The Rum Diary

[Ikku]

I heard about this a while back but had no idea it was coming out soon! So excited!

Johnny Depp takes up the mantle of Hunter S. Thompson again in a film adaptation of the Rum Diary. I'm not sure if it's fictional or not. It's the only thing other than Fear and Loathing and a few short stories that I've read by Thompson, and I remember it being pretty damn good. Nothing in the trailer seems familiar though, maybe it's just been so long.


Anyone else pumped?

[andriaSRH]

LMFAO

Looks awesome. I can't wait.

Totally sweet that it comes a couple days after my birthday.

[weedguru_animal]

Not the trailer I was hoping for...but still...I will be happy to see Depp once again taking on the role of his former close buddy. Already, as is often the case, the book seems immensely better than whatever the film will be.

[Ikku]

Saw this last night...it was ok. A fun ride but kind of meh. This picture sums it up:



Impeccably clean actors sitting on a greasy motorcycle on a dusty street. It's like they airlift Johnny Depp in and out. The film is too polished and fake feeling. Also they added in a scene with LSD which isn't in the book (the book was written in the fifties and is pre-drug HST) and doesn't really fit in the movie either. It's like they were just trying to connect it to Fear and Loathing, as if to make it a Hollywood prequel. Just another Hollywood caricature of HST

[cutthecashflow]

Moeberg gave me a few good laughs and the blond is stunning.

[andriaSRH]

Thanks Ikku, now I don't want to see it lol.

I have still yet to see the Hangover Part 2 because of you people

[weedguru_animal]

The essence of the book, which Hunter wrote as his first effort at even a small length book routine of Fiction, which WAS based upon his own experiences in San Juan...is not what Depp and whoever else helped him to make the film focused upon. I have read of a mutual acquaintance of Hunter and Depp, asking Depp about the film, and it was made clear, that there was a big difference between, wanting to make a film of his former friend's book, and wanting to make it his way.

Despite my long standing involvement with Hunter, his writing, his life, his spirit which rises brilliantly often from his pages...I am in no rush at all to see this film. Happy to be re-reading for the third time, The Proud Highway, whilst basking in the dangerously enticing glare of the Sun Goddess and drinking vodka after work. I am however, in a constantly, in the shadows now, excited state due to the constantly delayed release of Hunter's final anthology of letters; The Mutineer...

[omnific.dc]

Johnny depp's grouse..def' gonna see it. Hopefully they got it at the shops.

[SToNeR ChRiS]

I thought it was pretty good. Nothing special like Fear and Loathing was to me but I still enjoyed it a decent amount. Quality actors throughout.

[omnific.dc]

I give it 4/5 Stars. Chris is right, interesting cast..all did it wonderfully and brutally.

[weedguru_animal]

I've steered clear of this since it came out, even though I have it downloaded and patiently waiting my attention. I was too put off by the more comical, quirky off-beat humour which seemed to make the story too playful when I watched the trailer and read reviews. I remember the book as quite soft, but also with sharp edges. Perhaps this has both??? I will let the curiosity build and chuck it on when it seems Right...