The Dark Knight Caine: "Heath frightened the life out of me"

[Figs]

How about Nolan for best director nom?

Not sure if they'll nominate him for a "comic film" the way the awards system works but I think he'll eventually get nominated and/or win.

 

[Gotham]

Whether you think that or not, it still doesn't change the fact that it's one of Jack's most memorable roles ever(next to The Shining) and is part of Batman's, and the Joker's, history.


And what does you believing that Jack didn't deliver have to do with whether or not they'll pay homage to him and his role in TDK?

1. I don't believe that it's one of his most memorable roles. That's an assumption cooked up over time and vastly pounded into fans heads because of this film.

2. He didn't deliver on The Joker and that IMO constitutes as not being worthy of a nod.

 

[TheLongestDay]

1. I don't believe that it's one of his most memorable roles. That's an assumption cooked up over time and vastly pounded into fans heads because of this film.

2. He didn't deliver on The Joker and that IMO constitutes as not being worthy of a nod.

I see your point there,people who know the true nature of the Joker character from the source material realise the Jack was playing Jack dressed as the Joker-but the one thing i hear from friends and family who dont read the books is "how is Heath Ledger going to out-do Nicholson?" so obviously his part in the Batman world has resonated with general audiences to quite a degree

 

[Gotham]

I see your point there,people who know the true nature of the Joker character from the source material realise the Jack was playing Jack dressed as the Joker-but the one thing i hear from friends and family who dont read the books is "how is Heath Ledger going to out-do Nicholson?" so obviously his part in the Batman world has resonated with general audiences to quite a degree

That is expected as Jack is known the general public as Joker. To fans, such as yourself and I, we know that he really wasn't that great. He was Jack wearing make-up and a smile.

 

[Ecstasy]

I think a lot of people are still stuck with Jack as the Joker, and are thinking 'How's Heath going to surpass Jack?'

Hell, I'm not even sure some people know Heath's playing the Joker. But from the other sources and articles I've read, I think Heath has a very high possibility of being the best Joker portrayal on screen.

 

[Mr. Socko]

Not sure if they'll nominate him for a "comic film" the way the awards system works but I think he'll eventually get nominated and/or win.

I know, there's no chance of Nolan being nominated for Best Director, just wanted to know how others felt about the subject. The Academy was more lenient back in the day. In the 70s, George Lucas was nominated for Best Director for Star Wars, and in the 80s, Spielberg for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Both action/adventure films. The Academy wouldn't even dare nominate that type of movie these days.

 

[TheLongestDay]

I think a lot of people are still stuck with Jack as the Joker, and are thinking 'How's Heath going to surpass Jack?'

Hell, I'm not even sure some people know Heath's playing the Joker. But from the other sources and articles I've read, I think Heath has a very high possibility of being the best Joker portrayal on screen.

I wholeheartedly agree,and although im trying to keep my expectations from shooting through the roof i just cant help it! Ive seen Ledgers potential to do a completely outstanding role and i have a feeling this will be the one for him

 

[Mr. Socko]

1. I don't believe that it's one of his most memorable roles. That's an assumption cooked up over time and vastly pounded into fans heads because of this film.

2. He didn't deliver on The Joker and that IMO constitutes as not being worthy of a nod.

Now that you've stated your opinion about it not being a memorable role, how about I bring out real facts.

Jack Nicholson is the only person in history to make the "AFI list of Greatest Cinema Villains" twice. One of those performances is for The Joker.

Fact. That's a nod.

That is expected as Jack is known the general public as Joker. To fans, such as yourself and I, we know that he really wasn't that great. He was Jack wearing make-up and a smile.

Save the sentence and speak for yourself. Your "to fans" comment isn't needed.

 

[TheBatman072]

I've heard this "Jack was playing himself" arguement so many times and it always confuses me.


Does that mean that, in regards to the movie Batman, Jack is a homicidal, psychotic clown in real life? Becuase...that's what I saw on-screen.

 

[TheLongestDay]

I've heard this "Jack was playing himself" arguement so many times and it always confuses me.


Does that mean that, in regards to the movie Batman, Jack is a homicidal, psychotic clown in real life? Becuase...that's what I saw on-screen.

yes...i truly believe he is...

 

[TheBatman072]

yes...i truly believe he is...

Well, okay then.

 

[Hole Shot]

Given the title of the thread, I can't believe I haven't seen a "Why Heath Sir?" yet.

 

[Luchastyle]

because heath frightens me, and it's time my enemies etc etc

 

[TheLongestDay]

Well, okay then.

To be completely honest,i really do enjoy Jack Nicholsons Joker-i find him extremely entertaining in Batman 89,its just not the way i have always wanted to see Joker portrayed onscreen.

My personal tastes lean towards a much darker take,and i believe thats what we are going to get with Ledger

 

[Luchastyle]

yeah i agree. he was good, but we all have our own take on the joker. and mine is a darker one as well.

 

[Hole Shot]

I've heard this "Jack was playing himself" arguement so many times and it always confuses me.


Does that mean that, in regards to the movie Batman, Jack is a homicidal, psychotic clown in real life? Becuase...that's what I saw on-screen.

The only thing, I didn't like about Jack's Joker was that he didn't have the obsession with Batman, Batman was more just an obstacle in his evil plot that he needed to eliminate. And that he was killed, so that's two things.

Other than that, I just watched B89 and wonder how any Batman fan didn't love that reveal shot of him giggling the moment before he shoots Grissom. Or find him un-jokerish even after trying to mass murder Gotham City - TWICE.

So he wasn't skinny. And based off Batman Returns when Burton had more control, I think Burton was capable of doing much greater things with Joker than he'll ever get credit. I believe a lot of that sick dark character many wanted from the Joker he used in the Penguin.

 

[Gotham]

I've heard this "Jack was playing himself" arguement so many times and it always confuses me.


Does that mean that, in regards to the movie Batman, Jack is a homicidal, psychotic clown in real life? Becuase...that's what I saw on-screen.

Course not'. Jack has developed a persona in front of the media as a smart-ass, somewhat overbearing, person. As the Joker, he played exactly that but without any of the signifigant qualities of the actual character. (He had the smile and make-up. The attitude and sheer lunatic action is what made The Joker for me).

 

[Carnotaur3]

I know, there's no chance of Nolan being nominated for Best Director, just wanted to know how others felt about the subject. The Academy was more lenient back in the day. In the 70s, George Lucas was nominated for Best Director for Star Wars, and in the 80s, Spielberg for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Both action/adventure films. The Academy wouldn't even dare nominate that type of movie these days.

Aside from Nolan's Batman, how many action/adventure films you see today that match quality of the original Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark?

 

[Hole Shot]

Aside from Nolan's Batman, how many action/adventure films you see today that match quality of the original Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Well, you both left out LOTR, but that's a touchy subject on this board.

 

[Mr. Socko]

Aside from Nolan's Batman, how many action/adventure films you see today that match quality of the original Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Batman Begins doesn't even hold up to Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars, no Batman film does.

I was just giving an example.

Well, you both left out LOTR, but that's a touchy subject on this board.

Very true. But as I said before, LOTR was Oscar-caliber work. JRR Tolkein is hailed as one of the greatest fictional writers of all time, LOTR is the most praised fantasy novel ever published. It's no secret it was Dramatic, award winning material.

 

[Carnotaur3]

Batman Begins doesn't even hold up to Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars, no Batman film does.

I think it will overtime hold up well. But I believe it's one of the few out there. That was my point.

 

[graveyardtramp]

I know, there's no chance of Nolan being nominated for Best Director, just wanted to know how others felt about the subject. The Academy was more lenient back in the day. In the 70s, George Lucas was nominated for Best Director for Star Wars, and in the 80s, Spielberg for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Both action/adventure films. The Academy wouldn't even dare nominate that type of movie these days.

If PIRATES can get some big nominations then this shows the Academy is still willing to acknowledge a big summer blockbuster film - it happened for horror films with THE EXORCIST and with psychological thrillers with SILENCE OF LAMBS, and it will eventually happen with a comic book adaptation I believe. It probably won't be with THE DARK KNIGHT though, I'd expect it more with something like A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (ie - an adaptation of a graphic novel where the bulk of the audience have no idea it is based on a comic book)

 

[El Payaso]

Not sure if they'll nominate him for a "comic film" the way the awards system works but I think he'll eventually get nominated and/or win.

I am sure no director will be ever nominated for Best Director for a supehero movie.

1. I don't believe that it's one of his most memorable roles. That's an assumption cooked up over time and vastly pounded into fans heads because of this film.

Cooked up over time? I knew the minute I saw it.

It was so memorable even Mr. Caine had to refer to it when trying to point out how good he felt Ledger was.

2. He didn't deliver on The Joker and that IMO constitutes as not being worthy of a nod.

So far he has been having many nods. Maybe the opinion of Jack not delivering as Joker is an assumption cooked up over time and vastly pounded into your head.

 

[Hole Shot]

If PIRATES can get some big nominations then this shows the Academy is still willing to acknowledge a big summer blockbuster film - it happened for horror films with THE EXORCIST and with psychological thrillers with SILENCE OF LAMBS, and it will eventually happen with a comic book adaptation I believe. It probably won't be with THE DARK KNIGHT though, I'd expect it more with something like A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (ie - an adaptation of a graphic novel where the bulk of the audience have no idea it is based on a comic book)

How about Gladiator? There's a big summer popcorn flick that took home both Best Picture and Best Actor as well a few technical awards.

 

[Cowleen]

How about Gladiator? There's a big summer popcorn flick that took home both Best Picture and Best Actor as well a few technical awards.

I wouldn't call Gladiator a popcorn flick. It was a serious epic period drama to me.