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Two larger than life roles were handed out this last week. Make-up definitely required. It was announced that Heath Ledger has been offered the role of the Joker in the upcoming sequel to Batman Begins, and Nicolas Cage will portray flamboyant performer Liberace in a biopic next year. The Nicolas Cage-Liberace movie really has “train wreck” written all over it. It couldn’t be more of a “train wreck” if it was covered in writing with the words “train wreck” written all over it. Who wants to see that, honestly?

The choice of Heath Ledger as the Joker is surprising. I thought either Paul Bettany or Hugo Weaving had it in the bag. I loved Batman Begins, but that movie had one glaringly poor casting choice: Katie Holmes. I hope director Christopher Nolan isn’t making another Dawson’s Creek-related mistake on that level. After all, Ledger is engaged to Holme’s Creek co-star Michelle Williams. As an actor, Ledger seems to be very hit-or-miss. Let’s hope he’s on target as Batman’s greatest nemesis.

The first trailer for Brian DePalma’s Black Dahlia is online right here. The movie is based on James Ellroy’s fictionalized account of the investigation into the murder of starlet Elizabeth Short in 1940’s Los Angeles. I give the trailer a B. I was really excited about this movie before seeing the clip, but it didn’t raise the bar for me. Maybe it was Josh Hartnett’s narration. Regardless, the movie also stars Scarlet Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank and Mia Kirshner as the slain starlet. It opens September 15. If you’re a big fan of LA Confidential and Chinatown, The Black Dahlia will probably be your favorite movie this fall.

Okay, maybe Miami Vice is the best new film this week, but its getting very mixed reviews and Scott Foundas over at Village Voice is no different. He alternately describes it as soulless and visceral in his review. Micheal Mann is often criticized for style over substance. But anybody who scripted Heat, Last of the Mohicans and Manhunter deserves a chance, even if it is a remake of a cheesy ‘80s detective show. I’ll probably pick it up on DVD.

And finally, here’s the trailer for Garden State II. Oops, I mean, The Last Kiss.