"Ledger was on everyone's mind. His death came just a short time after shooting on the movie wrapped. On Monday night there was no denying his performance was one for the ages and could very well earn him a posthumous Academy Award. His co-stars say Ledger morphed into the bizarre character. "He's created an iconic villain, unlike any I've seen before," Bale said.
Added Gary Oldman, who portrays "Commissioner Gordon" in the movie: "It's miraculous. I think it's just an incredible performance."
Ledger completed his role shortly before dying in January of an accidental prescription drug overdose. He was found on the floor of his fourth story loft in SoHo. "I didn't think of it that way," Gyllenhaal said. "I just thought of it as part one. For me, I just thought of it as walking into any other movie." Source: wcbstv.com "There have only been in history 10 films that have opened with $100 million, and 'The Dark Knight' is poised to be one," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.
The numbers tell the story.
"The Dark Knight" will be showing in 4,366 theaters in North America, on more screens than any movie ever.
More than 1,600 showtimes in 400 cities are sold out already.
And Fandango, one of the largest online ticket-sellers says "The Dark Knight accounted for 94 percent of all tickets sold this week.
"And some theaters are going to show this movie round-the-clock opening day. That's how much demand there is for this movie," Dergarabedian said.
Continuing the story set in motion with "Batman Begins" in 2005, this grimmer, darker sequel has Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne, fighting his internal demons - and one in flesh and blood: The Joker. "It's simple," the Joker says. "Kill the Batman."
"He's uncompromising as Batman is," said Christian Bale, who returns as Batman in this sequel. "But the problem is, Batman has rules and the Joker doesn't." Heath Ledger plays the menacing, maniacal Joker, who says, "This town needs a better class of criminal, and I'm going to give it to them."
Ledger's last big Hollywood role before his death from an accidental overdose in January already is generating Oscar buzz and has fans buzzing with anticipation. Christopher Nolan directed "The Dark Knight."
"With Heath's portrayal of the Joker, though, it was apparent to everybody on the set that there was something very special going on with that performance," Nolan said. source: wcbstv.com
Ellen Page in "Hard Candy" (2005). Kristen Bell and Russell Brand in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (2008).Kristen Bell.Scarlett Johansson and Woody Allen.Katherine Heigl at the Beverly Regent Wilshire.Aviva as Heather in "Spring Break '83" (2008).Emmy Rossum and her ice-cream.Maggie Gyllenhaal and her "Ben & Jerry’s" Ice-CreamKirsten Dunst.Christina Ricci.Maggie with phone and drink.Lindsay Lohan.Reese Witherspoon.
"Heath Ledger. What can be said about his performance? It’s absolutely magnetic. You can not take your eyes off of him in this movie. He is the definitive Joker now. His theatricality, insanity barely in check, his brains, the mystery of the character. He’s written to perfection and Ledger takes it a step beyond with his unhinged and frightening performance. The Joker embodies anarchy and he never once contradicts himself.
I guarantee you this right now. You will never forget his magic trick.
Bale is once again great as Bruce Wayne, but like I said the movie isn’t really Bruce/Bats centric. He’s all over the movie and a driving force, no doubt, but the overall story really does belong to Harvey Dent.
Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are great, as usual. As is Michael Caine, who gets some really great stuff in this flick. I loved hearing a little bit about Alfred’s past, which… let’s just say it’s not a typical butler’s past. NEW YORK - JULY 14: Actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrive at the world premiere of 'The Dark Knight' at AMC Loews Lincoln Square - IMAX on July 14, 2008 in New York City.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is Rachel Dawes. There was never a moment where I lamented the break in continuity from the first movie. And this is coming from someone who liked Katie Holmes in BEGINS.
I will say that the writing in this is as good as anything the Nolans have written. Seriously. The subtlety in how they handle The Joker’s origins (“Wanna know how I got these scars?”) gives us a deep insight into the diseased brain while at the same time not betraying the mystery. You’ll see how they do it when you see the flick... but it's fantastic, completely true to who the Joker is.
Mark my words: Ledger will be nominated, Wally Pfister will be nominated, Chris Nolan will be nominated for direction, Jonathan and Chris Nolan for script and if the movie Gods are feeling kind early next year we might even see a Best Picture nom".
"Ledger's family - his father Kim, sister Kate and mother Sally Bell - reportedly attended, alongside the stars of the latest Batman movie.
Ledger's former girlfriend, Naomi Watts, and her partner Liev Schreiber also reportedly attended.
Ledger's co-stars heaped praise on his portrayal of the psychopathic villain, The Joker.
British actor Michael Caine, who plays Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred, repeated his belief that at the very least Ledger should receive a best supporting actor nomination.
"My favourite part of the film is the opening monologue of Heath Ledger as The Joker, it's one of the best close-ups I've ever seen in my life,'' Caine said on the red carpet.
"He was a young actor and this is his moment. I mean, he did Brokeback Mountain which was fine and he never got the Oscar.
"He's going to get the Oscar for this.'' Another co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal praised his performance.
"He's so good in the movie. I mean really remarkable,'' she said.
"But even before this movie he really had an effect on people.''
Co-star Aaron Eckhart said: "I'm especially happy for Heath, and sad he's not with us tonight. But we're going to honour him in this movie. He's huge.''
"I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker,'' wrote Rolling Stone's film critic Pete Travers.
"If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up,'' Travers added.
Sam Rubin, a respected entertainment correspondent for Los Angeles KTLA network, said Ledger would "absolutely be nominated for an Oscar, and at this point in the year is a hands-down favourite to win it posthumously''.
"Ledger offers perfect pitch, perfect tone, his Joker hits all the right notes,'' Rubin added.
The 81st Academy Awards will be held in Hollywood on February 22".
Source: www.news.com.au "Working with Heath was fantastic," said Christian Bale, 34, who reprises his role as the Caped Crusader. "He steals the movie and I'm quite happy to say that. He's a hell of a talent and created a joker that's very iconic and one that will become a classic portrayal of the ages."
Michael Caine, 75, who plays butler Alfred Pennyworth in the film, which opens July 18, noted the "intensity and ferocity of the performance."
"But when we were sitting down between takes, he was completely ordinary," Caine added. "He wasn't preparing himself or saying 'Please leave me alone, I've gotta do this.' Instead he was talking to me.
"We would sit and chat and have a cup of coffee, then suddenly they'd say, 'We're ready, Heath,' and he'd go straight into The Joker," Caine continued. "His energy was astonishing, especially when it came from this kind of calm. He's certainly the best villain I've ever seen." Source: www.people.com
"Per Seth Rogen, Jews got laid because of Eric Bana in Munich. If that is the case, then Jews are going to be having 70’s era Hugh Hefner style orgies because of the eight badasses of Tarantino’s INGLORIOUS BASTERDS! Coming Soon.net is reporting that Showtime Networks and The Weinstein Company have just announced that they have signed a seven-year deal for up to 95 films including Quentin Tarantino's latest Inglorious Bastards, Alex Aja's Piranha 3D and curiously enough... Scream 4. No word on any Wes Craven involvement at this point.
[...] Killer dialogue, excellent execution, and master craftsmanship by Tarantino. The script is supposed to go into production this October to premiere in Cannes next May and I am eager as hell to see the finished product". Source: latinoreview.com
"In a move that enhances its slate of theatrical motion pictures, Showtime Networks Inc. has entered into an exclusive seven-year film distribution arrangement with The Weinstein Company (Twc)." (In other words, Showtime will get first dibs on premiering all of The Weinstein's upcoming theatrical releases when they hit cable.)
The press release continues, "The output deal also includes releases from Dimension Films such as "Youth In Revolt," based on C.D. Payne's bestselling book and starring Michael Cera, "6 Billion Dollar Man," the remake of David Cronenberg's "Scanners," re-starting the "Scream" franchise with "Scream 4," and "Piranha 3D". Source: iconsoffright.com
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"Ledger was on everyone's mind. His death came just a short time after shooting on the movie wrapped. On Monday night there was no denying his performance was one for the ages and could very well earn him a posthumous Academy Award.
His co-stars say Ledger morphed into the bizarre character.
"He's created an iconic villain, unlike any I've seen before," Bale said..jpg)
"I didn't think of it that way," Gyllenhaal said. "I just thought of it as part one. For me, I just thought of it as walking into any other movie." 
"There have only been in history 10 films that have opened with $100 million, and 'The Dark Knight' is poised to be one," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.
"It's simple," the Joker says. "Kill the Batman."
Heath Ledger plays the menacing, maniacal Joker, who says, "This town needs a better class of criminal, and I'm going to give it to them."
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