Okay... SO I'm not going to RAVE about The Dark Knight. I'm also not going to totally smash it either (I.E. my Indiana Jones review.) But please be warned that this contains spoilers. I'm not showing this same respect I showed Indiana Jones since this film series hasn't earned my respect since Tim Burton was in charge of it.

Here we go...

Many people are making a fuss about how this film is going to change superhero and comic book movies. If it does, I'm out. Seriously, there is such a thing as too dark. This movie is almost there (though it is much lighter than Batman Begins.) Not all characters and franchises can or should be treated with the same stark reverence and realism. Know you product, know your audience. Cater to that. Don't just try to copy this movie.

Heath Ledger does do a superb job. If he were still alive there wouldn't be talk of an Oscar. Does he deserve one? Yes. But the governing bodies of those awards, as with the emmys, do not honor this type of performance. If he were still alive it would be a non-issue. There comes a point where you need to put aside the circumstances of a life and look at the work. The work may be good but it's not going to win. Winning because he is dead would devalue the award (not that it isn't already) and it would be pandering to "special interests."

Along with that, people are treating this movie with a bit more reverence than they should simply because he died. I'm sorry I think that's wrong. Speak your mind. Telling the truth and speaking your emotional truth is more respectful than lying to be nice.

Having said all that, Heath Ledger does do a superb job. Simply superb...until the end. I have a lot of chronological issues with the movie specifically regarding his character and actions, but they're not problems with him...until his final scene. Ultimately his "end" in the movie is so anti-climactic and out of place that I was left unsatisfied. Without appropriate resolution to his performance it was just a big showpiece with nothing to anchor it.

Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne has yet to sell me. I just think he's flat. In this film he felt flat and aimless. Fortunately I thought that was what Batman needed to be in this movie.

Maggie Gyllenhal has enough charisma for the role of Rachel Dawes but it still felt wrong. When two different actresses play the same role and neither of them does exceptionally well...you need to look at the character.

Aaron Eckhart is brilliant as Harvey Dent. I am so glad he was in this movie.

Michael Caine was excellent as Alfred. Wonderfully droll and intuitive. Great actor, great part!

Morgan Freeman is...given things to do...simply to get Morgan Freeman into the movie. His role should have ended in the first Batman. I imagine if there is a third (and who doesn't think there will be???)...if there is a third, his character must truly die. Sorry... Just the facts.

The brightest spot in the entire movie is Gary Oldman who will have no Oscar buzz surrounding his performance, but he disappears into the role in a way that even Heath doesn't. The role doesn't consume him as much as he inhabits it. He actually makes you forget he's Gary Oldman.

As for the plot of the film, well it's a little too complicated. Just a little. I think the film makes a really good point during the interrogation scene. Unfortunately after that, it takes it to the next level which blows the doors off everything and it never really goes back to finish the point it was making. It makes a completely different point in the end...but the point it makes is so story oriented that the film loses it's relevance.

Fortunately for the movie it seems to realize that it's about to lose focus so it introduces a clever little series of moments involving some ferry boats which are among the best moments I've seen on film this year.

I will continue to single the batmobile out as one of the worst conceived things in this entire franchise. People say that it's functional. I say bull hockey! Look at batman's physical placement in the vehicle at certain points and tell me that's functional. It's not functional or practical. Nor is the stupid thing turning into the batpod. Next movie...when the batmobile arrives, I'm going to get popcorn!

There is a character death in the movie that makes no sense when you think about it. It may have a reason but it serves no purpose.

If you don't think about The Dark Knight too much you're going to have a good time. If you sit down and think about it, which the movie all but begs you to do at the end...then you're gonna start wondering about some of the decisions. I'm wondering why so many people think this is one of the greatest movies ever made. It's not. ...

Now...let me go put my armor on before you tear me to shreds.

So my friend Randy Dom said to me the other day...

"They used to make soap in weird shapes like flowers and starfishes and stuff... I think they should make soap in the shape of naked ladies. Course, rubbing naked lady soap all over your body might make you dirty."

How true.

I do believe in magic. Not the kind of magic you expect from someone like David Copperfield or Houdini. I spent a little time in that life st*y*le, I know the difference between magic and illusion.

Magic is real. It's not something that is created in front you...it's an emotional response you have to something. What happens in front of you, what you see or experience can be unique, creative, special and a million other words...but it can't be magical (within reason.) It can FEEL magical.

...but it's how you respond to the event that makes it magic. It's the tingle in your skin that makes a moment magic.

There's your thought for today.

Just an update, because of you're help, I'm in a very good position now. I was able to pick some choice thoughts and feelings from the multiple responses and I'm moving ahead with a good dose of vim and vigor. Thank you all!!!!

The support and friendship I receive from people on this site is absolutely staggering. I actually think (discounting the forums) that the nicest people frequent this site and these blogs...and I have the crème de la crème who frequent my blog!

Much progress people. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

If you haven't responded to yesterday's blog, continue to do so. I'm not done with that piece yet...

Welcome to today's blog, which I will subtitle PM Me.

Firstly, ladies and girls....I have a question. Please PM with you answers.

I've asked a few of you this, and I've gotten great responses, but now I've decided to open up the question. So...

Please tell me about your relationship with your father. I am specifically looking for that period of time between the ages of 10 and 20. How did you see him then? What was he like? How did you feel about your father?

I'm working on a piece that is going to center around a girl's relationship with her father....and I've never been a girl. So...any help is appreciated. And for those who have already helped: THANK YOU!

Again, please PM your answers. I think some of them may personal and I don't want you feeling afraid to say what you really feel by thinking it will be shared with the world.

The second thing that you can PM about... If you're one of my regulars and you'd like to hear the song that Jerry and I wrote, please PM me with a regular email address and I'll send you the current mp3. For many reasons I can't post it here, nor will I post the lyrics here. But if you are interested in listening to it...I can help you out with that. So just pm me with a regular email and I'll send it out to you.

I've been a little odd in the blog department of late. This is mostly due to work commitments. I appreciate your patience and vow that final thoughts will return next week. I'm just not consistent (but you knew that.)