The Characters of Doctor Parnassus
Filed under: Drama, Independent, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Celebrities and Controversy, Newsstand, Movie Marketing, Images
As we wait for an American studio to break down, and cough up the money to buy and distribute Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, some new stills have leaked out that give a hint as to why it's being labeled "too arthouse." (Not that we agree with such things here at Cinematical, obviously. There's no such thing as too arthouse in our books.)The photos are watermarked Quick Stop Entertainment but I snagged them from the obliging CHUD, who snagged them from a Johnny Depp blog, and no one seems to know quite where they originated. (How appropriate.) The Depp blog also managed to produce a photo that includes Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, and a not-as-scary Christopher Plummer. I would almost suspect it of being fan made except that the costumes Depp & Co are sporting look right for the film.
So, as you await news of a buyer and a release date, gaze at the gallery below and wonder if you should travel to Europe where it's promised a release date. You have to hand it to Hollywood though -- you'd think every studio would be chomping at the bit to get Heath Ledger's last performance, but clearly decency (and squeamishness at the idea of "arthouse cinema") still has some sway in Tinseltown.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-03-2009 @ 10:26AM
Geoffrey Boyle said...
It doesn't surprise me at all that this film can't get distributed. I imagine it's close to unwatchable if it's anything like Terry Gilliam's other recent films. I'm sorry but just because Heath Ledger is in it doesn't mean a studio should just throw away its money distributing an experimental movie.
Not when there are other far far more engaging indie films without Heath Ledger in them that deserve a release. This will go straight to DVD and then the 5 Terry Gilliam fans left in the world can see how eminently far he's fallen from being able to connect with an audience.
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3-04-2009 @ 10:17AM
LiqwidZero said...
I actually felt that Tideland was really underrated. I loved it a lot.
If it goes to anyone, either Sony or The Weinstein Co. will produce it. And I really want to see this in theatres.
Gilliam has a wonderful way of capturing imagination.
3-03-2009 @ 2:56PM
Brian said...
I don't know how anyone can call a film with Verne Troyer as "too art house"??
Those two things are like water and oil, they just don't go together.
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3-03-2009 @ 12:04PM
thegoldfishpool said...
I'm probably one of the last people who has a shred of faith in Terry Gilliam. (And when I say a shred I mean a shred). The idea behind the story is intriguing and original what you would expect from Terry 20 years ago. But after Tideland, a film that made me so uncomfortable I couldn't finish watching it, I don't have much faith left. But on the off chance that someone close to him has talked some sense into him I think that this film could be a comeback for the former genius that WAS Terry Gilliam.
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3-03-2009 @ 1:16PM
ML said...
I've run hot and cold, but hope springs eternal; I want to take a chance.
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3-04-2009 @ 6:45AM
Hughman Bein said...
Everybody's a wuss. Watch a movie or don't, but I like Terry and will continue to especially because he creeps me out sometimes.
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3-03-2009 @ 1:41PM
MCW said...
I really like the first image in the circusy-theater. Reminds me of Panic at the Disco in their earlier days.
I have no idea what the film is about other than it has actors in it (Crazy right?!), but I would like to see it just to say I have. I like arty as long as it makes sense in the end.
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3-04-2009 @ 5:10AM
Kate L said...
I love Terry Gilliam! I love his creative no holdes barred imagination! I adored The Brothers Grimm! Yes there I said it! The special effects were lacking but still I loved it! If you don't like his work then do not watch! Its very simple! However do not bash something that is not even out yet and just because its not your thing. I dislike Miley and the Jonas Brothers but I don't go out of my way to bash them! Grow up people!
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3-17-2009 @ 1:45AM
Marc said...
I worked on the show and if you wanna know where the photo is from you should check out my blog
http://massmedium.blogspot.com/
let me know what you think. I need the encouragement
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