CIEIR Presents: Self Isolation Log #1

The following audio is fake, but based on real world events. In this I play a fictionalized version of an average person dealing with Self-Isolation in regards to the Coronavirus. Why I did this was simple. I do not believe everyone is happy with self-isolation. While in this case it's a major necessity. I believe that isolation in and of itself can lead to a severe mental breakdown and I believe that many people who rally for it, overlook that and should be ashamed of themselves. Audio Spectrum Effect by: VSDC Song: Our Darkest Hour by Me. https://shanethemusician.bandcamp.com/track/our-darkest-hour

Trudeau and Trump Dodging Personal Responsibility Coronavirus Update

Two things before we get to the meat of this.

First off: The current total is 526,044 with the death toll being 23,709 and the Recovery number at 122,066 regarding the virus.  Italy and Spain have knocked China off it's spot for the most deaths at a whopping 8,215 and 4,154 respectfully. However their recovery rate much like the sum total has outweighed the death toll. So like the rest of the world there is hope that they'll make it through this.

Second off: Despite the title I do from the bottom of my heart, express my deepest sympathies to Justin Trudeau and his family due to his wife and kid testing positive on the disease and despite what I think of him as a leader I do wish them a well recovery.  With the exception of a select few, I would not wish this disease on him or anyone regardless if I don't like the person. 

Now onto the actual topic.  As you may know, like the rest of the world, Canada and The United States of America are currently enforcing border restrictions and encouraging citizens to self isolate and practice social distancing.  Now these ideas are not bad in the practical sense. As it does give a chance to slow down and halt the spread of the virus.  That part I am not upset about. What I am upset about is how soon these were implemented. 

On the States side of things as much as I don't like the guy, Trump at least had the excuse of ignorance. Regardless of the bullshit story The China Government has come up with, blaming the states for the virus; it's safe to say Trump never saw the thing as a big deal until it bit him.  Regardless of what we all think of the guy, it's hard not to 100% blame him for the shit that went down in the states. The only other reasoning being him having business partners in China, but with the way they been flip flopping each other, it's unlikely. However he is not 100% off the hook.  Because while his actions against the states regarding this is basically one of the biggest fuck ups in the world. His personal responsibility on the matter, is a different story. I"m sure you all heard that he tested negative on the virus. With some claiming he faked the results and other more crazier theorists believing that maybe he himself is withholding a cure. While it is a tad possible he could be telling the truth in a sea of lies, I myself believe he faked the results.  Since both he and Trudeau have been known to travel abroad, which is most certainly how Trudeau's family got the disease, he would definitely go through great lengths to hide it from the states. If the cure however unlikely, ends up being true I do not blame you guys if you decide to form a coup. Because you wouldn't be taking back the states, you'd be saving the world too.

On Canada's side a question I ask is, what's Justin's excuse? They didn't halt air traffic until it started to get bad in Canada this month.  While the news can say all they want about, how they had weeks to avoid it, I call that a steaming pile of bullshit from the worlds largest fertilizer factory. We didn't have weeks to avoid this, we had months. We had been warned when the outbreak first hit Wuhan. The outbreak should have stayed localized within Wuhan. China should have warned us not to accept people citizen or no, in Canada from their airports on the off chance one or more could have been infected. Most importantly Trudeau should have shut down all non-essential travel the second they heard of an outbreak and looked for a different way to get our people out without it fucking over the rest of us. But no. He knew damn well what was going on. The name of the virus shared the same name as the fucking SARs virus.  I am sorry for what his family is going through. I really am, but because of him, this country is slowly becoming a fucking police state. They are already enforcing laws that will fine, arrest and forcefully quarantine anyone that goes outside whether they are infected or not.

Congratulations assholes, you both will have gone down in history as the men who destroyed the western world.

The Coronavirus Update Aka What The Fuck is Wrong with all of you?

It had been one and a half months since I did a survival guide on the handling of the Coronavirus situation. And I must say after what I seen over that period of time, it made me lose my faith in people in general. So I am writing this article, not to enlighten, but to tell you all off for your incompetence on the matter.

Before I even begin I shall let you know, that currently the total amount of infected is 169,387 people all over the world. 6,513 died and 77,257 people have recovered. So good news world, we're actively fighting back naturally. However it seems in certain parts of the world it isn't enough as the damage has been done so severely it's made the majority of the population also known as the dumbest part of the population of the human race in general, do stupid shit in the past couple of days. But I wish that was the only problem, however due to the fact that this shit could have been avoided months ago, this shit merely cinched an already bad situation.

The first people I call out, are the news medias of the world. Depending on where you live, some either deny the damage, others downplay it and some even to this day refuse to believe the virus exists to begin with.  Most of which offer useless information on how to deal with it, others downplaying the effects more focused on not offending the reason why this shit happened in the first place and to top it off, their lackluster approach is why this shit ended up like wildfire to begin with.

Fuck you.

The second people I call out, are the boards of educations all over the world.  Now you're all shut down, but in the past two months, not a single one of you. NOT A SINGLE FUCKING ONE OF YOU, warned your kids about this disease. Nor even gave them the simple steps on how to avoid infection. In the words of Matt Hooper, I'm aware of the fact that you all ignored this particular problem until it swam up and bit you in the ASS!!! You shut down now and pretty much extend March break, but it wouldn't have killed you back then, to hand out flyers at least.

Fuck you too.

The third people I call out, are the people criticizing the travel bans.  Their justification is that, the travellers have a right to see their families. I sympathize with that, I really do. However it's not like they can just walk into the airport and hug their families, especially if they themselves tested positive. If the families really loved each other, they'd do everything necessary to protect each other, even if they had to do something they didn't like, such as distancing themselves. If they are willing to risk spreading further infection, then they not only are putting themselves or their families at risk, but also putting the population of their home country at risk too.  It goes to show that a once fictional saying, bares relevance now.

"The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few or the one." -Spock

If you don't care about the risks then, I'm sorry. Fuck you too.

The fourth, are the raiders. You all know what I'm talking about. When word came that the virus was spreading more, every grocery store got raided of essential items. Food and hygiene products specifically. We all heard that story regarding the bulk of toilet paper. Now this wouldn't be so bad, you're stocking up so you can ride it out until it blows over. If only that were the real reason. Nope. At least %70 of these people are not panicking or even desperate.  These assholes are capitalizing on a pandemic.  There was a story once of one guy who thought he had the "bright" idea to charge $200 on one roll of toilet paper. Now if this were an extinction level event like these assholes have claimed to be, money would be worthless at this point. The only thing worth a damn would be food, medicine and hygenics. The stores are working round the clock to restock them, because so many who actually need them, complain endlessly that there's next to nothing there. Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard was more stocked than the local grocery stores and Supermarkets. To make matters worse the whole ordeal has gotten many businesses so fucking scared that they've closed down. From local shops, to discount public gyms.

To these raiders, capitalizing on the fears of the people. Fuck you. I hope you get infected.

And the fifth. To the people that started it all. The idiots that thought it was smart to test and splice deadly diseases and test them on animals.  To the idiot janitor that thought that disposing them would be a waste of meat and thought they could make a quick buck. To the governments who rather than tried everything necessary to prevent the spread of infection until the last moments and still manage to fuck things up once you do get a hold of the situations.  To the people who use this virus as a means of hurting others. To the celebrities that act like they're the medical experts. To this entire fucking planet that allowed this shit to happen. I have only one question to ask.


WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU!?

All of this shit, could have been avoided if people took better precautions over the past 2 months.  All of this shit could have ended sooner if you all weren't so focused on capitalizing on the fear of the people.  YOU ALL DESERVE TO FUCKING ROT!!!  And I really hope this does blow over soon, because when it does, you all have a lot to answer for. I myself don't like violence, but the rest of the 7 billion people you all pissed off, would like to have a word with you. Goodbye, godspeed and one more for the closer: 


FUCK YOU!!! 

The Snyder Cut: What a Clusterfuck

In 2017 after so much hype, the Justice League Film of the DCEU was released. At last all of Snyder's, Ayer's and Jenkins among most director's works, was finally gonna pay off after so much controversial bullshit they were put through.  Or so we thought.  The movie was not only horrendous, but fans of DCEU, DC and Snyder despite their differences all agreed this was not the true film. For better context let me explain.

When the movie was first being put into production, Zack Snyder had a different idea in mind. What it was, I never knew and while many fans interpreted it based on his words and pictures among most things gave them somewhat of a complete picture of what he had in mind. However we can never really know until we see the full picture with our own eyes.  This picture, was essentially his original cut of the film.  Dubbed the Snyder Cut by both fans and detractors alike. With the fans believing it existed while the detractors believing it to be a Myth at best or at worst, an outright lie. But be that as it may, what he originally planned was a hell of a lot better than what we got. Unfortunately before he had the opportunity to give the finishing touches of it, a tragedy struck.

Autumn Snyder, his daughter passed away, causing Zack to halt production until he was ready to come back. However WB, Geoff Johns and Joss Whedon, whom was originally hired as a screenwriter for the flick had a different idea.  Rather than go with the idea Zack had in mind or at the very least attempt to poorly rip it off, Warner Bros. wanted to captialize on the future success of the next recent Avengers movie at the time. The recent one, Infinity War, being released just a year after. So, believing they had a golden goose in the form of a man who got MCU's ball rolling with the First Two movies, they made Whedon director in everything but name and as a result is the clusterfuck of a poor movie we have seen. Plan 9 should win an Oscar out of general principle, because of what this abomination was.

When I did my twitter promoting my recent work as a musician I was basically an outsider of the cause at first. Mainly because I believed there was a Snyder Cut based on certain principles of my own:

For Starters. It took more than 2 decades for Richard Donner to get his Alternate Cut of Superman II off the ground and I believe WB and the fans owe Snyder that long of a time frame.

Second, the idea of denying a certain cut existed, like these detractors did is asinine when you consider many filmmakers had their own alternate cuts all the time.  James Cameron had a Special Edition of Aliens and Termniator 2. Ridley Scott had 3 different cuts of Blade Runner: Theatrical, Director and Final.   Hell even Zack Snyder was no slouch, since Watchmen and Batman V Superman before it, had their fair share of alternate cuts. So why is this any different?

And third, while it took 2 - 3 years, almost everyone that has worked on it: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Jay Oliva, Jason Momoa. Just to name a few crew and even Zack Snyder himself confirmed that said cut exist. Yet despite that, said detractors double down and insist they are either lying for relevancy or claiming they never said it at worst. John the douchebag Campea being the worst offender because he himself has lied more than once prior to the confirmation. He claimed that Rotten Tomatoes wasn't rigged. Event though a member of Rotten Tomatoes flat out admitted it, just to give an example.

By the time of that third reason I was no longer an outsider, I too supported the movement. While I am not like the so called "True Snyder Fans." as to my admittance I never cared for either Sucker Punch or Dawn of The Dead Remake. Nor was I in a position to do such great things such as donate for suicide prevention or pay for billboards which could be seen by millions; I did my best to spread hope that people would see it again simply because it was the right thing to do and call out those that: A. Were the most severe detractors, going so far as threatening fans because they hated being proven wrong. (Threats I will not mention, because they are too fucking disgusting.) Or B. Extremist members of the movement who take their shit too far, attack those that disagree with them and to add insult to injury went as far as having their twitters suspended when their bully tactics don't work. Myself included.

Two Twitter members, the most despicable extremists I have come across. Saw fit to harass a contest host based on two things: 1. One of the Entries, was created by a despised member of a faction that was part of a great divide between the members of the movement on how the movement should be handled. In an attempt to have this person barred from the contest, they harassed the host by bombarding them with screenshots of what said entry did. 2. They continued to harass the contest host, spreading lies about them simply because the host blocked one of them. I myself have gotten into an altercation. All I did was call them out on trying to disrupt the contest as well as offer them a better way to handle this entry. Namely wait till said entry lost and revel in their humiliation. Not only was I rudely rebuffed, the only thing they used to attack me, was bring up my own past as well as bombarding me with pointless gifs and pictures, as though to them, they were enough to claim victory. In my last ditch effort, I decided on my own volition to expose them to my own followers. Not to incite harassment, but to warn them on the off chance they were following these people, what kind of scumbags they would become. Naturally they saw fit to report me and have my account suspended. These two have had a history of false reports as well as have other members of each faction of the movement become sick and tired of their bullshit.

And that's just two examples of the more extreme of the movement. There are hundreds more, but if I listed them all this would take hours to read.

Point being, is I witnessed this clusterfuck first hand, I tried my best to help through with it and I paid the price for it. Yet I wouldn't trade it all away for the world. I will still find other ways to spread the word. To give hope that this cut will see the light of day.

And to those two along with the hundreds of others, that agree with their way of doing things. I am still standing. It's gonna take more than simply suspending my twitter to destroy me and I still stand by what I say: You are a bunch of toxic assholes, you make the movement look bad, you're an embarrassment to this movement and you can go fuck yourselves. I dare you to Dox me.

To everyone else. #ReleaseTheSnyderCut

STFilmmaker's Guide To Surviving the Coronavirus

To view the live map click here

As you all know, there has been a recent outbreak of what is commonly known as the 2019-nCoV or Novel Coronavirus or Coronavirus for short. To give a little background, the Coronavirus outbreak officially started in late December in China. The cause of the outbreak being eating the meat of animals that carry the virus. Specifically bats and snakes. The result causing severe flu like symptoms.  Over the next month the virus spread like wildfire and as of today over 9776 people were confirmed infected. Not just in China, but in other parts of the world. Germany, France, even in the western hemisphere in Canada and The United States.

213 died and 187 successfully recovered from it. While the respective countries including China have taken the precautions to prevent the spread, from quarantining the infected and cancelling all flights coming in and out of the country save for evacuations. However more can be done to keep the numbers in the death toll from increasing as well as the overall numbers on the map above. So in this article I am gonna teach you all how to survive this pandemic.  Unlike my previous articles, I will not advertise my music on here, for this is a serious situation and a plug would be in poor taste.

First step in survival: Prevention.
This is relatively the easiest step to take and can apply to other pandemics of a similar nature.  The goal is to prevent yourself and others from getting the infection or spreading it to others. Which will be advised by the following tips.

1. Clean yourself up every time you come home.  Normally in a regular routine, one often seldom cleans themselves.  But because this virus can get you through the spread of bacteria, be it direct contact, coughs and sneezes transmitting on you or even something as simple as touching something that an infected person may have already touched, this seldom routine becomes major mandatory.  Every time you get home, wash your hands and face thoroughly. Gargle a mix of warm water and salt and take a hot bath and shower with the strongest soaps you got. If necessary even use hand sanitizer. Being nice and clean will prevent the spread of germs on and in your body, as well as preventing the spread to anyone or anything else. 
2. Try to avoid anyone you suspect of an infection. Because Coronavirus is similar in symptoms to the common flu, it's easy to suspect someone has the disease. Of course this tip applies even if it's just the flu too. If you notice someone coughing and sneezing, even if they are within a few feet of you, move a direction away from them. It may not directly stop it, but it will at least get you out of the line of fire.  Of course if you got some on you anyway, repeat tip 1. 
3. Keep your immune system up as best as you can.  Sooner or later you may end up getting screwed and put into a situation where you are at risk of infection.  So to get through it, take the necessary procedures to boost your immune system: Eat healthy foods, take vitamin C and if you really want to kick it in the guts, eat a strong chlorophyll based superfood, like wheatgrass. 

Second Step: Isolation.
While it's easy to avoid someone you suspect of an infection you may end up in a situation where you may have to risk your own life to prevent them from spreading out. You'll get quarantined, but at least you prevented more illnesses and possible deaths, by following these tips.

1. Try to stall the person. Even if they are in a hurry to get somewhere you must not let them go near anymore people.  Even if you have to physically restrain them at risk of your own infection.  
2. Dial emergency services. Let them know you suspect the person as well as yourself of being infected. While doing step one, keep stalling until an ambulance arrives. The person may not like you, but you risked your life to save theirs and many others. 
3. Take the quarantine.  Regardless, you're still infected meaning you'll have to be quarantined too, but you're more likely to survive that than having to tough it out at home.  

Third Step: Protection
Maybe you need to go somewhere risky to do something. Maybe the only food store that's open may be located in a spot in your neighbourhood, where there are quarantined infectees or maybe you just feel like going for a stroll.  Whatever the case may be, if you're sick, or well don't go out without the following tips to protect yourself.

1. Wear protective clothing.  The virus like many diseases can easily get to you through the following body parts: Your hands, mouth, nose and eyes.  The latter three due to it being easily able to enter the bloodstream that way. It can also come out the same way.  So the following items are necessary for your travels: Gloves, Goggles/Glasses and A Mask.  Specifically a medical respiratory mask, but any mask that prevents mucus and saliva from coming out or going into your mouth will do. 
2. Clean your clothing.  Now this wouldn't be necessary for the masks if you bought a disposable one, however if you bought clothes that are meant to last longer than one use, then you must clean them thoroughly so that any lingering germs, be it from you or the outside world will be destroyed. 
3. Don't share your protective clothing. This cannot be stressed enough. For all you know the person who asks this of you or yourself could be infected and it puts you both at a bigger risk. 

Fourth and Final Step: Donation.
If there is one thing that cannot be ignored, aside from the death toll, it's the number of people who managed to successfully recover from this disease. Be it on their own or with some treatment.  This does not involve tips, like the last one because there are only one or two things you need to do. The first thing you gotta do is turn yourself over to the nearest medical treatment center or disease research lab.  Maybe there is something within you that may naturally help prevent the disease or even kill it. If so, you have an obligation to find out what that is and save more lives. The second thing you gotta do is donate everything you can donate from your body to the nearest donor section. Blood, Plasma, Bone Marrow, Stem Cells, Organs. Whatever the case may be, donate it. You who have recovered have gotten a second chance at life. Don't deny others what you have. Help them.

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide. Good luck, Godspeed and hope you're in good health. 

Straight Up Reviews: South Park: The Stick of Truth

While I know the moment is long past, I thought I'd do my take on the South Park Games. Why? Because I beat the first one over a year ago.

When I was a kid, South Park was just as synonymous with Gaming as it was today. The first South Park Game I ever played was for the N64.

The story was relatively simple, a comet effected the earth ala Maximum Overdrive and caused many catastrophes related to the show at the time. You the player was tasked with playing Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny and were armed with weapons both common with children in a quiet mountain town (Piss Snowballs, Dodgeballs and a Dart Machine Gun.) and bizarre alien contraptions (Cow launcher, Visitor's mind control device, piranha shooter). Your enemies included: Mutant Turkeys, Dr. Mephisto's abominations, Visitors and Killer Toys. The game wasn't great in every sense of the word and even the Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were turned off at the notion of making this game let alone a series of games that were made at the time. Games such as:

Chef's Love Shack:

A Double Dare style trivia game show. 

South Park Rally:

A Mario Kart Knockoff.

It would seem like South Park wouldn't have any games associated with it, that weren't found on the net. That was until Ubisoft did a proposal to them in 2014.  One that seemed too good to refuse.

 

At this point they were in their  17th Season and producing a trilogy of episodes known as the "Black Friday Trilogy." The basic story being a Game of Thrones style LARP, where the kids were divided in factions on what to buy during Black Friday's discount day.  With Cartman wanting XBox and Stan wanting PS3. The episode kind of pissed me off because there was no faction even a parody faction that wanted Wii-U, but it was an all around entertaining romp that really stuck it to the annual Black Friday Riots.  Even going as far as splicing footage of the real riots with the ones in the show. With no one telling the difference. At the end of the episode, even when the kids agreed to one console, the bloodbath turned them off commercial gaming to the point where they preferred to keep their LARP up. Which ties directly into:

South Park: The Stick of Truth

A turn based strategy RPG game, where you're the star of it. What makes a game like this so unique is that it successfully emulates the tone and attitude of the characters within the show.  Whenever the kids do something like play Wizards and Warriors or Superheroes or Cops, they often skim the line between a child's imagination and the dangers of reality which they take just as seriously as their games. It's why they are willing to fight actual evil despite being kids playing games.

In this instance it revolves around two factions. The humans, lead by Cartman who is a Wizard and a King. Who rules the Kingdom of The Kupa Keep. (Yep, it's exactly what you're thinking of.) As well as The Drow Elves lead by Kyle. Whom have been locked in a civil war with each other over control of the titular item: The Stick of Truth.  Whoever controls The Stick Of Truth, controls the universe. A prophecy foretold of a new kid, who's arrival would turn the tides of their war depending on who gets to them first.  And that is where the reality side of the story sets in.

You play as the New Kid.  Who never speaks and rarely emotes, much to the frustration of his parents and those around him.  Because the kid is you, he is customized to your needs. So he could look whoever and whatever you want him to look like.  Unfortunately that doesn't apply to the name.  Upon encouragement from your parents, you are forced to go outside and make some friends, when you stumble upon Butters, a Paladin getting picked on by other kids.  After saving him, he in turn takes you to Kupa Keep and introduces you to the Wizard Cartman. After indoctrinating you, you get a choice of classes: Warrior, Mage, Thief or Jew.  (I picked Warrior.) and once picked you are to train in your abilities and how to handle yourself in combat.  While some RPGs now, use a system like this, it's fairly unique as it allows you to counter and defend yourself from oncoming attacks.  Which is what got me interested in this game. I got nothing against those that like turn based RPGs, but the one thing I couldn't stand was not being able to at least block oncoming attacks whenever it's someone else's turn. Hence why I don't play them after. So needless to say I got some satisfaction from this one.  After being trained you are shown the Stick of Truth and before you set out on your first mission, you are tasked with defending the kingdom from an invading Drow Elf army who come for the Stick.  While you successfully drive them off, the Stick is stolen and Clyde, who was tasked to guarding the stick is banished from space and time.  The whole game now is a huge quest to get the stick back, while at the same time participating in side missions that either further the story or give you a couple of good laughs along the way.

As the New Kid depending on your class you are accessed to a wide range of abilities, but the most unique of them all is your Fart Control abilities. 

Because South Park isn't without it's toilet humor, your character is able to weaponize various forms of flatulence that can get you a combative advantage or even remove obstacles from your path. From Dragonshout which will gross out your enemies and remove small obstacles to Nagasaki which can take down huge obstacles. 

Because you're not playing a specific character in South Park, as the new kid the bulk of the story revolves around you. Aliens abduct you, the government is after you and to top it off, on top of trying to help your new friends find the stick, you run afoul of rising epidemic of Nazi Zombies.  

Of course a game from South Park wouldn't be without it's call backs. One of the sidequests involves collecting Chinpokomon and you have to do missions for factions outside the wizard and warriors. From the Federation (Kevin Goddammit.) to the Girls (If it pleases and sparkles.) to the Goths (Life is pain.). The goths were my favorite part because despite their jerkish behavior they seem to warm up to the kid more than they get along with even the main characters. Showing a compassionate side to the Goth subculture rarely seen on the show as a whole.

The game was successful enough to warrant a direct sequel, which I haven't played yet:

South Park: The Fractured But Whole

Where their main shtick is involving their superhero personas. But when I do play it, I will let you know my experiences on it. Until then, enjoy Stick of Truth, have a laugh and whatever you do: Don't fart on a man's balls.

And now a word from CIEIR Music:

Are you tired of buying music without trying it first. Well you're in luck because on top of my bandcamp, CIEIR Music has it's own Youtube Channel, where it showcases some of their best work. It's most recent posting, the full album of the Royalty Free: 

 

Haunted Murder.

To Purchase this Album Click here: https://shanethemusician.bandcamp.com/album/haunted-murder

Straight Up Reviews: Joker

It's been a long time since I took the time to go to the movies. Most of the time, in order for me to watch let alone review a film, I've often waited until it was on TV or available on streaming sites and home video. But in the case of Joker I was compelled to see it in theaters. Even going as far as sitting in the front row so that whatever terrifying shit came my way, would be up close and personal.  Needless to say I was not disappointed. But before I get into it. Much like The Wall. A little history first.

Joker was first introduced in 1951, in the issue of Detective Comics #168. Created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson. Since then even to this day, he was often described as the definitive Batman villain. A clown based villain, who's main shtick is the following: Seeing vicious crimes as funny as practical jokes, revelling in the anarchy they cause, being nearly one step ahead of the Dark Knight and often always trying his best to either kill him in elaborate ways or corrupting him by any means necessary. Even in the age where Batman never killed, Joker was one of the few he admitted to be willing to make an exception of.  There were many stories, both in comic and other forms of media that often offered their own take on the villain. Such as Death in The Family, which killed off the Second Robin, Jason Todd. As well as the famous Alan Moore Graphic, The Killing Joke. He has been portrayed by many legendary actors, such as Caesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill, Heath Ledger, Jared Leto and just recently Joaquin Phoenix. The latter of which we will look into today.

The movie was directed by Todd Phillips, who got his claim to fame making the Hangover movies.  However this movie was a far contrast to his more lighthearted dark comedies.   Taking on such influences as Martin Scorsese. Whom was the first choice to direct the movie, before briefly becoming executive producers. While known for dark elements, this movie is not part of the fan nicknamed DCEU. Which housed such movies as Man Of Steel, Batman V Superman, Wonder Woman, Shazam and Aquaman. (Not Justice League, #ReleaseTheSnyderCut)

Spoilers aside.Various news mediums have often made the claims regarding the potential controversy. From using a certain song from a convicted Sex Offender. (Which I had no idea he was until I heard about it.), to the "potential" copy cat crimes in it's name similar to the controversy surrounding Clockwork Orange and the Aurora Theater Shooting. While I sympathize with the victims of those crimes, I refuse to believe this movie or any movie of similar variety is responsible. As Billy Loomis once said "Movies don't create psychos. Movies make psychos more creative." The fact that the Divided States of Trump or DST for short, would go as far as military action regarding it, is beyond asinine.

With that said, let's take a look.

Now this incarnation of the Clown Prince of Crime, goes by the name Arthur Fleck. A struggling Stand-up comic and part time clown, living in Gotham City in 1981.  He lives with his ailing mother in a rundown apartment with only one known neighbor. Sophie Dumond. A single mother whom Arthur has an attraction too.  In the beginning we get a glimpse into Arthur's life as he struggles with  overbearing bosses, apathetic citizens petty thugs and a series of symptoms of mental disorders not fully defined, but require him to be heavily medicated and attending sessions with a psychiatrist. All the while determined to land his dream gig on a comedy based talk show, hosted by Murray Franklin, played by Scorsese regular Robert DeNiro. After a recent incident involving his sign stolen by thugs, who in turn lure him into an alley to assault him; one of Arthur's colleagues, Randall gives him a pistol to defend himself. Which later gets him into trouble when he entertains sick kids. During a fateful subway ride home, he encounters three men hassling a woman who turn their attention to him due to his spontaneous laughter. When they try to harm him, Arthur snaps and shoots the three dead. Causing the third to suffer.  Upon returning home, he uses his newfound confidence to woo Sophie and gain fame through his stand-up routine.  However his fame turns into infamy when his murders reach the news and he finds to his shock the three men were part of a scholarship program run by Billionaire Thomas Wayne. In his bid to run for mayor of Gotham, Thomas derives the murders and calls anyone envious of their success "Clowns". Prompting ordinary citizens to don clown masks and protest his bid, while further causing themselves and Gotham to slip into Anarchy.  As if things weren't screwed up enough, Penny whom used to work for Thomas, believes him to be Arthur's biological father. Prompting his own search for the truth, by stalking Thomas and his son Bruce.  Penny suffers from a stroke and much to Arthur's joy he finally gets noticed by Murray Franklin.  Only for the joy to become sorrow when Murray only shows clips of his Stand-Up to belittle and mock him.  As Arthur continues to unravel, the funding for his medication and sessions were cut prompting him to slip further into insanity. Fortune smiles however when Franklin offers to have him on the show to perform a routine. Unfortunately news of the crimes coupled, his past incidences, with his mother's failing health have lead Arthur to run afoul of two detectives who suspect him. Upon visiting Arkham Asylum after a violent confrontation with Thomas Wayne, Arthur finds out the truth. He is not Thomas' biological son and Penny is not his biological mother. The latter of which both abused and allowed her boyfriends to abuse him as well.  Which prompts him to euthanize Penny with a pillow.  When he returns to Sophie's apartment, he finds to his horror, that they only met this time and that all the other times she's interacted with him were delusional hallucinations. It is unclear whether or not he killed Sophie upon discovering him in her house. While preparing for the show, he dons make-up and wears the trademark crimson purple suit. Arthur kills Randall for kickstarting his downward spiral, but spares his other colleague Gary. As the latter was the only one that treated him nicely.  While on route, the detectives chase him, prompting him to take shelter in a subway among clowns who were inspired by his crimes, to take a stand against the rich society of Gotham. Which he uses to evade them, causing the clowns to injure the detectives in the process.  Upon his arrival he agrees to Murray's terms on the condition that Murray refers to him from then on as: Joker.  After fumbling through his act, he makes a speech about how society doesn't  notice people like him and berates Murray for making fun of him and confesses to the killings before shooting Murray dead.  Which kickstarts a city-wide riot that causes the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne. In turn kickstarting Bruce's journey into becoming Batman. Initially Joker gets arrested, but then freed, by his followers embracing them as the people that matter to him.  However in the end he is incarcerated at Arkham, before he plans his escape fulfilling his journey as the Clown Prince of Crime.

Now on the surface, the movie comes across as a dark, gritty deconstruction on the Coming of Age Genre. With Arthur portrayed for the most part as a sympathetic character who tries to make something of himself. Which he does. However due to the nature of the character he becomes, there are many hints that things aren't all they seem.

While the movie was not an adapation of any comic, it has taken inspirations from other works.  Such as implying Joker's involvement in the Wayne Murders similar to the 1989 Tim Burton Batman Film. But, the struggling comedian angle takes major inspiration from The Killing Joke.  And for those who have not read that comic or seen the adaptation it spawned, there was one key element in the Joker story that causes the movie to be seen in a different light. During his confrontation with, Joker laments that even he doesn't know who he is anymore. Reciting this immortal quote.

And since this movie overall has taken place in Joker's POV, for all we know some if not all of it was either at best an outright lie or at worst, choice C of his multiple choice past. Rather than have a full on origin story, we may have just merely taken a glimpse of the titular clown's damaged psyche.  And there have been several moments that show his delusions.  From the moment he imagined himself among Murray's audience, to the twist regarding Sophie.  With that in mind, how much of the story if not all of it was true or false? We may never know. And that is what scares us the most.

The movie was at first released in film festivals, winning several awards including but not limited to 3 Venice Film awards and one Actor Tribute Award in the Toronto International film festival.  Upon it's theatrical release it has broken many box office records and as of today has grossed a world wide total of $281.6 Million. $14.99 of it I myself have proudly personally spent on it.

And to those still convinced that this may incite some kind of violence I say this. If you truly believe it's going to happen, then congratulations, much like Harley Quinn you fell right into Joker's plans.

The movie is full of thrills, chills and will keep you on the edge of your seat. You'll laugh, you'll cry, but most of all you'll have something to talk about. But I'm not gonna lie, the movie will scare the living shit out of you.  Enjoy.

And now a word from CIEIR Music:
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