Whee! I just realized I DO have a good option for a midnight show of Dark Knight and I have my ticket printed out!

My second viewing will most likely be IMAX (as I've promised to see it with a friend - I suspect this will not be any kind of burden).

I received the issue of Entertainment Weekly in the mail today and that cover photo isn't the half of it. You all must see the other photos in the mag related to the Twilight books and films.

What is the attraction? Can someone explain this to me. I'd never heard of them until the posts here and the EW article and I still don't understand why the books are compelling.

Hellboy II is one of those very rare exceptions to the rule -- the sequel is better than the original (which wasn't shabby). Great characters including memorable villains, great action, great costuming/ art direction/ SFX. I think I need to see it again to take it all in, because there's so damn much happening in the corners of shots, et cetera.

Also, great use of Barry Manilow.

I'd never heard of them until the posts here and the EW article

Oh good, I was feeling really out of it, especially when they were treating the author like the second coming of JK Rowling.

Also, great use of Barry Manilow.

"You're in love... have a beer."

I liked Hellboy II very much as well. Better than the original, and I like del Toro's ideas about fantasy and would like to subscribe to his newsletter.

Bogart and Davis are seriously (bitterly, wrongly, but very deeply) smoking together.

That they were. They made several movies together, didn't they? The Petrified Forest is the only other one with these two I watched. I wonder if they ever played straight-up romantic leads with each other?

the chinless doctor

Heee! Poor George Brent. His isn't the kind of appeal that lasts through the ages, I'm afraid. I guess his primary appeal back then was being in gentleman-ly and courtly and stuff, but I mostly find him either skeevishly paternal or oily now.

Question re. Hellboy II. I am neither familiar with the comic nor have seen the first movie. Would I get hopelessly lost if I went and saw Hellboy II?

The Petrified Forest is the only other one with these two I watched.

Coincidentally, I just watched that, if you hadn't already guessed that from my tag.

Hellboy II is one of those very rare exceptions to the rule -- the sequel is better than the original (which wasn't shabby). Great characters including memorable villains, great action, great costuming/ art direction/ SFX. I think I need to see it again to take it all in, because there's so damn much happening in the corners of shots, et cetera.

Yeah, it's much bigger and more ornate and visually interesting. And the villains were better, too. I think the first one had more of a human element to it, though; this one had so much whiz-bang fantasy there wasn't as much time for the character business.

Also, great use of Barry Manilow.

Our entire theatre was cracking up during that scene.

I like del Toro's ideas about fantasy and would like to subscribe to his newsletter.

Fo' shiz.

Question re. Hellboy II. I am neither familiar with the comic nor have seen the first movie. Would I get hopelessly lost if I went and saw Hellboy II?

Not at all. I haven't read the comic either (but I plan to). And the movie is completely comprehensible to someone who hasn't seen the first one, really. You'll pick up on any backstory from the first movie pretty quickly. In fact, they give you a couple title cards in the beginning, so I think they're counting on people not having seen the first movie still coming to watch this one.

We saw Hellboy II last night, and it was fantastic.

What is the attraction? Can someone explain this to me. I'd never heard of them until the posts here and the EW article and I still don't understand why the books are compelling.

I think part of the attraction is that the main character is such a huge MarySue that every teen girl who reads the books thinks that she is Just! Like! Bella! Plus swooningly gorgeous vampire who is tormented by his attraction to you Bella, yet loves you Bella SO MUCH that he doesn't eat you. Her.

Honestly, the books are poorly written, and I'm very confused as to why they're so successful. There are FAR better YA vampire novels out there.

I saw Wall-e and adored it! The only thing I can add to what others have already said is that I loved the use of my two favorite songs from "Hello Dolly"!

I can't wait to see it again!