Despite the controversy it has aroused due to its violent and bleak narrative, Joker stands as an outstanding piece of cinema. Phoenix gives a career-defining performance, becoming the embodiment of an iconic character while transforming it entirely at the same time. Phillips’ direction invites introspection even as it shocks.
Todd Phillips (born December 20, 1970) is an American screenwriter and film director. He is best known for directing the comedy films Road Trip, Old School, The Hangover, and Due Date. Phillips was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended New York University Film School, but dropped out in order to focus on completing his first film, the feature-length documentary Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies, about the life and death of punk rocker GG Allin.
The Hangover: Part II, previously titled The Hangover 2, is a 2011 comedy film and sequel to 2009’s The Hangover. The film stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ken Jeong with Todd Phillips directing a script written by himself, Craig Mazin and Scot Armstrong.