“The Dark Knight” is everything it was hyped to be. And more.

If you have been paying attention to movies at all, then you surely have seen (at least once) the trailers for The Dark Knight and if you have seen a trailer for the film then you almost certainly have seen Heath Ledger as the Joker gurgle and spew the now famous line, “why so serious.”

I think this line is at the heart of the film.

You see, to the Joker, life is a cheap commodity, something to play games with and he will do all he can to take it - simply because he “just wants to see the world burn”. But to our hero, Batman/Bruce Wayne, life is a serious thing, something to celebrate and protect, and he will do all he can to save it. It is upon this powerful juxtaposition that the movie is founded.

This is a film about life. And as such it is also about death, and therefore, the conflict between good and evil. At what cost should we fight for good? What does it mean to fight against evil? What does it mean to be a good person? What does it mean to be a hero? These are the questions The Dark Knight is asking.

That these are questions we as a nation are also asking today is not lost on the thoughtful viewer. The Dark Knight is thoroughly modern movie, not only in the sense that it makes spectacular use of modern technologies (which it certainly does) but in the sense that it addresses the concerns and fears of our current age. We live in an age of fear and this is a film that takes places in a time of fear. You can decide for yourself whether Batman and Co. offer any sort of hope for you or me.

I will be saying as much, and more, in my forthcoming review of the film for Into the Hill.

A few other things I think about The Dark Knight:

Ebert on “The Dark Knight”

Roger Ebert has reviewed Christopher Nolan’s new Batman film starring the late Heath Ledger (in what is being touted as a possible Oscar nominated performance) and Christian Bale….

…And he loves it. Check out this excerpt from his review:

“Batman” isn’t a comic book anymore. Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” is a haunted film that leaps beyond its origins and becomes an engrossing tragedy. It creates characters we come to care about. That’s because of the performances, because of the direction, because of the writing, and because of the superlative technical quality of the entire production. This film, and to a lesser degree “Iron Man,” redefine the possibilities of the “comic-book movie.”

When will you see it? And what are your expectations?

A free song from Coldplay

All you Coldplay fans out there, good news! The band is giving away a free download of a song, “Death Will Never Conquer.” Its an interesting sound for the Brit quartet, whose most recent album was unbelievable (my review at Into the Hill); its very…. American. Which is good? Right?

It’s not a long song by any means but its worth at least the five seconds to download.

Finally, a horror film that does NOT involve a chainsaw, a hacksaw, a hatchet, an axe or any other kind of wood cutting tool!

I recently watched the 2007 film The Orphanage, directed by Juan Antonia Bayona and Produced by Guillermo Del Toro (the talented and visionary director of Pan’s Labyrinth). If you like suspense, horror films - horror in the classic sense, not the slasher sense - than you will love this movie.

Bayona is a great new talent and, with the help and influence of Del Toro, he has created a unique and truly scary vision while reinterpreting and reinvigorating old school horror themes and techniques. From a chillingly haunted old house to a damp, empty basement; from creepy kids to clocks and towers; from spiritualists and mediums to imaginary friends this is a movie that will leave a lump in your throat the size of a lemon and blisters on your hands from grasping your seat with all your might.

Bayona masterfully weaves an infusion of long takes and a Del Toro-esque dancing camera with pitch perfect sound effects and music to create a wonderfully atmospheric film. He knows how to use light to his advantage - and in any horror film a masterful use of light and mood adds up to a potent formula for heart pounding, spine chilling fear. In some ways I am reminded of similar techniques of light and color and photography by Francis Ford Coppolla in films like Apocalypse Now (though of course Coppolla’s film is a differnt kind of horror film altogether). Its this atmosphere that most allows those age old horror themes to be as scary and thrilling as they are.

But The Orphanage will also makes you think and perhaps, even sorrow. It is a film about grief and loss; its about motherhood; its about outcasts and friendship and compassion. And when the final credits have rolled on by and your heart is done pounding, you may find that this is a film which will linger - both because it is truly scary and thrilling and also because it is truly moving and powerful.

The Orphanage is no typical modern horror movie. Thankfully, it is not dependent on slashing and blood and gore, it is not dependent on cheap thrills and violence. It operates through implication and intimation - and what is more terrifying for a movie-goer than suggestion? Bayona reveals little as the film goes on, until a climactic and moving ending, but each shot remains loaded, filled to the brim, with suspense.

And the fact that the film is in Spanish with subtitles only adds to the drama.

I encourage you to head out to the nearest video rental store (or surf on over to your NetFlix queue) and pick up this film. But be prepared, you may find that you need some hand lotion (and some water with that lemon) when it’s all said and done.

Batman and the Modern AD Campaign

Brett McCracken has posted on his blog, The Search, a write-up about the AD campaign for the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, due in theaters next Friday.

I had no idea. He links to some ridiculously cool sites - Warner Brothers sure is getting their money’s worth!

As always, Brett has some interesting things to say about things like “viral marketing” and “user generated content.”

So is modern man the culmination of history to this point or the result of history to this point?

Well, journalist Mark Shea has some interesting things to say about that here.

He examines some of the modern representations of medieval hero Robin Hood and the way that poetry has disappeared from the everyday vernacular and activities of common life. This is a really interesting piece and and has some really fantastic things to say about postmodern thought and the elitist, hubris filled, though of our time.

Thanks to my friend Jessica for the link.

Sigur Ros live for ALL to see!

Today, at 3 p.m. ET, Icelandic experimental, indie band Sigur Ros is offering a live webcast of todays concert from Reykjavic, Iceland, the band’s hometown. They are teaming up with Bjork and the show is being presented by National Geographic Music.

What an awesome idea and a great opportunity to experience one of the most unique and visionary bands performing today. I assume that they will be playing songs from their new album, which you can sample at their Myspace page and is, like their previous albums, absolutely, stunningly, gorgeous.

I, for one, will be tuning in at 3 p.m.

Pixar has done it again!

I saw Wall-E last night. Its beautiful. Its complicated. Its subtle. Its visceral. Its inspiring. Its a miraculous work of art and one of the finest films I’ve seen yet this year - perhaps, the finest.

Yes, Pixar has done it again.

See it.

I’ll post more of my thoughts over the next few days.

Now Up at Into the Hill

My review of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida is now up at Into the Hill.

I think it is far and away the best album Coldplay has created to date and it’s clear that producer Brian Eno did some good work in motivating and pushing Chris Martin and Co. to new heights.

Time to Rejoice!

Mr. Jeffrey Overstreet has some wonderful news about a favorite filmmaker of mine!

It involves a Directors Cut, 172 jaw dropping minutes, several Native Americans, and one of our nation’s greatest legends.

Yepp, you guessed it Terrence Malick’s The New World is longer - and most likely, better - than ever!