I can definitely see what your mother is talking about, I found The Dark Knight intense as well. Although The Dark Knight Rises can be tense too, it wasn't as traumatic as The Dark Knight because there were some really disturbing scenes in that movie.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought Bane and Talia were sympathetic despite their role in the movie. I think they really made an impact on the audience, to the point where friends of mine actually ship them as a couple. Personally, I thought Bane's love for Talia was more paternal but I can see where the shippers are coming from, you have to really care about a person to make so many sacrifices for them, which is what Bane did for Talia.