@raf - While you do Joker 2 a disservice by "skimming" it, I can guarantee you that this film and the music choices will be much more to your liking. 14th century meet a rock soundtrack. Heath Ledger (who, btw, played a surprisingly good Joker), excelled in this film along with Shannyn Sossamon (also known for Wayward Pines). Sad that he died so early. This also falls into the "if you are younger and haven't seen it" category, it is a much watch. Same for those who might have seen it with commercials or on a small screen. It deserves a bigger screen (50"+) and a surround sound system to really get the best of this film. (And yes, totally agree on "Moulin Rouge!" Energy is over the top and the whole if far more than the parts.)
I am stunned. With all the bad reviews that this film received, I held off on watching it. But much like @i.scream987, I have to also say: This movie is amazing. First, the integration of the Great American songbook throughout the film was not forced, but enhanced the film in ways beyond description. Phoenix's acting as the struggling Arthur Fleck was perfect. Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) as the groupie Lee Quinzel was a great choice. Her spurring Athur into the insanity of Joker... wow. Gleeson, of course, excelled as always. (side comment: if you have yet to see "In Bruges" (2008) go download that right now!) This is a film that will be rediscovered by many over the coming years and will gain a following. The cinematography and staging were perfect, and the emotional depth of characters flowed throughout the film. Joker: Folie à Deux is a love story. But like many love stories, a tragedy.
I didn't get to see this when it first came out, so thanks to the uploaders. The writing is good, the humor plays well, lots of solid talent comedians you have seen in other series. BUT... someone somewhere that produced this show doomed it by cranking up the laugh track to the point of annoyance. Maybe we have matured as TV viewers as shows seem to no longer use canned laugh tracks. Now, if there is laughter it is because there is a live audience watching the show being filmed. But this... man. Way over the top and forced laughter. I'll watch it because Norm McDonald was a comedic genius... but I hope that as the season progresses they stop the laugh track stupidity.
There is NO dialog in the film. For what it is, the cinematography was good, but just SO many stupid things going on that it just kills the film. Are we to believe that 10 years after ... whatever the hell happened that people have forgotten how to speak? That is the MAIN thing that separates us from most animals... and what no growing crops? or raising farm animals? They create a great suspense, and scenes of cruelty that befit an idea of the strong survive, but unless you are looking for ways to get depressed, it is not worth the hour and a half to watch.
Hmmm... the book (which was great) focused on the destruction of civilization in nuclear war. "Earth Abides" was to be the secret phrase that Ish (the main character) would receive from his brother if the shit was going to hit the fan. That way, he could be warned of incoming disaster without his brother being shot for treason (at a time of impending war) for spilling a secret. But our horrors have shifted, it appears. Pandemics are more relatable than nuclear war. Sadly, that will likely change. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the use of a battlefield nuke in the next 4 years. Pax Americana is over now. :(
I agree with @youreply: Going in without knowing anything about this film in advance is the best way to enjoy it. As a person that lives in the Denver foothills at 8200 ft,, what was cool is seeing so many places that I'm familiar with in Golden and Boulder. The movie takes advantage of that scenery, but it is even more beautiful than that in real life. There is a LOT of folks up above 8,000 ft here... :) But the question that hit me was WHY would the film focus on 8000... I mean the 12-inches-to-a-foot thing as a standard of measurement is really random. But with some films you just have to accept that the answer is: "Because. That's why. Suspend disbelief and just have some more popcorn."
One of the best films that I've watched this year. Outstanding story, excellent period piece, perfect direction and cinematography, Stunning performance by Rosamund Pike, and of course Christian Bale. Strongly recommend.
Just watched the first two episodes. Billy Bob Thornton excels in this role. As to the plot - As they said in episode 1: The oil industry makes billions in a day, trillions in a year. The whole world will keep paying it as long as it is there and flowing. Thorton's role is to be the guy that keeps it flowing, overcoming obstacles and if necessary, removing them.
A film that is both wonderfully beautiful to watch, and dreadful in its plot. Yes, I get it: "New Rome" is an allegory of a potential downfall of America. Subtlety is lost as it is more punch-in-the-face with that info rather than through discovery. And the whole Shakespeare-even-more-relevant-today than 400 years ago is a way to go for some films,,, but this just peppers in Shakespeare when the need of a soliloquy arises, no matter which play from which it is lifted. Add a narration from time to time by Laurence Fishburne, and heck, why not throw in a greek chorus as well. The what-the fcuk-am-I-watching-here question comes up a lot. But still, Coppola turns this into something that you WANT to watch. A "Calligula" for the weird 2020's. Repulsed but intrigued concurrently. Like a Fellini film, focused on creating unique images. Not a film for this with a short attention span. Probably would be better with THC edibles, but it's already an acid trip in itself.
@raf - No. And, if you DON'T watch it , you will be better for it. The last Batman film dragged on and on, AND it was filmed with low lighting. The intent was to make it gritty and moody... but it really just made it too dark to watch. The only critical knowledge required going in is that Gotham had a huge flood, and as with most huge floods it affected the poorest neighborhoods the worst. "The Penguin" is really extremely well done. It's hard to believe that Colin Farrell is under all the makeup as "Oswald Cobb". The writing is first rate, and the actors excel. Here the dark and moody is the characters and the plot itself. You'll be binging through this in no time.
It was a good film. Recommend. Struggling to understand who you are is really part of maturing. Discovering who you are and remaining truthful to that is something that most can't do. (I would say that most humans are swept up in whatever sociological structure into which they were born, and rarely question what those around them are doing, or they themselves are doing.) This film really addresses the age old saying: If I knew THEN what I know NOW, things would be so DIFFERENT... But (if you watch the film) the real questions you will see is: Will it be different? Will you take that advice? In the end, it's a feel-good flick.
Heath Ledger (who, btw, played a surprisingly good Joker), excelled in this film along with Shannyn Sossamon (also known for Wayward Pines). Sad that he died so early.
This also falls into the "if you are younger and haven't seen it" category, it is a much watch. Same for those who might have seen it with commercials or on a small screen. It deserves a bigger screen (50"+) and a surround sound system to really get the best of this film.
(And yes, totally agree on "Moulin Rouge!" Energy is over the top and the whole if far more than the parts.)
First, the integration of the Great American songbook throughout the film was not forced, but enhanced the film in ways beyond description.
Phoenix's acting as the struggling Arthur Fleck was perfect. Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) as the groupie Lee Quinzel was a great choice. Her spurring Athur into the insanity of Joker... wow. Gleeson, of course, excelled as always. (side comment: if you have yet to see "In Bruges" (2008) go download that right now!)
This is a film that will be rediscovered by many over the coming years and will gain a following. The cinematography and staging were perfect, and the emotional depth of characters flowed throughout the film.
Joker: Folie à Deux is a love story. But like many love stories, a tragedy.
BUT... someone somewhere that produced this show doomed it by cranking up the laugh track to the point of annoyance.
Maybe we have matured as TV viewers as shows seem to no longer use canned laugh tracks. Now, if there is laughter it is because there is a live audience watching the show being filmed.
But this... man. Way over the top and forced laughter.
I'll watch it because Norm McDonald was a comedic genius... but I hope that as the season progresses they stop the laugh track stupidity.
For what it is, the cinematography was good, but just SO many stupid things going on that it just kills the film.
Are we to believe that 10 years after ... whatever the hell happened that people have forgotten how to speak? That is the MAIN thing that separates us from most animals... and what no growing crops? or raising farm animals?
They create a great suspense, and scenes of cruelty that befit an idea of the strong survive, but unless you are looking for ways to get depressed, it is not worth the hour and a half to watch.
This has been a great series, with excellent writing.
"Earth Abides" was to be the secret phrase that Ish (the main character) would receive from his brother if the shit was going to hit the fan. That way, he could be warned of incoming disaster without his brother being shot for treason (at a time of impending war) for spilling a secret.
But our horrors have shifted, it appears. Pandemics are more relatable than nuclear war.
Sadly, that will likely change. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the use of a battlefield nuke in the next 4 years.
Pax Americana is over now. :(
I liked it.
Could have been improved by tighter editing during all the early exposition.
Still, not great.
As a person that lives in the Denver foothills at 8200 ft,, what was cool is seeing so many places that I'm familiar with in Golden and Boulder. The movie takes advantage of that scenery, but it is even more beautiful than that in real life. There is a LOT of folks up above 8,000 ft here... :)
But the question that hit me was WHY would the film focus on 8000... I mean the 12-inches-to-a-foot thing as a standard of measurement is really random. But with some films you just have to accept that the answer is: "Because. That's why. Suspend disbelief and just have some more popcorn."
Outstanding story, excellent period piece, perfect direction and cinematography, Stunning performance by Rosamund Pike, and of course Christian Bale.
Strongly recommend.
As to the plot - As they said in episode 1: The oil industry makes billions in a day, trillions in a year. The whole world will keep paying it as long as it is there and flowing. Thorton's role is to be the guy that keeps it flowing, overcoming obstacles and if necessary, removing them.
Yes, I get it: "New Rome" is an allegory of a potential downfall of America. Subtlety is lost as it is more punch-in-the-face with that info rather than through discovery.
And the whole Shakespeare-even-more-relevant-today than 400 years ago is a way to go for some films,,, but this just peppers in Shakespeare when the need of a soliloquy arises, no matter which play from which it is lifted. Add a narration from time to time by Laurence Fishburne, and heck, why not throw in a greek chorus as well. The what-the fcuk-am-I-watching-here question comes up a lot.
But still, Coppola turns this into something that you WANT to watch. A "Calligula" for the weird 2020's. Repulsed but intrigued concurrently. Like a Fellini film, focused on creating unique images.
Not a film for this with a short attention span. Probably would be better with THC edibles, but it's already an acid trip in itself.
The last Batman film dragged on and on, AND it was filmed with low lighting. The intent was to make it gritty and moody... but it really just made it too dark to watch. The only critical knowledge required going in is that Gotham had a huge flood, and as with most huge floods it affected the poorest neighborhoods the worst.
"The Penguin" is really extremely well done. It's hard to believe that Colin Farrell is under all the makeup as "Oswald Cobb". The writing is first rate, and the actors excel.
Here the dark and moody is the characters and the plot itself. You'll be binging through this in no time.
Struggling to understand who you are is really part of maturing. Discovering who you are and remaining truthful to that is something that most can't do. (I would say that most humans are swept up in whatever sociological structure into which they were born, and rarely question what those around them are doing, or they themselves are doing.)
This film really addresses the age old saying: If I knew THEN what I know NOW, things would be so DIFFERENT...
But (if you watch the film) the real questions you will see is: Will it be different? Will you take that advice? In the end, it's a feel-good flick.