The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
09-14-08, 01:15 PM
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
IMDB synopsis, with spoilers:
Director:
Terry Gilliam
Writers:
Terry Gilliam (screenplay)
Charles McKeown (screenplay)
Cast:
Heath Ledger ... Tony
Johnny Depp ... Tony
Jude Law ... Tony
Colin Farrell ... Tony
Christopher Plummer ... Dr. Parnassus
Verne Troyer ... Percy
Tom Waits ... Mr. Nick
Lily Cole ... Valentina
From ComingSoon.net:
Teaser clip
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom.
Spoiler:
Terry Gilliam
Writers:
Terry Gilliam (screenplay)
Charles McKeown (screenplay)
Cast:
Heath Ledger ... Tony
Johnny Depp ... Tony
Jude Law ... Tony
Colin Farrell ... Tony
Christopher Plummer ... Dr. Parnassus
Verne Troyer ... Percy
Tom Waits ... Mr. Nick
Lily Cole ... Valentina
From ComingSoon.net:
Pic went on hiatus after Ledger's death on Jan. 22, The decision to use three actors to replace Ledger was made possible because of the fantastical nature of the story, in which characters pass from contemporary London through a magic mirror into parallel worlds of the imagination. Ledger had completed filming the "realistic" sections, so Depp, Farrell and Law will play physically transformed versions of his character when he passes into the other worlds.
09-14-08, 02:32 PM
#3
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-14-08, 09:49 PM
#5
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 2,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, the movie definitely went from a "most likely see" due to Terry Gilliam and Heath Ledger to a "most definitely will see" thanks to Johnny Depp's participation.
K
K
09-14-08, 10:29 PM
#7
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Financially this man has to hit it as high as possible with this recent film. Ledger's involvement dominantly, but along with the other 3 casted, and hopefully gets Gilliam some cash in his bank. Let's not forget that supposedly The Man Who Killed Quixote will be back in production since it's utter and unbelievable stroke of bad luck or Act of God on it. At least...that's what wikipedia shows me...along with some other online rumors. Rumors that seem more likely to come about.
10-21-08, 05:06 PM
#9
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I thought Tideland was pretty good. It stalled a bit in the last third. After seeing it, I was baffled by the incredibly negative reviews ... I guess
but I thought it had a similar tone and style as Gilliam's previous work.
Spoiler:
10-21-08, 05:25 PM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
I enjoyed Tideland quite a bit. Which is funny because I can't get into Fear and Loathing... which I know is more well-liked by Gilliam fans.
I will definitely see this in the theater.
I will definitely see this in the theater.
10-21-08, 05:38 PM
#11
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
I own and have only seen Tideland twice. one as just the film and the other with the commentary. It's not a bad film as dark and to the limits it is at times with some of it's character's actions, one can see how some people are just uncomfortable and at times disgusted. It's not his best film..but it's a good film.
And this may be the first time I'm available to see this Gilliam film...hopefully it's a big opening..if not..I may have to trek around to find it.
And this may be the first time I'm available to see this Gilliam film...hopefully it's a big opening..if not..I may have to trek around to find it.
12-29-08, 10:46 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
From here:
"The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" is set for release Sept. 24 and is directed by Terry Gilliam. Starring Johnny Depp, Heath Ledger, Colin Farrell, Jude Law and Christopher Plummer, the movie centers on a traveling theater company that gives its audience more than they were expecting.
02-24-09, 06:28 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell
Posts: 34,106
Received 732 Likes
on
534 Posts
Re: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
Ledger's last film awaits deal for U.S. release
Tue Feb 24, 2009, 1:17 am EST • Source: Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Backstage at the Oscars on Sunday night, where her brother was awarded a posthumous supporting actor's award, Kate Ledger told reporters that her family is very much in the loop on his final movie.
"We've seen a little bit of the footage," she said of Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," Heath Ledger's last film. "I think it's going to be amazing."
But the comments only highlighted a larger question: When will U.S. audiences get to see it?
The head-trippy "Parnassus," about a traveling magician who gives customers more than they bargained for, is a joint production of financial entity Grosvenor Park and sales mogul Samuel Hadida of Davis Films. It was gliding along as just another independently financed production -- and product of Gilliam's funhouse imagination -- when Ledger died early last year, in the middle of production.
The project's fate was thrown into question until Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp stepped in, with all three part of an elaborate work-around that has the actors playing different parts of Ledger's role.
That saved the production. But the sales process since then has been nearly as complicated.
A number of U.S. buyers during the summer and early fall were said to be interested in acquiring stateside rights -- Lionsgate and Overture reportedly were among the potential suitors -- but word of a potential deal quickly quieted down.
That has fueled speculation concerning such matters as dissent among producers over finances. Rumors aside, the film, whose budget is thought to be upward of $20 million, does present challenges.
Even with the Ledger hook, a distributor would face marketing difficulties. Gilliam has grown more experimental in recent years, with such fare as "Tideland" and "The Brothers Grimm," and marketing experts say that retailing "Parnassus" as a Ledger film risks a backlash among general audiences unaccustomed to artier material.
A U.S. deal is expected shortly, with a mini-major or larger indie expected to make the play. (The movie already has a deal for Mandate International to release it in the United Kingdom, where former Monty Python member Gilliam tends to fare better. It is expected to open there in the summer.)
Still, the absence of a U.S. distribution deal nearly six months after talks began speaks to the difficulty of selling art-house films to the domestic market.
"This movie stars Heath Ledger in his final performance -- it will get a deal and come out in the U.S.," said one indie film veteran. "But it's no accident that it's taking this long."
Tue Feb 24, 2009, 1:17 am EST • Source: Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Backstage at the Oscars on Sunday night, where her brother was awarded a posthumous supporting actor's award, Kate Ledger told reporters that her family is very much in the loop on his final movie.
"We've seen a little bit of the footage," she said of Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," Heath Ledger's last film. "I think it's going to be amazing."
But the comments only highlighted a larger question: When will U.S. audiences get to see it?
The head-trippy "Parnassus," about a traveling magician who gives customers more than they bargained for, is a joint production of financial entity Grosvenor Park and sales mogul Samuel Hadida of Davis Films. It was gliding along as just another independently financed production -- and product of Gilliam's funhouse imagination -- when Ledger died early last year, in the middle of production.
The project's fate was thrown into question until Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp stepped in, with all three part of an elaborate work-around that has the actors playing different parts of Ledger's role.
That saved the production. But the sales process since then has been nearly as complicated.
A number of U.S. buyers during the summer and early fall were said to be interested in acquiring stateside rights -- Lionsgate and Overture reportedly were among the potential suitors -- but word of a potential deal quickly quieted down.
That has fueled speculation concerning such matters as dissent among producers over finances. Rumors aside, the film, whose budget is thought to be upward of $20 million, does present challenges.
Even with the Ledger hook, a distributor would face marketing difficulties. Gilliam has grown more experimental in recent years, with such fare as "Tideland" and "The Brothers Grimm," and marketing experts say that retailing "Parnassus" as a Ledger film risks a backlash among general audiences unaccustomed to artier material.
A U.S. deal is expected shortly, with a mini-major or larger indie expected to make the play. (The movie already has a deal for Mandate International to release it in the United Kingdom, where former Monty Python member Gilliam tends to fare better. It is expected to open there in the summer.)
Still, the absence of a U.S. distribution deal nearly six months after talks began speaks to the difficulty of selling art-house films to the domestic market.
"This movie stars Heath Ledger in his final performance -- it will get a deal and come out in the U.S.," said one indie film veteran. "But it's no accident that it's taking this long."
05-01-09, 09:34 AM
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
Review:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40933
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRYXNk-qZAs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRYXNk-qZAs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40933
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRYXNk-qZAs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRYXNk-qZAs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
05-01-09, 09:45 AM
#17
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Re: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
btw..that trailer is old. Not a bad one...something we've all seen.
05-22-09, 03:20 PM
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
05-23-09, 08:59 AM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Re: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
Variety review:
Especially considering the trauma and difficulties stemming from Heath Ledger's death during production and the fact that Terry Gilliam hadn't directed a good picture in more than a decade, the helmer has made a pretty good thing out of a very bad situation in "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Synthesizing elements from several of his previous pictures, including "Time Bandits," "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" and "The Fisher King," the often overreaching director addresses a mad hatter of a story with the expected visual panache and what is, for him, considerable discipline. With Ledger onscreen more than might have been expected, the film possesses strong curiosity value bolstered by generally lively action and excellent visual effects, making for good commercial prospects in most markets.
05-23-09, 06:47 PM
#20
05-23-09, 08:49 PM
#21
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
I'm really looking forward to this. I liked the story from the get go but seeing how Gilliam will make the best out of a terrible situation really has me intruiged.
05-25-09, 11:49 AM
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
08-08-09, 12:18 AM
#24
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Re: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
Holy fuck...this looks really really good. A lot more wild than I imagined it to be...
<object width="450" height="304"><param name="movie" value="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/13094"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/13094" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="450" height="304" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>
<object width="450" height="304"><param name="movie" value="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/13094"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/13094" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="450" height="304" allowFullScreen="true"></embed></object>
08-08-09, 12:48 AM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Gilliam, 2009): Depp, Farrell, Law, Ledger
That was interesting. It doesn't really look like my cup of tea, though. It looks like a kiddie film on acid or something.