When the movie begins, Phoenix's character, who calls himself Bobby Green, has already carved out an identity for himself.

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The Echo is a cool little club on the east side of Los Angeles, just grimy enough, with dark blue walls and a crowd that on a recent Monday night included movie stars Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix, bobbing their heads to an all-girl band called The Like.

NPR: No-Cover Mondays: L.A.'s Rock Residency Scene

Joaquin Phoenix has said he wants no part in the movie industry awards season, calling the awards "stupid" and "subjective".

BBC: Joaquin Phoenix

Meanwhile, a movie clip and two men watching it led to a security scare aboard a jetliner Saturday night heading to Phoenix, Arizona, authorities said.

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