'The Dark Knight Rises' Theatre Tragedy

"The Dark Knight Rises"... and all I can think about is the horrific tragedy that happened out in Aurora, Colorado.

I've been looking forward to reviewing this movie ever since the first previews for it came out over a year ago.

Tragedies happen. Sometimes they are an act of God. Sometimes they are an act of malfunction. Sometimes they are an act of terrorism. And sometimes they are an act of a selfish lunatic. But all of the time, they are unfathomable.

There have been some devastating tragedies in my lifetime; the Space Shuttle Challenger, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and "John Carter" are just a few off the top of my head.

I get so depressed because of the innocent lives that we lose. With the Challenger disaster, as sad as it was for our nation, it just so happened to be a massive malfunction and the lives of those astronauts were not purposely taken from us. It was just a devastating heart-stopping tragedy.

With Hurricane Katrina, that was an act of God. Now I know that more could've and should've been done to evacuate, and then rescue people, (and also strengthen the levees) but no human being was purposely trying to take lives. Still, a terribly devastating time in our nation's history.

Now, we get to 9/11. People here were trying to take lives. This, I cannot wrap my head around. Who thinks it's okay to take innocent lives? And who's dumb enough to follow someone who says to do this? Weak-minded people. Please you idiots, get your head out of the sand and think for yourselves... DO WHAT'S RIGHT! This the most tragic event in our nation's history. And I will forever remember where I was, and what I was doing when the World Trade Center buildings senselessly came crumbling down. Once again, most devastating day in our nation's history.

And then there was "John Carter"... I think we all know how horrific "John Carter" was. We needn't say anymore about it.

Well, now we have a devastating tragedy that has hit very close to home with me. The Aurora, Colorado theatre massacre, or as the media is unfortunately calling it, the Batman movie massacre.

Why does it hit home with me? Because I live at the theatre. That's not a joke. You can easily find me there every Friday night, again on Saturday or Sunday, (or both days) and then again at least once during the week. So yes, you could say I'm a movie geek. (And you know what the Bible says: The geeks shall inherit the earth.)

Let me tell you how my "Dark Knight Rises" evening went. I was one of the "geeks" that was lucky enough to purchace a ticket for the Batman marathon. This consisted of watching "Batman Begins" at 6:15 p.m., then that rolled over into "The Dark Knight" (which is part 2 of the trilogy) at 9:15, and it all came to a head with the first showing in ANY theatre of "The Dark Knight Rises" at 12:01. You've got to be a die-hard fan of both Batman, AND the movies to endure this strenuous event... and of course, I could hack it.

Its great to be around your peers at a premiere of a blockbuster film. I have heard that only geeks, lunatics, and "insert major cuss word"s go to midnight showings of movies, but let me tell you, there is no better rush than watching a great scene in a movie when all of the theatre is cheering and rooting for the good guy! I liken it to a playoff hockey game, or your first sky-dive! The next rush is right around the corner! It's just a fun atmosphere and everyone is enjoying themseves. 

Now, "The Dark Knight Rises" ends (and no, I am not reviewing it right now).  Everyone is walking out of the theatre. It's 3:15 a.m. and everyone's fired up about the movie. People are talking about it: "How'd you like the ending?" "You think there will be another one?" I'm telling you, we could've had a town meeting after the film and talked for hours. But let's remember, most of us have to work in two hours so getting home was also a priority.

Six a.m. rolls around and I've gotten about an hour and a half of sleep, but I don't care because I can't wait to get to work and talk to my buddies about the movie. As I'm driving to work, I start receiving texts, an abnormal amount of texts for that time of the morning. They all pretty much say the same thing: "Did you hear about that theatre in Colorado?" "What's up with that new Batman movie?" Or the one that really got me: "Was that your theatre that was shot up last night?"

Now, I have no clue what my friends were talking about, so I threw on sports radio and the only thing that they were talking about was the massacre at the theatre. Now I'm getting really freaked out. All of this mayhem is playing out in MY house, MY shrine, MY temple, MY sanctuary! At the movie theatre!

I got as many details of what happened as I could and began to play through my head how the night for the unlucky Batman fans went. I was crushed. Its not easy to knock me wobbly, but this did... How could someone do this? I don't even want to use the assailant's real name. I think he wants the publicity. I'm going to refer to him as Richard. Richard Head.

Well, Richard, "the red menace," thinks it'll be cool to light up a theatre full of innocent moviegoers. No reason, no motive. This man is a coward who has nothing better to do but plan mass killings? There's a place in hell for you buddy. You killed my compatriots and for that I have no mercy for you.

Anyways, I'm way off topic here (but, then again, am I ever really on topic?). What I was trying to get to was the fact that this cretin not only stole lives from innocent people, he also stole a movie from Warner Bros., he stole the innocence of going to the movies, and he stole a piece of humanity from our race. It's people like him that make us as a species look ruthless, vile, ugly and downright barbaric.

The next day, me and my brother were talking about the tragedy and the film. We decided to go see it (him for the first time, me, again). As I was sitting in the theatre trying to enjoy the film, I couldn't stop thinking about the massacre. All I could do was look around the theatre and just weep for all those souls that were inside that den of death. What would I do? Who knows. It just kills me to think about it.

I have sadness and anger flowing through me right now as I type this, and I owe it all to "Richard." He has ruined a great movie for me and, WAY more importantly, he has ruined the lives of so many people. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, and pretty much any law-abiding, thoughtful human being on this planet.

Now, I've never been sure about the death penalty in this country, but I can guarantee you, if you ever killed my brother or sister like this, you would have to give ME the electric chair, because I don't think I could ever let you live on the same planet as me. Hey, I'm speaking from my heart right now.

You know what gets me is, this "Richard" will most likely get to live out his days while getting three squares and a cot, along with TV and books. You know what, I've got friends who don't get that, and they've never done anything wrong!

Basically, I'm just pissed at a man who doesn't deserve to be with us, and I'm venting it out on all of you reading this. And I'm sorry for that... Hell, I know I may not be right on everything I wrote, but this is just how it's coming out.

I've got to end this non-review of "The Dark Knight Rises." My head's going to expode if I don't.

Don't let this "Richard" ruin your movie theatre going experience. I pray and believe that this is a once in a lifetime event. Let's not let it ruin our lives. It's already ruined enough.

Also, one more thing, if you believe in a God, pray to him for the families and friends of the lost souls of this tragic event. Pray to him for the injured. Pray to him for the well-being of all mankind. If you don't believe in a God, you can pray to me. I'll listen.

Matthew W. Kelley, Norwood Patch, reporting. 

Fact: Christian Bale is the biggest mad dog in Hollywood. He went and visited the injured victims of this tragedy. I love the guy.

Matty Fact: I know you all may not agree with my opinions, but I'm a movie reviewer, I'm not into politics. I hope you can understand that this is just my opinion.

Full and fun "The Dark Knight Rises" review to follow.