Christian Bale

Heath Ledger in 'The Dark Knight'Believe the hype. "The Dark Knight" is my favorite movie of the summer (so far) and probably one of the most satisfying action blockbusters of the past 10 years.

It's not just a good comic book movie. It's a great movie, first and foremost, that happens to be about comic book heroes and villains.

I'd say it has more in common with classic crime dramas such as "Heat" and "The Untouchables" than it does with "Spider-Man" or "X-Men." It's a gangster film about a handful of noble crime fighters, some who wear suits and ties, some who wear badges and guns, and one who wears a cowl and cape, all battling evil and corruption.

Christian Bale and Heath Ledger
in 'The Dark Knight'"The Dark Knight" star Christian Bale recalls his co-star, the late Heath Ledger, was an easygoing guy when he wasn't performing as the Joker.

Details magazine recently interviewed Bale for its June/July cover story and he told writer Adam Higginbotham, "(Ledger) was incredibly intense in his performance but incredibly mellow and laid-back. Certainly there was this great anarchistic streak to it — just getting dirtier than anybody's envisioned the Joker before. This character has power because he has no limits — absolutely nothing to lose."

Bale is a successful star now, but the full interview reveals some of the hard times he went through on his way to the top. Just a few years ago, he was struggling with his house payments.

'The Dark Knight' opens July 18
Superhero Hype has posted three new photos from “The Dark Knight,” the next Batman film, due out July 18.

After a long quiet spell, the Hollywood Western is coming back, both guns blazing.