Joker (2019)

[Max Eckhardt]

I'm pretty jaded and burnt out on comic book movies and it frustrates me that in this modern era nothing has really excited me, particularly with regards to Superman, Batman and Spiderman.

You're going to fit in just fine around here, bro.

This Joker trailer has me feeling excited to visit the cinema again. It speaks to the fan I am today rather than the fan I was when i was 15 as other comic book movies being produced do.

I'm starting to think that 99% of my investment in this movie comes down to Joaquin Phoenix. I want to see what he does with the character. I don't think it's an exaggeration to suggest that my enthusiasm for this film would be at least 50% lower if anybody else was headlining the movie.

Separately, this movie could be a proof of concept that low budget, character-driven features about DC properties will attract viewers who are interested in something a little different. Obviously Joker doesn't have hundreds of millions of dollars it can use on CGI to distract audiences from a weak story or bad acting.

In a way, Phillips and Phoenix are both performing without a net in this film. If the story sucks or if the characters aren't convincing, there's no hiding that.

For that reason alone, people should give this movie a lot of respect.

Absolutely. As soon as i heard the Phoenix was attached to the project i became interested in a way I wouldn't have it it were any other actor. You can't get Phoenix to sign up to a trilogy of films without reading the scripts, you can't get him to commit to sharing the screen in some kind of shared universe. Phoenix is a guy for whom fame and money are secondary considerations. It's all about the work, the character, the story. His name being attached is selling this movie the way Nicholson sold Batman, but to a slightly divergent audience. Nicholson was more mainstream, he appealed across all demographics, Phoenix appeals to the film fan first and the comic book movie fan second.

[Silver Nemesis]

Joker '19-style trailers starring previous Jokers.

Nicholson:

Ledger:

Now we just need Romero.

[Silver Nemesis]

Todd Philips has confirmed the film will be R-rated. He also shared the following image on Instagram captioned "Finishing touches".

[thecolorsblend]

Todd Philips has confirmed the film will be R-rated. He also shared the following image on Instagram captioned "Finishing touches".

I took the "finishing touches" remark as a bit of a double entendre. Yes, there's the literal idea of Fleck putting the finishing touches on his Joker makeup.

But there's also the IRL angle of Phillips putting the finishing touches on the movie as we speak. I imagine the film will be ready for preview screenings soon.

I watched Taxi Driver and The King Of Comedy a few days ago. I'd like to believe that puts me in a better headspace to get into whatever Phillips has in mind for this movie. I may be the lone voice in the wilderness on this one but I'm SERIOUSLY stoked for this movie. Nothing about it looks like anything but awesome with a side of epic thrown in.

[The Dark Knight]

I may be the lone voice in the wilderness on this one but I'm SERIOUSLY stoked for this movie. Nothing about it looks like anything but awesome with a side of epic thrown in.

I'm stoked too. Phoenix gives me a lot of hope it's going to be worthwhile. Character driven dramas are more powerful than big budget special effects, and in this day and age that should be encouraged. The trailer struck the right tone with the music and the voiceover work. I think we're going to get something special.

[The Joker]

Anything to break up the formulaic monotony gets automatic points.

[Max Eckhardt]

I'm seeing a bit of pushback from comic book reading snobs.
To their way of thinking only the comics can reinvent a character or add to the mythology of these characters.
Of course they wilfully ignore the fact that many of the now iconic mainstays originated on radio shows, Serials, cartoons, and movies.

[The Joker]

I'm seeing a bit of pushback from comic book reading snobs.
To their way of thinking only the comics can reinvent a character or add to the mythology of these characters.
Of course they wilfully ignore the fact that many of the now iconic mainstays originated on radio shows, Serials, cartoons, and movies.

*thinks of the majority of DC/Marvel superhero related movies made*

BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!

[Travesty]

I would be more excited for this, if Todd Phillips wasn't the director. I'm just not a fan of his. The best movie he made, was The Hangover, and I find that movie to be pretty bad on repeated viewings. His last movie, War Dogs, was a bad Scorsese rip off, and it looks like The Joker will be another.

So who knows, we'll see. Maybe it'll turn out fine? But as of now, I'm just not that excited from the leaks I read, the trailer, and of course, Todd Phillips directing.

[thecolorsblend]

I would be more excited for this, if Todd Phillips wasn't the director. I'm just not a fan of his. The best movie he made, was The Hangover, and I find that movie to be pretty bad on repeated viewings. His last movie, War Dogs, was a bad Scorsese rip off, and it looks like The Joker will be another.

So who knows, we'll see. Maybe it'll turn out fine? But as of now, I'm just not that excited from the leaks I read, the trailer, and of course, Todd Phillips directing.

The Scorsese thing seems kind of obvious from the trailer, it's true. Still, I'll overlook that if it means that WB is becoming more open to mixing these characters into other genres rather than keeping them into what has become narrow and confining parameters of the purely superhero genre. Nolan had one foot in spy thrillers at times, Snyder dabbled with operatic/Wagner epicness in BVS but Joker looks like it truly is setting out to be a crime film.

I applaud this decision, not least because I rather adore Taxi Driver.