With all the invention, intriguing plot webs, and overall solid cinematic storytelling that Christopher Nolan’s films are credited for, yet another innovative characteristic of his signature narrative approach is often looked over: his own special brand of antihero. A thread that has connected Nolan’s films (scripted often in collaboration with his brother Jonathan) is the presence of a central male character who possesses some combination of destructive egotism, desperate selfishness at the risk of others, aggressive self-righteousness, willful delusion, or even the first signs of a messiah complex (“asshole” is used in the title of this post simply as an umbrella term for all the negative traits connecting these protagonists). I credit this aspect of storytelling and character development to the brothers Nolan, for filmmakers who work so successfully in Hollywood aren’t often able to bring to the screen characters who contain so many obvious flaws, and further credit goes to them for actually immersing us in their characters’ subconscious (figuratively in the case of all their films not titled Inception), making us give a damn about these characters to the point that sometimes these otherwise obvious personality flaws are only visible upon reflection after the film has been experienced. Nolan’s characters are often complex and intelligent, but beneath any confident exterior resides a deeply troubled psychology – some more obvious than others.

There’s a musical quality when Hans Zimmer speaks. Sometimes stammering his way through sentences, the native German sounds equal parts Rudolf Klein-Rogge and Jeremy Irons in Die Hard with a Vengeance. All of that is lifted by a sunshine sense of humor that seems to get out in front of him and lead the way. Over a three decade career, Zimmer has built a reputation for quality in film scoring. It could easily be said that he’s had the privilege of working with some of the best directors in the business, but it could just as easily be said that it is they who have had the privilege of working with him. His most recent work can be heard through the booms, haunting piano keys, and ever-present synth modulations that support Leonardo Dicaprio as he steals around the dreams of Inception. Yesterday, it was I who had the privilege of speaking with the composer about the fear inherent in every new job, the connective tissue between Japanese electropop and Russian choirs, and what he’s trying to say with his music.

It began with 32 films from around the world. Those films represented the greatness that each country has either on display every week at the box office or hidden away inside the potential of fresh young filmmakers. There were heavy-hitters like Return of the King who fell and virtually unknown contenders like Slovenka that surprised. There were westerns and dramas and comedies and movies that defy description. There were some neck-and-neck battles and there were blow outs. All of that deposits us here on the doorstep of the championship with two films who have earned the right to call themselves champions going head to head. In this case, it’s the cowled head of The Batman and the giant, unsupported-by-a-neck head of a witch. The Dark Knight versus Spirited Away. Two films to celebrate, but only one can be crowned champion.

Still sweating from a back and forth bout with Amelie that saw no fewer than 6 lead changes (and ended with a score of 53-47), the once heralded favorite Dark Knight comes into the next round gasping for air and holding on to its life. But it’s here. Barely. It now faces the German representative The Lives of Others which fended off A Serbian Film with ease. Two fantastic films. Only one will make it to the Championship Round. You decide.

The first two rounds of competition were a great warm up, but the competition gets ugly now as the wins come harder. No contest in that round exemplifies that more than the battle between the French representative and the USA rep. Amelie defeated District 9 in a surprise victory, and it goes into its round against The Dark Knight with momentum and the status as a fanboy killer. It will still have an uphill battle, because the US representative is (unlike the real World Cup) picked to win it all.

Wow. What a ride. After a full week of heated competition, we’ve been deposited here at the threshold of Round Three. The teams that survive what promises to be a brutal round of competition will be the final four standing, and will be only one more victory away from standing strong in the Championship Round. Many great films have fallen, and what remains includes a meddling French girl, a haunted hero in a cape and cowl, a man who spies on others, an ex-porn star, a young girl working for a witch, a man who would be king, impoverished youths in Brazil, and a girl caught between the horrors of WWII Spain and a giant faun.

There may be no stopping The Dark Knight, but the murder thriller Secret in Their Eyes might be the best poised to give it a run for its money. After the juggernaut beat out fanboy and zombie favorite Shaun of the Dead, it faces the Argentine film that easily beat Small Boy in Round One. The USA is the heavy, heavy favorite here, but if there’s one thing that the Movie World Cup has represented in all of its hallowed years, it’s the grand tradition of the upset.

Perhaps the most shocking match up of Round One, heavy-hitter Shaun of the Dead drew against the massive juggernaut of The Dark Knight. It stands to be a bitter, fanboy fight and it could leave some bodies on the ground. Of course, those bodies will then re-animate and hunger for brains. Can Shaun pull it out or will The Dark Knight make it’s pencil disappear?

Alice in Wonderland is joining the club by grossing over $1 billion. Which highest grosser is your favorite?

Is Iron Man 2 an escapist, crowd-pleasing piece of big-budget popcorn entertainment, or a two-hour ad for neo-capitalism? Can it be both?

While everyone else is content to just wait for Batman 3, we take the fight to Nolan and Goyer and issue our list of demands.

It would appear as if Warner Bros. has their man. They’ve announced today that Christopher Nolan will return to his Batman franchise and churn out a third film — currently under the working title Batman 3 — for release in July 2012. Right before the world is scheduled to end. At least the legions of geekdom will die happy.

It appears as if it doesn’t matter whether a studio includes a great deal of special features or not. If they release a movie that people want to see, people will buy it.

In a world where Hollywood’s new default setting for how films should be seen is the more financially juicy world of 3D, there are still a few filmmakers out there with a choice. Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and his long-time director of photographer Wally Pfister still have a choice.

After the usual editorials about the death of a genre, I’d like to offer some common sense.

Yes, I’m talking about the box office. But, yes, I’m also asking who would win in a fight between Iron Man and Batman.

Even though story details recently emerged, no one really knows much about this film, yet everyone seems to be on the edge of their seat. Is it just because of Nolan?

Christopher Nolan is talking. He’s talking about Superman, Batman and everything in between. But even though the words are coming out, he’s still not really saying anything substantial — not giving fans anything more than confirmation that their salivation over his continued involvement with either property was not for nothing.

After sitting around imagining a world where Christopher Nolan happens to be the only human being who can deal with classic superheroes in a modern way, we got to thinking about what we would want from the new reboot of Superman franchise. So we’re doing our part with a list of what we, two humble Super fans, demand from the next installment. Up, up, and away…

The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan has been a busy man for a while. He’s pumped out one great movie every year or so since 2005, and is now Hollywood’s hottest commodity. That is to say that he’s Warner Bros.’ biggest hired gun at the moment, as he preps his upcoming tentpole Inception for release. And it would appear as if WB is looking for Nolan to be not just the savior of their Batman franchise, but of their Superman frnachise as well.