The Dark Knight was definitely dark. Really something intended for adults only, even though it managed a PG-13 rating. You are not the only one who was turned off by the tone and subject matter.

In defense of the film, that was a very accurate representation of the villains. They are both extremely violent creatures throughout their comic history.

-ian

All his friends had seen it and said it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Not so for either of us.

ps- we missed last week’s episode of generation kill because E is with us for the week; i’ll have to catch up on on demand. Lauren and I talk about the show in code with her around- it’s now known as ‘Generation Hug.’

So, music:

*Erykah Badu – “New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)”. Funky and beautiful along with IDEAS about our current surroundings. Like one of those awesome Stevie Wonder albums from the ’70s. A bit of Parliament thrown in for good measure to help the bitter sweeter.

*Vampire Weekend – “Vampire Weekend”. Yeah, overhyped, but I still like the Soweto Sound funneled through the prism of Talking Heads and Paul Simon. Fun music with surprising flavor — despite the hype.

*Rufus Wainwright – “Release the Stars”. I do go for his odd majestic music styles. Bombastic yet personal, folkie yet cosompolitan. Great live show too!

*The Ting Tings – “We Started Nothing”. Fun, basic, almost 80′s style pop. Some of the songs fall flat for me towards the end, but mostly its just too much fun to hate.

As for TV –

I have nothing but praise for BOTH shows you mention. Lately, since The Wire ended, I just haven’t found much else to get excited about until “Generation Kill”. I will do some catch up on that this week.

Movies –

“Dark Knight” is the one to beat thus far this year. Brilliant not only for a “comic book” movie, but for ANY genre today. The vision is just not to be denied.

“Redbelt” is good Mamet, but mostly because of the lead performance of Ejiofor who brings a real world reality to Mamet’s fantastic dramatic conceit — he’s really the first I have seen build that bridge to the audience in one of Mamet’s movies (maybe other than Lemmon in “Glengarry”.)

“The Vistor” mostly for Richard Jenkin’s performance more so than for the movie. But, the movie isnt all that bad either. I hope Jenkins sees some recognition for his work on this.

“Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” because I just really enjoy well done period screwball comedies, and they are rarely done well these days. Though it really doesnt come together in the end result, I appreciated a light movie with a serious undercurrent that remains just that and doesnt get in the way of the fun.

“Reprise” is one of those movies that quietly sticks with you days later. I found it well made and solid, but was initially underwhelmed. Until I found myself thinking about a couple of scenes from the movie a week later and how right they seemed.

“Tell No One” was a French movie based on an American novel, with a healthy dash of Hitchcock thrown in. If someone can appropriate Hitchcock and NOT embarrass themselves, I will be there to watch every time.