In mainstream movies today, “dark” is just another flavor. Like “edgy,” it’s an option you use depending on what market you want to reach. And it is particularly useful when injected into the comic book genre.   

Darkness no longer has much to do with feelings of alienation the filmmaker wants to express or purge, as was the case with a film like “Taxi Driver.” It’s not about exploring uncomfortable ideas, as was done in “The King of Comedy.” Do you think Todd Phillips, who co-wrote and directed “Joker,” and references those movies so often you might expect that Martin Scorsese was enlisted as an executive producer here as a way of heading off a plagiarism lawsuit, really cares about income inequality, celebrity worship, and the lack of civility in contemporary society? I don’t know him personally but I bet he doesn’t give a toss. He’s got the pile he made on those “Hangover” movies—which some believe have indeed contributed to the lack of civility in etc.—and can not only buy up all the water that’s going to be denied us regular slobs after the big one hits, he can afford the bunker for after the bigger one hits.

Todd Phillips’ “Joker” is unquestionably the boldest reinvention of “superhero” cinema since “The Dark Knight”; a true original that’s sure to be remembered as one of the most transgressive studio blockbusters of the 21st Century. It’s also a toxic rallying cry for self-pitying incels, 

*****

While “Joker” often plays like a beat-for-beat remake of “The King of Comedy,” that movie was about a talentless man who was convinced that he was special; this movie, by contrast, is about a talented man who swallows the red pill and becomes convinced that nobody is. That perspective allows Phillips to feign an apolitical stance and speak to the people in our world who are predisposed to think of Arthur as a role model: lonely, creatively impotent white men who are drawn to hateful ideologies because of the angry communities that foment around them.

willhud9 wrote:https://time.com/5666055/venice-joker-review-joaquin-phoenix-not-funny/

Time gives it a negative review as well.

I’ll see it when it comes out, but it looks really cheesy in the trailer. Some of these reviews are saying it’s so artistic, but I think it looks like it’s trying too hard.

willhud9 wrote:Media affects people. Incels, neo-nazis, and other crazy people see these films and associate them with virtues they seek to be justified.

willhud9 wrote:And yet plenty of countries such as Germany have strict censorship in regards to hate speech and Holocaust denial. Delusional people exist, those laws are enacted to deter those delusional people. I would say the issue of entertainment vs societal gain is definitely not a clear cut and stone one.

And incels are humiliated men scorned by women because they are too nice and are not assholes like all those chads.

Nazis are humiliated people scorned by society because they are willing to stand for their beliefs even if they are unpopular.

The Joker is no victim to be pitied. The film is trying to paint him as such. No thanks.

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newolder wrote:Not a movie in the traditional sense but release of full colour film of black hole at galaxy's centre is awaited with keen anticipation...

willhud9 wrote:I think the problem is this mentality of showing sympathy towards the joker.

The Joker is a toxic human being. There is a large group of people out there who say the Joker (especially Ledger’s) is a role model due to their charismatic portrayal in the films.

Media affects people. Incels, neo-nazis, and other crazy people see these films and associate them with virtues they seek to be justified.

I think there is a cautionary tale somewhere to be found here.