The Dark Knight The Composite Christopher Nolan Interview Thread

[Juha]

That's fair enough, but don't say it's a fact that there was no pain in Keaton's eyes.
As for funny, there were naturally funny moments in both B89 and BR, but I personally don't perceive them as funny films.

That's cool. I felt the pain maybe once or twice but you're right. It's not a fact, it's just my opinion. I perceive those movies as funny films. Of course not as comedies like, say, Ace Ventura. IMO B89 and BR both have very serious themes and the overall tone is dark. But they are also very funny among other things.

 

[undyingsoul]

No... that's Jim Carrey

 

[Ama Zing]

I think that B89 and BR had the characteristic Burton subtle, dark humor. I honestly think of those two films more as "Burton" films than "Batman" films... while they are, in truth, both they just have such a Burton stamp on them that there's no way to ignore/forget that.

Don't get me wrong, I like Burton films, but it was almost so overtly Burton that they were distracting.

BF and B&R just moved into the realm of the silly... forget subtle, we had to be hit over the head with everything

I tried watching Sweeny Todd but it was just Tim Burton shoving his Burton weirdness down everyone's throats with bad singing. Makes the Batman movies look like Oscar winners.
I could never really get into Returns, I liked it well enough and loved Catwoman but the whole Penguin bit was just too over the top. And really, a penguin army? What the hell.

 

[Gianakin_]

I think that B89 and BR had the characteristic Burton subtle, dark humor. I honestly think of those two films more as "Burton" films than "Batman" films... while they are, in truth, both they just have such a Burton stamp on them that there's no way to ignore/forget that.

Don't get me wrong, I like Burton films, but it was almost so overtly Burton that they were distracting.

BF and B&R just moved into the realm of the silly... forget subtle, we had to be hit over the head with everything

Agreed.

 

[Juha]

they just have such a Burton stamp on them that there's no way to ignore/forget that.

Especially Returns is very Burton-esque IMO. But luckily it also has many Batman-esque themes like split personalities(Batman, Catwoman) and being a misunderstood outcast(Penguin).

I think B89 was a Batman movie with a Burton twist and Batman Returns was a Burton movie with a Batman twist.

 

[undyingsoul]

i think im one of the few that actually thinks returns was pretty cool

 

[Magenta666]

most likely

 

[Anguissette1979]

i think im one of the few that actually thinks returns was pretty cool

I thought the Bats/Cats parts of Returns were great but I could have done without the Penguin. Michelle Pfeiffer was fantastic. I don't know that anyone could top her performance for me (though I challenge someone to try).

 

[Gianakin_]

i think im one of the few that actually thinks returns was pretty cool

The fact that Burton left a huge stamp on the duology doesn't mean I don't like it. Don't mistake this. I like BR much more than B89.

 

[Magenta666]

The fact that Burton left a huge stamp on the duology doesn't mean I don't like it. Don't mistake this. I like BR much more than B89.

personally i think the first two were good for what they did, they made batman dark again, but other than that they are really just mildly entertaining...we shall not speak of the rest of the films

 

[Ama Zing]

I thought the Bats/Cats parts of Returns were great but I could have done without the Penguin. Michelle Pfeiffer was fantastic. I don't know that anyone could top her performance for me (though I challenge someone to try).

Agreed, she's going to be very difficult to top. I wouldn't be against them trying, though, if only to make up for the recent film atrocity.

 

[Gianakin_]

personally i think the first two were good for what they did, they made batman dark again, but other than that they are really just mildly entertaining...we shall not speak of the rest of the films

Fair enough. I like them and think they are much more than entertaining, but my favorites are BB and Mask of the Phantasm.

 

[Magenta666]

Fair enough. I like them and think they are much more than entertaining, but my favorites are BB and Mask of the Phantasm.

agreed, and ROTJ

 

[Crook]

I tried watching Sweeny Todd but it was just Tim Burton shoving his Burton weirdness down everyone's throats with bad singing. Makes the Batman movies look like Oscar winners.

Lol. I disagree with just about every single word in this post.

personally i think the first two were good for what they did, they made batman dark again, but other than that they are really just mildly entertaining...we shall not speak of the rest of the films

If they were just mildly entertaining, it wouldn't have left such a huge impact on the general audience's perception of what Batman is.

 

[Gianakin_]

Agreed, she's going to be very difficult to top. I wouldn't be against them trying, though, if only to make up for the recent film atrocity.

Agreed. Michelle's the very best thing about the Burton film's, as far as I'm concerned. And she will be hell to top. Hellish hellesque hellful hell.

 

[thejon7]

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/006862392.cfm

Talks about bringing Two-Face in TDK, Harley Quinn rumor, Joker, and more!!

If Harley Quinn was in the film, I think that she would have been played to a T by the woman from Sweeney Todd; Helena Bonham-Carter.

Thanks for the great news, batman44. It's great to hear from Chris Nolan and how the film's currently doing

 

[Gianakin_]

agreed, and ROTJ

You know, I love its concept, but every time I watch it, I cringe even more at Peter Park.... erm, Terry McGinnis as Batman. I just can't get past his Clooney-esque one-liners anymore. Thus, my 3rd favorite Batfilm is BR now, and not RotJ anymore.

 

[Magenta666]

You know, I love its concept, but every time I watch it, I cringe even more at Peter Park.... erm, Terry McGinnis as Batman. I just can't get past his Clooney-esque one-liners anymore. Thus, my 3rd favorite Batfilm is BR now, and not RotJ anymore.

agreed, its just like having Jason Todd not dead and the new batman, but i love Hamills performance in the movie. its a little less silly and a little more im gonna fricking kill ya

 

[Volvic]

Good interview. Although he didn't really say much. He probably won't pull a Singer, I can see WB offering him a lot of money to do the third one.

 

[Mr. Socko]

I tried watching Sweeny Todd but it was just Tim Burton shoving his Burton weirdness down everyone's throats with bad singing. Makes the Batman movies look like Oscar winners.

This is the most ridiculous thing I've read today. You either saw it or you didn't, and I doubt you even watched it. The vocal ensembles were terrific, and FYI, it wasn't Burton's material. Funny you mention Oscar winners, because Sweeney will surely be one within a number of months.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

If Harley Quinn was in the film, I think that she would have been played to a T by the woman from Sweeney Todd; Helena Bonham-Carter.

That is actually not a bad choice - she has the looks and the manic energy that you would need!!!

Aww well... it ain't gonna happen but nice thinking.

 

[Ama Zing]

This is the most ridiculous thing I've read today. You either saw it or you didn't, and I doubt you even watched it. The vocal ensembles were terrific, and FYI, it wasn't Burton's material. Funny you mention Oscar winners, because Sweeney will surely be one within a number of months.

I saw it opening day with my sister. I love both Burton and musicals but I just couldn't love the movie. My exact feeling towards it once it ended was that I didn't know exactly how I felt, leaning towards dislike. The story and acting were good and I certainly enjoyed that, but only two of the cast members could actually sing. I love HBC but there's no way she's meant for Sondheim.
And visually the whole film was Burton *********ion. You can't tell me it wasn't. Maybe five years ago I would've loved that, but years of selling and catering to the 14-year-old Burtonites has really jaded me against that whole culture. I got really sick of looking at dark sets, panda eyes and bad hair after a while. It really felt less like a Burton movie and more like a Burton sell out. Compared to his older films, it was awful.

 

[Octoberist]

I really think Sweeney Todd was one of the better Burton films in recent years. I think his post 'Sleepy Hallow' career was inconsistent, starting with Planet of the Apes. I hated Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

BUt Sweeney Todd, despite not coming from an original source material, was enjoyable. I agree that it was too "on the nose" with the Gothic look though...

 

[Mr. Socko]

I saw it opening day with my sister. I love both Burton and musicals but I just couldn't love the movie. My exact feeling towards it once it ended was that I didn't know exactly how I felt, leaning towards dislike. The story and acting were good and I certainly enjoyed that, but only two of the cast members could actually sing. I love HBC but there's no way she's meant for Sondheim.
And visually the whole film was Burton *********ion. You can't tell me it wasn't. Maybe five years ago I would've loved that, but years of selling and catering to the 14-year-old Burtonites has really jaded me against that whole culture. I got really sick of looking at dark sets, panda eyes and bad hair after a while. It really felt less like a Burton movie and more like a Burton sell out. Compared to his older films, it was awful.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply because by your original post I wrongly confused you for someone who just hates all of Burton's work and just felt like hating the film(oh and make no mistake, there are many here like that).

Visually, Todd was definitely along the lines of Burton's dark visualization but I think it really fit the tone. He was the perfect man for the job, the material called for a 'gothic' like setting. Burton simply applied his style to where it was suppose to be. This is nothing like Batman Returns where Burton took normal source material and make it freakishly dark. Here, he took freakishly dark source material and simply brought that style to the screen.

But I respect your opinion and thanks again for listing your problems instead of a "it just sucks" post. I personally loved it, I think it's the best Tim Burton film of the past decade. But funny how this thread goes from a wizard interview with Christopher Nolan to Tim Burton directing Sweeney Todd.

I really think Sweeney Todd was one of the better Burton films in recent years. I think his post 'Sleepy Hallow' career was inconsistent, starting with Planet of the Apes. I hated Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

BUt Sweeney Todd, despite not coming from an original source material, was enjoyable. I agree that it was too "on the nose" with the Gothic look though...

I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's my second favorite Burton film of the past decade(right behind Sweeney). It stands out for me as Burton took his usually dark style and made a very colorful imaginative movie. I like the original more, but think Burton's version is terrific as well. And visually, this would be my favorite film Tim Burton has made. I'd love to see him do another movie in a lighter style. This proved he knows both sides of the fence.

 

[Ama Zing]

And thank you, Socko, for taking my opinion in stride and offering yours in return. I respect your opinion and have no problem with anyone who liked the movie, I can certainly see why, it just left a bad taste in my mouth. Like I said, I'd probably have liked the movie more if I wasn't so jaded from the constant assault of young Burtonites who dress in stripes and chains and think the weirder they look the more unique they are. The whole 'dream life by the beach' sequence I probably would've loved a few years ago but now I tried to enjoy and just kept thinking 'a bunch of fat kids are going to duplicate those dresses now and think they're the ****'.

Never work selling the things you love. If I had one word of advice I'd give that.

I also loved CatCF, it was fun and quirky but IMO Big Fish is his greatest work because it's such a Burton story without the real Burton visuals.
And forums tend to work that way, don't they? An off hand remark leads to a totally off-topic conversation.