First I would like to say Roderick you are absolutely right in your personal opinion and your words. This could have happened in any theater behind any movie. To blame Christopher Nolan for implementing these thoughts into a mere audience is simply ridiculous. I am sure just as many people were sitting possibly in that same theater watching Saw The final Cut and that is a way more gut-wrenching and criminally intuitive film. But since this was a comic book meant for families it is deemed as out of line for its tone? Please remember that DC comics were the first to introduce these characters and the story lines back in the 1940s. And if I am not mistaken the story line itself is dark beginning with the tragedy of the superhero losing his parents. So to blame Mr. Nolan for recreating a comic in the tone it was originally intended is down right rude. He is an excellent director especially in today’s line of movies. To recreate such a classic of this magnitude is brilliant and I applaud him for it.

Second, I think the world should focus on this tragedy as a separate event instead of associating it with the showing of the movie. Granted it did happen at a significant opening but it would still impact us the same in any other setting. I have looked into the case via the news and internet posting and have learned that this may have been planned a few months ahead of the opening so there is no clear indication that this particular movie had any influence. I have realized that it is a typical response to blame the media for actions of children and possibly adults. And as a former psychology major I can say there is definitely a correlation between the two but we have to always take into account that the nature of films and television play an intricate role in culture which is where movies are directly derived from. If television has more violence in it then it is a direct reflection of us and you can check that across the years. Look through the ages and notice how television, movies, music, and books have changed drastically.

Non the less, I am deeply sorry for the tragedy that took place in Colorado. I am terribly sorry for the families and this is definitely a tragedy for all of us. But it is not because of the movies it is because of the people. These movies are not reality they are merely an escape from reality. Quite possibly reality television may have warped what we consider to be real and fiction. But the theaters are meant to be a family oriented atmosphere. This has definitely placed a small hesitation to my next visit to a theater but I will not point a finger at the director.
I will most certainly keep the families in my prayers and each family in Colorado as well because if the mere illusion of crime can cause an effect this tragic I am afraid to know what would happen if what is really happening in the world were to ever hit a screen.

My condolences to the victims and their families. <3

Having got the legal disclaimer out of the way, I think I can honestly say that all of us were greatly saddened by the events on Aurora, and we have (of course) taken steps to make sure that we keep our establishment safe, working with local security and law enforcement in a co-operative manner to do so. On a personal level, myself and some others I know would probably take a bullet if it meant saving someone’s life and we had no other option. These events were tragic, they hit us right where we work, and we definitely never want to see it happen again. My heart goes out to all of the victims and their families.

I don’t know if Mr. Nolan pays any attention to this site or not, he seems like a busy guy, but on the off-chance he might, I just want to say:

“Mr. Nolan, I am a huge fan of your work, and this was going to be the most exciting event of my year in movies. I was crushed when I heard the news the morning after the opening, on my way to work. However, I was greatly lifted by your compassionate and generous words, and I think a LOT of people, including myself needed to hear them come from YOU. If I thought highly of your character before this event, I hold you in even higher esteem now. Please DO keep making great films and please don’t let this discourage you from your efforts. Thank you”.

To everyone else I’d just say that I think a lot of smaller theaters are going to be hit hard by these events. Please consider making an extra trip or two to the movies this year if you can afford it, and don’t worry about security. I can’t predict the future, but I think next to airports (ugh!) movie theaters are probably some of the safest places you can be this weekend, and it’s going to stay that way for a long time.

To Mikel, below: Really? Really? The guy makes movies for a living. He doesn’t ACTUALLY kill people! You do know that, right?

Shadrach Del’Monte – New Zealand

Shadrach Del’Monte – New Zealand