The hype surrounding The Dark Knight had my expectations at an all-time high, and yet it proceeded to exceed those expectations throughout every breath-taking, twisted minute. The film is a masterpiece, with it's centerpiece being the vile genius that is the Joker, as portrayed by Heath Ledger. If both The Dark Knight and Heath Ledger aren't AT LEAST nominated for Best Picture/Actor at the Academy Awards, it would be an injustice to both. By far, the best comic book-based movie of all-time, as well as one of the best films, in general, ever to be made.