The TV Addict 

Since the moment online film critics saw early press screenings of THE DARK KNIGHT, film sites all around have been inundated with remarkable praise for the film from their respective authors. In the last few weeks we’ve gotten everything from articles solely dedicated to talking about how awesome the film is, to blindingly glowing early reviews, to loads of passing remarks about how good it is while reporting on other THE DARK KNIGHT related stuff. If you haven’t heard by now the movie is supposed to be the greatest thing since buttered toast, you’ve probably been living under a rock (or don’t have internet).

As a result, some are predictably wondering whether the film is being astronomically over-hyped as a result. In an amusing case, this past weekend First Showing’s Alex Billington pondered that very question, and then preceded to just sensationally hype it more (this after already controversially declaring it a cinematic revolution a while back). The over-hype isn’t my issue though. Partially because it’s inevitable for a film like this (especially and unfortunately after Ledger’s passing), and also because I have a strong feeling THE DARK KNIGHT will meet expectations – both my own, and those instilled by enthusiastic bloggers.

My issue is that any and every blogger praising the film for weeks now has compounded to the point where it seems to have converged into one sentiment: “I’ve seen THE DARK KNIGHT all ready, na na na na boo boo.”

Now before I burn any bridges before they even get built, I don’t think it is intentional. I think it’s all genuine film geek enthusiasm that can’t be contained because the film is so good. I think it’s a desire and impatience to have the mainstream public see the film en masse so they can partake in the communal conversation around the film. Still, whenever a blogger drops a casual note about having seen the film and it being great, I can’t help but sigh a little and think “I get it. You’ve seen it. It’s awesome. Enough already.” That’s why it was actually refreshing to hear this blogger hadn’t seen it yet.

Then again, I readily confess that part of me is slightly jealous of course, because a young upstart film blogger like myself hasn’t become nearly important enough to merit the privilege of attending press screenings. On the other hand, I’ve gathered together a group of nine people to see the film with me this weekend and then have dinner afterwards to discuss. That, and seeing it in an IMAX with an inevitably packed theater brimming with excitement is probably better than seeing it by myself at a press screening anyway.

Probably.