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Joker (2019)
Pure cinematic bliss
Now THIS is a comic book movie worthy of oscar attention. There's a lot going on here. We see the inside of a troubled man as he goes through the transformation of turning into DC's finest villain. Todd Philips and Joaquin Phoenix have created an emotional, brutal and almost painful film to watch (in a good way). The film follows Arthur Fleck's character throughout the entire run-time and the audience is pulled into this sad man's life as everything just seems to be tumbling around him. The way people treat him and the way his behavior unintentionally makes others uncomfortable is tough to watch but it is a brutal reminder of the hardships faced by people like him. Watching him turn into this downward spiral into the villainous Joker is entertaining, rewarding and disturbing. The film is about the evolution of this broken down man trying to find a place in society and then taking another path instead. This is a tragic tale done excellently. The cinematography and score is stunning, the directing is extremely good as well. The use of songs in the film are very well done. Every character really sells their role in the film, from the bullies, to the ones that try to help, to the extras in the talk show. Everyone brings their A-game into this film and nothing feels out of place. Joker is destined to be a cult classic and it's a hopeful change in direction for comic based films. This is a movie that will be remembered for a long time.
Ad Astra (2019)
A near masterpiece of science fiction drama
Ad Astra took me quite by surprise. If you're reading this and have not yet watched the film, be warned; the trailers completely misrepresent the film and it is marketed towards the wrong audience.
This is not the next 2001: A Space Odyssey, nor is it anything like Interstellar. The film has more in common with Apocalypse Now and Moon, than any of those movies. I am surprised a movie like this even got made, which in some ways explains the rather mainstream appeal of the trailers in order to compensate for the film's deliberate pace.
With Ad Astra, James Gray has created an intimate and soulful film set in space. The only thing "science fiction" about this is the setting. Otherwise, it's a human drama. The movie is very simple and straightforward but it is effective.
Powerful visuals accompanied by stellar acting from Brad Pitt, a tight focus on the story, and a sublime musical score, makes this different from other space films out there. The film's slow pace might lose its audience after a certain point, but the ones who stay with it till the end will be rewarded with an excellent but simple film.
The brilliant use of a plausible near future setting is excellent science fiction material. Mankind has commercialized travel to the Moon and has set foot on Mars. But not all is as it seems. There are dangers still, and some parts of the Moon are war zones. This setting gives enough plausibility to the plot, while still selling the empty loneliness of space exploration. Mars is Mankind's last stop before the unknown and Brad Pitt's character, Roy McBride finds himself journeying alone to complete the rest of his mission after a certain point, which forms the best parts of the film after the Moon and Mars sequences. If you love science fiction settings, especially based on space colonization, this part of the movie will no doubt appeal to you.
Still, the film is not perfect. The only problem I have with the movie is Liv Tyler's character, Eve. I felt she was not needed in the movie and while she was barely in the movie, her minor scenes added nothing but rather, detracted from the film as a whole, given the movie's tight focus on Roy McBride and his mission.
Maybe the audience might find Roy McBride to be an emotionless robot, but there is a lot going on in his mind and that is enough for me as a viewer to engage with. The wife character is unnecessary in this otherwise flawless film, which seems to me its only purpose is to tell the audience, "It's ok, see? He has a wife, he's relatable now!" No. The film doesn't need that, and I think in some ways James Gray knows that too. It is definitely an unnecessary addition to the film.
But, the rest of the film's tight focus on Brad Pitt's character shows James Gray is confident about his vision and he doesn't need to switch between multiple characters or side plots to tell his story. As mentioned above, the only misstep with this film is Liv Tyler's character, Eve. With the exception of Tommy Lee Jones' character, Clifford McBride, every other character is only a minor supporting character and they come and go as per the story.
All in all, Ad Astra utilizes a science fiction space setting to tell a heartfelt drama about father and son. Some people might find the film to be uneventful for a space movie, and might find the third act disappointing. But, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I may have to watch a movie again immediately after leaving the theater. The more I reflect on the film, the more I admire it. Ad Astra is a near flawless masterpiece.