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Following the deadly shooting in Aurora, Colo., where at least 12 people were killed and a dozens more injured at a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises,” FOX 4 has opted to not air this week’s Screening Room — however we are providing Shawn and Russ’s review of the movie online. Watch the video above to see their popcorn bag review of “The Dark Knight Rises.”
RUSS
Welcome to the Screening Room, I’m Russ Simmons

SHAWN
And I’m Shawn Edwards. The most highly anticipated film of the year has finally arrived.
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (PG-13)

SHAWN
Cinemagasims don’t happen often. Last time for me was while screening “The Dark Knight.” And although “The Dark Knight Rises” isn’t as good or exhilarating as “The Dark Knight” it still produced a cinemagasim and firmly confirmed that this franchise is the best trilogy ever.

RUSS

While I can’t agree that Christopher Nolan’s Batman series is the best trilogy ever, “The Dark Knight Rises” is still a terrific, rousing entertainment and it’s title is an example of truth in advertising.

SHAWN
The themes remain intense as Batman’s new adversary Bane is more of terrorist than a psychotic maniac like The Joker. Tom Hardy as Bane delivers a menacing performance but you can’t help but miss the absence of Heath Ledger as The Joker which is oddly never referenced. And although very good. Anne Hathaway as Catwoman is interesting but no Joker either.RUSS
While the sociological & political subject matter may spark debate, don’t make too much of them. The only real theme is that there’s good and bad in everyone.

SHAWN
The movie is over-long and exhausting but never falters. It’s less of a comic book movie like the playful “The Avengers” and more like a deadly serious crime drama, think “Chinatown” with a dude who wears costume and a cape.

RUSS
It’s 2:45 minutes of smartly rendered pulp fiction.


SHAWN
What has always set this comic book inspired franchise apart from the rest is the superb acting and brilliant directing by Christopher Nolan.RUSS

If you have a few extra bucks, pop for the IMAX version that does justice to the impressive visuals.SHAWN
Once again the tone is gothic, the mood is dark and overall scope so realistic it will have you re-examining today’s post 9-11 culture of fear, economic despair and global collapse. Oh, the power of cinema. I need a cigarette.

RUSS
It’s the best mainstream movie so far this year.

RUSS:

5 Popcorn Bags

 
SHAWN: 5 Popcorn Bags

BEAST OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (PG-13)

SHAWN
A pretentious mess that’s weird, overly artsy and unwatchable except for the brilliant performance by the six-year-old lead, Quvenzhane Wallis . She was incredible. The movie was awful.

RUSS
This winner of major prizes at the Sundance and Cannes festivals is a poetic, dreamlike fantasy set during Hurricane Katrina. It’s alternately brilliant and frustrating. “Beasts of the Southern Wild” is over-reaching and sometimes puzzling.

RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags

SHAWN: 2 Popcorn Bags

ALSO SHOWING

HEADHUNTERS (R)

If the lurid thrills of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” appealed to you, then a new suspense thriller from Norway is right up your alley. “Headhunters” is a beautifully made action drama about an art thief who poses as a corporate headhunter. Things get out of hand when he attempts to steal from the wrong man. “Headhunters” is a decadent guilty pleasure.

RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags

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