In The Mind Of: Arthur Fleck/The Joker (SPOILERS)

I used to think my life was a tragedy...but now I realize...it's a comedy...

Everyone has a bad day. Several in fact. It's a natural part of life in the end. But what happens when someone so broken experiences that one bad day that pushes them over the edge. Over his long career as a comic book supervillain, the Joker has shown us what that could look like...at least given what little we know about him. Each iteration gives at least some background on why he came to be the way he is, but none have ever come close to making us feel for him the way the 2019 version does. 

Arthur Fleck is a failed comedian with an ailing mother and a condition that causes him to laugh uncontrollably at the most inappropriate times. Throughout the movie, Arthur experiences hardship after hardship, each worse than the last. He loses his job, gets embarrassed on national television by his idol, and learns the extent of his traumatic childhood. Combine all this with his deteriorating mental health, and Arthur finds himself walking down a dark path. What is interesting about Joker is that even though he is probably the most sympathetic interpretation of the Joker to date, Arthur is not someone to root for. His actions are truly horrific and at the end of the day, he's still the Joker. He may have had it hard, but it does not excuse the carnage and chaos that his actions have caused. 

Arthur is a truly unique interpretation of one of my favorite characters in all of fictional media, brought to life by the vision of Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix's powerhouse performance. With what the ending of Joker entailing and the news of a sequel being in development, it seems this isn't the last we'll see of him after all...

Joker (SPOILERS)

Put on a Happy Face...

For so long, I have always had a fondness for villains. Yes, we're supposed to root against them, but at the end of the day, they always end up being the most compelling character in the entire story. One of the best examples of that being the case is when it comes to a character like the Joker. He has become so ingrained into pop culture that it'd be hard to imagine a world without him. Throughout his long tenure, the character has received several iterations; some that were absolutely stellar and others that ended up missing the mark. This year, we have received Todd Phillips' take on the beloved character, and to say that it is unique is putting it ever so lightly. Joker is a film that is unlike anything that came out of the comic book movie genre before, with a message that is important and relevant for people to experience. It is certainly a film that will be talked about for years to come, much like the film that inspired it, so let's get into why that is the case:

UPS

1. JOAQUIN PHEONIX!!! Holy cow, where do I even begin! He was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal! No easy task for an actor who had to craft a performance that would live up to, if not outright exceed, the bar set by the iconic take given by the late great Heath Ledger. Thankfully, Phoenix proved up to the challenge and gave it his all. I don't really have many words to describe it. It was human, authentic, terrifying, tragic, funny...to put it simply, he became Arthur Fleck, who in turn became the Joker. A masterful performance that should, no must, get some form of recognition at the Academy next year. Make it happen!
2. Gotham City. Not what you'd call idyllic, but this film takes that to a whole new level. We get a real sense of the kind of world it would take to create a monster like the Joker and incite the madness that he inspires, and the way the city is designed and captured in this film allows us to be immersed in that.
3. The score! When it comes to talking about musical scores, I can't really find the words to describe how magnificent it is, so I just leave a link to it so that people can experience it for themselves. In this case, here you go. 
4. The way they tie Joker's origin to Batman's. Yes, that actually happened, and in a pretty clever way too! I dare not spoil it should anyone manage to go check it out, but it truly was a neat way to make it happen and it leaves me wondering where it could lead...possibly to a crossover with the upcoming Robert Pattinson trilogy?!
5. As I mentioned in the intro, this movie offers up an important message that must be addressed. Society has been shaped so that there are those who make it to the top...and those that are tossed to the curb. Here, Arthur falls into the latter, and it is that along with his deteriorating mental illness that contributes to his ultimate transformation into the Joker. To put it simply, the structure of society can contribute to the creation of monsters like the Joker, and if not careful can have drastic consequences. It is this message that the film conveys, and one that hopefully will be addressed and talked about for years to come. 

DOWNS

1. Ultimately, when being inspired by Taxi Driver, Joker starts to get a little self-indulgent in that regard. Having recently rewatched Taxi Driver, I realized this, and it got to the point where for a majority of the first half, it felt like the exact same film! Thankfully, Joker managed to come into its own as it progressed, but man, the similarities were distracting, thus keeping this film from being completely perfect. 

OVERALL

I have no words to describe Joker. It was a truly surreal experience and definitely the best film 2019 has offered so far. I don't think there can ever be a film quite like it, but it's nice to see that DC is finally allowing directors to craft character-driven stories that embrace their visions. The success that Joker is experiencing will no doubt shape the future of the industry going forward. Based on the movie, it seems like the best move possible. 

And that is is for this post guys, tune in for more coming your way and don't forget to...

Retro-Reviews: Taxi Driver (SPOILERS)

You talkin' to me?...

If you've heard that quote (which I can't imagine you haven't,) then you have, in a way, heard of Taxi Driver. Martin Scorsese is one of the most iconic filmmakers of all time, right up there with the likes of Spielberg, Kubrick, Tarantino, and Coppola. He's created many classics such as Goodfellas and is in the process of releasing his new flick, The Irishman. One thing many of his films share in common is the use of one iconic actor: that of Robert DeNiro. The pairing of Scorsese and DeNiro has produced some iconic films, and this one right here is easily one of the most cherished and beloved. With The Irishman right around the corner and a certain other film taking heavy inspiration from this film, I felt it natural to revisit Taxi Driver and determine what makes it such an iconic, dare I say it, masterpiece:

UPS

1. Robert DeNiro! Yes, the actor has had a huge variety of roles that it's hard to pick just one to consider his all time best, but his turn as Travis Bickle comes really, really close. There isn't much to be said about the performance. It is raw, vulnerable, and human, depicting what kind of fragile state one has to be in to succumb to the more brutal nature within their essence. Yes, Travis commits several brutal acts of violence and attempts to commit even worse atrocities, but the writing and DeNiro allow us to understand where he is coming from, ultimately making us question whether we should condemn him...or root for him.
2. The setting of New York. To this day, I don't think I have ever seen the Big Apple depicted in such a bleak and unsettling way. Scorsese's direction and the cinematography do an excellent job of conveying the way Travis sees the city, which makes his character arc that much more impactful. In every great story, the setting could be a character in and of itself, and Scorsese makes damn sure to incorporate that into the film.
3. Bernard Hermann's score.  To me, this score is just as important in capturing the essence of the film. The way it blends the smooth, peaceful sounds of the saxophone solo with that of the more bombastic sounds is something that is almost surreal. This being his final score before passing, Bernard Hermann really went out with a bang, crafting a score that will be timeless and irreplaceable. 

DOWNS

There is nothing in this film to really bring it down.

OVERALL

As I said, Taxi Driver is practically a masterpiece. I try not to make light of that term, but I can't think of many films that have hit all the right marks as this one does. It is a timeless tale that will remain relevant and influential for years to come. 

And that is it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way and till then, take care :)

The Walking Dead Season 10: Death Predictions (SPOILERS)

The Walking Dead is about to return for its tenth season in less than a week. With that being said, a lot has changed since the last season. Thankfully, it has fallen into the capable hands of Angela Kang, so there is hope that the future will be bright. That being said, things are not looking so bright for our survivors as they face the evergrowing threat of the Whisperers. This will also be the season to mark the end of Danai Gurira's tenure on the show. In this post, I will go over who will survive Season 10, who I remain on the fence about, and those who I believe will perish. Let's begin:

LIVES
 Daryl
 Carol
 Michonne
 Aaron
 Jerry
 Siddiq
 Magna
 Yumiko
 Connie
 Judith
 Lydia

DEBATABLE (LEAST LIKELY TO MOST)
 Negan
 Gabriel
 Rosita
 Eugene

DIES
 Ezekiel
 Alden
 Alpha
 Beta

OTHER CHARACTERS

• Laura: Debatable
• Scott will die
• Barbara: Debatable
• Nora: Debatable
• Mrs. Robinson: Debatable
• Gracie will live
• RJ will live
• Earl: Debatable
• Nabila will live
• Bertie: Debatable
• Kal will die
• Oscar: Debatable
• Marco: Debatable
• Dianne will live
• Luke will die
• Kelly: Debatable
• Cyndie will live
• Rachel: Debatable
• Gamma will die
• Virgil: Debatable
• Dog: DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more on the way and hopefully this show continues to improve with Season 10. Till then, take care :)

In The Mind Of: Pennywise The Dancing Clown/IT (SPOILERS)

Time to Float...

For every 27 years, something comes to Derry. Something strange, something dark, something...evil. It can't be explained, and there's no way to prove what it truly looks like. It doesn't even have a real name, simply being known as IT. This creature can take many forms, but its preferred host is that of a clown known simply as Pennywise. Under this guise, IT begins to actively seek out children (its favorite food source) to frighten and feed upon, which says a lot about its character. First, that it is a sentient being who revels in causing as much pain and suffering as it can, and secondly, that it ironically is a ginormous coward that can only function when its victims are afraid. If they fight back, IT can be destroyed, which almost is the case when a young group of children known as the Losers' Club decide to fight back. Narrowly escaping death, IT goes back into hibernation and decides to seek revenge on the Losers once it awakens, leaving several bodies in its wake (including that of fellow Loser Eddie Kaspbrak) before the combined might of the Losers in their adult prime come together to destroy IT for good. 

Pennywise/IT is for me one of, if the most, evil characters to ever grace the realm of fiction. It is as nightmarish as it is jovial, hilarious as it is sadistic. There is no shortage of horrors it can conjure up, and yet you'll find yourself laughing your head off at certain times because it is, at the end of the day, a clown after all. 

IT: Chapter Two (SPOILERS)

For 27 years, I've dreamnt of you, I've craved you, I've missed you...

Every 27 years, IT comes to feed on the (preferably young) souls of Derry. In 2017, we saw the beginning of that take place. Now, two years later, that story has reached its conclusion. IT is one of, if not the all-time greatest, Stephen King story ever written, and its cinematic adaptation has done a mostly solid job of bringing that story to the silver screen. With that being said, reviews for the second outing have not been as strong as that of the first, so where do I stand? Well, I freaking loved it, and I personally found myself enjoying this one more than the first and think it's the best movie of the year so far. Here's why:

UPS

1. The Losers Club. It had to have been extremely challenging for the filmmakers to cast actors who could capture the essence of the perfectly depicted younger versions of these characters. The challenge proved to be a success, as these actors embody what it'd be like to see these characters grow up. Honestly, it's hard to pick standouts because they're all so perfect. Of course, if we're going to talk about the Losers, we naturally have to move onto...
2. Bill Skarsgaard's Pennywise. While not saying he wasn't terrific in Chapter One, there were issues I had with how they amped up the creepier aspects of the character and not have that balanced by the more cheerful and jovial side that would come with being, well, a clown. That all changed here, where we really see Skaarsgaard truly come into his own and express a wide range for the character. He's cracking more jokes, playing more innocent to those who aren't so easily fooled, and even sings a freaking song for crying out loud...all while reminding us that he is at the end of the day a ravenous monster with little to no semblance of humanity within his dark soul. Pennywise has become a staple icon in the horror genre, and although he may not match the icon status that Tim Curry has, Skaarsgaard's performance here comes very close. 
3. That glorious cameo from Stephen King himself. Nuff said.
4. There were some pretty awesome references to other horror movies throughout the movie. In particular, there is one striking reference to John Carpenter's The Thing that will surely leave fans smiling when they see it. 
5. The ending. While the final battle wasn't the best it could have been (which I'll get to in a bit,) it was still immensely satisfying to see Pennywise finally destroyed for good, emotional with Eddie's final moments, Stan's letter, and the truth about Richie's feelings for Eddie, and finally heartwarming in that everything finally seemed to work out in the end. Bill's a better writer, Mike leaves Derry, Ben and Beverly are together, and although he loses Eddie, Richie is at least comfortable with being himself and acknowledging the feelings he harbored for Eddie. Also, it seems that the Losers have kept in touch and are likely to remain friends for the rest of their lives. Overall, the ending brings everything full circle in an absolutely perfect way and is probably why I find myself liking this one more than Chapter One.

DOWNS

1. Henry Bowers! Going in, I was curious to know exactly what was gonna happen with the Losers' childhood nemesis, especially since Chapter One showed him falling to his apparent death. Let's just say that he really should've stayed dead. At the end of the day, Bowers' role was so small and minuscule that it proved an annoying distraction that could easily be cut and nothing would change.
2. It does feel too long at times. Of course, while I do find the time was allotted really well for the most part, I think it could've easily been trimmed down quite a bit. As much as I love them, I don't think we needed so many flashback scenes with the younger Losers and wouldn't be missing much if they were cut.
3. The final battle is a tad underwhelming. Yes, I loved Pennywise finally being defeated, and there were several great moments featured like Bill overcoming his guilt over Georgie's death and Ben finally professing his love to Beverly, but I guess my disappointment lies within the fact that we never got to actually see a real final showdown. It really only amounts to the Losers running around trying to hide from Pennywise, who doesn't even turn into a fully fledged spider here, something I was really looking forward to seeing. 

OVERALL

I loved IT: Chapter Two. Like I said, the sense of finality along with a more fleshed out Pennywise and a great adult cast really elevated this one for me, so I can't see any reason to bash it.

 And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more on the way and till then, take care :)