‘Joker’ gives a comic book villain a grown-up, nihilistic spin
5 years, 3 months ago

‘Joker’ gives a comic book villain a grown-up, nihilistic spin

LA Times  

Even before “Joker” opened in theaters, the film sparked debate over its violent content, and a narrative that seemed to track with that of the alienated, white male shooter who’s become our real-life recurring horror story. Subscribe to The Reel Podcast Film critic Justin Chang says the film strives to have the sensibility of Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy, but it’s “nastier” and more “nihilistic and brutal.” Entertainment columnist Glenn Whipp calls the movie “a cynical and glib treatment of societal malaise,” and he says it’s neither as edgy nor as nervy as it presents itself. With its premieres at major international film festivals, Warner Bros. is shrewdly positioning “Joker” as more artistically substantial than your average, blockbuster comic book movie, Chang says. And in the “Glenn Whipp Awards Minute,” Whipp shares his thoughts about Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” after seeing it at the New York Film Festival.

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History of this topic

Michael Moore says Joker is masterpiece that showed us ‘the America that gave us Trump’
5 years ago

Michael Moore says Joker is masterpiece that showed us ‘the America that gave us Trump’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Michael Moore has deemed Joker a “masterpiece” that reflects “the America …

"Joker" does not deserve its Golden Globe nominations (except for one)
5 years, 1 month ago

"Joker" does not deserve its Golden Globe nominations (except for one)

Salon  

The Golden Globe nominations are in, and Todd Phillips’ “Joker” has scored four big ones: Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Score. Setting aside the film’s shortcomings as a message picture, though, the other problem is that “Joker” has the veneer of a gritty character study a la “Taxi Driver” but lacks the substance to go …

The politics of the Joker, explained
5 years, 3 months ago

The politics of the Joker, explained

Salon  

Politics is inextricably linked with popular culture, and few characters are as fraught with political meaning as those who have appeared in America’s recent Batman films. As comic book fans flock to cinema to see “Joker,” the new Todd Phillips film about the iconic clown prince of crime starring Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, let's take a closer look …

Joker raises more questions than an average comic book-inspired film: Here's an effort not to answer a single one
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker raises more questions than an average comic book-inspired film: Here's an effort not to answer a single one

Firstpost  

Have you watched Joker? Did the evolution of Fleck’s personality, traits and tics over the course of the film feel smooth and logical to you? Were you taken aback by the Joker’s reckless abandon and viciousness when it came to dispensing of people whose presence had become less than desirable? Did you maybe think all the pre-release shock and hype …

Joker: Phoenix portrayal is neither a masterpiece for the ages nor a danger to society
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker: Phoenix portrayal is neither a masterpiece for the ages nor a danger to society

The Independent  

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ever since the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, I’d been assured that there …

Joker review: Powerful film stars a brooding performance from Joaquin Phoenix
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker review: Powerful film stars a brooding performance from Joaquin Phoenix

The Independent  

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The answer given in Todd Phillips’s ingenious new feature is Batman’s …

Joker is a film that takes itself too seriously but ultimately amounts to a whole lot of nothing
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker is a film that takes itself too seriously but ultimately amounts to a whole lot of nothing

Firstpost  

There was added security at the New York cinema where I watched Joker. I didn’t mind the added bag checks, though it’s admittedly hard to imagine a film like Joker inspiring real-world violence — or inspiring much of anything. The film takes its cues from the works of Martin Scorsese but despite overt plot similarities to Taxi Driver and The …

Is ‘Joker’ a dangerous movie? Our critics have it out
5 years, 3 months ago

Is ‘Joker’ a dangerous movie? Our critics have it out

LA Times  

From concerns over its depiction of violence to wildly divisive reviews, the new movie “Joker” has generated an enormous amount of pre-release anxiety, conversation and controversy. The film nods toward the same enigmatically unnerving qualities as Phillips’ two main acknowledged influences, the Martin Scorsese films “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy.” For a conversation on The Times’ entertainment podcast …

"Joker" is a wildly uneven mess – and a dangerous one in the wrong hands
5 years, 3 months ago

"Joker" is a wildly uneven mess – and a dangerous one in the wrong hands

Salon  

"Joker" is a movie that you ignore at your own peril. Is it a dark comic book adventure like "The Dark Knight" or a perverse ode to mentally ill social rejects, like the Martin Scorsese classics "Taxi Driver" and "The King of Comedy"? "Joker" aims to be Heath Ledger's iconic iteration of that character from "The Dark Knight" by way …

'Joker' Opens To Controversy Over Film's Depiction Of Violence
5 years, 3 months ago

'Joker' Opens To Controversy Over Film's Depiction Of Violence

NPR  

'Joker' Opens To Controversy Over Film's Depiction Of Violence AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: The movie "Joker" opens this weekend, and it's controversial for the way it sympathizes with its violent main character, the famous Batman villain. But if you think, going back to "The Matrix" or even go - you know, way back to "The Last Temptation Of Christ," people get …

Joker movie review: Joaquin Phoenix mesmerises in Todd Phillips' entertaining but problematic treatment
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker movie review: Joaquin Phoenix mesmerises in Todd Phillips' entertaining but problematic treatment

Firstpost  

It seems like Joker is less an individual film and more an angry response to the drubbing the character received in the previous DCEU film. To some extent, the intent works in the film’s favour, and Joker indeed is a worthwhile entertaining experience in the cinemas – if you ignore its problematic politics, juvenile messaging and cringe-inducing lack of subtlety. …

Joker review: A (Joaquin) Phoenix from the ashes
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker review: A (Joaquin) Phoenix from the ashes

The Hindu  

Hurt people, hurt people. Set in decrepit Gotham, the film focuses on the life of Arthur Fleck, a wannabe stand-up comedian who’s never felt a moment of happiness in his entire life. Drawing cues from Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy — featuring Robert Di Nero as a mentally unstable comedian — Phillips’ use of tragic humour hits home immediately. …

Joker's Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips address concerns over violence in new film
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker's Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips address concerns over violence in new film

ABC  

The new Joker film has been criticised for its ultra-violent take on the superhero genre and has stirred fears of a real-life attack, but star Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips say they wanted it to be as realistic as possible. Key points: Joker has raised concerns around the "sympathetic" portrayal of a villain The US Army has issued a …

Joker is not a hero, says Warner Bros, as Aurora families voice concern
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker is not a hero, says Warner Bros, as Aurora families voice concern

ABC  

Warner Bros denied its controversial film, Joker, portrays its murderous outcast villain as a hero, after families affected by the Aurora theatre mass shooting penned an open letter expressing concern. Key points: The film's release comes seven years after a man opened fire in a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado during a premiere of a Batman film, killing 12 and …

Joker movie: Director Todd Phillips says his movie isn’t political. That won’t stop the alt-right memes.
5 years, 3 months ago

Joker movie: Director Todd Phillips says his movie isn’t political. That won’t stop the alt-right memes.

Slate  

There’s never been a movie like Joker. What makes Joker unique is that it’s all of those things and also a movie that arrived at the Toronto International Film Festival having just won Venice’s Golden Lion, the top prize at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, and will pass through another major fall festival, in New York, before …

Joaquin Phoenix discusses preparing for role in ‘Joker’
5 years, 4 months ago

Joaquin Phoenix discusses preparing for role in ‘Joker’

Associated Press  

VENICE, Italy — Joaquin Phoenix is having a hard time defining the Joker, but then again, he doesn’t really want to. very difficult to distill into a soundbite,” Phoenix said Saturday in advance of the world premiere of “Joker” at the Venice International Film Festival. Phillips said in developing the script he and co-writer Scott Silver pushed each other every …

Fall Movie Preview: ‘Joker’ gets a prestige makeover
5 years, 4 months ago

Fall Movie Preview: ‘Joker’ gets a prestige makeover

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — The Joker has been around for almost 80 years and there’s no shortage of portrayals. It’s why “Joker” isn’t being treated like a standard comic book movie release and instead getting the rollout of an Oscar contender with high-profile premieres at the most prestigious fall film festivals — Venice and Toronto — before it hits theaters on …

Joker trailer: Joaquin Phoenix descends into super-villainy madness in a corrupt Gotham City
5 years, 4 months ago

Joker trailer: Joaquin Phoenix descends into super-villainy madness in a corrupt Gotham City

Firstpost  

Joaquin Phoenix, who faces rejection in his career and gets mocked by people, slowly turns into a maniac in Joker The makers of the highly-anticipated film Joker released the trailer of the film on Wednesday and the super-villainy madness of the clown is all that the audiences were waiting for. The 2 minutes 24 seconds trailer chronicles the life of …

Joker trailer out: Joaquin Phoenix film traces the origins of Batman's most terrifying enemy
5 years, 4 months ago

Joker trailer out: Joaquin Phoenix film traces the origins of Batman's most terrifying enemy

India Today  

The makers of the much-awaited film Joker unveiled the trailer of the film on Wednesday and it is sure to give fans severe chills. The 2 minutes 24 seconds trailer shows the life of Arthur Fleck, a miserable stand-up comedian who after numerous failures decides to become a villain in Gotham city. The trailer ends with Arthur getting invited by …

Joaquin Phoenix says Joker's fans will be upset with makers for not following comic books' storyline
5 years, 5 months ago

Joaquin Phoenix says Joker's fans will be upset with makers for not following comic books' storyline

Firstpost  

Joaquin Phoenix will be seen as Arthur Fleck alongside Zazie Beetz and Robert DeNiro. Joaquin Phoenix says fans will be upset with the team of his upcoming film Joker for not following the character arc of the supervillain established in the original DC comics. Phoenix, who is playing the titular character in the Todd Phillips-directed movie, said the filmmaker decided …

Warner Bros. shows off first ‘Joker’ footage at CinemaCon
5 years, 9 months ago

Warner Bros. shows off first ‘Joker’ footage at CinemaCon

LA Times  

Warner Bros. unveiled a first look at “Joker” on April 2 at CinemaCon 2019, the official convention of the National Assn. Phillips told movie theater owners at CinemaCon on Tuesday that he views the film starring Joaquin Phoenix as an “origin story about a beloved character that has no origin.” But he said he’s found it difficult to categorize the …

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