There have been memorable portrayals of the Joker through the years…
Certainly Jack Nicholson in 1989 comes to mind. And Heath Ledger’s Oscar winning portrayal in 2008.
This weekend Joaquin Phoenix as ‘Arthur Fleck’ is deeply disturbing on many levels.
And make no mistake, “Joker” is NOT your typical superhero movie—FAR FROM IT!
Director Todd (“Hangover”) Phillips takes the ‘Joker’ to a deeply dark level as a small-time party clown with ambitions of becoming a stand-up comedian. But that’s not to be.
At this point, let me insert the R-rated warning from the MPAA:
The ‘Joker’ is….”rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual imagines.”
So what exactly do we have here?
To my way of thinking, “JOKER” is a deranged trip into mental illness leading to human disorder and outright madness.
Joaquin Phoenix is in the title role giving the performance of his career. Not that it’s a pretty one, but strong enough that it will not only earn him a Best Actor nomination—but he will most likely win it!
His uncontrollable high-pitch laugh alone is enough to creep you out.
(Wonder how Pennywise would react to it?)
Hats off also to to the film’s supporting cast that certainly adds to the all around creepy atmosphere and strange goings-on that enable Phoenix to shine.
A special tip of the hat to Robert De Niro as late night TV talk show host Murray Franklin, who first spots the talents of Fleck—but pays dearly for it in the end.
Did I enjoy the movie?
Enjoy might not e the proper description here. This movie wasn’t made to be enjoyed.
Was I impressed by its chilling premise and execution? Oh hell yes—AND HOW!!!
Bottom line: “JOKER” is NOT a film intended for the family. Especially NOT for kids!
It IS a trip that navigates between the worst in human needs, deeds and emotions and the core of good versus the mental health crisis in America. So bring on the clowns…….
Welcome to a new psychological origin story.
Welcome to chaotic Gotham City circa 1981.
Welcome to Joaquin Phoenix’s amazing performance as “JOKER”.
My grade: B+
Why the **** do we need another Batman movie? I mean come on, is Batman the new bible? Is it the base of all our fiction going forward? Enough!
It’s not a Batman movie silly.
It’s a movie all about the Joker.
So, if a movie was introduced about say Han Solo, it’s not a Star Wars movie, it’s a Han Solo movie? OK…I think we are talking about semantics. Aren’t these stupid comic book movies played out yet?
Lets make a movie called Thing. It’s a movie that deals only with Thing. It’s a story of the life of Thing before it meets the Adams Family. So see it’s a movie called Thing and about Thing but it’s not an Adams Family movie.
Sure Hans Solo could be the focus of a movie and it not be a Star Wars movie either.
Deadpool wasn’t a X-Men movie either. It was a spin off same as Joker is.
It’s really NOT a Batman movie. It’s a new origin story of the Joker character.
And since Warner Bros. owns DC why not find new revenue streams.
Just look at Disney and what THEY’ve done with the Marvel characters!
Remember, it’s called Show-BUSINE$$
‘Joker’
Entertainment 2019 movies, sports, etc., considered ‘superior’ in any way, laughable to the point of tears.
Still, every audience and generation believing what it wants/getting what it deserves, bonnie lass asked me to attend ‘Joker’ with her, because she did not want to go alone and ‘just had to’ see it. Damsel distress in a red dress (same color everyone’s favorite ‘wait till next year’ football team), how could I not accept her offer: the numbers just added up: 50 years theirs, half that and 36-24-36 hers.
So, I said to myself: “self – are the movies being made today better or worse than those made yesteryear?” (which was to say – was/is ‘Joker’ worth the price admission?) The little of it I saw, findings: as Piscopo/anyone trying do Sinatra – ‘over and over, I keep going over the world we knew.’ As late night television’s wasteland is filled a seeming cast thousands attempting (sans success) be on Paar Jack, Carson or Cavett, would be better to stick with Cesar Romero’s 1960’s version ‘Joker’ in lieu the current fare.
“Remember, it’s called Show-BUSINE$$”
– as NFL/MLB attendance and cable viewership for losers CNN/MSNBC, sports/news viewership is declining as movies which have been heading for cliff extinction decades now. In 193o, some 65% attended flicks weekly; now, is about 10% visit and only do so about 4x a year. Average price of a movie ticket increased 726% since 1966 from $1.09 to $9.01 – which still pales in comparison pro sports plunder, a take far more obscene.
Superbowl I ticket 1967 sold for $10, $79.93 adjusted inflation – a Superbowl 53 ticket this past February actually sold $2,000 average price, according one source. The same as dwindling movie theater attendance today, more people are staying home to watch sports a variety of reasons, thi$ the main if not only.
Nod the ‘Klondike bar’ jingle: ‘what would a Chiefs fan pay, for a Superbowl?’ Likely same as franchise itself: soul and every bit integrity, chance to drink from the silver Lombardi (what great fiction would make, KC’s gridiron version a miracle on ice.)
Alas, script will more likely lend itself to the usual going through the motions: they woulda, coulda, shoulda been a contender – they coulda been somebody… as half a century ago, a yellowed and red, long faded ‘good old day’ dated January 11, 1970.
😎