Assault allegations be damned, The Dark Knight continues to clean up at the box office with another 75 million to add to its total!

I don’t know what it is about the movie, but I can’t get enough of it. I listened to Kevin Smith and /Film ramble on and on about it during the filmcast last week for over an hour! And I loved every second of it. They go into great detail about the Tim Burton’s films, Nolan’s films, and how it all relates (or doesn’t) to the original comics. Yeah, it’s mostly fan boy blather, but it never hurts to get Kevin Smith in on the action.

As a requisite Batman and Christian Bale fan, I have plans to see this film again, which is probably why this movie is doing so well. Heath Ledger’s death may be boosting sales, but once you sit down, you forget all about that. He simply is the Joker, this insane anarchist who gives Batman a sufficient run for his money.

Source: Pajiba box office roundup (7/28/08)

My dvd pick for this week is Batman: Gotham Knight, the animated movie that connects the dots between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It’s sorta like what they did with the Animatrix, where different anime directors collaborate. David Goyer, one of the TDK screenwriters, also worked with various writers.

There is a no frills single disc and a 2-disc version, which contains extras about “Batman: The Animated Series”. I’m a big fan of the cartoon, so I’m definitely gonna go for the special edition.

Not like we need more hype, but I really do think these anime setup movies are a really cool idea. I know there are graphic novels and comics that I can look to for extra info. But I’m lazy and prefer to have everything summed up in a nice cartoon movie bow.

See a preview of the Batman:Gothic Knight here.

“Friends” is the next tv show up on the film adaptation block. I say, no thanks. The world doesn’t need to see six neurotic New Yorkers on the big screen. Wasn’t ten seasons enough?

This news really got me thinking about the value of movies based on tv shows. Are they ever good (or necessary)? I definitely could have lived without the Sex and the City movie. Get Smart didn’t get such good reviews, so there’s more evidence against the notion. Can you even name five decent films in this category?

I’m racking my brain and these are the only shows I could find:

Superman: The Movie (1978)
The Muppet Movie (1980)

Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982) (‘Khan’ is the best sequel ever!!!)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Batman (1989)

The Fugitive (1993)

Top Animated Adaptations:
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
Care Bears Movie (1985)
The Jetsons: The Movie (1990)

I had to really stretch the tv show definition. Did I miss anything? Leave a comment with whatever’s missing from the list.

My advice for moviegoers: If visit the cinemas before July 18th, leave your expectations at the door. Save up all your excitement for The Dark Knight.

Trailer Check:

When it comes to summer movies, I understand the idea of not thinking and just sitting back for the ride. But seriously, I predict that the new Batman will blow everyone away with its script, cinematography, and the superb acting from Christian Bale, Heath Ledger (may he rest in peace), Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Aaron Eckhart. It will be a wonder of cinema, as well as the thrill ride of the summer who want it in layman’s terms.

The director, Christopher Nolan, has yet to disappoint me, so I don’t mind raising my hopes this high. I got excited about The Prestige and that turned out to be my favorite film from 2006.

Until this film’s release, maybe I’ll save my movie ticket money and put in my Canon HG10 savings fund.