A Real Life Hero.

You have to love the outpouring of compassion and attention from the cast and crew of "The Dark Knight Rises" to the victims of the Aurora Colorado shooting.

It wasn't long before Christopher Nolan responded to the tragedy with a heartfelt and eloquent message.

“Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community,” he wrote. “I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting, but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime.”


He continued, “The movie theater is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families."

 

Joseph Gorden Levitt also reacted swiftly to the shooting in Aurora.

"My most sincere sympathies go out to the families of the victims in Aurora." 

There was also this from Anne Hathaway who plays Selina Kyle in the movie.

“My heart aches and breaks for the lives taken and altered by this unfathomably senseless act.  “I am at a loss for words how to express my sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” she added.

And now this from Christian Bale.

As you can see from the topmost picture, Bale has dropped everything to visit the victims in their hospital rooms.  (You can learn more about this visit here at Eonline.)  My heart broke a little more when the wounded fan made sure his Red Sox cap was front and center.  Many thanks to all of those involved in the Dark Knight Rises for their love and concern.  Warner Bros. themselves has contributed a sizable sum of money to the relief fund.

You also can contribute at this link.

Christian Bale Steps out of the Dark Night & into a Real Life Battle

Christian Bale proved to be the bane of Chinese authorities when he tried to visit activist lawyer Chen Guang-cheng while on a promotional visit for his new movie, "The Flowers of War". Ironically, the movie would have cast the Chines government in a sympathetic light not only because it brings Hollywood to modern China but also because the movie dealt with China's suffering at the hands of World War Two Japan.

Instead, China falls under the wrong side of the shadow of the bat and reminds the world of its real life depravity. Perhaps it would've better served China if they had allowed Bale a brief photo opportunity with Guang-cheng. As it was, a CNN crew accompanied Bale and now the story has world wide play. No doubt CNN knew it would benefit following Bale no matter how the visit turned out. Also, if you are a cynic, you could say Bale orchestrated the whole thing to promote his career as well as shedding further light on Guang-cheng.

But I'm willing to give Bale the benefit of the doubt that his social conscience took precedent over any self promotion. These type of things can easily go very wrong and I think it takes a certain amount of courage just to put yourself out there. Bale could have used a press conference to make a statement about Guang-chen but he chose instead to take the extra step and risk possible harm, incarceration or deportment.

So kudos to Christian Bale for his willingness to hazard this visit. The Press hasn't always been kind to him and some of that has been merited. But on this day things were different. Bale may not be the hero we deserve but he's the hero the world needs right now.