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Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Makes a Quiet Debut

Krystal Clark — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:59:00 +0000

This holiday weekend everyone was obviously taken with James Cameron and Guy Ritchie‘s latest flicks Avatar and Sherlock Holmes, because the duo topped the box office. Several other notable films debuted in theaters last week and Terry Gilliam‘s swan song to Heath Ledger, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was one of them, but how many of you knew that? Die hard fans of the late actor have been waiting to see this movie, yet it barely made a dent at the box office. What happened?

Doctor Parnassus was dealt a bad hand from the very beginning, when the film’s star unexpectedly passed away during the middle of production. From that point on we didn’t know if it would ever be completed let alone see the light of day. Through the compassion of other actors such as Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and the magic of movie editing, Gilliam was able to piece together the remainder of the film and package it for distribution.

When Sony Pictures Classics decided to pick up the film and release it in North America, many of us thought the Christmas weekend would belong to Ledger’s legacy, but we were wrong. The holiday weekend is one of the most lucrative times of the year for film studios and they weren’t going to let such an opportune time go to waste. As the year progressed, more and more films were set for Christmas releases, and before you knew it Parnassus was a speck amongst several blockbusters.

Between December 18th – 25th, theaters were bombarded with tentpole projects like Avatar, Sherlock Holmes, Nine, and Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel. I’ve seen billboards, commercials, and TV trailers promoting all those films, but nothing for Parnassus. What’s up with that? The film debuted with 130,000 dollars and an extremely low theater count. Up in the Air opened with a limited release a few weeks ago, but we still saw George Clooney’s face everywhere, therefore there’s no excuse for the lack of promotion.

Hopefully, with the new year upon us there will be a wider release and better marketing for the film, because it deserves it. The limited time we do see Ledger on screen during Parnassus it’s amazing. He’s also supported by a talented cast including the legendary Christopher Plummer, who’s delightful as the mystical doctor. Let’s light a fire under Sony to get this film more exposure and more screen time!

Are you interested in seeing Dr. Parnassus? Do you think the studio will open it nationally anytime soon?

Movie Releases: Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Parnassus, It’s Complicated…

Kara — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:05:47 +0000

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope you all have a joyous and pleasant holiday! In case you’re looking for a movie to take your family to or possibly a movie to avoid your family with, here are your picks for this weekend… To start off we have Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams! Guy Ritchie‘s take on Sir Arthur Conan Boyle’s classic detective tales looks like it should be at the very least entertaining. Then you have the sort-of-romantic comedy with a cast far greater than it’s content, It’s Complicated. Terry Gilliam‘s new film and Heath Ledger‘s final film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, will also be opening in a limited amount of theaters. And finally, a more for the kiddies, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel will be hitting theaters. View at your own risk.

Check out all the movies hitting theaters on Christmas Day…

Sherlock Holmes | ScreenCrave Review | Press Conference: Downey, Law, Ritchie and more | Reviews | Tickets and Showtimes
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus [Limited] | ScreenCrave Review | Terry Gilliam Interview | Reviews | Tickets and Showtimes
Nine | ScreenCrave Review | Reviews | Tickets and Showtimes
It’s Complicated | ScreenCrave Review | Reviews | Tickets and Showtimes
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel | Reviews | Tickets and Showtimes

Check out the trailers below

Sherlock Holmes

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

It’s Complicated

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

Domestic Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Poster

Krystal Clark — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:18:07 +0000

A new poster has been released for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and it actually highlights Heath Ledger. The previous ones have either been collaborative efforts, or centered on co-star Lily Cole. The latest one sheet comes to us via /Film and features more Heath and less of everybody else, just the way we like it.

Check out the full size poster below…

After getting a good look at this poster, you will probably think that the film is based on a forbidden love story, and that everyone featured at the bottom are involved in a conspiracy to break up the happy couple. That’s not really the case, but its easy to see how that might be a valuable angle to take with the marketing of this film. If you want a first impression of what you can expect from the movie, read our First Look response and see our pros and cons from Parnassus.

As stated earlier, its good to see Ledger take front and center on the poster, because quite honestly he will be the main draw for the film. Not to undercut the other talented actors that are featured but the movie will have sentimental value for many of his fans, and Sony was smart enough to recognize that when they printed this up.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is directed by Terry Gilliam and hits theaters on Christmas Day.

What do you think of the latest poster for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus?

First Look: The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus

Ben McCarthy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:02:41 +0000

Hello everyone in LA, it’s Ben here, reporting from London. Now as some of you already know, Terry Gilliam’s new film The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus is already out in the UK, and it will not be out in America until Christmas Day. So here is a ‘First Look’ of the film for all of you to have have to wait. Also, know that this piece is 100% Spoiler Free…

For those of you who don’t know the story it’s about a man named Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) who leads a traveling theatre troupe who literally transport audiences into a realm of strange wonders. But he risks losing the soul of his daughter in a bet with the devil that newcomer Tony (Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell) might help or hinder.

Good Points

The look of the film is utterly infectious, you get caught in the set design, Doctor Parnassus’s carriage, the costumes and the imaginary sequences. Even though is an independent production, it looks absolutely fantastic.
We all know what happened to film when Heath Ledger suddenly passed away in January 2008, which left the film in limbo for months. The film has come up with a simple yet effective way to carry on the story after his death, it has created three different versions of Tony depending on which side of the mirror he’s on. It is nice to see people like Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell turning up in the film to voice their support, not just for Heath Ledger but for Terry Gilliam, and they all turn in good performances, although they all try to channel Ledger’s original’s performance, which is more successful in some cases than others.

Bad Points

This might just be me, or possibly everyone else who has seen the film, but I just didn’t get the film. I was so confused by it that I just didn’t know what to think about it. This is a film that will demand its audience to see it numerous times just to find out if the story works or not.

Overall

This isn’t Terry Gilliam’s best film, due to the plot problems. But it is no less imaginative, and it is a testament to Terry Gilliam’s perseverance to overcome the tragedy that bestowed this production.

New Doctor Parnassus Poster and Video

Krystal Clark — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:03:53 +0000

I have to say I’m a bit disappointed by the latest poster for Terry Gilliam‘s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. It’s not horrible and is definitely worth checking out but something about it is lacking and I can’t put my finger on it. A video has also popped up online showing various promoters of the film in the U.K. spreading the word out about the feature the old fashioned way.

Check out the poster and the video…

This poster is lacking in my opinion. Even though the concentration on Lily Cole is warranted due to her part in the film’s story, what about the other actors? They all seem so small in comparison…literally. And once again, why isn’t Jude Law in character on the poster? In the trailer he has a ponytail like the other actors and on the poster he’s sporting his regular do. It’s distracting.

I do respect these people for going out and showing their wholehearted support, because I’m also a fan of Terry Gilliam’s films. On another note, I have to admit the jab at The Dark Knight was so unnecessary. No one is trying to take away Heath Ledger’s involvement in Parnassus, but TDK was his last completed film. I feel that one of the commenters in the video thought his performance as the Joker has gotten all the credit in that department. Besides that little tirade, this was an interesting find.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus hits theaters on December 25th in the U.S.

What do you think of the latest poster for Doctor Parnassus? What do you think of the promoters in the video?

Source: /Film

New Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Trailer

Krystal Clark — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:17:49 +0000

A new trailer has debuted for Terry Gilliam‘s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The film stars Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell in the role of “Tony,” with legendary actor Christopher Plummer as the title character. Parnassus is set to hit American theaters this Christmas thanks to domestic distribution secured by Sony Pictures Classics.

Check out the latest trailer for Doctor Parnassus...

This movie looks utterly beautiful! I need the score to this film on my mp3 player asap. The music is just as epic as the visuals, and the cast does an excellent job of working with such mystical material. On a side note, is it just me or does Johnny Depp give off a Jack Sparrow vibe when he speaks towards the end of the trailer? Perhaps, I have Pirates of the Caribbean on the brain, but I was expecting him to follow up his line with, “saavy.”

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus hits theaters on December 25th, 2009.

What do you think of the new theatrical trailer for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus?

New Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus Photos

Krystal Clark — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:55:41 +0000

The Terry Gilliam film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus won’t hit theaters until three months down the line on December 25th. The film features Heath Ledger‘s last performance, has been a hot topic ever since the actor’s unfortunate passing. Since the film has acquired domestic distribution, steady promotion of Parnassus has been under way. A huge batch of production photos from the film have just debuted online and we’re going to show them to you.

Here’s Heath, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and Johnny Depp on the set of the film…

To browse our gallery, select any photo and it will enlarge and then allow you to scroll through the photos…

For more on Doctor Parnassus, you can check out some photos, the international trailer, as well as a behind the scenes featurette that includes footage of Terry Gilliam directing a scene from the film.

The more I look at these photos from the film, the more I want to see it. I’m aware that the nature of the mystical storyline allowed Gilliam to incorporate the various actors. It would be interesting to watch how that all plays out. Farrell and Depp look like they fit into the ponytail wearing character of Tony a lot easier than Jude Law. I’m sure all their performances will be great but that’s just a little something I noticed.

What do you think about the latest photos from The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus?

Photos courtesy of IGN

Terry Gilliam Rejected Tom Cruise for Dr. Parnassus

Laura Aguirre — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:35:19 +0000

Terry Gilliam gave superstar Tom Cruise a thumbs down when his agents eagerly lobbied for him to appear in Heath Ledger‘s final film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. According to Collider, Gilliam was trying to keep it in the family when he chose Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and Johnny Depp to portray different incarnations of Ledger’s character, Tony.

“The thing is, I was only interested in people who were friends of Heath. Simple as that,” said Gilliam.

Gilliam also mentioned that Dr. Parnassus isn’t a Heath Ledger movie, but rather a fulfillment of the void left by his unexpected death. Cruise may be Mr. Hollywood or perhaps a bit less than that now, but Gilliam does have a point. Maybe, the relationship that the other actors had with Ledger was used to better their performances of his character.

Cruise’s last leading role was in the historical film Valkyrie, where he played a Wehrmacht Colonel with an eye patch. Frankly, the actor is far from his soaring days of Risky Business, but he’s still one of the biggest celebrities in the world. As for Parnassus, more than likely it will be a huge success due to its sentimental value among fans, and its A-list cast.

What do you think? Would you have liked to see Cruise next to Ledger?

Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Gets a Domestic Release

Krystal Clark — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:05:52 +0000

The highly anticipated last film of Heath Ledger will finally get a stateside release. According to FirstShowing, Sony Pictures Classics has acquired The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and will distribute it domestically. For months, rumors have been circulating about when the film will hit theaters, with the most recent theory pointing towards this December.

More on Doctor Parnassus after the jump…

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus centers on the mystical Doctor and his troupe of carnies who travel from location to location. He inspires and provokes people to use thier imaginations to their fullest potential, with the help of a magical mirror which allows them to travel through time and space. The film stars Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, and features Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as Ledger’s replacement’s in the role of Tony.

I think its more than convenient that December is being discussed for the release of this film. The holiday season is always a great time to get in with Academy voters. Remember, the gentle treatment that last year’s Benjamin Button received? I’m not saying the studio would use this as a means to get Ledger another Oscar, but it could be a nice platform for director Terry Gilliam. If you’ve seen the trailer, you know this film is visually stunning. He does a great job with it. Whether or not the industry notices that, is up for debate.

Will you go see Doctor Parnassus in theaters?

Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus International Trailer

Krystal Clark — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:35:31 +0000

Finally the masses of fans who’ve been awaiting Heath Ledger’s final performance can see him in action. The international trailer for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has been released. Those of us who were lucky enough to attend Comic-Con this year saw this footage a couple of weeks ago, but now everyone has an opportunity to experience it.

The film is directed by Terry Gilliam, and stars Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell in he role of “Tony.” After watching this video for a second time, I think it’s hilarious how the character is played by an American, Australian, a Brit and an Irishman. Oh the magic of movie making!

Check out the trailer below.

What do you think of the trailer for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus? What do you think of the blending of the four actors?

Comic-Con 2009: The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Krystal Clark — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:01:27 +0000

5:53: It’s finished! Terry and Verne have left the stage. Check back here for more panel updates, including exclusive photos.

5:31: We just saw the first official trailer for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and it looks amazing! Jude Law is rocking the ponytail!

5:28: Gilliam: “I love to use dead artists paintings [in my films] because since their dead they can’t sue.”

5:25: Gilliam: He just announced that they just got the rights to Don Quixote back after 7 or 8 years. “Jeremy Thomas is producing it, and I am now on the hunt for actors and money.”

5:24: Gilliam: He enjoys working with actors who can have a good time. Prefers to work those who “like to struggle in the mud with a smile on their face.”

5:22: J.K. Rowling wanted Gilliam to do the first Harry Potter movie, and he said if he would have done it, he would have made it closer to the third film that Alfonso Cauron did.

5:20: Gilliam: “Most of my inspiration comes from literature, painting, and music. Not so much from films as you may think.”

5:19: Gilliam: He was very old. I always thought he was 100 years old beyond his years. He was a great actor of his generation as well as for the generations for the next couple of years.

5:18: On working with Heath Ledger, Verne Troyer,”I feel lucky of having a brief moment of getting to know Heath.” He brings that feeling that you’ve known him for such a long time. That’s the way I felt, and I still feel. It was just an honor and a privilege.” I don’t regret being in the film. I regret what happened, but once you guys see the film, you guys will really enjoy it.

5:16: Gilliam: When he made Monty Python, he didn’t have any money so he went and looked at old artwork he did, to see what he could add to cut down the budget.

5:14: Verne Troyer just came out and introduced another clip from the film, but he’s not saying much.

5:12: They just showed us a short clip with Ledger. It is an extended version of the shot that has been on the net with him giving a monologue at a strip mall.

5:09: Gilliam: The character of Tony was based on the Prime Minister Tony Blair, because he’s like a chameleon. They didn’t write the part with Heath in mind, because he was working on The Joker at the time. But Heath sent over a letter where he asked Gilliam if he could play Tony and he said,”Yes!”

5:07: After his film Tideland failed, he got the idea for a film about man with a traveling show, who tries to encourage people to expand their imaginations, but no one wants to listen to him.

5:05: Terry comes out onto the stage and describes his latest film as “The most mature thing I’ve ever done, and the most juvenile thing I’ve ever done.”

5:04: Terry Gilliam just introduced a scene from the film where Dr. Parnassus meets the Devil for the first time.

5:03: The video package was full of clips from Monty Python, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Brazil, Fisher King, and Dr. Parnassus.

5:00: pm: Before Terry Gilliam will come out, they’re about to introduce a special video package that commemorates his career.

Terry Gilliam will be front and center at Comic-Con celebrating the 40th anniversary of Monty Python, as well as promoting his latest film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Gilliam has had his hand in some pretty unique films including Time Bandits and 12 Monkeys. The director will discuss his past projects as well as his highly anticipated film Doctor Parnassus, which starred the late Heath Ledger.

Terry Gilliam’s panel will take place on Thursday July 23rd, from 4:30 – 5:15 pm.

With so much news to cover, you can expect a lot of updates from us via our ScreenCrave Twitter or catch our live blog and videos on ScreenCrave.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Behind the Scenes Footage

Krystal Clark — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:38:07 +0000

Some behind the scenes video has been posted from Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The film has yet to be released, but is mostly noted for featuring Heath Ledger’s final performance. The following footage includes appearances by stars Lily Cole, Tom Waits, and Andrew Garfield. You can also see an unrecognizable Christopher Plummer as the title character Doctor Parnassus. He makes an appearance at the 1:31 minute mark.

Check out the video after the jump.

As you can see Ledger isn’t featured, and neither are his replacements Johnny Depp, Jude Law, or Colin Farrell. I’m not sure if these scenes were shot after they’d wrapped their parts or not. Either way this production looks a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It looks like an old school period piece, mixed with some fantastical elements. Besides Tony (Ledger), I’m particularly interested in Tom Wait’s character. He stars as Mr. Nick, a man who is literally the devil in disguise!

What do you think of the behind the scenes footage from The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus?

ScreenCrave.com » The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Makes a Quiet Debut

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