Remember when Joaquin Phoenix was this inexplicable star on the rise? When he shocked us with his creepily stunning portrayal in Gladiator, and the soul-bearing performance he gave in Walk the Line, both of which he received Oscar nominations for? And then remember when he and Casey Affleck, who we haven’t seen recently despite his brother’s rise, did that little experimental project where Phoenix mumble-rapped as a hygienically-challenged crazed hobo? Yeah, well, Phoenix has decided to appear back in fighting Oscar contender form this year with the critically acclaimed The Master, but also not totally let go of that weirdo, stage-falling bearded nutter-bum of a persona. Continue reading