/Filmcast Ep. 9: The Dark Knight (GUEST: Kevin Smith)

Posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 by David Chen

/FilmCast

In this week’s episode of the /Filmcast, Kevin Smith joins us to geek out about the new Watchmen and Terminator trailers, and Kevin offers some reflections on the old Tim Burton Batman films. We also review The Dark Knight (SPOILERS INCLUDED). Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Want to sponsor or advertise with the /Filmcast? Feel free to e-mail us at slashfilmcast@gmail.com. You can also reach our voicemail number at 781-583-1993.

Join us next week as we broadcast the /Filmcast live on TUESDAY (NOT Monday) night at 10 PM EST / 7 PM PST to review the new X-Files film.

To hear the entire episode, you can download it here or play now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

To hear just the segment where Kevin Smith reviews The Dark Knight (WITH SPOILERS), you can download it here or play now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The /Filmcast will be having some more great guests to review some amazing movies this summer. To make sure you don’t miss an episode, subscribe to the /Filmcast using the following links:

What Have We Watched

Kevin Smith: (1:00) Burn Notice and The Closer

Film News

(1:48) Darren Aronofsky to Direct Robocop Sequel
(9:49) Watchmen Trailer
(28:30) Terminator Salvation Trailer

Featured Review

(36:53) The Dark Knight (SPOILERS INCLUDED)

Credits

Our music comes from Point 22 courtesy of the Podsafe Network, and Brad Sucks
If you’d like advertise with us or sponsor us, please e-mail slashfilmcast@gmail.com.
Contact us at our new voicemail number: 781-583-1993

Other Links

Lee’s Movie Info

Comments

Nate the Great

Anyone else having problems downloading the podcast through itunes?

gryffin12345

Does anyone know other good film podcast, or tv show podcast...i listen to /film and filmspotting already...

Simon

Nate - yes, I'm not able to get it in iTunes either

Aqualeo

the zune is not liking it either

Aqualeo

gryffin,

The Totally Rad Show is good. They talk about movie,tv,comics,games.

David Chen

Hey guys - apologies about the iTunes issue. It is being fixed and you guys should be able to DL the episode through iTunes in the very near future. I will post again to update you on the situation.

David Chen

iTunes issue = fixed. Please let me know if there are any other problems. Enjoy the episode!

Aqualeo

is the rss feed still messed up?

xetra

The new villian - Superman!

David Chen

@aqualeo RSS feed should work fine. Please let me know if there are issues.

Aqualeo

thanks

static212

@David Chen
Hey dave great job with the show last night.... but you should stick to your ideas even though Kevin smith is cool and all it doesn't mean you should have to agree with him about everything he says, personally I think T4 is going to bomb the writers of that movie have a really bad streak of horrid films under their belts. Kevin Smith is cool and all but that shouldn't be the reason why you don't stick your own ideas. Anyways great show and hope to hear your thoughts further about TDK.

Callum

Good podcast but I have to say that I am dissapointed at Smith for being such an inconsiderate prat: "if you haven't seen the movie then you're an idiot". WTF? I live in the UK. Should I go get a cam copy from the pirate bay Kevin? Wish you guys had pointed out to him that a large amount of the world hasn't had a chance to see this yet and kept the spoiler 'till the end.

Aqualeo

Callum,

I have to agree with you. I was a little disappointed how you guys let Smith run the show. I love him and all, but he was a guset for your podcast. I dont think you guys should have changed your format just for the guest. I hope with future special guest. you stick to what has worked. Especially, with putting spoilers at the end. I've already seen TDK and was looking forward to the spoiler section but you cant just let Kevin Smith come in and say "let's just talk about how this movie was great". Stick to the show you want to host Dave.
Still loved it and will look forward to next week.

The Brain

I disagreed with only one point.

Dent's transformation into Two Face wasn't that believable to me. It was too abrupt. I understand that he endured great tragedy and thus I can believe a loss of faith in good and I can believe immense bitterness on his part.

The subsequent actions he took, however, rang a little false to me.

the prasanth

Regarding the Two-Face transformation, I think it works, but only because in the comics, he had a split personality disorder. He always had the disorder, his 'dark side', which he kept hidden until the attack. Once his face was visibly scarred, he let loose his demons.

They didn't touch on that at all in the movie, but only because of the comic background does it work.

As for a 3rd film- I say Black Mask is the most realistic candidate. Possible overlying theme: Power/Deception. We could see a Batman that hits his full blown paranoia leading the way to the next villain: himself.

The Brain

I believe there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

I'm a little uneasy about the prospect of a third film.

How will Nolan top this one?

dopiestghost

Kevin Smith was wrong about Robin. He hasn't been in the comics for 40 or 50 years, he's been in comics for 68 years, just a few months less than Batman. Hate ob Robin all you want but get your facts straight.

Captain Awesome

The Brain,

I've said this before many times here. The third film has nothing to do with "topping" TDK. People need to get it out of their heads that the next film has to be this villian escalation game. Where it becomes a way to top Ledger and Eckhart's characters. You have more than enough to create a film from whats left in TDK to go off of.

Look at the films Nolan has done. The themes tell the story for Batman and how's he's working to get back to being the hero for Gotham again. The third film would be just that. About Batman, more than anything.

It has to come full circle.

James Woods

Dark Knight totally ROCKED! best flick I have seen in YEARS!

JT
www.FireMe.To/udi

Adam B.

@ Callum:

I don't think you get Kevin Smith's sense of humor, he was obviously joking around about people being idiots.
I do agree with those who haven't seen it and had things spoiled though, hopefully you didn't have too much ruined.

Captain Awesome

haha, I can't believe some of you agreed with him on Charlie's Angels. You guys need to get your heads checked...

I liked this episode. But you guys also let those glassy eyes of yours for Smith lesson the conversation in this I think. It always seemed like if someone wanted to argue with him on what he said. You guys couldn't do it with the rest of the crowd turning on you because it's "Kevin Smith".

I'm not asking to call him a, "idiot" or anything of that nature. But things like this need some "resistance" for it not to go stale. It keeps it engaging for me as a listener.

Stick to your guns ladies.

talley

At the theatre I went to, after the Terminator Salvation trailer someone yelled "PLAYED OUT!" and there was a fair amount of laughter. I don't know how successful the movie is going to be.

illegalprelude

I hate to say this but I think once everybody stops drinking the coolaid, you will agree that the Dark Knight is WAYYY over rated. Heaths performance was fantastic but everything else was weak. Nothing in the story was "omg, ive never seen that". Plus the action scenes were as weak as always cause you can tell Nolan dosent feel comfortable with them.

Peter Sciretta

Captain Awesome: I'm not sure if your comment is directed at me but I have expressed my enjoyment of the first Charlie's Angels in a past /Filmcast. I wasn't just agreeing with him.

Captain Awesome

Peter,

It was directed at the group. At times like it felt like some of you held your tongues. Good episode. But that's how it felt for me sometimes.

:P

The Brain

@Captain Awesome

Fair enough. But is it necessary?

We already know enough about Batman. Yes, there's more you can go on but does it justify filling another two plus hours of film?

I'm all for a thorough exploration of themes, but, many times, the integrity of a film franchise is sacrificed in order to earn another fat paycheck for the studio.

The franchise is fine where it is. I, for one, am satisfied.

Captain Awesome

It's not about exploration though. Do I think it's necessary? Definitely.

It's not about knowing more or enough of him. It's how Nolan set him up and knocked him down. Then you set him up again to re-claim the city he swore to protect. Especially the way TDK ends? You can't leave Batman hanging as the bad guy for the city. Even when taking the hit for Dent's image.

I mean in the end that's what these films are about, Batman. When looking at themes in context to the two Nolan films. The third could easily be about him fighting to bring his image back in a positive form for Gotham. I would love for Nolan to keep making Batman films forever. But that would be nuts. But I do hope he makes a third. You can't leave it at just how TDK ends.

There's just so much left open and undone for Batman and Gordon as characters. I want Batman to get a good send-off as the "hero" of Gotham.

The Brain

@Captain Awesome

But it was never about the glory and the image for Batman. Maybe it was at one point but he definitely transcended that by the end of the film.

How people viewed him was always secondary to the results themselves. He said it himself. "I'm whatever these people need me to be"

And that is precisely what would make a third installment, especially one in which the sole purpose is the perceived redemption of the character, a bit self serving (not to mention contradictory) to me.

But whatever.

You say potato....

Captain Awesome

I think that comment just shows how dedicated he is to the city's cause in trying to help it. I don't put too much weight in trying to use it a defining point for him.

I just know they could easily do a third film here. And I would love for him to bring himself back from running away for someone like Dent. Especially if you introduce Two Face as "the" villian for the third installment. Gordon was also particularly great in TDK. So he also fed Dents background with more weight.

Robitmaster

This really the movie Batman fans have been waiting for. Also, I hope they don't use Catwoman if they make a third one. I am thinking of Riddler. Reese could be the fill-in for how the Riddler figures out who Batman is. And they could do Hush. But no Catwoman. I don't think she could fit in the Nolanverse.

The Brain

@Captain Awesome Of course Gordon was great. Gary Oldman is a phenomenal actor.

@Robitmaster I agree about keeping Catwoman off the screen, for Nolan or anyone for that matter.

So far, no justice has been done to her as a character. Which is a shame because the Catwoman mythos is actually quite rich. It's just often misunderstood or mishandled and so hasn't translated well on screen thus far.

Captain Awesome

If Catwoman is ever used. I'm sure Nolan would reinvent her to fit his Batman world. She's always had a great background. But like The Brain said.

It's never been done the right way.

tant

when kevin was asked about the jla movie idea i really liked how kevin paused before saying..."i'd luuuuuv it."

almost like he didn't want to get caught on record dissing on d.c. because it could be a lucrative bridge he wasn't quite ready to burn.

although if a d.c. movie were to be made like jla than i'd be a bit more hopeful and willing to see it in a theater if kevin had a guiding hand in it.

~meep

Mark

I'm so glad Kevin Smith was on your show. It was AWESOME to hear him say he liked ALL the Terminator movies, which certain snobs can't stand. "Oh I agree" - lol no you don't. But I do.

Also... it turns out "McG" is not a douchebag name. It's the short form of his middle name, with his first name matching his dad and his uncle. His family has called him McG his entire life. (This was from his blog.)

Finally, _I_ heard the Terminator music _in the static_, and got goosebumps.

Barry

Great podcast guys. Great Dark Knight talk... though really could have done without the guy who giggles anytime Smith said "fuck"...

paul williams

"Dentâ€™s transformation into Two Face wasnâ€™t that believable to me. It was too abrupt. "

would have to agree. movie should have ended at the hospital the moment the joker shot the guard. then you have a whole another film to deal with everything that was squashed into the last 50 minutes. which really needed another hour.

Travis Mcgee

I think that the Black Mask would be a great villain for the next film... It would easily be in the realm of reality that possibility.

Misplaced Patriot

Dent is dead, but the Joker is not. Who could pick up where Ledger left off?

Travis Mcgee

I would like to see Dick Grayson introduced as the adopted son of Bruce Wayne. I DO NOT want to see him become Robin! Just add another dimension to Bruce Wayne and Alfred.

Travis Mcgee

@ Captain Awesome:

Why do YOU need Batman to become the hero for Gotham again?

I think it was perfect that he is being chased by the cops for murder. The mob called Batman out on it, told him that they know he would never kill anyone. But now the mob and criminals think Batman does kill. It helps him in his fight for justice.

bash

Hey guys, could you mute/distance the mic from whoever is breathing real hard on the next cast? Thanks.

chuckc

In the end, Two-Face must be alive and he will escape Arkham. Batman and Gordon lied, the two heroes of the film cast off their morality in order to defeat the Joker - that was the point. Their "code" is arbitrary and the public will discover it when Dent returns as the public always does.

Dark Knight

Very good film.

Thiga

I think the third film wont focus on a villain but focus on the repurcussions of 'the dark knight'. I think it will feature Batman dealing with the loss of his family, his true love, his only shot at redemption (harvey dent) and his moral cast (breaking the 1 rule of not killing).

I think you'll see a man who's lost and fighting his greatest foe, which is his inner demons. If there's any canon villain i think it will be someone like catwoman who acts as a catalyst for all he's lost.

JFK

@Thiga

Rachel Dawes returns as Harley Quinn.

VienDammage

Great guest but surprised at how little the podcasters knew about the films they were discussing. No, Peter Weller was not in Robocop III and yes, Michael Jai White was in The Dark Knight.

Mister Snitch

Theme for the next film: Corruption. (Of Batman and Gordon, of course - everyone else is already corrupt.) You heard it here first.

The Brain

@Misplaced Patriot Absolutely no one.

@Thiga Is Catwoman even a real villain?

Chris

I think Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" has some great material to draw from for a third film. I'm not sure how plausible it would be considering it would require an aged batman but I think he it has some great story elements that would tie into the "Nolan-verse" quite well. The dynamic of having a retired Batman coming back to reclaim his city I think would be very interesting to see.

/Film

Blogging the Reel World