Joker (DVD)

So I finally watched this Joker. When I read the reviews, I was aware of the acclaims it received, but I read the negative ones first and they were quite convincing. I’m cynical. My first exposure to the Batman series was with Adam West and Cesar Romero as the Joker, 1960s. Who's Cesar Romero? Back then I was meh to it because it was just another show on TV. Who cares. Fast forward to 1989, I saw Batman with with Keaton and Jack Nicholson as the Joker in the theater. Liked them both. But Nicholson’s performance as the Joker became unforgettable. I’m not a fan of Nicholson, but he sure left an indelible mark in my memory of the Joker that I believe has been incomparable. In 2008, I saw Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight and thought he was good, but not as good as Nicholson. I think Ledger continues to garner praise from certain folks who remember him because he tragically died so young. But some folks today probably don’t even know who Heath Ledger is in our Gotham City-like world.So... no doubt Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in this 2019 Joker was good. I enjoyed the movie and felt it wasn’t boring. I didn’t think Arthur Fleck was on a self-pity trip. The murky swampy darkness served its purpose throughout the film. Gotham City is a dump much like our world. Compared to Nicholson’s Joker, I felt Phoenix’s Joker inspired more compassion though. They both portray madness and evil, but Phoenix’s Joker seemed more realistic and understandable to the times of today. How many people are sad, lonely, and depressed in this stinking world like Arthur Fleck? Exactly. Parody is an understatement. Can’t hate Phoenix’s Joker entirely when he spares Gary’s life after killing Randall, even showing brief warm affection with a kiss on his head saying, “you were the only one who was nice to me”. A touching moment. But until Phoenix’s Joker finally snaps into wickedness by discovering the highs and satisfaction he gets from killing others who mistreat him, i.e. revenge, I kinda felt sorry for the guy. He didn’t know he was adopted. His invalid nonbiological mother lied to him. They were both abused. They’re poor. He’s emaciated. Times are tough. Work sucks. Bullies all around. Even his counselor is useless, and she knows it too. Who wouldn’t feel like Fleck under these conditions? So after a stint as a clown and comedian, Fleck finds a new satisfying and thrilling career as a full bloom psychopathic killer. And now he enjoys being the Joker as he goes from being a no one to a someone. Great story indeed. But I still can’t forget Nicholson’s Joker.As for the negative reviews, I think to like or even have a neutral outlook on a movie like this, you have to have some appreciation for this franchise or the Batman genre. Bottom line, it’s still fiction and a movie, which means it’s NOT real. Some may confuse reality with fiction as there’s a fine line and the criticisms can be skewed. So if you are cynical like me, I’d say don’t judge a book by it’s cover and watch it for yourself to truly determine the quality of the film. I didn’t think I would, but I give it a thumbs up!

Very Good and Fast!

Great sequel and DC: Elseworld/what if? Origins and continuations stories about JOKER and gotham city. I loved this sequel. Hopefully we get to explore more of these universe if the creators, directors, and cast decides to continue in the future. I likes that it got to explore of mental health of how people view the world as musical. Because I have seen in person, based on true events, and documantaries of kind of similar situation of how people live like that.It kind of reminds me some other stories of how Joker (comics/animated) sometimes he is in mood for musical mood. Also, when other people start to become the new joker and get influenced by him in Gotham city.

Firstly, it is an extremely dark movie; I do not recommend showing it to people, especially young people, who are not in an emotionally stable place in their life. I'm not saying that the movie will turn troubled folks into Jokers but it is not an uplifting movie that leaves you all warm and fuzzy at the end. Basically, watch with caution.Secondly, this is a masterpiece, hands down. From the cinematography to the acting to the dialogue, everything shines. Not to mention the hauntingly beautiful and raw soundtrack by the talented Hildur Guðnadóttir. Everything flows perfectly together and it sets itself apart from all other comic book movies. There is no black-and-white villain, no neat and happy ending, no flashy CGI battles, or flawless characters. It is raw and scarily real; during the Murray interview with Joker, I felt like I watch actually watching it live like it was genuinely real.Thirdly, Joaquin Phoenix is not just playing the Joker - he IS the Joker; you can see how much passion and hard work he poured into the Joker's character. When he dances down the stairs you can't help but feel thrilled. The scenes all revolve around him and you can't help but be captivated by the raw emotions he pours into every line. He brings the Joker to life, much like Heath Ledger did. De Niro and Beetz also excel in their roles and play off of Joaquin's character perfectly. There's this amazing energy that is shared among all of the actors and actresses in this film. It makes the film feel alive.Lastly, the way they handled the delicate, controversial topic of mental health was fantastic. My favorite line is when Arthur says "what do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? I'll tell you what you get! You get what you f*** deserve!" It's a loaded line for sure. Being someone who is diagnosed with a mental illness and who has experienced auditory and visual hallucinations, I could connect with Arthur on that level, feeling like a freak and an outcast. It's a whole different situation telling someone that you have anxiety rather than telling them that you see monsters. Anxiety is "safe", psychosis is dangerous. The movie does not say that mentally ill folks like myself and Arthur are violent - rather, it is the abusive environment around them that makes them all the more vulnerable to aggression. Society cultivates monsters.In the end, I'd recommend giving this film a watch. But really watch it. It's not a movie that you turn on in the background. You have to savor it. And then watch happy kitten videos after it's ended.