Tag Archives: Todd Phillips

Joker (2019)

Joker Review: Written by Yogeswaran Ganapathy @moviemanyogi

Ratings: 4.5/5

Synopsis: A film which chronicles on how a small time clown in Gotham City became the legendary Joker.

Joker Trailer

When the end credits roll, you sit back and let it all settle, and after a point you finally realise that you have just witnessed a masterpiece unfold in front of your very eyes. That is power of the film – Joker!

Joaquin Phoenix is born to play this role. His filmography from The master (2012) to Her (2013), to You were never really here (2017) all made Phoenix brood into a performer who can give life to character of JOKER. Jack Nicholson in batman (1982) was a goofy, campy and eccentric joker. Heath ledger in The dark knight (2008) was an anarchist who did things as he pleased. Joaquin Phoenix gives yet another unique dimension to this character. He explores the untouched  process of how a mere nobody becomes the guy everybody feared in Gotham. 

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

Phoenix has the best joker laughter after that of Mark Hamill’s joker. Joaquin blends into the role effortlessly. The way he moves, the way he dances, it is all so effortless and magical. The way he puts effort in each and every step as he runs from his terrors and torments makes us feel the intensity that he faces. One thing is for sure, only phoenix could have done this aspect of joker with such finesse. 

Todd Phillips who had directed the Hangover trilogy, has given such a beautiful, poetic movie. Todd known for comedies, this time ventures into film having dark and gritty tones and delivers splendidly. The director has taken inspirations from Taxi driver (1976) and The king of comedy (1982). He has Modelled the era of the 80s based on these two films. The metaphors running throughout the film are stunning. Comparing the growing number of rats to the number of dissatisfied people is a prime example. The director also takes subtle digs at comedies of current times which made jokes mainly based on sleaze and didn’t have anything innovative to offer. He also ensures that the screenplay moves forward by making innovative use of DC comics folklore. Be assured, I am not going to spoil any of the brilliant twists though.

Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?

The opening sequence shows a group of street children picking on a helpless poor man. They proclaim that he is weak and beat him up. That’s exactly what is wrong with society. Be it the society in today’s times or earlier times, bullying and picking on the weaker sections are constantly persistent and not being spoken of many a times. Joker is ridiculed, constantly bullied and picked upon which brings about a Change in him. The society has never cared for people with mental illness and quite simply neglects them. The gritty portrayal of the society in its real way is a great job done by direction and writing. 

Lawrence Sher gives a cinematography which engages you and at the same time makes you wary of every little detail. The movement of the camera to cover the dance sequences of Joaquin phoenix is poetry in motion. The long shots intensely zoomed in on the joker gives us time to channelise and compartmentalise the feelings of those on screen.

My mother always tells me to smile and put on a happy face. She told me I had a purpose: to bring laughter and joy to the world.

Robert de Niro plays Franklin Murphy which is almost the continuation of his role from the ending sequences of The King of Comedy (1982). He represents everything that represents the typical materialistic society, too comfortable with superficial fun and games, not caring for the real problem existing in the outside world. Not caring about people. 

The film is haunting and stays with you for quite sometime. This is mainly due to the theme it tackles and also partly because of its heart pounding music by Hildur Guðnadóttir. The writing of the film says That “Society makes the man ” and not the opposite which is usually said. 

Joker will surely stand the test of time and emerge as one of the greatest character studies made on a comic-book character. Heath ledger would definitely be smiling from the heavens, his legacy is restored and honoured. 

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com

Best Comedy Films of recent times (10+1list)

Best Comedy Films of recent times

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Comedy Films of recent times: Overdose of sex and violence. Overdramatic celebrities and never-ending super-hero battles. Best-Comedy-FilmsExcessive use of computer graphics and 3D glasses. At the end of the day it all feels so artificial and commercial and unreal.

Sometimes all you want is a good sensible film with believable characters and a realistic story line, an easy going comedy that simply makes you laugh – but nowadays such movies are pretty hard to find.

Well, you don’t have to look any further!

Here’s a list of the Best Comedy Films of recent times which will simply make your day a happy one! Enjoy.

10. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6raUs0CiCQ

Best-Comedy-FilmsA cool freshman pitcher who steers his way through various new life experiences, making friends and finding love!

(Film Review)

Directed by Richard Linklater, a classic take on college bonding!

May be considered as a continuation to either Dazed and Confused (1993) or may be even a follow-up of Boyhood (2014).

9. Captain Fantastic (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kH4OMIOMc

Best-Comedy-FilmsResiding inside a forest, a devoted father has a very different idea of parenting (home schooling his children). But his life philosophies are soon challenged by the regular norms of our modern society!

Directed by Matt Ross, a brilliant comedy with such a powerful embedded meaning to it all.

This movie though pretty differently conceptualized still reminds me of Little Miss Sunshine (2006).

8. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zru-1DbbcsA

Best-Comedy-FilmsThe epic story of a legendary concierge and his lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend!

(Film Review)

Memorable performances by Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray AbrahamAdrien BrodyJude LawBill MurrayEdward NortonHarvey KeitelWillem Dafoe and Tilda Swinton among others.

Directed by Wes Anderson, by far the most stylish comedy I have seen!

7. The Lobster (2015)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU29VfayDMw

Best-Comedy-FilmsAn extremely twisted and dark Greek comedy set in a dystopian near future where being single is forbidden by the laws of The City!

(Film Review)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Léa Seydoux, John C. Reilly and Ben Whishaw among others; a gem of a comedy, quirky and entertaining in the best way possible!

6. The Nice Guys (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVd-EuoEf3U

Best-Comedy-FilmsA missing girl and a dead porn star kicks off an investigation lead by a mismatched pair of private detectives none other than Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.

Directed by Shane Black, underrated and yet a superbly subtle and dark, often a bit violent but overall a solid comedy that perfectly sets up the mood for some good laughs. Cool performance by Angourie Rice.

5. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZEWtyhpes

Best-Comedy-FilmsBowled over by this brilliant vampire comedy where a documentary team follows a group of vampires trying to make a sense of their unique lifestyle!

Directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this film from New Zealand has such a unique concept and some of the most funny characters, dialogues and situations that guarantees a continuous flow of laughter!

4. Deadpool (2016)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xithigfg7dA

Best-Comedy-FilmsPersonally not a fan of superhero flicks but this one is special!

Directed by Tim Miller, Ryan Reynolds comes out as the most witty and raunchy superhero ever and that too with a quest for vengeance.

(Film Review)

Hilarious dialogues with perfect comedy timing, complimented by lot of violence and foul language! Eagerly waiting for the sequel Deadpool 2 (2018).

3. Frances Ha (2012)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBn5dgXFMis

Best-Comedy-Films

The combination of director Noah Baumbach and actress Greta Gerwig presents one of the most endearing film of recent times! 

A brilliant black and white comedy drama that tells the tale of an ordinary yet hilarious New York girl named Frances. She is quirky, childlike but superbly entertaining!

Beautifully shot by Sam Levy, the film is as spontaneous and free-spirited as it’s leading lady.

Don’t miss another cool comedy from the same director-actress combo is Mistress America.

2. The Hangover (2009) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcdUhdOlz9M

Best-Comedy-FilmsThe most commercially popular Hollywood comedy of this decade and certainly one of the best laugh riots ever made!

Directed by Todd Phillips, the story of four friends and their memorable bachelor party in Las Vegas of which they don’t seem to remember anything!

Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha – they absolutely rock the show!

Don’t you miss out the two awesome sequels The Hangover Part II (2011) and The Hangover Part III (2013)

  1. The Intouchables (2011) 

Intouchables (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34WIbmXkewU

Best-Comedy-FilmsThis french film is about a young man from a difficult background who takes up a job to look after a rich paralytic aristocrat – and then of course it’s about their eventual bond of friendship.

Directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, and such brilliant performances by François Cluzet and Omar Sy; this film is undoubtedly the best comedy film of this era!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (2014)

En duva satt på en gren och funderade på tillvaron (original title) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7pna4laaAk

Best-Comedy-FilmsThis Swedish film is an altogether different kind of comedy (don’t expect any periodical gags or laughs), this is humor so dry and often tragic even!

Directed by acclaimed Roy Andersson, a series of absurdist episodes maintaining a thin line between reality and fantasy, apparently nonsense but then again it’s deeply philosophical, in a way questioning the very essence of our human existence!

Similar Interest: Best horror Comedies

Similar Interest: Best Bollywood Comedy Dramas of 2015

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.imdb.com.