Comments on: The Politics of The Dark Knight http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:07:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Brandon http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-26413 Brandon Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:07:09 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-26413 Do the ends justify the means. Everything Batman did to catch the Joker was over the top (Cell phone sonar of 30,000 phones.) There are some holes to figure out, howver I do believe it is about the war on terror. Do the ends justify the means. Everything Batman did to catch the Joker was over the top (Cell phone sonar of 30,000 phones.) There are some holes to figure out, howver I do believe it is about the war on terror.

]]> By: Jim Movie http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-26103 Jim Movie Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:09:23 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-26103 Fantastic Movie! One can certainly make connections with our current state of politics, war on terror, 9-11, etc. Whether the Nolan meant to do so is irrelevant. He was fairly heavy handed though with the symbolism in my opinion. Its hard not to see the connections. -Radar Sonar = Patriot Act -Joker= Terrorism/Extremist Islam -Batman= GWB/Military, make the hard choices, willing to be hated, etc I could go on with more, but in my opinion these were the most blatantly obvious from my perspective. For those who choose to do so, it is frankly their right to make those connections. I find it frankly arrogant and elitist of Jim Cronin who views himself as an "educated intellectual" to slam those Joe & Jill Highschool who make said connections. It is their right you elitist snot. Get over yourself and if people want to look more into a movie LET THEM! Fantastic Movie! One can certainly make connections with our current state of politics, war on terror, 9-11, etc. Whether the Nolan meant to do so is irrelevant. He was fairly heavy handed though with the symbolism in my opinion. Its hard not to see the connections.

-Radar Sonar = Patriot Act
-Joker= Terrorism/Extremist Islam
-Batman= GWB/Military, make the hard choices, willing to be hated, etc

I could go on with more, but in my opinion these were the most blatantly obvious from my perspective.

For those who choose to do so, it is frankly their right to make those connections. I find it frankly arrogant and elitist of Jim Cronin who views himself as an “educated intellectual” to slam those Joe & Jill Highschool who make said connections. It is their right you elitist snot. Get over yourself and if people want to look more into a movie LET THEM!

]]> By: Jim Bob http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-25910 Jim Bob Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:26:37 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-25910 Maybe you're all looking for more than what there is. After all, it is just a movie, produced to entertain and make money. Perhaps, Jimmy, you "educated intellectuals" are too wrapped up in trying to impress yourselves and others with your pseudo-intellectual gymnastics, to grasp the idea that sometimes things are exactly what they appear to be; no hidden messages and no societal critique. Maybe you’re all looking for more than what there is. After all, it is just a movie, produced to entertain and make money. Perhaps, Jimmy, you “educated intellectuals” are too wrapped up in trying to impress yourselves and others with your pseudo-intellectual gymnastics, to grasp the idea that sometimes things are exactly what they appear to be; no hidden messages and no societal critique.

]]> By: Jim Cronin http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-25783 Jim Cronin Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:49:06 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-25783 Perhaps Luke is correct. I'll give the film another viewing. However, I still think that it is one thing for educated intellectuals (such as us, I assume) to view such a film, and quite another for Joe and Jill High School. In any case, I would say that films play a minor role, if any, in stimulating political change. For most Americans, pocketbook issues are in the lead, not Batman. Perhaps Luke is correct. I’ll give the film another viewing. However, I still think that it is one thing for educated intellectuals (such as us, I assume) to view such a film, and quite another for Joe and Jill High School. In any case, I would say that films play a minor role, if any, in stimulating political change. For most Americans, pocketbook issues are in the lead, not Batman.

]]> By: Luke http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-25772 Luke Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:41:46 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-25772 I find it hard to believe this movie is doing gangbusters at the theaters based solely on the fact it's just "another" Hollywood movie. Yes, it has its thrills and action sequences, but it's definitely struck a chord with people, something deeper than just spectacle. The story resonates with people, law and justice, crime and terror, plus better performances and more mature storytelling that the usual rote superhero movie. Why is it this movie does so well when most Hollywood films start off big and then drop off? People may have come for the curiosity of the action, or the mystique of Heath Ledger's performance, but they keep coming back because the movie struck a nerve, it spoke to them in ways a more "arthouse" movie couldn't do because people don't want to see those, they want action and excitement, not thoughtful discourse on the state of society. Instead, the director pulled the old switeroo, just like the Joker with Dent and Dawes location, and people find themselves caught up in debates just like this one they normally would never have found themselves in before. I find it hard to believe this movie is doing gangbusters at the theaters based solely on the fact it’s just “another” Hollywood movie. Yes, it has its thrills and action sequences, but it’s definitely struck a chord with people, something deeper than just spectacle. The story resonates with people, law and justice, crime and terror, plus better performances and more mature storytelling that the usual rote superhero movie. Why is it this movie does so well when most Hollywood films start off big and then drop off? People may have come for the curiosity of the action, or the mystique of Heath Ledger’s performance, but they keep coming back because the movie struck a nerve, it spoke to them in ways a more “arthouse” movie couldn’t do because people don’t want to see those, they want action and excitement, not thoughtful discourse on the state of society. Instead, the director pulled the old switeroo, just like the Joker with Dent and Dawes location, and people find themselves caught up in debates just like this one they normally would never have found themselves in before.

]]> By: Jim Cronin http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-25754 Jim Cronin Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:30:31 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-25754 Isn't it a bit much to assume those viewing this film are at all interested in whatever ideology might lurk therein? The film was just another Hollywood action-packed, visual joyride with overdone and overused editing techniques and camerawork designed only to overstimulate the young during an otherwise boring summer. Isn’t it a bit much to assume those viewing this film are at all interested in whatever ideology might lurk therein? The film was just another Hollywood action-packed, visual joyride with overdone and overused editing techniques and camerawork designed only to overstimulate the young during an otherwise boring summer.

]]> By: Dan Coyle http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-25743 Dan Coyle Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:02:57 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-25743 I can't wait to read Jackowski's review! I can’t wait to read Jackowski’s review!

]]> By: Arch Stanton http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/07/the-politics-of-the-dark-knight/#comment-25741 Arch Stanton Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:33:19 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2441#comment-25741 What, no more heated discussions about the alleged allegorical depth of this fatuous, male-oriented adolescent fantasy? How disappointing. Perhaps some peeps will want to further impoverish themselves by seeing it again and again just to prove that it's as ludicrous, vainglorious and inane as it appears. What would be the point you ask? It's the same as any Hollywood/Pentagon venture. Treat the public to a little discount shock and awe, sprinkled with some neo-fascist drivel about the necessity for "law" and order (and revenge), add some corporate clichés and viola--crack for the soul and a sensory lobotomy. So go on and see it again and again until the digital screen pixels burn holes in the backs of your retinas and the THX sound blast turns your eardrums into cottage cheese. I'll be sure and bring in some commentary by various junkies waxing metaphysical about what a wonderful experience heroin is. And no, I don't really want to hear more speculation on how much lower we can sink because I've been studying ancient Roman history this week. Bring on the lions baby! Afghanis are in season again. What, no more heated discussions about the alleged allegorical depth of this fatuous, male-oriented adolescent fantasy? How disappointing. Perhaps some peeps will want to further impoverish themselves by seeing it again and again just to prove that it’s as ludicrous, vainglorious and inane as it appears. What would be the point you ask? It’s the same as any Hollywood/Pentagon venture. Treat the public to a little discount shock and awe, sprinkled with some neo-fascist drivel about the necessity for “law” and order (and revenge), add some corporate clichés and viola–crack for the soul and a sensory lobotomy.

So go on and see it again and again until the digital screen pixels burn holes in the backs of your retinas and the THX sound blast turns your eardrums into cottage cheese. I’ll be sure and bring in some commentary by various junkies waxing metaphysical about what a wonderful experience heroin is. And no, I don’t really want to hear more speculation on how much lower we can sink because I’ve been studying ancient Roman history this week. Bring on the lions baby! Afghanis are in season again.

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