One would have to be a complete recluse, not to have been exposed to the recent Bat-Hype. The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan, the latest in a Batman movie ‘reboot’ has already set box office records.

Much of the movie buzz has to do with the late actor Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs back in January. Ledger plays The Joker in The Dark Knight; Ledgers Joker is unpredictable, gritty and disturbing. Knowing that this is the young actors final on screen role is somehow unsettling; he clearly threw himself into the role. The nightmarish image of the demented, scarred clown Ledger portrays will stay with you even after you leave the theater.

The film is about Batman, played Christian Bales, I suppose, but there are so many other colorful characters like The Joker, that the ‘Dark Knight’ is almost boring. It plays out more like a crime drama where the villains are much more interesting than the cops chasing them.

Let it be known that out of all the comic-movies within the last few years this is a standout. Director Christopher Nolan seeks to bend the concept of heroes and villains. Batman, whose only real answer to Gotham’s corruption is violence, asks himself, ‘Am I doing more harm than good?’ Violence begets more violence.

The film does a lot two and a half hours. Almost too much. They could have saved the last 45 minutes for the beginning of the inevitable 3^rd installment. The overload will make you want to talk about the movie afterwards. Certain scenes and plot twists and turns stick with you like post traumatic stress.

Did I mention it was dark? The PG-13 rating is well earned; the graphic violence peaks, as the Joker carves smiles in more than one person just off screen. 

Rating: See it

I’m a bona fide bird geek but you don’t have to be like me to enjoy the thrilling spectacle of swirls and swaths of Purple Martin tornadoes swooping into the city to roost. Take a moment out of your evening to head down to the 17th Street Farmer’s Market just before sunset and take it in. At 17th and Franklin you’ll probably notice a skygazing crowd and you’ll know you are in the right place. Prepare to be regaled and while you might be astounded by the lovely visage, do try and keep your mouth closed. Next month the Purple Martins are migrating to South America so don’t delay.

2008 Grammy nominee Cheick Hamala Diabate, the guitarist and ngoni player from Mali in West Africa, will perform Saturday, Feb 16th @ 8pm at Fulton Hill’s Neighborhood Resource Center, 1519 Williamsburg Rd. Hosting the event are longtime global-jazz pioneers and Richmond faves Hotel X. A $10 donation is requested. For more info: 864-5797 or call Tim at 873-1265.