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Show Robert Redford wants mema YOU .;.: ? v,: '"if:"" U .:,::. a-- ,aJT ' v,.' i f. - . "l. Attention, aspiring filmmakers! Don't just daydream about becoming the next Jared Hess (the writerdirector of "Napoleon Dynamite," yo) make your dreams a reality by submitting your film to the Sundance Film Festival Don't laugh. Stuff like "The Hawk is Dying" and "Hell Ride" gets in every year. Earlier this month, the Sundance Film Festival issued its annual call for submissions. Believe it or not, it's just $35 to submit a short film, or $45 for a feature-lengt- h film, if you submit by Aug. 18. The final deadline to submit is Sept. 5 for short films, and Sept. 8 for f' v;':ft3sst' j : !- - h films. To submit a film, you must first complete the festival's submissions application, which can only be completed online at www.sundance.orgsubmis-sions- . Once the festival has approved your completed application, festival officials will feature-lengt- Warner Bros. Batman Christian Bale surveys the destruction of Gotham City in this weekend's blockbuster, "The Dark Knight." 15-2- Batman 2.0 dance. Cody Clark Bleak, bracing superhero movie soars above its cinematic forebears Cody Clark man." Oh, there's still plenty ef nighttime action, but letting in more light sharpens the final product thematically as well lieve whatever doesn't kill you makes you ... stranger," he says in parting to an enraged in every way bank manager. "Batman And that's all it takes for the as visually the naturalistic illumination and coloration are late Heath Ledger to definiits clunky, a subtle contrast to the montively obliterate the memory uninof Jack Nicholson and claim strous story twists. the character for himself. Yes, Besides, Batman may be a spired predecessor, "The Dark Ledger is that good. His voice, Knight" is a seductive Stygian creature of the shadows, but k his laugh, his body language hymn, a midnight serenade superheroing is and the breadth of expression work in a city where that will warm the shadowy evil never sleeps, and it's more in his merry, dangerous gaze heart of every Batf an who are deeply, uncomfortably likes their hero's mythology fun to watch somebody fight to be as black as his costume. crime when you can actually convincing. The most remarkable thing And if you're among the many see what he's doing. And it's about Ledger's work, though, not just a question of wattage viewers who found nothing is how it doesn't demand the to criticize about "Batman Nolan, cinematographer spotlight. Christian Bale, who's Begins," then wear a helmet Wally Pfister and editor Lee without protection, the triSmith have vastly improved only Batman, after all, is very their handling of action effectively the center of the umphant coolness of director Christopher Nolan's second pil- scenes, tossing out the frenetic film. He's much more compelling this time around, and also grimage to the mean streets of cutting that trades coherence has more face time as Bruce Gotham City just might make for raw stimulation of the blood pressure in so many cur- Wayne, which lets him demonyour head explode. strate more of his own considrent action films. It's a perhaps unintended The game that's afoot in the erable gifts. irony that an elegant sweepSpared the burden of retellingring helicopter shot begins opening moments is a high e-inventing Batman's ori"The Dark Knight" in broad noon robbery of a downtown bank, carried out by a team of gin story, Nolan and brother daylight, signaling a welJonathan Nolan spin a much come change of pace from thieves in clown masks. The more complex and involving scene that unfolds is clever, the after hours aesthetic that has literally dimmed every yarn, effectively showcasing crisp and slightly deranged, Joker while also working in Caped Crusader movie since building to the first introducTim Burton's original "Bat the descent from brilliance to tion of archfiend Joker. "I be DAILY HERALD Better 'round-the-cloc- -- contact you with instructions for sending in your film. The 25th annual Sundance Film Festival will be held Jan. 2009, in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sun- Review Box Office (ED The Dark Knight Director: Christopher Nolan Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine Running time: 2 hrs., 32 min. Rating: PG-- 1 3 for intense sequences of violence and some menace Location: Opens Friday at theaters everywhere madness of Gotham D.A. Harvey "Two Face" Dent. Aaron Eckhart is a very effective Dent, while Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Maggie Gyllenhaal (replacing believability black hole Katie Holmes) each provide solid, professional support. Remember all those years ago when Michael Keaton's rooftop avenger told a quivering thug, "I want you to tell all your friends about me"? "The Dark Knight" will have Bat-fadoing precisely that. Compiled by Exhibitor Relations Co. and Nielsen EDI Inc. for last 1. "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," Universal, $34,539,115, 3,204 locations, $10,780 average, $34,539,1 1 5, one week. , 2. "Hancock," Sony, $32,080,560, 3,965 locations, $8,091 average, $164,115,004, two weeks. 3. "Journey to the Center of the Earth," Warner Bros., $21,018,141, 2,811 locations, $7,477 average, $21,018,141, one week. 4. "WALL-E,- " Disney, $18,793,588, 3,849 locations, $4,883 average, $163,055,900, three weeks. 5. "Wanted," Universal, $11,996,175, 3,157 locations, $3,800 average, $11 2,455,060, three weeks. 6. "Get Smart," Warner Bros., $7,201,376, 3,086 locations, $2,334 average, $111,564,176, four weeks. 7. "Meet Dave," Fox, $5,251,918, 3,011 locations, $1,744 average, $5,251 ,91 8, one week. 8. "Kung Fu Panda," Paramount $4,41 1,412, 2,704 locations, $1,631 average, $202,154,311, six weeks. 9. "The Incredible Hulk," Universal, $2,324,345, 1,945 locations, $1,195 average, $129,905,435, five weeks. |