Friday’s releases: a Joker, a farmer and fiddlers

The character of the Joker has been around as long as his arch-nemesis, the Batman, though both of them have gone through a range of changes in both appearance and temperament. The latest version of the makeup-wearing psychopath comes to the big screen on Friday, according to the national movie-release schedule:

"Joker": Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a man tortured by his inability to fit into Gotham society — and who turns his sense of humor into a violent avocation. Written and co-directed by Todd Phillips, who definitely knows his way around humor.

"Joker" is the only film listed on the national scene. But Spokane should have a couple of other offerings:

"Farmer of the Year": This independent film about a retired farmer (Barry Corbin) going on a road trip with his granddaughter, will play exclusively at the Village Center Cinemas at Wandermere. Directed by Metaline Falls filmmakers Vince O'Connell and Kathy Swanson, from Swanson's screenplay, the film won the Audience Choice Award at the 2018 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.

And at the Magic Lantern:

"Fiddlin' ": Sister filmmakers Julie Simone and Vicki Vlasic capture the energy at the at the World's Oldest Fiddler's Convention in the Appalachian Mountains.

As always, I'll update when the area theaters finalize their bookings.