In a daring feat made for the big screen, Dan Miller, 23, of Bloomington popped the question to girlfriend Johanna Paron, 26, moments before the Thursday midnight showing of "The Dark Knight," at the Great Clips IMAX Theatre in Apple Valley.

She said yes, and the pair plan to marry next summer.

The proposal came after weeks of clue-dropping by Miller, including a countdown calendar that Paron assumed was merely tracking the film's release.

"I was completely surprised," she said. "I just thought Dan was excited for the movie."

Decked out in a purple Joker outfit (sans makeup), Miller proposed with a bouquet inspired by the prankster: purple flowers, toy guns, fake-money rubber duckies and the engagement ring inside a pop-up card.

The couple took in the film from a special loveseat.

"I don't think this could have gone any better," Miller said.

TONY GONZALEZ