Joker

Joker

I don‘t need to ask you who officially doesn't belong in this list..

My blog is not dedicated to Tom Hiddleston/Loki for nothing, so when I found this amazingly made Loki/Joker fan-art from TheMainManCreation (I have permission to use the image) I couldn't resist using it. Of course linking the Joker with Loki, who‘s in the Norse myths also known as the trickster, is not such a weird thing (+they are both genius), I don‘t know if I want to see Tom as the Joker. But I cannot judge about something I've never seen before, so if it ever happens I shall not complain. However after I have seen the new Joker, I think with Joaquin Phoenix they have found a really good Joker so I hope this wasn't his last and only performance of it.

Feel free to share your opinions!

Photo: DC Comics

“When you bring me out, can you introduce me as Joker?” 

Finally, the Joker, labelled as the most impressive and popular villain of DC Comics, now has its own standalone solo film! In this film called Joker (yes, without 'The' ..), actor Joaquin Phoenix, whose name I also found in the list called: ‘7 celebrities whose names you've been pronouncing wrong’, crawls into the skin of this rouged psychopath. The actor is one of all trades, in 2018 he portrayed Jesus in the film Mary Magdalene. The last Joker portrayed by actor/singer Jared Leto ( Suicide Squad ), was a somewhat disappointing one. The most famous Jokers perhaps are Jack Nicholson (Batman 1989) and Heath Ledger, who in The Dark Knight (2008) truly had set the bar very high! After Ledger‘s performance, hardly no one talked about the Joker from Nicholson anymore. Now Phoenix succeeds in portraying an equal Joker like Ledger did and with this role he also paid a nice tribute to his deceased friend.

I have a huge respect for this artwork of Anarchy Graphics.

It also requires a whole lot from the actors to be able to empathize in the role of this psychopath. To lose weight for the role, at least Joaquin Phoenix probably had to say no to a lot of food, which for example I think was easier for a vegan like him than for a great meat-lover. A more extreme example is the tragic story of Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 at the age of 28, before The Dark Knight premiered. If this had not happened, the closing part of The Dark Knight trilogy would probably have looked very different and perhaps Jared Leto was never given the role (that‘s what I think though).

Heath Ledger & Jared Leto.

"Knock, knock .."

Now in 2019, this manically disturbed villain from the comics is back in the cinemas! Personally the trailer had blown me away already. The critics mentioned that Phoenix managed to make the Joker look even more kooky than his predecessors did, personally I think the kooky look still remains with Ledger‘s version. With this film Todd Philips gives you a glimpse into the life/head of Arthur Fleck, a resident of Gotham City, whose mental condition does not fit within the norms of society. During the day he‘s earning his money as a clown and in the evening he tries to become a successful stand-up comedian. However, he discovers that it is a tough world and is laughed away by his crowds. Let‘s say the balloons in his head are about to pop.. Also his past with Batman/The Wayne‘s will be a little bit more highlighted. For this role, Phoenix has already received much praise. In Venice, where the film already premiered in August, it won the important prize called the Golden Lion at a film festival. Phoenix is ​​also ‘tipped’ to have a big chance of winning an Oscar. Heath Ledger had also won an Oscar for his role as the Joker, so if Phoenix manages to win one, it means that two actors receive an Oscar for the portrayal of the same role, something that is rare! In fact Robert De Niro (who also has a role in this film) is the only other actor who has succeeded this.

"Send in the clowns.."

With both Joker and Pennywise in IT: Chapter Two, the horror clowns are definitely taking over the cinemas for a while! Although these clowns are a lot more frightening than the typical carnival clowns, thanks to films such as these people occasionally are taking a different look at these painted entertainers. Besides children and teenagers there are also many adults who are suffering from a clown phobia, perhaps partly caused by the horror clowns seen in films. For one I remember the clown-like puppet riding the bicycle (I shall not add a picture of this puppet called Billy..) in the Saw films really caused me some scary nights.. Oh well, as long as you can tell the difference between reality and imagination (which Arthur doesn't really in this film..) I assume it‘s all fine. Seen from the style and among others, the film-music, I think Joker definitely fits well with Nolan‘s The Dark Knight trilogy, but I can certainly recommend Joker to anyone who has rated Tim Burton’s Batman films, especially Batman Returns, high. Next year Harley Quinn, Leto's Joker ex-partner in crime, will get her own film. But in 2021 DC will release a movie called The Batman with Robert Pattinson (Twilight / Harry Potter) as the new Batman and in which reportedly Jeremy Irons will return as Alfred. According to some rumors, we will also see drain-villain The Penguin again. Joker is not part of the DC Extended Universe, so that reduces the chances of getting to see Joaquin Phoenix's anti-hero and Batman (all grown) in the same film. Although, never say never! Given the worldwide success of Joker, if I were DC, I wouldn't give him a goodbye-wave yet.. All with all, Joker is definitely worth the watch! 

Photo: DC Comics

*If the multiple Joker pictures in this blog post caused you any nightmares, I‘m deeply sorry!