The New Year has started and chances are, some of you may be taking to the world of online dating as one of your resolutions. Having grown in popularity over the past several years, online dating is becoming one of the best ways to meet new people and start relationships.
Having done online dating in the past, I have learned many lessons but one comes to mind right away; it is not an exact science. A lot of the process is based off trial and error and there is a lot to consider before diving in.
Below are some tips on getting started to the world of Online Dating:
1) Be Open Minded - I am not saying that you should simply go out with anyone that requests to speak to you on the online dating site you choose but keep in mind that you don't know these people from previous experience either. In a way, online dating is almost like going on a blind date. You may be able to e-mail a person back and forth easily but not be able to hold a conversation when meeting in person. Keep in mind that while online dating is a great way to meet others, you never know what will happen until you actually meet that person face to face.
2) Try and Have a Phone Conversation Prior to Meeting in Person - It is easy to get caught up in e-mails back and forth and not have an actual phone conversation prior to meeting. While meeting times can be set up easily through e-mail, you may find that you can't hold a conversation with that person face to face. Having a phone conversation sometimes alleviates any nervousness prior to a face to face meeting and can also be an indication as to whether or not it is worth it to meet. You may find that you have difficulty finding common ground to talk about on the phone or find the other person really isn't that interested.
3) Plan a Budget - I am not saying to go cheap on first dates or any dates but doing multiple dates can get expensive if you are going to lots of different restaurants on a weekly basis. Meeting for dinner can be a great way to meet someone, however, it can get expensive if done multiple times. Meeting for coffee or drinks can be a great alternative especially if you are not sure if things will work out.
4) Keep in Mind You Do Not Know These People From Previous Experience - You may come across one or two people you know on these dating sites but keep in mind you won't know a good percentage of the people with profiles on these sites. While the profiles can give you a good indication as to what these people are like, you won't know until you meet someone in person. Someone may come across one way in his or her profile but completely different in person.
5) Things May Not Work Out With Someone for Reasons Beyond Your Control - It is unfortunate but there may be instances in which the other person may not want to move forward with another date or a relationship for reasons beyond your control. There may be work issues, personal issues, the other person not feeling a connection, etc. that may prevent a relationship from moving forward.
6) Each Experience is Different - You may find someone you click with right away from the first date and it may take much longer. It is hard to predict and you may be on a site for a few months before finding the right person. Each experience is different and keep in mind a relationship may not material overnight.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Looking Back For Reflection
2012 is coming to an end and it's hard not to think how the year may have flown by for many. Like all years, events happen, things change and we move forward as the New Year rolls upon us.
Before the New Year begins, take a few moments to thank those and reflect on the good parts of the year. Ask yourself the following:
1) Who helped me out the most this year in terms of personal and professional growth?
2) What person has always supported me no matter what?
3) What events were fun and successful in part to a certain person?
4) Where was I a year ago in terms to my personal goals and where am I now?
5) What are all of the things I can be thankful for?
Take the time to list all of this out before the New Year begins. You might be surprised what you come up with in a positive way.
Before the New Year begins, take a few moments to thank those and reflect on the good parts of the year. Ask yourself the following:
1) Who helped me out the most this year in terms of personal and professional growth?
2) What person has always supported me no matter what?
3) What events were fun and successful in part to a certain person?
4) Where was I a year ago in terms to my personal goals and where am I now?
5) What are all of the things I can be thankful for?
Take the time to list all of this out before the New Year begins. You might be surprised what you come up with in a positive way.
Soldier's Silent Night
A Soldier's Silent Night
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Online Dating Tips
With more and more people getting busier these days, finding someone to date via online services has grown in popularity. Going to sites like Match.com or eHarmony has become a popular method for people of many different age groups to find people to date.
Online dating is a unique method for meeting people and there are two key concepts to keep in mind:
1) Online dating is not an exact science - based off personal experience and talking with others, online dating is definitely not an exact science and can take some trial and error. People who may not have luck on Match.com may have better luck on eHarmony or vice versa. A lot of it does take trail and error and seeing how to move forward from there.
2) You don't know the people you will come across on there - I understand this sounds obvious but keep in mind that you don't know the people on these sites from previous experience. It's not necessarily a blind date but keep in mind that the only information you know about the people you will find online is in the profiles they have created.
Below are some tips to help you get started in the online dating world:
1) E-mailing back and forth helps get to know someone but try and have a phone conversation prior to meeting - with e-mail, it is easy to get to know the person and feel there could be something there but try and have a phone conversation with the person prior to going on a date. While you may be able to e-mail the person back and forth and feel there will be a connection, you may find the total opposite when trying to talk to the person. Phone conversations could be a way to gauge how interested the other person is and whether or not you two can easily converse with each other on a date. You may have instances in which you may not be able to have any chemistry when meeting someone in person but having a phone call first could indicate that beforehand.
2) Determine how much you want to spend on first dates - when doing online dating, you will end up going out on a lot of first dates and depending on what you do, the amount of money spent can add up quickly. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to go cheap on a first date but keep in mind that if something doesn't work out or if the date doesn't go well, you could be spending a lot of money if you choose to meet at a restaurant or place that is expensive. Sometimes starting at by meeting for drinks or coffee could be a casual way to go especially if you are not sure how the date will pan out. I am not saying go cheap but keep in mind that things may not work out after a first date.
3) Be open minded - as mentioned earlier, you may not have chemistry with the person you are out on a date with. While you the two of you may be able to talk on the phone and e-mail back and forth, meeting someone face to face could result in a totally different experience. You may find that the other person behaves differently in person or that there isn't much of a connection there. There may also be instances out of your control that prohibit the relationship from moving forward as well. Remember to be open minded and take things slow if possible.
4) Be patient - dating online does have it's ups and downs and does take a lot of trial and error. It can be frustrating at times but learn from mistakes and bad dates and move forward. Bad dates will happen at times and take what you can from that and learn from that experience. There may be times in which you feel like you are not meeting anyone you want to move forward with in a relationship. Remember to be patient and learn from each and every experience.
Online dating is a unique method for meeting people and there are two key concepts to keep in mind:
1) Online dating is not an exact science - based off personal experience and talking with others, online dating is definitely not an exact science and can take some trial and error. People who may not have luck on Match.com may have better luck on eHarmony or vice versa. A lot of it does take trail and error and seeing how to move forward from there.
2) You don't know the people you will come across on there - I understand this sounds obvious but keep in mind that you don't know the people on these sites from previous experience. It's not necessarily a blind date but keep in mind that the only information you know about the people you will find online is in the profiles they have created.
Below are some tips to help you get started in the online dating world:
1) E-mailing back and forth helps get to know someone but try and have a phone conversation prior to meeting - with e-mail, it is easy to get to know the person and feel there could be something there but try and have a phone conversation with the person prior to going on a date. While you may be able to e-mail the person back and forth and feel there will be a connection, you may find the total opposite when trying to talk to the person. Phone conversations could be a way to gauge how interested the other person is and whether or not you two can easily converse with each other on a date. You may have instances in which you may not be able to have any chemistry when meeting someone in person but having a phone call first could indicate that beforehand.
2) Determine how much you want to spend on first dates - when doing online dating, you will end up going out on a lot of first dates and depending on what you do, the amount of money spent can add up quickly. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to go cheap on a first date but keep in mind that if something doesn't work out or if the date doesn't go well, you could be spending a lot of money if you choose to meet at a restaurant or place that is expensive. Sometimes starting at by meeting for drinks or coffee could be a casual way to go especially if you are not sure how the date will pan out. I am not saying go cheap but keep in mind that things may not work out after a first date.
3) Be open minded - as mentioned earlier, you may not have chemistry with the person you are out on a date with. While you the two of you may be able to talk on the phone and e-mail back and forth, meeting someone face to face could result in a totally different experience. You may find that the other person behaves differently in person or that there isn't much of a connection there. There may also be instances out of your control that prohibit the relationship from moving forward as well. Remember to be open minded and take things slow if possible.
4) Be patient - dating online does have it's ups and downs and does take a lot of trial and error. It can be frustrating at times but learn from mistakes and bad dates and move forward. Bad dates will happen at times and take what you can from that and learn from that experience. There may be times in which you feel like you are not meeting anyone you want to move forward with in a relationship. Remember to be patient and learn from each and every experience.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Finding My Way Back Again
The pressbox at Stewart Field in Solon (home of Solon Comets football, soccer, track and lacrosse) felt like home to me during my high school years. I had spent so much time working a camera during broadcasts my freshman and sophomore years in high school and spent the remaining years as a play-by-play announcer in that pressbox for a lot of Solon Comets football games. I had seen so many games and had built up so many incredible memories from that pressbox in just four years.
The last football game I announced back in that stadium was 2003 and I wondered if I would ever call a game from that pressbox again. The far left hand side of the box is where I called home during those broadcasts and I always wondered if I would ever get an opportunity to call a game from there again after I graduated high school.
Several years went by and while I didn't return to the pressbox, I managed to find my ways to the sidelines as a photographer. Photography is a passion of mine and being able to take photos of the games brings joy and excitement to me. It is my way to stay in the game and follow a team I grew up watching.
One day before the 2012 season was to begin, I received a phone call I always wondered if I would get:
"Jeff, we need someone to help announce the Solon football game on Friday. Can you help out?"
Right in front of me, the opportunity to return to the pressbox was there. I took the job as quickly as I could and could not wait to return to the booth the following night.
After doing a pregame spot with my broadcast partner, Dan Henderson (who would do an awesome job doing play-by-play in the game), both of us headed back up to the left side of the pressbox that had been my home for Solon Comets games during my junior and senior years of high school. Some of the items I remembered had been rearranged but I couldn't help but smile when remembering the great times I had in that area of the pressbox.
I ended up doing color commentary for the broadcast and calling the game with Dan was a lot of fun. His enthusiasm came through during the broadcast and it was such a joy calling the game with him. I couldn't help but have fun analyzing the game with him and feeling happy to be calling a Solon football game again.
The game ended in a comeback win for Solon and seconds after we signed off, I took off my headset and told Dan he did a great job. He mentioned to me he learned a lot from me during the game and he appreciated the help I provided. I was glad he learned a lot from me during the broadcast and that I could help him out.
The following week, I was back on the sidelines and a few fans and friends mentioned to me that they thought I did a good job. I was happy to hear they tuned in and was grateful for the kind words.
The last football game I announced back in that stadium was 2003 and I wondered if I would ever call a game from that pressbox again. The far left hand side of the box is where I called home during those broadcasts and I always wondered if I would ever get an opportunity to call a game from there again after I graduated high school.
Several years went by and while I didn't return to the pressbox, I managed to find my ways to the sidelines as a photographer. Photography is a passion of mine and being able to take photos of the games brings joy and excitement to me. It is my way to stay in the game and follow a team I grew up watching.
One day before the 2012 season was to begin, I received a phone call I always wondered if I would get:
"Jeff, we need someone to help announce the Solon football game on Friday. Can you help out?"
Right in front of me, the opportunity to return to the pressbox was there. I took the job as quickly as I could and could not wait to return to the booth the following night.
After doing a pregame spot with my broadcast partner, Dan Henderson (who would do an awesome job doing play-by-play in the game), both of us headed back up to the left side of the pressbox that had been my home for Solon Comets games during my junior and senior years of high school. Some of the items I remembered had been rearranged but I couldn't help but smile when remembering the great times I had in that area of the pressbox.
I ended up doing color commentary for the broadcast and calling the game with Dan was a lot of fun. His enthusiasm came through during the broadcast and it was such a joy calling the game with him. I couldn't help but have fun analyzing the game with him and feeling happy to be calling a Solon football game again.
The game ended in a comeback win for Solon and seconds after we signed off, I took off my headset and told Dan he did a great job. He mentioned to me he learned a lot from me during the game and he appreciated the help I provided. I was glad he learned a lot from me during the broadcast and that I could help him out.
The following week, I was back on the sidelines and a few fans and friends mentioned to me that they thought I did a good job. I was happy to hear they tuned in and was grateful for the kind words.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
When Interviewing, Preparation is Key
Interviewing for an internship or job opening can be a daunting and nerve-racking task. Meeting someone who can decide your future is something everyone of us has gone through and interviewing is a key part of the process to landing a job or internship. How you perform in the interview is important but so is the preparation.
Most hiring managers want candidates that can be well-prepared and willing to go the extra mile even if it is just in the interview stages. Those who take the time to show the hiring manager that he or she can prepare can always use that to stand out from other candidates. It shows commitment, dedication and a willingness to learn, which are all traits most hiring managers desire in candidates.
When speaking with most hiring managers, it is surprising how many stories each one has about candidates who simply do not prepare much for the interview. During my time in the broadcast industry, I came across several managers who interviewed internship candidates who knew nothing about the radio or television station he or she worked at. When talking with these hiring managers, I usually garnered at least one or two stories about someone who didn't know who the morning show hosts were, who was on the air during the afternoon or would mention people who were no longer affiliated with the station as on-air personalities. In all of these cases, this showed a lack of effort on the part of the person being interviewed.
Before going into an interview, make sure to ask yourself this question:
"What do I need to know about this company to prove to the hiring manager I can grow his or her business?"
By asking yourself this question, you should be able to come up with several areas for research. With the help of the Internet, it is easy to find out information about the company and in most cases, most of the information you need will be through the company web-site. By taking the time to do your homework, you will have the information needed to prove to the hiring manager you can grow his or her business and be the candidate that person will need for the position.
Most hiring managers want candidates that can be well-prepared and willing to go the extra mile even if it is just in the interview stages. Those who take the time to show the hiring manager that he or she can prepare can always use that to stand out from other candidates. It shows commitment, dedication and a willingness to learn, which are all traits most hiring managers desire in candidates.
When speaking with most hiring managers, it is surprising how many stories each one has about candidates who simply do not prepare much for the interview. During my time in the broadcast industry, I came across several managers who interviewed internship candidates who knew nothing about the radio or television station he or she worked at. When talking with these hiring managers, I usually garnered at least one or two stories about someone who didn't know who the morning show hosts were, who was on the air during the afternoon or would mention people who were no longer affiliated with the station as on-air personalities. In all of these cases, this showed a lack of effort on the part of the person being interviewed.
Before going into an interview, make sure to ask yourself this question:
"What do I need to know about this company to prove to the hiring manager I can grow his or her business?"
By asking yourself this question, you should be able to come up with several areas for research. With the help of the Internet, it is easy to find out information about the company and in most cases, most of the information you need will be through the company web-site. By taking the time to do your homework, you will have the information needed to prove to the hiring manager you can grow his or her business and be the candidate that person will need for the position.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Dark Knight Rises Lives Up to Expectations
Christopher Nolan has established himself as one of Hollywood's premier directors. With several movies that have captured audiences, Nolan has proven he can tell complicated stories and keep the audience on the edge throughout an entire film.
Nolan's Dark Knight Rises proved he was able to create another fantastic film that can keep the audience on the edge in what is his third and final installment in the Batman franchise. Nolan became the second director to make three films based on the same superhero and completed what is a legendary trilogy.
Even if you have never seen the first two films, Dark Knight Rises can easily stand alone. The script does an incredible job at explaining key plot points from previous films and helps guide the story along. Those who haven't seen the previous two films in the trilogy will still be able to pick up the pieces and follow along.
Similar to the previous two films in the franchise, Nolan's cast is what makes the characters believable and the emotions come to life on screen. Christian Bale performs well as the Batman and Bruce Wayne while Gary Oldman picks up where he left off as Commissioner Gordon. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a great addition to the cast as Blake, a young Gotham city police officer and Marion Cottillard plays a believable and mysterious Miranda Tate, a businesswoman who tries to align business interests with Bruce Wayne's money.
The film's main villain, Bane, is brought to life by Tom Hardy, who was in Nolan's film Inception. Even though it is difficult to hear Bane's lines at times due to the mask he wears, Hardy brings a villain that was a sideshow act in Joel Schumaker's Batman and Robin to life as a terrorist and power hungry foe. Hardy, who gained 30 pounds for the role, looks frightening and is believable in the fight scenes with Batman.
One of the most pleasant surprises of the film is Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle. Even though the alter ego of Kyle's character, Catwoman, is never mentioned in the film, Hathaway almost steals the show. Nolan took criticism for picking Hathaway for the role but proves again he made the right choice. Hathaway adds evil to the character but also other dimensions as well. Hathaway and Bale have great chemistry on screen and makes several of the key scenes emotional.
Nolan was able to tell the story without blood and guts and while the film does have a lot of violent parts to it, it is there to help move the story. The audience never feels that the it is all action and no plot because the action scenes help tell key areas of the story. The script takes ideas from popular Batman storylines such as Knightfall, No Man's Land, and The Dark Knight Returns and all ideas fit well into the script.
Grade: A-
Nolan's Dark Knight Rises proved he was able to create another fantastic film that can keep the audience on the edge in what is his third and final installment in the Batman franchise. Nolan became the second director to make three films based on the same superhero and completed what is a legendary trilogy.
Even if you have never seen the first two films, Dark Knight Rises can easily stand alone. The script does an incredible job at explaining key plot points from previous films and helps guide the story along. Those who haven't seen the previous two films in the trilogy will still be able to pick up the pieces and follow along.
Similar to the previous two films in the franchise, Nolan's cast is what makes the characters believable and the emotions come to life on screen. Christian Bale performs well as the Batman and Bruce Wayne while Gary Oldman picks up where he left off as Commissioner Gordon. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a great addition to the cast as Blake, a young Gotham city police officer and Marion Cottillard plays a believable and mysterious Miranda Tate, a businesswoman who tries to align business interests with Bruce Wayne's money.
The film's main villain, Bane, is brought to life by Tom Hardy, who was in Nolan's film Inception. Even though it is difficult to hear Bane's lines at times due to the mask he wears, Hardy brings a villain that was a sideshow act in Joel Schumaker's Batman and Robin to life as a terrorist and power hungry foe. Hardy, who gained 30 pounds for the role, looks frightening and is believable in the fight scenes with Batman.
One of the most pleasant surprises of the film is Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle. Even though the alter ego of Kyle's character, Catwoman, is never mentioned in the film, Hathaway almost steals the show. Nolan took criticism for picking Hathaway for the role but proves again he made the right choice. Hathaway adds evil to the character but also other dimensions as well. Hathaway and Bale have great chemistry on screen and makes several of the key scenes emotional.
Nolan was able to tell the story without blood and guts and while the film does have a lot of violent parts to it, it is there to help move the story. The audience never feels that the it is all action and no plot because the action scenes help tell key areas of the story. The script takes ideas from popular Batman storylines such as Knightfall, No Man's Land, and The Dark Knight Returns and all ideas fit well into the script.
Grade: A-
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