As social commentary, which it very much aspires to be, ‘Joker’ is simplistic in its handling of its potentially rich subject matter. There is a long history of cinema examining disenfranchised masculinity, class warfare, mental illness, and violence as a means of expression, and in attempting to pay homage to these films, ‘Joker’ is effectively reminding us of how much more interesting and profound they are. Scorsese’s ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘The King of Comedy’ are the clearest influences here, but there are also direct references to classics such as ‘Network’ and ‘The French Connection’. ‘Joker’ never reaches the same depths as these films, since Arthur Fleck’s descent into violent madness is far more straightforward and free of complications that made characters like Travis Bickle so unpredictable. There is an element of ambiguity as we doubt whether certain scenes really take place, and yet the reveal that Fleck may be an unreliable narrator leaves us wondering… so what? It might be fun to question how much of Fleck’s story is actually true, but it doesn’t inform the themes of the story in the same way the open-ended final scene of ‘Taxi Driver’, for example, lets us consider whether a violent individual’s desires can ever truly be satiated.

More than anything else, the failings of ‘Joker’ lie in its screenplay. It is lines like “All I have are negative thoughts” and “Everyone is so awful these days” that describe in the plainest terms exactly what we are already seeing onscreen, telling us rather bluntly what the film wants to say. It is only through Phoenix’s professionalism that these lines are given some depth, saving this film from getting too caught up in its own heavy-handed message.

Writing aside, ‘Joker’ does succeed on some levels other than Phoenix’s performance. Todd Phillips includes some anachronistic hints towards a more contemporary society, even though the film appears to primarily be set in the 70’s. The spread of the clown meme, the viral standup video, and the talk show format may have been used to create a sense of timelessness, but they rather work better as hints of something a little more relevant in the film’s critique of modern media and the mob mentality that drives trends at the expense of individual welfare.

The costume and makeup department have also created a definitive look for the Joker that rivals Heath Ledger’s own gritty look from ‘The Dark Knight’. Much like John Wayne Gacy’s clown makeup, Phoenix has sharp corners around his eyes and mouth rather than the traditional rounded off edges, giving off an air of austerity. He also adorns himself in second-hand, colourful, pastel suits, like a toned down version of Cesar Romero’s Joker from the 1960’s ‘Batman’ television show. The overall impression is that of man mid-breakdown, caught between expressions of humour and anger, and ultimately one who merges both.

Joker isn’t a terrible movie, but nor do I think it’s a good one. The controversy it has sparked around whether it might encourage violence is certainly undeserved, but its popularity does represent a certain gratuitous cynicism that is currently very common. It is leading the Oscars with 11 nominations this year, more than any other film, though other than Phoenix locking down Best Actor it is unlikely to win in any of the biggest categories given its competition. If ‘Joker’ influences future mainstream movies to take a more serious look at relevant social issues then we might be able to retrospectively appreciate it for that, but as a standalone film it struggles to develop an engaging voice that holds up to any sort of interrogation.

What do you think of Joker being nominated for Best Picture? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Oscars 2020 Countdown: ‘Joker’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

There is no punchline. It’s not a joke. […] I’ve got nothing left to lose. Nothing can hurt me anymore. My life is nothing but a comedy.

No other movie is dividing the audience more than Joker at the moment. Some say it is horrible and had to leave the screening, others praise the movie and Joaquin Phoenix for his acting and believe he will be receiving an Academy Award next year.

For those who hope to see a new DC story, it will disappoint you. According to the director, the movie has nothing to do with its origins. Yet, you will recognise some nods to it, such as the movie taking place in Gotham and the mention of the Wayne family. I think it is pretty obvious that this movie is not one you will go see because you want to have a good time. Joker is intense and some scenes are not easy to watch, but the message is clear. We live in a toxic society, which does not treat us kindly.

“All of you, the system that knows so much, you decide what’s right or wrong. The same way that you decide what’s funny or not.“

We follow Arthur Fleck who works as a clown for hire – spinning shields in front of stores or entertaining sick children at a hospital. Afterwards, he takes care of his sick mother, while coping with a mental illness himself and you truly begin to feel sorry for him.

Arthur is an introvert and shy, but still has the dream to become a stand-up comedian one day. When he finally gets the chance to try out some of his jokes, his nervousness causes him to laugh uncontrollably, which happens when he feels uncomfortable. Someone from the audience is recording it and this gets recognised by Murray Franklin, a late-night show host and Arthur’s hero, who invites him into his show. If being constantly laughed at isn’t enough, people are treating him badly. People label him as a crazy person which leads him to become lonely and isolated. After he is beaten twice, he slowly starts to change, and the Joker sees the light of day.

“Everybody is awful these days. It’s enough to make anyone crazy. […] If it was me dying on the sidewalk, you’d walk right over me. I pass you everyday and you don’t notice me!“

Taking the Joker as a well-known character aside, you witness a person who is severely sick and does not get the help he needs. At first, he has regular sessions with a government funded therapist, but the budget gets cut and the city has to close the place, which does not make any difference, because that woman did not help Arthur at all and does not seem to care about his wellbeing. Not to mention where he should get his medication from now on. It is never said which kind of mental illness Arthur is suffering from, it’s clear it’s serious and the combination of not having a stable environment, a mother who is sick herself, and no real friends affects him further.

Over the course of the movie, Arthur goes through one traumatic event after another, which begins a domino effect and ends in catastrophe, to finally the birth of his new self, Joker.

“Have you seen what it’s like out there, Murray? […] Everybody just yells and screams at each other. Nobody’s civil anymore! Nobody thinks what it’s like to be the other guy.“

There is a saying that goes: “As kids we loved the heroes, as adults we understand the villains.” Looking at this new version of Joker and showing how he became that way, I completely agree. We live in a world in which everything has to be done fast and better and oh no if something or someone is not up to that speed… People tend to think about themselves and judge everyone based on what they appear to be or what they share causing our society to be full of prejudices and lacking empathy.

Robin William once said “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” Mental health is important and as much of a sickness as breaking a bone in your body. Others may not see it, but that does not mean that someone is not fighting a war within.

Personally, I have pictured a more villainous movie with a freaked-out Joker. The DC references came as a surprise to me and a potential sequel, which can take place 10 or 20 years later with a connection to Bruce Wayne could be possible, but I doubt it. However, who knows what Warner Brothers plans now after the movie’s big success at the box office.

What touched me was to see what loneliness, social isolation, and bias combined with a mental illness can do to a person’s life or vice versa. It really gives you something to think about. So, the message of this movie is not to see a psychopath in the making which we know from several other movies, but more about the circumstances which made him that way. Circumstances which could have been avoided and prevented if just one person would just had cared enough.

Did the audience understand that message? Judging from those people who have been in my screening, I can only hope that enough have, because not everyone does.

What did you think of Joker? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Movie Review: Joker (2019) appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Joker

An original standalone origin story of the iconic villain not seen before on the big screen, it’s a gritty character study of Arthur Fleck, a man disregarded by society, and a broader cautionary tale. Starring Joaquin Phoenix (Her), Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), and Robert De Niro.

The Current War
TRAILER

The dramatic story of the cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to determine whose electrical system would power the modern world. Starring Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), and Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class).

Gemini Man

Henry Brogan is an elite assassin who becomes the target of a mysterious operative who can seemingly predict his every move. To his horror, he soon learns that the man who’s trying to kill him is a younger, faster, cloned version of himself. Starring Will Smith (Men In Black), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), and Clive Owen (The Knick).

The Addams Family
TRAILER

Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, and Uncle Fester square off against a reality television show host. Featuring the voices of Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), and Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass).

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Maleficent and her goddaughter Aurora begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play. Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Harris Dickinson (The Darkest Minds), and Michelle Pfeiffer (Hairspray).

Zombieland: Double Tap
TRAILER

Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family. Starring Zombieland alums Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Woody Harrelson, and Jesse Eisenberg, along with Zoey Deutch (Set It Up), Rosario Dawson (Daredevil), and Avan Jogia (Now Apocalypse).

Jojo Rabbit

Set during World War Two, an awkward young German boy whose only ally is his imaginary friend Hitler has his naïve patriotism tested when he meets a young girl who upends his world views. Starring Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok), Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon), Scarlett Johansson (Avengers), Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect), and Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones).

Terminator: Dark Fate
TRAILER

Dolemite Is My Name

Eddie Murphy portrays real-life legend Rudy Ray Moore, a comedy and rap pioneer who proved naysayers wrong when his hilarious, obscene, kung-fu fighting alter ego, Dolemite, became a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon. Starring Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor), Kodi Smit-McPhee (X-Men: Apocalypse), Keegan Michael Key (Friends From College), and Wesley Snipes (Blade).

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

After escaping Jack and his gang, Jesse Pinkman goes on the run from the police and tries to escape his own inner turmoil.

The Laundromat

A widow investigates an insurance fraud, chasing leads to a pair of Panama City law partners exploiting the world’s financial system. Starring Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada), Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro), and Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

The Lighthouse
TRAILER

Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s. Starring Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) and Robert Pattinson (Twilight).

Which October movie are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post October 2019 Movie Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Disney will be leaving a mark this year with Dumbo, Aladdin, Toy Story 4, The Lion King, and Frozen 2 all being released over the course of 2019, so both the young and young at heart are incredibly excited to see these movies!

But if superheroes are more your speed, never fear because like every other year, they are here to save the day. This year sees Brie Larson assuming the role of Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel, while Zachary Levi will be in Shazam!, Tom Holland is back as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and of course, almost everybody starring in Avengers: Endgame, which is the final instalment in the Avengers franchise. There’s also Stranger Things star David Harbour taking on the role of Hellboy and two mutant-filled movies—New Mutants and Dark Phoenix.

Need a little romance or a good rom-com? Rebel Wilson stars in Isn’t It Romantic about a woman trapped in a romantic comedy, Riverdale‘s Cole Sprouse stars in the film adaptation of Five Feet Apart, another YA adaptation coming to our screens is The Sun Is Also A Star, and a gender-swapped version of What Men Want starring the hilarious Taraji P. Henson.

Other highly anticipated and intriguing movies include M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass, Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu in Detective Pikachu, Taron Egerton playing the infamous Elton John in Rocketman,  Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson donning suits in Men In Black International, a star-studded cast in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and a Downton Abbey movie.

Read on to discover some of 2019’s movies coming out this year and tell us in the comments below which ones you are most excited for!

JANUARY – MARCH

Glass

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | Trailer

What Men Want | Trailer

A gender-swapped take on the Mel Gibson comedy What Women Want sees Taraji P. Henson playing a sports agent who can hear what the men in her industry are thinking. And, we suspect, she won’t take no s–t from any of them. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Max Greenfield.

Alita: Battle Angel | Trailer

An action-packed story of one young woman’s journey to discover the truth of who she is and her fight to change the world. Starring Jennifer Connelly, Eiza González, Rosa Salazar, and Mahershala Ali.

Isn’t It Romantic | Trailer

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World | Trailer

As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind. Voiced by Jay Baruchel, America Fererra, Cate Blanchett, Kit Harington, and Kristen Wiig.

Captain Marvel

Us

Five Feet Apart | Trailer

Where’d You Go, Bernadette | Trailer

Chaos Walking

A dystopian world where there are no women and all living creatures can hear each others’ thoughts in a stream of images, words, and sounds called Noise. Starring Tom Holland, Daisy Ridley, Mads Mikkelsen, and Nick Jonas.

Dumbo

The Dirt

APRIL – JUNE

Shazam!

Hellboy | Trailer

Avengers: Endgame | Trailer

Brightburn | Trailer

Pokémon Detective Pikachu

The Sun Is Also A Star

Aladdin | Trailer

Aladdin is an upcoming American musical romantic fantasy adventure film directed by Guy Ritchie, from the screenplay co-written with John August and Vanessa Taylor, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Starring Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Nasim Pedrad, and Mena Massoud.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters | Trailer

John Wick: Chapter 3

This movie picks up right where Chapter 2 left off, as John must survive the bounty on his head without the aid of the larger criminal underworld. Starring Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, and Anjelica Huston.

Rocketman

Dark Phoenix | Trailer

Men In Black International | Trailer

The post 2019 Movie Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.