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/

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Terry Gilliam comedy from 1988 starring John Neville, Robin Williams, Eric Idle.

Muchausen ( a teller of tale tales) relates his adventures that may be true, may be fantasies. Doesn't matter. Go along for the ride. Very imaginative and funny.

Look for Robin Williams as a manic King of the Moon...and a small bit part from a young Uma Thurman.

Gilliam's films are always a treat.

Enjoy.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096764/

Time Bandits

1981 film by Terry Gilliam with John Cleese, Sean Connery.

Fantasy about a group of little people who are on the run from the Supreme Being and drag a boy along with them throughout time. Along the way they meet Napoleon and other historical figures and try their best to rob them all.

Fun film.

Loved the Robin Hood segment with Cleese.

Rollicking good adventure that bogs down here and there but very different and imaginative.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081633/

The Fisher King

Another gem from Terry Gilliam.

1991 black comedy stars Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams.

Depressed radio host Bridges driven to dark despair is inspired by a homeless man (Williams) on his own quest for salvation. At times hysterically funny and at other times deeply emotional, The Fisher King is unique and absorbing.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101889/

Brazil

1985 comedy from Terry Gilliam will facsinate and amaze with its creative imagining of a bleak future society filled with both hopelessness and absurdity.

Stars Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Bob Hoskins, and Jonathan Pryce as a clerk whose imagination takes him from his humdrum existence to a life as a superhero who saves the woman of his dreams. De Niro has a small role but is always great when playing it for laughs. Gilliam's incredible originality shines here.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/

Twelve Monkeys

1995 film directed by the brilliant Monty Python cartoonist-turned-director Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt.

Willis is sent from the future where mankind has moved underground to our present day to find the cause of a plague that has devestated the Earth. Claiming he is a time traveler, psychiatrist Stowe at first tries to treat him but eventually believes him and the two embark on a quest to save the future of society. Brad Pitt is amazing as is Willis.

Gilliam is always smart, clever, interesting, and his movies will have you talking about them long after you've seen them. This one is no different, taking you back and forth in time and playing with your mind along the way. Great acting and thought-provoking plotline will keep you intrigued in this hallucinogenic saga.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114746/