The Dark Knight Rises

Last night was the premiere of the movie of the summer, "The Dark Knight Rises," and I had the pleasure to be one of the many that was able to see it first at midnight.  As a huge Batman fan, I had some high expectations for this film.  So high, I was afraid I would be disappointed by what I would be watching.  I can safely say that this film went beyond my expectations, and had me begging for more.  It had me jumping and gasping and holding on to every second.  I have been comparing this film to the final Harry Potter book.  Like Harry Potter, this film was the final chapter in the story, but it was on a completely different level from the other films before it.  I will be going into detail about the storyline, so SPOILERS!!!  You have been warned. 

The film returns Christian Bale, Michael Cain, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and introduces Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  The film takes place 8 years after the events in "The Dark Knight."  It starts with a broken Bruce Wayne who is still grieving from the death of Rachel.  He has to return to the cape and cowl when Bane starts emerging from the underground.  And with Bane seizing control of Wayne Enterprises, and the fancy gadgets that Batman had access to for so many years, he quickly becomes a powerful opponent.  And a defining battle between the two put devastating events into play.  I won't give too much away because watching it is truly amazing and watching it is the only way to enjoy the storyline.  But there are many plot twists and revelations that drop your jaw and defy any theories that you have before walking into the film. 

The results are in, and the critics are giving it praises as well!  Huffington Post reports that the reviews are meeting the massive hype that was created before the movie.  Justin Chang says, "Few blockbusters have borne so heavy a burden of audience expectation as Christopher Nolan's final Batman caper, and the filmmaker steps up to the occasion with a cataclysmic vision of Gotham City under siege in 'The Dark Knight Rises."

The casting of Catwoman and Anne Hathaway have been getting praise as well, with critics saying, "Nolan's Catwoman is the best cinematic rendering of the character to date, allowing Anne Hathaway sex appeal, humor and real humanity in equal measures."  Not really sure about that though.  Michelle Pfeiffer's version to me, still has the most depth and has a better struggle between good and evil.  But she does a great job, and is a new level of the character that we will never forget. 

I know the question will rise about whether the villain Bane will be better than Heath Ledger's Joker.  Honestly, they are both really great, but Bane truly puts the fear into Batman, and how Bane can destroy his city.  Both villains are really great, but Bane ultimately has more depth than the Joker, and that created more emotion when the truth about Bane finally comes out.  Really a great character. 

Nolan really has outdone himself.  He took many different aspects of the Batman world and put them into this one film which makes it feel like a true Batman movie.  For those who don't read the comics or read the novels, "No Man's Land" is a clear inspiration to this film, and this storyline in the Batman world is worth researching and reading before or after watching the film.  Many other inspirations were in the film, but I won't give those away. 

I can't tell you how much I loved this movie.  Some of you know how I can really tear up a movie, and there wasn't much bad I have to say about this one.  This film does come full circle from the first and second parts, and will forever be a cherished chapter in the Batman universe.  I rate this movie 5/5, and it deserves all the praise. 

I look forward to hearing your own thoughts about the film, and what possible awards this film is worthy of being nominated for.  Stay tuned for the breaking news on the massive shooting in Colorado which took place last night at the "Dark Knight Rises" premiere. 

-Tyler

In Response...

Hey everyone.  This post is sorta unusual for me.  But earlier today, I recieved a comment from someone in response to my post titled "Eosinophilic Esophagitis."  Sadly, the comment disappeared before I could respond.  So I'm going to post the comment, and post my own thoughts.  Hope whoever posted the comment is able to read it!

"Thanks for this blog. My 7yrs old son just got dignosed with EE....there were no appearent symptoms we saw but he had acid reflux since he was 5 weeks old. Finally we could stop his midecine and that is when his doc wanted him to get checked for EE. I am so scared now that we are vegetarian and wheat and milk is all we eat. What doc has asked to stop - those 6 items and milk and wheat is everything for us. We r going to see the pediatric dietian, What i keep wondering is if we have not seen any symptoms, he has not complained then why get him treated....can't just go on with it?"

First of all, thank you for reading!  I'm glad my personal story is out there for people to relate to and also help understand EE.  I read your comment several times to think how I could reply to your complex situation, more complex than my own. 

First of all, EE has been known to be misdiagnosed as acid reflux.  I should know, we thought I had it as long as I can remember until my diagnosis 4-5 years ago.  And once I found out I had EE, all of the pieces finally came together, and I realized I must have had it the whole time.  This seems to be the case with your son. 

I can only imagine how difficult this will be for your family as vegetarians.  When I was first diagnosed, I thought my life would end, because tons of food have these products that are now forbidden to me.  It took me at least 2 years to finally find a suitable diet for myself to where I could feel completely healthy.  But I continue to make my diet more stricter as producers, and restaurant chains change their ingredients.  For me, meat, fruits and veggies are the main components to my diet, and I have rarely broken my diet in the past 2 years.  For you, this will be a difficult experience.  Consulting a dietitian is a great idea.  They will be able to steer you in the right direction.  I wish you the best of luck with this. 

And to answer your question, I would not ignore the doctor's instructions.  I don't know your son's level of pain when he is experiencing a spell with EE, but mimic heart attacks are common, and from personal experience, I thought I was going to die.  The medicine that has been prescribed to me, and my diet has saved my life, and my doctor has told me that is the only way to prevent possible irreversible and even more painful damage.  Something to think about really carefully. 

If you are in fact reading this, I wish you the best of luck!  Life does go on from this, and it will eventually just become his way of life in the months and years to come.  I do believe that in his early age, he will be able to get a full handle on this, and with your help, he will be free from years of pain that I experienced because of a late diagnosis.  Remember, the steroid FLOVENT and a strict diet is the most efficient and less painful way to cope with this. 

Hope to hear good news from you soon!

-Tyler

Anderson Cooper

Well it is now confirmed.  Anderson Cooper, who has been one of the most suspecting people of their sexual preference, has come out.  According to Yahoo news, the popular journalist wrote to friend blogger Andrew Sullivan, saying, "The fact is, I'm gay...Always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud."

He also went into detail as to why he kept his private life out of the public eye.  "Even though my job puts me in the public eye, I have tried to maintain some level of privacy in my life. Part of that has been for purely personal reasons. I think most people want some privacy for themselves and the people they are close to...But I've also wanted to retain some privacy for professional reasons...Since I started as a reporter in war zones 20 years ago, I've often found myself in some very dangerous places. For my safety and the safety of those I work with, I try to blend in as much as possible, and prefer to stick to my job of telling other people's stories, and not my own. I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist. I've always believed that who a reporter votes for, what religion they are, who they love, should not be something they have to discuss publicly."

And then he discussed how this announcement was not a big deal to him.  "In a perfect world, I don't think it's anyone else's business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted...Visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter's shield of privacy."

You can read the full letter here.  He goes on to say that he has always been open with family and friends.  Since his announcement, he has gotten much support, with tweets saying, "[he] helps us move 'what shouldn't matter' closer to 'what doesn't matter" and co-worker Don Lemon showed his support as well.

We congratulate him on his announcement, and we are sure this won't effect him and his career in any way, and will be able to advocate the journey for equality!