Well, I finally leveled up and became one of my most hated video game adversaries of all time. I'm an abobo.
I spent a lot of time in the arcades when I was a kid and 90% of that time was probably spent playing Double Dragon. I guess i spent over $200 dollars on that game over the years.
Here's to Abobo!
Abobo??
I just got back from a week's vacation at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I love beaches and no matter how much I go, I can't get enough. We always go to Myrtle Beach because it's only about a three hour drive from where I live. I've probably gone there over fifty times in my life. I forgot to take my digital camera along, so you'll have to make do with this:
(File Photo)
We stayed at Ocean Lakes Campground in southern Myrtle Beach. This place has everything, swimming pools, golf carts, arcades, putt putt.There's really no reason to leave the campground. We used to stay in a camper when I was younger, but the family is so big that we had to rent a nice house on stilts. I'm definitely not complaining.
(File Photos)
Overrall, it was a really fun experience. There's no place like the beach for a great vacation. The only negative was that I've had problems with my foot that made it difficult to walk at times. Good thing we had a golf cart.
Vacation rating: 9.75/10
I went to see The Dark Knight last night at the very first midnight showing and I've gotta say there's no better way to watch a movie like this than with a bunch of fans at midnight. It was a very electric atmosphere with lots of cheers and appluase throughout. You wouldn't get that kind of response if you went to an early morning showing like I had originally planned. Most people know I've been anticipating this for a long time even creating a huge Dark Knight thread and couldn't wait another second to see this. So how was it?
It certainly did not disappoint. It was way better than it had any right to be. This is the definitive Batman movie and the best movie I have seen this year. So good I've got to see it again because there's just so much to soak in and viewing it just once isn't enough. Everything falls into place perfectly and you'll leave the theater feeling very rewarded.
Let's start off with Batman. This ain't no George Clooney Batman here. This is the real thing. Batman faces some challenging decisions that could corrupt any man. Batman's parents are not mentioned in the movie, but their presence is felt in a big way because Bruce Wayne's vow not to be like the criminal that murdered his parents. Morality plays an issue and Bruce Wayne makes decisions based on his life experiences and own trauma. He's taken a vow not to kill and do what is right, but unfortunately his enemies know this. They know that is his weakness. Christian Bale plays the tortured hero perfectly. He has partners in the fight against crime, Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent, also seem incorruptable.
Gary Oldman's Jim Gordon is noble and a hero in his own right. He too is incorruptable, even with crisis that could challenge any man. He can't stand the criminal society and knows he needs Batman to take them down. His dynamic with Batman and Harvey Dent is great. I like their relationship with each other and how they worked together.
spoilers from here on out:
And now the Joker. Perfection on screen in every way. I love the 1989 Batman film. Love it! But I can never enjoy it as much anymore. Jack Nicholson's Joker is nothing compared to this monster created by Heath Ledger. I kinda forgot that this was Ledger on screen. Is this the same guy from 10 Things I Hate About You and A Knight's Tale? His Joker is sick and maniacal. He fears nothing, not mutilation, not imprisonment, not death. What makes him truly terrifying is that he always has a plan. He's one step ahead of everyone else, like Ben Linus from LOST. He appears out of nowhere with no backstory which makes him even more creepier. I kinda want to know what made him what he is today, but then again I think I would be too afraid to find out. What is his motivation? Why does he do these things? He just does. To prove that anyone can be corrupted. He believes in pure anarchy and that's his one and only true motivation.
The pencil scene. OMG!!
Batman and Joker are like two sides of the coin. Would the Joker have existed if Batman wasn't around? Would he have carried his plan this far? I can't help but think of the last scene in Batman Begins where Lieutenant Gordon talks about escalation.
I believe you will never see a movie this year that is as engaging as this one. Not only a fantastic comic book movie, but also a fantastic crime drama. One that doesn't leave your mind numb, but provokes thought about choices in life and in morality. You've probably read articles that compare The Dark Knight to The Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather. It's true. This is a sequel that soars way above the original. I'm not sure if they could keep this same kind of quality going with the third film, but I'll be there on opening night for that one too. The Dark Knight truly is a masterpiece.
10 out of 10.
