The Dark Knight In Heath We Trust: A Ledgerbration: The TDK Joker Appreciation Thread

[Polux]

That makes me remember Ledger's role on Grimms Brothers. He was doing a Johnnie Depp there.

Well, I always saw them as "similar" artists, so to speak, and Gilliam said Heath was a Depp fan and wanted to meet him, and when he did Depp said "Ohh...this kid...watch out !"


Polux

 

[gwynplaine]

Time to Ledgerbrate.
I don't know if Depp and Ledger are similar but I believe that so far TDK's Joker is the performance of the century.

 

[VenomVsSpidey]

Time to Ledgerbrate.
I don't know if Depp and Ledger are similar but I believe that so far TDK's Joker is the performance of the century.

 

[Boom]

Of the century? Of the last 100 years? Really ?

He was great, but by no stretch of the imagination can I agree with that.

 

[Infinity9999x]

Of the century? Of the last 100 years? Really ?

He was great, but by no stretch of the imagination can I agree with that.

I wouldn't say century either. Best performance of the decade? I would agree with. One of best in the past 25 years? Yep. One of the best movie-villains ever? I would also agree with.

But best performance of the century is definitely pushing it.

 

[gwynplaine]

Of the century? Of the last 100 years? Really ?

He was great, but by no stretch of the imagination can I agree with that.

I wouldn't say century either. Best performance of the decade? I would agree with. One of best in the past 25 years? Yep. One of the best movie-villains ever? I would also agree with.

But best performance of the century is definitely pushing it.

I thought it was clear that best performance of the century(so far) meant best performance of the 21st century(so far), I was not talking about the last 100 years.

 

[Boom]

Oh I see. My mistake .

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Time to Ledgerbrate.
I don't know if Depp and Ledger are similar but I believe that so far TDK's Joker is the performance of the century.

 

[Bat-Mite]

While DDL gave a great performance in that movie, I wouldn't say that it even comes close to challenging Ledger's performance. Maybe there was just a lot in There Will Be Blood that went over my head, but I found it to be a pretty dull movie that dragged like nobody's business. Despite Day-Lewis' great performance, I left the theater with absolutely no desire to see the film again. When TDK was over with, I wanted to sneak into the next showing and watch it all over again, largely due to Ledger's performance.

 

[Boom]

Oh God yes .

I need to watch very soon.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

While DDL gave a great performance in that movie, I wouldn't say that it even comes close to challenging Ledger's performance. Maybe there was just a lot in There Will Be Blood that went over my head, but I found it to be a pretty dull movie that dragged like nobody's business. Despite Day-Lewis' great performance, I left the theater with absolutely no desire to see the film again. When TDK was over with, I wanted to sneak into the next showing and watch it all over again, largely due to Ledger's performance.

I disagree with everything you said. TWBB is easily Paul Anderson'd best film. DDL's performance is up there with Deniro's Jake Lamota and THE best of the decade.

 

[luke1234]

I disagree with everything you said. TWBB is easily Paul Anderson'd best film. DDL's performance is up there with Deniro's Jake Lamota and THE best of the decade.

agreed!

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Oh God yes .

I need to watch very soon.

Anton Chigurh is another magnificent perfotmence. I mean, take this scene for example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQxLkkYTER8&feature=related

Just as chilling as any Joker scene.

 

[-Arya-]

Time to Ledgerbrate.
I don't know if Depp and Ledger are similar but I believe that so far TDK's Joker is the performance of the century.

I hate to disagree with you gwynplaine but DDL's performance in TWBB was better.

 

[El Payaso]

Oh yes. Absolutely. It was beyond believable.

While DDL gave a great performance in that movie, I wouldn't say that it even comes close to challenging Ledger's performance. Maybe there was just a lot in There Will Be Blood that went over my head, but I found it to be a pretty dull movie that dragged like nobody's business. Despite Day-Lewis' great performance, I left the theater with absolutely no desire to see the film again. When TDK was over with, I wanted to sneak into the next showing and watch it all over again, largely due to Ledger's performance.

You're judging the movies here.

 

[Bat-Mite]

You're judging the movies here.

Judging the movies AND the actors. The only reason I went to see TWBB is because of all the hype surrounding it and his performance, but neither delivered, in my view. DDL was still the best thing about the film, and made an outstanding villain, but I thought even his performance in Gangs of New York was better.

 

[gwynplaine]

I disagree with everything you said. TWBB is easily Paul Anderson'd best film. DDL's performance is up there with Deniro's Jake Lamota and THE best of the decade.

I hate to disagree with you gwynplaine but DDL's performance in TWBB was better.

I guess it all comes down to a matter of taste and opinion, and to me Heath Ledger was more extraordinary and, I hate to say it because it's so subjective but, really better.
But of course DDL was also fantastic (incidentally he was my 1st choice for the Joker, way before Heath was even announced), we're talking legendary actors and performances here, but if I have to chose one DDL performance it would probably be "In the Name of the Father."
Like I said it's all a question of taste and obviously you, gentlemen, have very good taste.

PS : Oh, and this is a thread to Ledgerbrate, so take your DDL love somewhere else.

 

[gwynplaine]

Judging the movies AND the actors. The only reason I went to see TWBB is because of all the hype surrounding it and his performance, but neither delivered, in my view. DDL was still the best thing about the film, and made an outstanding villain, but I thought even his performance in Gangs of New York was better.

I thought that Bill the butcher was a bit of a caricature, it's easier to go over the top and chew the scenery. Heath did so much more than that in TDK, he brought such pathos and layers to the character, was so much more subtle,as well as bringing the theatricality inherent to the character.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

I thought that Bill the butcher was a bit of a caricature, it's easier to go over the top and chew the scenery. Heath did so much more than that in TDK, he brought such pathos and layers to the character, was so much more subtle,as well as bringing the theatricality inherent to the character.

DDL did all that and more. I have watched TWBB many times and his performence is incredibly layerd. God damn layerd.

 

[gwynplaine]

DDL did all that and more. I have watched TWBB many times and his performence is incredibly layerd. God damn layerd.

I never said it wasn't, it's a great performance (if you read my post I'm talking about Bill the butcher, not Plainview).
What I've said though is that this is all a matter of taste, therefore not really a matter for discussion, and what I've also said is that this is a place to Ledgerbrate, so take it to the TWBB thread.

PS : Oh, and Heath was better.

 

[baronghede]

While DDL gave a great performance in that movie, I wouldn't say that it even comes close to challenging Ledger's performance. Maybe there was just a lot in There Will Be Blood that went over my head, but I found it to be a pretty dull movie that dragged like nobody's business. Despite Day-Lewis' great performance, I left the theater with absolutely no desire to see the film again. When TDK was over with, I wanted to sneak into the next showing and watch it all over again, largely due to Ledger's performance.

It was over your head.

 

[$klaary]

http://www.blackbookmag.com/article...es-and-giving-heath-leadger-makeup-tips/10594

 

[nathaniel]

DDL in TWBB was better by a big margin imo his relationship with his son (who wasnt his son) alone was more layerd then anything Joker did in TDK.

Its also hard to compare a comic book villain in a comicbook film (which is what TDK is at the end of the day) to a more realistic and gritty film its why actors like Hopkins in SOTL is far more chilling a portrayal then Heath ledger in TDK.

Another example is I remember watching Don Cheadle in Devil with a blue dress th other day and you just sit there thinking "thats one crazy Sona***** i would hate to meet" mainly because i have heard of and can imagine guys out there who are just like Mouse who care absolutely nothing for anyone but himself and is just plain without empathy at times.

 

[BestGirl]

DDL in TWBB was better by a big margin imo his relationship with his son (who wasnt his son) alone was more layerd then anything Joker did in TDK.

Its also hard to compare a comic book villain in a comicbook film (which is what TDK is at the end of the day) to a more realistic and gritty film its why actors like Hopkins in SOTL is far more chilling a portrayal then Heath ledger in TDK.

Another example is I remember watching Don Cheadle in Devil with a blue dress th other day and you just sit there thinking "thats one crazy Sona***** i would hate to meet" mainly because i have heard of and can imagine guys out there who are just like Mouse who care absolutely nothing for anyone but himself and is just plain without empathy at times.

And the Joker was different?

 

[Anita18]

DDL in TWBB was better by a big margin imo his relationship with his son (who wasnt his son) alone was more layerd then anything Joker did in TDK.

Its also hard to compare a comic book villain in a comicbook film (which is what TDK is at the end of the day) to a more realistic and gritty film its why actors like Hopkins in SOTL is far more chilling a portrayal then Heath ledger in TDK.

Well um, yeah, since the Joker didn't have a real relationship with anybody in TDK. He led Bats on and brainwashed Dent and mocked Gordon, and that was really the gist of the whole thing. The magic was how charismatic he was, despite his deadliness.

They're all tremendous performances that worked in their own way. Anything beyond that is personal preference.