I would watch Batman Begins first. I thinks it’s a better movie, but I seem to be alone in that opinion. If you don’t watch BB, check out Chronos’ spoilers above.
One thing about The Dark Knight, if you watch it first then watch Begins, you’ll boggle at how different Gotham is. Of course you’d get that if you watched them the other way around too. In Begins it’s a creepy dark futuristic-type city, with a monorail and a special scary island where all the criminals live. In The Dark Knight, Gotham’s like a normal, present-day Chicago (because, well, it is).
Hey, just because you and the OP didn’t like The Good Shepherd doesn’t make it “some worthless stray movie.” I thought it was an excellent movie, though I did want the son to die a horrible death. I thought it was a fascinating story and, except for the grown-up son, who I really wanted to see die a horrible death, the acting was stellar. Did I mention I really really REALLY hated that son? Not just the character, but the actor who played him.
I think they’re both very good movies, and decline to comment on which one is better. Both are easily good enough to be worth seeing, which is really all you need to know.
I was not looking to offend any fans of The Good Shepard (I am certainly no qualified cinema critic, the movie was just not my cup of tea) and if you would like it, I will be happy to send you my copy, my compliments!!!
(Just in case its not clear, I am completley serious—if you want the movie, its yours for the asking)
I guess I should have mentioned that I saw the running time for Dark Knight and decided to wait until I had the entire evening clear, so I could watch it without interuption. (even when watching movies at home, I hate to be disturbed; I unplug the phone, get any snacks I want prepared ahead of time etc. so I can watch without distraction)
I will end up watching The Dark Knight in the next day or two, and if anyone cares, I will be happy to post my impressions…
Thank you very much. I do appreciate the offer, that’s very kind, but we already own it, just bought it two nights ago at our own discount DVD-buying spree. A video store around the corner is closing (cry) and they’re having a blowout sale. If your username hadn’t said “Salt Lake” I would have asked you if you were in Chicago. We’ve bought 75 DVDs in the last two days, though they were definitely higher-priced than 99 cents (most were in the $3-6 range). If I’d had the money I could have walked out of there with a couple hundred movies, at least. I’m still thinking about going over there and seeing if he’ll cut a deal on the first two seasons of Lost, which I’ve never seen.
Yeah, I’m definitely interested too. And good for you for unplugging and taking movie-watching seriously. Some movies it doesn’t matter if there’s stuff going on and you’re interrupted, but many really need concentration. The Dark Knight isn’t, say, 2001 in that respect, but it’s still nice to hear of someone treating movie-watching at home with respect.
I wasn’t looking to offend either. I’ve never seen it and just wanted to have some fun fleshing out the scenario/idea of a “stray movie” following the OP home from the pet/movie store where he or she was picking up a brand new movie to take home.
I saw Dark Knight before Batman Begins. Easy to understand and lots of fun. Enjoyed it. Saw Batman Begins a couple months later and it was a overrated borefest. Give me the Burton films anyday. Though I do put it above the Schumachers for sure, but below the animated series.
Then again, my geekiness might have given me a slight advantage, but still. It’s Batman. It’s ingrained in our culture. I think at this point there’s nothing really new to understand.
I completely agree. Having the character take over doesn’t happen often enough. Far too many times the big name actors just play themselves. IMO Pacino and Nicholson are the worst offenders in this regard - Pacino plays Pacino as a gangster or Pacino plays Pacino as a cop or Pacino plays Pacino as a football coach! Loud yelling! Bulging veins and bug eyes! More loud yelling! Same goes for Nicholson. That’s fine if you’re a big fan of theirs because you get your celebrity fix, but it’s terrible for people who want an immersive story with different characters.
Sadly there aren’t enough Gary Oldmans, Don Cheadles, Guy Pearces, Ed Nortons and Philip Seymour Hoffmans out there to make up for it.
I like Edward Norton, but his characters are all the same nowadays. You can easily ID him in a movie thanks to his neatly trimmed goatee and half-lisp.