Crap. I waited too long to see "The Dark Knight." Now all the extra BS surrounding it is ruining my desire to see it at all.

I wonder if he used his gravely Batman voice when he did what he did....allegedly.

HMac you have to go. Forget the hype, it's a damn good movie.

But I wonder what if this will really effect things? Not much else is coming out, I really doubt X Files can beat it this weekend.

And what was the assult? I'd like to hear Bale's side of the story before I jump to any conclusions.

What will parents say to their children when they take them to the movie about why Batman beat up his mother?” said Torossian.

Ummm...parents who have to explain this kind of stuff to their kids, shouldn't be taking them to see this movie in the first place. If you're not old enough to differentiate between a movie star and his character, go see Wall-e.

donald,
i realize you didn't write this drivel, but i'm surprised you didn't comment on it. let me give you my humble council, don't interview the person that said this quote,

"What will parents say to their children when they take them to the movie about why Batman beat up his mother?” said Torossian."

why are parents taking small, impressionable children to see a movie that everyone knows is violent and dark. it's pg13, which is already one clue, the marketing doesn't exactly show batman and joker hugging each other after tea, and the explanation for the pg13 (which i know no one reads) explains why it is that rating. and really, what little kid watches the news or reads that section of the paper. for them to know that batman allegedly assaulted someone they would have to have been told by their parents, or perhaps an older sibling.

i'm adding this to my reasons to see the movie again: counter the potential losses from people that take their children to inappropriate movies but wouldn't take them knowing this alleged incident.

i figure that it will only take a handful of us to counter that effect. really, how many people that would have taken a child to this movie still won't?

Adam nailed it on the head. If your kid can't tell the difference between the star and the char, don't see it. But they should still see Wall-E, another great movie.

And brodi don't get me started on the voice. Probably the one thing I didn't like about the movie.

There is no such thing as bad publicity.

-as far as story line?
-Batman is a conflicted character...(Even in the movie he struggles with killing the joker, -or bringing him to justice, (Harvey Dent: same Comm. Gordon: --Even M. Freeman's character: 'ethics issues.')

-'Batman' is forming more and more 'anti-hero,' in the series.
Besides, you can't even remodel a house, build motorcycles, chase ghosts, or cook food on the television anymore without somebody being 'deeply flawed and conflicted,'
so...rouging up his mother and sister?
--I'm sure they can write it in somewhere...
(maybe he listens to Eminem on his IPod?)

As far as the movie itself?

-Folks flocked to see what has been touted as the 'role that pushed one actor (possibly) to self-destruct.'

-and THAT role, is what nearly every media interview with anyone involved in this thing (even the catering crews) is focussing on...
(totally hogs the focus away from anything else, especially Bale's 'Batman.')
-is it any wonder this guy now has 'issues?'

For the rest of this franchise? Bale is an 'also ran,' and this movie will be forever seen as 'Ledger: Joker.'

-Bale's only real choice, unless he wants to forever play second fiddle to a dead guy,
--is to step away from the role, (and franchise) for quite a while, --and as soon as possible. ('Flipping out' is kind of like Elvis' dying: Necessary career move.)

They'll play up the 'this film is cursed,' mystique (started with stuff like Nicholson saying 'I warned him.' --and milk that for a while.)

In a way, it's kind of sad, as the rest of the actors will never really be 'seen,' for their work in this,(only as props.)

'Drama' drama --just puts the ratings through the roof a bit further.
(I think it's known as 'the Winehousean Effect.')

--when we got real problems?
yahoos fixating on Ledger's 'Joker' who start acting that out 'live,'
-THAT's gonna be ugly.

I can't BELIEVE he would do something like that! Now I'm going to BAN the Dark Knight movie...I won't take my kids and I won't go either. He's a bad man!

I've added The Dark Knight to my list of things banned by me due to participant bad behavior:

Fresno State Sports
Oregon Sports
Hell, all NFL games
All sports
Anthing featuring Jude Law. Or Balthasar Getty. Or, oh, hell, ALL movies (except Wall-E, but only cuz it's not Disney, cuz Tiggr touched some boobs).
Amy Winehouse. Lindsay Lo. Britney. Keith and Mick. Oh, hell, ALL music (except Hannah Montan--oh, wait, that too).

Heck, I just realized I can't even look in the mirror anymore.

OH THAT DAMN CHRISTIAN BALE!!!

Ha! Great post, Donald. Letting people peek into the door of entertainment PR is quite scary, as some of the commenters have noted.

But I will add that 5W Public Relations is one of the most annoying and can always be counted on to try to pimp out one of their nobody clients at any whiff of controversy.

The real question I have about all this is "They open movies on Monday night in Europe?" Huh.

I just don't get the London police: Your mom and sis allege you assaulted them. But you have a big premiere the next night, so we'll let it slide (even though you could be a potential threat) and let you walk yourself into our station after the Batman event. I bet a lot of criminals on this side of the pond wish we had that system!

By the way, Bale's reps have now released this to TMZ.com:

"Christian Bale attended a London police station today, on a voluntary basis, in order to assist with an allegation that had been made against him to the police by his mother and sister. Mr. Bale, who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout, gave his account in full of the events in question and has left the station without any charge being made against him by the police. At this time, there will be no further comment by Mr. Bale."

The British police are different than American police - look at how many times they let Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse show up to be interrogated on drug charges seemingly on their own timetables.

Who knows what really happened with Bale and his family? TMZ is also reporting that one can be arrested for verbal assault in England, so no one should automatically assume Bale "beat up" his mom, or that he's a threat to anyone.

It's interesting, Felicia, how accounts of this story differ. Bale's reps say he left the station without any charge being made against him. British press is quoting a Metropolitan Police spokesman that the "actor was questioned for four hours at a central London police station and later released on bail to a date in September pending further inquiries."

(claps for Stephen's comment) That's exactly the point. If you're going to ban everyone/everything/everywhere that has ever had a problem - what will be left? That being said, there are some people/things/places that cross the line so more power to you if you draw YOUR line in the sand and stand by it.

I agree Stacy. There are actors I refuse to support ( Travolta, Cruise) with my $$, yet there are actors who I curse for their bad behavior and inspiring performances ( Crowe).
Add to that, no one even knows the entire story. And, I dare say, there has to be a wisp of truth in Wet Towel's theory. (I don't hold much faith in the honesty of Hollywood).
Good call Michael! Take 'em to Wall-E!!
I too, will support the Batman movie with my dollars. Not in spit of the indiscretioins of an actor, but because decent movies are hard to come by. Me paying the ticket price is my vote for more movies like them.

Nobody will know the full story for a while, but at first glance his mom and sister seem to be taking on Madonna's brother's role.

wet towel said:
-and THAT role, is what nearly every media interview with anyone involved in this thing (even the catering crews) is focussing on...
(totally hogs the focus away from anything else, especially Bale's 'Batman.')
-is it any wonder this guy now has 'issues?'

I don't know man. I'm sure you've seen other stuff Bale has done: Empire of the Sun, American Psycho, The Machinist, Rescue Dawn, and now the Batman films. Some of his most prominent and memorable roles have been of those characters who are or go psychotic. I think he's a bit off kilter already.

'...well, you know what they say, all actors are as mad as snakes...'
(Bella) Notting Hill

(...god I love that line...)

This is great: Best Week Ever figured out exactly what set Christian Bale off.

Apparently his mom is a part-time clown. Mystery solved.