She Likes to Watch

Hi, I’m the Joker. And here’s my card.

By now, moviegoers are abuzz about Heath Ledger’s chilling turn in “The Dark Knight.”

As The Joker, Ledger is a murderous psychopath, a criminal mastermind with no discernible motives other than the spread of chaos and fear. His voice is dry, nasal, unreadable. His body language, rife with nervous ticks.

In short, he’s downright terrifying.

In this audio clip, “Dark Knight” star Christian Bale explains how Heath Ledger immersed himself in the role of The Joker.

Click here for a clip of The Joker setting a fellow criminal straight in “The Dark Knight.”

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In other comic book movie news, actor Ron Perlman sees no reason there shouldn’t be a third “Hellboy” movie.

And Guillermo Del Toro, director of “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” shares his secret love for crooner Barry Manilow.

Enjoy.

I hate to see a stupid ad campaign ruin a perfect good movie.

“The Dark Knight,” which opened Friday, has had one of the best advertising campaigns to date.

For months before the July 18 release date, we’ve seen posters and promotional Web sites, exclusive trailers and stand-up displays.

There was a “Citizens for Batman” funpack. A cake packed with a Joker playing card, a cell phone and a press pass for The Gotham Times. Fake newspapers. Rubber cowls.

Clever. Well-executed. All encompassing.

That is, before the Warner Brothers studio started pushing “The Dark Knight” via Domino’s Pizza ads and Verizon cell phone commercials.

Cross-promotion is one thing. But when you’re trying to sell a dark, brooding film by showing kids snapping pictures of the Bat Bike with their cell phones, you’ve got your wires crossed.

The same goes for the Domino’s ads, which hawk New York-style pies “shrouded in darkness” and “cloaked with 50% more pepperoni.” Seriously, Madison Avenue? Seriously?!? You want to “cloak” a pepperoni pizza?

It’s campaigns like this that ruin a film’s reputation, even when said film is as brilliant and well-executed as “The Dark Knight.”

We’re already going to see your movie, Warner Brothers.

Please.

Don’t insult us.

Consider this your first lesson  

For Batman newbies, the long, complicated history of the Dark Knight might seem a bit daunting.

Who is this dark, brooding superhero? Where did he come from? And what’s the deal with all these flying rodents?

In honor of “The Dark Knight,” which opens today in theaters, I bring you “Batman: My Parents Are Dead.”

I love how Scott Kurtz, creator of the Web comic PvP (Player Vs. Player), reduces the Batman story to its very essence. Brilliant stuff.

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Still confused?

Theme song scholar Goldentusk recounts the Caped Crusader’s origins in this song, set to the tune of Danny Elfman’s stirring “Batman Theme.”

Priceless, no?

It’s as if he’s combined the musicality of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus with the artistry of George Lucas and the lyric-writing ability of Randy Newman.

Add a thrift-store Batman costume and several hours of green screen set design, and you’ve got geeky magic.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

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My apologies for not crediting the creator of the above comix panel.

So far I haven’t been able to find the source of this funny, funny one-panel spoof. Does anyone know?

To console myself, I’ll include this link to a very Batman Christmas. Happy holidays.

Look behind you! Big things coming to theaters this month

Big-budget blockbusters are one of my favorite signs of summer.

For one, summer movies tend to be fun, light-hearted entertainment — what I like to call “popcorn movies.”

They’re invariably full of awesome action sequences and clever quips. And they’re shown in cool, dark movie theaters, the perfect place to spend a sun-drenched afternoon.

With “Hancock” and “Wanted” rocking the box office and plenty of hits still to come, here’s a look at July’s most talked-about releases.

Click on the links below for trailers.

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (July 11)

Whether you’re a Hellboy newbie or a longtime fan of Mike Mignola’s comic books like myself, there’s plenty to love about “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.”

“Pan’s Labyrinth” director Guillermo Del Toro returns to Big Red territory with an all-new arsenal of fantasy beasts and high-octane fight scenes.

Judging from the trailer, audiences can expect sleek visual effects, loads of creepy-crawlies and a big dose of self-deprecating humor. Should be fun.

“Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D” (July 11)

Watching the trailer for Disney’s latest 3D rollercoaster, I have just one question: When does the theme park open?

Based on H.G. Well’s classic but scientifically suspect novel, “Journey” shares more with a ride at Disney World than the company’s catalog of beloved family films. There’s not much dialog or character development.

What “Journey” does have is action. Our intrepid adventurers (Brendan Fraser, Anita Briem, and that kid from “Bridge to Terabithia”) brave lava, prehistoric beasts and a host of otherworldly dangers.

Of course, it’s unfair to judge a film meant to be presented in digital 3D by its 2D trailer. The final verdict will have to come in the movie theater.

“The Dark Knight” (July 18)

I’m going to say it right now: Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar.

The late actor is downright spooky as the Joker in this sequel to Christopher Nolan’s brooding “Batman Begins.”

Watching Ledger lick his lips or rake a hand through his matted green hair, you get a true sense of Joker’s madness. This guy isn’t merely kooky. He’s criminally insane.

Add an A-list cast (Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman among them), dark drama and some jawdropping action scenes, and you’ve got a guaranteed hit.

“Mamma Mia!” (July 18)

Good-looking stars. A gorgeous Greek island. And ABBA songs.

What more could you ask from the summer’s sunniest movie?

With a plot that could be subtitled “Three Dads and a Wedding” and a soundtrack based on ’70s pop, “Mamma Mia!” is decidely lightweight. But that’s hardly the point.

The entire cast — which includes Meryl Streep as the bride’s mom and Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard as the dreamy dads — looks like they’re having a blast.

“The X-Files: I Want to Believe” (July 25)

They’re the ultimate duo. The perfect pair.

Dana Scully is the skeptic, the old soul who’s “done chasing monsters in the dark.” Fox Mulder, ever credulous, just wants to believe.

They’re back in a “X-Files” sequel wrought with otherworldly chills.

This time, everyone’s favorite FBI agents are on the trail of a supernatural phenomenon in the Frozen North.

With a plot this “out there,” it helps to have solid casting.

Fortunately, the chemistry between Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny looks as strong as ever. And scottish actor/comedian Billy Connolly, who plays a priest who receives unearthly visions, is sure to be one of the highlights.

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Photo courtesy of MovieWeb.com.