ARTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT
THE INSIDER
What’s On Screen? October 2019
With October around the corner most would expect horror films to dominate the box office, but not so
much this time around. Despite the booming box office results from last month’s IT: Chapter Two, there
isn’t much to be scared of this Halloween season… except yet another Disney live action film.
The Personal History of
David Copperfield
– (October 2 nd ).
The Classic Dickens novel is
being brought back to life on
the big screen, following the
titular character on his
journeys in London. Whilst it
stars the likes of Dev Patel,
Tilda Swinton and Peter
Capaldi, I don’t have very
“Great Expectations” …
Gemini Man – (October 11 th ).
After his performance in Aladdin earlier this
year, its refreshing to see the Fresh Prince Will
Smith return to the screen in a serious role.
Gemini Man follows Henry Smith, a retired
sharp shooter aged 53, being hunted by a
younger clone of himself. Director Ang Lee
used motion captures of Smith to create the
younger clone of him, Junior, Hollywood’s first
fully digital human character. Whilst it takes
more than special effects to create a great
film, judging from early screening reviews I
think it’s definitely worth a watch.
Joker – (October 4 th ).
Judy – (October 4 th ).
Judy follows the story of Judy
Garland, years after starring as the
beloved Dorothy in The Wizard of
Oz. Its London, 1968 and Garland
arrives to perform in a number of
sold out concerts. Set a year before
Garland’s accidental lethal overdose,
Renée Zellweger’s performance
promises to bring a depth of
empathy to Garland’s final struggles.
I believe that Judy will be just a heel-
click of ruby slippers away from
award nominations this year.
The prize jewel of this month, of course, is Joker. Phoenix steps into the
oversized clown shoes of the Joker, the greatest enemy of the caped crusader.
Phoenix plays failed comedian Arthur Fleck, who is driven criminally insane
and becomes the Clown Prince of Crime. Director Todd Phillips claimed that
Joker is “not your typical superhero super villain movie, it’s really much more
of a character study”. It promises to subvert our expectations of the character
and will cause us to empathise with Arthur until we simply no longer can.
What really appeals to me about
this film is its clear influences
from Martin Scorsese films like
Taxi Driver and The King of
Comedy. For one, the concept of
a failed comedian using criminal
methods to get noticed from The
King of Comedy sounds very
fitting for Joker. It even has
Robert DeNiro playing a comedy
show host! After its screening at
Venice Film Festival and receiving
an 8-minute standing ovation
from the audience, I think it’s safe
to say that Joker will be laughing
its way to the awards shows…
Joaquin Phoenix in full clown attire.