16 Responses for "The Dark Knight, alternate origin story"

1. Sam Juliano July 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm 1

   Truthfully, Bale was much easier to like at that time. While you are right Ryan in saying that we need to unravel this mess with him, and that big egos and snooty demeanor are the norms in Hollywood, he just doesn’t “look” right to me–I can’t explain it—like many other actors, his entire life was made for him by Stephen Spielberg, who picked him for the lead from hundreds of boys. He was innocent and relatively uncorrupted then, and he helped make EMPIRE OF THE SUN the best film of 1987, in my humble opinion.

2. Alexander July 22nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm 2

   Wow, Sam, I’m overjoyed to hear that you think Empire of the Sun was the best film of 1987. I’ve felt pretty much alone in that position for a long time and here you were all the while in agreement. Bale’s performance in that film is much better than Michael Douglas in Wall Street, despite the popularity of the mantra, “Greed is good.”

3. Sam Juliano July 22nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm 3

   Alexander, I am equally overjoyed to hear you feel the say way. And I equally agree with the Douglas-Bale comparison. I remember being sickened for months that year when the film (one of Spielberg’s greatest films) was snubbed for a Best Picture nod, especially after it won the National Board of Review award.

   You may already know, Alexander, that Andrew Sarris names it the Best Film of 1987 as well, with Housekeeping at #2 and Full Metal Jacket at #3. You just made my day, my friend.

4. filmboymichael July 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm 4

   Let’s keep things in perspective folks….not our business….and we now know that he was not arrested….let’s leave it alone….why DON’T we talk about Empire of the Sun….or American Psycho….or The Machinist….or The Dark Knight….or….?

   ‘Dark Knight’ Christian Bale releases statement about assault charges

   Christianbale___sibibale__Attorneys representing “The Dark Knight” star Christian Bale have released a statement on their client’s arrest Tuesday morning for assault charges.

   “Christian Bale attended a London police station today, on a voluntary basis, in order to assist with an allegation that had been made against him to the police by his mother and sister.

   “Mr. Bale who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout, gave his account in full of the events in question, and has left the station without any charge being made against him by the police.

   “At this time, there will be no further comment by Mr. Bale.”

   So unless mum and sis are talking, we may never know what this was all about.

   Bale is a notoriously private actor, and I’m betting this mystery will never be fully solved.

   Families are complicated, sibling relationships are tricky and childhood stuff never really goes away. Just ask Bruce Wayne.

5. Dorothy Porker July 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm 5

   Add me to the “Empire of the Sun” love brigade.

6. RRA just saw THE DARK KNIGHT today (No Shit) July 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm 6

   I saw EMPIRE OF THE SUN back in high school, and I thought it was a great moving movie….what impressed was how Bale as a kid outacted John FUCKING Malkovich, and Malkovich was being awesome himself.

   Then I learned that critics hated the movie, back when they accused Spielberg of Oscar Hunting, back when he was still “unwilling to grow up emotionally”* and also was the big financial bomb of 1987. Siskel & Ebert’s review of the movie was laughable.

   Funny thing is, Bale the kid in SUN reunites with his mother, umm he beats years later. I guess those Japanese were REALLY mean…

   *=Which they claim is SCHINDLER’S LIST, and I say Fuck Them. Same sentimentality they despise, and it same pathos that worked.

7. Alexander July 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm 7

   So many critics (and audiences… and the Academy) missed the boat with Empire of the Sun. Certainly one of Spielberg’s finest accomplishements and boldest treasures. It’s still startling to think of that kid becoming Batman.

8. sonnymoscoso July 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm 8

   Sorry Sasha or Ryan… i just HATE when this site becomes PEREZ HILTON 2… i thought this site was supposed to be based in films, and awards… if im wrong then i think you should change your site because you havent got any news on Brangelina;s twins…

   (as you may notice, english is not my primary languaje)

9. Christopher July 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm 9

   Bale is wonderful in everything he does. I still think he should have had a supporting nod for “Little Women.” He took a role that could have been paper thin and really, really fleshed it out. It’s worth another watch.
   Also, I just caught him playing young prince Alexi in a story about Czar Nicholas and Alexandra. I think this was way before Empire. I kept staring at the screen saying, “who is that???” I finally imbd’d it and found out it was Bale! So even when I didn’t know it was him-I was intriqued by his performance!
   Ditto on Empire of the Sun!
   I’m not a fanboy of the superhero movies-but I am hoping that Bale pulls out a best-actor nod for DK-I think he could.
   He’s been long-overlooked. It’s time to bring it home-at least a nom.

10. iggy July 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm 10

    I hate this kind of news, not just because of Bale but because in these cases the celebrity loses the pressumption of innocence completely, and is subjected to a media trial which is anything but fair/just. No matter what happened, now Bale will be for some people the guy who was reported to the police by his own mother. And now take that label off, if you can. Sad, really sad.

    I enjoyed Batman Begins for his performance, and definitely though the movie was disappointing in many ways, I can’t imagine any other better American Psycho. And that’s what counts for me, I don’t know what really happened and I don’t really care (Justice system should be the only one caring, imo), but it will never change how my reactions and my view of his movies were prior to this. I’ll treasure that.

11. Ryan Adams July 22nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm 11

    we hate it too, Iggy. I feel the same way.

    But it’s getting covered in other places with other people having their chance to rant, so that’s why I think it’s good to give people an outlet here. I won’t help the ugly story go away, but we can try to talk it out and come to feel like we have some small measure of control over what’s being said. Instead of watching it helplessly unfold, the discussion gives us a platform and a voice.

12. iggy July 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm 12

    Sorry, last comment should’ve have been two threads below.

    And now, I read Estelle Getty has passed away. Sad, really sad day. Going to curlp up in bed.

    Edit: I see your point Ryan, and the good intentions, but I can’t help it, it just makes me feel sad this is all over the Internet and to think that this might change a guy’s life (let’s hope it doesn’t).

13. haroldsmaude July 22nd, 2008 at 5:07 pm 13

    Move over on the Empire of the Sun wagon. I’ve always loved that film.

    Ryan, I hope you’re right. I feel like iggy in that the bad press might follow him, regardless of the outcome. Remember the Josh Brolin-Diana Ladd thing a few years ago? First it sounded like domestic assault, then it was in house consensual fighting, and I’ve wondered if that episode has followed him despite his recent popularity.

14. Alfredo July 22nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm 14

    All this fuss over Bale that we’ve completely have over looked big news this morning…My favorite Golden Girl (next to Betty White of course) has passed away…R.I.P. Estelle Getty

15. Sam Juliano July 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm 15

    RPA, with all due respect, 80% of the critics LOVED Empire of the Sun and it won Best Picture that year from the National Board of Review.

    I am thrilled that Dorothy Porker, Haroldsmaude and you RPA also love it!!!!

16. RRA is Dead Wrong (Thump) July 23rd, 2008 at 8:59 am 16

    Sam, yeah you’re correct, and thanks for correcting me, but I was pissy really at the Oscars that year.