Author |
Message |
zingy
College Boy Z
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:40 pm Posts: 36662
|
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and Loathing in Las VegasQuote: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's 1971 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream. The film, directed by Terry Gilliam, stars Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke and Benicio del Toro as Dr. Gonzo.
Previous attempts to adapt the book into a film included Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando as Duke and Gonzo. At one point, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were considered for the duo; John Cusack was also almost cast. Animator/filmmaker Ralph Bakshi, Martin Scorsese, and Oliver Stone all tried unsuccessfully to direct an adaptation. Thompson met Depp and was convinced no one else could play him. Filmmaker Alex Cox was eventually hired to direct with Depp and Del Toro committed to starring in the film, but the filmmaker had "creative differences" with Thompson over the script treatment as documented in the documentary Breakfast with Hunter. Gilliam was subsequently hired and made the film with the writer's approval.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was a box office failure, grossing US$10.6 million at the North American box office, well below its $18.5 million budget. It has since become a cult classic due in large part to its release on DVD, including a Special Edition released by The Criterion Collection.
|
Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:08 am |
|
|
Riggs
We had our time together
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:36 am Posts: 13270 Location: Vienna
|
One of the weirdest movies I've ever seen. Some really awesome dialogues. Depp and Del Toro were made for this parts. A
|
Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:09 am |
|
|
Dkmuto
Forum General
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 1:00 am Posts: 6502
|
It's two hours of Depp and del Toro staggering about -- and I hated it.
Hunter S. Thompson may be an interesting guy with an interesting life story, but this film is so enraptured by his behavior and so unconcerned about the bigger picture of all this that, in the end, it's pretty despicable.
I'm having lots of moral issues with films lately.
D
|
Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:00 am |
|
|
Gulli
Jordan Mugen-Honda
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 9:53 am Posts: 13400
|
What a true gem this movie is. Depp's display is easily the best he's ever given and Gilliams trademark handiwork lances every scene. The source novel is a lurid descent into drug addiled maddness and this film captures it perfectly. So many great scene's Bat Country, The Lizards, the insane final drug trip and the famous "Wave" speech woven into the movie as well as it ever could. Yes if one was to be honest there isn't any real story more a series of vignettes loosly attacted to the next and for large sections Depp and Del Toro's dialogue is comlete gibberish but for me it just adds to the movies brilliance. A great snapshot of drug fueled 60s burning out in one last big trip.
A+
_________________ Rosberg was reminded of the fuel regulations by his wheel's ceasing to turn. The hollow noise from the fuel tank and needle reading zero had failed to convay this message
|
Wed Jan 10, 2007 4:05 am |
|
|
Riggs
We had our time together
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:36 am Posts: 13270 Location: Vienna
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Easily one of the most overlooked films ever. I've seen it countless times by now and it's always a ride. Depp was never better than here.
|
Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:55 am |
|
|
Caius
A very honest-hearted fellow
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:02 pm Posts: 4767
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
I got about 1/3 of the way through and turned it off. From what I saw, I'd give it a D. Some of the imagery was cool but I quickly tired of the mumbling drunkard/drug addict main characters.
|
Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:56 pm |
|
|
Jim Halpert
Stanley Cup
Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2006 1:52 pm Posts: 6981 Location: Hockey Town
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
I loved it.
A-
|
Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:47 pm |
|
|
redfirebird2008
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 4:13 am Posts: 2483
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Riggs wrote: Easily one of the most overlooked films ever. I've seen it countless times by now and it's always a ride. Depp was never better than here. I agree. This movie is a completely wild ride. I have it on HD DVD and it's pretty awesome in high def. It has one of my favorite endings ever. I love how they rolled the credits into the horizon along the road while "Jumpin' Jack Flash" plays and Depp is on his high speed burn from Vegas back to L.A. There's lots of great humor and both Depp and Del Toro show how brilliant they are.
|
Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:48 pm |
|
|
Johnny Dollar
The Lubitsch Touch
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:48 pm Posts: 11019
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
It has moments, but trying to shoot Hunter S. Thompson is a fool's errand. Still, points for trying.
_________________ k
|
Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:14 pm |
|
|
Darth Indiana Bond
007
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:43 pm Posts: 11004 Location: Wouldn't you like to know
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Um yeah it was kind of brilliant, and oddly accurate on drug depictions. A wild and crazy film that grabs your eyes balls and sucks them into a world that is crazy cool and crazy in general. It is a film who's purpose is deeply clouded by a story that is completely different than it appears. I love its ambiguity, and its style above all.
A+
_________________
|
Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:31 pm |
|
|
Argos
Z
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 2:20 pm Posts: 7952 Location: Wherever he went, including here, it was against his better judgment.
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
I like this film in the same way I like 'Dazed and Confused' (the film). - 9/10.
|
Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:37 pm |
|
|
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm Posts: 19697 Location: ville-marie
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Pretty much brilliant.
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
|
Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:44 pm |
|
|
Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
|
Re: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
trixster wrote: Pretty much brilliant. Pretty much agreed. I recently had the opportunity to see it in a theatre which was a great experience (though I have seen the film several times before and own the Criterion DVD).
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
|
Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:45 pm |
|
|