| Author | Message | ||
     Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.153.150.170 |
I've seen the new Gilliam; it was ok. Actually, no, it was really flat and confused and confusing. I feel I was meant to like certain characters and dislike others, but it never happened. And it felt mumbled, like the sounds was wrong, or the director wasn't really interested in what was being said. I don't know; my lack of enthusiasm felt augmented by the fact none of the cast seemed particularly worked up about it, either. For the same story, better told and more entertainingly, see Broadcast News. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.76 |
Tony - I have always loved Gilliam's work. Even when his work is not at its best, it's usually better than anything else around at the time. He's unique, daring and audacious. He's an intelligent director, and is one of the few directors who's refused to compromise his work as he has grown older. Saying that I was disappointed with 'Tideland', though admittedly I watched only half of it due to the DVD jamming in the player then refusing to work on any other piece of 'technology'. As for 'The Brothers Grimm' it was much too short a movie, and looked as if it had been cut to pieces, though I'm not sure anything of the kind had happened. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.4.242.217 |
Frank - here's an interesting tidbit from imdb about THE BROTHER'S GRIMM... "The most expensive scene in the movie was cut because it occurred quite early on in the story and nothing would have been able to top it. This scene, available on DVD, would have occurred on the brothers' first trip in the forest with Angelika. The party is attacked by a tree which grabs Angelika with a branch and swings her up in the air. The scene's special effects were almost completed before it was cut from the final version...." | ||
| Protodroid (Protodroid) Username: Protodroid Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 78.152.197.94 |
It looks like the usual over-production-designed crapola. And titles like The Wondrous Splendidium of Profession Farkentinkle just wind me up. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.76 |
Craig - cheers. I think I saw this version...I think. Has Gilliam ever released a full version of Brazil? Still his masterwork, in my opinion. Michael Palin says Tideland is either the best thing Gilliam's done, or the worst thing...he can't make his mind up. Proto - mate, I love those titles. And I really believe Gilliam is one of the few who uses special-effects solely for the story and not to entice bums to seats. | ||
| Protodroid (Protodroid) Username: Protodroid Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 89.19.81.17 |
I agree with that - I don't doubt his sincerity. It's just that looking back over his body of work, it's not all that impressive. As we peeked at Brazil, he peaked at Brazil. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
Has Gilliam ever released a full version of Brazil? Yep, the restored cut is available on DVD. This seems rather impressive to me: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) Tideland (2005) The Brothers Grimm (2005) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail (1996) Twelve Monkeys (1995) The Fisher King (1991) The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) Brazil (1985) The Meaning of Life (1983) (segment "Crimson Permanent Assurance, The") Time Bandits (1981) Jabberwocky (1977) Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) | ||
| Protodroid (Protodroid) Username: Protodroid Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 89.19.81.17 |
I have to go back about 20 years before something that I really like there... | ||
| Protodroid (Protodroid) Username: Protodroid Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 89.19.81.17 |
I have to go back about 20 years before I come to something that I really like there... | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is my favourite Gilliam film: he captured Thompson's giddy yer dark and debauched mindset wonderfully. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.5.9.67 |
I'm alone in not being a fan of BRAZIL. I found it surprisingly boring. Maybe I should watch it again. FEAR AND LOATHING is superb, and so is BARON MUNCHAUSEN, and of course, THE HOLY GRAIL - that one's sort of beyond criticism by now, beyond categories of "good" or "bad" anymore. TIDELAND...? I just have no desire to see it, nor IMAGINARIUM, or BROTHER'S GRIMM, which I've only seen in pieces. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
I used to know most of Jeff Bridges' lines from THE FISHER KING off by heart...I was obsessed with that film when it first came out.  | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.176.22 |
I share the same Jeff Bridges affliction, Gary, only with The Big Lebowski rather than The Fisher King. I'm an admirer of Gilliam, on the whole. I couldn't get into Tideland when I tried to watch it, I just wasn't in the mood. I still haven't seen Baron Munchhausen or Imaginarium. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.4.251.80 |
Oh, BARON MUNCHHAUSEN, Huw! It's perhaps a tad clumsy and dated, but... really, a remarkable film. It's Gillliam and yet it's also "Hollywood big" - I mean like tent-pole summer blockbusters-big, it has that feel to it - except it's so much more inventive, intelligent, imaginative.... | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 82.0.106.15 |
Terry Gilliam is another one of those directors who can do no wrong in my book (going right back to his weirdly disturbing little animated segments for 'Monty Python's Flying Circus'). But that's not to say the studios haven't done mighty wrong by him! 'Brazil' is his masterpiece, my 2nd favourite film of the 1980s and probably 3rd favourite sci-fi movie of all time - after '2001' and 'A Clockwork Orange'. Then I'd have: Twelve Monkeys - genius!! (it changed my attitude to Bruce Willis & Brad Pitt overnight - no mean feat in itself) Monty Python And The Holy Grail Time Bandits Jabberwocky Baron Munchausen The Fisher King ...every one of which is touched by his visionary flair. While I've yet to see 'Fear And Loathing', 'Tideland', 'The Brothers Grimm' or the 'Imaginarium' thingie... and I've no idea why not! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.178.157.128 |
Criterion's 3 disc set of BRAZIL is about the best version(s) you'll find - it even includes the risible 'love conquers all' US cut. I saw him again recently being interviewed and he said then that the Criterion release of Brazil wasn't really him changing things to the way he wanted them in the first place; rather he changed things simply because he could and it was a novelty for him to be able to do so. BROTHERS GRIMM is the only one of his I think that's beyond help - there's always lots to like in all his films otherwise. BRAZIL is easily my favourite of his films, although HOLY GRAIL (albeit a film on which Gilliam shared directing duties) and JABBERWOCKY come quite close. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
BROTHERS GRIMM was very minor Gilliam, and not that memorable, but IMHO it was better than just about every other Hollywood blockbuster that year. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.170.181.74 |
Paer of the reason I've not watched Brazil again is because of that hopeless ending. I never feel I get anything out of something that ultimately ends in my feeling any more miserable than I so obviously am.  | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.106.220.19 |
SPOILER Tony - it depends how you look at it - it was a happy ending for Lowry because he escaped, albeit only in his head. | ||
| Darren O. Godfrey (Darren_o_godfrey) Username: Darren_o_godfrey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 207.200.116.133 |
I've loved all of Gilliam's work right up through 1998 (Fear and Loathing...), and I suppose the only reason I can't say the same about his more recent work is because I haven't seen it. Gary's dead-on about Fear and Loathing (I about laughed myself into a hernia when I first read the book, and again with the initial viewing of the film), but I think Brazil and 12 Monkeys mark the peaks of the man's amazing directorial talents. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
I don't mean to be pedantic but wasn't Holy Grail directed by Terrys Jones AND Gilliam? | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 80.47.222.21 |
'.......12 Monkeys mark the peaks of the man's amazing directorial talents.' Definately agree wth this. And Fear and Loathing. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.170.177.37 |
But it has Brad Pitt in it! The hollow man! I like Munchausen best. His most spirited since most of Brazil. | ||
| Karim Ghahwagi (Karim) Username: Karim Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 217.10.20.129 |
Brad Pitt was very good in 12 Monkeys- If it hadn't been for his role in 'Kalifornia', then this would have made me realize that he has talent. I think Gilliam is often overseen as a very good actor's director- There is little doubt his visuals are amazing. Brazil might be in my top ten - The Fisher King is not far behind. Fear and Loathing is a little masterpiece as well. | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.170.177.37 |
I liked him in Jesse James; he fitted that role. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.4.255.189 |
I liked Brad Pitt in BURN AFTER READING - that role IS him.  ... Despite everyone's encomiums, I still only dredge up unloved memories of BRAZIL. I think Jonathan Pryce is a genius actor too, and I still didn't like it. And I can't bear the thought of actually seeing it again.... | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
I rate Brad Pitt highly in most of the films I've seen him in. Seven, fight Club, 12 Monkeys, Kalifornia, True Romance He might not have the same range as Johnny Depp but he has got a hefty amount of talent. (and a body that even I find sexy as a normally straight guy) | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Let us not forget his hilarious turn in 'Inglourious Basterds'... | ||
| Darren O. Godfrey (Darren_o_godfrey) Username: Darren_o_godfrey Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 207.200.116.133 |
I quite liked Pitt's quiet and thoughtful performance in Meet Joe Black. | ||
| Kate (Kathleen) Username: Kathleen Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 88.202.207.22 |
Lord P and I are seeing this one in a few days and I'm really looking forward to it. I love Twelve Monkeys and Fear & Loathing and Fisher King but never could "get" Brazil, though it does seem to be everything I love about Gilliam. No idea why it doesn't work for me. I also never liked Brad Pitt until Twelve Monkeys and Kalifornia. Brilliant performances in both. And Juliette Lewis is absolutely heartbreaking in Kalifornia. I never tire of her performance in that. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.5.5.57 |
Thank ye gods! Someone else who doesn't like BRAZIL!  (and for the same reasons) | ||
| Stephen Walsh (Stephenw) Username: Stephenw Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 194.32.31.1 |
Anyone who doesn't appreciate the intrinsic beauty of 'Brazil' is either waffling or has misfiring synapses in the brain somewhere imho. But isn't it great at the same time that we all disagree to some extent. Although I know you're all wrong and I'm right I still respect your right to be wrong... or something like that. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
I've just watched TIDELAND (finallY) and it's a pretty amazing piece of work. Like some fucked-up marraige between ALICE IN WONDERLAND and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, with a bit of SLINGBLADE thrown in for good measure. Really disturbing stuff. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.176.6.55 |
Well, what with you now having seen TIDELAND, zed, that's about three of us who've watched it, if you include Gilliam! | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
It's a difficult film - I can imagine audeiences turing away from this in droves. Craig will loathe it. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
Oh goodie, it's in myb TBW pile along with Inside, Vinyan, 4 or 5 Haneke's I've not seen yet, Persepolis and a Coen Brothers box set. I could have the most depressing moviethon in history if I wanted to... | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.4.243.249 |
Here we go, stereotyping the Craig again.... Speaking of Haneke - I saw THE PIANO TEACHER for the first time last night. Wow. I went in knowing nothing about this film... so you can imagine my reaction when.... Excellent film that explores so many themes so well, and up to Haneke's disturbing standards. | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
We don't need to stereotype you Craig, you do that for yourself. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 75.5.5.217 |
I, being but one me, am only capable of at best monotyping myself. ... nah, that one kinda sucked, didn't it? | ||
| Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.47 |
About your usual standard really. | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 82.38.75.85 |
Ooooo, just found out that Johnny Depp is in this Imaginarium thingy. How come nobody mentioned that? Must go and see it now - anything with Johnny Depp in usually has me drooling ... er, I mean I think he's a great actor of course!  | ||
| Martin Roberts (Martin_roberts) Username: Martin_roberts Registered: 06-2008 Posted From: 86.5.239.91 |
Make that 4 of us Gary... I too thought Tideland was an interesting and disturbing film. | ||
| Karim Ghahwagi (Karim) Username: Karim Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 80.167.172.96 |
I liked Tideland as well. It had some remarkable images- but it was also bonkers, and certainly over the top at times, but necessary for the story. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
it was also bonkers, and certainly over the top at times That could be said of everything Gilliam has ever made - and for me it's why he's so damned good. |