Well, Reverend Bob Larson believes the performance wasn’t all due to Ledger’s acting ability, but that a demon was possessing him at the time. “I would say…something overtook that man. There is a strong possibility that somehow, he just took on too much of the evil of this character. After all, whether it was psychological or spiritual, he could not draw that distinction anymore. That is not the first time I’ve had an actor tell that sort of thing to me. When they are called onto portray that role. With this movie here, though, I don’t see that happening,” he said. Larson does make a strong point. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m a huge fan of Ledger’s performance as The Joker, and he truly was terrifying in his performance. Ledger was able to pretty much capture the insanity of the character. And While it’s too late to really know if Ledger was possessed or not, it does make one think about the possibility of it.

Of course, there’s many out there that don’t believe in demonic possession, but after hearing a couple of stories from friends on the topic, it’s hard for me not to believe it. And this certainly wasn’t the first time for Reverend Larson either. “I have. There have been instances of that. Obviously, I deal with political figures, business people, as well as ordinary people…A lot of people in the entertainment industry. But I am sworn to secrecy on that. Clergy confidentiality doesn’t allow me to discuss anything about that. But…There is that danger. I wouldn’t say that it is a common danger. But it certainly is at work out there,” he said when asked if he’s experienced it before.

Whether or not Ledger was possessed or not remains to be seen or proven, but it does make one wonder about this sort of thing. Heck, even Jack Nicholson warned Ledger not to make the film because what the role will do to him. Perhaps the character of The Joker is just too insane for any person to mess with? But given the importance of the character in the Batman mythology you can bet that we’ll see the Clown Prince of Crime on the big screen again when the studio reboots the franchise after The Dark Knight Rises.

Source: Movieweb.

Could Bane be using Dent’s death as a method to invoke riots in Gotham? I doubt if Dent ties in with Bane or the League of Shadows, and while Aaron Eckhart confirmed Dent is truly dead, he was hush on if he’ll appear in a flashback, which seems unlikely too.

At least Dent’s death still lingers and haunts our Dark Knight. Who’s eager to see this even more now?

Source: Wick Photography

All you have to do is “Like” the movie’s fan page (here), and choose to rent the film for $3. You will have the option to pause the movie, comment, and even log out to watch the movie later on. This comes just less than a month after WB announcement the option to get the film on you iPhone (here).

“He [the nameless executive producer] would like to keep it in line with the Nolan movies. No word on any stories or script except “keep it in-line with the real world and with young adult audiences in mind.”

“It has also been mentioned that this is a way to re-introduce The Joker as a completely new version so not to step on Heath’s memory/version, as WB knows this is a sensitive subject and believes that (The Joker) episode alone will rate through the roof as it will be a closed set with extremely very tight security to prevent any leaked footage.”

Both are topics I wouldn’t want to be in charge of. Yes, Smallville is very successful and rebooting Batman for TV doesn’t seem like a bad way. WB is stuck post-Nolan. These films will widely be considered the definitive statement on the characters, so a film post-Nolan in this universe will be met with hefty doubt. Interesting to see how and if this plays out.

Thoughts?

MTV

“Well, yes and no [as he answered the Catwoman question]. But I don’t know if that [villain] is going to be [Nolan's] choice. There’s been talk of the Riddler, the Joker [the character was to be in the third, until Ledger's death] — the Penguin. Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the Penguin, and that sounds interesting to me.”

“So we’ll wait and see. And there just may be more than one.”

Does that whet your appetite for what is going to be the biggest film of all-time? In a nutshell, this is more heresay. Catwoman, Hoffman as Penguin, and multiple villains has all been talked before. Should we take stock in that Freeman didn’t mention the fan favorite Talia Al Ghul?

Check out the trailer below, followed by the plot synopsis:

“A nuclear power plant is about to be commissioned upon the signing of corrupt and power hungry politicians. The citizens are in frenzy, as they oppose this plan but they cannot do a thing about it. And so, a hero was born, chasing down the criminals and the corrupt, killing of whatever threatens the city’s well being. He leaves a card with his name simply as “THE RED EAGLE”. However, the hero becomes the hunted, when the politicians send out their best defense, known as “THE BLACK DEMON”.

With Tony Jaa M.I.A. in the action Thai industry, this looks to please. It opens in Thailand October 7th, but an American date is unknown.

Source: i09

The Film:

Pre-Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan was quietly proving he could handle the larger scaled detective with his keen eye into characters, but post-Inception, it’s interesting to see something like Insomnia that only in hindsight showcased what most have failed to understand about Nolan. Outside of the immense praise he’s received from his last two films – The Dark Knight and Inception – out from under the billion dollars has come a backlash against him, and that is only a product of this Internet culture, who is quick to praise and turn against that praise. Nolan never gets caught up into the politics of the business, only focuses his energy on each film, one at a time, making each as good as the last. In this day-and-age of film, what’s wrong with that?

So revisiting Insomnia, the film of his that’s sort of been forgotten under the cape and cowl of Batman, has only came to reaffirm his calculate control of story and character. It’s a puzzle that takes time to piece together, a collection of mysteries and gray areas of a detective who is a good, but flawed man, that will be explored better in The Dark Knight. Al Pacino plays a that detective, a L.A. hot shot who has famously made headlines – good and bad. He’s called upon, in this always in day time town in Alaska, for his expertise to solve a mysterious murder of a young girl.

Simple set-up, that in Nolan fashion, gets sketchy and more involved from that plot point, into a tightly constructed thriller. It’s moody, with some brilliant cinematography in the fog, that adds to Pacino’s character, in my opinion, as he his actions and his past become blurred. Redemption is quality Nolan has continued to explore, and with his third Batman film on the way, is surely going to continue. In his catalog, it’s easy to see why Insomnia gets overlooked. It’s far from flashy or exhilarating, like his recent action pictures, and has a somber mood throughout. Dark, moody, involving, Insomnia is just a good film from a director who has continuously put out good films.

So what’s wrong with that again?

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: WB offers a striking HD video presentation. Even though the film is set in a rainy and foggy atmosphere, the clarity and detail in the transfer is very high. No grain is apparent, but that’ not because of DNR. The blues and gray are strong and when we get flashes of color, like blood red or green foliage, it just pops. Look for the chase sequence across the river for a prime example why this transfer is superb. The DTS track enables us to get involved with the mystery as it’s never overpowering but fits the film’s mood nicely. Loud at times, but able to handle the atmospherics of the foggy city perfectly.

First of all, kudos to WB for a stellar cover art. The DVD featured a black background and huge heads.

Commentary: Here’s a unique approach to this feature. Normally, the director talks over the finished product. But Nolan and WB rearrange the film into the film’s shooting order, which allows for an engaging chat about the process of filming. Through this chronicle of the shooting order of the production, Nolan chats about the actor’s process in finding their characters in this non-linear format, shooting on location, and other tidbits. This creates a more intimate feel to the commentary.

Scene Specific Commentaries: Hilary Swank, screenwriter Hillary Seitz, director of photography Wally Pfister, production designer Nathan Crowley, and editor Dody Dorn all participate in the selective commentary. The best way to get them all is the play all feature. Not as good as Nolan’s solo track, but this compliments his nicely.

All extras are in SD, sadly.

Day for Night: This is a short EPK making-of that isn’t bad. Offers up some nice interviews, running 8 minutes.

180 Degrees: This is a great piece, even if the audio is low. Nolan and Pacino in 2002 chat candidly with each other about the characters, the film, and movies in general.

Rounding out the extras is In the Fog, a short piece of Cinematographer Wally Pfister and Production Designer Nathan Crowley talking about their work; Eyes Wide Open is an EPK piece on insomnia that’s decent; one deleted scene with optional commentary; Stills Gallery; and a Trailer.

Conclusion: A solid thriller that focuses more on moral dilemmas that a twist ending, thankfully. Solid Blu-ray from Warners.

The Film: Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

True, this could just be B.S., but there’s some sort of plausibility to it. For one, it’s been a long standing suggestion that The Riddler will terrorize Gotham (here) in the third Batman film, since Nolan has firmly stated no Joker or Mr. Freeze (here). Plus, Dent is dead. Second, Nolan likes working with the same actors multiple times (here). Third, we know the script is done (here), but in what form is still not known. Fourth, we know from various sources that the film should be filming in Spring 2011 (here and here).

But the Titanic star isn’t the only one being courted for the role, as Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been rumored (here) and so has Johnny Depp (by like every fan boy forum around). Wildly, even Robin Williams still wants to be The Riddler (here) as he was originally touted for Batman Forever until Jim Carrey got the part.

IF the Riddler is the film’s villain, this role could be the biggest and most coveted male role in recent memory, all for a film that should be the biggest sequel of all-time, a feat only worthy of following The Dark Knight. Expect more from this carousel of casting news and rumors until something gets confirmed officially by Nolan or WB.

But who better to follow Heath Ledger’s Oscar winning turn as a Batman villain, than a Martin Scorsese go-to guy?

Source: WENN

The Film:

It’s been long considered the best incarnation of Batman, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is also by and large, one of the better animated efforts from Bruce Timm and Warner Animation. But fans were singing a different tune when Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight was released, yet both offered deep psychological looks at the Bat and his world, proving the the character is a feeding ground for consistently interesting looks at the gray areas in justice and violence, making up for nearly seven decades worth of powerful stories. Two such stories, Death in the Family and Under the Hood offered a different look at the Dark Knight: his relationship with Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, The Boy Wonders – Robin.

The Boy Plunder! laughed Caesar Romero as The Joker in the popular, campy television series from the 1960′s, and many comic book fans would agree. Even Christian Bale has stated that if they try to introduce Robin in the Nolan films, he would tie himself to his front door, a not so subtle statement about his disapproval for the character. This brings us to Batman: Under the Red Hood, which is one of Bruce Timm’s and Warner Animation’s best efforts, on par with Mask of the Phantasm, and maybe even besting that, but it’s also the best Robin story ever told. A combination of the two fore-mentioned stories on the character, Under the Red Hood is happily a by product of the films from Nolan. It’s a deep, dark, violent look at the characters in Gotham, a film that breezes by with high levels of actions, wonderful cameos, and a dark look at consequences of both good and bad decisions.

Under the Red Hood also features a superb score by Christopher Drake, who embedded a deep, moody score to latch itself into our ears throughout the wonderfully animated 75 minute film. The film is dangerous; besides pushing the PG-13 rating further than the WB’s recent efforts, the film also doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of pain and vengeance, and also features a non-Mark Hamill voiced Joker. This time, it’s John DiMaggio (Bender from Futurama) who mixes Hamill’s great work in with a little Ledger for something entirely new and appreciated. If the film has one flaw, it’s the wasted appearance of Nightwing. He has little to do and disappears throughout most of the film in an unexplained manner. Sadly, his presence could have added an interesting dynamic to Under the Red Hood, if explored.

Nolan’s Batman films changed things and there’s no going back. If that’s the case, then good, because it’s given us a Batman who truly fitted for our age in a post-9/11 America, and Under the Red Hood is a child of all of this. A film with great animation, great direction, a fabulous score, and a story deeper and more nuanced than most of WB’s recent PG-13 superhero offerings in their DTV line, making a near-classic, a must watch…twice, back-to-back.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: WB offers another great animated film in HD, yet it’s not perfect. While colors are bright and eye-catching, there’s some slight ghosting and noise here and there. The DTS track is superb; loud and aggressive, as one should expect. Pretty solid all around here, minus one or two boo-boo’s.

DC Showcase – Jonah Hex: An all-new 12 minute short featuring the voices of Thomas Jane and Linda Hamilton, this is a great short film. Stylish, well-told, gritty, it’s the Jonah Hex we sort of didn’t get in the glossy live-action film. As great as Under the Red Hood is, this short is worth the price of the purchase as well.

Robin: The Story of Dick Grayson: This thorough 25 minute look at the character and the psychology behind him throughout the years, with key DC Comics interviews, is well worth the look.

Robin’s Requiem: The Tale of Jason Todd: The second Robin gets a deep look much like the above documentary, it too, is worth the look, especially since the character is so involved with the film’s story.

Superman/Batman – Apocalypse First Look: Here’s a preview of the next DTV film from DC/WB Animation. It’s told through interviews and rough tests, but if it’s as good as Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, I’ll be happy.

Bonus Batman: The Animated Series Episodes that Producer Bruce Timm selected includes “Robin’s Reckoning, Parts 1 & 2,” “Mad Love,” and “The Laughing Fish, totaling nearly 90 minutes and if you don’t have these on DVD, are a great addition. Also, a slew of Trailers and a Digital Copy round out the extras.

Conclusion: A superb animated effort that’s their best yet on the oft-told character on a solid HD disc.

The Film: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

All of this is true. Zimmer’s score is at times, very abstract with big, loud pulsating strings and brass, a theme that’s almost robotic and menacing as it is the heartbeat for the film. But in tracks like “One Simple Idea” and “Old Souls”, we hear this levity rise. Nolan’s films have been about very flawed and troubled characters, but they’re also very sad and humble, and that’s what the sweeter side of Zimmer’s score provides. Lesser attuned ears will want to hear similar patterns in the music to Zimmer’s memorable The Dark Knight score, but that film featured a simple, terrifying rhythm and a few themes of hope compromised by despair.

But it isn’t a copy of The Dark Knight. It’s even more epic, but it has a deeper emotional core to it. It’s still dark and moody, like in “The Dream is Collapsing” or “Waiting for a Train”. Zimmer is getting to be Nolan’s best asset, for helping the audience go on the ride, a combo that maybe in another collaboration or two, might rank up there with Hitchcock/Herrmann, Spielberg/Williams, Burton/Elfman, and Scorsese/Rolling Stones. Zimmer has been giving us great scores for years, yet Inception: Music from the Motion Picture might be his most experimental. It’s one of the better scores from 2010.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

It’s pretty good and as most film fans know, this wasn’t the only time there’s been a quality fan made Batman film. Remember Batman: Dead End and Grayson? Youtube those ASAP if you haven’t. Anyway, enjoy the film below as Daily Motion is hosting it for the time being and look for it on VOD soon.

Source: /Film

Source: /Film

The only other big film in July 2012, is Sony’s Spider-Man reboot on July 3rd. Start the anticipation…NOW.

Source: Collider

Dirty Harry. Death Wish. Walking Tall. These films rallied the spirit of an average guy who just had enough of the scum that violated life in their cities and communities. Director Daniel Barber understands this notion in cinema, as the revenge film, or vigilante film has long been a fan favorite, with his new gritty revenge drama, Harry Brown. One notion that has sent people into positive buzz about the film, since it debuted at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival is that the story of Harry Brown is 100% true. “Harry Brown simply shows issues people around the country face on a daily basis,” says Barber about the film and the title hero, “the walk home past the drug dealers, the kids harassed by gangs in the playground, living in flats and buildings not fit for purpose. These events are not exaggerated – the police advisers on the film had far more shocking stories to tell.”

The film stars that old wily acting vet, Michael Caine, who is no stranger to films of this nature. Get Carter (1971) was certainly a key film in his career, as well as an under appreciated English film dealing with these same themes. He has also been apart of a franchise that its title hero as devoted his life to fighting injustice and crime, in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. If one thinks of his Alfred as a meek, timid butler to the knight, then one has forgotten his key speech about the criminal mentality, a speech that could be echoed in his character of Harry Brown:

“A long time ago, I was in Burma, my friends and I were working for the local government. They were trying to buy the loyalty of tribal leaders by bribing them with precious stones. But their caravans were being raided in a forest north of Rangoon by a bandit. So we went looking for the stones. But in six months, we never found anyone who traded with him. One day I saw a child playing with a ruby the size of a tangerine. The bandit had been throwing them away,” he says to Bruce.

Bruce curiously replied, “Then why steal them?”

“Because he thought it was good sport. Because some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.”

That world-weary advice will do Michael Caine good as he battles thugs and drug dealers in Harry Brown. Daniel Barber concludes, “Harry Brown doesn’t brush his problems under the carpet, and neither should society.” For us, the revenge genre is alive and well, and in good hands. Movie goers should check their local theaters this weekend, as the film opens in limited release. Visit the film’s official site here to learn more.

Samuel Goldwyn Films’ upcoming theatrical thriller, HARRY BROWN, starring Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer is being released on April 30th, and we have a poster – signed by Michael Caine – to giveaway to our faithful readers. Just email our editor Donny at donny@killerfilm.com and tell him why he should send you the beautiful poster below, signed by a living legend.