I think the difference here is that by establishing the threat and mystery of Balrog earlier on (Saruman hinting to his existence and the camera showing an illustration of a flaming deamon in the White Wizard's book), as well as showing that Gandalf is greatly mortified of him (as opposed to just being worried about…

I don't think that's really the filmmakers fault. No movie with the adventure-travel structure of say, FOTR, would really be able to stuff enough information, for the viewer to start drawing conclusions about the world's infrastructure. It would be really hard for filmmakers, to devote screentime to such details,…

He wasn't fixated on "sex bits", the writers were. Pascal brought life and passion to the character, but on paper a large portion of his scenes in the show, were somehow based around sexposition. The first scene he's in, takes place in a brothel and establishes his bisexuality, though in the book it was merly…

I am prone to whining and bitching about the often crude and simplistic ways, in which the writers bring some of the novels themes and moments on screen, but this time I got to give Weiss & Benioff their due. Even knowing what was coming, I was on the edge the whole time, and the ending made me genuinely…

The Monkey?

Generally I think movie goers should always be at least intrigued by such totally unexpected casting choices, as it usually means that filmmakers found a good reason to take such risk. Especially since there doesn't seem to be any monetary or star-power bonus in casting Eisenberg as Luthor.

"But I just don't think Batman's prior character history makes the film neutral, or entirely apolitical and within the character and story"

There *HAS* to be a Frank Miller level of unlikeablility here? Why? Sorry but that sounds to me like some twisted logic of approaching storytelling. Like You're trying to morally "even" out each character. You're saying a work of fiction cannot show a moraly ambigous character without first blatantly spelling out to…

I agree with You 100%. What I meant is that justification of Batman's action within the particular circumstances of the film, shouldn't be necessary seen as justification for this or other "policy" in the real world.

"Maybe I'm too affected by the politics"
That's what I am saying ;)

Sorry but Your attitude towards the cell phone elemet is rather silly. Those movies are not direct metaphors of our times (though obviously they try to hit currently sore nerves). Batman was always operating above the law, always taking the route the authorities never could, in order to get the job done. It's a part…