Aaron Eckhart

Slideshow: 22-Image Gallery For ‘Love Happens’ With Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart

BrianTT — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:56:07 -0600

CHICAGO – This 22-image slideshow contains the official press images for “Love Happens,” starring Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, Judy Greer, Joe Anderson, John Carroll Lynch, Frances Conroy and Martin Sheen. The film was written by Brandon Camp & Mike Thompson and directed by Camp and opens on September 18th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

Synopsis: “Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston star in the romantic drama Love Happens. When a self-help author arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar, he unexpectedly meets the one person who might finally be able to help him help himself.

Dr. Burke Ryan (Eckhart) is on the precipice of a major multimedia deal, but the therapist who asks his patients to openly confront their pain is secretly unable to take his own advice.

Eloise Chandler (Aniston) has sworn off men and decided to focus on her floral business. However, when she meets Burke at the hotel where he’s speaking, there is an instant attraction. But will two people who have met the right person at exactly the wrong time be able to give love another chance?

As each struggles with the hurt of love and loss, they realize that in order to move forward, they need to let go of the past. And if they can, they’ll find that, sometimes, love happens when you least expect it.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Kimberley French and Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Love_Happens_01: Dan Fogler stars as literary agent Lane Martin.
Love_Happens_02: Aaron Eckhart stars as Dr. Burke Ryan.
Love_Happens_03: Jennifer Aniston stars as florist Eloise Chandler.
Love_Happens_04: Aaron Eckhart stars as Dr. Burke Ryan.
Love_Happens_05: (L to R) Aaron Eckhart as Dr. Burke Ryan and writer/director Brandon Camp on the set.
Love_Happens_06: Writer/director Brandon Camp and Jennifer Aniston as florist Eloise Chandler.
Love_Happens_07: (L to R) Marty (Judy Greer) tries to talk sense into co-worker Eloise (Jennifer Aniston).
Love_Happens_08: Judy Greer stars as nosy co-worker Marty.
Love_Happens_09: Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston) shows Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) her flower shop.
Love_Happens_10: Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) and Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston).
Love_Happens_11: Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) and Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston).
Love_Happens_12: Jennifer Aniston stars as florist Eloise Chandler.
Love_Happens_13: Jennifer Aniston stars as florist Eloise Chandler.
Love_Happens_14: Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) and Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston).
Love_Happens_15: (L to R) Agent Lane Martin (Dan Fogler) has a drink with his client, Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart).
Love_Happens_16: Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) meets Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston).
Love_Happens_17: Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) and Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston).
Love_Happens_18: (L to R, foreground) Conference attendee Walter (John Carroll Lynch) and Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart).
Love_Happens_19: Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) walks over hot coals.
Love_Happens_20: (L to R) Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) has a tense conversation with his former father-in-law (Martin Sheen).
Love_Happens_21: Martin Sheen stars as former father-in-law.
Love_Happens_22: Writer/director Brandon Camp on the set.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Action Blu-Ray Round Up, May 19, 2009: ‘Changing Lanes,’ ‘The Machinist’

BrianTT — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:57:07 -0600

CHICAGO – Paramount Home Video is unleashing waves of catalog titles this month. It started with the comedy wave last Tuesday and continues with a diverse slate of action films this week.

Like the comedy set, the films have very little in common other than their genre (and even that is a bit sketchy with “The Machinist” bearing little resemblance to “Paycheck”). The highlights of the wave are clearly “3 Days of the Condor,” “The Machinist,” and “Changing Lanes” with “Enemy at the Gates” certainly having enough visual power to warrant a look in HD. “Paycheck”? Good luck with that one.

All five titles were released on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009.

“3 Days of the Condor”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “In Sydney Pollack’s critically acclaimed suspense-thriller, Robert Redford stars as CIA Agent Joe Turner. Code name: Condor. When his entire office is massacred, Turner goes on the run from his enemies…and his so-called allies. After reporting the murders to his superiors, the organization wants to bring Condor in - but somebody is trying to take him out. In his frantic hunt for answers and in a desperate run for his life, Turner abducts photographer Kathy Hale (Faye Dunaway) eventually seducing her into helping him.

Every twist leads Condor to the end of his nerves…and will take you to the edge of your seat. With nowhere to turn and no one to trust, Turner realizes his most dangerous enemy may be closer than he ever feared. And as he zeroes in on the truth, he discovers there are some secrets people would kill to keep”

“3 Days of the Condor” stars Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max Von Sydow, and John Houseman. The film was written by Lorenzo Semple, Jr. and David Rayfiel and directed by Sydney Pollack. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. The only special feature is the theatrical trailer in HD.

“Changing Lanes”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Modern society draws lines between right and wrong, good and evil, rage and redemption. A moment of self-absorption and a spark of anger will cause two men to cross them. As the battle of wills escalates, both lives are changed forever. Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck star in a provocative and gripping drama that exposes the best and worst in all of us.”

“Changing Lanes” stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Affleck, Toni Collette, Sydney Pollack, William Hurt, and Amanda Peet. The film was written by Chap Taylor and Michael Tolkin and directed by Roger Michell. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Roger Michell, “The Making of Changing Lanes,” “A Writer’s Perspective,” 2 Deleted scenes, 1 Extended Scene, and the theatrical trailer in HD.

“Enemy at the Gates”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “An all-star cast lights up the screen in this riveting epic hailed as “a vivid dramatization of one of history’s titanic turning points”. (Gene Shalit, TODAY) The year is 1942 and the Nazis are cutting a deadly swath through Russia. Under the leadership of Kruschev (Bob Hoskins), the citizens of Stalingrad are mounting a brave resistance, spurred by the exploits of their local hero, Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law). An expert sniper, Vassili’s deeds have become legendary - thanks to propaganda produced by Vassili’s best friend, a political officer named Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). To stop Vassili, the Germans dispatch their best sniper, Major Konig (Ed Harris), to Stalingrad. When Vassili and Danilov both fall in love with a beautiful soldier (Rachel Weisz), Danilov deserts his friend, leaving Vassili to face his German counterpart alone. As the city burns, Vassili and Konig begin a cunning game of cat and mouse, waging a private war for courage, honor and country.”

“Enemy at the Gates” stars Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins, and Ed Harris. It was written by Alain Godard & Jean-Jacques Annaud and directed by Annaud and is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include “Through the Crosshairs,” “Inside Enemy at the Gates,” deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer in HD.

“The Machinist”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) hasn’t slept in a year. The shocking deterioration of his physical and mental health has made his every waking moment an unrelenting state of confusion, paranoia, guilt, anxiety and terror. His only solace from this living nightmare comes from an affectionate prostitute (Jennifer Jason Leigh.

When cryptic notes turn up mysteriously in his apartment and when hallucinations of a co-worker that no one else sees causes a gruesome machine shop injury, he embarks on a journey to find out whether there is an elaborate plot to drive him made or is his fatigue has simply robbed him of reason. The more he learns, the less he wants to know.”

“The Machinist” stars Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, John Sharian, and Michael Ironside. It was written by Scott Kosar and directed by Brad Anderson. It is rated R.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track. Special features include a commentary by director Brad Anderson, “Manifesting the Machinist,” “The Machinist: Hiding in Plain Sight,” “The Machinist: Breaking the Rules,” deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer.

“Paycheck”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “From director John Woo comes this futuristic thriller that combines spectacular action sequences with a spellbinding mystery that will keep you guessing from beginning to breathtaking end.

Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) is a brilliant computer engineer hired for top-secret projects. After each job, Jennings’ short-term memory is erased so he cannot recount any project information. Emerging from his latest assignment, a three-year contract with an eight-figure paycheck given to him by his longtime friend (Aaron Eckhart), Jennings is jolted when he is told that during the end of his assignment, he agreed to forfeit all payment.

Jennings has no recourse - until he receives a mysterious envelope containing clues to his forgotten past. With the help of a beautiful scientist (Uma Thurman) he once loved but now cannot remember, Jennings races to solve the puzzles of his past…while a terrifying discovery waits in his future.”

“Paycheck” stars Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Joe Morton, Colm Feore, and Michael C. Hall. It was written by Dean Georgaris and directed by John Woo. It is rated PG-13.

The Blu-Ray video is presented in 1080p High Definition with an English 5.1 Dolby Digital track. Special features include a commentary by director John Woo, a commentary by screenwriter Dean Georgaris, “Paycheck: Designing the Future,” “Tempting Fate: The Stunts of Paycheck,” and extended/deleted scenes.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 20-Image Gallery For Film Independent Spirit Awards With Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba

BrianTT — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:18:49 -0700

CHICAGO – This 20-image slideshow contains the selected images from the Piaget event at the “Film Independent Spirit Awards” from Saturday, February 21st, 2009. Celebrities photographed include Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Jon Hamm, Aaron Eckhart, Alec Baldwin, Laura Dern, Anthony Mackie, John Waters, Taraji P. Henson, Mena Suvari, Anne Hathaway, Melissa Leo, Michelle Williams, and Andie MacDowell.

Official press release about the event: “For the second time, the swiss watchmaker and jeweller Piaget, renowned for its High Jewellery collections and exceptional lines of watches, has further strengthened its longstanding ties with Hollywood by deciding to sponsor the Independent Spirit Awards. Since its founding in 1874, Piaget stands for unique watchmaking and jewellery know-how allied with a pioneering spirit. The exceptional talent of Piaget’s craftsmen lies in their ability to constantly reinvent age-old watchmaking techniques and to make people dream by creating emotions around gold and diamonds. Today, art continues to find the most varied forms of expression; and boundaries are progressively shattered. Design, video, film, music and fashion are all creative territories that Piaget explores and integrates into its collections. Thus, it was only natural that Piaget team-up with Film Independent to celebrate for the second time, the best of independent films through sponsorship of the Spirit Awards.”

Read about the winners of the “Film Independent Spirit Awards”.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos are courtesy of Piaget and image.net. All Rights Reserved.

ISA_01: Jon Hamm
ISA_02: Jon Hamm
ISA_03: Aaron Eckhart
ISA_04: Aaron Eckhart
ISA_05: Aaron Eckhart
ISA_06: Jessica Alba
ISA_07: Jessica Alba and Mickey Rourke
ISA_08: Jessica Alba
ISA_09: Jessica Alba and Alec Baldwin
ISA_10: Laura Dern
ISA_11: Anthony Mackie
ISA_12: John Waters
ISA_13: Taraji P. Henson
ISA_14: Jessica Alba
ISA_15: Mena Suvari
ISA_16: Anne Hathaway
ISA_17: Melissa Leo and Michelle Williams
ISA_18: Laura Dern
ISA_19: Andie MacDowell
ISA_20: Jessica Alba and Mickey Rourke

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘The Dark Knight’ Returns to IMAX Theaters on Jan. 23, 2009

BrianTT — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:13:48 -0700

CHICAGO – You can celebrate the very likely Oscar nominations for “The Dark Knight” or lament the film’s snubbing by the academy by revisiting Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece in all of its IMAX glory starting this Friday on Jan. 23, 2009.

“The Dark Knight” will reopen at four theaters in the Chicagoland area: the Navy Pier IMAX in downtown Chicago, the Seven Bridges IMAX in Woodridge, Ill.; the Lincolnshire 20 in Lincolnshire, Ill.; and the Randall IMAX 15 in Batavia, Ill.

True Heath Ledger fans and “The Dark Knight” junkies may feel the need to see the film on opening night at Navy Pier because they will also be admitted to a special screening of “Batman Begins” at midnight for no additional cost. Yes, the 9 p.m. show of “The Dark Knight” at Navy Pier IMAX scores you tickets for this one-time event. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children and can be bought at the Navy Pier IMAX Web site.

Christian Bale stars as Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action drama “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: Stephen Vaughan

All across the country, Warner Bros. is bringing back the IMAX presentation of “The Dark Knight” to give audiences one more chance to see the film on the big screen.

Dan Fellman (president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures) said in a statement: “‘The Dark Knight’ is a crowning achievement in every sense of the word. We wanted to provide one more opportunity for moviegoers to experience it on the big screen as it was meant to be seen.”

Christopher Nolan has already received a Directors Guild of America (DGA) nomination and producers Nolan, Charles Roven and Emma Thomas have garnered a Producers Guild Award nomination. A Writers Guild of America (WGA) award nomination for best adapted screenplay has gone to Chris Nolan, Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer.

Cast member Heath Ledger received a Screen Actors Guild award nomination and has also won a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award and numerous other critics groups’ awards for best supporting actor.

“The Dark Knight” also won the Critics’ Choice Award for best action film and swept the People’s Choice Awards in five categories including favorite movie and favorite cast. It will very likely score a number of Oscar nominations when they are announced on Jan. 22, 2009. Heath Ledger’s searing performance is a front runner for best supporting actor.

“The Dark Knight” is being rereleased by Warner Brothers Pictures and stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. It was written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan and directed by Christopher Nolan. It will be rereleased in IMAX theaters on Jan. 23, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

The 10 Most Underrated Film Performances of 2008

BrianTT — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:47:10 -0700

CHICAGO – From Heath Ledger’s searing portrayal of The Joker in “The Dark Knight” to Sean Penn’s riveting embodiment of Harvey Milk in “Milk,” 2008 has been an excellent year for on-screen performances. However, the onslaught of high-caliber performances at the end of the year – including Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon,” the reunion of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in “Revolutionary Road,” Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and the quartet of regularly nominated actors from “Doubt” – has left some great work from earlier in the year underappreciated and underrated.

Sometimes it’s a case of critics and award voters seemingly only being able to remember one actor from a certain film and sometimes it’s a tragic case of an entire movie not being recognized thoroughly while late-season, high-profile films incorrectly steal their thunder. Either way, it was shockingly easy to come up with 10 performances that are barely getting mentioned in this season of nominations and year-end lists and truly should be especially considering the overrated ones that are getting such undeserved praise.

First and foremost, deciding what determined the qualification for “underrated” needs to be defined. Josh Brolin in “Milk,” Eddie Marsan in “Happy-Go-Lucky,” Michelle Williams in “Wendy & Lucy,” the cast of “In Bruges” and James Franco in both “Milk” and “Pineapple Express” all deserve at least one nomination or two that they didn’t get. When they have been snubbed, they’ve been mentioned and they’ve all received at least one major nomination. Academy members should definitely take a second look at all of them (especially Marsan, Brolin and Franco), but they can’t exactly be called underrated when they’ve already gotten so much press.

10. Hiam Abbass as Mouna Khalil in “The Visitor”

It’s been wonderful to see the very-deserving Richard Jenkins get the press and nominations he richly deserves for “The Visitor”, but the performance wouldn’t be nearly as complete without the decisions made by his lovely and underrated co-star, Hiam Abbass. Walter (Jenkins) is a man whose heart has been closed since his wife’s death and it’s first re-opened by the friendship of Tarek (Haaz Sleiman), an awakening that takes Walter to unexpected places, particularly his response to Tarek’s unjust incarceration and the arrival of Tarek’s mother, Mouna. It’s not your typical love affair, but Mouna and Walter change each other’s lives forever and the final act of “The Visitor” wouldn’t have nearly the emotional power that it does without BOTH of their performances. It’s a turn by a supporting actress that hasn’t even been mentioned in the year-end conversation, even though it stands far above many performances that have already been nominated.

9. Emily Mortimer as Jessie in “Transsiberian”

Great thriller performances are often underrated. If critics are too busy scribbling down the twists and turns of an intricate plot, they sometimes miss the acting involved. Well-reviewed thrillers may get credit for their director (the word “Hitchcockian” is one of the most overused in the critical vocabulary), but the cast misses out on the acclaim. Brad Anderson’s “Transsiberian”, one of the best thrillers of the last several years, would completely collapse if not for the three-dimensional performance by the always-great Emily Mortimer (who also rocked this year in “Redbelt” and was the best thing about “Chaos Theory”). As Jessie, Mortimer has the biggest burden in “Transsiberian” - to make her extreme actions believable. In retrospect, you or I probably wouldn’t have gone on that field trip with Carlos and might have acted a little more rationally afterwards, but Mortimer sells it when it counts - during the film. The thriller genre is in a state of disaster nowadays because too many writers and directors forgo character in favor of plot twists, but Anderson and Mortimer know that films are a lot more thrilling when the people and their actions are believable.

8. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mike Terry in “Redbelt”

American audiences seem to be having a tough time catching up with the greatness of Chiwetel Ejiofor. That’s not the case overseas, where Ejiofor won the Lawrence Olivier Award for Best Actor earlier this year, beating out Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen. Sure, that was stage work, but what Ejiofor has accomplished on-screen in films as diverse as “Serenity”, “Dirty Pretty Things”, “Kinky Boots”, “Talk to Me”, and this year’s “Redbelt” has been consistently fascinating. As much as any actor of his generation, Ejiofor has a charisma and an on-screen resonance that brings gravity to everything he does. He was the perfect choice for Mike Terry in David Mamet’s “Redbelt”, a film about a man with an unbreakable moral code. Mamet has long-been fascinated by good men surrounded by wolves, but Mike may be the most morally righteous character that the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer/director has ever written. It’s not easy to sell unshakable beliefs to an audience, but Ejiofor is perfect yet again, bringing a touch of grace and calm that you don’t often see in Mamet characters.

7. Michael Fassbinder as Bobby Sands in “Hunger”

One of the most riveting scenes in any movie this year is the emotional centerpiece that kicks off the final act of Steve McQueen’s “Hunger”, a must-see on every level that we’ll cover more upon its release. You may be asking how a performance in a film that hasn’t been released could be underrated. Well, most critics and journalists have seen “Hunger” and, while McQueen has been getting some appropriate raves, Fassbinder seems to be sliding under the radar. Don’t let it happen. “Hunger” is a surreal, riveting experience with no clear protagonist for at least the first half of the film and very little dialogue. The mesmerizing, nearly silent film is shattered by a sequence that is just as jaw-dropping in its simplicity. IRA activist Bobby Sands (Fassbinder) has a meeting with his priest to convince him why the hunger strike he’s about to go on is the only morally correct decision for his future. With no cuts and very little blocking beyond smoking for SEVENTEEN minutes, Fassbinder is impossible to ignore. In 2008, Michael Shannon and Viola Davis have earned heaps of praise for brief roles in their respective films. With just one, extended scene of dialogue in “Hunger”, Fassbinder is just as hard to forget.

6. Elsa Zylberstein as Lea in “I’ve Loved You So Long”

Kristin Scott Thomas has rocked critics and audiences with her work in “I’ve Loved You So Long” (Richard Roeper even called it the best performance of the decade), but her co-star has been largely ignored. Elsa Zylberstein is the emotional “heat” to the “cool” of Thomas’ performance, and neither would be nearly as complete without the other. She’s the perfect balance to everything that Thomas accomplishes in one of the best performances of the year, but she has been completely absent from the Best Supporting Actress conversation. In a year for good female roles, it could be understandable that Zylberstein might not make a critic’s top five, but she damn sure should have been considered. The cold exterior of Thomas wouldn’t be nearly as effective without the decisions made by the nearly-as-good and more externally demanding work done by Zylberstein.

Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Dark Knight’ Excels Technically But Misses Special Features

BrianTT — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:32:54 -0700

CHICAGO – The most highly anticipated movie of the summer was also the most highly anticipated Blu-Ray release of the year and that was before the film had even hit theaters. The hype paid off in critical acclaim and commercial success, and audiences should be satisfied with “The Dark Knight” on Blu-Ray, if not quite as blown away as they were at the multiplex.

In one of the most brilliant marketing decisions of the year, Warner Brothers included the first six minutes of “The Dark Knight” in high-definition 1080p on their special edition Blu-Ray release of “Batman Begins” earlier this year, giving audiences a taste of what the sequel would look like on the next-gen format. Most of us, heavily under the influence of the incredible viral marketing and hype for the biggest movie of the decade, watched those six minutes more than any other part of the “Batman Begins” Blu-Ray release.

The Dark Knight is available on DVD/Blu-Ray on December 9, 2008.

After “The Dark Knight” made a billion dollars (give or take) around the world, a special edition Blu-Ray release was inevitable. But Warner Brothers was clearly caught in a double-dip dilemma. Would they release all of the special features and produce one of the best Blu-Ray releases of the year or hold back and release an inevitable even-more-special edition to coincide with the Batman film following “The Dark Knight”?

They went with the latter choice. “The Dark Knight” is a technically beautiful Blu-Ray release, but the selection of special features and their execution is consistently frustrating and not up to the caliber of the movie itself.

With “The Dark Knight”, Warner Brothers has made two things clear. 1.) They are very interested in the potential of BD-Live, a special feature that could truly revolutionize the home viewing market and, in turn, the theatrical one. 2.) They’re going to ask for your money twice. There are just too many missing special features on “The Dark Knight” to not assume that they’ll be back for more. Come to terms with that, and you’ll enjoy “The Dark Knight” on Blu-Ray. But just know that it’s a placeholder.

As for the film itself, it would be hyperbolic overkill to review it for too long. “The Dark Knight” is the best superhero movie ever made. It’s what is often referred to as a game-changer - a movie that changes the genre forever. A new bar has been set. For more on the greatness of the film itself, check out HollywoodChicago.com publisher Adam Fendelman’s 5-star review.

The Dark Knight is available on DVD/Blu-Ray on December 9, 2008.

The most positively remarkable thing about the Blu-Ray release of “The Dark Knight” is that it represents perhaps Warner Brothers’ best video transfer to date. This studio led the way in standard definition, but backed the wrong army in the HD war and has only been doing Blu-Ray since the merciful end of that conflict.

But they have quickly risen to the top in Blu-Ray as well with “The Dark Knight” representing the apex of that rise. Put simply, the 1080p High Definition 16x9 Variable 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 (IMAX Sequences) video transfer is flawless. Films with as much darkness as “Knight” often lose the clarity of their color. Blacks blend into blues and browns aren’t as distinct as they should be. And it’s not surprising to see visual noise or loss of clarity in the dark backgrounds. NONE of that is apparent in the transfer of “The Dark Knight”. Stores looking to sell more Blu-Ray players this holiday season need only show this on a 24/7 loop.

And stereo stores should play it too. Sound is such a crucial part of director Christopher Nolan’s vision and the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track on “The Dark Knight” is perfectly mixed. Turn it up loud, wake the neighbors, and enjoy.

Before we get into what special features are included and their quality - a general note. “The Dark Knight” comes with no commentary tracks, no deleted scenes, and a bizarre selection of featurettes that miss the mark in providing a full look at what went into making and marketing this masterpiece. It’s not as much a case of what IS there being bad, it’s just poorly arranged and incomplete.

The Dark Knight is available on DVD/Blu-Ray on December 9, 2008.

The most interesting aspect of the special features for “The Dark Knight” is the attempt at interactivity. Users can provide their own video commentary and share it with their friends via BD-Live. Now your interpretation of “The Dark Knight” can be heard by all. BD-Live also allows for live chats with filmmakers, exclusive content not on the disc itself and more trailers for WB product than your average multiplex.

When I accessed it, all I got was the preview for the movie on a constant loop for a while. There are clearly some kinks still being worked out. Once that was cleared up, there are some interesting extras available for stream, including some pretty cool animated short films (that buffered forever but eventually played) and more behind-the-scenes information.

As for what is included, Warner Brothers has unwisely gone from including scene-specific featurettes picture-in-picture, as they had been most of this year, to something new called “Focus Points”. When they’re activated, a gold disc will appear in the upper corner of the movie when there’s a related featurette available. So, instead of watching the movie and having the b-t-s features available automatically, you’ll have to hold your remote in your hand the entire time. It’s a stupid change.

The entirety of the “Focus Points” can be watched in one, hour-long sitting under the banner, “Gotham Uncovered: Creation of a Scene”. There are 18 mini-featurettes with relatively self-explanatory titles. They are “The Prologue”, “The New Bat-Suit”, “Joker Theme”, “Hong Kong Jump”, “Judge’s Car Blows Up”, “Challenges of the Chase, In IMAX”, “SWAT Van Into River”, “Miniature Unit”, “Destruction of Batmobile”, “Bat-Pod”, “Helicopter Crash”, “Truck Flip”, “MCU Explosion”, “Lamborghini Crash”, “Hospital Explosion”, “Mob Car Flip”, “String of Sausages Stunt”, and “Upping the Ante”.

The Dark Knight is available on DVD/Blu-Ray on December 9, 2008.

The second disc includes three featurettes, galleries, and trailers. Here’s where the missing pieces - no deleted scenes, comprehensive documentary, etc. - come into clear focus. The “Behind the Story” section includes two 45-minute featurettes called “Batman Tech” about the gadgets of the film and “Batman Unmasked: The Psychology of The Dark Knight” about the history of the damaged hero. “Gotham Tonight” is a 46-minute collection of news broadcasts that were partially seen in the background of the film. It’s a lot of time with Anthony Michael Hall. All the excellent trailers and marketing materials are included in galleries.

“The Dark Knight” is one of the best movies of 2008 with one of the best video/audio transfers in the history of the Blu-Ray format. Those two things alone make it a must-buy, even if it’s pretty clear that you’re going to be asked to buy it twice.

‘The Dark Knight’ is released by Warner Brothers on DVD/Blu-Ray and stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Gary Oldman. It was written by Jonathan Nolan and directed by Christopher Nolan. It was released on December 9th, 2008.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘The Dark Knight’ Slideshow: 10-Image Gallery of New DVD, Blu-Ray Collector’s Sets

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:57:49 -0700

CHICAGO – In anticipation of the DVD and Blu-ray release of “The Dark Knight” on Dec. 9, 2008, we now have high-quality collector’s set images for your viewing pleasure and details about where to get them.

“The Dark Knight” from director Chris Nolan stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Chin Han, Eric Roberts and Anthony Michael Hall.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All image credits for this “The Dark Knight” slideshow are from here and here.

thedarkknight1: Best Buy will have a collector’s set in DVD and Blu-ray with a scaled-down version of the mask Heath Ledger wore as the Joker in the opening bank-robbery scene.
thedarkknight2: Best Buy will have a collector’s set in DVD and Blu-ray with a scaled-down version of the mask Heath Ledger wore as the Joker in the opening bank-robbery scene.
thedarkknight3: Best Buy will have a collector’s set in DVD and Blu-ray with a scaled-down version of the mask Heath Ledger wore as the Joker in the opening bank-robbery scene.
thedarkknight4: The steelbook version of the DVD and Blu-ray case, which will be available from Futureshop in Canada and FYE in the U.S.
thedarkknight5: The steelbook version of the DVD and Blu-ray case, which will be available from Futureshop in Canada and FYE in the U.S.
thedarkknight6: Walmart will sell a gift set for Harvey Dent believers. The two-disc DVD has his luck coin and a comic book.
thedarkknight7: A Blu-ray release for “The Dark Knight” with a scale model of the batpod.
thedarkknight8: “The Dark Knight” Blu-ray.
thedarkknight9: “The Dark Knight” Blu-ray.
thedarkknight10: “The Dark Knight” DVD.

Read our comprehensive film review of “The Dark Knight”.

See our 35-image “The Dark Knight” red-carpet slideshow.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

‘The Dark Knight’ Bestows Role of a Lifetime For Heath Ledger, Epic Proportions For Itself

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:01:00 -0600

CHICAGO – With only three short words comprising the film’s enigmatic title, “The Dark Knight” also boasts three epic claims to fame: the role of a lifetime for the late Heath Ledger as the hauntingly deranged Joker, one of the best films of 2008 and one of the greatest superhero films of all time.

In a year when Hollywood has the superhero woody comparable to when westerns where the greatest thing since sliced bread, “The Dark Knight” not only fares well against blockbuster competition with films like “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” but also manages to rise above chartbuster status into a whole new league of undisputed justice.

FULL REVIEW
Read Adam Fendelman’s full “The Dark Knight” review.

RELATED IMAGE GALLERIES
View our exclusive Chicago red-carpet slideshow.
View our full, high-resolution “The Dark Knight” image gallery.

RELATED READING
Read our comprehensive news on “The Dark Knight”.
More film reviews from critic Adam Fendelman.

Rating: 5.0/5.0
(rarely perfect)

Though a decidedly dark and outcast Batman is the heart behind the marketing machine for “The Dark Knight” from writer and director Christopher Nolan (who also directed the film’s first iteration in 2005 entitled “Batman Begins”), Christian Bale in the seminal role has his show stolen by Ledger’s villain.

While to some it may be surprising to classify Bale’s performance as “B” list and Ledger’s as “A+” list, you almost feel modesty in Bale’s screen time to honor the true man of this film’s 142 minutes.

While “The Dark Knight” completed principal photography prior to Ledger’s death, Bale delivers an intricately muted role as compared to Ledger. While entwined with the power inherent in his superhero marauding, Bale’s also humbled from working with another man who was delivering the culmination of his life’s work.

Health Ledger disappears so convincingly and completely into the Joker that you struggle to remember him in anything else.

This is a telling testament to an illustrious – albeit too short – career of an actor who memorably broke free in transformative roles in films including “Brokeback Mountain”. Nolan – who for this film was significantly influenced by the 1995 film “Heat” – says he selected Ledger for the focal Joker role based on his “fearlessness”.

Ledger’s Joker is developed to the finest of details even down to his unruly tongue action and the sounds of his excess saliva. Moreover, Nolan and co-writing brother Jonathan Nolan (David S. Goyer was also integral in the film’s story) deliver to Ledger the best profundities of any talent in the star-studded film.

“The Dark Knight,” which is directed by Christopher Nolan and features Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Eric Roberts, Anthony Michael Hall, Colin McFarlane, Joshua Harto, Michael Jai White and William Fichtner, will open everywhere on July 18, 2008 in traditional theaters and in IMAX. The film will show in IMAX for a continuous 72 hours for its opening Chicago weekend.

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “The Dark Knight” review. View our exclusive red-carpet coverage of “The Dark Knight” in Chicago.

Heath Ledger stars as the Joker in “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros., copyright DC Comics

Gary Oldman at Chicago’s Navy Pier for the red-carpet premiere of “The Dark Knight” on July 16, 2008. In the film, Oldman plays Lt. James Gordon.
Original photography for HollywoodChicago.com by Kris Kasperek of iKLiKphoto

Christian Bale as Batman on his Batpod in “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: Warner Bros., copyright DC Comics

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “The Dark Knight” review. View our exclusive red-carpet coverage of “The Dark Knight” in Chicago.

Chicago’s Navy Pier to Feature ‘72 Hours of Batman’ For ‘The Dark Knight’ IMAX Premiere

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:08:17 -0600

CHICAGO – “The Dark Knight,” which for hordes of moviegoers across the U.S. is 2008’s most anticipated film, won’t just open on July 18, 2008 in Chicago to everyday fanfare. It was announced on Wednesday that the film will have “72 hours of Batman” that weekend at Chicago’s Navy Pier for its IMAX version.

Beginning with the first public showing at midnight on Friday, July 18 (late Thursday night), the film will show consecutively all weekend until late Sunday, July 20 (the midnight show). As well, various Batman-themed games, contests and prizes will add to the buzz throughout the weekend.

A scene from “The Dark Knight”.
Photo credit: The New York Times on March 9, 2008

Just in time for Father’s Day, tickets for every show that weekend go on sale this Thursday, June 12. Because it’s IMAX, the price is jacked up a bit to $15 for adults or $13 for children. Tickets can be obtained at http://www.imax.com/chicago. This is the film’s description:

“The Dark Knight” reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne. Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of lieutenant Jim Gordon and district attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets.

The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.

The film also stars Academy Award winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) as Alfred; Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger (“Brokeback Mountain”) as arch villain The Joker; Gary Oldman as lieutenant Jim Gordon; Aaron Eckhart as district attorney Harvey Dent; Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) as Lucius Fox.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

New Poster Surfaces For ‘The Dark Knight’: ‘Welcome to a World Without Rules’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:49:18 -0600

CHICAGO – The Joker played nice on Thursday and delivered new fan fruit for “The Dark Knight”: a movie poster sporting the new statement “welcome to a world without rules”. He used his popular viral site WhySoSerious.com to unleash the award.

Feast your eyes on the new poster below. View a high-resolution version here. View our full image gallery here for “The Dark Knight”. Read our extensive “The Dark Knight” coverage here. Stay tuned for another marvel in four days, too, which is speculated to be a new trailer.

This new poster for “The Dark Knight” was revealed on April 24, 2008 from a WhySoSerious.com viral marketing campaign. View a high-resolution version here.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

“The Dark Knight” from Warner Bros., which features Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy and Anthony Michael Hall, is scheduled to hit theaters everywhere on July 18, 2008.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com