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Joker: Folie à Deux – Review
Joker: Folie à Deux – Budget of $200 million – 2 hours and 18 minutes
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The guards at Arkham Asylum give Arthur Fleck a clean shave and suit before he meets his lawyer, Maryanne Stewart. Maryanne prepares Arthur for a conference with his court-appointed psychologist. The psychologists believes Arthur has a split personality that he calls Joker after suffering years of abuse. If they can get the court to accept it, Arthur will spend his life in a mental facility instead of a prison for murdering five people. The guards lead Arthur to B-ward, and he hears singing. Arthur peeks inside and glances at a beautiful woman with an angelic voice. The guards move Arthur down the hall, and he looks back. The woman is standing in the hall with a finger gun to her head. She pulls the trigger, and Arthur smiles. Arthur finishes his psychiatric evaluation, but Maryanne knows this strategy is a long shot. Arthur goes back to his cell. During yard time, a guard, Jackie, got Arthur some time in the B-ward’s music class. Arthur can’t contain his excitement.
Arthur sits next to the woman. They steal glances at each other. He sees her outside of class and introduces himself. Of course, she knows who Arthur is because she watched a TV movie about him 20 times. She tells him her name is Lee. He inspired her. She grew up in the same building as him and had an abusive father. Her mother committed Lee after Lee set their apartment on fire. She watched Arthur on The Murray Franklin Show and wanted Arthur to shoot him. Then, he did. That’s when Lee felt seen for the first time. Arthur whispers that he killed his mother, Penny, too, but no one knows that. The guards pull Arthur away, but he is smitten with Lee.
Arthur watches District Attorney Harvey Dent give a press conference about Arthur’s trial. It will be the first televised murder trial in Gotham’s history. Judge Herman Rothwax deemed Arthur fit to stand trial. And Harvey wants Arthur to get the death penalty. Harvey thinks the Joker persona is an excuse for Arthur’s evil behavior and will prove it in court. Arthur laughs while his eyes well with tears.
B-ward’s music class watches a musical. Arthur is engaged, but Lee wants to leave. Arthur reminds Lee that the guards will shoot him if he exits. Lee gets up, walks to the piano, sets it ablaze, and sits in her seat. When people spot the fire, they run. Lee grabs Arthur, and they flee in the other direction. Lee and Arthur run towards Arkham’s front gate, where reporters swarm for a comment. The guards grab Arthur and throw him into the hole until his trial.
One day, Lee awakens Arthur. She bribed a guard to let her into the hole to say goodbye to Arthur. Her family thought he was a bad influence on her and signed her release early. However, she plans to be at Arthur’s trial daily. She paints Arthur’s face, and they make love in the hole.
Arthur enters the courtroom but looks back at the door during the opening statement. He beams with glee when Lee enters and sits in the back. Arthur asks Maryanne to get Lee a better seat in the future. After the first day of deliberations, Lee confronts Maryanne in the vestibule. Lee thinks Maryanne is mocking the Joker and losing the trial. Maryanne thinks Lee is delusional and a fame-seeker. Lee says the world is on Joker’s side and will free him.
Lee goes to the holding cell and tells Joker that Maryanne will lose the trial. She kisses Joker and encourages him to ‘build a mountain’ with her. Maryanne meets with Arthur about the trial. He professes his love for Lee, and Maryanne laughs. She reveals that Lee is a liar. Her name is Harley Quinzel, and her parents are rich. She grew up on the wealthy side of town, and her father is alive and a doctor. Arthur confronts Lee about her lies, and she confesses. She lied because she wanted Joker to like her. She wants him to let Joker free. Arthur takes her advice and fires Maryanne. Joker will represent himself and make the world smile. Will he be found guilty and sent to death?
This musical sequel is an ambitious change from the first film. Arthur and Lee perform songs together and apart to express their feelings. However, the movie stays grounded when the real world bleeds into the music and dance. If you watch the first film, you will wonder if Arthur is hallucinating this relationship as he did with Sophie. The elements feel the same. But rest assured, the plot is different. The costume designers ensured the world around Arthur was gloomy and gray. But Joker’s world had spots of color. The storyline does an excellent job of recapping the first film. So you don’t need to watch it to enjoy part two. The writers introduce known characters to the fans while staying true to Joker. The plot slows down for the songs, and sometimes, the music drowns out the actors. However, the film is worthwhile. The audience will watch Arthur Fleck’s trial and Joker’s birth. Also, there are zero mid- or post-credit scenes.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I am free – Arthur
He didn’t deserve to die – Mr. Puddles
She told me there was something wrong with Arthur – Sophie
I told you I wanted to get out of there – Lee
You’re not Joker. You’re Arthur – Maryanne
Arthur Fleck is a monster who knew exactly what he was doing – Harvey Dent
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Piece By Piece – Review
Piece By Piece – Budget of $16 million – 1 hour and 33 minutes
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Pharrell Williams welcomes a documentary crew into his home. He spends a few moments with his baby and asks his wife, Helen, to keep the kids calm during the interview. Pharrell walks them to a back room. But before he answers questions, he thinks the story should be in Lego. He doesn’t feel that anything is new. We take what exists, break it apart, and create something different, just like the classic toy. The reporter chuckles until he realizes Pharrell is serious. Then, Pharrell talks about his early connection with music, especially Stevie Wonder. He bonded with the music because Pharrell has synesthesia. He sees and hears the music around him. Also, he loved TV. It showed him the depths of imagination, and he dreamed about a world outside his neighborhood. However, Pharrell’s schoolwork suffered. The school wanted to pass him, but his mother didn’t believe he was ready. His grandmother saw his potential. She told him God had a higher purpose for him, bought him a snare drum, and instructed him to join the band. He met Chad, Shay, Pusha T, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland. Pharrell’s life will touch the world.
Pharrell was correct. His story could only be in Lego. You see the world through his creative lens. The film doesn’t feel like a typical Behind The Music documentary. Each song is a different Lego structure that lights up and bounces when he shows it to others. As Pharrell gets a case of the ‘should’ve, would’ve, could’ve’s,’ an actual ‘wave of doubt’ hits him in the studio. In case you are wondering, it never changes perspective. The audience stays in the Lego world. Unlike other Lego movies, this film isn’t to sell sets. It’s to drive the story forward, and it works. Viewers will learn something new about the legendary producer while singing along to his greatest hits (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Pharrell message shines through. He wants creativity to be celebrated and never boxed in. Parents should know there is some light swearing, but it doesn’t dominate the film. Also, some classic music videos get the Lego treatment. This movie is a pure classic.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
How do I serve this thing called life – Pharrell
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Transformers One – Review
Transformers One – Budget of $75 – 147 million – 1 hour and 44 minutes
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Orion Pax sneaks into the Cybertron Archives to find recordings about the Matrix of Leadership. The first Primes died in a battle against the Quintessons, and the Matrix was lost. Since its disappearance, the Energon stopped flowing naturally, and Cybertronians are born without their transformation cog. Without the ability to transform, Energon miners like Orion dig below the surface to mine the resource. And their leader, Sentinel Prime, searches the surface for the Matrix. Orion watches the archive, but the history always ends in the same place. Security guards find Orion and chase him out of the archives. Orion jumps out of a window, and his best friend, D-16, saves him.
D-16 and Orion dig with their co-worker, Jazz, and captain, Elita-1. During their dig, an explosion traps Jazz, and Elita-1 tells Orion and D-16 to leave him and follow protocol. But Orion won’t listen. He convinces D-16 to save Jazz. They do, but cause a cave-in. To Orion’s surprise, the boss fires Elita-1 for their mistake, and she is furious. Then, Sentinel Prime makes an announcement. The miners will get the day off for Iacon 5000. It’s a race to celebrate the fallen Primes.
Orion and D-16 walk to the race, and Orion pulls D-16 into a secret entrance. D-16 grins at the starting line until Orion straps a jetpack to their backs. Orion wants to be in the race and show the world they are more than mining bots. They enter the race and nearly win before losing miserably. However, Sentinel Prime congratulates them for motiving the mining bots. Production is up 150%. He offers to take D-16 and Orion to his home, and they gleefully accept. After Sentinel Prime and his second-in-command, Arachnid, leave, a racer furiously barges into the room. They caused his crash, and he punishes them. They attempt to explain Sentinel’s invitation, but the racer doesn’t care. He dumps them to level 50. D-16 and Orion thought the mines went 47 levels below the surface.
B-127 can’t believe he has guests. He hasn’t seen other bots in years and can’t stop talking. He tells Orion and D-16 that they will work with him checking the trash for salvageable items before they go into the incinerator. Then, B-127 introduces them to his ‘friends.’ Orion accidentally knocks into B-127’s ‘friend,’ and a chip falls out. It plays a message from Alpha Trion. He is in battle and gives their final location. Orion believes that’s where they will find the Matrix and restore Cybertron and its inhabitants to their Transformative glory. He convinces D-16 and B-127 to come to the surface to find the Matrix. They uncover so much more.
This origin story plays into the best friends becoming mortal enemies cliché but is highly entertaining and feels original (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The story has jokes for parents without making sexual innuendos. When an archive chip glitches, Orion pulls it out and blows on it. And the script gives a subtle shoutout to your favorite substitute teacher. The film has action and astounding storytelling. It never gets boring and emotionally pulls the audience into the story. Don’t be surprised if you gasp. Also, they don’t force a romantic storyline. This film is about the creation of Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, the Autobots, and the Decepticons. There is one mid-credit scene and one post-credit scene. The graphics could be better, but the story makes up for the visual pitfalls. See this movie with the entire family.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
It’s time to show them we are more than meets the eye – Orion Pax
I’m better than you – Elita-1
They are one. You are one. We are one – Alpha Trion
They’re always are – Arachnid
It’s pronounced Badass-A-Tron – B-127
No, I want to kill him – D-16
I celebrate you – Sentinel Prime
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Categories: Brendan Gleeson, Brian Tyree Henry, Catherine Keener, chris hemsworth, Joaquin Phoenix, Joker: Folie à Deux, Jon Hamm, Keegan-Michael Key, Lady Gaga, laurence fishburne, movie, Must Buy, Pharrell Williams, Piece By Piece, review, scarlett johansson, Steve Buscemi, Transformers One, Zazie Beetz
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