On Monday, I was disassociating like crazy. I finished the last four episodes of Big Mouth: Season 3. Binged a lot more of iZombie, rewatched Big Mouth from the beginning, and kept Bob’s Burgers on in the background so it wouldn’t be so quiet.
I then watched the entirety of Disenchantment: Part 2 in the span of, like, two days, which really is not difficult considering there were only 10 episodes, 30 minutes a piece. I’ll level with you: I don’t really know why I watch this show. I don’t particularly like any of the characters, or the plots. I guess I watch it because I miss Matt Groening’s previous under-appreciated work, Futurama (AKA my favorite show of all-time), which normally gets overshadowed by his other animated show, The Simpsons– you may have heard of it. Disenchantment does has 1 or 2 of the same voice actors from Futurama, but it will never come close to replacing it. What can I say? I’ve always been more of a sci-fi nerd than a fantasy nerd.
Bean is lying on the floor.
Bean: Oh, the floor, you’re always there for me. So supportive. Not like walls and staircases, always getting in my way.
On Friday, I decided to start Drunk History from the beginning, with the hopes I could podcast it while painting. Didn’t work, but I’m gonna keep watching it anyway, because I have a deep appreciation for drunk storytelling, especially when it involves history (as another reminder, I’m a nerd. I’ve had a lot of people realize this suddenly over the last couple of weeks, and all I can say is- how did they not know? It’s not like I do a very good job of hiding it. I digress).
Sunday, as part of a “me” day, I decided to go see a movie after working out. The only thing that even remotely piqued my interest was Joker (2019). I… I have so many words about this movie. I really wish it came out a year ago, because it would have made for a great source for a couple of my academic film papers.
Starting with a positive: it’s shot beautifully. Huge props to the cinematographer. It’s painfully clear how intensely DC is shooting for an Academy Award with this film. Joaquin Phoenix is a phenomenal actor, and Frances Conroy (a la American Horror Story and like three dozen other things) is in it.
Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker, standing in front of a mirror that has “Put on a happy face” written on it.
Now, the negatives. Maybe it was just me (I saw this alone, so I didn’t have anyone to bounce my ideas off of, granted), but it truly felt like they were trying to queer code Arthur (soon to be The Joker). There were all the classic tells; mannerisms, speaking patterns, dress, stuttered interactions with coworkers, the whole shebang. If this wasn’t queer coding, then it would have to be explained away by his mental illness(es). Essentially, he goes off the deep end and becomes DC Comics most notorious villain after going off his meds.
Now look, I understand the importance of proper medications (I’m on an SSRI, I should know), but Hollywood as a really persistent and pervasive habit of demonizing the mentally ill (often without even giving them a clear diagnosis). I should know- I’ve literally written a paper on it. All this does is further stigmatize discussions surrounding the mentally unwell and perpetuate harmful and violent stereotypes. I won’t give anything major away because it’s still in theaters, but I left the theater with a really icky feeling that didn’t go away for hours.
Unofficial Ratings
Big Mouth: Season 3
Funny, awkward, a little a lot uncomfortable. But hey, anything goes in Florida!
Disenchantment: Part 2
Just bring back Futurama already, that’s what everyone wants. Please.
Joker
I had to keep reminding myself that I was watching the Joker origin story and not a white man’s Precious.
Film Student Watchlist 