For specific showing times, please refer to theatre notices.

By William Cole Fogle　Translated by Ann Lee

"The Dark Knight" Batman 6　2008/07/17

Rating: PG-13　Action/Thriller/Crime

He's dark and fights justice. He is a defender of the innocent who are preyed on in the night. When he hears a scream, he answers the call for help. He is an icon who has followed us through the years--from comics to the big screen. Children and adults love him, and enemier run but cannot hide from him. He exists only in the shadows and is seen only when he chooses to be seen. He is Batman.

Audiences were initially excited by the first two film versions of Batman, where the superhero was played by Michael Keaton. Keaton played a fairly dark version of the caped crusader and definitely brought this awesome character to life first, with the help of the incredible director Tim Burton, of course. For the third movie, Val Kilmer stepped up with director Joel Schumacher to give us the third installment. Here Kilmer's dark yet comic like interpretation worked with the director's sense of humor for a comic take on the bat. Schumacher also directed George Clooney's batman; his turn behind the batmobile's black steering wheel was the comic fantasy version of "Batman and Robin". Though all of these films were good, there was still something missing, still something yearning to break free from the formula of the dark avenger.

Finally, a Batman with depth, a Batman with darkness stepped into the ring with "Batman Begins". In the fifth installment, Christian Bale really redefined the Dark Knight in all his complexity, and will pull on the pointy-eared mask for the sixth take on the bat--"The Dark Knight". Directed by Christopher Nolan, this movie delves back into the original story, from the first Batman. The psychotic character known as the Joker has been reinvented and played by the recently deceased Heath Ledger, whose passing was a very sad loss for Hollywood.

Movie lovers, are you ready for the action adventure of the summer? "The Dark Knight" is a cinematic thrill ride that will leave you craving more bat. Bale delivers a KABOOM, POW of a wonder ride through Gotham City for the best Batman yet. Only one man, one creature can stop the Joker's madness from spreading into complete insanity--the Dark Knight. Its non-stop adventure and battiness will leave you screeching for more. So make sure you look for this major release in mid-July.