Lifestyle
Despite mixed reviews, 'Joker 2' is on track to be one of the biggest comic-book-film flops
The DC Comics villain Joker has always faced tough crowds. But even he might not have been ready for the cold reception his sequel received on opening weekend.
With the massive success of the first Joaquin Phoenix Joker film in 2019, anticipation was high for the follow-up, which included Todd Phillips as the returning director, and also stars Lady Gaga.
But after a sub-par opening weekend and a barrage of poor reviews, Joker: Folie à Deux is quickly shaping up to be remembered as a flop and arguably one of the biggest disappointments in comic book film history.
CinemaScore, which polls moviegoers during a film’s opening night, gave the sequel a D — which is considered the lowest CinemaScore ever given to a studio comic book movie. Before Joker, it was Fantastic Four (2015) that held the bottom mark with a C-minus.
If that wasn’t harsh enough, PostTrak, which also surveys audiences, rated the the Warner Bros. film a half star out of five, according to Deadline. Rotten Tomatoes pegged it at just 33% on its Tomatometer.
At the box office, Joker: Folie à Deux earned roughly $40 million in domestic ticket sales during its opening weekend — a fraction of the $200 million it reportedly cost to make. And it also pales in comparison to its original Joker’s debut in 2019, which grossed over $96 million and became the biggest October box office hit. (And let’s not forget that the first of these two grossed $1 billion worldwide, becoming the first R-rated movie in history to do so.)
Joker: Folie à Deux follows Arthur Fleck in the aftermath of his murder spree from the first film. At Arkham State Hospital, he meets and falls in love with fellow inmate Harley Quinn (“Lee”) a.k.a Lady Gaga. All the while, Fleck’s trial begins, questioning whether his madness was the result of a psychological disorder or part of an elaborate act.
Some film critics and comic book fans thought the sequel strayed too far from the original film, feeling unmoved by the sequel’s musical direction — which came as a surprise to many moviegoers — and unconvinced by its subversive ending. Others simply felt the plot was “wafer-thin” and underwhelming, including the highly-anticipated love story of Fleck and Lee. On that note, some also complained that Gaga’s talents were underutilized.
NPR’s in-house film critic, Bob Mondello, gave the sequel more of a mixed review, stating that it did not deepen our understanding of the characters, but praised its stunning visuals and commended the film for taking risks.
“Joker: Folie a Deux maybe is a folly, but credit the filmmakers with taking a big swing and crossing up genre expectations,” he said on All Things Considered.
Glenn Kenny in RobertEbert.com wrote “The movie is narratively, psychologically, and aesthetically incoherent” but did give some props to Phoenix and Gaga’s performances.
“Both Lady Gaga and Phoenix clearly put a lot of work into their characterizations and interactions. The different performance modes they use in singing, for instance, low-key and fallible in their own “real lives,” full-on, professional quality belting in their shared dreams,” he said.
IndieWire’s David Ehrlich echoed that the film fell flat but applauded the choice of making it a musical: “No other genre makes it so easy to appreciate all the fun you’re not having.”
He added, “Once again, Phillips has made a movie that Joker himself would probably approve of. This time, however, I’m much less convinced that other people will share the same enthusiasm for it.”
Some critics have suggested that it was the film’s intention all along to defy the genre’s expectations and fanfare surrounding Joker. The title “Folie à Deux” means “madness of two” in French — not only a nod to Fleck and Lee’s relationship, but the twisted bond between Joker and moviegoers. For that, some have hailed the film as “brilliant.”
And there are yet others waiting to see if next weekend at the box office will be any different.
Either way, there is a bittersweet undertone to the sequel. Over the past few weeks, director Todd Phillips has made it clear to reporters that he is not interested in making a third Joker or solo Harley Quinn movie.
For those hoping the criticism would have been put to constructive use in another Phillips Joker film, well, the joke’s on them.
Lifestyle
Take care of yourself with these feel-good fall essentials
If you buy a product linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission. See all our Coveted lists of mandatory items here.
Marc Jacobs The Satin Bow Dress, $395
Don’t overlook the Marc Jacobs Satin Bow dress. While fancy at first, pair it with tights and layer it over a tee, and this little red dress will bring the heat in more ways than one, making it a great candidate for your fall wardrobe. Purchase 👉🏽 here.
Celine Trapeze Mini Skirt in Patent Leather Lambskin, $2,950
Everybody should have some patent leather in their closet. Styled with an oversize knit sweater or a party top, this miniskirt, with its sleek and sumptuous sheen, will elevate any look. Purchase 👉🏽 here.
Osea Malibu Undaria Algae Body Wash, $32
Experience the aromatherapeutic benefits of Osea Malibu’s citrus-scented Undaria Algae body wash. The seaweed-boosted, pH-balanced formula cleanses without stripping skin, making it a daily self-care essential. Purchase 👉🏽 here.
Merit Beauty Flush Balm, $30
Get that sun-kissed look even on gray days with Merit’s cult favorite flush balm. The lightweight formula provides a touch of color that seamlessly blends with your natural skin texture. Purchase 👉🏽 here.
Thom Browne Wool Fleece Cardigan , $1,850
There’s always a place for prep, and Thom Browne sets the standard when it comes to this timeless aesthetic. As we transition into wintertime, this heirloom-quality cardigan will be your new cozy BFF. Purchase 👉🏽 here.
Hermès Andy 26 Bad Boy Belt, $3,725
Belt trends come and go, but you can’t go wrong with a black leather option. Originally debuted at the Hermès FW23 show, the Andy 26 Bad Boy belt is a seasonless staple with personality in its detachable silver chain. Purchase 👉🏽 here.
Acne Studios Leather Buckle Mule, $1,000
Square toes continue to reign heading into fall, and these mules are just the right amount of tough. Their thick rubber soles and low heels combine rugged work wear aesthetics with the convenience of a slipper. Purchase 👉🏽 here.
Lifestyle
Gospel great Cissy Houston has died at the age of 91
Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET
Cissy Houston, a singer whose career began in childhood and spanned generations and genres from gospel to pop, has died. As a child, Houston performed with her siblings, and she later sang backing vocals with Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison and more. She was also a renowned solo gospel artist and the mother of one of the biggest pop and R&B stars in the world, Whitney Houston. She was 91 years old.
Houston was born in 1933, as Emily Drinkard, in Newark, N.J., to a musically gifted family. As a child, she was expected to perform at local churches with her brothers and sisters.
“I was 5 years old and they had to put me on a stool in order to see me,” she told WHYY’s Fresh Air in 1998. “Of course, at 5 years old, I wanted to be out playing with everyone else and it was difficult for me. There was no question. I didn’t have a choice.”
Her family group, The Drinkard Singers, became one of the first groups to release a gospel album on a major record label. A Joyful Noise was released in 1959 by RCA Records.
In the 1960s, Houston decided she wanted to sing secular music and formed the group The Sweet Inspirations. Under Houston’s leadership, it earned a reputation as one of the best background groups in the business, appearing on hundreds of songs and helping to shape classics ranging from Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” to Dusty Springfield’s “Son of A Preacher Man.”
The group’s first album, the self-titled The Sweet Inspirations recorded in 1967, peaked at No. 12 on Billboard‘s Hot Soul Albums, and its crossover hit single “Sweet Inspiration” reached the top 20 of the Hot 100 singles chart.
Along with Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown, Houston sang backup for Jimi Hendrix, Simon and Garfunkel, The Drifters, Wilson Pickett and Houston’s niece Dionne Warwick, who was once part of the group with her sister Dee Dee Warwick, before each became a solo artist.
An innovative musician, Houston used four background voices rather than the standard three and doubled her top part to enrich the sound. She explained her process to Fresh Air using the song “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin, as an example.
“‘Natural Woman’ was like … you try to enhance what she’s done. That’s the gist of doing background,” Houston said. “A lot of times, backgrounds make songs and really sell them.”
Still, after spending a lot of time in the background, Houston was ready for the spotlight. “I was becoming an artist in my own right and that’s when I left The Sweet Inspirations and became a single artist,” Houston said.
She was also torn between professional demands and being a mom. Long hours and touring across the country kept her from seeing her children as much as she desired. She had two sons, Gary Garland and Michael, and a daughter, Whitney, who would go on to be one of the biggest pop stars of all time.
Cissy and Whitney Houston were famously close. Their relationship was also one of mentor and protégé.
“She’s my mom. She’s my friend. She’s my teacher,” Whitney Houston explained on Entertainment Tonight in 1987. “She’s like a little gas station. When you need some strength, you just go to Mom, and she fills you.”
Whitney died when she was only 48, after years of battling addiction and a notoriously troubled marriage. In 2013, Cissy Houston wrote a book, Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped. The memoir upset her granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who would later also die tragically at the age of 22. In a since-deleted tweet, Brown expressed her anger. “I find it 2b disrespect2mymother & me being her daughter won’t tolerate it,” she wrote.
The memoir’s treatment of rumors about Whitney Houston’s closeted lesbian relationship also led to a memorable moment with Oprah Winfrey.
“Would it have bothered you if your daughter, Whitney, was gay?” Winfrey asked Cissy Houston in a 2013 interview on OWN’s Next Chapter.
“Absolutely,” Houston replied.
“You wouldn’t have liked that at all?” Oprah pressed.
“Not at all,” said Houston.
Houston stayed true to her roots in other ways. For more than 50 years, through triumphs and tragedies, Cissy Houston led the Youth Inspiration Choir at her hometown Baptist church in Newark.
Lifestyle
'AHS' Star Naomi Grossman Defends Ryan Murphy From 'Monsters' Critics
TMZ.com
“American Horror Story” alum Naomi Grossman is coming to Ryan Murphy‘s defense amid the growing debate surrounding “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.”
ICYMI … Erik and Lyle Menendez have made it clear they aren’t fans of the show, with EM previously bashing the Netflix drama as a “dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime.”
Yet, when we caught up with Naomi in Santa Monica, California, she voiced her shock at the siblings’ outrage … since she felt the show painted Lyle and Erik as “total victims.”
She noted … “The show has given them a lot of attention, but also, they’re such sympathetic characters. You’re rooting for them. You think, ‘Boy that Kitty and [José] had it easy with their heads blown off.’”
Naomi, who famously played Pepper in seasons 2 and 4 of ‘AHS,’ isn’t the first person to show support for the Menendez brothers following the debut of ‘Monsters’ last month.
Kim Kardashian, who has also worked with Murphy on ‘AHS,’ even visited Erik and Lyle in prison amid the growing interest in their case.
TMZ.com
Additionally, L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón announced his office is reviewing new evidence in the brothers’ case … especially regarding the sexual abuse allegations they’ve made against dad José.
The brothers’ allegations were not allowed to be presented in their 2nd murder trial … which ultimately led to their life without parole convictions.
As Naomi put it … she thinks it’s a “good” thing the Menendez brothers may possibly be freed … and voiced support for Murphy for bringing the story into the limelight again.
TMZ.com
While some have questioned whether the show could cancel Murphy’s career, Naomi reminded us that the TV producer just put out 6 shows in the last 2 weeks.
So, it’s safe to say RM isn’t going anywhere.
-
Technology6 days ago
Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World5 days ago
Ukrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World5 days ago
WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology4 days ago
Beware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Health3 days ago
Health, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught
-
Virginia6 days ago
Status for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season
-
Sports4 days ago
Freddie Freeman says his ankle sprain is worst injury he's ever tried to play through
-
News3 days ago
Lebanon says 50 medics killed in past three days as Israel extends its bombardment