The Dark Knight [2008]

1. The clever alteration of the graphics on the side of the bus: “CTA” (Chicago Transit Authority) has been changed to “GTA” (Gotham Transit Authorty).
2. My favorite shot of the movie: The Joker is hanging upside down. While he is talking, the camera slowly flips over until his face appears to be right side up. The purple cape dangles and swings behind his head, as if he is standing in front of a curtain as he gives his little speech.
3. The peculiar shape of Michael Caine’s glasses.

In brief: a very smartly done movie … with at least one climax too many. The performances are tops, especially (of course) Heath Ledger. As is the amazing use of Chicago locations. Two-Face was truly gruesome,but his whole appearance kind of drained away the movie’s impressiveness for me, turned that last half hour into just another spectacle-heavy action movie. The Dark Knight works very best when it’s sharp and focused (like the pencil trick, for example).