Last night I had planned to record a video review for The Dark Knight Rises after attending a midnight premiere. I was too tired to do so, and I figured I could do it some time the next day. I wasn’t expecting to wake up to news of a mass shooting in a Colorado theater.
Besides the act itself, what terrifies me is reading that supposedly the shooter wanted to be addressed as the Joker… or whatever.
There is still a lot of information we don’t know. There is still a lot to process. There is still a lot I’m trying to wrap my head around, so I apologize in advance for any incomplete thoughts. However, saying “my heart, thoughts and prayers go out to those families” is a massive understatement.
Witnesses thought this guy was maybe an actor or a prop to enhance the film. The theater I was at had 3 Batmen, one of them actually worked at the theater, the other two had homemade and impressive costumes, one with extending wings and even a few Alfred jokes. In fact, I was with friends who had never been to a midnight premiere before, so all of this activity and energy was new to them. So I think of them experiencing this, and I can’t help but imagine the sheer terror Colorado was experiencing once realizing what was happening in their theater was not part of the show.
I don’t know a whole lot about this gunman. I’m purposefully not naming him. The only word that comes to mind is deranged. Perhaps watching The Dark Knight a little too often, embracing the character of the Joker a little too much. They said the same thing about the Columbine shootings, which coincidentally happened some 20 miles away some years ago. People felt those young gunmen may have been influenced by a scene in Basketball Diaries. Regardless, when it comes to harming another life, I put the blame on the person pulling the trigger. As odd as it sounds, I’m glad this guy is in custody.
I still feel disgusted by this tragedy and I’m not sure how or when I’ll talk about the film itself. However, life does go on. I won’t stop enjoying the things in life that I truly love. I refuse to live in fear. Bad things are going to happen and when you least expect it. I’m not belittling what just happened, I’m just not going to allow it to change my lifestyle because some crazy people want to act crazy and possibly make me a victim. Life is too short to live with so much caution that I might miss out on something awesome.
Hopefully I’ll be able to write my review of the film as I felt it before 7 this morning.
UPDATE — Hear Episode 75 of the Lost Dial “Villains” about the tragedy and my review of the film. Warning, this episode is considered explicit thanks to Miike’s vulgar mouth. You’ve been warned.
the indoob! network 
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