The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)

The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)

Batman Begins (2005)

C – 140m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Batman Begins: The Imax Experience, The Intimidation Game, Batman: Intimidation, Batman 5
Characters By: Bob Kane
Story By: David S. Goyer
Screenplay By: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
Dir.: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Sir Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Morgan Freeman, Larry Holden, Sara Stewart, Richard Brake, Matt Miller, John Burke, Spencer Wilding and Mark Rhino Smith.
Cinematography By: Wally Pfister
Music By: James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer

After training with his mentor, Batman begins his fight to free crime–ridden Gotham City, from the corruption that Scarecrow and The League Of Shadows have cast upon it. A tad overlong, with a deliberate slow pace but when action is around it has an adrenaline rush to it. The performances are fine… Hindsight being 20/20 this film struck the right tone for the evolving dystopian society that was morphing into existence after 9/11/2001. See this one! 

Trivia:

Christian Bale hated wearing the Batman costume and used his distain for it to fuel his character’s foul mood. Christian Bale lost his voice three times while filming this movie, after altering his voice for playing Batman. Though Bale performed most of his own stunts, he was not allowed anywhere near the Batmobile. Reportedly a drunk driver crashed into the Batmobile while the production was shooting in Chicago, IL. He was quoted as saying that he crashed into the Batmobile because he believed it was an invading alien spacecraft.

There was no second unite on this film, which forced Christopher Nolan to over see every shot of the film for the entire 129 day shooting schedule. Both Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, from Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), stated that they were, “impressed,” by this film. Heath Ledger was considered for the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman while this film was in development. He was later cast as The Joker in the next entry in the Trilogy, The Dark Knight (2008). David S. Goyer stated that his favorite pre–audition choice for Batman was Jake Gyllenhaal but was swayed into Christian Bale by watching his audition tape. Sir Anthony Hopkins was offered the role of Alfred but declined and Laurence Fishburne was considered for the role of Lucius Fox. Gary Oldman agreed to play James Gordon without reading the script.    

Oscar® nominated for: Best Cinematography – Wally Pfister.
Followed by: The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Action Violence, Disturbing Images & Some Thematic Elements
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Dark Knight (2008)

C – 153m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen / 1.43:1 – Fullscreen (Imax Scenes) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Imax Scenes)
A.K.A.: The Dark Knight: The Imax Experience, Untitled Batman Begins Sequel, Batman: The Dark Knight, Batman Begins 2, Rory’s First Kiss, Winter Green
Characters Created By: Bob Kane
Story By: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
Screenplay By: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Prod. – Dir.: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Sir Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts, Ritchie Coster, Anthony Michael Hall, William Fichtner, January Stern and Robert Patrick Stern.
Music By: James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer
Sound Editing: Richard King
Film Editing: Lee Smith

A menace known only as The Joker starts terrorizing Gotham City while Harvey Dent seeks appointment to a higher office until he has something happen that scars him for life and a new foe is born, Two–Face. Batman must try to stop the increasing number of bad buys in Gotham before the city meets a dark and twisted end. Some people describe this film as dark and disturbing. They are right! This was the next to darkest Batman film but one that should be admired. Everything works here. Only the length may be a hindrance to some people, though not to this reviewer. There is action and suspense to spare in this nail-biting sequel to: Batman Begins (2005). This reviewer would argue that this is the BEST of the trilogy it is a part of. Haunting performances are given all around, particularly by Heath Ledger who posthumously won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar®. Two–Face’s face is hair–raising to say the least. See it! 

Trivia:

It was Sir Michael Caine’s opinion that Heath Ledger topped Jack Nicholson as The Joker. He felt that Nicholson’s portrayal was just nutty where as Ledger’s was psychotic. In preparation for his role of The Joker, Heath Ledger secluded himself into a motel room for about six weeks and worked on the voice, mannerisms and look of The Joker. This film was dedicated to Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental drug overdose before the film’s release, and Conway Wickliffe, a stuntman who died while doing a car crash stunt for this film. This film featured scenes shot on Imax cameras, hence the ever–changing widescreen aspect ratios during the film. Heath Ledger’s Oscar® win was the first time a comic book film won in a major category at The Oscars®.

Christopher Nolan offered the chance to reprise the role to Katie Holmes, who turned it down. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Isla Fisher, Emily Blunt and Rachel McAdams were all considered as replacements for her before Maggie Gyllenhaal got the role. This was the highest grossing Batman film. Matt Damon was offered the role of Harvey Dent but turned it down to make Invictus (2009) with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. Aaron Eckhart said he based his portrayal of his character in part on Robert F. Kennedy. Bob Hoskins and James Gandolfini auditioned for the role that went to Eric Roberts.

Oscar® winner for: Best Supporting Actor – Heath Ledger and Best Sound Editing – Richard King. Additionally Oscar® nominated for: Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing – Lee Smith, Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. Golden Globe winner for Best Supporting Actor – Heath Ledger.

Sequel to: Batman Begins (2005), and followed by: The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Violence & Some Menace
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

 C – 164m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen / 1.43:1 – Fullscreen (Imax Scenes) / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Imax Scenes) / 1.90:1 – Widescreen (Imax Scenes)
A.K.A.: The Dark Knight Rises: The Imax Experience, Magnus Rex, Batman 3, T.D.K.R., Gotham, Arkham
Characters Created By: Bob Kane
Story By: Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
Screenplay By: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Prod. – Dir.: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon–Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Sir Michael Caine, Matthew Modine, William Devane, Joey King, Liam Neeson and Aaron Eckhart (Archive Footage, uncredited).  
Music By: Hans Zimmer
Film Editing By: Lee Smith

Eight years after The Joker’s reign, Batman must help Catwoman and is forced from his exile to save Gotham, which is on the edge of annihilation from Arkham escapee Bane and his followers. Deadening in its level of bleak material. This film is overlong, more than sluggishly slow and the CGI is way more obvious that the previous two entries in the Nolan Batman Trilogy. Acting is the saving grace here and even that leaves this film dangling by a thread. If you were to skip this one, you’d be a wiser film buff than this reviewer. Not that it is a feat worth bragging about. SKIP this one!

Trivia:

Reportedly Christopher Nolan considered using a mix of CGI and deleted scenes from The Dark Knight (2008) to have Heath Ledger’s Joker appear briefly in this film. He reportedly decided it was disrespectful to Ledger to do so, and did not do it, as can be seen in this film. Gary Oldman said that Christopher Nolan told all the actors the end of the film verbally so that there would be less likelihood of it being leaked. According to producers the line, “That’s a lovely, lovely voice,” was improvised by Tom Hardy. Each entry in this trilogy is 12 minutes longer than it’s predecessor: Batman Beings (2005) – 140m, The Dark Knight (2008) – 152m (153m), and this film is 164m. The first draft of the script was reportedly 400 pages.

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Sequences Of Violence And Action, Some Sensuality & Language
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Jessie Stone Films

Stone Cold (2005)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Stone Cold
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Novel By: Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Jane Adams, Reg Rogers, Viola Davis, Alexis Dziena, Kohl Sudduth, Polly Shannon, Stephen McHattie, Shawn Roberts, Alex House, and Mimi Rogers.

A New England Police Chief investigates a series of murders and a rape of a teenage woman minor. This made for television movie is a slick but deliberately paced adaption of the best selling novel. It offers up some genuine laughs, some touching moments and a few surprises. After repeated viewings it is by the numbers of course. Swell acting and beautiful scenery help boost this to solid entertainment. There is a particularly funny subplot with Jesse Stone’s dog here.

Trivia: The fictional town of Paradise, Massachusetts, where the film / novel takes place, is supposedly a caricature of Marblehead, Massachusetts. And despite the aforementioned trivia, the film was shot in Ontario, Canada.

Rated: [R] – Violent Content, Some Sexuality, Nudity, & Brief Drug Use
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Night Passage (2006)

C – 89m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Night Passage
Jesse Stone: Night Passage
Novel By: Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Saul Rubinek, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduth, Polly Shannon, Mike Starr, Stephen McHattie and Stephen Baldwin.

Jesse Stone relocates from Los Angeles, California to Paradise, Massachusetts and finds himself in the midst of a couple of mysteries, one involving a former cop. Although this is the second Jesse Stone film made, it is the prequel to the first one, Stone Cold (2005). As such, it may make more sense to view this one first. That said, this is a rather sorry entry in the series after such a fine start with Stone Cold. The characters from the first film are more developed given their backstory here but little else comes of it. Pacing is once again an issue, this time more so. Tom Selleck, Stephen Baldwin, Viola Davis and Mike Starr are a treat as always though. A subplot with Jesse Stone’s dog that was funny in the first film is rather sad here. Despite this reviewer’s rather low opinion of this prequel, it should be noted that this reviewer sees the value of its inclusion in the television Jesse Stone cannon.

Trivia: Mike Starr’s brother Beau Starr previously appeared in the television adaption of Thin Air (2000), another Robert B. Parker novel that coexists with Jesse Stone.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Death In Paradise (2006)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise
Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise
Novel: Death In Paradise by Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduh, Orla Brady, Gary Basaraba, John Deihl, Mae Whitman, Edward Edwards, Stephen McHattie and William Devane.

The body of a 14 year old girl is found in a lake, a man beats his wife and someone is a tad to close to his biographer who has something to do with, “helping,” underage kids. These are just a few loose ends of a far spread mystery that Jesse Stone must tie together. Well–done, third made–for–television film in the Jesse Stone franchise boasts of fine acting, excellent pacing and nice scenery. There are even a few slightly startling images here too.

Trivia: The novel actually takes place before Stone Cold, but a scene of Jesse visiting the grave of Polly Shannon’s character was added to change it to after for this made for television movie.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Sea Change (2007)

C – 88m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Sea Change
Jesse Stone: Sea Change
Novel: Sea Change by Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Rebecca Pidgeon, Sean Young, Mika Boorem, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler, Viola Davis, William DeVane

Jesse Stone’s relationship with his ex–wife takes a turn for the worse so he decides to investigate a murder to keep from relapsing into alcoholism. His life is further complicated when he is put at odds with the town council over a rape investigation. The fourth made–for–television film in the Jesse Stone franchise is nothing special but still not bad. The cast is in fine form but the movie is strictly formula.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)

C – 88m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Thin Ice
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Leslie Hope, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler and William Devane.

During an unauthorized stakeout in Boston, Massachusetts Jesse Stone and Captain Healy are shot. Meanwhile a mother of a missing son, who has been declared dead, in Paradise, Massachusetts receives a letter that leads her to Stone. She hopes it will reopen the case in spite of her son being declared dead. The fifth made–for–television installment in the Jesse Stone series is the first film not to be adapted from a novel by Robert B. Parker, but rather it uses his characters. The film is engaging and keeps a good pace. Performances are for the most part good, but hardly worth mentioning given how well everything else works.  

Trivia: This film was shot in 2007 but did not air until 2009.
Available on DVD & Digital Copy  

Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: No Remorse
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Mark Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler, Mae Whitman and William Devane.

Suspended Police Chief Jesse Stone begins moonlighting for his friend Commander Healy by investigating murders in Boston, Massachusetts. Meanwhile Rose and Suitcase are working on a series of murders in Paradise, Massachusetts. Jesse Stone gives his all to the cases while trying to swear off booze and women but when the trail leads to a mob boss, Jesse may be in deep trouble. The sixth made – for – television Jesse Stone franchise entry is again, not from a novel by Robert B. Parker, though it does use his characters. The film is formula but has a good pace and good performances. One trivia note: The watch Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone wears in this film is the same one he wore in Magnum P.I. Seasons 4 – 8.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)

C – 91m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Dick Lowry
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler and William Devane.

Jesse Stone is forced into retirement only to investigate the suspicious death of a young friend. Meanwhile the Police of Paradise, Massachusetts contend with a S.O.B. of a new Police Chief. The seventh made–for–television Jesse Stone franchise entry is again not from a novel by Robert B. Parker but does use his characters. This one has fine pacing, good acting and a good script. The down side is that it is by the numbers. For some that may bring comfort though. Also: How much guilt tripping over the dog can viewer stand?

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt (2012)

C – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler, Robert Carradine and William Devane.

After the Sheriff who replaced Jesse Stone is killed in an explosion in the cop car, Jesse Stone comes out of involuntary retirement to investigate the murder; only to find out he must solve the murder himself because all the other officers left the department. The eighth made–for–television Jesse Stone franchise entry is not from a novel by Robert B. Parker but uses his characters. This is a suspenseful and engaging, by the numbers entry, with a fantastic pace and good acting. On a trivia note: a small portion of the Boston, Massachusetts set film, The Last Hurrah (1958) plays on a television screen. This supposedly signaled to the audience that this might have been the final Jesse Stone outing.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Lost In Paradise (2015)

C – 86m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Lost In Paradise
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben, Leslie Hope, William Sadler and William Devane.

Jesse hunts a serial killer in Boston, Massachusetts and worries over a wayward teen in Paradise, Massachusetts. The ninth made – for – television Jesse Stone franchise entry is once again not from a novel by Robert B. Parker, but does uses his characters. By the numbers entry is still enjoyable. Gone are most of the characters from the series but what remains is a pretty good cold case mystery.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy