Why So Serious? In the upcoming mega box-office blockbuster-film, “The Dark Knight”, Batman is back once again to protect and save Gotham City from evil-wrongdoers. After delivering the best Batman ever in “Batman Begins”, Christian Bale returns to play both: the role of multi-millionaire enterpriser Bruce Wayne, as well as our masked-superhero, in the sequel. But ironically –and for the first time ever– Batman is not the main character of interest, in a Batman film. Brilliant Odds-makers at BodogLife.com have Heath Ledger's Betting Odds to Win an Oscar for The Joker in The Dark Knight.

In The Dark Knight, which opens in theaters across America Friday July 18th 2008, Heath Ledger played a character he referred to as: “psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy.”

It has been rumored that, the way Heath Ledger prepared for this Joker role was by isolating himself from everyone, by locking himself up in a hotel room for a month.

His main objective was to formulate a Joker that was completely different from the one Jack Nicholson had interpreted in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film.

Ledger struggled with giving his character a unique identity. He spent numerous hours building his masterpiece from scratch, but eventually Ledger reinvented himself in an incredible manner; thus, giving the Joker a posture and a voice.

During an early interview on the set of The Dark Knight in Chicago, Ledger was asked the following question: “What kind of effect does playing an evil, or bad guy, character have on you? Do you absorb it?”

Ledgers’ Answer: “You know that’s just how I perform. I think just in general in life. It has that effect on me, but I’m not sure that it’s had the effect on like the rules I want to play or how I play a role. I think if anything it’s the opposite. I’m like, I have more perspective in terms of that in life and just more need to be evil now. Then to express others things through work.”

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The Dark Knight Betting Odds: "The Dark Knight" is the latest and coolest installment of DC Comics superhero based film character Batman. The Dark Knight, which will be in theaters across the United States July 18th 2008, is the sequel to (director) Christopher Nolan’s 2005 film "Batman Begins".

After resurrecting the Batman franchise from the ashes, Chris Nolan also decided to bring other characters back from the dead in The Dark Knight: The Joker and Two-Face. However, by far the one character in this movie that seems to demand all of the public’s attention is Heath Ledger’s infamous/dark version of “The Joker”. BodogLife.com has some very interesting The Dark Knight Betting Odds.

In the film, The Dark Knight, Batman’s main conflicts come from Heath Ledger’s character (The Joker), as well as a struggling friendship with district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart); who later becomes the villain known as “Two-Face”. Will Heath Ledger be nominated for an "Actor in a Supporting Role" Oscar for his performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight? YES: -320, NO: +220. 

According to director, Chris Nolan, it was his wish for The Joker to have the grandest entrance possible in this film. And thus, for the first time in cinematographic history, The Dark Knight becomes the first-ever featured film to be (partly) shot in IMAX Format: The introduction of Ledger’s character, and some fights scenes.

The main character in this movie is of course, Batman, which is played by Christian Bale. Bale plays the usual role of masked-superhero; always trying to save Gotham City from ambitious criminals, as well as his interpretation of multi-millionaire enterpriser, Bruce Wayne.

The Dark Knight was mostly filmed in Chicago, IL. This is of course the same location where Batman Begins was shot, in addition to other sites inside and outside the United States. Needless to say, that this film may very easily –and most likely– break all-time box office records (and ticket sales overall), within the first few days of its release.

The tragic passing of actor Heath Ledger, sort of gives a more dramatic and sentimental effect to The Dark Knight. It is unquestionably a very sad and unfortunate loss for everyone, as his future was bright, and he was still very young. For one last time, the world will have the priviledge of admiring his great work, as The Dark Knight will serve as Heath Ledger’s last curtain call... BRAVO!

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Miss USA Falls Again in Miss Universe 2008: Billions of eyes watched as the beautiful Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, won the crown in the highly anticipated pageant, but it was Miss USA Crystle Stewart, who attracted much of the attention in Miss Universe 2008. On what culminated as one of the most viewed and wagered events of 2008, unfortunately for Miss USA, there will be no shortage of footage of her "miss-step" in Vietnam. Miss USA Crystle Stewart's betting odds to be crowned Miss Universe 2008 were second best (before the fall): 8 - 1. 

In this picture, you can see the twenty-six year old Texan, praying not to fall during Sunday's international beauty pageant.

However, as she was coming out, showcasing her elegant nightgown, she tripped and fell over Jerry Springer's banana (peel), which he enjoyed during the commercial break; marking the second consecutive year that a Miss USA visits the canvas, falling flat on her wallet during the evening gown comptetition.

Luckily for Miss USA, the Vietnamese crowd wasn't aware of Mr. Springer's popularity back home, as they failed to follow that up with cheers of: Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! 

It seemed as though Miss USA’s nerves got under her skin as she tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown while starting her entrance on the stage. She immediately picked herself up and tried to make light of the situation by giving herself a round of applause.

Many viewers felt déjà vu, while watching the awkward fall. During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also stumbled during the evening gown competition.

During a weekend interview with the Associated Press, Stewart said she felt very secure going into the show and couldn't envision experiencing the same misfortune as her predecessor. "All I can offer to the world and to America is to do my best," Stewart said. "Nerves don't play a part in this."

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Velezuelan Dayana Mendoza Crowned Miss Universe 2008: The incredible international spectacle that is Miss Universe, celebrated its 57th edition in grand fashion Sunday from Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. The Pageant, which through the years has become one of the most viewed and most anticipated annual events, was everything it was expected it would be. Since betting odds were released by Sportsbook.com, the sculptress Miss Venezuela was the overwhelming (5 - 1) favorite to win the Miss America 2008 crown.

Miss Universe 2008 kicked off with each country parading their unique national customs. All 80 women looked amazing, as they proudly displayed their colorful roots and culture. One couldn’t help but notice Miss Venezuela, who made sort of an awkward national custom look absolutely glorious with her astonishing beauty.

In the preliminary first cut determined the top 15 countries, here they are as announced in random order: Venezuela, Kosovo, Mexico, Vietnam, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Dominican Republic, Italy, Colombia, Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic, USA, and Spain.

Next up was the much anticipated and very sexy, swimsuit spectacle. Once again Miss Venezuela absolutely shined brighter than any other, as she registered a score of 9.37. Miss USA also recorded a high score with her 9.2, along with Miss Colombia with 9.2 points. Next up was nerve-wrecking the second elimination round (top 10).

Here were the top-10 countries in random order, as announced live: Kosovo, Australia, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, USA, Dominican Republic, Russia, Italy, and Venezuela. All women looked absolutely stunning, as they headed backstage, and prepared for the Nightgown competition, and the final round of questions from the judges.

After the Nightgown competition, was the announcement of the final 5 (once again in random order): Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Russia. Colombia was once again first in the judge's questions. Each contestant answered the questions in a very eloquent manner, as each displayed their caresmatic personalities, and perfect smiles.

Finally the moment of truth, as each women was discarded by process of elimination, until there was just 1 standing at the end... Miss Universe 2008. The first contested called, coming in and 5th place: Mexico. 4th place: Russia. 3rd place: Dominican Republic. and finally the second runner up: Miss Colombia... leaving just one lady standing as the new Miss Universe 2008: Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza.       

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