At the end of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s 1988 one-shot Batman: The Killing Joke, the Joker lays out his worldview in plain terms. After testing his theory that “one bad day” could make even the most decent person into a madman like himself, the Joker tells his nemesis, “It’s all a joke! Everything anybody ever valued or struggled for… it’s all a monstrous, demented gag!”
Even more than the grisly sights of The Killing Joke—in which the Clown Prince of Crime sets out to prove his theory by brutalizing Batgirl Barbara Gordon and tormenting her father Commissioner Gordon—that line has set the course of Joker stories of the past several decades. Fans and creators alike try to push the Joker to edgier extremes, forgetting how Batman answers when his nemesis asks why he isn’t laughing. “Because I’ve heard it before,” he responds. “And...
Even more than the grisly sights of The Killing Joke—in which the Clown Prince of Crime sets out to prove his theory by brutalizing Batgirl Barbara Gordon and tormenting her father Commissioner Gordon—that line has set the course of Joker stories of the past several decades. Fans and creators alike try to push the Joker to edgier extremes, forgetting how Batman answers when his nemesis asks why he isn’t laughing. “Because I’ve heard it before,” he responds. “And...
- 1/4/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Today, Jan. 1, isn’t just New Year’s Day — it’s also Public Domain Day, where thousands of cinematic treasures, literary classics, Great American Songbook selections, and works of art see their copyrights expire and enter the public domain.
The headliner this year is the fair use of Mickey Mouse — at least, the Steamboat Willie version of the beloved character — as that copyright expiration has been anticipated for years. However, there’s much more than just Mickey entering the public domain in 2024.
Jennifer Jenkins, Director of Duke’s Center for...
The headliner this year is the fair use of Mickey Mouse — at least, the Steamboat Willie version of the beloved character — as that copyright expiration has been anticipated for years. However, there’s much more than just Mickey entering the public domain in 2024.
Jennifer Jenkins, Director of Duke’s Center for...
- 1/1/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
There are so many iconic horror monsters that have graced film screens over the years, striking fear in the hearts of audiences of all ages. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, zombies, and…circus clowns?
Ostensibly, a clown is a comedic performance, making fools out of themselves for the laughter and happiness of their audience. But as anyone who’s had to counsel a crying kid after they interacted with a birthday party clown will know, they often provoke the opposite response instead. A 2016 survey by the Morning Consult found that 42 percent of Americans were, to some degree, afraid of clowns: admittedly, this survey occurred after a minor mass hysteria over a series of alleged evil clown sightings across America, but the fact that “evil clown sightings” were even a thing indicates there’s some deeper hangups involving the make-up clad fools.
Perversions of clowns or jesters and their sunny, goofy demeanor...
Ostensibly, a clown is a comedic performance, making fools out of themselves for the laughter and happiness of their audience. But as anyone who’s had to counsel a crying kid after they interacted with a birthday party clown will know, they often provoke the opposite response instead. A 2016 survey by the Morning Consult found that 42 percent of Americans were, to some degree, afraid of clowns: admittedly, this survey occurred after a minor mass hysteria over a series of alleged evil clown sightings across America, but the fact that “evil clown sightings” were even a thing indicates there’s some deeper hangups involving the make-up clad fools.
Perversions of clowns or jesters and their sunny, goofy demeanor...
- 10/31/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
The Joker has basically become as iconic as Batman himself in modern culture. These days, we're seeing just as much of The Clown Prince of Crime as we are of the Dark Knight, with "Joker 2" recently wrapping production and a fresh approach to the character from Barry Keoghan, who showed up in a scene from Matt Reeves' "The Batman" and could likely return in "The Batman: Part II."
Since Jack Nicholson's Jack Napier transformed into the iconic Batman villain in Tim Burton's "Batman" back in 1989, there have been several cinematic versions of The Joker, helping propel the character further into the public consciousness and raising his profile as an enduring pop culture figure. Of course, The Joker's history stretches much further back than the late-'80s. The infamous rogue has been a mainstay in the comics for more than 80 years, where he's been the focus of countless...
Since Jack Nicholson's Jack Napier transformed into the iconic Batman villain in Tim Burton's "Batman" back in 1989, there have been several cinematic versions of The Joker, helping propel the character further into the public consciousness and raising his profile as an enduring pop culture figure. Of course, The Joker's history stretches much further back than the late-'80s. The infamous rogue has been a mainstay in the comics for more than 80 years, where he's been the focus of countless...
- 8/21/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
In Christopher Nolan's 2008 film "The Dark Knight," actor Heath Ledger plays a nameless anarchist who commits multiple acts of murder and arson for the express purpose of sowing chaos in the world. The Ledger character is nicknamed the Joker, as he likes to wear clown makeup and green hair coloring while committing crimes. In a scary aesthetic decision, Nolan made Ledger's clown makeup look like it had been on the character's face for three or four days, leaving it smeared, cracked, and partially wiped off. Additionally, Ledger's face was emblazoned with a pair of scars that stretched outward across his cheeks from the corners of his mouth. His clown smile was literally carved into his face. Because the character is a liar, the audience never knows how he got the scars or why.
Ledger died of a drug overdose in January of 2008 and was not able to see what...
Ledger died of a drug overdose in January of 2008 and was not able to see what...
- 7/22/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
So many of these Wtf happened to videos focus on a film that had behind the scenes issues or were catastrophic bombs in theaters and we dissect what went wrong, but every so often we here at Joblo like to examine what went right with a movie. In 2019, a movie seemingly came out of nowhere to become a cultural milestone that not only sparked controversy but also broke records. Sit back and put on a happy face as we figure out just Wtf Happened to Joker.
First appearing in Batman #1 in the spring of 1940, the character of The Joker, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, based off the 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs, was originally meant to be a one off villain for the caped crusader who was going to die after his first appearance because Bill Finger thought that if there was a recurring villain,...
First appearing in Batman #1 in the spring of 1940, the character of The Joker, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, based off the 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs, was originally meant to be a one off villain for the caped crusader who was going to die after his first appearance because Bill Finger thought that if there was a recurring villain,...
- 5/3/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula" is told in epistolary form, and begins with the character of Jonathan Harker trekking into the Carpathian Mountains to close a real estate deal with a mysterious, elusive Eastern European count. The Count, a small smiling bald man with a mustache, is none other than Dracula, an ancient vampire that feeds on human blood and is in league with Satan. Dracula signs the paperwork, locks Jonathan in his dilapidated castle with a trio of succubi, and takes a ship to England. Jonathan will eventually escape to Budapest, but Dracula is still at large, ready to infiltrate England.
Later in the novel, it will be revealed that Dracula has been psychically convening with a local mental patient named Renfield, currently locked up in a British asylum. Dracula will use Renfield to infiltrate homes and drink his victims' blood. Renfield's role in Stoker's novel is relatively small,...
Later in the novel, it will be revealed that Dracula has been psychically convening with a local mental patient named Renfield, currently locked up in a British asylum. Dracula will use Renfield to infiltrate homes and drink his victims' blood. Renfield's role in Stoker's novel is relatively small,...
- 4/13/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
There is a great deal of controversy surrounding the creation of Batman. For many years, sole creative credit for the character was given to artist Bob Kane, who often spoke eloquently about his character. It wasn't until years later that a co-creator, Bill Finger, entered the conversation. Kane and Finger's relationship with Batman and each other is detailed in a Hulu documentary film called "Batman and Bill," and a 2012 book called "Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman." It seems that Finger had a lot more to do with how audiences know Batman than Kane ever did, and only ever operated as a ghostwriter for DC Comics. Finger died in poverty in 1974. It wouldn't be until the 1980s that Kane would admit, only passingly, that Finger contributed as much as he did to the character. Eventually, Finger would be given posthumous credit. Kane himself passed in 1998 as a celebrated millionaire.
- 4/2/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Riddle me this: what do the Joker and "Casablanca" have in common? If you answered, "Conrad Veidt," then you've survived the first deathtrap, much like the Dynamic Duo coming out of a cliffhanger ending into the next episode of the 1966 "Batman" TV series.
80 years ago, Veidt received fifth billing in "Casablanca" after Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains. His movie career, however, dates back even further than that to the silent era. In "The Man Who Laughs," the 1928 silent film helmed by German Expressionist director Paul Leni, Veidt shared top billing with Mary Philbin, and the indelible image of his grinning face left a mark on both movie history and comic book history.
The creation of Batman's greatest nemesis, the Joker, is attributed to writer Bill Finger and artists Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. Over the years, conflicting accounts arose over who really originated the first idea for the character.
80 years ago, Veidt received fifth billing in "Casablanca" after Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains. His movie career, however, dates back even further than that to the silent era. In "The Man Who Laughs," the 1928 silent film helmed by German Expressionist director Paul Leni, Veidt shared top billing with Mary Philbin, and the indelible image of his grinning face left a mark on both movie history and comic book history.
The creation of Batman's greatest nemesis, the Joker, is attributed to writer Bill Finger and artists Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. Over the years, conflicting accounts arose over who really originated the first idea for the character.
- 10/15/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
This article contains The Batman spoilers.
Matt Reeves’ The Batman does not have a post-credits scene—technically speaking. When the credits roll on the final shot of a sad yet determined Batman riding into Gotham’s twilight, the show is over and you’re free to leave your seat (or hit “stop” if you’re now watching it at home courtesy of HBO Max). Unlike most modern superhero movies, there is no teaser or easter egg after the credits begin.
In theory, this is refreshing. It’s been nearly 10 years since Christopher Nolan allegedly told Zack Snyder not to include a post-credits scene in Man of Steel because “a real movie wouldn’t do that.” And while that was the opinion then, there sure as hell were post-credits scenes in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It’s become expected as the price of doing business.
Hence why it should be...
Matt Reeves’ The Batman does not have a post-credits scene—technically speaking. When the credits roll on the final shot of a sad yet determined Batman riding into Gotham’s twilight, the show is over and you’re free to leave your seat (or hit “stop” if you’re now watching it at home courtesy of HBO Max). Unlike most modern superhero movies, there is no teaser or easter egg after the credits begin.
In theory, this is refreshing. It’s been nearly 10 years since Christopher Nolan allegedly told Zack Snyder not to include a post-credits scene in Man of Steel because “a real movie wouldn’t do that.” And while that was the opinion then, there sure as hell were post-credits scenes in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It’s become expected as the price of doing business.
Hence why it should be...
- 4/22/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
This article contains spoilers of The Batman. You can read our spoiler-free review here.
While The Batman largely avoids the gimmicks of modern interconnected superhero universes on the big screen, even this noir film can’t help but pack in tons of easter eggs and at least one cameo into its almost three-hour runtime. But don’t expect Superman or Wonder Woman to show up to help Robert Pattinson save the day here. There’s no Dick Grayson or Barbara Gordon, either. Instead, we get a brief introduction to director Matt Reeves‘ version of Batman’s most dastardly villain.
The Batman doesn’t actually have the kind of post-credit scene that has become a staple of other cinematic universes. Unlike the MCU or even the Dceu, The Batman exists in its own bubble, so it doesn’t need an end credits stinger to set up the next movie. That said,...
While The Batman largely avoids the gimmicks of modern interconnected superhero universes on the big screen, even this noir film can’t help but pack in tons of easter eggs and at least one cameo into its almost three-hour runtime. But don’t expect Superman or Wonder Woman to show up to help Robert Pattinson save the day here. There’s no Dick Grayson or Barbara Gordon, either. Instead, we get a brief introduction to director Matt Reeves‘ version of Batman’s most dastardly villain.
The Batman doesn’t actually have the kind of post-credit scene that has become a staple of other cinematic universes. Unlike the MCU or even the Dceu, The Batman exists in its own bubble, so it doesn’t need an end credits stinger to set up the next movie. That said,...
- 3/4/2022
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
“What a lucky clown you are! You don’t have to wipe off your laugh.”
The Arkadin Cinema, a local independent theater scheduled to open soon, is hosting an film series that takes place in the back lot at The Heavy Anchor (5226 Gravois Ave in St. Louis). Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928) screens Wednesday March 9th. Showtime is 8:00. The Man Who Laughs is presented by Silents, Please Stl, a local group that aims to promote and preserve the art of silent filmmaking from the early 20th Century through community programming and education. Enter through the front of The Heavy Anchor. Admission is $10 and can be purchased in advance Here. Bring your own chair. First come, first served. Seating is limited. Food and drinks and available there at The Heavy Anchor. This is a 21+ event, so leave the kids home. A Facebook invite for the event can be found Here.
The Arkadin Cinema, a local independent theater scheduled to open soon, is hosting an film series that takes place in the back lot at The Heavy Anchor (5226 Gravois Ave in St. Louis). Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs (1928) screens Wednesday March 9th. Showtime is 8:00. The Man Who Laughs is presented by Silents, Please Stl, a local group that aims to promote and preserve the art of silent filmmaking from the early 20th Century through community programming and education. Enter through the front of The Heavy Anchor. Admission is $10 and can be purchased in advance Here. Bring your own chair. First come, first served. Seating is limited. Food and drinks and available there at The Heavy Anchor. This is a 21+ event, so leave the kids home. A Facebook invite for the event can be found Here.
- 3/3/2022
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Take a closer look at a new Blitzway/Prime 1 Studio, hand-painted 1:3 scale statue of Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix as 'Arthur Fleck' from the billion dollar earning R-rated live-action "Joker" comic book movie that stirred up controversy for its glorification of an urban killer in a sordid drama rife with mental illness, urban decay and big-city alienation:
"...'Joker' is a movie about homicidal narcissist 'Arthur' (Phoenix) who feels entitled to the world's attention — a man who'd rather kill for a good laugh than allow the world to treat him like its punchline.
"It is also a movie about the dehumanizing effects of a capitalistic system that greases the economic ladder, blurring the line between private wealth and personal worth until life itself loses its absolute value..."
"...the movie's cracks — and it's practically all cracks — are stuffed with phony philosophy. 'Joker' is dark only in a stupidly adolescent way, but it...
"...'Joker' is a movie about homicidal narcissist 'Arthur' (Phoenix) who feels entitled to the world's attention — a man who'd rather kill for a good laugh than allow the world to treat him like its punchline.
"It is also a movie about the dehumanizing effects of a capitalistic system that greases the economic ladder, blurring the line between private wealth and personal worth until life itself loses its absolute value..."
"...the movie's cracks — and it's practically all cracks — are stuffed with phony philosophy. 'Joker' is dark only in a stupidly adolescent way, but it...
- 5/15/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The experts were right when they said that silent filmmaking was developing something unique and beautiful, before talkies came along and spoiled the party with all that noise. This ‘handy three-pack’ of once-obscure Josef von Sternberg classics proves the theory 100% — his intense dramas excite audiences with something that’s gone missing from the movies, or the cinema or whatever you want to call it: the magic of visual stylization in the service of basic human emotions. Before Marlene there was Evelyn Brent and Betty Compson: Sternberg presents them as shimmering visions.
3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 529, 530, 531
1927-28 / B&w / 1:33 Silent Ap / 81, 88, 75 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date October 8, 2019 / 79.96
Starring: George Bancroft, Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook; Emil Jannings, Evelyn Brent, William Powell; George Bancroft, Betty Compson, Olga Baclanova.
Cinematography: Bert Glennon; Bert Glennon; Harold Rosson
Original Music: multiple scores by Robert Israel,...
3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 529, 530, 531
1927-28 / B&w / 1:33 Silent Ap / 81, 88, 75 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date October 8, 2019 / 79.96
Starring: George Bancroft, Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook; Emil Jannings, Evelyn Brent, William Powell; George Bancroft, Betty Compson, Olga Baclanova.
Cinematography: Bert Glennon; Bert Glennon; Harold Rosson
Original Music: multiple scores by Robert Israel,...
- 10/22/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Jim Dandy Oct 9, 2019
Has the Joker movie inspired you to read some comics? We've got some suggestions!
The Joker is the most recognizable villain in all of comics, and as such, there are as many takes on him as there are creators who have worked on a Batman comic. Fortunately for us, for every Jared Leto out there, there are fifteen awesome comic stories. So if you’re coming out of the Joker movie with a thirst for more good, thoughtful, interesting stories using the Clown Prince of Crime, we’ve got some comics for you.
Batman: The Killing Joke
This is probably the most influential Joker story of all time. Alan Moore’s dense psychoanalysis of the Joker is formative to just about every writer who came afterwards, and Brian Bolland’s stunningly gorgeous pencils combined with John Higgins perfect colors to create an eerie, dark, vicious story that...
Has the Joker movie inspired you to read some comics? We've got some suggestions!
The Joker is the most recognizable villain in all of comics, and as such, there are as many takes on him as there are creators who have worked on a Batman comic. Fortunately for us, for every Jared Leto out there, there are fifteen awesome comic stories. So if you’re coming out of the Joker movie with a thirst for more good, thoughtful, interesting stories using the Clown Prince of Crime, we’ve got some comics for you.
Batman: The Killing Joke
This is probably the most influential Joker story of all time. Alan Moore’s dense psychoanalysis of the Joker is formative to just about every writer who came afterwards, and Brian Bolland’s stunningly gorgeous pencils combined with John Higgins perfect colors to create an eerie, dark, vicious story that...
- 10/9/2019
- Den of Geek
“What a lucky clown you are! You don’t have to wipe off your laugh,” one clown says to a second. This second clown, Gwynplaine, bows his head into shadows, masking the permanent grin stretched across his face in a failed attempt to convey, if not sadness, then anything other than mirth, joy and laughter. Though often classified as a horror movie, The Man Who Laughs (1928) stretches wider than that. Paul Leni’s silent film, based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, is a romantic melodrama steeped in German expressionism and body horror. Universal’s ...
- 10/3/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
“What a lucky clown you are! You don’t have to wipe off your laugh,” one clown says to a second. This second clown, Gwynplaine, bows his head into shadows, masking the permanent grin stretched across his face in a failed attempt to convey, if not sadness, then anything other than mirth, joy and laughter. Though often classified as a horror movie, The Man Who Laughs (1928) stretches wider than that. Paul Leni’s silent film, based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, is a romantic melodrama steeped in German expressionism and body horror. Universal’s ...
- 10/3/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Laugh it up, film fans! Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is almost upon us, ready to unleash a wave of crime — and think pieces — the likes of which Hollywood hasn’t seen since Heath Ledger terrorized Gotham City in The Dark Knight over a decade ago. But the story of the most infamous villain in Batman’s rogues gallery is itself as interesting as any of the character’s adventures either on screen or the printed page. Here’s a quick guide to the madcap history of the...
- 10/1/2019
- by Sean T. Collins
- Rollingstone.com
Winner of a 'Golden Lion' Best Picture award at the 'Venice Film Festival', Warners' R-rated live-action "Joker" movie is already stirring up controversy for its glorification of a homicidal 'anti-hero' in a dark drama rife with mental illness, urban decay, big-city alienation and fascist, left-wing anti-capitalism:
"...'Joker' is a movie about homicidal narcissist 'Arthur' (Phoenix) who feels entitled to the world's attention — a man who'd rather kill for a good laugh than allow the world to treat him like its punchline.
"It is also a movie about the dehumanizing effects of a capitalistic system that greases the economic ladder, blurring the line between private wealth and personal worth until life itself loses its absolute value..."
"...the movie's cracks — and it's practically all cracks — are stuffed with phony philosophy. 'Joker' is dark only in a stupidly adolescent way, but it wants us to think it's imparting subtle political or cultural wisdom.
"...'Joker' is a movie about homicidal narcissist 'Arthur' (Phoenix) who feels entitled to the world's attention — a man who'd rather kill for a good laugh than allow the world to treat him like its punchline.
"It is also a movie about the dehumanizing effects of a capitalistic system that greases the economic ladder, blurring the line between private wealth and personal worth until life itself loses its absolute value..."
"...the movie's cracks — and it's practically all cracks — are stuffed with phony philosophy. 'Joker' is dark only in a stupidly adolescent way, but it wants us to think it's imparting subtle political or cultural wisdom.
- 9/12/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The buzz surrounding Joker is already pointing to it being one of the most imaginative comic book movies ever seen, as well as a dark exploration of the character. This reception was boosted today by an eight-minute standing ovation for the pic’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, with stars Joaquin Phoenix and Zazie Beetz, and director Todd Phillips, on hand to answer questions at the event.
Speaking about his ambitions for Joker, Phillips had the following to say to the crowd:
“Why can’t you do a genre comic-book film like that? We thought this could be an exciting approach to this genre. I’m not sure what it means for DC or Marvel … It was a hard movie for us to get made, to convince DC and the studio at first, but we thought we would keep pushing because we thought it would be special.”
WB Releases...
Speaking about his ambitions for Joker, Phillips had the following to say to the crowd:
“Why can’t you do a genre comic-book film like that? We thought this could be an exciting approach to this genre. I’m not sure what it means for DC or Marvel … It was a hard movie for us to get made, to convince DC and the studio at first, but we thought we would keep pushing because we thought it would be special.”
WB Releases...
- 9/1/2019
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
After unveiling footage at industry events and dropping the latest trailer just this week, Warner Bros world premieres Joker at the Venice Film Festival today. The most anticipated film of the event, the Todd Phillips-directed DC origins story screened for Lido press this morning — with the longest lines I have ever seen for a movie here. The press corps later packed the conference room to give Phillips and stars Joaquin Phoenix and Zazie Beetz a very enthusiastic greeting.
The trio discussed a liberating process of building the character’s origins story, the slow-burn/gut-punch violence in the movie and whether it has a political message. They also delved into Joker’s “new and exciting” laugh — and Phillips, sort of, answered a question about DC v Marvel.
Joker‘s Venice presence indicates an eye on awards season, it...
The trio discussed a liberating process of building the character’s origins story, the slow-burn/gut-punch violence in the movie and whether it has a political message. They also delved into Joker’s “new and exciting” laugh — and Phillips, sort of, answered a question about DC v Marvel.
Joker‘s Venice presence indicates an eye on awards season, it...
- 8/31/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Joaquin Phoenix, whose star turn in “Joker” is already generating awards buzz, said he “wanted the freedom to create something that wasn’t identifiable” and did not let himself be influenced by any previous versions of the character or pin him down as a familiar type.
“What was so attractive about this character for me is he’s so hard to define. You don’t really want to define him,” Phoenix said Saturday at the film’s press conference at the Venice Film Festival. “Every day felt like we were discovering new aspects of his character…up until the very last day.”
Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian whose professional and personal failures finally push him to become the nihilistic, frightening Joker. To prepare for the role, Phoenix said he read a book on political assassins to get a sense of such killers and their motivations. But ultimately, that was for information only.
“What was so attractive about this character for me is he’s so hard to define. You don’t really want to define him,” Phoenix said Saturday at the film’s press conference at the Venice Film Festival. “Every day felt like we were discovering new aspects of his character…up until the very last day.”
Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian whose professional and personal failures finally push him to become the nihilistic, frightening Joker. To prepare for the role, Phoenix said he read a book on political assassins to get a sense of such killers and their motivations. But ultimately, that was for information only.
- 8/31/2019
- by Henry Chu
- Variety Film + TV
Sneak Peek more new footage from writer/director Todd Phillips' stand-alone "Joker" feature film, starring Joaquin Phoenix ("Gladiator") opening October 4, 2019:
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs" based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
The most common origin story sees him...
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs" based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
The most common origin story sees him...
- 8/29/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Take another look at footage of actor Joaquin Phoenix, on the run from the police in writer/director Todd Phillips' stand-alone "Joker" feature film, opening October 2019:
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs" based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
The...
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs" based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
The...
- 8/15/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Image Source: Warner Bros.
With Joker coming out this year, we're excited to see how director Todd Phillips will flesh out the iconic character in his first stand-alone origin story - partly because the point of the Joker is that he doesn't really have an origin. Not knowing quite how he became a murderous psychopath preserves his status as a terrifying figure; he's the incarnation of chaos. Having said that, Phillips didn't have a shortage of comic sources from which to draw inspiration. Given that the Joker came about in the '40s and is one of the first comic book supervillains ever, it's inevitable that writers would explore his history. If you're curious about how Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal aligns with past comics about Batman's foe, keep reading!
The Joker's Big Debut
The Joker makes his first appearance in Batman No. 1 in 1940. Writer Bill Finger originally planned to kill...
With Joker coming out this year, we're excited to see how director Todd Phillips will flesh out the iconic character in his first stand-alone origin story - partly because the point of the Joker is that he doesn't really have an origin. Not knowing quite how he became a murderous psychopath preserves his status as a terrifying figure; he's the incarnation of chaos. Having said that, Phillips didn't have a shortage of comic sources from which to draw inspiration. Given that the Joker came about in the '40s and is one of the first comic book supervillains ever, it's inevitable that writers would explore his history. If you're curious about how Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal aligns with past comics about Batman's foe, keep reading!
The Joker's Big Debut
The Joker makes his first appearance in Batman No. 1 in 1940. Writer Bill Finger originally planned to kill...
- 4/19/2019
- by Stacey Nguyen
- Popsugar.com
Sneak Peek the new official trailer, plus leaked set footage of actor Joaquin Phoenix, on the run from the police in writer/director Todd Phillips' stand-alone "Joker" feature film, opening October 4, 2019:
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs" based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs" based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
- 4/3/2019
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Warner Bros. has released the first poster for Joker and there’s something delightfully haunting about it — which is more than appropriate for the Batman villain. This is merely a taste of the teaser trailer which will be released tomorrow.
The standalone film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix is set to open Oct. 4. The poster (as seen below) features Phoenix in the title role leaning back and looking to the heavens in full, smeared Joker makeup and what seems to be blood with the tagline “Put on a happy face.”
This isn’t the first time we have seen Phoenix in Joker mode. Phillips shared a screen test of a made up Phoenix last September. Phoenix will be joined by Robert De Niro,...
The standalone film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix is set to open Oct. 4. The poster (as seen below) features Phoenix in the title role leaning back and looking to the heavens in full, smeared Joker makeup and what seems to be blood with the tagline “Put on a happy face.”
This isn’t the first time we have seen Phoenix in Joker mode. Phillips shared a screen test of a made up Phoenix last September. Phoenix will be joined by Robert De Niro,...
- 4/2/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos and Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Sneak Peek extended, leaked footage of actor Joaquin Phoenix, on the run from the police in writer/director Todd Phillips' stand-alone "Joker" feature film, recently wrapped in New York City:
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo. Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo. Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
- 12/24/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek more leaked set images, revealing the different looks of Joaquin Phoenix in writer/director Todd Phillips' stand-alone "Joker" feature film, currently shooting in New York:
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
In "The Man Who Laughs", actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
In "The Man Who Laughs", actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
- 11/29/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek new footage from the set of writer/director Todd Phillips' stand-alone "Joker" feature film, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the DC Comics character:
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
In "The Man Who Laughs", actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
In "The Man Who Laughs", actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose face is permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, selling his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'...
...before returning to his darker roots.
- 11/27/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
This article marks Part 1 of the Gold Derby series reflecting on Horror Films at the Oscars. Join us as we look back at the spine-tingling movies that earned Academy Awards nominations, including the following films from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
In considering history of horror cinema and its performance at the Oscars, it must first be acknowledged that a plethora of pictures from this genre were released prior to the very existence of the Academy Awards. The legendary likes of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), “Nosferatu” (1922) and “The Phantom of the Opera” (1925), among others, all earned releases prior to the first Oscar ceremony, in 1928.
There were not many horror films eligible for consideration at the 1st Academy Awards – the most worthy of such recognition would have been “The Man Who Laughs” (1928), one of countless horror movies released in the first half of the century by Universal Pictures. The picture did not garner recognition,...
In considering history of horror cinema and its performance at the Oscars, it must first be acknowledged that a plethora of pictures from this genre were released prior to the very existence of the Academy Awards. The legendary likes of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), “Nosferatu” (1922) and “The Phantom of the Opera” (1925), among others, all earned releases prior to the first Oscar ceremony, in 1928.
There were not many horror films eligible for consideration at the 1st Academy Awards – the most worthy of such recognition would have been “The Man Who Laughs” (1928), one of countless horror movies released in the first half of the century by Universal Pictures. The picture did not garner recognition,...
- 10/16/2018
- by Andrew Carden
- Gold Derby
Sneak Peek more leaked set footage, including Joaquin Phoenix as the 'Joker', crying in a phone booth, from the currently shooting "Batman" spin-off feature "Joker", written and directed by Todd Philips:
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"The film is being produced...
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"The film is being produced...
- 10/2/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek new leaked 'train station' set footage, plus images from the currently shooting "Batman" spin-off feature "Joker", written and directed by Todd Philips, starring Joaquin Phoenix as a struggling comic entertainer, who becomes 'The Clown Prince of Crime':
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
"...principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Joker', starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the title role...
"...directed, produced and co-written by Oscar nominee Todd Phillips.
"Joker” centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen.
"Phillips' exploration of 'Arthur Fleck' (Phoenix), a man disregarded by society...
"...is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.
"The film also stars Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais and Shea Whigham.
"Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with writer Scott Silver based on characters from DC.
- 9/25/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek more leaked images from the Harlem, New York set of the currently shooting "Joker" stand-alone feature film, written and directed by Todd Philips, starring Joaquin Phoenix as a struggling comic entertainer, who becomes 'The Clown Prince of Crime':
Phoenix plays 'Arthur Fleck' aka the future 'Joker' in the 'Batman' spin-off stand alone feature opening October 4, 2019:
"...'Arthur Fleck' returns home to care for his aging mother 'Penny'...
"...before meeting single mother and love interest 'Sophie Dumond' .
"Fleck's mother was very attractive in her youth, still obsessed with her former employer, 'Thomas Wayne...
"...father of 'Bruce, making Fleck, Thomas Wayne's bastard son and half-brother to the future 'Batman'..."
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly...
"...it scares the shit out of me or something.
Phoenix plays 'Arthur Fleck' aka the future 'Joker' in the 'Batman' spin-off stand alone feature opening October 4, 2019:
"...'Arthur Fleck' returns home to care for his aging mother 'Penny'...
"...before meeting single mother and love interest 'Sophie Dumond' .
"Fleck's mother was very attractive in her youth, still obsessed with her former employer, 'Thomas Wayne...
"...father of 'Bruce, making Fleck, Thomas Wayne's bastard son and half-brother to the future 'Batman'..."
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly...
"...it scares the shit out of me or something.
- 9/20/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sadly, citing "...scheduling issues" actor Alec Baldwin ("Mini's First Time") will no longer be appearing in writer/director Todd Philips' "Joker" movie, playing arrogant a-hole 'Thomas Wayne', the father of both 'Bruce Wayne' and 'Arthur Fleck' aka the future 'Joker':
Actor Joaquin Phoenix ("To Die For") will play Fleck aka 'Joker' in the 'Batman' spin-off stand alone feature opening October 4, 2019:
"...'Arthur Fleck' returns home to care for his aging mother 'Penny' before meeting single mother and love interest 'Sophie Dumond' .
"Fleck's mother was very attractive in her youth, still obsessed with her former employer, 'Thomas Wayne, the father of 'Bruce', making Fleck, Thomas Wayne's bastard son and half-brother to the future 'Batman'..."
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares...
Actor Joaquin Phoenix ("To Die For") will play Fleck aka 'Joker' in the 'Batman' spin-off stand alone feature opening October 4, 2019:
"...'Arthur Fleck' returns home to care for his aging mother 'Penny' before meeting single mother and love interest 'Sophie Dumond' .
"Fleck's mother was very attractive in her youth, still obsessed with her former employer, 'Thomas Wayne, the father of 'Bruce', making Fleck, Thomas Wayne's bastard son and half-brother to the future 'Batman'..."
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares...
- 8/30/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Actor Robert De Niro ("Mary Shelley's Frankenstein") is reportedly in talks to join director Todd Philips' "Joker" movie, to play an arrogant, blustering talk show host, who makes a fatal mistake by dismissing a struggling, psychotic entertainer (Joaquin Phoenix):
Phoenix will play 'Arthur Fleck' aka 'Joker' in the 'Batman' spin-off stand alone feature opening October 4, 2019:
"...'Arthur Fleck' returns home to care for his aging mother 'Penny' before meeting single mother and love interest 'Sophie Dumond' .
"Fleck's mother was very attractive in her youth, still obsessed with her former employer, 'Thomas Wayne, the father of 'Bruce, making Fleck, Thomas Wayne's bastard son and half-brother to the future 'Batman'..."
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the shit out of me or something.
Phoenix will play 'Arthur Fleck' aka 'Joker' in the 'Batman' spin-off stand alone feature opening October 4, 2019:
"...'Arthur Fleck' returns home to care for his aging mother 'Penny' before meeting single mother and love interest 'Sophie Dumond' .
"Fleck's mother was very attractive in her youth, still obsessed with her former employer, 'Thomas Wayne, the father of 'Bruce, making Fleck, Thomas Wayne's bastard son and half-brother to the future 'Batman'..."
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the shit out of me or something.
- 7/24/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Actor Joaquin Phoenix has now confirmed he Will play DC Comics' 'Clown Prince of Crime' in director Todd Philips' "The Joker" movie, that will include a connection to "The Dark Knight" and 'Thomas Wayne', the father of 'Bruce Wayne'/'Batman':
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the shit out of me or something. It might as well be the thing that scares you the most.
"I think, underneath the excitement of these films, and the size of them, there are these incredible characters that are dealing with real life struggles.
"And sometimes that is uncovered and exposed, and sometimes it isn’t, and so I always felt, like, there were characters in comics that were really interesting and...
"I take a lot of time and consideration when making decisions and what I'm gonna' work on," said Phoenix.
"It feels unique, it is its own world in some ways, and maybe, mostly, it scares the shit out of me or something. It might as well be the thing that scares you the most.
"I think, underneath the excitement of these films, and the size of them, there are these incredible characters that are dealing with real life struggles.
"And sometimes that is uncovered and exposed, and sometimes it isn’t, and so I always felt, like, there were characters in comics that were really interesting and...
- 7/14/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Oscar winner Jared Leto will executive produce and star in a stand-alone feature for Warners as 'The Joker', reprising his role spinning off from director David Ayer's "Suicide Squad":
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose father is sentenced to death and that Gwynplaine's face be permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after they offend 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, showcasing his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman"...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose father is sentenced to death and that Gwynplaine's face be permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after they offend 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, showcasing his disfigurement for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind, with a warped, sadistic sense of humor.
He evolved into a 'goofy prankster' in the late 1950's in response to regulations by the 'Comics Code Authority'.
- 6/6/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
The 23rd Nantucket Film Festival will open June 20 with Sony Pictures Classics’ Boundaries, which is written and directed by Shana Feste and stars Christopher Plummer and Vera Farmiga in the lead father-daughter roles. Bobby Cannavale, Peter Fonda, Christopher Lloyd and Kristen Schaal also star.
Organizers said the festival will close June 25 with Love, Gilda, the CNN Films documentary about Gilda Radner that just had its world premiere last week at the Tribeca Film Festival. The centerpiece presentation will be Morgan Neville’s Fred Rogers documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor.
For a ninth straight year, Nff will also screen a Pixar film on opening day. This year’s is Incredibles 2, which opens commercially June 15. Also continuing a tradition, the Berklee Silent Film Orchestra will accompany a screening of Universal’s 1928 film The Man Who Laughs. One of its notable features is Conrad Veidt’s character, which has been...
Organizers said the festival will close June 25 with Love, Gilda, the CNN Films documentary about Gilda Radner that just had its world premiere last week at the Tribeca Film Festival. The centerpiece presentation will be Morgan Neville’s Fred Rogers documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor.
For a ninth straight year, Nff will also screen a Pixar film on opening day. This year’s is Incredibles 2, which opens commercially June 15. Also continuing a tradition, the Berklee Silent Film Orchestra will accompany a screening of Universal’s 1928 film The Man Who Laughs. One of its notable features is Conrad Veidt’s character, which has been...
- 4/24/2018
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
General audiences know him best as the heroic Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars saga, but DC fans idolize Mark Hamill for his turn to the Dark Side. The actor has played Batman’s nemesis the Joker across numerous media for over 25 years now, beginning with the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. To many, his vocal performance perfectly captures all aspects of the supervillain: his charm and humour, yet also his monstrous, murderous side.
In an interview with Sway’s Universe, Hamill talked about where exactly his portrayal of the Joker comes from. The star revealed that, back when he started doing B:tas, he was influenced by a strange mix of inspirations, including classic black-and-white horror The Invisible Man and TV personalities like Howard Cosell and Jay Leno.
“I would imitate the old Universal horror films and I realize, in retrospect, I wasn’t doing it consciously, but Claude Rains as The Invisible Man…...
In an interview with Sway’s Universe, Hamill talked about where exactly his portrayal of the Joker comes from. The star revealed that, back when he started doing B:tas, he was influenced by a strange mix of inspirations, including classic black-and-white horror The Invisible Man and TV personalities like Howard Cosell and Jay Leno.
“I would imitate the old Universal horror films and I realize, in retrospect, I wasn’t doing it consciously, but Claude Rains as The Invisible Man…...
- 3/29/2018
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
Some of the most famous and popular science fiction characters in modern times were visually inspired by earlier creations or even real people. Cinelinx takes a look at five well-known sci-fi characters and what motivated their appearances.
While these five characters had various inspirations for their personalities and purpose, their specific looks have a clear precedent.
The Joker was based on Gwynplaine from The Man Who Laughs: When Bob Kane needed to come up with the iconic look of the Batman’s soon-to-be arch nemesis, he took inspiration from the 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs, starring Conrad Veidt. For those unfamiliar with Veidt, he played the first-ever film zombie in the silent classic The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920), and was also Jaffar in the live-action adaptation of Aladdin, called The Thief of Bagdad (1940). The film tells the story of Gwynplaine, the son of an executed 17th century nobleman,...
While these five characters had various inspirations for their personalities and purpose, their specific looks have a clear precedent.
The Joker was based on Gwynplaine from The Man Who Laughs: When Bob Kane needed to come up with the iconic look of the Batman’s soon-to-be arch nemesis, he took inspiration from the 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs, starring Conrad Veidt. For those unfamiliar with Veidt, he played the first-ever film zombie in the silent classic The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920), and was also Jaffar in the live-action adaptation of Aladdin, called The Thief of Bagdad (1940). The film tells the story of Gwynplaine, the son of an executed 17th century nobleman,...
- 12/23/2017
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
The Man Who Laughs is, for the most part, not a horror film. It is a melodrama and a tragic love story in which many of the melancholy elements are twisted into a haunting gothic representation of the emotional states of the main characters. Now... Why are we spending yet another installment of this column talking about this film? Besides finally getting to the movie itself, it’s because The Man Who Laughs injected the right elements into the horror scene at precisely the right time. This is when (in American horror filmmaking) the priority would shift from light to shadow, from daydreams to nightmares. German expressionism had arrived to upset the storytelling pastimes and ideals of American romanticism, from which horror films would never be...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/21/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Jim Knipfel Sep 18, 2017
One of the earliest scary clown movies, The Man Who Laughs was also an influence on the creation of Batman villain, The Joker...
Clowns, both creepy and, well, slightly less creepy, were lurking about in the shadows for thousands of years before Stephen King’s evil clown Pennywise shambled along with those sinister red balloons of his. The Egyptians had them, the Greeks had them, the Romans had them. But in the 17th and 18th centuries, an interesting and telling thing happened.
See related The Croods 2 has been cancelled
During the Middle Ages, the clown and the performing freak were essentially one and the same. The jesters and fools who entertained in the royal courts of Europe were usually attired in flamboyant and garish costumes and makeup, and were often physically deformed in some way. After that, however, the two began to tear themselves apart, with the...
One of the earliest scary clown movies, The Man Who Laughs was also an influence on the creation of Batman villain, The Joker...
Clowns, both creepy and, well, slightly less creepy, were lurking about in the shadows for thousands of years before Stephen King’s evil clown Pennywise shambled along with those sinister red balloons of his. The Egyptians had them, the Greeks had them, the Romans had them. But in the 17th and 18th centuries, an interesting and telling thing happened.
See related The Croods 2 has been cancelled
During the Middle Ages, the clown and the performing freak were essentially one and the same. The jesters and fools who entertained in the royal courts of Europe were usually attired in flamboyant and garish costumes and makeup, and were often physically deformed in some way. After that, however, the two began to tear themselves apart, with the...
- 9/13/2017
- Den of Geek
Jim Knipfel Sep 30, 2019
An early scary clown movie, The Man Who Laughs, was also an influence on the creation of Batman villain, The Joker.
Clowns, both creepy and, well, slightly less creepy, were lurking about in the shadows for thousands of years before Stephen King’s It (or for that matter It Chapter Two), and the iconic evil clown Pennywise shambled along with those sinister red balloons of his. The Egyptians had them, the Greeks had them, the Romans had them. But an interesting and telling thing happened in the 17th and 18th centuries.
During the Middle Ages, the clown and the performing freak were essentially one and the same. The jesters and fools who entertained in the royal courts of Europe were usually attired in flamboyant and garish costumes and makeup, and were often physically deformed in some way, which I guess only added to the "hilarity." After that,...
An early scary clown movie, The Man Who Laughs, was also an influence on the creation of Batman villain, The Joker.
Clowns, both creepy and, well, slightly less creepy, were lurking about in the shadows for thousands of years before Stephen King’s It (or for that matter It Chapter Two), and the iconic evil clown Pennywise shambled along with those sinister red balloons of his. The Egyptians had them, the Greeks had them, the Romans had them. But an interesting and telling thing happened in the 17th and 18th centuries.
During the Middle Ages, the clown and the performing freak were essentially one and the same. The jesters and fools who entertained in the royal courts of Europe were usually attired in flamboyant and garish costumes and makeup, and were often physically deformed in some way, which I guess only added to the "hilarity." After that,...
- 9/13/2017
- Den of Geek
According to reports, "Goodfellas" director Martin Scorsese will produce an 'origin story' feature, focusing on DC Comics' super-villain 'The Joker', with a screenplay by Scott Silver ("8 Mile") and Todd Phillips ("The Hangover"), to be directed by Phillips ("War Dogs"), set in a 'Gotham City' straight out of Scorsese's "Taxi Driver":
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman" (April 25, 1940)...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose father is sentenced to death and that Gwynplaine's face be permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, showcasing his disfigurement to a curious public for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind,...
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, the 'Joker' debuted in the first issue of DC Comics' "Batman" (April 25, 1940)...
...inspired by the German Expressionist film "The Man Who Laughs", based on the novel by author Victor Hugo.
Actor Conrad Veidt plays 'Gwynplaine', whose father is sentenced to death and that Gwynplaine's face be permanently disfigured into a grotesque grin, after offending 'King James II'.
Gwynplaine becomes a traveling freak, showcasing his disfigurement to a curious public for money, while falling in love with a blind woman.
DC's 'Joker', is usually portrayed as a deranged, criminal mastermind,...
- 8/24/2017
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
21st edition of the genre festival to feature special screening of Luc Besson’s Valerian.
Fantasia International Film Festival has unveiled its first wave of titles for its upcoming 21st edition, running July 13-August 2 in Montreal.
This year’s festival will open with the North American premiere of Jung Byung-gil’s Cannes title The Villainess, followed by the North American premiere of Takashi Miike’s manga adaptation JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable.
Fantasia will screen more than 130 feature films in 2017, including the world premieres of Géla Babluani’s Money Money, Ryan Prows’ Lowlife, Ted Geoghegan’s Mohawk and Gabriela Amaral Almeida’s Friendly Beast.
There will also be a special screening of Luc Besson’s Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets and David Lowery’s A Ghost Story will open the festival’s Camera Lucida strand.
Other notable titles announced in the first wave include Cho Sun-ho’s A Day, Federico Cueva’s You Only...
Fantasia International Film Festival has unveiled its first wave of titles for its upcoming 21st edition, running July 13-August 2 in Montreal.
This year’s festival will open with the North American premiere of Jung Byung-gil’s Cannes title The Villainess, followed by the North American premiere of Takashi Miike’s manga adaptation JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable.
Fantasia will screen more than 130 feature films in 2017, including the world premieres of Géla Babluani’s Money Money, Ryan Prows’ Lowlife, Ted Geoghegan’s Mohawk and Gabriela Amaral Almeida’s Friendly Beast.
There will also be a special screening of Luc Besson’s Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets and David Lowery’s A Ghost Story will open the festival’s Camera Lucida strand.
Other notable titles announced in the first wave include Cho Sun-ho’s A Day, Federico Cueva’s You Only...
- 6/13/2017
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Horror films have held audiences captivated for as long as the medium has been around, as evidenced by silent films such as Nosferatu or The Man Who Laughs. Even before film, horror stories were a staple in cultures from all parts of the world. Therefore it's no surprise that the genre would transition into the world of video games as the technology to support it developed. This in itself has bred a long list of laudable titles that has contributed and helped to propel the genre. Below we'll take a look at some of the best games to be released in the last few years. Stasis The beauty of modern gaming is the ease with which you can buy a game. Thanks to platforms like Steam, all you need is an e-mail account from a company like 1&1, a profile, a credit card and you have access to a seemingly exhaustible list of games.
- 2/9/2017
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Jim Knipfel Sep 5, 2019
With the release of It Chapter Two, we take a look at one of the first creepy clown films.
As a culture, we seriously hate our clowns. A deep-seated and supposedly irrational fear of clowns is so commonplace it’s even been given a scientific name: coulrophobia. It’s hardly a surprise then that angry, axe-wielding or merely creepy clowns would become such a pop cultural mainstay, from The Simpsons and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, and more recently from Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight to Stephen King’s It and It Chapter Two. Back in the day, the video store where I used to work carried (I counted) nineteen clown-themed horror movies, from Killer Klowns From Outer Space to Divine’s last film, Out of the Dark.
Evil Clown comics used to be a regular feature in National Lampoon. The 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs...
With the release of It Chapter Two, we take a look at one of the first creepy clown films.
As a culture, we seriously hate our clowns. A deep-seated and supposedly irrational fear of clowns is so commonplace it’s even been given a scientific name: coulrophobia. It’s hardly a surprise then that angry, axe-wielding or merely creepy clowns would become such a pop cultural mainstay, from The Simpsons and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, and more recently from Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight to Stephen King’s It and It Chapter Two. Back in the day, the video store where I used to work carried (I counted) nineteen clown-themed horror movies, from Killer Klowns From Outer Space to Divine’s last film, Out of the Dark.
Evil Clown comics used to be a regular feature in National Lampoon. The 1928 silent film The Man Who Laughs...
- 10/4/2016
- Den of Geek
Marc Buxton Aug 22, 2016
With the Joker back on the big screen in Suicide Squad, we celebrate the craziest plans of the Clown Prince of Crime...
He's the greatest villain of them all. He's the evil that tests Batman and makes the hero better. He's an uncontrollable force of chaos, more akin to a hurricane than a criminal, who strikes without warning. He believes that life is a chaotic farce and everything exists as part of a twisted game between him and Batman. He is the star of comics, television, cartoons, and film. He's the Joker, one of the most enduring symbols of evil in the last century.
The Joker is no match for Batman physically, so when he puts one over on the Dark Knight, when he 'gets' him, it has to be a masterpiece of chaos and violence. These are just some of the greatest moments where the Joker...
With the Joker back on the big screen in Suicide Squad, we celebrate the craziest plans of the Clown Prince of Crime...
He's the greatest villain of them all. He's the evil that tests Batman and makes the hero better. He's an uncontrollable force of chaos, more akin to a hurricane than a criminal, who strikes without warning. He believes that life is a chaotic farce and everything exists as part of a twisted game between him and Batman. He is the star of comics, television, cartoons, and film. He's the Joker, one of the most enduring symbols of evil in the last century.
The Joker is no match for Batman physically, so when he puts one over on the Dark Knight, when he 'gets' him, it has to be a masterpiece of chaos and violence. These are just some of the greatest moments where the Joker...
- 8/8/2016
- Den of Geek
David Crow Sep 26, 2019
We look at what each of the movie Joker actors have brought to the role, from Cesar Romero in Batman '66 to Joaquin Phoenix.
Whether or not you liked Jared Leto as the Joker in Suicide Squad, you can't argue with a $746 million in worldwide box office. That 2015 movie once again reminded Warner Bros. that the Clown Prince of Crime is their most bankable screen villain, and not even anemic reviews could keep audiences away. For that reason, it's no surprise we are on the verge of getting our first solo Joker movie, this time starring Joaquin Phoenix in a completely original concept from director Todd Phillips and producer Martin Scorseese.
The Joker is a character historically infamous for his theatricality; he’s a scion of chaos, the maestro of malevolence, and a twisty yin to Batman’s straight-laced yang. He’s a comic icon that was...
We look at what each of the movie Joker actors have brought to the role, from Cesar Romero in Batman '66 to Joaquin Phoenix.
Whether or not you liked Jared Leto as the Joker in Suicide Squad, you can't argue with a $746 million in worldwide box office. That 2015 movie once again reminded Warner Bros. that the Clown Prince of Crime is their most bankable screen villain, and not even anemic reviews could keep audiences away. For that reason, it's no surprise we are on the verge of getting our first solo Joker movie, this time starring Joaquin Phoenix in a completely original concept from director Todd Phillips and producer Martin Scorseese.
The Joker is a character historically infamous for his theatricality; he’s a scion of chaos, the maestro of malevolence, and a twisty yin to Batman’s straight-laced yang. He’s a comic icon that was...
- 8/5/2016
- Den of Geek
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