Movie Preview: Gonzo: The Life & Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

BuzzSugar — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:30:09 -0700

This new documentary from the Oscar-winning director of Taxi to the Dark Side takes a look at the life and times of Hunter S. Thompson. Johnny Depp, who portrayed Thompson in the 1998 film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas narrates the story which aims to show how Thompson's unconventional lifestyle and worldview led to the invention of gonzo journalism.

The trailer looks insanely fascinating and paints a bigger picture of Thompson's life than the drug-addled boozer he's generally portrayed to be.

From the movie's web site:

The film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson's life - his intense and ill-fated relationship with the Hell's Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his deep involvement in Senator George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, and much more.

The movie will open July 4. To watch the preview for yourself, read more.

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Oscar Movie Preview: Taxi to the Dark Side for Best Documentary

BuzzSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:30:00 -0800

As part of my coverage of this year's Oscars, I'll be posting the trailers for as many of the Best Documentary and Best Foreign Film nominees as I can find. Since it's often harder to see these films in theaters, it's nice to at least get a taste of them before Oscar night - not to mention that it might help you when you fill out your Oscar ballot.

Documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney made his mark on the film world in 2005 with Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, an Oscar-nominated film about the sordid rise and fall of the energy giant. A couple of years later, Gibney has returned with another film about a different kind of corruption. Taxi to the Dark Side focuses on interrogation, torture, and abuse seemingly condoned by the US government as a part of the war on terror.

As with Enron, where Gibney started with a book about the scandal, this movie has its roots in a New York Times article about an Afghan taxi driver beaten to death while in military custody. That story - and its subsequent coverup - open a window into larger questions of power, abuse, and winning by any means necessary.

The movie is currently playing in a number of theaters around the country. Have any of you checked it out? To watch the trailer, just read more.

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