Movies with happy endings are exquisite. I think you’ll find most people out there, whether they want to admit it or not, have a movie they prefer above any other simply because it has a happy ending. And you’ll find if you inquire that they’ve probably watched it more than any other movie they’ve ever seen. That wasn’t my gripe with the film, nor do I think it has been anyone’s gripe with the film, as you see several people who have written truly enjoyed the movie and more power to them. I just found it to be a poorly made movie with a happy ending, that drew more unintentional laughs out of me than genuine laughs, because I didn’t feel anything genuine within the movie. There was nothing that surprised or made me believe in the magic that was happening. There are movies that most definitely do, and I tend to go back and see them at the theatre several times, this just didn’t happen to be one of them. Thanks for the response to the post.

1.) Batman impersonator (Hanging)
2.) Judge Surrillo (Car Bomb)
3.) Police Commissioner Loeb (Poisoning/Acid).
4.) Richard Dent (Gotham DMV employee)
5.) Patrick Harvey (Gotham DMV employee)

All of these were done well before the assassination attempt on the mayor’s life and before Gordon was supposedly shot. The killings that Two-Face actually committed were not explained to the people of Gotham. All we know is that Commissioner Gordon and Batman didn’t want Harvey Dent taking the rap.

I recently spoke to a friend of mine about his experiences as a Marine in Iraq (his uncle was a Marine in Viet Nam). There comes a realization in combat that you either are a killer, or a corpse; predator, or prey. Many who have fought and killed know that it is in human nature to be one, or the other. Unfortunately, neither is enviable.

In my viewing of the movie I came to realize that I fit the killer mold. My closest friend falls into the “corpse” category. He wouldn’t last five seconds in combat; he doesn’t have it in him to kill someone. There are times I wish I were more like him… until I’m on “The Job” and faced with someone who is definitely in the predator category.

As you said, we need the John Rambo types in this world… to deal with the predators. Rambo is the reason people can choose to be Bambi.

Now, if we could all just learn how to be Bambo.

this is mine…

First I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your explanation of the ending and themes in the movie. Also I want to point out that Batman was in fact surprised to see Harvey in the warehouse. In the movie you can kind of tell but it might be hard to realize it with him wearing the mask. Also if you read the official script for The Dark Knight it reads that Batman is surprised to see Harvey and not Rachael. My own thoughts on the matter are that he did set out to save Rachael but upon seeing Harvey knew that Gordon was heading to the other address. Despite Batman/Bruce’s feelings he was their and he had to save Harvey. To run out and leave Harvey to his fate would of put him in the same league of the people who he has sworn to fight.

I plan on creating a forum soon, for all things “what tha fucky” so add my msn I can keep you updated if you like peace..
S_373_N@hotmail.com

Thanks for writing back.Since your recomending Andrei Tarkovsky to me,I think you might want to give Jean-Luc Godard’s films a try because he is also one of my favorite filmakers.I still need to see more of his films and the works of of other French New Wave Filmakers such as Truffaut, Melville and Malle but from so far I really love his work.

It’s unfortunate for the actors in such a case. If they speak up, that sort of negative energy around a film will hurt it’s performance more than a lack of publicity or praise from the Production House.

Thankfully the film has become widely known based upon the fact that it’s just so tremendously good! Word of mouth still exists.

I think my problem isn’t that it happened so fast, or because of the time change, but it was the shift in perspective. The whole film we follow everything through Plainview’s eyes and not through the son’s. The we’re sudden;y asked to care about the son? It was awkward.

I would have been more pleased perhaps if it was just a sudden cut. No time change. Nothing. Just Cut, and we’re in the mansion. Cut and we’re following his son. Cut and we see Daniel Plainview. Let us be confused for a second. I didn’t need my hand held so suddenly going into the third act.

I agree that the 2nd last scene is awful, i cant say why. Because of the time change? the sudden change in character, setting and actions. To me, it was rushed which for this film is unforgivable.

Look, he’s not Kubrick, no one is. Nobody will ever be given 3 1/2 hrs to tell a story ever again. I think theres alot of edits and Anderson was told to finish it. Still atleast he got his milkshake at the end.

I was on the set of In Bruges, and have kept my eye on any promotional efforts for In Bruges, as well as budgets, estimates and just the process of the film making. I’m nothing more than an admirer but I know my facts. I can’t say much how I know, but I do know that the people involved in making In Bruges – the big names, were also highly disappointed in Focus Features. I myself have even called the Focus office when they seemed sloppy with the release of In Bruges at the very beginning. They may have supported the making of the film in 2006-2007; in 2008 it was clear they had no intention of backing the film up.

I am not sure if it might have something to do with the fact that their pride might have gotten hurt. The artists involved didn’t care much to answer to some profit-driven demands the exec producers posed, which might have caused tension between the filmmakers and the production company. I don’t know. Maybe the writers’ strike – and the loss of profit because of it – forced Focus to decide who they were and weren’t going to back up.

The biggest problem in my estimate, is the fact that I’ll never know the complete budgeting contract of the film. I know the production contract was $15 million, but usually these contracts also contain agreements on the budgeting of promotion and marketing. I don’t know if the 15 was also to include promotional costs – I highly doubt it, but that would be the only explanation as to why Focus Features completely and utterly FAILED to promote In Bruges in any way. Promises were broken somewhere. And there is only so much the pioneers of the film (Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Martin McDonagh) can do about it, because if they were to speak out too harshly it could damage their career. That’s the tricky fucker in the whole thing. You’ll never hear them say it openly because they can’t.