Johnny Dough

The height of narcissism in Hollywood arrives in the form of "Joker: Folie a Deux", a production that no one asked for, and one that continues the modern day film industries' complete disdain for art, culture, and the consumer. More than one online periodical is arguing that this movie was made with malice towards the Batman franchise, as well as its fans, some news outlets even applauding this decision: hailing it as a "subversion" of the superhero genre. Fans of the comic books and prior Batman movies regard the Joker as the criminal mastermind and complex character he was originally written to be. Those moviegoers are expecting a tense and violent drama, hearty action sequences, and blood and gore. The decision to greenlight a musical and legal procedural Joker sequel is a massive faux pas; one that cannot be excused thru ignorance or even creativity. No, this decision was done knowing the consequences, which are now manifesting as disbelief, anger, frustration and a pathetic box office reception. One of my acting teachers in Manhattan explained to me that "America does not want to come home to Medea", meaning that the average American comes home from a brutal day at work and is received by chores, disobedient children, bills, endless worries and never-ending demands. They want to relax. They want to be entertained. There is a time and place for thoughtful, deeply reflective cinema, and this is not it. -- There is absolutely nothing wrong with a subculture of action movie goers -- They appreciate the fun and excitement the excessive violence causes them to feel. It's fiction and fantasy and has its place in our life as a distraction; one that the incredibly responsible working class deserves. For Hollywood millionaires and their lackeys to be able to suggest, authorize, produce and distribute such an incredibly pompous and miserly film using a franchise that stands for the exact opposite themes it embodies is a clear sign of an industry gone terribly wrong. An industry that answers to no one and is funded under feigned interest to inform and educate when it clearly patronizes with disdain, untroubled by any repercussions.