‘The Dark Knight’ Review

As the film is still etched in our minds as deeply as a Chelsea grin, here is my review for The Dark Knight:

 

 

An overview of American cinema indicates the special place comic book films hold in the summertime. They stick to the money-making formula: light-as-air storylines buffed by heavy computer-generated fireworks; in essence, finding any old reason to put the camera lens on iconic superheroes. This summer, though, visionary director Christopher Nolan throws moviegoers an epic curveball, with the control of a Daisuke Matsuzaka and the scope of a Michael Mann. The Dark Knight is no ordinary comic flick. Infused with electric performances (one of them career-defining), measured dialogue, pulse-pounding action and subtle analyses of human society, the film is a landmark achievement as well as a terrific ode to the legendary Batman. This summer, why bother with fun in the sun when can you can revel in such marvelous darkness?

The Dark Knight follows billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as he struggles with his alternate ego, the Batman. The people of Gotham City love Bruce but despise the Knight, labeling him a troublesome vigilante despite his ongoing efforts to fight crime. Time to contemplate his future, though, is hard to find, thanks to the appearance of a psychotic, sickly criminal calling himself the Joker (Heath Ledger). Armed with as many knives and bombs as playing cards, the Joker is hell-bent on throwing Gotham into a state of anarchy, where the only rule is that there can truly be no rules. Add District Attorney Harvey Dent’s (Aaron Eckhart) new ties to Rachel Dawes (Bruce’s ex-girlfriend) as well as his many successful criminal prosecutions, and you’ve got a brooding, embattled superhero. Nolan’s carefully crafted script, in this way, gives audiences food for thought.

It’s not all a philosophical affair, though. Rest assured, The Dark Knight is also propped up by carefully-timed explosions, riveting car chases and a well-designed opening bank heist. Take note that this is one loud movie. When exposition is not the focus of the film, guns are fired and bombs are detonated at regular intervals. The experience may prove either brilliant or headache-inducing, depending on how you like your movies served up.

The film’s weight is truly carried by stellar performances across the board from the cast. Lead man Bale is as steady and impressive as ever; he’s clearly gotten a strong feel for his character since Batman Begins. Eckhart is sharp and devoted as Gotham’s legal crimefighter, and Gary Oldman is superb as Commissioner Gordon. The spotlight, though, is particularly narrow this time. It rests on the slouched, clammy, feral figure of Heath Ledger, glowing with his gruesome Glasgow smile.

With a half-drunk cruelty, he toys with his victims, painting red smiles across their lifeless faces. With the persuasive skill of a loan shark and the reckless abandon of a pyrophiliac, he manipulates the mobs of Gotham like chess pieces on a grand board. To him, the best town is a charred one, a smoldering mess he can call his kingdom. Ledger brings a psychotic playfulness and vicious sense of humor to Batman’s archnemesis, and the end result is nothing short of chilling. Consider Jack Nicholson’s Joker no more. If Ledger wins an Oscar for this role, it won’t be because he passed away.

The Dark Knight is a symphony of cinematic artistry hitting crescendo. Viewers will feel as if they have been strung right into the mesmerizing act. Christopher Nolan proves that he is an experienced maestro, and that superhero movies are not made to the tune of children but to the tune of all people. He has developed the best comic book film to date, and future challengers will be hard-pressed to find a way to soar higher than the Knight himself.

- Syed

A Taste of Mighty Mos

I am a major advocate of hip hop. When it’s done right, it’s incredible. One of my favorite artists is Mos Def, the lyrical monster who is set to make his return to the rap scene this summer with his next studio album, tentatively titled The Ecstatic.

I thought I’d share one of my favorite Mighty Mos tracks, a collaboration between him and Japanese producer DJ Krush. It can properly be characterized, in my humble opinion, as awesome:

“Shinjiro” by Mos Def & DJ Krush. Enjoy.

Full Voices and Hollow Words

tpot. It’s time for the re-up. Syed’s back, and ready to roll with his tpot family.

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If you listen closely, you can hear full voices and hollow words. Both resonate in your head, ringing loudly and coaxing you to act. Should you rise to your feet and cheer the king? Should you sit in silence, your head bowed? Should you wave your fist and let loose rage? Well, whatever you decide to do, you should probably make sure you know what the voices and the words really mean.

I have friends who do not like the mere mention of politics. I am fine with that. As far as I am concerned, though, politics is a major part of not just my life, but our collective life – the life we live together as a whole, as a unit, as a society. I am a member of this nation, and I want to understand and have something to say about the people who are running it.

Which brings me to the jargon-heavy free-for-all CNN and its ilk like to call “Election ‘08.” It is always interesting to watch the ebb and flow of the campaigns; the high points (the faux unity at the conclusion of each Democratic debate which, even just for a brief moment, brings smiles to some of our faces), the ugly lows (Clinton: “Barack’s a Muslim! Barack’s a Muslim! Uhh…don’t vote for him! I’m not desperate!”), and everything in between (insert Ron Paul statement here, which only ends up being heard over the internet anyway). Ahh, the political process – entertaining, in some ways, certainly.

It seems to me that the presidential hopefuls have keyed on the power of language, and that’s nice, in a way. Words get a raw deal nowadays. I sure as hell love ‘em, and in that regard, it’s good to see politicians putting in the effort to make use of them to their advantage.

The American people, though, now have to look beyond the exterior. The candidates are now feeding the public ‘buzz words,’ words that stir an immediate emotion but don’t truly carry much weight (if any). Case in point, the word of the year: Change. Senator Barack Obama has made “change” into something of an all-purpose greeting. Just give his speeches a listen. Obama cries “It’s time for change!” in his bass-heavy voice, and the masses erupt in support. Cool, I’m down for change. But what exactly does that entail?

People know Obama is Mr. Change, but do they know his proposed healthcare plan? Are they aware of his stance on foreign intervention? Can they outline his plans to revive the nation’s struggling economy? Some can, but many can’t – and herein lies the issue. Americans really need to stop falling for buzz words. At Obama’s next speech, if the senator overuses the “change” card, I’d like to see someone in the crowd raise his/her hand and politely ask, “Senator, what exactly do you mean? Could you go over your proposals once again?” Now that is getting the most out of the political process.

And I’m not picking on Barack. In fact, I am rooting for him the most, and I will say that I am pleasantly surprised that covert racism has not undercut him at all thus far. All the candidates are keying off on buzz language, and unfortunately, their audiences are too receptive to it. It is time for change; it is time for the masses to challenge their wannabe leaders, to drain from them the true meaning behind their words to have a firm grasp on what these people will actually do in office.

If you listen at all, you can hear full voices. But if you listen closely, you can hear hollow words, too.

– Syed

The Code

Hello everyone.

[Pyrotechnics, drum roll]

Finally, I get to make my TPOT debut! I spent much of this past week trudging through a blizzard of merciless homework, and I barely found any time to separate myself from school-related gaaa-bage (pencils and erasers still litter my normally clear table). This weekend has afforded me an opportunity to breathe, and I’m glad I can use it for my inaugural post. Props to Julian for laying the foundation for this project; to the posters for building atop it; to the readers, who truly make it worth something.

Away we go:

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The Code

It seems that these days, many of us are self-absorbed, whether we immediately realize it or not. The idea of “it’s every man for himself” has never been more relevant to our lives, as people look to save themselves from the prospect of trouble before even considering what their peers’ situation may be.

We may not always be able to help others, but it is awfully important that we – at the very least – teach ourselves to try to assist our friends when they are in need of assistance. To teach oneself to immediately consider how to help someone else would be a significant achievement. I would imagine many of us are trying to better ourselves as human beings each and every day; actually doing so is far from simple, but by no means is it out of reach if we teach ourselves to make the immediate effort.

To follow a set of tenants can help.

The concept of bushido will forever fascinate me. I think the feudal thinkers of as far back as the 2nd century set the foundation for a moral code which we can all learn something from.

Bushido (“Way of the Warrior”) is a Japanese code of conduct derived from the moral code of the samurai. It entails seven virtues, each of which we can learn something from. As long as I can keep these things in mind, I can assess real-life situations with a system I believe had the general idea right.

Tenant One: Rectitude

Each and every one of us has a set of principles, whether they were set down by ourselves, our parents, or people we deem wise. When presented with a problem (particularly if peer pressure is involved), we can avoid caving in to proposals we would not be proud of in the future. Abiding by principles enables us to safeguard our integrity.

Tenant Two: Courage

For us, courage does not involve the clanging of katanas and the woosh of shuriken. Oftentimes, though, we are presented with situations that hit us without warning and leave us momentarily off balance. The most effective way to regain balance is often to simply confront the problem head-on. Many of us sometimes suffer from the “I-Am-Indisputably-Right” illness, myself included. It is, in truth, okay to be wrong once in a while. It helps clear our minds and allows us to grow as people. There is no doubt that this takes a great deal of courage, but if we can muster it, we can grow. To grow is to acquire more of what life has to offer.

Tenant Three: Benevolence

We are all in need of a hand at certain times. Sometimes, we accept the help of others, but forget to return the favor. If we teach ourselves to think to help others, we increase the chances of bringing out our good nature. To be recognized as a nice person is a wonderful thing, but to know that you think purely – that the basis of all your actions is good-natured – is superb.

Tenant Four: Respect

I think respecting friends has grown easier over the years, and that respecting parents has grown harder. I, for one, am grateful for what my parents have done for me. They had no obligation to raise me properly, to provide me the essentials, to help me through my struggles – but they did. Just as the samurai respected their lords, we should respect our parents. They weren’t annoying when we were young and oh-so-needy, and they shouldn’t be considered annoying now.

Tenant Five: Honesty

Lying is ridiculously easy. For this reason, then, it makes sense that a weak-minded person resorts to lying. Those who are too weak to take the tougher, righteous path squirm off to travel the easy one. We should all keep this in mind when deciding whether to tell the truth or to spew a freshly woven tale, no?

Tenant Six: Honor

When we strive for honor, we strive to achieve our goals. It is pivotal for us to remain determined and focused as we strive to make names for ourselves. Along the way, though, we should try our best not to knock others aside. The person who reaches the top without disturbing his peers is the most honorable.

Tenant Seven: Loyalty

Traitor, snitch, whatever. Sometimes, it is better for us to take the fall than leave those who we promised our loyalty behind. This tenant is all about judgement; if you think a situation is too seriously damaging, it is okay to drop out. It is quite difficult today, though, to find people one can truly trust. When you find them, keep them and don’t let them down.

We are not samurai, and we don’t ever have to be. Bushido can teach us a thing or two, though. The key is embedding these things in our mind, so we may remember them when the time calls. Perhaps we can grow into better people this way.

- Syed