In December, Los Angeles carried a faint chill, the coldest time of year in the greater metro area. People layered jackets over T-shirts, and women adorned themselves with vibrant scarves, adding flair to the mild winter.
As Martin had promised, his editing speed was blistering. He completed the rough cut of The Joker in a week and finalized it in three passes. Todd Phillips, assisting with the edit, was floored. This isn't just fast—it's The Flash!
Then came the test screening. Executives from Warner Bros., Meyers Entertainment, and DC attended. After watching the final cut—sans score—the room fell silent.
A moment later, applause erupted.
Warner CEO Alan Horn loosened his tie, exhaling. "I've got to say, this film shook me," he told Martin, clapping.
"It's undeniably artistic," said an elderly, bespectacled man with white hair, eyeing Martin with admiration. "But could it be too dark, too oppressive? Will audiences buy in?"
The elderly man was Joe Kubert, often called the "father of DC" by fans. While Stan Lee is Marvel's iconic figure, DC's equivalent is less publicized. Kubert, like Lee, created beloved heroes—Superman, Batman, Robin—but shunned the spotlight and never cameo'd in DC films like Lee did in Marvel's. Still, his contributions to comics rivaled Lee's.
Addressing Kubert's concern, Martin smiled. "I'm not worried. Yes, it's dark, but not stifling. If viewers empathize with Arthur by the end, it's actually a thrilling ride. Think about it: superhero films follow a formula—weak to strong, spiritual uplift, hero born. A villain film flips the last two: weak to strong, moral decay, villain born. The difference is, the villain's journey is steeped in darkness, which we often call art."
His words left Horn and Kubert pensive. After a beat, Kubert chuckled. "Clever bastard. You played a beautiful trick."
Horn shook his head inwardly. What a sharp guy. He wrapped a commercial core in an artistic shell so seamlessly that, without him spelling it out, no one would've pegged this dark masterpiece as a blockbuster. If my idiot son had half his brains… Horn's son was a notorious Hollywood playboy.
…
With editing done, Martin left special effects, scoring, and subtitles to the team, freeing up his schedule. He poured most of his time into prepping Inception while squeezing in an appearance at the Golden Globes.
The Golden Globes, unrelated to soccer, are officially the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's awards for film and TV. Unlike the Oscars, run by the Academy, the Globes are voted on by 96 journalists (two-thirds part-time). Held a month before Oscar voting, they're often seen as an Oscar precursor, though they're distinct.
Though the author didn't mention it earlier, Martin had long been a Golden Globes darling. Unlike the Oscars' art-heavy focus, the Globes embraced commercial appeal, and Martin's knack for blending both made him a favorite.
This year, Meyers Entertainment's Slumdog Millionaire swept Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Score, dominating the night. The individual standout was Martin's ex, Kate Winslet, who won Best Actress (Drama) for Revolutionary Road and Best Supporting Actress for The Reader.
Steven Spielberg received a lifetime achievement award, delivering a heartfelt speech about the craft of acting. At the afterparty, Kate found Martin.
"Got a minute to talk?" she asked.
"Sure, over there." Martin pointed to a lounge area.
"How's it going?" she asked.
"Same old—partying, meddling in the presidential race, shooting a few films. Pretty full life," he said.
Kate laughed. "Still anti-marriage?"
"You know me, Kate. Too many women—marrying one would be unfair to the rest."
"God, you and Leo are both jerks," she teased. "But your sweet talk's miles better than his. Making womanizing sound responsible? You should run for office."
"I've thought about it," Martin said, grinning, unfazed by her jab. "How about you? Heard you had a son."
Kate paused, then nodded. "Yeah. But things aren't great. Sam and I are separated, planning to divorce."
Martin's eyes widened.
"Don't look so scared," she giggled. "I'm not gonna cling to you."
Scared? I'm just surprised, Martin thought, but let it slide. Whatever the lady says.
"I could use some comfort tonight," Kate added, her tone shifting. "You free?"
Hell yeah, I'm free. "Of course. I'll take you out."
Kate smiled.
…
The Wall Street Journal: "Sarah Palin: Vase, Trouble-Maker, or Versatile Beauty?
Palin's striking looks have drawn attention. In 1982, she won 'Miss Wasilla' in her hometown. Two years later, at 20, she represented Wasilla in the 'Miss Alaska' pageant, earning 'Most Interactive Miss' despite not winning the crown. When McCain named her his running mate, 'Palin fever' surged. Her rimless glasses became a fashion trend, and a wallpaper company even launched life-sized Palin posters.
Republicans hoped she'd sway female voters, but online chatter fixated on her looks and pageant past. Some posted alleged 'nude' photos online, which her campaign denounced as fakes. Bikini shots from her Miss Alaska days and a provocative short-shorts photo also surfaced.
To preempt scandal, Palin revealed her 17-year-old daughter's unwed pregnancy, shocking Republicans. Party insiders questioned her ability to balance family and public office, and some criticized McCain's hasty vetting, suggesting her personal issues could sink the campaign. Is Palin just a pretty 'vase'?
Like any celebrity, Palin's been dogged by scandal since entering the race. On October 3, the GOP released her financials, showing over $1 million in assets, undermining her 'average American worker' image. Then came allegations of abuse of power. As Alaska governor, Palin allegedly allowed her husband, Todd, to use her office to pressure officials to fire her ex-brother-in-law, a state trooper, in retaliation for his divorce from her sister. When a public safety official refused, Palin sacked him. She's now under investigation.
More trouble: Palin allegedly used state funds to cover her daughters' travel and hotel expenses for official trips, including $21,000 for 64 one-way and 12 round-trip flights since December 2006. Reports claim her daughters weren't always invited, though Palin amended expense reports to say they attended official events.
These controversies have hurt McCain's campaign. Yet Palin's public appearances and speeches still draw praise. Her vice-presidential debate against Joe Biden was a standout, exceeding expectations. Critics noted her fluent, relatable style, blending charm and poise, giving Republicans a glimmer of hope. She used folksy language to connect with voters.
Despite attacks on her inexperience, some Republicans are unfazed. Reports suggest conservative factions are eyeing her for a 2012 presidential run, arguing four years of grooming could make her a formidable candidate. For Palin, this election year has been anything but ordinary. Where her 'political star' journey leads next, we'll see."
The Los Angeles Entertainment Times: "At last night's Golden Globes afterparty, Martin and Kate Winslet were seen chatting animatedly before leaving together. Our reporters couldn't track their destination…"
The Washington Daily: "With election results looming, the nation's biggest question awaits: Who will the people choose to lead?"