This weekend, we are getting the most highly anticipated film of the summer being released, The Dark Knight Rises. This is the last film of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Unfortunately, some tragedy has already occurred.
In a midnight screening in Aurora, Colorado, (a suburb of Denver) someone entered the theater and started opening firing at the audience. According to the police department and witnesses at the movie, stated that they heard ”explosions or firecrackers” and simply thought that it was apart of the film.
The suspect entered from the emergency exit and used a gas bomb, walked up the aisle before opening fire on the crowd. It was also stated that he was wearing riot gear, gas mask, bulletproof vest, throat, leg and groin protecters and carrying three guns (*the weapons used were an AR-15 assault rifle, a shotgun and TWO 40 caliber gloc, as stated by the Aurora Police Chief in a press conference this morning: on 7/20/12). Although the police arrived at the scene fairly quickly, it has been confirmed that *12 are now dead, and over 59 injured, some including children, with a total of 71 shot. Yet some good news has come out it. A 3 month old infant who was injured has been discharged from the hospital and is back in the care of their parents.
So, everyone, be safe and report any suspicious activity before seeing the film. *As I perviously wrote earlier, and an issue I had high reservations and concern for, is now confirmed. Theaters in major cities are stepping security measures and precautions to ensure the safety of anyone seeing the film and to avoid copycats. *AMC theaters has announced this statement, “Contrary to media reports, costumes are not banned, but we will not admit guests with face-concealing masks and we will not allow fake weapons in the buildings or anyone that makes the crowd uncomfortable. We want all our guests to feel comfortable at our theaters and we will be closely monitoring.”
*Now several television networks have decided to pull out advertising The Dark Knight Rises spots. Some of the networks included are NBC, CBS and even ESPN. Theater owners are also pulling out the latest trailer for the upcoming time-period crime drama, Gangster Squad where, in the trailer, a gang enters a movie theater and open fires on the crowd. However, TNT still plans on continuing their Batman marathon for the weekend. Warner Bros announced that will not be reporting the box office gross until Monday. However, sources have indicated that this isolated incident hasn’t completely annihilated the potential of the film that, so far, is about to gross $100 million in the U.S. alone.
The FBI was immediately sent to help the local authorities investigate. They are at the suspect’s house and have found a booby trap. The local authorities quickly evacuated the neighborhood, until they could disarm the booby trap and investigate any evidence. I personally feel this person was trying to be Bane. Think about it: a terrorist leader, wearing massive gear, gas mask with heavy artillery, and using brutal force.
*The suspect has been identified as 24 year old white male James E. Holmes, a former University of Colorado PhD student. Officers at the scene that Holmes was, “waiting at his car and didn’t resist arrest.” Holmes is under tight custody and surveillance. Investigators have now stated that Holmes doesn’t appear to be apart of any terrorist organization, as perviously suspected and did this alone. The investigation is ongoing and Holmes still has not mentioned a motive for his heinous crime. Those who know Holmes are baffled and described him as, “quiet, shy and intelligent.”
*According to sources from the police, Holmes stated to the arresting officers that he was, “The Joker”, the main villain from the last film, The Dark Knight. However, as perviously stated, I feel the influence was Bane, the villain in this film. It should also be highly evident that Holmes premeditated these murders, and should NOT be overlooked. Not to sound like a nerd, however, a film’s themes shouldn’t ever be overlooked or disregarded. Alfred, the faithful butler to Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight stated that when talking about The Joker, “Some men aren’t looking for anything logically. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men want to watch the world burn.“ Simply put, pure evil. This, however, seems familiar to the plot of film called 15 minutes, where two Russian immigrants come to America, end up filming murders and claim to plead insanity as to not be put for death sentence, and to gain media fame and popularity.
Evil in all forms, must be dealt with swiftly. Again something said in Batman Begins, from the character of Ra’s Al Ghul (Liam Neeson), “Crime can not be tolerated. Criminals thrive on the indulgence of society’s understanding.” And later said, “Criminals mock societies laws!” So, if you really think about, these Batman films are very poignant and astute to faults of society, politics and social standings that we live in today. And with the recent event, we should maybe realize that films have the power to speak some truth and what needs to be fixed.
This also will bring many social issues to be asked, such as: gun control, the affects of cinema and real-life violence, etc. But think about this: Does the weapon fire itself, or does the finger behind the trigger do it? A gun is only a tool, not the force behind that uses it (Guns can’t shoot themselves. Even sentry guns/remote guns need to have someone to push a button). And for anyone who believes films cause real-life violence, no they don’t. Films are meant to ENTERTAIN, and NOT to inspire those to do harm to others (When have you seen a movie, bluntly or subtly say to people “Kill. Destroy humanity!”? Exactly, never!).
Some people, not to sound insensitive, aren’t all there. There’s no logical concept of morality, humanity and decency. Those particular few only have a sense of depravity, despair and hate towards life. Anyone, with a clear conscious and sense of morale, should realize that is blatant offensive and crime against the purity of humanity, should only receive one punishment: death. This shameless act of evil and abhorrent decadence should not be tolerated or accepted, cause its, some might say is, “inhumane.” So, murdering innocent people isn’t inhumane and those responsible should receive cozy rooms for life as punishment?
*Warner Bros officials and producers of the film had this to say about the incident, “We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time.” Director Christopher Nolan said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, “Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting, but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families.”
I know there will be those who will voice opinion against biblical/capital punishment. However, I’ll leave you with one question in two parts: Why express sympathy and compassion, to those whom lack compassion for you and for that you cherish and hold precious and what if it was you that was shot, or a loved one you knew who got murdered there, are you still gonna feel the same compassion then? Everyone will always oppose something, until those errors affect them. I myself, and on behalf of the Zoo Radio staff, wish to express our sympathy and condolences to the family and friends who suffered and who’s loved ones were involved. Our prayers go out to you all and pray that Holmes will receive nothing less than swift justice and equally brutal punishment for his heinous crime.
Here’s the films latest trailer:
(*New updated news on the incident)
