The Dark Knight

Mrs Mal and I went to see the new Batman film this morning (yes, it is perfectly acceptable to see a film before lunchtime...).

All the press has been about Heath Ledger and how awesome his turn as The Joker is. I have to say I agree. Christopher Nolan (the director) has described the villian as a force of nature, and I struggle to find a better description. His eyes breed insanity, the little ticks and mannerisms show a level of dedication to a character so often missed in the comic book genre and the way he shuffles about before unleashing a surprising level of agilty further adds to the unpredictability of the man. He'll get nominated for an oscar, but will he win? Hard to say, there are plenty more films to come out this year with plenty more performances to judge. RIP Heath - you done good.

Gary Oldman though? He done better.

Throughout the film you only see Jim Gordon and it wasn't until I mentioned to Mrs Mal that Gary Oldman was in the film did she a. ask for confirmation he was in it and b. which character he played. Oldman has the ability to vanish into his parts and this was no exception. I'm no film critic but if you -really- want to see an acting masterclass, have a look at Gary Oldman in this film. Good cop, family man, victim and hero. He won't get nominated for squat, but by God does he deserve to.

It's arguably the best comic book movie yet (certainly up there with X-Men 2, Daredevil and A History of Violence). I would offer an argument that it's also one of the best crime dramas in recent years, I found myself being reminded of Michael Mann's Heat throughout.

If you get a chance to, see this film.