The Dark Knight

With Christian Bale filling the winged suit of a starker and more complex hero, the Batman movie franchise has transcended the borderline campiness of its '80s and '90s releases. Following 2005's Batman Begins, The Dark Knight takes Batman down a sinister nosedive into the depths of Gotham City's darkest corridors, through which a riveting car-chase sequence is played out. The film’s action is intelligent and thoughtful, a haunting choreography of thrills and chills. Heath Ledger's unforgettable portrayal of the Joker imbues the film with an eerie depth (and awarded the late actor with an Oscar). The Dark Knight is a smartly paced adventure that not only satisfies hardcore comic fans, but also those of us who simply appreciate a good story.