‘Joker 2’ Is One of the Best Movies of 2024, Says Director John Waters: ‘Stupid Critics. Gaga So Good. Die, Dumbbells, Die!’

As a lifelong film enthusiast and a connoisseur of the eccentric, I find myself deeply intrigued by John Waters‘ bold stance on “Joker: Folie à Deux”. Having grown up on his iconic works like “Pink Flamingos” and “Hairspray”, I can appreciate his affinity for the unconventional and the audacious. The man knows what he likes, and if he says this sequel is one of the best films of 2024, then who am I to argue?

This year, Quentin Tarantino drew attention by defending “Joker: Folie à Deux” against harsh criticism, and now another filmmaker has followed suit by listing the controversial sequel as one of the top movies of 2024 on John Waters’ annual top 10 list published on Vulture. Known for films like “Pink Flamingos” and “Hairspray,” Waters ranked “Joker: Folie à Deux” at number 6 on his list.

In the end, this love story truly resonates with me,” Waters declares. “It’s a wildly creative, meticulously planned, brilliantly executed masterpiece – full of intense scenes! It’s like a blend of ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and Busby Berkeley, culminating in an ‘That’s Entertainment!’ finale reminiscent of 9/11 that will leave you stunned with cinematic awe. Those critics are fools. Gaga is outstanding. The Joker is spot on. May the ignorant perish!

Among the captivating films that have left an indelible impression on me is Kristen Stewart’s queer thriller “Love Lies Bleeding,” which holds the top spot in my list of favorites. This list also includes several potential Oscar contenders like “The Brutalist,” “Emilia Perez,” “Hard Truths” and “Queer.” The much-anticipated sequel to “Joker” has, however, been met with a fair amount of debate. Despite the star-studded cast and high production values, the film received mostly unfavorable reviews and underperformed at the box office, earning just $58 million domestically and $206 million worldwide. This is significantly less than the staggering $1 billion grossed by the original in 2019.

In a chat during October with Bret Easton Ellis, I couldn’t help but express my enthusiasm for “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The performance delivered by Joaquin Phoenix is, quite simply, among the finest I’ve ever witnessed throughout my film-loving journey.

Quentin Tarantino referred to Todd Phillips as the director of the movie, likening him to the character of The Joker. According to Tarantino, Phillips is spending the studio’s money in a way that mirrors how The Joker would spend it. His unexpected gift, a joke at the expense of comic book fans, is a middle finger to them, as well as to the movie audience, Hollywood, and anyone who owns stock in DC and Warner Brothers. In essence, Tarantino is saying that this movie is like a Joker film, with Phillips being The Joker himself.

Criticisms of the “Joker” sequel are scarce and infrequent. In fact, some actors who were part of the movie have openly criticized it. Last month, comedian Tim Dillon, who had a minor role as an Arkham Asylum security guard in the film, gained widespread attention for harshly criticizing “Joker: Folie à Deux,” labeling it as “the worst film that has ever been made.

Dillon remarked, “There’s no storyline,” he said. “My colleagues and I, all dressed in security uniforms since we were working at Arkham Asylum, would sit there. We’d listen to this nonsense, and I’d ask one of them, ‘What on earth is this?’ They’d reply, ‘This will flop, buddy.’ To which I’d retort, ‘This is the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed.’ During lunch breaks, we’d discuss it and wonder aloud, ‘Is there a plot? Do they even have a plot? I think he falls in love with her while in prison?’ It’s not even bad enough to enjoy hating it. That’s how dreadful it is.

Head over to Vulture’s website to read John Waters’ best movies of 2024 list in its entirety.

2024-12-06 21:47

‘Joker 2’ Is One of the Best Movies of 2024, Says Director John Waters: ‘Stupid Critics. Gaga So Good. Die, Dumbbells, Die!’

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