The Dark Knight - [spoilers ahead, ye be warned]

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Wow, quite the smack down, as you're an Honored Fellow of the Film Nit Pickers Assn., correct?

I don't think so. Or rather, not in this case.

For the most part when I nitpick a movie it is because of issues with internal consistency.

Yes, if a real-world historical plot point is somehow important to the success or message of a movie then it is a point I'll care about if it is wrong. But the fact that the lake where Jack went fishing wasn't build until five years after the Titanic sank isn't vital to the story's impact or internal consistency.

If, however, a movie is exploring the real origins of the U.S. Civil War (through a fictional tale) and it says there was no slavery in Florida and thus plot points X, Y, and Z then I'll have issues.


But like I said, everybody has their pain points. And when it comes to movies you generally tend to be most sensitive to the areas you are most familiar with. I don't really know anything of the deep details of the Titanic (historically it isn't that important of an event and it was never more than a footnote in any of my classes and reading) so I'm not bothered.

Set a movie in the Boeing Machinists' Union during the 1970s and perhaps a similar level of historical squishiness will drive me nuts.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I'm not done hijacking. Things like Murdock's suicide and Nearer My God to Thee are NOT things Cameron made up. There's more chance they're legend as opposed to fact ... but the real facts are NO ONE WHO KNOWS MADE IT OUT ALIVE. So these are things shrouded in the mist of history. It was perfectly legit for Cameron to use the more dramatic possibilities of the possible events, reported by witnesses (though perhaps lacking credibility).

Fudging the exact nationality and career paths of a couple of below-minor characters is also not historical sacrelige.


For that matter, no one knows the Strauss's really died in bed-enbrace together. No one was there. No one knows the captain met his doom alone on the bridge. He just disappeared at one point (and various legends have him doing various things), but it's widely assumed ... and only assumed he died alone on the bridge when it went down.

Can you fault Cameron for using these two elements? They are more likely, but no more "confirmed" than Murdoch not shooting himself, and the band playing Autumn as their final number.

My response is here.

[innerSpaceman]

ok, fine. What other film besides Batman can we talk about here now?

[JWBear]

The Women?

[lashbear]

We really need a swank viewing of "The Women" at JWBear's place when I'm there...

[JWBear]

You're on!

[Chernabog]

Originally Posted by JWBear

You're on!

Or we could buy a portable TV and watch it on a train to Reno

[Gemini Cricket]

On the train to Reno...

[JWBear]

Drink up, dearie!

[innerSpaceman]

Oh no, not the quotathon again!!!



I just noticed I don't have any Batman movies on DVD, while I do have The Women. That must be fixed. As soon at TDK comes out, I'm gonna get Burton's Batman and Batman Returns, plus Nolans Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. All films with flaws, but fun Batman flix.