[ By DAN DEMING ]

[ ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTOR ]

The colorful and mildly frightening “Addams Family” from television fame comes back to the big screen this weekend as a computer animated version of those same basic characters arrives at Hutchinson’s B&B Theatres. In addition to this PG-rated offering comes an action-thriller called “Gemini Man” with Will Smith as an elite assassin.

But the movie I want to primarily talk about this weekend is “Joker,” which debuted with an astonishing $93 million U.S. box office and has already sold more than $234 million in worldwide ticket sales. To my surprise, “Joker” is one of the year’s best movies. Two actors whose personal lives I despise are sensational in their performances with Joaquin Phoenix meriting a best actor nomination.

Leaving aside the inspiring gun violence argument that we discussed last week — while this movie is definitely not for the squeamish about murder, blood and mayhem — it is among the best acted, scripted, visually shot and directed films unveiled in 2019. “Joker” is a hard R and not for everyone, but it presents a devastating look into mental illness coupled with society’s lack of adequate recognition and treatment.

In brief, it uses DC comic characters to tell an early 1980’s story set in New York City about an inspiring and deeply troubled stand-up comedian. Arthur Fleck is caring for his ailing mother and striking a love interest in the girl living next door in his rundown apartment complex. How the story unwinds through the canyons of Gotham City is spellbinding and extremely well done. Included is a clever weaving of a Johnny Carson-type television talk show hosted by Murray Franklin and portrayed by Robert De Niro. Give much credit to director and co-writer Todd Phillips.

“Joker” also makes brilliant use of music to help tell this bold story including the songs “Smile,” “Send In The Clowns” and a fascinating version of Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life.” There are enough flashbacks and twists to merit a psychological thriller and 4-star rating despite much poorer ratings from other critics. The film won top honors when premiering at the Venice International Film Festival and has already grossed more than triple its modest $70 million production budget.

If you’re not up to seeing this gut-wrenching and admittedly downer movie, “Abominable,” “Downton Abbey” and “It Chapter Two” are still available.

 

“Movie news you can use” is a weekly feature submitted by Dan Deming. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of Hutch Post or its affiliates.