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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

So IMAX really is the way to go if your seeing The Dark Knight. Seeing it in a traditional theater is simply not enough for this film. Definitely take the extra time and get out while it’s still playing. This is by far the best movie that has been made specifically for the IMAX experience. Let alone the performance of Heath Ledger deserves a second viewing on the big big screen.

Caption:
HEATH LEDGER stars as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action drama “The Dark Knight,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and also starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman.

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original US release of the film.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. TM & © DC Comics.

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

 

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The new TV spots certainly are outstanding and makes you wonder if as an action picture alone this film will decimate all others this year.

Caption Image 1:
HEATH LEDGER as The Joker and CHRISTIAN BALE as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action drama “The Dark Knight.”

Caption Image 2:
CHRISTIAN BALE as Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action drama “The Dark Knight.”

Photo by:
Stephen Vaughan

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

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

 

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This is the most anticipated film of the summer it seems with all the buzz it has going for it and from everything I’m seeing it looks like it will more than live up to the hype and be even better than the previous one.

Caption Image 1:
HEATH LEDGER as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action drama “The Dark Knight.”

Caption Image 2:
Batman returns to the big screen in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action drama “The Dark Knight.”

Photo by:
Stephen Vaughan

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

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