This blog serves as a "let me get some things off my chest" kind of place. I don't like to call out filmmakers and usually their films tell me allot about the way they see the world. For better or worse the Clint Eastwood films of the last 5 years tells me his views on race, media and victimization of the white American Male. (Yes, I said that and its an entirely different conversation)
The one thing that angered me in 2019 (other than talking to confused talent agencies) is a press release that was sent out a couple of weeks before the release of Joker. The headline reads:
'Joker' movie prompts mass shooting threat at US movie theaters"
The thing that bothers me is that we had a previous Batman movie and a Joker movie that was released with no threats of violence or release from authorities to be concerned about such a potential horror. Yes, we all have to be vigilant during these times with all the mass shootings. But why this movie?
"The alarming notice was sent out on Monday the week before Joker was released by military officials at Fort Sills Army base in Oklahoma, and was based on intelligence gathered by the FBI from the
"disturbing and very specific" chatter of alleged extremists on the dark web, officials said."
Why Joker? Why did the FBI release such a bulletin?The movie was released and it was a monster hit making it the highest grossing Rated R film surpassing Deadpool. People gravitated to the film and connected with the dark story of a loner's journey into madness.
Upon viewing the movie I came to the conclusion that the film's "rich versus poor" theme was the most controversial aspect of the film. Sure its violent. American cinema is ripe with violent films and these days, its never an issue. But what made the movie tick is the violence carried on by society when they witness Joker shoot a television host in the head on live tv. Joker is driven to jail by a Police car as the city burns.
Movies reflect the times, no doubt about it. Joker is the right film at the right time which is why it struck a cord with a large audience.
My anger goes back to 911 when The Bush administration sent their top political administration to a private meeting with the movie studios about making "American Themes" stronger and more relevant in their stories.
https://www.cnn.com/2001/US/11/08/rec.bush.hollywood/
My concern is that we should keep political manipulation away from Hollywood. Hollywood will always make the "why we fight films" with great flicks such as "Saving Private Ryan" and "Black Hawk Down". But what happened with the Joker release brings up many questions about motive and who made the decision to red flag the Joker movie. I can imagine this might happen again to less popular films and less powerful filmmakers and that's what scares me the most. Censorship is UNAMERICAN!
