Heath Ledger's Joker.

Yeah maybe that bit was a bit superfluous, maybe that bit just pandered to wanting to give Morgan Freeman a bit more to do. I did like that bit though, and I love the film to bits.
 
I'd argue that Ledger was doing just that to an extent. Joker was played with the interesting nuance of being unrepentantly evil, completely crazy and yet a really tragic character. The scene where he's shambling away form the hospital in the nurses uniform trying to get the detonator to work is truly pitiful. A lot of that is down to the subtlety of the body language used, as much as the shot itself.
 
and if we're still talking Oscar noRAB. Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman should be in with at least a mention if we're talking nominations - not saying they should win or even be nominated but they should certainly be concidered.
 
There's no denying it's probably the Hollywood film of the year. I mean, if my only beef is that it's a bit too long, there can't be too much wrong with it.

I did notice an error, but it was so nerdy that my street cred may be at risk if I were to tell you...sod it:

After Dent's face gets messed up, he still talks normally, even though half his lips aren't really there. I would have preferred it if the incident had affected his speech slightly, but that didn't seem to happen.

:o
 
If you take the view that only performances set in 'real' dramas deserve Oscars then yes. But the Oscars is about the best performance. If Heath's is brilliant, and I would say it is one of the best in 2008, then he deserves to be nominated for an Oscar. The genre of movie or type of character should be irrelevant, its all about the performance. The Oscars has been dominated by winners who have done so called 'heavy emotional' performances to the exclusion of so many other kinRAB of fantastic performance. If his death has influenced the panel in his nomination then that is wrong. It should only be down to his fabulous, unnerving performance.
 
I KNOW I am going to be shot down after making this statement, but I am going to make it anyway.

The Dark Knight was AVERAGE.
Heath Ledger as the Joker was AVERAGE.

I enjoy film and my personal collection was over 700 at last count, so I like to think I can judge a film! Of course, I also understand it is all about personal taste, and never argue that fact. However, those that say the film as a whole and all the fuss about Ledgers performance WASN'T in part due to his unfortunate demise is talking guff.

As for the Oscars. I stopped paying them ANY interest/credit when they gave Best Actress to Halle Berry.
 
I disagree, he wasnt a victim at all, hence the multiple stories he gave as to why he was like he was, went through all the typical stereotypes as to what some people use as reasons for insane peoples actions.

Oscar winners who acted as "victims" normally come in the form of druggies who beat their habit, alcoholics, people with disabilities, heroic stories etc
 
I think Heath Ledger watched a film called Ichi the Killer and that helped to shape his joker. There is a character called Kakihara who is a sadistic killer, but he looks like the joker, complete with scars down the mouth. He is so sadistic yet so cold and detached its chilling. He even laughs whilst falling to his death and is enjoying it.....similar scene in the Dark Knight.

Rumour has it that Heath locked himself away in a room for a month to develop the Joker and immerse himself in the role. I believe that he watched Ichi the killer and it gave some inspiration.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3708196352/tt0296042
 
I believe the word 'Oscar' was mentioned by people involved in the film BEFORE Ledger died. His performance was creating a buzz. He did completely disappear in to the role - not every actor can do that.


The problem now is; should he be nominated or win the Oscar - people (idiots) will cry "he only got the award because he is dead!"

Such is the price of human cynicism...
 
Hannibal Lector?

On screen for far less time than the Joker, and Ledger was just as chilling.


IMO the reason why Ledger WON'T get the Oscar is because he's dead and the acadamy don't want to be seen to be pandering to a percieved bandwagon.

And there is a possibility it's "Best Supporting Actor rather than "Best Actor in a lead role" that we're talking about.
 
Then clearly you missed all the buzz before his death.

You sound like someone who went to see it because of the hype even though it wasn't your thing at all. You probably hadn't even watched Batman Begins.

Because of the number of people like yourself, an excellent film and performance will never get its due - because everything has to be about an actor dying.

A shame.

Fo normal people, a film and performance can be judged on its own merits. Whether or not someone dies is irrelevant to the quality.
 
Damn straight. :sleep:



I'm with you on this, but you've got to admit, knowing he was dead when you saw it certainly added something to the audience's perception of the character and the movie as a whole.
 
I didnt think his performance that good. It simply played on existing "instanity" stereotypes mixed in with a good dash of Nicholson's Joker and his actions in the film were wholey predictable:

Not being motivated by money - and destroying the cash - have we not seen similar things before?

Lying to batman so he would think he was saving the the girl - when in fact he was sending batman after Harvey Dent - original?

Neither Ledgers performance - nor the movie itself broke any new ground - and as for batman himself:

due to some new found morality that prevents him from killing anyone, he has been declawed to such an extent that he has become boring. At least Keatons batman had a real dark side to him and some real menace.
 
not with me it didn't. I was non plused either way. Sad Heath ledger had died but it didn't effect how I viewed the film. Except perhaps the line "you and I will be doing this forever" which I thought was quite poignant
 
Haven't we had this debate aleady? :yawn:

If Javier Bardem can win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor portraying a villian (in No Country for Old Men) then technically so can Heath Ledger whether he's dead or alive! (that's if he gets nominated of course....)
 
Judgemental much?

I have seen all the Batman films. I stated quite clearly that I agree it is all a case of personal taste. It is my opinion that the film and the performances are over rated.

I never said it was ALL about the death of Ledger. I said it HAD AN EFFECT on the ammount of talk and the ammount of people who went to see the movie.

I understand that you are a fan, this is fine, but you really should try to keep an open mind when it comes to discussions.

Your opinion is yours, and mine is my own. Relax...
 
I didn't actually think he was that great. So whether he's alive or dead doesn't real come into it for me. No oscar cos he wasn't worthy of one is how I'd vote.
 
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