I know you've heard this a thousand times, but...

The Dark Knight is a great film, and if you are among the 12 people who haven't seen it yet, please do so (click here for a complete review).

Of all the Batman films made over the last couple of decades, I think this one stands head and shoulders above them all. I had always given the edge to Tim Burton's original Batman, but The Dark Knight is much better.

Some critics have carped that it is too long, but I don't feel that way at all. The two-and-a-half hours flew by, and all the actor's performances perfectly matched the tone set by the filmmakers. It's too bad Heath Ledger died, because I would have loved to have seen him play the Joker again.

This film is first rate and worthy of Oscar consideration.