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matthewgreen4988
Reviews
The People's Joker (2022)
Give it a go
"The People's Joker," at a glance, might seem like just another entry into the already crowded realm of superhero cinema. Yet, it stands out as a bold, campy, and unapologetically queer narrative that not only pokes fun at but also pays homage to the rich tapestry of Batman lore. Directed, cut, and performed by Vera Drew, who brings her personal trans experience to the forefront, the film is a multifaceted parody that dares to reimagine the Joker's origin story through a trans lens, earning it a solid 7/10 stars from me.
This film takes a deep dive into Batman and DC references, cleverly intertwining them with a coming-of-age and coming-out story that resonates deeply with its audience. Its humor is sharp, sometimes verging on controversial, yet it never loses sight of its heart-the struggle and empowerment of embracing one's true identity against societal norms. With a mix of media, including animation and green-screen effects, "The People's Joker" has a unique visual style that complements its audacious narrative. It's a testament to Drew's vision, creating a world that's both familiar to fans of the Batman universe and refreshingly new, especially for those yearning for representation beyond the heteronormative superhero narrative.
While it might not cater to all, especially those wedded to a more traditional portrayal of superhero tales, the film shines as a beacon for those who find solace in its queer empowerment theme. From the DIY aesthetic to the parade of parody songs that accompany the journey, "The People's Joker" invites its audience to look beyond the cape and into the heart of its protagonist, making it an important addition to the superhero genre. Despite some critics arguing it tries to tackle too much at once, its ambition is commendable, offering a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
Whether you're a fan of the genre or not, "The People's Joker" deserves a watch for its creative courage and its message of self-acceptance and empowerment, capturing the essence of what it means to step out of the shadows and into the light of one's own truth.
Rick and Morty: Fear No Mort (2023)
A Profound Journey into Fear and Relationships
Season 7's finale, "Fear No Mort," takes "Rick and Morty" to new emotional depths, masterfully combining humor, horror, and heartfelt storytelling. The episode revolves around a Fear Hole that exposes Rick and Morty to their greatest fears, leading to a profound exploration of their characters.
The narrative's brilliance lies in its thematic focus on fear. The Fear Hole, a bizarre yet intriguing concept, serves as a catalyst for character development, particularly for Rick, as he confronts his past and his feelings about his late wife, Diane. The episode beautifully manifests Diane, delving into her relationship with Rick, a facet of the show previously unexplored. This exploration provides a new dimension to Rick's character, showcasing vulnerability beneath his often nihilistic exterior. However, as we later learn, this is all manifested by Morty, so we should keep in mind that none of this growth is actually happening to Rick and the degree to which there is any truth in Rick's side of the experiences should be taken with a grain of salt.
Morty's character arc is equally compelling. His journey through the Fear Hole leads to a touching realization about his relationship with Rick. The show addresses the growing concern about Morty's desensitization from their adventures, and his fear of being left behind by Rick is poignantly resolved, signaling a healthier dynamic moving forward. The episode's emotional weight is balanced with the series' signature humor and meta-commentary. The encounter with a Rod Serling-like figure adds a classic sci-fi twist, keeping the narrative fresh and engaging. The script, written by Heather Anne Campbell, stands out for its dark, "Black Mirror"-esque tones, adding a layer of depth to the series' usual style.
New voice actor Ian Cardoni, taking on the role of Rick, delivers a commendable performance, especially considering the emotional complexity of the episode. The finale is filled with twists, culminating in a revelation that the Fear Hole is only reflecting Morty's fears, a clever narrative choice that adds to the episode's impact.
"Fear No Mort" is a high end to a season of hits and misses, setting up intriguing possibilities for the future. With both Rick and Morty facing and overcoming their fears, the episode not only delivers a satisfying conclusion but also paves the way for new adventures.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
Gut-bustingly funny Christmas classic
Look, if you didn't like the humour of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, then this probably isn't the flick for you. As for me, I find the banter between Drax and Mantis downright hilarious and found myself having to rewind to hear dialogue that I was laughing over. If you're a fan of most James Gunn stuff, you'll probably find yourself thinking similar. The short film doesn't really have many broader implications for the MCU, though there are a couple of aspects that will possibly be of note in GotGV3. But as for me, I'll be watching this again come Christmas and probably for future Christmases to come.
What If...?: What If... Thor Were an Only Child? (2021)
Worst Episode So Far
I really came into this episode wanting to like it. Conceptually, it could've been very cool, but there was no substance to it and character motivations and reasons for being there felt weak if not completely unsubstantiated. Knowing a vast many of the cameo characters in the way we do, it felt absurd that they'd all just be in this party group together (Surtur flirting with the statue of Liberty... really?). It felt like someone watched Thor Ragnarok, thought it was all about the comedy while completely missing the tremendous heart and growth in the movie, and decided to make this "comedy" episode while not really understanding how to make those characters funny and still likeable. It gives vibes of bad Marvel fan fiction; "and then Drax was there, and then the Grandmaster shows up, oooh and let's put Nebula in there... and Korg..."
Again we are given the privilege of witnessing the unearned, exceedingly powerful abilities of Captain Marvel who can just straight up absorb Thor's lightning. I half expected her to just lift his hammer off herself. Also, of all places to land in the UK, they just happen to crash in the middle of Stonehenge? I get using landmarks to establish location, but the episode goes way overboard with it to the point it feels tacky and unnatural.
As for the ending, we get to see Ultron with Vision's body possessing all the infinity stones on a crazy accelerated timeline which just leaves a bunch of open questions and once again ends an episode on its most interesting moment (three episodes in a row!). How did he get the soul stone by the way? What love is Ultron sacrificing to the pit?
Stars for frost giant Loki (though after walking off after the party, for some reason the frost giants were helping put things back together).
Sweet Tooth (2021)
Fantastic show, awful trailer
I'm very worried this wonderful show might suffer cancellation due to marketing and trailers that completely misrepresent the material. Even at the time of writing, there are a mere 89 user ratings versus Jupiter's Legacy, another cancelled netflix show that came out at around the same time, being rated by over 7000 people.
Sweet Tooth has an intriguing, underlying darkness that becomes increasingly apparent as the story progresses, but if you just watched the trailer you could be forgiven for thinking this was some kid-focused Disney fantasy.
Snowpiercer (2020)
It gets better and better
The more you watch, the more you get drawn in and the better it gets. The movie in the past was good, but the show takes all those ideas and extrapolates them to the forest. Worth pushing past that initial hesitation from liking the movie to get into the show.
RuPaul's Drag Race: Freaky Friday Queens (2021)
Psychic BS, Sashay Away
Having the "psychic" segment open this episode completely ruined it for me. Promoting those grief predators is so gross. The awful fake cold reading tactics are very forward and presented as real. Just yuck.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
They should have deep-faked Harrison Ford
This movie was pretty good except for the fact that Solo looking nothing like Harrison Ford is competely jarring and takes you out of the experience. They have the technology, it would have been nice for Solo to look something like what we know the character to look like.
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
Alabama
Hauntingly feels like this is something that could happen in current day America.