Amateur Afterthoughts:  By now, we’re all aware that its $158.4 million opening weekend earned “The Dark Knight” a record-breaking debut.  And it was deserved.  Between the acting, special effects, and theme of dueling dual human natures, the twisted but intensely interesting plot is highly conducive to audience participation.  We can relate to the characters and their struggles (except Two Face definitely has a unique medical issue).  We can feel the drop when Batman jumps off the top of a Hong Kong skyscraper (seriously, my stomach quivered).  We can assess ourselves for signs of the hero and the villain (The Joker surprisingly makes some good points, and fashion statements too).

Truby Takeaway:  Once upon a time, in a magical city called Gotham, hype was created for something and that something actually lived up to the hype.  Before the rise of publicity, PR and promotions, a show was a “must-see” because your trusted friends and family told you so, not because some Peanut m&m dressed up like the main character and gave it two thumbs up.  Today, “what critics call the best movie of the year” usually tanks at the box office, “the most anticipated new show on TV” ends up being cancelled after one season, and “Hollywood’s newest superstar” becomes a one-hit wonder.  But with or without the hype that resulted from Heath Ledger’s death, “The Dark Knight,” and particularly Heath’s thrilling portrayal of The Joker, delivered a motion picture experience that lived up to the buildup.  Hype is a precious privilege that belongs to masterpieces but has been abused time and time again by flops.  With what we’ll be expected to promote along our career paths, it’s good to know that publicity can go far but a great product in itself has potential to break records.