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Joker (2019)
You Don't Get The Joke
Joker is a multi-layered film with many great elements put together. It's a psychological thriller and drama disguised as a comic book movie. It's something DC has done better instead of presenting a pure comic story, e.g. The Dark Knight (a crime drama) or Aquaman (action fantasy).
The first layer is one man's descent to madness. Joaquin Phoenix masterfully takes us into Arthur Fleck's journey day by day until he finally becomes the Joker. The tics, the change of personality, his liberation is so realistic. Phoenix disappears into his role and becomes Fleck. You don't see the actor anymore but the character. For this reason alone, Phoenix is deserving an Oscar already.
The second layer is the critique of society. Gotham is in shambles, everyone is out for himself, and the economy has gone south. What causes the viewers to sympathize is the lack of compassion because people like Fleck need help. In fact, I find the film a criticism on the lack of universal health care in the USA.
The third layer is the dearth of people sympathetic to Fleck. There are only 2 with one who actually lied and hurt him in past. With no support group, Fleck's condition can't be helped.
The fourth layer is the unreliable narrator Fleck is. You don't know which scenes are true. In fact, you don't even know if the entire story is true. Or is it really in Fleck's head?
Other aspects:
The cinematography creates a personal relation w/ the main character. It's in your face but not obtrusive. Everything seems like you're in the same room as Fleck.
The fifth music adds dimension to Fleck's descent. It's gloomy at first. It ends towards being menacing and frightening. It also adds to the delusion Fleck is in.
The screenplay is excellent. The story is slow at the start but goes faster towards the end. There are scenes which are frightening and tense but somehow elicit some inappropriate laughter like the door lock w/c Fleck's midget colleague can't reach.
Because I watched in a Dolby Atmos theatre, the sound was great. This was best when Fleck shoots people. It was shocking to hear a gun go off like you were in the scene.
The film's director deserves an Oscar for direction. The risky vision and concept paid off. This film makes you think because it makes you uncomfortable. Again, it's not just because of the violence inflicted upon Fleck and his pushback, but also the possibility of being a story made up in Fleck's head. You really don't get the joke.
Overall, this film deserves Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor (Brett Cullen as Thomas Wayne, despite the limited minutes), Editing, Screenplay, Cinematography, and Musical Score.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Better than Expected
It was better than expected. It was not as mind-numbing as Transformers 2 was and it had a more believable story. It had some background stories for the characters. What I didn't like was the past connection of Duke and Baroness. It was also exacerbated by Baroness being subjected to mind control. I felt it was an unnecessary part of the plot.
Nevertheless, it had better action and fight scenes than Transformers 2. It also had fantastic headquarters for both sides.
With how the movie ended, I think we need to watch its sequel to see how the characters evolved.
The Dark Knight (2008)
For Best Picture Oscar
I initially went to watch this film mostly to see Heath Ledger's take on the Joker. That was three days ago. The Dark Knight still haunts me now.
The Dark Knight transcends the superhero genre. It's on big morality play. It's a crime drama with interesting action scenes thrown in. Admittedly though, the movie wouldn't have worked if it wasn't a superhero movie. The best aspect of this movie is the complicated plot that revolves around the Joker. We keep on guessing what his ultimate plan is, what he's going to do next, how will Batman and friends deal with him? It was so many stories interwoven that it will keep your mind occupied up to the end. One particular thing I liked is that the love triangle did not throw off an already good plot line. It rather enhanced it. The script was the best thing done here. It wasn't boring. It was complicated but understandable.
The script also devoted a lot of time with the supporting characters that it felt like an ensemble piece rather than a story revolving around Batman vs. Joker. But the acting was great.
A marked improvement was the better portrayal of Rachel Dawes. Maggie Gyllenhall could portray well that she carries the burden of knowing that Bruce Wayne is Batman with just facial expressions. It wasn't flat or overacted. She's not a damsel in distress either. She can take care of herself. She did manage to physically assault the Joker. She was just overpowered and captured.
Christian Bale was excellent in conveying Bruce Wayne's dilemma. Yeah, he was more Bruce Wayne here than Batman. His Batman voice wasn't more menacing as the previous film. It came somewhat annoying sometimes, in a sense that it was obvious to movie characters that Batman's voice wasn't a natural one. Best entrance was the interrogation scene. It reminds us on how unnerving he is on comics on other characters, even fellow heroes.
A revelation here was Aaron Eckhart. He played a perfect Harvey Dent, an ambitious and driven district attorney who only wants to do good for this city. His portrayal of Two-Face was compelling. It was a character who could not handle well the tragedy he suffered and he got that down to pat like we expected Two-Face to be. But he was better as Harvey Dent because we really liked him as a person.
Gary Oldman's Gordon was a conflicted character. Gordon wants to get rid of all the criminals in Gotham. He's saddled by the fact that the police force is infiltrated by the mafia. He also keeps on scrambling to catch the Joker and prevent his plans from wreaking havoc. Morgan Freeman's Fox knows his boss is Batman and supports him 100%. But he does have his own principles and scruples and makes him more believable as a character. On the other hand, Michael Caine's Alfred stays loyal to Batman. He also has some of the best lines. His character here shortened as compared to the previous film but his presence is necessary nevertheless.
I liked the crime bosses here too. You hate them at first but later they are scared of the Joker. I never really like Eric Roberts before but here, I could view his character with sympathy. They're too afraid of Batman so that they're meeting in daylight and their hoods hide upon seeing the Bat Signal.
Heath Ledger's portrayal is the Joker can be described as creepy and disturbing. You'd never realize it was him. It's the best because Joker wasn't trying to be funny. He's an inscrutable psychopath who's out to create havoc for no one else knows why but him. He's also a dangerous hand-to-hand combatant and shoots really well. He planned it all from the start. He's a criminal genius out to prove that anyone can be as murderous as he is. Case in point: the ferries scene made me very nervous and didn't expect how the problem would solve itself. His hospital visit was funny but you realize that he was person without scruples. And what he said to Two-Face about not to take what he did to him personally was the best ironic statement in the movie. The Joker here was pure evil and chaos, not a clown trying to be a mass murderer. Best Actor? Definitely. A supporting actor wouldn't do him justice. His character was the centre of the movie together with Batman. He also had the best lines and delivered them with menace you'd loose bladder control if you were with him in the same room.
This film ought to be best picture for many reasons. It has a superb script, amazing cinematography, appropriate score, and a great cast who could all act. But it's more than that. It haunts you and makes you giddy at the same time. It makes you want to watch it all over again. It reminds you of the Titanic bandwagon. It doesn't have the Titanic's mushiness. The appeal is more mental. It's so perfect. Oh yeah, it earned a lot. So start the buzz.
Supernatural: Fresh Blood (2007)
Dean Gives in to Sam
Probably the fluffiest episode so far, we see in this episode where Sam pleads successfully with his brother to stop being reckless and become his brother again. Quite a reversal since it has been Dean who keeps the family together. Dean gives in and makes Sam happy. At the end of the episode, Dean's teaching of Sam the ropes has more meaning since not only Dean is the older brother, but for most of Sam's life, Dean also acted as his parent, replacing their constantly absent father. The passing of the torch is not only between brothers, but also between father and son.
Yeah it's gory but at least we get to see Gordon being a recipient of his bad karma. Poetic justice indeed.
Supernatural: Croatoan (2006)
Great
This is the creepiest episode in Season 2. This has the most suspense because you won't know what's really going on and who else in town is going to turn against you. You can't get out, you don't know the cure.
This also has lots of mysteries hanging. What happened to the townspeople in the end? How did the virus started in town? And finally the cliffhanger at the end where Dean tells Sam what their dad told Dean at the first episode of the season.
The isolation of the town was also well illustrated. It was cold, rainy, and all you can see around are trees. With only one road going in and out of town, I'd panic if I was in that situation. Great episode.