*Spoilers will be discussed* Few would have expected a sequel to Joker (2019), exactly 5 years later. The main reason comes down to the fact that it genuinely seemed as if there would be strictly a stand-alone movie, approaching the figure of the villain far more differently than any superhero blockbuster. Todd Phillips’ Joker brought on-stage a seemingly ordinary man, but with a far less typical life, given the burden he’s had to carry since forever. Arthur Fleck, the protagonist, was shown to be falling deeper into madness, as a result of abject circumstances, both back home and in a crumbling Gotham City from the 80s. The latest version of Joker was, consequently, the “product” of a miserable childhood, an aggravated mental illness and a society that would mostly turn a blind eye to individuals similar to Arthur. Those familiar with the first film would, perhaps, attest to the idea that the story had an impactful message and provided a well-thought-out and self-enclosed world
*A few spoilers will be discussed* Since July 21 (known hereafter as Barbenheimer day, as a result of the well-known, simultaneous release of two seemingly contrasting films, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer ), I’ve returned to the former two more times, ultimately having me wonder, on each occasion, what brings me back to the cinema, after all. The go-to answer is that there is something inevitably addictive about the movie’s (smart) silliness, accurately showcasing how dolls present themselves, how people (children and adults) tend to handle them and how playtime unfolds. How can one not have fun when they discover that Margot Robbie’s Barbie is to be seen walking around in tippy toes, even when she’s not wearing high heels? Going further, small daily activities, such as eating, drinking, brushing teeth, showering, will look simulated to viewers, but feel real strictly to the featured dolls (for you may still end up with a carton of expired milk in Barbi