Travis Simpkins: Joaquin Phoenix

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Gladiator (2000): Ancient Rome. Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix

Gladiator. 2000. Ancient Rome. Ridley Scott. Russell Crowe. Joaquin Phoenix

Directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator (2000) was widely acclaimed at the time of its release and won a Best Actor Academy Award for lead actor Russell Crowe. The CGI effects work together with excellent set design to create a very convincing Ancient Roman atmosphere. 20 years later, Gladiator is still astounding in its attention to historical detail and overall excitement of gladiatorial combat in the Colosseum.

The plot is summarized: Set in Roman times, the story of a once-powerful general forced to become a common gladiator. Emperor Marcus Aurelius' son is enraged when he is passed over as heir in favour of his father's favourite general. He kills his father and arranges the murder of the general's family, and the general is sold into slavery to be trained as a gladiator- but his subsequent popularity in the arena threatens the throne.

The cast is great, including Russell Crowe, Joachim Phoenix, Richard Harris, Connie Nielsen, Olicer Reed and Djimon Hounsou.

Gladiator. 2000. Ancient Rome. Ridley Scott. Russell Crowe. Joaquin Phoenix

Monday, January 11, 2021

Joker (2019): DC Comics. Joaquin Phoenix

Joker. 2019. Joaquin Phoenix

Directed by Todd Phillips, based on characters from DC comics, Joker (2019) is an astounding Academy Award winning tour de force.

The plot is summarized: Forever alone in a crowd, failed comedian Arthur Fleck seeks connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City. Arthur wears two masks- the one he paints for his day job as a clown, and the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel like he's part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.

Joaquin Phoenix deservedly won the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance in the title role as Joker. The rest of the cast is great as well, including Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy and Bret Cullen.