Topic: The RAWK Film Thread

[Henry Gale]

Watched Bloodline last night, very violent as you can imagine. Strange watching Seann William Scott play a psycho killer but actually quite enjoyed it.

[S]

Ex Machina: One of my favourite films. Vikander does an amazing job to me portraying an intelligent AI, with great dialogue and chemistry between her and the subject. My only real complaint is probably that the brains behind the entire project wasn't written/cast very well. 9/10

Yeah that's a great film. I think Oscar Isaac is kind of terrifying in it too.

[The 1989 Brit Awards]

Just watched Joker.

Spoiler

I thought it was good, but not great. Phoenix was amazing, but so many of what transpired during the first half was predictable and, dare i say, a bit boring. From the moment he found the truth about his mother it got good, imo

[close]

[Damian V]

Only got 2 stars in the Guardian today.  They do like to be quite contrary, though.

Seems like it's getting a fair amount of bad reviews due to it glorifying some elements that aren't very acceptable anymore in PC-culture. As a film, I enjoyed it greatly and don't very much care to draw parallels to real life, it's entertainment to me.

[Trada]

Seems like it's getting a fair amount of bad reviews due to it glorifying some elements that aren't very acceptable anymore in PC-culture. As a film, I enjoyed it greatly and don't very much care to draw parallels to real life, it's entertainment to me.

Im looking forward to seeing it they are saying it broke the record for October  Thursday Previews with $13 Million.

From what people are saying they are making it sound like a modern day Clockwork Orange.

[Sahara]

I remember reading that Christian Bale can't bring himself to watch The Dark Knight Rises since the Aurora shooting, the film didnt have joker in the movie but seems to spark fears.

[iamnant]

Only got 2 stars in the Guardian today.  They do like to be quite contrary, though.

That's Peter Bradshaw though who, as much as I love him, is a bit of an old fart. His fellow Guardian reviwer Mark Kermode gave it a big 'ol thumbs up today on 5Live!

Saw Joker yesterday. Thought it was brilliant, Phoenix is amazing in it and has to be front-runner for an Oscar for that one for me at the moment. He elevates the movie to another level.

So glad to hear this - going to watch it on Saturday and wasn't sure due to the mixed reviews.

[John_P]

Saw Joker early today and overall I really enjoyed it, regardless of anything Phoenix is fantastic in the role. I really do hope that it's completely left alone with no sequels.

I'll spoiler my other thoughts

Spoiler

whilst I'm not of the opinion that people should be looking at Arthur/Joker as someone to to idolise I noticed the people you do see him kill in some ways have it coming so you can almost have empathy for it. Especially the initial subway shootings (except the 3rd one). However they've made a clear decision not to show him kill Zazie Beetz character (and possibly her daughter), or the psychologist at the end as these murders are completely unnecessary. But showing them especially the first one would (or should) completely turn the audience against Arthur.

[close]

Spoiler

and regarding everything after he kills his mother and neighbour. In the next scene we see him climbing into a fridge and closing the door on himself. We never see him re-emerge. The next scene he's getting the phone call to appear on DeNeros talk show. Feels like it's almost wish fulfilment as suddenly everything he's wanted to do he's able to accomplish. He kills his former co-worker, evades the police, and finally the denouement on TV and his acclaim on the streets. Is this just his imagination running wild whilst he dies in the fridge?

[close]

[TravisBickle]

Saw Joker this evening.

It’s brilliant. It has flaws and it’s self indulgent, yes. But fuck me, it did everything I wanted it to and more. I was transfixed for the duration and I’ve booked to go again tomorrow at 10am.

I need to see that second to last scene over and over and over again - I’ve been emotional in cinemas before but it’s rare I’ve wanted a scene to last forever and that’s what Joker did to me right there.

Go see it.

[Something Worse]

Saw Joker this evening.

It’s brilliant. It has flaws and it’s self indulgent, yes. But fuck me, it did everything I wanted it to and more. I was transfixed for the duration and I’ve booked to go again tomorrow at 10am.

I need to see that second to last scene over and over and over again - I’ve been emotional in cinemas before but it’s rare I’ve wanted a scene to last forever and that’s what Joker did to me right there.

Go see it.

Username checks out!

I thought it was a good movie, all the whining before it came out looks ridiculous when you actually watch it.

[Jake]

Also saw it last night. It was pretty good, dull in parts which I think was just a pacing issue to me as it wasn't stretched out to add suspense. Would have preferred

Spoiler

for him not to end up being worshiped as a god in the end but like the the poster above says, maybe it was in his head wish fulfilment

[close]

Also, question (I was so tired in the cinema I dozed off twice for micronaps)

Spoiler

are we assuming he killed his neighbour due to the general tone or was there a clear sign I missed? I thought she told him to get out then he trudged off? And I don't get the timeline of him killing his doctor I thought she binned him off due to funding when he was alive, how did he end up in Arkham, did I miss his capture after the riot?

[close]

[Beav]

I thought it was a good movie, all the whining before it came out looks ridiculous when you actually watch it.

I'm probably in the minority again but I didnt really enjoy it, although I do echo this. Its nowhere near as provocative or dangerous as some of those ridiculous thinkpieces led me to believe. The oddest thing about it for me is after everything building up to it, the five star reviews, the calls for it to not be shown, my reaction to it was that its.. fine?

[killer-heels]

Went to watch the Joker and I really liked it and enjoyed its bleak outlook.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I watched the new Spider-man film and I loved that as well especially the Teen, high-school element of it, just like the first one.

[Buck Pete]

Seems like it's getting a fair amount of bad reviews due to it glorifying some elements that aren't very acceptable anymore in PC-culture.

From what people are saying they are making it sound like a modern day Clockwork Orange.

Brilliant. Can't wait going tomorrow

I'm probably in the minority again but I didnt really enjoy it, a

[Something Worse]

I'm probably in the minority again but I didnt really enjoy it, although I do echo this. Its nowhere near as provocative or dangerous as some of those ridiculous thinkpieces led me to believe. The oddest thing about it for me is after everything building up to it, the five star reviews, the calls for it to not be shown, my reaction to it was that its.. fine?

Yeah after about ten minutes I was like "nobody watching this movie fantasizes about being this guy, what the fuck was everyone on about"

[Trada]

The film is already being linked to the death of Homeless people and some cinemas have canceled screenings.

Very Clockwork Orange and reminds me of when things like Warriors was released and they were worried about gang violence.

[Something Worse]

The film is already being linked to the death of Homeless people and some cinemas have canceled screenings.

Very Clockwork Orange and reminds me of when things like Warriors was released and they were worried about gang violence.

It's got nothing to do with hurting the poor and downtrodden, people are severely reaching if they're blaming this movie for those actions.

[Trada]

It's got nothing to do with hurting the poor and downtrodden, people are severely reaching if they're blaming this movie for those actions.

They did a piece about it on BBC News.

I haven't seen the film so I don't know just repeated what they were saying.

I'm really looking forward to it.

[Something Worse]

They did a piece about it on BBC News.

I haven't seen the film so I don't know just repeated what they were saying.

I'm really looking forward to it.

The BBC, fuck. They should be better than that

[Trada]

The BBC, fuck. They should be better than that

They just showed the story again but this time they have unlinked it from the death of the homeless people they have done that now as a sperate story just before the Joker one and don't blame it on the film I guess someone got in contact with them to get them to change it.

[Beav]

For after you have seen it, my expanded thoughts are here: https://letterboxd.com/beav/film/joker-2019/

But in short I think its all surface, with no substance.

[J-Mc-]

IT: Chapter 2 up on the usual places.

Also watched one of my favourite movies growing up yesterday, pure b-movie cheese with one of the worst accents you’ll ever hear, but probably the best ‘dragon’ film around still.

Reign of Fire.

[AndyMuller]

Joker was fantastic and Joaquin was phenomenal.

Imagine if Joaquin actually took the Dr Strange gig instead of Benedict Cumberbatch, he would have outshined most of the actors in the MCU.

[Buck Pete]

The BBC, fuck. They should be better than that

Yeah the same BBC who essentially made Jimmy Saville a multi millionaire and turned a blind eye (allegedly) to his antics.

[damomad]

Loved Joker as a piece of entertainment but it’s also a damning artistic example of what can happen if government neglects mental health funding.

[Agent99]

In the Tall Grass started off really well and then went to complete shit.

[Lord Roger Hunt]

J Phoenix - give him the Oscar now. Brilliant.

[Casta]

Went to watch Joker yesterday, thought it was superb, grim and dark as f**k though, I think there was serious overplaying in the media about the violence but ffs we have seen a lot worse in the mainstream movies over the years, Joaquin Phoenix performance was excellent.

[Buck Pete]

Upgrade: Actually an amazing film. The 7.5 rating on IMDB is really deserving in my opinion. Heard the story is really familiar with Venom, but I haven't seen it and even the main actor in Upgrade looks a lot like Hardy. Cool story, well acted, nice action sequences and just great overall. 9/10

One of my favourite movies from 2018

Great stuff

[Hazell]

Seen a couple of films lately

Prospect: Had the makings of a great film, kind of like a sci-fi/western. Well shot, great scenery, interesting storyline... but it lacked something I find it hard to put my finger on. Whether it was certain scenes seeming a little out of place, no real logic or cohesion (for lack of better terms) behind the settlers met or just in general how the main protagonists are written in relation to the overall story I'm not sure. Decent though, without being great. 6/10

Saw this yesterday and I agree. Looked great and went where I didn't expect but it worked but still thought it could have had a little more bite. Still, it was worth watching and I knew nothing about it going in which helped to enjoy it.

[duvva 💅]

Just watched The Keeper. Story about Bert Trautmann and how he goes from POW to become Man City keeper in the 50s. Really enjoyed it. No doubt it’s simplified and condensed from what actually happened but it’s well done and funny in places too. Recommend to anyone who enjoys old football history.

[Macphisto80]

All this false outrage and so called controversy I've been hearing and reading about Joker is nothing but a load of fabricated bollocks. And if it isn't, it's just pure hokum to drum up attention for clickbaiting websites and sad excuses for journalists.

I've just got back from watching it. I'd normally give a film like this a pass, because I really couldn't give two fucks about most comic book related stuff, especially about a character that I think is grossly overrated in pop culture and has been flogged to death to the point where I find him trite and tedious, but this film is a lot more nuanced than it has any right to be. Perfectly constructed and paced to the point where just when it feels like it's dragging, it snaps into another gear, and it's all in service of the of the gradual descent into the iconic character that we all know. It's often slow, but the payoff is fantastic. It's really well done

[Buck Pete]

As far removed from a comic book movie you can get while still being part of one of the big 2 Comic book franchises.

This is what Martin Scorsese said recently about Marvel movies

"Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. ‘It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.’


Although I actually do go and watch Marvel movies I totally agree with him.  The Joker character is obviously part of the DC universe and 'Joker' gives us exactly what Scorsese longs for in a serious movie.  And me too for that matter.

Man, this film would stand up as a superb movie if the Joker character had never even existed and was purely a story about a downtrodden man part of a toxic society following his descent into madness.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Nothing beats Ledger's Joker imo

[Something Worse]

Nothing beats Ledger's Joker imo

Phoenix is so different, they're not the same character.

[TheTeflonJohn]

Anyone watched The Best of Enemies?

True story about the KKK and civil rights in the 70`s.

Absolutely brilliant film with Sam Rothwell and Taraji Henson.

[iamnant]

Watched Joker yesterday. Phoenix is utterly superb in it, truly brilliant. I think a better portrayal of Joker than Ledger, even though Ledger's character was more just a baddie who was a bit weird. This Joker is portrayed as someone with serious mental illnesses and what happens when governments stop funding for medical care.

Not sure what the outrage is about it, as there are many, many more violent and gruesome films being produced today.

Spoiler

The ending with Bruce Wayne stood in the alleyway definitely is a sign that they're open to the idea of a sequel, and I think it would work really well.

The only thing slightly missing from this was beats for plot points - they rhythm didn't quite work for me, but didn't take anything away from the film either.

[close]

[Macphisto80]

Man, this film would stand up as a superb movie if the Joker character had never even existed and was purely a story about a downtrodden man part of a toxic society following his descent into madness.

Yeah, it would, yes. That's why I liked it. I came out of it thinking "I just watched an actual film there" and not fictional, ridiculously dressed, CGI characters beating the fuck out each other for 2 hours. In the past, creating a character like this just required the hero to drop him into a vat of chemicals. The vat of chemicals in this was the stigma of the society he was surrounded and drowned in.

One thing I disliked was the use of that nonce c*nt Glitter's music, in what was arguably the best scene in the film. Why on earth did they chose that, and why wasn't it picked up on in editing? For fuck sake. I hope they remove it for the home release.

[Buck Pete]

One thing I disliked was the use of that nonce c*nt Glitter's music, in what was arguably the best scene in the film. Why on earth did they chose that, and why wasn't it picked up on in editing? For fuck sake. I hope they remove it for the home release.

Shit yeah I knew there was something about the movie I picked up on which was a bit weird.  Surely the filmmakers were not so naive as to not know about Glitters rep?  Not sure how big he was in the USA but I'm thinking this may have been a massive oversight on behalf of the movie makers.  Perhaps they just didn't give a fuck and wanted the song badly.

As you say it was a brilliant scene

Spoiler

as Arthur Fleck discovered himself as the Joker

[close]

And the song is ace.  For those of us that know the history it did sour the moment slightly though.

[So… Howard Philips]

IT: Chapter 2 up on the usual places.

Also watched one of my favourite movies growing up yesterday, pure b-movie cheese with one of the worst accents you’ll ever hear, but probably the best ‘dragon’ film around still.

Reign of Fire.

Reign of Fire definitely has that 1960s British Sci Fi film feel about it. A bit like Quatermass and the Pit.