higfilm07

Just saw it at as closing film of Austin Film Festival. Going in, a had seen a few snippets of their act at Alamo Drafthouse, and thought the trailer was amusing but I wasn't expecting such an epic theme music and the use of tarot cards is genius in the title sequence. Watch out for cameos from Ben Stiller and Tim Robbins, and the dark lord himself (who has a fetish for KG). So much over-the-top fun and the songs are so catchy. The car chase was by far my favorite scene. I know this will earn cult status right away and win over some new Tenacious D fans, just like me. I hope this does well in the theaters. "Follow me, we are the shadows"

I work the graveyard shift, but put off going to sleep, just to catch a noon showing opening day and I have to say it blew me away. Even without batman's appearance in the first hour, you are still captured by the visuals and story of Bruce Wayne discovering himself. Just as Spielberg eludes us with the shark in Jaws, so here does director Noland show only brief glimpses of the dark knight until he is finally revealed in a great movie introduction.

Major praises goes to the casting director who put together an amazing cast here. Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Ken Wantanbe, Michael Caine, and the always great screen presence-Liam Neeson. Christian Bale was born to play this role. I have nothing against Michael Keaton, but Bale's dark on dark characterization is essential to escape the hammy, nipple-suited wearing George Clooney.

Director Nolan has join my ranks of favorite director alongside Lucas, Spielberg, Cameron, Ridley Scott. Nolan's dark atmospheric approach is well-suited to the film.

I had my doubts at first about the film, but all that went away as soon as you see the Dark Knight perched on the rooftops of Gothman accompanied by Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard's fantastic score.

This is not a sequel, not a prequel. Its a reinvention of the Dark Knight's legacy and oh, its so good!

It is very easy for a film like Little Black Book to be quickly labeled as just another "Chick Flick" starring a 20-something actress that looks pretty. But after actually taking a chance on a genre I usually run away from, I have to say this was a pleasant experience.

Brittany Murphy (Clueless) stars as the journalist-driven career girl taking on an associate producer job at a Oprah-type talk show. One of her fellow producers, played by the very-hot-for-her-age Holly Hunter gives her the usual talk of the business of how things are run. During a ideas meeting with the Executive Producer (played by the hilarious character actor, Stephen Tobolowsky, whom I met last month) the idea is pitched about snooping into a boyfriend's little black book or in this 21st century, a Palm Pilot.

The film manages to avoid the usual chick-flick clichés and gives us a central- character with a back-story and more than one-dimension (take that Mandy Moore). From the great soundtrack by Carly Simon (whom makes a cameo), to the always positive force of Diane Sawyer(?), this movie has heart and a wicked sense of humor when it comes to exposing talk shows for their secrets, lies, and pure entertainment souls.

So, here is a sci-fi/action/thriller genre fan, who will try a little harder to give chick-flicks a little more of the silver screen.

FIN