Close up: The Dark Knight also Rises

The Big Story No sooner has The Amazing Spider-Man ventured out into the world, whooping and shooting webs from its wrists, than the next big superhero blockbuster rears its head on the horizon. Unless you've been living in a hole in the ground for the last 2 years, you'll have probably heard of The Dark Knight Rises, the third and last Batman film from jolly nice British chap Christopher Nolan. The first screening of the film – to a highly select audience of bloggers and fans and – astonishing I know – they all seemed to like it. Didn't see that coming at all. Be that as it may, the film appears destined to become a massive hit but beyond the tidal wave of hype, questions are being asked about whether this is a glorious last stand for the "gloomy" superhero movie: is Nolan, dare we say it, a tad behind the times compared to The Avengers and its ilk ? In his Week in Geek blog, Ben Child pondered suggestions that Joseph Gordon Levitt's character Blake may be being primed to step into the Caped Crusader's shoes – where, exactly, can Batman go now? Wherever it is, it'll be without Nolan. In the news Peter O'Toole bids acting 'a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell' Ernest Borgnine dies aged 95 Fifty Shades of Grey film ties up Social Network team UK censors ask focus groups to watch sexually violent films Channing Tatum makes a leap for Evel Knievel biopic Russell Crowe sinks his teeth into Count Dracula Police issue warning over horror film extras scam Hunger Games finale Mockingjay to be released in two parts On the blog Why we are happy to be caught in a web of movie remakes Magic Mike turned me gay! What are the funniest films you've seen? The Amazing Spider-Man: how much sticking power does it have? Who would you cast in Bible: The Movie? Clip joint: songs that haunt characters Cine-files: Cornerhouse, Manchester Watch and listen The Guardian Film Show – Xan Brooks and Peter Bradshaw review the latest big releases Ping Pong: watch the table tennis documentary on demand Has Robocop remake malfunctioned by rebuilding ED-209? Rise of the Guardians trailer: too soft for superheroes? Further reading How we made: Hugh Hudson and Nicholas Farrell on Chariots of Fire Adrien Brody: The quiet American Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World: the apocalypse with laughs Tony Kaye: 'I hope I'm having a moment now' Benicio del Toro's rum take on Cuba Bobcat Goldthwait: 'I'm not going to make a film with Justin Bieber' In the paper The Guide goes behind the scenes on behind the scenes on The Dark Knight Rises , and there's a look at Revenge of the Electric Car , the follow up to 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? Sunday's Observer New Review features an interview with mysterious 1970s rock 'n' roller Rodriguez, subject of the forthcoming documentary Searching For Sugar Man . And finally Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Could you be the next Sponsorship Manager for the British Film Institute? See Guardian Jobs.