Reviewers hail Ledger's Oscar-worthy performance in Batman film
27.06.2008 15:01
Arts
- Source: cbc.ca
 In this promotional shot, actor Heath Ledger is pictured seated at The Joker while Christian Bale as Batman stands behind him in a scene from The Dark Night, due out July 18.(Stephen Vaughan/Warner Bros./AP)The first preview of the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight, has resulted in profuse praise for the late Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker. At the screening, reviewers also saw a note of dedication to Ledger at the start of the end credits. The 28-year-old Australian died in January from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. The statement includes a goodbye to special-effects technician Conway Wickliffe, who was killed in September in a stunt-car accident. "In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe," reads the tribute. Early buzz from the preview indicates Ledger — who had a breakthrough role as a gay cowboy in 2005's Brokeback Mountain — will be remembered as delivering the best performance of his career. "I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker," writes Peter Travers of Rolling Stone magazine. Travers goes on to proclaim: "If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up." The latest instalment of the movie franchise, with Christian Bale in the title role, has the Joker crafting a series of abductions, assassination attempts, murders and bombings to lure Batman out for a showdown. David Germain of the Associated Press elevates the young actor's portrayal of the wacky character above that of Jack Nicholson, who portrayed the Joker in 1989's Batman. "Nicholson's Joker was campy and clever. Ledger's Joker is an all-out terror, definitely funny but with a lunatic moral mission," which the actor plays with "gleeful anarchy," according to Germain. Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight also stars Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Maggie Gyllenhaal. "Heath created something entirely original. It's stunning, it's captivating. ... It's going to blow people away," Nolan said in earlier interviews. With files from the Associated PressStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksLedger dies of accidental overdoseMore Film HeadlinesReviewers hail Ledger's Oscar-worthy performance in Batman filmThe first preview of the lastest Batman movie, The Dark Knight, has resulted in early and profuse praise for the late Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker. Cannes-winning films to hit Toronto festivalNew films that won acclaim in Cannes this spring will screen for North American audiences this fall at the Toronto International Film Festival.Frost/Nixon to open London Film FestivalU.K.'s London Film Festival will open in October with Frost/Nixon, the film based on the acclaimed Peter Morgan stage play.Earnings, education linked to evenings out: Statistics CanadaThe more money you make and the more education you have, the more likely you are to go to movies, plays or concerts, says a Statistics Canada study released Thursday.Valle sees Queen Victoria as rock starJean-Marc Valle, the Quebec director who is currently working on The Young Victoria, says he has shot the British monarch in some scenes as if she had been a rock star. More Arts HeadlinesFinal preparations underway for Mandela birthday tributeLondon is finalizing details on Friday for the celebrity-studded charity concert in Hyde Park to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday.Reviewers hail Ledger's Oscar-worthy performance in Batman filmThe first preview of the lastest Batman movie, The Dark Knight, has resulted in early and profuse praise for the late Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker. The Wire, The Tudors and The Office in the running for EmmysThe Wire and The Office are among the 10 drama and 10 comedy semifinalists for this year's Emmy nominations.Taiko drumming pioneer Daihachi Oguchi diesJapanese musician and composer Daihachi Oguchi, who helped spread the popularity of taiko drumming across Japan and around the world, has died at the age of 84.French newsmagazine Paris Match launches Quebec-themed issueLeading French newsmagazine Paris Match is celebrating Quebec in its latest issue, shining a spotlight on La Belle Province for its French readers around the world. Arts FeaturesStraight but not narrowTen heterosexual stars who have become gay iconsRunning with the packYour handy guide to the Wolf Parade networkShe raaah!Women are doing it for themselves in the world of heavy metalBy George, he did itSeven reasons to miss comedian George CarlinGeorge Carlin: 1937-2008Remembering the trailblazing stand-up comic in picturesMore than wordsThe Calabash festival is a slice of literary paradisePeople who read this also read …
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