The Daily Movie Wallpaper
Friday, December 25, 2009

Life can often feel like one long journey to Wally World! This feels especially true during the Holiday times as we rush to buy presents, visit family and friends, and rush to wrap up projects at work. We may not always have Christie Brinkley driving by us in a “Love Me” license plate or the Grand Canyon to quickly stand in front of, but we do have our own unique Griswold adventures to call our own.

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

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

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The Daily Movie Wallpaper
Sunday, September 13, 2009

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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 16, 2009

Wonderfully depraved looking James Cagney as Chester Kent surrounded by a bevy of Busby Berkeley girls in Footlight Parade. I don’t know of a more blazing, assured and out right breaking through walls with life and energy performance as shown here by Cagney as Kent. It’s like someone lit his fuse before this one started or he approached it like each day he was working on this project might be his last day on Earth. This is his all-time best performance as far as I’m concerned and the groove he finds himself in here is one that can never be touched or replicated and only admired for generations to come.

This comes from an rare original still I recently acquired that dates back to 1933. I’m extremely proud to present this restored image for fans of the film, Berkeley and Cagney.

One of the great things about the BNAT’s that Harry (@HEADGEEK666) is seeing archival prints of truly great older titles. It’s not often you get the chance to experience Footlight Parade shown on the big screen.

Related Coverage:
::: Previous Footlight Parade Movie Wallpaper

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

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

New Cinema Wallpaper of the Day
Sunday, August 2, 2009

I still feel that Adam Sandler’s best perfomance was as Barry Egan in Punch-Drunk Love with his perfomance as George in Funny People coming in second. He realizes George as a human character in a real world while still throwing in his trademark approach to humor, singing, voices and irony. The human depths he brings to the table and explores gives his performance a built in edge as it then makes it more immersive for the audience to laugh and feel sad alongside him.

Be sure to check out the official site (link) and all its many goodies!

Caption:
George (ADAM SANDLER) gives a Thanksgiving toast to his hosts in writer/director Judd Apatow’s third film behind the camera, “Funny People“, the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience.

Photo By:
Tracy Bennett

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original international release of the film. © 2009 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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