Comments on: Dark Knight of the Soul http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/ A blog by the Admission Department of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:05:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Petersen http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-916 Petersen Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:00:20 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-916 For the fanboy in me, this was especially nice portrayal of the Joker. In the first place I think it struck the right now in how the Joker revels in chaos and suffering but has not true joy in it. His laughing is always forced, fake. The Joker was Hannibal Lector before Hannibal had been invented. His desire for death at the hand of Batman was also nicely done especially with the motorcycle scene. And I loved the burning of the pile of money and the Joker's changing explanation of how he got his scars. Those are nice comic books scenes and also gave some real clue into his psyche. For the fanboy in me, this was especially nice portrayal of the Joker. In the first place I think it struck the right now in how the Joker revels in chaos and suffering but has not true joy in it. His laughing is always forced, fake. The Joker was Hannibal Lector before Hannibal had been invented. His desire for death at the hand of Batman was also nicely done especially with the motorcycle scene. And I loved the burning of the pile of money and the Joker’s changing explanation of how he got his scars. Those are nice comic books scenes and also gave some real clue into his psyche.

]]> By: Stiegemeyer http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-915 Stiegemeyer Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:55:54 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-915 Peter, Yeah, I thought that was a pretty cool scene too. It was counter-intuitive. To wax theological, the people in each boat resemble the church (which has interestingly often been represented as a ship). They are sinners who willingly offer their lives for the good of the others, whether they deserve it or not. It's love. One could say that the influence of Batman had "rubbed off." Or simply that the reasonableness of natural law prevailed. Peter,
Yeah, I thought that was a pretty cool scene too. It was counter-intuitive. To wax theological, the people in each boat resemble the church (which has interestingly often been represented as a ship). They are sinners who willingly offer their lives for the good of the others, whether they deserve it or not. It’s love. One could say that the influence of Batman had “rubbed off.” Or simply that the reasonableness of natural law prevailed.

]]> By: Peter http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-914 Peter Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:30:40 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-914 What did you think of the scene in which the folks in the two boats had the opportunity to save themselves by destroying others? In the end, the citizens of Gotham come out looking pretty good. Did you think this rang true, or was it a false note in an otherwise fine movie? What did you think of the scene in which the folks in the two boats had the opportunity to save themselves by destroying others? In the end, the citizens of Gotham come out looking pretty good. Did you think this rang true, or was it a false note in an otherwise fine movie?

]]> By: Rick Krueger http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-912 Rick Krueger Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:34:15 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-912 Thanks, Scott. I'd already glommed onto a "the Joker is Satan with the mask off" motif via Jeffrey Overstreet; your take brings the impact of TDK all the way home to the real target: our sinful selves. What an intense movie! I just listened to the soundtrack about an hour ago, and all the emotions and reactions I had while watching it came roaring back ... Thanks, Scott. I’d already glommed onto a “the Joker is Satan with the mask off” motif via Jeffrey Overstreet; your take brings the impact of TDK all the way home to the real target: our sinful selves.

What an intense movie! I just listened to the soundtrack about an hour ago, and all the emotions and reactions I had while watching it came roaring back …

]]> By: Stiegemeyer http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-911 Stiegemeyer Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:26:03 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-911 Andrew, I think you're right. He is a type of savior, a scapegoat, a suffering servant, and one rejected. That is, in fact, what I like about superhero comics and movies. I think the recent Spiderman movies, esp the first one, display the messianic character of the hero well. My over all impression of "The Dark Knight" - and this is subjective - is that Batman really is not the dominant figure. In the Gospels, Jesus is obviously the central figure. In "The Dark Knight," it seems to me that the Joker simply steals the show. Andrew, I think you’re right. He is a type of savior, a scapegoat, a suffering servant, and one rejected. That is, in fact, what I like about superhero comics and movies. I think the recent Spiderman movies, esp the first one, display the messianic character of the hero well.

My over all impression of “The Dark Knight” - and this is subjective - is that Batman really is not the dominant figure. In the Gospels, Jesus is obviously the central figure. In “The Dark Knight,” it seems to me that the Joker simply steals the show.

]]> By: Andrew Packer http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-910 Andrew Packer Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:43:25 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-910 What do you think of Batman as a type of Christ/savior in the movie (albeit a cloudy type at best)? He becomes a scapegoat, rejected by those whom he is saving, etc...Your thoughts? What do you think of Batman as a type of Christ/savior in the movie (albeit a cloudy type at best)? He becomes a scapegoat, rejected by those whom he is saving, etc…Your thoughts?

]]> By: Dan at Necessary Roughness http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-909 Dan at Necessary Roughness Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:40:13 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-909 Indeed. We enjoyed this movie last night. It is a good study of corruption and anarchy. Indeed. We enjoyed this movie last night. It is a good study of corruption and anarchy.

]]> By: Julie S. http://seminaryblog.com/2008/07/24/dark-knight-of-the-soul/#comment-908 Julie S. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:14:02 +0000 http://seminaryblog.com/?p=498#comment-908 Awesome post. Now I can appreciate the movie. Awesome post. Now I can appreciate the movie.

]]>