The Dark Mid-Knight
The Dark Knight is a great movie, and my experience was definitely enhanced by the midnight premiere show. What is it about seeing a late movie that makes it so much more exciting?
For one, I think in our society we naturally think that the later something occurs, the more fun it has to be. If one day you went to Wendy’s at 7pm, and later in the week went at 12:30am, which trip would be more fun? No matter what happens after you order your Stack Attack and Frosty at 7, I guarantee the post-midnight trip is the one with the memories.
This same logic applies to watching movies at home. Watch Rush Hour 2 at 9pm and it is a funny movie. Watch Rush Hour 2 at 2am and it is the funniest thing you have ever seen. Jokes are funnier, and things that are not supposed to be jokes suddenly become hysterical. I think this phenomenon applies mostly to comedies, but it is the general idea of the late night that I am trying to point out.
This idea is a large part of the source of the midnight theater experience. Of course once you factor in the thrill of anticipation (especially for a movie like The Dark Knight) and the undeniable joy from seeing the very first show, you are in for a treat.
The crowd (in line for snacks above) is a big part of it. Not only do they share your emotions of excitement and anticipation, but you end up feeding from each other. Whether is was crazed comic book fanboys or middle-aged men dressed up as The Joker, the crowd at TDK was just awesome for setting the mood. My excitement grew as each costumed moviegoer entered and searched for their seat.
I have attended many midnight showings, but unfortunately many of them were complete duds. Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, I Am Legend…all very disappointing. Luckily The Dark Knight broke that trend in a big way (read the review if you have not already). Many thanks to the manager of the theater (crudely cell phone pictured below) for his role in hyping up the crowd.
“You wanted The Joker, but you got The Penguin. Now, are you ready for BATMAAAAAAAAAAN!?“
What are your experiences and thoughts with midnight showings? If need be feel free to ignore that question and rave some more about The Dark Knight. Everyone else is.
July 24th, 2008 | 9:07 am
with movies, the later the sweeter because like you said you have had the whole day in anticipation. also we have been taught that you should go to bed early, so when you are doing something like this you get to revel in rebellion. plus people are just giddy at night.
the dark knight being ranked the best movie ever is simply absurd. this is only the case because everyone is still on the high from after seeing it and the voting is just pure asinine. the godfather was so much better, as were many others.
still a great movie and i will most likely see it again. either way i am now ready for the penguin.
July 25th, 2008 | 12:43 am
Mark’s reasons for why movies are better late make me laugh.
July 25th, 2008 | 10:50 am
directly from the screenwriters, neither the penguin nor catwoman will be in the next movie.
from what ive been reading online, i think itll be the riddler. the accountant who found out that bruce was batman, his name is cole reese. if you say this quickly, mr. reese, which was what they called him throughout the movie, it sounds like mysteries. a stretch yes, but possible. mysteries, aka the riddler.
however, no one can know for sure. except that the penguin is not gonna be in batman 3, at least not as the main villian. and when they do make a penguin, itll be jack black, i hope
July 25th, 2008 | 12:02 pm
Midnight movies are great. Especially with the Loews manager getting you fired up. My friends in another theater said he went to every single theater and did the same thing. Which is sick.
I have also hear about the Mr. Reese thing. It’s a good plug-in by the writers but who knows really. The Jokers real name I thought was Edward Nygma… like E. Nygma, like enigma.
Sorry for that.
Anyways if there is a Penguin I too think Jack Black would be a good choice. Or Philip Seymour Hoffman. Anyone but Danny Devito.
Also, Justin I don’t know if you heard this but Skip Bayless from ESPN said that Jack Nicholson was a better Joker than Heath Ledger.
July 25th, 2008 | 2:27 pm
i hate skip, and come to think of it philip seymour hoffman would make a phenomenal penguin. jack black would be good too but lacks the great acting skills.
July 30th, 2008 | 1:14 pm
If you ask me, things that happen late at night usually have memories because you are either intoxicated (to some extent) so your already set up for some craziness or your already doing something memorable. Think about it, Wendy’s at 7 is not as fun because its normal, Wendy’s at 2 am? What they hell r u doing driving around at 2am in the first place? It must be something. LOL