Anne Hathaway Catwoman

I'm sure we've all heard the title of the new batman movie: The Dark Knight Rises
Kinda catchy, right? The title is most likely a play for the same way night (and day) rises (and falls). After a moments thought though, I really don't think its so clever.


Simply attaching a single word to the end of the title of its predecessor implies a lack of creativity.
Its almost as bad a sequel subtracting the word 'the' from the original (Fast and Furious). Or even worse: The Fast Five (sounds like a mediocre boy band).  
  
Here's another upcoming movie with 'Rise' in the title: Rise of the (Planet of the) Apes
Another example of a sort of, but not really catchy phrase. In this instance 'Rise' is used in the same way a planet (or moon) rises. After a brief brainstorm, i came up with a few more movies with 'Rise' used in a similar way.

• Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
• Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
• G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra
• Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
• Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior

Notice anything in common? Thats right, they're all sequels.  

Which begs the question, what are you going to call your sequel? Especially when there have already been 8 predecessors (not including animated tv movies) you begin to run out of interesting phrase + main character title combinations. Then again consider how many comic books (with their own subsequent titles) have featured the guy.

I think we've established that 'Rise' kinda has a sequely connotation. So here is a little help for Christopher Nolan, or whoever's bad idea the title is.

The word 'Rise' most simply means ascension. Im going to guess in this context, ascension into power. Hey here's a catchy title: The Dark Knight Ascends, The Dark Knight's Ascension, Ascension of the Dark Knight (or Batman for that matter) Or how bout even reintroducing an old alias, The Caped Crusader?
Come on now, a little more creativity please.

Titles are an important part of the movie. The title must be simple, but unique. Like the poster, it is not only a marketing device, but should also be an extension of the work it self; the beginning of the experience for the audience. If there is a cliche in your title, you are certainly starting off on the wrong foot.


On the other hand, a revealing mug shot of Anne Hathaway - now thats starting out on the right foot!









A few additional thoughts on this here upcoming movie:

Question people have been asking since The Dark Knight is, Should they make another one? Can they proceed without the Joker? Can they top it? Should they even try? Christopher Nolan has long since earned my respect, whatever he has up his sleeve.

Bane and Catwoman. Interesting choices. I am a little disappointed Johnny Depp (The Riddler) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Penguin) did not work out. However, this may be a good opportunity to redeem 2 characters who have yet to be handled with their proper dignity on the screen. On the other hand I think it would have been interesting to introduce fresh characters from the comics. Black Mask or Harley Quinn for instance.

July 20th 2012. Until then, keep on Jokin  {; )



            BAH! HA HA HA hA. . .

                                                                              .    .   . .  Ah-hah!   ah-he. .    . .  Ah-ho.

Okay, I dont know exactly just who started this "Its our last chance to adapt any of these books, so lets drag it out as long as we can by making a two-part movie" business (I suspect it was The Hobbit, though ironically it looks like that will be the last to release) but I dont think I like it. Yes, it is harder to convey as much as a novel in a 2 hour film, and a threeandahalfhour Return of the King can be hard to sit through, so then whatever happened to Intermissions? (Or for that matter, overtures, those wonderful pieces of music that established the score, musical themes, and overall mood of the film while you would wait in anticipation for the show to begin?) All the great classic film epics had them, in fact they may have been characterized by them. They were classy; live theatery. It gave you a chance to discuss what you had seen, anticipate what was to come next. More importantly a chance to get up to use the restroom without feeling guilty about missing anything, and stopping back by the concessions for a refill and more $nack$. How come these nice little breaks died out after the blockbusters came around? Did they just fall out of style or were there more financial motives. Were epics just to expensive? At any rate, successful movies seem to be getting longer and longer these days, which I think is just wonderful. A resurrection of  the Intermission would really go a long ways to help.

Instead, we have 3 successful fantasy film franchises based on already numerous books using the same exact tactic at approximately the same time to suck dry every dollar they can before the series ends. Before you know it the already out of hand sequel situation will become exponentially worse. How does Rocky VIII part 3 sound? Yes, I am excited to see twice as much Hobbit, I just dont want to see this become a common Hollywood practice, thats all :)


The Hobbit
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Breaking Dawn