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The Daily Movie Wallpaper
Sunday, September 13, 2009

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Nikkatsu Noir Contest from Cinema is Dope – Enter Today
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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was one of the last movies I saw play at Cannes this year. Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits ranks as one of the most impressionable movies I saw as a kid that helped give me my great passionate affinity for the power and magic of cinema. Gilliam’s body of work is such that whatever he does I’m more than eager to check it out as was the case with this latest effort as word of mouth was very strong.

Heath Ledger turns in his most unique and soul searching performances to date. Coming off playing the Joker and perhaps recognizing how audiences perceive him, he goes in a completely different direction to really dive into the character of Tony and this story by Gilliam. He does anything but play it safe or try and walk ground we have seen him walk before which if nothing else will bring back his fans to watch this again and again.

Lily Cole and Christopher Plummer in particular I thought were exceptional and really help to give the effort more emotional attachment and energy.

The assemble cast that inhabits Ledger’s shoes are all interesting in their own ways but I think it would have been far better had Ledger been able to finish it and we have seen his complete character arc, which is a shame as I’ll always wonder how and where he would have taken Tony as the film raced towards its final act. Law, Farrell and Depp make the most of their screen time and their most to blend right in.

As I watched the first half of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus unfold I was completely surprised by how well everything came together and was into the film, its world and characters. When the effort moves into the second half and becomes incredibly manic and the revolving door of who plays Tony next really starts swinging open again and again, I just failed to connect with it. It’s an admirable effort at just what was able to be carved together yet this part feels to sprawling and out of control. It adds too much excess in its second half in an otherwise engaging tale. One or two more passes in the edit room and its second half excess trimmed out and this would be one of the years best and I’m really looking forward to seeing its updated cut at Sitges Film Festival. If I’ve learned anything from titles that played at Cannes is that post their showing there they are often re-cut or evolve into different prints that work far superior.

Image Source:
Official stills that were used in the original international release of the film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

The Daily Movie Wallpaper
Sunday, August 30, 2009

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Steven Spielberg has officially signed on to tackle remaking or putting this well loved play and film through his own particular vision. Tom Hanks seems like he would be the perfect Elwood P. Dowd and who could most easily walk in the shoes and shadow of James Stewart, which is no easy thing to do.

Caption:
Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) converses with Harvey, his invisible rabbit companion, at a neighborhood bar in this scene from Universal-International’s screen version of the play hit, “HARVEY.”

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original international release of the film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

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New Cinema Wallpaper of the Day
Monday, June 29, 2009

By now you have probably seen the trailer with the accompanying Arcade Fire song (watch here) and hopefully it has raised your awareness for how great this latest Spike Jonze film looks. The story by Maurice Sendak was the first book I ever read and as such has a fairly strong place in my heart and imagination. I’m happy this film is finally coming out and whatever the cut ends up being I do hope someday to see the 100% Spike Jonze cut.

Image Source:
Official stills that were used in the original international release of the film.

Related Links:
::: Official Site
::: IMDb Profile

Vintage Movie Wallpaper of the Day
Sunday, June 21, 2009

Publicity still of James Stewart and Harvey for the 1950 classic, Harvey (currently ranks as #179 in IMDb’s top 250).

Caption:

James Stewart can talk the Easter Bunny’s own language: The star of “HARVEY” was the inseparable companion of a six-foot four invisible rabbit in the screen version of the Pulitzer Prize winning play.

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original USA release of the film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

Vintage Movie Wallpaper of the Day
Monday, June 8, 2009

Other than sporting a fantastic fight finale, another reason why I love this late 80’s Jackie Chan film is its inclusion of Lo Lieh (however brief).

Related Coverage:
::: Japanese Poster Celebration Month – January 2009

Image Source:
Official original Japanese poster artwork for this film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile