Cool News
CurlyCasey And THE DARK KNIGHT Chicago Shoot!!
Merrick here...
With something a little different from THE DARK KNIGHT. Specifically: a brief report (and a few pictures) from a reader who came across the film shoot while in Chicago. There's nothing Earth shattering here, but I thought you might find this a diverting little Geeky adventure.
Here's CurlyCasey, whose report pretty much speaks for itself. We'd like to thank her for taking the time to put this together for us.
Here’s what happened…
All of a sudden, we happen to come across the Chicago Theater on Lake and State Street, where a film crew was setting up a dolly rig (the thing that keeps the camera steady for a rolling shot) and other items. Two individuals, who resembled actors in the upcoming film, were standing around talking to each other as everyone passed by. Scott and I kept looking at the camera equipment, etc. to see if it said “Dark Knight” anywhere. Of course, there wasn’t anything written anywhere.
Flashback —Before making the trip to Chicago , I had read about the production crew filming “Dark Knight” scenes in Chicago and I planned our trip accordingly. We’re not celebrity stalkers by any means, but we thought it would be fun to see. Whilst I was reading through pages and pages of movie spy material about “Dark Knight,” I found out that they would be using a “code name” for the movie while they were in town. It was to be called “Rory’s First Kiss.”
Back to Lake and State St. --- Just as I informed Scott about the “code name,” a passerby asked a man working on a camera what they were shooting. To our surprise, the crew member said “Rory’s First Kiss.” Jackpot!
Scott and I weren’t going anywhere. We were just 3 ft. away from a scene they were shooting. We began to look around for any of the actors that were supposed to be in town (everyone mentioned above). They only thing we could find were the two stand-in actors (which we believed were for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart’s character Harvey Dent).
Panning to the street, we saw a crew member replace a limousine’s front license plate with one that read “City of Gotham ” and a yellow taxi cab’s side panel that read “Gotham Cabs.” This is when the butterflies of excitement kicked in for us.
By this time (about an hour later), we were kicked off that side of the street and told to stand on the other side. A crowd began to gather. An annoying little woman with a walkie talkie in her hand told us we could shoot photos but that we couldn’t use our flashes for this scene to be taped for “Rory’s First Kiss.” (wink wink) Even though we questioned why there was a town called Gotham in this film, the little annoying woman stressed that it was not for the Batman movie.
Enter director Christopher Nolan, who’s directed such movies as “The Prestige,” “Memento,” and of course, “Batman Begins.” Nolan appeared on the set (which took place just outside of the theater). He then directed the stand-ins to do certain things, like sit in the cab and then walk to the front door of the theater so he could get his lighting, etc. correct.
Then, Maggie Gyllenhall (who was in “Stranger Than Fiction” “Mona Lisa Smile” and “ World Trade Center ) showed up, as well as Aaron Eckhart (who was the boyfriend in “Erin Brockovich” “Thank You For Smoking” “Any Given Sunday” and “Black Dahlia”). The two actors did exactly what the stand-ins did: sat in the cab, exited the cab to walk up to the theater door, realized the performance for the Moscow Ballet was cancelled, and then turned to leave back into the cab. There was also a green screen (which is used to add digital effects to a film) inside the theater door.
It wasn’t the most exciting scene to watch in the world, but it was pretty cool that we were there to see it happen. The whole scene took about 2 ½ hours to shoot, and who knows if it will even be in the movie.
Scott and I also ran into Aaron Eckhart again Tuesday night as we were looking for a restaurant on Rush St. He was eating at a restaurant outside of his hotel by himself. No one seemed to bug him ‘cause he’s really not that easy to pick out.
BY THE WAY: In case you somehow missed being bludgeoned by the big reveal of The Bat's new ride over the last few days, CLICK HERE to check out some hight res images.
Seems like a long damn wait until this thing comes out July 2008. But, until then, at least we have...
...TURKISH BATMAN!!!
All of a sudden, we happen to come across the Chicago Theater on Lake and State Street, where a film crew was setting up a dolly rig (the thing that keeps the camera steady for a rolling shot) and other items. Two individuals, who resembled actors in the upcoming film, were standing around talking to each other as everyone passed by. Scott and I kept looking at the camera equipment, etc. to see if it said “Dark Knight” anywhere. Of course, there wasn’t anything written anywhere.
Flashback —Before making the trip to Chicago , I had read about the production crew filming “Dark Knight” scenes in Chicago and I planned our trip accordingly. We’re not celebrity stalkers by any means, but we thought it would be fun to see. Whilst I was reading through pages and pages of movie spy material about “Dark Knight,” I found out that they would be using a “code name” for the movie while they were in town. It was to be called “Rory’s First Kiss.”
Back to Lake and State St. --- Just as I informed Scott about the “code name,” a passerby asked a man working on a camera what they were shooting. To our surprise, the crew member said “Rory’s First Kiss.” Jackpot!
Scott and I weren’t going anywhere. We were just 3 ft. away from a scene they were shooting. We began to look around for any of the actors that were supposed to be in town (everyone mentioned above). They only thing we could find were the two stand-in actors (which we believed were for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart’s character Harvey Dent).
Panning to the street, we saw a crew member replace a limousine’s front license plate with one that read “City of Gotham ” and a yellow taxi cab’s side panel that read “Gotham Cabs.” This is when the butterflies of excitement kicked in for us.
By this time (about an hour later), we were kicked off that side of the street and told to stand on the other side. A crowd began to gather. An annoying little woman with a walkie talkie in her hand told us we could shoot photos but that we couldn’t use our flashes for this scene to be taped for “Rory’s First Kiss.” (wink wink) Even though we questioned why there was a town called Gotham in this film, the little annoying woman stressed that it was not for the Batman movie.
Enter director Christopher Nolan, who’s directed such movies as “The Prestige,” “Memento,” and of course, “Batman Begins.” Nolan appeared on the set (which took place just outside of the theater). He then directed the stand-ins to do certain things, like sit in the cab and then walk to the front door of the theater so he could get his lighting, etc. correct.
Then, Maggie Gyllenhall (who was in “Stranger Than Fiction” “Mona Lisa Smile” and “ World Trade Center ) showed up, as well as Aaron Eckhart (who was the boyfriend in “Erin Brockovich” “Thank You For Smoking” “Any Given Sunday” and “Black Dahlia”). The two actors did exactly what the stand-ins did: sat in the cab, exited the cab to walk up to the theater door, realized the performance for the Moscow Ballet was cancelled, and then turned to leave back into the cab. There was also a green screen (which is used to add digital effects to a film) inside the theater door.
It wasn’t the most exciting scene to watch in the world, but it was pretty cool that we were there to see it happen. The whole scene took about 2 ½ hours to shoot, and who knows if it will even be in the movie.
Scott and I also ran into Aaron Eckhart again Tuesday night as we were looking for a restaurant on Rush St. He was eating at a restaurant outside of his hotel by himself. No one seemed to bug him ‘cause he’s really not that easy to pick out.
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+ Expand All
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Gylenhal is so hot
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I was first too and I even sat and watched that stupid video for a few minutes
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first
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this was sarcastic btw.
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Sweet!
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Is it me, or is that a FIRST?
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I wish I was downtown that day to see them film. Cool report.
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Where are you! You must Damn Michael Bay!!!!
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But I still say Maggie Gyllenhall looks like a basset hound.
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You couldn't do any better.
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they must be tired for the Transformers and LFODH talkbacks.
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I'd like to fuck. Ditto droopy dog Holmes.
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,,, apparently it's going pretty well.
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Rob Zombie should've directed this.
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For some reason, I like seeing photos like these, where the crew/cast isn't working on some big, important scene. Just the shots where they're going into or out of a building. It's neat. And not to be nitpicky, but is there anybody on this site who seriously doesn't know what a green screen is?
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Damn! I thought that was a real movie. Oh, well.
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how ya been?
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Did anyone else hear the Bond theme in that Turkish Bat video? Good stuff.
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But did these guys seriously plan a trip to Chicago so that they could stalk The Dark Knight production???
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this article (which is a group of sentences, and paragraphs about a certain topic) was a little heavy on the explanations (a declaration of the meaning of a given item) of every thing, and a listing of the movies each actor (a person who acts) has been in. I find this style of writing annoying (causing annoyance; irritatingly bothersome).
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Despite her very good acting skills, I still ain't feeling it.
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shot scenes in a parking garage last night/morning. Yeah, I saw the pics. He was by a white van, wearing a suit and a burlap sack on his head. Good thing it hasn't been reported here. If anyone wants the link, give me a shout.
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Do the guys here just have a stash of totally random Youtube vids lying around for when there's a slow news day or a less-than-earthmoving story to post? Merrick: "Well, this looks like the tenth Batman send-in we've gotten this week, and it looks pretty much the same as it did the last time we posted about it, so why don't I just sneak this little beauty in here...gold."
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Jun 22, 2007 12:46:55 AM CDT
Christopher Nolan has chosen to laugh... Here's why...
by i pwn teh suk and i pwn it well
Answers on a postcard.
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seeing Nolan's laughter. Gives me the creeps...
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http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5895
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Because I didn't know what a green-screen was used for in the movies (pictures passing by at a rate of 24 frames per second to give the impression of movement) and I (32-year old male working in the DC area) am thrilled (excited) that you were able to give me such an insight! (Sarcasm) (Twat) (Oh, and just for the hell of it, plant.)
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Jun 22, 2007 1:03:24 AM CDT
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN LAUGHING = NIPPLES ON BATMAN
by i pwn teh suk and i pwn it well
Another Batman & Robin on the horizon?
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...damn, you got to the style bashing before I did! Nice to see I wasn't the only person that wanted to wring the writer's neck, though.
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I live here in Chicago, and I had a couple guys sit at one of my tables (I'm a server), and they told me they work SFX on The Dark Knight....I'm wondering where one can find all this "spy material." I'd love to see the shooting in action.
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http://tinyurl.com/2gyc65 yeah what a dogface...you're not too bright, is ya?
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Decent fight scenes -- but CAPELESS??!!
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Still looks inbred. Thankfully I won't be seeing her in this. The "Dead Presidents with Lipstick" Joker, the "Robocop & Tron had a baby and named it Batman" suit redesign and the Bat'pod' with giant machine guns has made me realize that the previous film was a blessed anomaly and that this thing will suck even harder than the Schumacher "Batman & Robin" because people actually expected that to suck.
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Personally, if you HAD to continue on with the Rachel character, I would have preferred to simply have Katie Holmes back. She wasn't THAT bad and it would have kept the continuity nice. I mean, sure, it's one thing when an actor DIES (ie. Richard Harris in the POTTER films) and you HAVE to recast a core role -- but come on, one film and she's out?And that's not even the point. It isn't like I need to see Bruce/Batman having a STEADY girlfriend in these things. If you have to put in a female lead for romance purposes, then given that he IS Bruce Wayne, womanizing zillionaire to hide his identity, then just hire someone new for each film and cycle through actresses ala Bond.Sorry but the bottom line (to me) is that Rachel is a character I couldn't give two craps about to begin with. Hell, if you need to kill screen time, then put Michael Caine to better use and let's have more Alfred!
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why has this site not mentioned the youtube footage of scarecrow??
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Jun 22, 2007 4:07:35 AM CDT
There is something about Christopher Nolan laughing...
by i pwn teh suk and i pwn it well
I cannot take my eyes off it. What is he laughing at? 'Aaron E', are you reading this?
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But he also laughs AT him. That's what I don't like about it. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Oh what the hell, he mocks him, MOCKS him, do you hear? And Eckhart you are a fool falling for Nolan's feigned friendship.
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Whats up with Nolan Batman and ugly chicks.
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... is a mutt.
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here it is people http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5895 STOP SLACKIN AICN
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I dub thee Moviemack
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vs Salman Rushdie. You should watch INTERNATIONAL GUERILLAS aka International Gorillay
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Jun 22, 2007 6:29:04 AM CDT
Saw filming of 'Play It To The Bone' at Mandalay Bay
by dr gregory house
Yep....I'm pathetic.
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Credit where it's due, at least you can see the fighting. Anyone seen Turkish Rambo? Pretty special.
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Jun 22, 2007 7:28:31 AM CDT
Even though NOTHING seems to be happening in this scene
by rocklobster800
Im giddy with excitement, by sheer virtue of it being The Dark Knight...why those Scarecrow pics on Superherohype couldnt be of that quality is a bugger. Hopefully the 'Crow will be a used a little better in this one-I thought he was underused in Begins and dispatched WAAAAY to easily by Katie fucking holmes. Not the fact that a cool villain was taken care off by a woman with a electirc dealy, but that it was KATIE HOLMES with an electric dealy. If it had been Glyenhaal I could have dealt. But still, I am SOOOO geared up for this flick...
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Actually I remember a report that said that the reason the ballet was cancelled was that Bruce Wayne took the entire production out on his boat.
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Wow...I don't know about you, but I'm impressed.
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for putting nipples on Michael Meyers.
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Jun 22, 2007 8:18:35 AM CDT
Well personally I like the idea of there not being a
by judge dredds dirty undies
new fucking love interest every movie, thats so tedious. Seriously did you ever care about the girl in a bond movie? No because you knew she was never going to be seen again after it was over.
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Just for the fun Im stating as a huge Bat fan the order of quality of the flicks-
1. Batman-Mask Of The Phantasm
it really is just the best. Maybe it can get away with more things that you could in a live action one (you can forgive certian plot gaps) but seriously this was GOOOOOOOD. They nailed the tragic nature of Batman, making it look like he was really doomed in his choice to become the Dark Knight and his ife was noble but terminally un-fufillied. And they really nailed the Joker-a whacky cartoon character with a fearsome evil side (the scene of him attacking Councilman Reed is amazing). and it even has the best Batman theme.
2. Batman Returns-thats right, its better. It may be more Burton than Batman, but it WORKS. Fantastic interpretations of The Penguin and Catwoman and it just had a more visceral feel thatn the rest of them, with a real feeling of danger and a twisted vision of Gotham that suits the freaks that inhabit it.
3. Batman Begins-gret stuff, particualrly Bale. Most faithful adaptation probably, and they dealt the right hand in making it realsitic. However, a few faults-Katie Holmes, the silly "swear to me" voice and they kinda underplayed Scarecrow. But I have th upmost confidence that The Dark Knight will dleiver on all the promise shown here.
4. Batman-grew up with it, love it, but against the others it just feels okay rahter than great. which is a pity cos the Joker is my favourite villain of all time ever and Jack does deliver for the most part (though hes a bit plump). the scene of him smashing the mirror at the surgeons sill sends chills....
5. Return Of The Joker- the flashback to Robins and the Jokers fae at the end is masterful, but I never bought into the rest of the Terry Mc Guinness stuff...
and the rest in order
6. Batman Forever
7. Mystery of the Batman
8. Batman (1960)
9. Batman and Robin
Hopefully Nolans next one will room Phantasms crown.... -
She's about as homely as any chick you'd see in a local Walmart. There isn't a single thing particularly attractive about her.
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..."Must have roughly the same flat build as Katie Holmes. Droopy, tired-looking eyes a bonus!"
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That pathetic guy from the Harvey Dent Too site, that is?
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If we could read that then Im sure it would tell us why the Opra hath been cancelled-someone with the technology, HOP TO IT!!
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Put her in the movie instead. And Turkish Batman rocks!
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Is Gotham it a state now?
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They're not being sneaky anymore. I work two blocks from the trailers they're using near that garage...doors say "Scarecrow Double" and "Scarecrow Gang" all over them. They also say "Faux Batman," "B Double," and "Chechen Bodyguards." A couple of days ago, they said "J Double" and "Joker Gang." Sneaky!
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"If you think Maggie's hot, you're a moron"
....Because I would do her 10 ways to China. -
Or do you porn addicts need your chicks to look porno to find them attractive?
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.......It's called a ZOOM button. Use it. To pan out. During fight scenes. Try to get it right this time!
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If you find Maggie to be hot (and she most definitely is NOT), then you're probably the sort that finds Bea Arthur at the height of her sexual attractiveness NOW.
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If you think she is unattractive, then you are a homo...nothing wrong with being a fag, but that's what you are if you don't like attractive women and titties.
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....and that's how it is. She's no more attractive than the common Walmart cashier, and her breasts are quite un-spectacular.
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look at that photo. Newpaper cutting...on the Opera house door!! Its clealry got some kind of plot point on it!! Can anyone decipher it?
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First of all, she ain't ugly...but what's your point if you think she is? Would you rather go back to Elle McPherson/unrealisticly hot & have that dunce sound like she's readin their lines right off the page for the 1st time? She's a DA, not a supermodel. IF it was someone that was hotter you'd be complaining that a DA wouldn't really be that hot, & it's distracting and/or not convincing. Besides, the chick can act...so give her a chance. You basement dwellers couldn't do any better anyway.
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It's kinda sad that the fight scenes in an old Turkish Batman are better shot and easier to follow than Begins. Hopefully Nolan will at least pull the camera back three or four feet so we can see what's going on this time...
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Ever watch 'Secretary'? Notice how seriously unattractive she is in that role. No one, and I mean no one, can ACT unattractive in a sexy role like this dogfaced bitch.
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You are part of the Polish Sausage Alliance and a traitor, Take them away!!!!!
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You fags think if a chick doesn't look like your ultimate wet dream she ain't up to your standards. Sad.
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"Vicky Vale" "Vicky Vale"
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You know it in your soul. Now take off your clothes and do the Batusi.
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at Maggie's gaping yaw. Yeah, like I wouldn't do it just the same.
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I've never seen so many people call a woman ugly who couldn't form a sentence if talking to her in real life.
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I'm the one who took these photos (and I'm a female, by the way/Merrick screwed that up)
I was just joking when I said I planned our trip to Chicago around the Dark Knight filming. So take it easy on me, geez!
I posted these pictures to share them with people, I didn't think I'd get hammered for it.
Also, the reason for the long, "annoying" text was because I had sent it to family members who (unlike all of you here) have no idea what a green screen is, etc.
I guess I'll be more carefull next time when I post pictures not to annoy everyone. -
If you want a little more info on this, check out Batman-On-Film.com's June 10 filming report. Here's a link: http://tinyurl.com/ywb84z.
If you don't want to click over, basically, Bruck took the entire Moscow Ballet out for a cruise in order to cancel the show. BatCockBlock! -
Make that "Bruce took the entire..."
Oops. -
Don't worry about it... We give everyone here a hard time about everything...
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but instead, I think it makes The Dark Night unnecessary. Why mess with perfection. I especially like how Turk-Bat saved the girl leaving Turk-Robin to take on all those thugs by himself. Just like the old days in the big house.
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Any word is good word, and this came along with even better pictures! Evan Maggie? Fantastic eyes. Love'em.
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Are you a looker?
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We hope that the spirit of Harry Saltzman haunts those concerned for the rest of their days...
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Jun 22, 2007 1:53:16 PM CDT
fuck the dark knight heres the biggest movie of 2008
by supercowbell 4 cant stop the cowbell
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339271/ you know you guys cant wait
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Who knew batman used the James Bond theme while driving away in a russian made Travant. I especially loved the running leap he made to partake in the 3-way! All time best however, the fight scenes with Robin and Batman doing the "Hold my left foot so I can do a flip kick that takes out three guys." Classic! Plus, Bats gets laid. And apparently gets laid a lot. That's a hero deserving of fandom!
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My guess is that his fear-stuff is what creates the Joker--so it is Batman's fault, indirectly.
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I FUCKIN POSTED IT BUT AICN IS IGNORING IT LOOK http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5895
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I bet he gasses Joker and that's how it is. I did think it kind of lame how he just got kind of rode out of the narrows on his horse at the end of the last one.
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Jun 22, 2007 5:08:56 PM CDT
hes probably gonna be in the first 10 mins
by supercowbell 4 cant stop the cowbell
the movies probably gonna start off with batman capturing scarecrow or something
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I don't understand...
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More Eckhart, please.
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to be young and idealistic like Bruce, good counterpart for Bale.
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So I won't be seeing this film
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so I'll give this film a miss
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No money from me Mr Nolan
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is the character that Anthony Micheal Hall is playing in the movie...trust me on this. The Racheal Dawes character is used in the film as a conduit for trusting the Batman...maybe not necessary but she does have a purpose. I don't think the character will be around for another sequel.
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...is a shambles. I've been saying it for years but nobody listened until Batman TOOK OFF his cape. Shame Turkey, shame.
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..is a Morris 1100?? That's play well in the UK!
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You see that laughing? That is the laughing of a director and cast who have gold in their hands. Mark my words. Oh, and Peter Jackson for JLA!
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Was pretty awesome as the Scarecrow. I really hope he's back and has a good part to play in this. He does the whole Crane/Scarecrow very well. As it is, this movie is rockin' a pretty sweet cast.
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Yeah, that motherfucker possesses Katie Holmes now. He's the fucking reason why she doesn't appear in The Dark Knight.
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if only just to have her be killed off. But if you ask me, as far as having an ongoing romance of any kind...if its not catwoman or talia...then batman does NOT need a love interest in a movie!!
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Jun 23, 2007 9:55:32 PM CDT
You haters look like you take yourselves too seriously.
by 'cholera's ghost
"If you want my opinion, you need to lighten up."
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Does she want a Scooby Snack???
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Jun 24, 2007 10:22:02 AM CDT
So they saw Nolan, Gyllenhaal, and city of gotham...
by cotton mcknight
but it's not the new batman movie? That's funny.
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I was walking around downtown, but all I saw were trucks and lights and shit. Nothing too incredibly exciting. I think I got there too early, though. Plus, I got out there rather quick 'cause I was wearing my blue Cubs shirt (go Cubbies!) and I stood out like a sore thumb. Maybe I'll try again tonight or something....I don't even give a shit if I get pictures or whatever, I just wanna see them filming the fucker.
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