening to ask for my thoughts and what I would compare the movie to, be it "Iron Man" or "Hellboy 2." As bizarre as it sounds, I told him, comparing it to another superhero film doesn't work. This film has more in common with crime epics like "Heat" or "The Departed" than anything else; and lest you think I'm off my rocker, I've seen the same comparisons come up in several conversations with fellow critics.

While I love "Batman Begins," I feel it never quite escapes its superhero trappings, mainly because Nolan feels the need to put in a few cheesy sight gags and reaction shots, as if he doesn't trust that the material can stand alone seriously. It's still a great comic book movie, but I never feel it truly transcended the genre the way Nolan was hoping.

There's no comic relief in "The Dark Knight" and, despite its 155-minute run time, there's no time to catch your breath. Some have complained that the movie is overlong, but I disagree; yes, a shorter movie could have been made. But shortening any portion of it, or saving the final 30 minutes for a sequel would rob the movie of its emotional, nearly operatic, complexity. It's a crime epic in every sense of the word and it works because Nolan trusts his themes, develops his characters and knows exactly how to play the audience like a piano.

I've been surprised that the advertising campaign for the film has focused so much on The Joker and not played up Aaron Eckhardt's role as newly-elected District Attorney Harvey Dent. It's Dent who is the major hope in the story. In a city where nearly every official is corrupt, he's the last hope for Gotham. He's an earnest and pure character who hopes to put Salvatore Maroni (Eric Roberts) and his crime syndicate behind bars for good.

For Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), that's great news. If Dent can truly make a difference and inspire the people of Gotham City, then there's no need for a masked vigilante. Batman could retire and Wayne could settle down with love interest Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal, replacing talent-void Katie Holmes). Dawes loves Bruce, but she knows about his nighttime actions and so she's begun dating Harvey Dent.

The film's first 30 minutes develop the hope that Dent could truly make a difference and lead us to believe that maybe Batman actually can step aside. That would certainly be good for Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and Alfred (Michael Caine), who have to pretend that they are not helping Batman. It would also take a load off of Sgt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman), who officially has to state that helping "The Bat-Man" is wrong; but at night he turns on the Bat Signal anyway, even if Batman doesn't always show up ("I hope it's because he's busy," Gordon says).

But Batman's actions have had unintended consequences. On the one hand, the criminals of Gotham are terrified to go out at night and reduced to meeting in dingy basements. But on the other hand, more sinister, diabolical criminals have shown up, ready to challenge this new hero. They only want "to watch the world burn," as Alfred said.

We've already seen The Joker at work in a wonderfully timed and exciting robbery sequence that opens the film. Joker has hired several goons to help with the robbery and then has them knock each other off one at a time until he's the last one standing. "I believe that whatever doesn't kill us makes us...stranger," he sneers at the bank teller (the great William Fichter) before shoving a grenade in his mouth and driving off.

The Joker doesn't want order; he wants chaos. He demands that Batman reveal his true identity; for every day that he doesn't, someone will die. "I'm a man of my word," Joker promises. He's not interested in killing Batman--he believes they need each other ("you...complete me" he tells him, becoming the only person to successfully recite a line that had grown old 10 years ago). But he is interested in bringing everyone down to his level. Everyone has a psycho in them, Joker believes, and his job is to bring that out.

And no one will be left unscathed by his actions. Halfway through the film, the Joker does the unthinkable and suddenly we're left with the realization that this film is not going to play by the normal blockbuster rules. Characters will die; and those who don't will be forever altered by the madman's actions. Joker may not be the lead character of the film, but he's the catalyst of everything that occurs. Here is a film where actions have consequences and even the most exhilerating action sequence--there's a wonderful chase scene halfway through--have a tragic undertone to them.

Nolan's a born story-teller. He showed that as early as "Memento" and even his biggest blockbuster efforts, like "The Prestige," are notable for their intricate, airtight plots. Here, he tells a complex story about actions, integrity and what we need our heroes to be. Yet it never once feels pretentious and he never once loses the audience. He takes care in making the characters as realistic as comic book characters can be and then makes us invest in them, no matter how inevitable their downfall might be. It's worth noting that any Batman fan worth his/her salt is aware of what ultimately becomes of Harvey Dent. Nolan's gift is not just in making it a gripping plot element, but a genuine tragedy. Eckhardt is so wonderful in the role that when he reaches his character's inevitable turning point, we don't want it to happen because we seriously believed he would be the one last hope of Gotham.

The film is beautifully shot. Even though it was filmed in Chicago for a majority of the scenes, it always feels bigger. It's not Chicago, but Gotham. But just like he did in "Batman Begins," Nolan makes the city feel real and inhabited, not the soundstage, gothic set pieces of Tim Burton or Joel Schumacher. Those who have the opportunity to see this in IMAX need to jump at the chance; something as simple as an aerial shot of Gotham City is breathtaking when put on a 70-foot screen and the Joker is utterly terrifying and larger than life when he's that big.

Bale, Caine, Eckhardt and Freeman are great in their roles, solid as usual. I worry that sometimes Bale is going to turn into the next Samuel L. Jackson, just jumping at any film that comes his way (I still don't like the idea of him taking on the long-stale "Terminator" franchise). But he always surprises me with his investment to every role (he was robbed of an Oscar nomination for "Rescue Dawn" last year). He once again juggles the gravelly voice of Batman and gives Bruce Wayne a dilemma in juggling his playboy lifestyle with his other responsibilities.

But it's Ledger who will be remembered, highjacking this movie. It's a fantastic film--tied right now with "WALL-E" and "The Visitor" as the year's best--but it is propelled even farther whenever Ledger is on the screen. It's tragic that we lost an actor who only recently began showing such promise and range; but it's fitting that his final performance is the one we will remember him by--it's the best of his career. Grade: A+

Chris's Classics for the weekend of 7/18-7/20

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:38:22 GMT

Like I said last week, I'm changing Favorite Film Fridays into Chris's Classics each weekend. And I'm going to start posting my choices for these on Thursdays to give you all the opportunity to watch them over the weekend as well.

I'm hoping that soon I'll delve into some older films, but this week I am going to watch one of last year's best films, simply because it's so overlooked that people need to see it while it's still in the new release section of the video store (once they're moved, they tend to be forgotten).

This week's Classic movie is going to be. . .

Thank-HIM Thursday #5: Movin' Out

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:34:54 GMT

Throughout the course of these Thank-HIM Thursdays, I've been focusing on broader things, not necessarilly specific blessings I've had. I wrote about my gratefulness for being an uncle, my job and other things.

Today, however, I have a very specific opportunity to be thankful for that leads me back over the past two years to see God's faithfulness, patience and grace.

Today I signed a lease for an apartment. On August 29 I will have the keys to my new place and I will move out, just a smidge under two years since I moved back to my parents' home.

Those blessed few who have followed this blog since I started keeping a Xanga in September 2004 (I had a blogspot for a few months prior) actually know that this is not my first time leaving the nest. In June 2003, more than five years ago, I moved out with my then-best friend to an apartment in Warren. We were roommates in two separate apartments for a little over three years until he got engaged and moved out. During my time at the apartment I made a career change, which took a chunk out of my income. That, coupled with the fact that I was, honestly, not ready for life on my own at the time, forced me to move back home in September 2006.

Constant Readers of this site know that it was a humbling experience to move back home, but it was also very necessary. When I had moved into my apartment in 2003, the week I moved in I was already $300 in the hole. I never got a handle on spending and so I lived paycheck-to-paycheck. When I was working at Verizon, that worked, because I was being paid significantly more (plus I had a nice $3,000 bonus each year that pretty much took care of me for the year). But once I started working at the paper, I couldn't keep doing that and I ended up wasting money and getting in the hole.

So moving home was an admission that I had failed. It was an admission that I needed help and, honestly, an admission that my dream job wasn't necessarilly going to be enough to get me by.

And over the past two years I have struggled with contentment. At times my relationship with my parents has been strained as we've sniped at each other, sometimes over little things, sometimes over bigger ones. I've resented working two jobs because it was more admission that I needed extra cash. And mostly I resented living in the same neighborhood where I had grown up, telling friends from high school and college that I was still living in the same place.

And yet, I was so wrapped up in my pride and anger that I couldn't see what God was doing. Through the help, guidance and hard accountability my parents provided, I started getting money back in the bank while still paying $300 a month in rent. I began paying my credit card down. I had Christmases that didn't devastate my checking account. And the kid who couldn't even bring his bank account to a zero-balance now found himself rarely dipping under $1,000.

But my attitude still sucked and I looked desparately for a way out. There was a close call with a job in Florida that never panned out. There were roommates that didn't quite work. And I would get angry and frustrated, wondering why I couldn't have the independence I craved and was supposed to have.

And then that turned into laziness, a belief that unless I had a job that paid more I would never move out. So I got complacent. And although I wasn't as angry, I wasn't motivated. And I wasn't happy. I wasn't happy at work because I knew it was keeping me at home. I wasn't happy at home because all I thought my parents did was nag me about a new job.

And then, somehow, God began working a change in me.

And yes, I know it was God. There was no outward change in my life that forced me to change my attitude. No miraculous change. But suddenly, I became content--yes desired more. I looked at my finances and realized I could move out, but I'd have to be disciplined, keeping my nose to the finances. I began not just to accept having a second job, but to be thankful for it because God was allowing me to make some extra money at a place that actually isn't too bad. I began to see how wasteful I had been before and how I was being frivolous with my spending...how I could say hundreds of dollars just by not buying DVDs and CDs and bringing lunch and coffee to work.

And I began to see that my parents desired--and deserved--their empty nest. That if my brother and sister could settle down and have families and be fiscally responsible, then the only thing stopping me is my attitude and greed. And suddenly, the idea of living sparingly became not just challenging, but exciting. And I felt a motivation to get life in order. To move forward and be responsible. And to take action for my life.

And then God opened the doors. At first I was deflated, because the apartment that seemed like my only chance (the one I mentioned last weekend) was a dump. And I began to worry that my only hope was going to be to settle for something less than desirable. But God, in His grace, refused to let me get discouraged. And in seeing what I could afford, I began to look around. And that led me to two apartments on Monday. Both are very close to work. One was nice, but small. The other was practically my dream apartment--surprisingly affordable in a beautiful area of town, on beautiful grounds in an area where I didn't think I'd ever dream I'd be able to live. Within walking distance of a wonderful downtown area, a great walking trail. The grounds has a creek and a pool and fitness center. And I began to pray that God would show me whether this was His will.

I took several days to think about it...not necessarilly by choice, but because work was hectic all week. But by the time I woke up today, I felt confident that I could do it. So I went out to the complex on my lunch hour to apply. And while I was doing it, I heard the secretary have to deny someone. And my heart began to pound. My credit isn't atrocious, but it ain't great. I didn't know if I could stand the embarassment if I was denied and I, most of all, worried that if I was, I would see that contenment begin to disappear. So I prayed that God's will would be done and that my spirit would be content no matter what. And five seconds later she came back and said "Congratulations. You were approved." And I almost got out of my chair and hugged her. I get the keys Aug. 29, in a little more than a month, which gives me a month to get ahead and be prepared. I'm hoping that with my birthday coming up I'll get some IKEA or Target gift cards or some cash to get some of the odds and ends I need. And then when I move I'm praying that God will keep me moving forward and keep me diligent and also keep me motivated for looking for better-paying work and freelance opportunities.

So this is a thank-HIM not just for the apartment, but for the circumstances I'm moving out in. I'm not moving out bitter, but motivated. I'm not moving out because I'm angry or frustrated but because I know that I need to take responsibility and that my parents deserve it. And I'm moving out a different person than I was when I moved in, more content and aware of my circumstances, knowing the dangers that await me in terms of financing and the wonderful opportunities to grow closer to God in the silence I'll have in my apartment.

So I'm thankful. And I'm thankful for the prayers that I know will accompany me so that my second time out will be my last time out and I can be a faithful steward taking his next step.

Cdubbs

Catching up on a Tuesday

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:59:16 GMT

I am so exhausted today. It was my first day back in the office after an extended weekend and I don't know that I topped to breathe once. Don't get me wrong: it was a good, fun busy. But still, it was extremely busy and I'm extremely exhausted. So I'm happy to get to relax by sitting down and watching a few episodes of "The Office" on TBS.
I love Kevin's line "I had Martin explain to me three times what he got arrested for...and it sounds an awful lot like what I do here every day" in the "Convict" episode from Season 3.
Speaking of "The Office," I had the opportunity to meet and interview Rainn Wilson, who plays Dwight Schrute on that show, today. He was in Detroit doing press for his new movie "The Rocker" so I was able to participate in a roundtable with a few other journalists. Very nice, down-to-Earth guy and and a fun interview. I was a little disturbed when I asked to take a photo for the paper and he jumped and posed on the hotel bed. But it was a pretty good interview.
It was very funny to listen to Rainn talk about the final scene of "The Office" last season. Those who watch the show know that the cliffhanger found Dwight in a compromising position with ex-girflriend Angela, who had just gotten engaged. What I didn't know is that the actress who plays Angela was 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time they filmed that scene, so Rainn spent a few minutes explaining the logistics of how they had to find the proper location for "humping," as he put it.
Also interviewed a local resident who is in the final three on HGTV's "Design Star" TV program, Trish Beaudet. I had spoken to her briefly when the show started but this was an in-person interview, which I thought worked a lot better. Very nice interview, and I think the story should be good.
I have so many stories waiting for me tomorrow that it's not even funny!
Thankfully, I can celebrate after my deadline is done by going to a press screening of "Step Brothers," the new Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly film. I think it looks absolutely hysterical.
I had time to rethink my position on "The Dark Knight" last night. And you know what? I'm still absolutely sold. One of my coworkers asked me to compare it to another movie, like "Iron Man" or "Hellboy II." But the best way to describe it is closer to "Heat" or "The Departed." It's seriously a straight-on crime film, not a comic book movie. It's smart, exciting, tragic and superbly entertaining.
My only concern is that people are going to focus so much on Heath Ledger's work as The Joker. And yes, he's utterly fantastic and terrifying; he redefines the character and creates one of the best screen villains ever--he's a lock for a best-supporting actor Oscar nomination. But my fear is that people are going to focus so much on his work and forget how great Aaron Eckhard is as Harvey Dent and even how strong Christian Bale continues to be as Bruce Wayne...and Gary Oldman as Sgt. Gordon. Seriously, I could even see this being considered for a Best Picture Oscar nomination, although we'll see how everythig shapes up at the end of the year.
Going to a Michael W. Smith/Steven Curtis Chapman concert with my brother and brother-in-law on Thursday. Should be a lot of fun, although I'm surprised SCC is getting out and doing concerts so quickly after the tragedy that took place earlier this year. But it should be a good concert.
Why can't I get excited about the new "X-Files" movie? I hope it's good...but I just am not sold on the trailers.
So yesterday my brother and I were driving down the freeway on the way to the movie. And as we're driving, we see a man standing on the side of the road. "What's he doing?" my brother asked. As we got closer, we found he was just standing on the side of the road, relaxing in the summer sun without a care in the world. The only problem? He was buck naked.
Alright, that's all I've got. I'm tired.

Cdubbs

A great 'Knight'

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:15:18 GMT

Oh how I wish I could go into detail about 'The Dark Knight,' but I'm sworn to secrecy until Friday.

But it's finally happened: a comic book movie has become a masterpiece of serious filmmaking, blending deep themes and personal crises into an unrelenting, suspenseful, dangerous and supremely entertaining movie.

This film is going to be huge at the box office, of course. But I wouldn't be surprised to see some end of the year awards consideration as well.

And yes, Heath Ledger is just as good as you're hearing.

I cannot wait to see this again.

Chris's Classics

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:50:15 GMT

Instead of obligating myself to sit and watch a movie each Friday, I'm going to give myself the entire weekend to watch a film. So instead of Favorite Film Fridays, we now have Chris's Classics...but the rest remains the same.

BATMAN BEGINS (2005, Dir. Christopher Nolan, PG-13)

In 2005, when I was compiling my first professional "Best Of" movie list, I picked "Batman Begins" as one of the ten best movies of that year. I believe I saw it twice in the theater upon release and then picked it up shortly after it came out on DVD. With its long running time (140 mins) and the recent glut of comic book movies, however, I didn't really get the chance to sit and watch it. So viewing it this weekend was actually my first time seeing the film since its theatrical release.

If I were to go back in time and redo my list of the ten best films of 2005 would "Batman Begins" be on it? Most-likely not, given the opportunity I've had to see other film released that year. And it's worth remembering that the reason "Batman Begins" was such a breath of fresh air to movie lovers was because it reinvigorated a franchise that had been utterly destroyed by neon lights, a director named Joel Schumacher and the dreaded Bat-nipples.

Remember that? Remember "Batman and Robin"? A movie so bad that it George Clooney has apologized for it. That 1997 debacle not only killed the Batman franchise for 8 years, but it actually nearly destroyed the entire superhero genre until X-Men and Spider-man revived interest.

And remember that this movie wasn't viewed as a surefire hit the way that people are salivating over 'The Dark Knight.' Remember that Christian Bale was still more of a critics' darling than a movie star at that time. Director Christopher Nolan was respected but his films had been a twisty (but brilliant) indie film called "Memento" that everyone who saw loved--but few people saw--and a fairly low-key police thriller called "Insomnia" that never got the respect it deserved (it was the last time that Al Pacino and Robin Williams gave great performances and I think its an effective mood piece). On top of that, DC comics was re-inventing the character in a realistic light, something remarkable when you consider that the best Batman movies up until were most-closely identified with the gothic and expressionistic work of Tim Burton and the worst were the gay neon nightmares of Schumacher. Add to that the long run time, the fact that the film starts in China, not Gotham City AND the fact that you don't even see Batman in action until an hour into the flick. Yeah, this film was a question mark.

And yet, it worked. It made good money for Warner Brothers, proved that Bale could juggle Hollywood blockbusters alongside his acting and proved that Christopher Nolan is one of the best storytellers working right now (his next film was the flawed but still fascinating "The Prestige"). It made it safe for Warner Brothers to resurrect other franchises, like Superman ("Superman Returns" doesn't get the respect it deserves).

So you can forgive critics like me who lavished praise and hyperbole on the film, calling it the best comic book movie ever and saying it actually is a great crime drama as well. I agree with the first statement, and still believe it's one of the top 3 comic book movies ever made. Is it a great crime drama? That's to be debated. Watching the film last night I realized it has some minor flaws that keep it from transcending the genre like some said it does. Going back, it likely wouldn't have made the top 10 list at the end of the year...but it would have been close. "Batman Begins" may not be a cinematic masterpiece but I think it's still one of the most supremely entertaining films of the decade.

We all know the story because pretty much everyone has either seen the film or knows that Batman mythos. Bruce Wayne (Bale) watched his parents get gunned down in the streets when he was a child. He travels the globe training to bring justice to Gotham City and, upon returns, decides to dress up in a bat suit to fight criminals. He ends up crossing paths with the sinister Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) and deviouis Ras Al Guhl (Liam Neeson) and falling in love with Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes, the one weak link in casting). He also makes allies of Sgt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman), engineer Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and faithful butler Alfred (Michael Caine).

So what makes "Batman Begins" work when others have failed? Well, I know a list is the laziest way for a writer to work, but I'm strapped for time and have wasted enough space meandering at the beginning, so I am going to commit that sin.

What works like gangbusters in "Batman Begins" is that Nolan finally gets everything right. Including:

Bruce Wayne-- I know that there are many people out there who love Tim Burton's Batman films. I'm not one of them. I enjoy them to a certain extent, but I've always felt the films were more about Burton's cinematic fetishes than the character of Batman. And the films made the same mistake nearly every incarnation of the character makes, in that they focus on Batman and leave Bruce Wayne in the background as a mere alter ego.

Sometimes that makes sense, with certain characters. After all, the reason we see Superman more than Clark Kent is because Superman is the true identity of the hero. He's an alien who takes up a disguise but his real self is the Man of Steel (there's a much more eloquent explanation of this in "Kill Bill, Vol. 2"). But Bruce Wayne is a fascinating character. He's tormented by fear and guilt and he obviously has some issues if he dresses up like a bat and fights bad guys. What possesses a person to do this?

Nolan and Bale get it. That first hour of the film could have been pointless and meandering, but they really serve to develop the character of Bruce Wayne. We learn that he's angry and bitter but wants to learn justice. We see that he's plagued by guilt, as Nolan pads out the story of Bruce's parents' deaths by showing that the killer not only got away but was a pawn in a bigger system of crime. There's a reason why Wayne strives not to fight for revenge, but for justice--he wants to continue the philanthropic work of his father and he also knows that none of the cops are going to do it. That's more motivation than I've ever seen for the character and Bale makes it work by taking it seriously. He doesn't play Wayne like an isolated freak like Michael Keaton did and he doesn't play him like a camp icon, like Val Kilmer and George Clooney did. He instead makes us see the haunted, angry and driven side of the character and allows flaws to seep through. What's more, he also seems to be having fun as the character. I know it's probably more fun to don the cape and cowl and kick bad guys,but Bale seems to even enjoy the scenes where it's just Bruce. Watch him cavort in the hotel pool to further his playboy image--there's a spark in his eyes that other actors haven't had in the role and it goes a long way towards making the character work.

Let's face it, a grown man dressed as a bat is pretty silly. And there comes a point in each film for me where I've been drawn away by the pure ludicrousness of it all. . . maybe its the ears. But Bale has done such a good job at setting up the character of Bruce Wayne and making him realistic that when we start to lose touch of that suspension of disbelief we're quickly reined back in because we care about the human beneath the cowl. That's not as easy as it sounds and I respect what Bale does with the role immensely.

And let's not forget Batman himself. Bale doesn't just put on the suit and voila! become Batman. There's a genuine change in the character. His voice turns into a deep, scary growl. His jaw clenches. He moves more rigidly and assured. He inhabits a differet character totally. It's phenomenal. And I love how Nolan and Bale handle Batman's attacks on criminals. That first scene, on the docks, is perfectly. Batman jumps out of the shadows like a villain in a horror movie, capturing the crooks before they even see him. It's perfect for the character, who has to work in the shadows and strike without warning. And it shows the results of the training that Bruce Wayne has endured.

Gotham City--As beautifully as Gotham has been rendered in the other films, I've always found it empty. The Gotham City of the first four Batman movies was a nice visual experience, an Expressionistic celebration of all the dark, noirish and gothic elements of the characters. But it always seemed like nothig more than a giant set to me. It was a set, not a city. And we could probably have overlooked that when Batman was the only cinematic hero around. But with Spider-man and X-Men inhabiting real-life cities like New York, its imperative that Gotham seem real--especially when so much of the plot of this movie deals with the plight of the citizens.

Nolan has combined the looks of Chicgao, Hong Kong and New York to create a teeming metropolis. This Gotham City is a gritty urban city that looks and feels real. The economic plight of it and the rising crime, the decaying buildings and steam rising from the strets---heck, get rid of the giant monorail and it would be Detroit. And that's so important because Gotham plays a character. It's the city's crime and corruption that makes the need for Batman palpable. It's his parents' commitment to the city and how people have neglected it that drives Bruce Wayne. When The Narrows is flooded with fear gas and the villains of Arkham Asylum are set loose, the film maintains its intensity and drive because the situation feels absolutely real. It's fantastic.

Extra characters--Remember in Tim Burton's 1989 film how Jack Nicholson got top billing over Michael Keaton? The Batman movies quickly became only about their villians, with Batman an afterthought. Nolan knows that the center of "Batman Begins" needs to be Batman and so he gives villains who are tied into Bruce Wayne's stories and don't steal from it. The theme of fear runs throughout the entire film and so the Scarecrow is a perfect villain. But it's not over-the-top and he doesn't steal the show. Cillian Murphy is creepy but understated and the effects of the fear gas are rendered with much more importance than the character himself. It works, and it also ties into the fear Gotham's citizens have of the Bat-man...the scene where he flies overhead and they imagine him with red eyes and flames shooting from his mouth is haunting. And Ras Al Guhl is tied directly into Bruce's training and his desire to burn Gotham to the ground parallels Thomas Wayne's desire to save it.

But Nolan also knows to fill the screen with character actors who will have more importance in the future. Oldman is great as Gordon, the last good cop in Gotham. I just wish he'd been given less silly lines. Tom Wilkinson is mugging and loving every minute of it as Crime Boss Falcone. And Michael Caine is the perfect Alfred. The only week link is Katie Holmes, who has yet to convince me that she has any acting talent.

The film does have its weaknesses, mainly in its reliance on a few instances of stupid humor and reaction shots. It belies the confidence Nolan has in his material and makes us too aware that its just a movie. Other than that it would be perfect.

Before "The Dark Knight"...a stroll down memory lane

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:40:59 GMT

Hey everyone...

Watched "Batman Begins" tonight and I'll try and write my thoughts about it up tomorrow. But now, in anticipation for "The Dark Knight" (I screen it Monday!!) let's take a look at the other ways the silver screen has portrayed Batman (minus the old serials, which I couldn't find trailers for).

1.) Holy Movie Batman! It's Holy Crap!

2.) "Batman" from 1989...Tim Burton's overrated film ... fun enough, but it's more about what Burton likes than who Batman is

3.) Batman Returns--(again, this is more of a Burton film...I dig what he's going for, but this movie seriously disturbed me as a child)

4.) Batman Forever--this is where the series started to suck.

5.) Batman and Robin--Possibly the worst movie ever made. Why? Bat-nipples.

6.) Batman--Dead End (not a real movie, but was a popular Internet flick for awhile and is pretty good--even if it does have Alien and Predator)

7.) Batman Begins--Christopher Nolan reboots the series and delivers one of the best comic book movies ever

8.) The Dark Knight--advance word is phenomenal, calling for an Oscar for Ledger and putting it on par not with comic book movies but with crime epics like "Godfather II," "Heat" and "The Departed." ...that is high praise.

Prayer Request

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:44:43 GMT

Hey just want some prayer please. I may have found an apartment. The rent is cheap and it's not too far from work and very close to church. My credit check came back okay. I'm going to be crunching some numbers over the weekend and hopefully I'll see if I can afford it. I think I may be able to, but I just ask for prayer.

Also, I didn't watch "Batman Begins" yet this weekend, which is why there's no Favorite Film Friday post. But like I said when I first did this, I may not get to a movie on Friday...but I'll definitely be watching BB before I screen "Dark Knight" Monday on Detroit's largest IMAX screen!

CDubbs

This week's Favorite Film Friday selection is . . .

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:18:50 GMT