The Dark Knight

[:: Opening Weekend Records (July 18, 2008 - July 20, 2008) ::]

Biggest Pre-sale Tickets Sold in a 21 day cycle period
(Almost 8 times as many pre-sale Midnight Showing tickets sold than former champ, Spider-Man 3)

Biggest Midnight Showing Ever: $18.5 Million

Biggest Opening Day Ever: $67.85 Million

Biggest Opening Weekend Ever: $158.41 Million

Biggest Imax Debut: $6.2 million in 94 Locations

Widest Theatrical Opening Weekend Release: 4,366 theaters

Widest Theatrical Opening Day Release: 4,366 theaters

[:: Second Opening Weekend Records (July 25, 2008 - July 27, 2008) ::]

Biggest Second Weekend Ever: $75.6 Million

Fastest to Reach $200 Million: $203.77 Million in 5 Days

Fastest to Reach $300 Million: $314.2 million in 10 Days

[:: DAILY TOP OPENING GROSSES ::]

#1 Top 3 Day Gross: $158.41 Million (July 20, 2008)

#1 Top 4 Day Gross: $182.90 Million (July 21, 2008)

#1 Top 5 Day Gross: $203.78 Million (July 22, 2008)

#1 Top 6 Day Gross: $222.15 Million (July 23, 2008)

#1 Top 7 Day Gross: $238.62 Million (July 24, 2008)

#1 Top 8 Day Gross: $261.77 Million (July 25, 2008)

#1 Top 9 Day Gross: $289.92 Million (July 26, 2008)

#1 Top 10 Day Gross: $314.2 Million (July 27, 2008)

Continue to follow at [BoxOfficeMojo.com] and see what more Record's TDK can break.

This Post will be updated as more records are broken.

One of the things I love most about films is when they defy my expectations and previous ideas on what the film would be like. Often I go in and I'll be pretty accurate on how the movie will be played out and done. Over the past two months, I developed an idea on how The Dark Knight would run after watching the trailers over and over again. The Dark Knight completely shattered what I thought this movie would be like. It was a whole different beast from Batman Begins, a Batman Begins transformed in to a werewolf. This was something new and much much much much MUCH better. A change for the good of the movie.

Nolan didn't play around with an introduction. He didn't take the time to have a long build up of waiting for Batman to save the day and introduce him to the story like with most superhero sequels. Hell, he didn't even has opening credits! It moved at a fast paced, snap snap snap. Things were happening all the time and there wasn't a smooth transition like with Batman Begins. It felt like Nolan was rushing to try and get through the movie because he was running short on time. It isn't necessarily a bad point in the movie. I really didn't mind it at all but some people may not like the quick pace he set. In fact, it was the fast paced nature of the story that made sitting in the seats for 2 1/2 hours bearable to be honest. His story was darker and had a lot of twists and turns in the process. It gave you a sense of true hopelessness in it as Joker continues to bring Gotham closer to chaos. Another welcoming part from Nolan is his action. In Batman Begins, the action was incredibly jumpy and shaky. He fixed that part up and made the fights and high chases truly enjoyable. I'll expect better action from Nolan in the future. Until then, he has made the best Batman. Past, present, future.

I feel really sorry for Christian Bale. Other than a more raspier Batman voice, which honestly annoyed me a little, there was nothing really new about his performance. In the shadow of the Joker, Bale was turned in to a supporting character almost. Only times he really shined was as Batman, getting angry at people and interrogating them. As Bruce Wayne, people would do the talking for him sometimes or Michael Caine would make speeches, just leaving Bale to sit and listen. Aaron Eckhart, on the other hand, was in his own spotlight. Superb job as a district attorney fighting what both Gordon and Batman believe in. And when he became Two-Face, you could tell he was a whole new monster. Not only that but his face is absolutely sickening. Finally there is Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes. She isn't better than Katie Holmes, mind you. She is just "different". She puts her own takes on when Rachel is like and that is what they should do. Don't copy someone else's but put your own take on it. I applaud her for doing this.

I've bet you've all been waiting for this, so lets get to what made this movie truly god-like: The Joker. Honestly, I'm a little stumped on where to start with him because there is so much I want to talk about. Heath's Joker is the same as all the other Jokers at their core. Nolan and Ledger were able to keep the fundamentals of the Joker and what makes the Joker who he is. All the Jokers must have that same trait of insanity. However, thanks to Heath, this Joker is much different from anything we've seen. Different from Jack Nicholson's, different from the animated series, and even different from the comic books. Heath buried himself in to this disgusting psychotic individual and gave us a whole knew monster. A twisted, evil, sick monster with no morals, and no rules. He is by far the most sickening Joker ever. And it's Heath's Joker, no one else's. When you're watching, you're not watching Heath Ledger. You're not watching Heath Ledger play as the Joker. No, you ARE watching the Joker. Lastly, Nolan and Heath did an excellent job at explaining the *bleep*ed up relationship between Joker and Batman. They brought that crazy yin-yang relationship to the movie and it made me all the more happier. In all, Heath's Joker is enough of a reason to see the movie.

I don't want a sequel. The Dark Knight raised the bar too high. With no more Joker, how can they possibly top this movie? Rhetorical question. They can't top it. I watched the movie and I was in a trance, a trance I only get in to when I truly love a movie. I could not feel my ass hurt from sitting in those chairs, I couldn't feel my bladder about to burst. All I could do was watch in awe. I will see this movie again because it will probably be one of the greatest movies I will ever see.





Final Verdict:

A





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I figured I'd post my review. 1st post ftw.

So beautiful Darknet... it was touching. But one thing, no A+? Grrr...

There was only one gripe I truly had with The Dark Knight. Really, just one thing, and that it makes everything else look like complete shit. Oh my god, X-men was on F/X earlier today. Not only do I hate the X-men trilogy, after watching BB again, and now TDK I truly just can't stand why these *bleep*ing studios can't take a renowned series like X-men and make it work. I kept shaking my head in utter disgust. Even Iron Man doesn't compare to TDK, it's in such a league of it's own it's frightening to see what Nolan & Crew have created. It truly scares me to wonder if they could possibly over-top this. We all knew he could outdo BB, but I just don't see it humanly possible for TDK, not without Heath. Nolan's created a universe that the fans are dying to have the Joker apart of now, and Nolan would have to pull a magical pencil out of his sleeve for that to happen. If Nolan thinks he found a suitable replacement, if they go that route bringing Joker back, I would welcome the actor with an open mind, but I would always be saddened over the fact Heath Ledger is not here to continue bringing to life the character he has oh so perfectly captured and made his own.

TDK deserves every dollar it's earned, and I can't wait to see it again (and again, and again, and again). I'll gladly pay each ticket price. I strongly urge all of you to not cop out and illegally see this. Don't be cheap and support a movie that deserves all the recognition it's getting.

DMD, those are the numbers all the websites are reporting. Obviously they are just estimates with final numbers appearing sometime Monday morning. Which is why I created a second post for the box office records, so I can easily update them without hassling over the other stuff.

This is my new favorite movie and there is no way that Nolan can top TDK with a third film. Like DMD said, if Heath (R.I.P.) was still alive then maybe they could.
I just loved everything about the movie and especially the Joker's well...jokes!
I even watched Brokeback Mountain last night just to honor Heath!

Spoiler: Scene in TDK

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(The Joker walks away (in a nurses dress) from the hospital as it starts to blow up (so *bleep*ing great). However, it doesn't explode all the way. He's all "What the *bleep*?"

*pushes the remote frantically*

The hospital finally gets blown sky high.

The joker runs away.

This definitely made me laugh:

EDIT:

Spoiler: Can't forget this one

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The part where Batman overturns the truck and does a badass stunt on his bike was awesome. The Joker didn't know what was coming to him.

quote Cdemon

Yeah, it sucks because...

Spoiler: SAGA FTW

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The Joker says "I think we're destined to do this forever..."

I'm scheduled to see TDK at 10:00 am at the cinema tomorrow, 4:00 pm at the imax tomorrow, and 10:00 pm at the cinema tomorrow night.