Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

Whew...was it the acid? Or the ether?

Riotus Terry Gilliam film from 1998 follows Hunter S. Thompson's alter ego Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his "attorney" and advisor Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) as they travel from L.A. to Vegas to supposedly cover a motorcycle race.

Thompson was a unique individual, a proponent...hell the grandaddy of Gonzo journalism where the reporter's experience is part of the story. In Thompson's case his experience WAS the story, period.

This is an trippy, all out comedy romp that won't suit everyone's taste, but give it a try. Funny, absurd, dead on social commentary...and a look inside the world of a genius journalist who operated under his own rules (and paranoia).

Johhny Depp has him nailed. Brilliant portrayal. And look at the supporting cast: Del Toro (incredible), Tobey McGuire, Gary Busey, Ellen Barkin, Christina Ricci, Cameron Diaz...the list goes on and on.

A laugh fest. Love the first scene on the highway when the drugs kick in and the inventory of what illicit substances are in the trunk of the car.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120669/

Cry Baby

Long before Captain Jack Sparrow Johhny Depp was Cry Baby in this 1990 offering from John Waters.

Cool, funny musical with that John Waters sense of lunacy and absurdity starring Johnny Depp, Amy Locane, Iggy Pop, Polly Bergen, Ricki lake, and Traci Lords (yes, THAT Traci Lords)

"Good" girl whose mother runs a finjishing school falls for Cry Baby, leader of the "Drapes", rock and rollin', hot roddin' greasers.

Funny, with great and surprising supporting cast (Troy Donahue?) and classic soundtrack that sounds like it was ripped off the Billboard charts in 1959.

Fun and frisky.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099329/