The Dark Knight Rises The TDKR General Discussion Thread - - - - - - - - Part 140

[Tacit Ronin]

Chilling? That's a relatively common stunt. In fact, it's one of the major stunts you learn as a stuntman because of how common it is.

I get shocking, in terms of writing. But chilling as a stunt, I dunno. I'd just be pissed if they filmed that for me (as a stuntman), and then didn't include it in the movie. It's a pretty painful stunt, even when done right.

I dunno. I guess it was the overall context, the matter of factness in which he was disposed of spoke to me, perhaps in my vision of the final battle (far grander) than what we got.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

This.

There were moments where I felt like I was watching Star Trek: The Next Generation.

I love that show, don't get me wrong. But Avengers wasn't shot with a $30,000 production budget in 1988.

Wally's comments will actually gain support once he gets Nominated for TDKR in January. If the film does indeed nab a Best Picture Nomination, the U.S. Government will build solid gold statues of Pfister outside of Whedon & McGarvey's houses.

Umm...I was comparing it to the 2009 film.

 

[Dark Knight]

This.

There were moments where I felt like I was watching Star Trek: The Next Generation.

I love that show, don't get me wrong. But Avengers wasn't shot with a $30,000 production budget in 1988.

Wally's comments will actually gain support once he gets Nominated for TDKR in January. If the film does indeed nab a Best Picture Nomination, the U.S. Government will build solid gold statues of Pfister outside of Whedon & McGarvey's houses.

Wally's comments are great. I take an Academy Award winning cinematographers opinion like Wally's ahead of anything the Bay ripoff Whedon and his Avengers cinematographer say or do. Avengers had no soul and was just one dimensional. It was just basically a Transformers film IMO.

I read the article on the SH front page and it said the Avengers gets the last laugh because it made more money than TDKR?

haha....only a single minded simpleton would say such a thing.

TDK Trilogy owns all of the solo Marvel superhero films. It took a team film like the Avengers to make more than one solo Nolan Bat film. lol

Plus who knows how much more money TDKR would have made if the Colorado tragedy didn't occur and if it was in 3D and if was targeted more to the kiddies like Avengers was.

 

[Dark Knight]

It was Whedon's decision to shoot digitally and in the 1.85:1 ratio, not McGarvey's. Whedon pretty much abandoned film when he did Dollhouse S2 and Dr. Horrible, and McGarvey was film-only up until The Avengers. I do question them using the 1.85:1 frame since Whedon used the 2.40:1 for Serenity to great effect.

McGarvey's been doing cinematography as long as Pfister has, so don't diss his work as amateurish. TA may not have the kind of polish and veneer Nolan's Batman trilogy had with the 35mm and IMAX footage, but there are some gorgeous shots there. There's even a few that are Nolan-esque in terms of composition and lighting.



There's a difference between airing your opinions and then being tactless. Pfister's comments come off as petty jealousy (aren't all cinematographers supposed to show off the sets as well?), and he should know better than to just shoot his mouth off like that.

Especially since he is guilty of doing similar rule-breakers -- like the TDK car chase which breaks a lot of editorial and cinematography rules. So look who's calling the kettle black, Wally.

Wally and his Academy Award and nominations has more credibility than anything Whedon and McCarvey have done or will ever do IMO. It's Wally's opinion. He can say whatever he wants....just like you and I can and just like the simpleton who wrote the article in the front of the SH page says "Avengers gets the last laugh at the box office".

 

[TheIrishAvenger]

Wally's comments are great. I take an Academy Award winning cinematographers opinion like Wally's ahead of anything the Bay ripoff Whedon and his Avengers cinematographer say or do. Avengers had no soul and was just one dimensional. It was just basically a Transformers film IMO.

I read the article on the SH front page and it said the Avengers gets the last laugh because it made more money than TDKR?

haha....only a single minded simpleton would say such a thing.

TDK Trilogy owns all of the solo Marvel superhero films. It took a team film like the Avengers to make more than one solo Nolan Bat film. lol

Plus who knows how much more money TDKR would have made if the Colorado tragedy didn't occur and if it was in 3D and if was targeted more to the kiddies like Avengers was.

So, The Avengers is automatically a "kiddie" film because it's less grounded and realistic that Nolan's Batman trilogy? Give me a god damn break. The Avengers is no way one-dimensional like the rubbish Michael Bay chruns out. There were major themes in The Avengers that asked questions about the heroes on the team that you obviously seemed to just not get. Why do you think critics raved over it so much? Because it was just a "fanboy's wet dream", of course not, it's because of the amount of substance along with the incredible entertainment value.

Plus, are you seriously calling Joss Whedon a Michael Bay rip-off? Are you serious...? Watch Firefly, Serenity, Dr. Horrible... definitely NOT a Michael Bay rip-off. Box office is irrelevant when talking about something like an opinion on a film's cinematography, and you really shouldn't care about what some "simpleton" thinks, seems like you're making excuses for TDKR (which you shouldn't, it was very successful and a good film). I disagree with Wally's opinion, but I know the "appaling" shots he's talking about but it didn't ruin the film for me, but I can see how it could ruin it for him (he is an Oscar winner after all).

This whole post reeks of Nolan loyalty and bias towards his films. Both The Avengers and The Dark Knight are prime examples of what can be done with a superhero movie.

 

[shauner111]

Avengers had no soul and was just one dimensional. It was just basically a Transformers film IMO.

I read the article on the SH front page and it said the Avengers gets the last laugh because it made more money than TDKR?

haha....only a single minded simpleton would say such a thing.

TDK Trilogy owns all of the solo Marvel superhero films. It took a team film like the Avengers to make more than one solo Nolan Bat film. lol

It was supposed to be one-dimensional and for the kiddies. But i agree. It wasn't about soul, good cinematography, great performances..it was one-dimensional (for a reason yessss i knowww) but that's just the way it is. Like Transformers it served its purpose. Also, like that first Transformers flick, i enjoy some of the fun scenes but overall it's not my cup of tea or what i look for in movies. Obviously Wally feels the same.

Whoever says it gets the last laugh because it racked in more money, needs a brain transplant.

It's pretty funny how fans of the Avengers conveniently forget that it's a huge team-up movie (combining Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America and various SHIELD members). And they think it means something that it's a greater success?? You're going up against a single solo Batman film! It's hilarious. It's as if us DC fans were ranting & raving about Justice League making more money than a Spider-Man. Ridiculous.

 

[Travesty]

It's pretty funny how fans of the Avengers conveniently forget that it's a huge team-up movie

I don't think a single person has ever thought otherwise. That's the entire point to The Avengers.

 

[TheIrishAvenger]

Who cares which film made the most money? Like really? We had three Summer CBMs this year that raked in over $3 BILLION worldwide. That is huge and we should all be happy.

 

[shauner111]

I don't think a single person has ever thought otherwise. That's the entire point to The Avengers.

Duh. Im talking about in their arguments. When it comes to "Avengers is a better success than Dark Knight Rises!!!". It's a team-up movie with 6 or 7 superheroes going up against a solo Batman film. It's a ridiculous argument. And they act as if it's just 1 marvel franchise versus 1 DC franchise. But it's really a dream-team squaring off against 1 player.

Anyways money doesn't matter. Quality over quantity. And i'll take my trilogy over a Marvel team-up movie any day of the week. Not saying the movie is horrible, it's just not my thing.

 

[Micromind]

I thought that Avengers was a well made, entertaining movie but,

I think that most would agree that Avengers got higher ratings (from Critics) and more Box Office collections than it deserved.

It certainly doesn't feel like a movie that should have a 92 % RT rating and a $ 1.511 B collections.

 

[Matt Mortem]

Wally's comments are great. I take an Academy Award winning cinematographers opinion like Wally's ahead of anything the Bay ripoff Whedon and his Avengers cinematographer say or do. Avengers had no soul and was just one dimensional. It was just basically a Transformers film IMO.

I read the article on the SH front page and it said the Avengers gets the last laugh because it made more money than TDKR?

haha....only a single minded simpleton would say such a thing.

TDK Trilogy owns all of the solo Marvel superhero films. It took a team film like the Avengers to make more than one solo Nolan Bat film. lol

Plus who knows how much more money TDKR would have made if the Colorado tragedy didn't occur and if it was in 3D and if was targeted more to the kiddies like Avengers was.

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[Alexei Belyakov]

I thought that Avengers was a well made, entertaining movie but,

I think that most would agree that Avengers got higher ratings (from Critics) and more Box Office collections than it deserved.

It certainly doesn't feel like a movie that should have a 92 % RT rating and a $ 1.511 B collections.

Agreed.

I'd place it in the high 80s on RT say 88%.

I think its a great film, but TDKR is much better.

TDKR suffered from too many expectations. The few critics who disliked it wanted something unrealistic. A movie that lived in their heads - which competed with the amazing movie they were watching.

With Avengers, most critics just expected popcorn & what they got was very well-written popcorn - hence 92% on RT.

 

[atomicbattery]

With Avengers, most critics just expected popcorn & what they got was very well-written popcorn - hence 92% on RT.

I think that critics can be influenced by the energy around a film, just like anyone else. There was just a ton of enthusiasm around the release of that movie, and it delivered well enough, so, yeah- 92%.

I can't agree that it was all that well written. The Robot Chicken level comic banter/put-downs between men in tights was certainly a crowd pleaser, but hardly great dialogue. And the story- whatever it was- forgotten the moment I left the theater. But it was a fun experience- kind of like going to an amusement park. Especially that first weekend.

 

[bullets]

Who cares which film made the most money? Like really? We had three Summer CBMs this year that raked in over $3 BILLION worldwide. That is huge and we should all be happy.

I think it's plain selfish to say that one should suceed over the other. If they both did well critically and commercially everyone should be satisfied. I personally want variety in superhero films and don't want to see a specific style of film to lead the charge.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Wally's comments are great. I take an Academy Award winning cinematographers opinion like Wally's ahead of anything the Bay ripoff Whedon and his Avengers cinematographer say or do. Avengers had no soul and was just one dimensional. It was just basically a Transformers film IMO.

I read the article on the SH front page and it said the Avengers gets the last laugh because it made more money than TDKR?

haha....only a single minded simpleton would say such a thing.

TDK Trilogy owns all of the solo Marvel superhero films. It took a team film like the Avengers to make more than one solo Nolan Bat film. lol

Plus who knows how much more money TDKR would have made if the Colorado tragedy didn't occur and if it was in 3D and if was targeted more to the kiddies like Avengers was.

Avengers gets the last laugh because it made more money than TDKR.

Spoiler

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

I think that critics can be influenced by the energy around a film, just like anyone else. There was just a ton of enthusiasm around the release of that movie, and it delivered well enough, so, yeah- 92%.

I can't agree that it was all that well written. The Robot Chicken level comic banter/put-downs between men in tights was certainly a crowd pleaser, but hardly great dialogue. And the story- whatever it was- forgotten the moment I left the theater. But it was a fun experience- kind of like going to an amusement park. Especially that first weekend.

Agreed.

The Screen Junkies "Honest Trailer" for Avengers says it all.

 

[TheBat812]

Wheedon is a very good writer, but he's not a spectacular director pushing the boundaries of filmmaking. He and Nolan are on whole different levels in that regard. Whedons storytelling is primarily on the page, rarely using cinematic language to really enhance story and character, but like bay uses it more so to entertain. Hence pfisters problem with the film. It feels shallow. Not that it isn't enjoyable, it just doesn't resonate very deeply. It also looked straight up like a tv show. At first I thought I was watching a cropped version with the 1.85, and the digital just looks low budget to me. Eh, just my opinion.

 

[TheFuture]

Wally's comments are great. I take an Academy Award winning cinematographers opinion like Wally's ahead of anything the Bay ripoff Whedon and his Avengers cinematographer say or do. Avengers had no soul and was just one dimensional. It was just basically a Transformers film IMO.

I read the article on the SH front page and it said the Avengers gets the last laugh because it made more money than TDKR?

haha....only a single minded simpleton would say such a thing.

TDK Trilogy owns all of the solo Marvel superhero films. It took a team film like the Avengers to make more than one solo Nolan Bat film. lol

Plus who knows how much more money TDKR would have made if the Colorado tragedy didn't occur and if it was in 3D and if was targeted more to the kiddies like Avengers was.

Just with better characters.

I preferred TDKR over TA but FWIW, I think Pfister went OTT with his "appalling film" comment. Based on camerawork? Really? But I guess the man's entitled to feel that way given his profession.

 

[Alex Logan]

At the debates last night, Romney basically answered a question about ak-47s with a line about kids needing two parent homes and better economy. Not additional regulation but better enforcement, etc.

I guess I missed the connection to Batman... if there is one.

 

[Tequilla]

People love fake smiles. That's the problem. Hollywood keeps making garbage after garbage. Audiences seem to like it and so they keep making them . Yet there's talented people in the industry that have an opinion about it. And they are honest about it. So whenever i hear a guy like Weaving saying the truth , i cant get offended. Of course Transformers is garbage. Of course the Cap movie was ridiculously bad (i never thought i would see a worst marvel movie , specially because they started so well , boy was I surprised when i saw avengers).

What Wally said , is probably what a lot of more experienced people in the industry think (and a lot of them probably think the same about Batman).

Some people keep bringing critics , but i just checked metacritic and that site aggregates 68%...hardly a well received movie. Of course a random blogger which gets ads revenues from movies , wont say bad stuff about them (like superherohype).

You guys should read European critics about Avengers (or Rises , although here i think the movie was actually better received than TDK). You will see a lot of black dots (in case you dont know , in 1-5 scale , black dot is lesser than 1 )

What is even more funny , Wally Pfister said in the same interview that one day he could do a Batman 4....if he needed to buy a new house . Hardly a great compliment.

Everyone has the right to enjoy whatever they want. I love so many bad movies. If Transformers are successful is because people liked it. But if anyone comes out and say those movies are pure garbage , or if they say Avengers is an appaling movie...well i cant say im surprised. To me they are anything but good film-making.

 

[JackWhite]

Just with better characters.

I preferred TDKR over TA but FWIW, I think Pfister went OTT with his "appalling film" comment. Based on camerawork? Really? But I guess the man's entitled to feel that way given his profession.

Same here, man.

I wasn't head over heels with The Avengers, but that's where it ends for me on the film. It's not a dick measuring contest with TDKR vs The Avengers.

 

[Anita18]

Just with better characters.

I preferred TDKR over TA but FWIW, I think Pfister went OTT with his "appalling film" comment. Based on camerawork? Really? But I guess the man's entitled to feel that way given his profession.

If you've ever heard the man speak in person, OTT is normal for him.

I bet he'll still be able to sit down with the Avenger's DP and have a beer and a good laugh.

 

[BH/HHH]

Wallys comments were ridiculous tbh why even say anything?

 

[BH/HHH]

I think it's plain selfish to say that one should suceed over the other. If they both did well critically and commercially everyone should be satisfied. I personally want variety in superhero films and don't want to see a specific style of film to lead the charge.

Best post on here

 

[T"Challa]

Oh hey look, its bash avengers time again...we totally need more of that (sarcasm)