First Look
New Gonzo Trailer Actually Makes Hunter S. Thompson Look Interesting
Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 6, 2008
Hunter S. Thompson was an obnoxious asshole who shot himself in the head a few years ago. Apparently in today’s world that’s enough to warrant a documentary be made about you.
To be fair, I didn’t know the man personally and there’s probably more to the man than my above assessment implies. My only exposure to him has been through two ridiculously bad movies, a handful of his articles and essays, innumerable video clips highlighting the man’s supposed wit and appeal, college friends who were just too cool, and this new trailer for Gonzo:The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. Of that menagerie the trailer proves to be the most entertaining and illuminating. The commentary and interviews with other “celebs” of both the political and entertainment variety appear to paint a more intriguing picture of the father of gonzo journalism. ‘Gonzo’ refers to Thompson’s preferred style of reporting wherein the reporter becomes an integral part of the report.
Alex Gibney, who previously turned two other seemingly uninteresting topics into fascinating films, directs the documentary. If he can make white collar corporate crime (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) and political detention and torture (Taxi to the Dark Side) entertaining than he should do wonders for the life and death of a paranoid, addicted, balding, anarchistic, gun-loving, occasionally insightful and intelligent writer like Thompson. Johnny Depp, who played Thompson in Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and who paid for his funeral, narrates the film. Would have been nice to see Depp sharing narration duties with Bill Murray, but we’ll have to take what Gibney gives us I guess.
And a quick note to those of you intrigued by the “Do you want to discover a new star?” tags at the beginning and end of the trailer… don’t fall for it. Amy Diamond is not the dirty girl you may have assumed her to be. At least not online.
Have a look at the trailer below:
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11 Comments
June 6th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Rob Hunter, you once again prove to be completely out to lunch.
Hunter S. Thompson is an icon of journalism, revolutionized the profession, and spent time with some of the most depraved badasses in the country. Specifically, Richard Nixon’s crew. Oh, and the Hell’s Angels.
His death was a tragic moment, especially considering it was a suicide. The man has a huge corpus of work and lifetime experiences - enough to create multiple biographies.
Yet again you’ve proven that when you don’t read books, you miss out on some great cultural knowledge. Although, Thompson would probably agree with you on your description of him as addicted, paranoid, balding, and occasionally insightful.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
What a horrible thing to say about an American icon who invented an entirely new literary genre. Adding that you know virtually nothing about the man shows your ignorance and contributes to the apathy that is so prevalent in your generation.
Attacking a deceased individual says a lot about you and the people that let you contribute to this website. Thankfully your opinion has no merit as you have done nothing that would give you any credibility whatsoever. You sir are no Lester Bangs!
June 6th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Despite being one of “the people that let you contribute to this website” who are also apparently ignorant, I must agree with Mr. Soze. Although — it is not because you said mean things about Hunter S. Thompson. It is because I think Hunter S. Thompson was a brilliant man and a true American icon.
As well, having seen the film, I will say that it is fantastic. Those who are interested in seeing the life and history of Hunter Thompson presented in front of them in a creative and engaging way should ABSOLUTELY see this film.
And to Mr. Soze — we don’t censor our writers. I would love to make them all agree with me and have a consistent message of support for all of the things I believe, but that is not fair to them. Plus, we don’t want to be the Fox News of movie websites.
Thanks for reading, though. Keep on coming back — I am sure that we can find ways to offend you further and create more discussion. :)
June 6th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
1. Rob Hunter, welcome to the club of Controversial Authors who Consistently Piss People off.
2. Hunter S. Thompson is sort of like the Perez Hilton of the counter culture. Stick with me here. To those who follow that kind of thing, he’s way up on a pillar. To those on the outside, they don’t really get it.
3. I watch Fox News. And if we could be honest aside from the punchline there, they’re at best AT LEAST as fair and balanced as any other network. All Media is biased.
4. I <3 boobs.
That about does it, I think. =)
June 6th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
According to the Sundance Channel, Quentin Tarentino and Fiona Apple are icons too… so pardon me if I don’t place much stock in that particular term… although I’m happy to see you all in agreement on its application towards Thompson.
@Abaius, the only thing tragic about Thompson’s death was the fact that he let family members in the next room hear the gunshot and discover the body. And I do read lots of books… I just don’t read them solely to garner desperately needed attention from rabid pre-teen cult members.
@Mr Soze, how exactly do you know what generation I’m a part of? And I think Mr. Thompson of all people would appreciate the irony in you criticizing this website for allowing me to express opinions that differ from the established view. You are correct however in regards to my lack of credibility.
@Neil, thank you for allowing my ignorance and apathy into your website. I’m glad to hear the film is fantastic. As I said in my vicious attack article above, it looks entertaining and illuminating and I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Also as I said in my scathing indictment above, I find Thompson at times to be both intelligent and insightful. If only the same could be said for his legions of one-note fans and their knee-jerk responses. Reminds me of a certain group of rabid pre-teen cult members…
June 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I work for the Make a Wish Foundation and I was assigned to this 8 year old boy with cancer who’s wish was to meet Vince Vaughn. Vince agreed to the meeting and invited little Billy to the set of Old School. Billy was very excited to meet Vince and brought along his dog “Puddles”. When Billy arrived on the set he was taken over to Vince’s trailer and Rob Hunter (Andy Dick’s fluffer) was walking by. Billy’s dog barked at Rob which seemed to catch him off guard as he went into a violent rage which begain with him walking over to the dog and kicking it. Puddles yelped in pain from the brutal attack and Billy started to cry. This seemed to set Rob off even more as he then looked at Billy’s bald head and screamed “Nice Haircut Sinéad” and proceeded to push Billy’s wheel chair over. Afterward one of the security guards that helped Billy get back into his chair mentioned that Rob gets like that when he is out of Meth.
That’s right you heard it here, Rob Hunter pushed a dying kid out of his wheel chair and kicked his dog while having Meth withdrawls.
Free speech, what’s not to love?
June 7th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I remember that whiny little bald bastard. And it was coke, not meth.
Free speech is awesome! Especially when its user hides behind a lame pseudonym!
June 8th, 2008 at 12:14 am
My apologies Mr Soze, I shouldn’t have said your “name” was lame. It is in fact as mysterious and elusive as your misguided (but entertaining) anger.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Do you write articles like this just to stir up people because I didn’t think anyone could be so close minded. Maybe you should get some therapy or go smoke a joint to ease your pain.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I love the repartee. What’s not to love. HS (Horse Shit) Thompson was just that, Horse Shit. And he’d probably agree.
Kinda sez something about you when you commit suicide, don’t it.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Wow…Albert. Read a little about the man. He wrote several times in many different places that he wanted to end his life on his own terms. And I agree.
Also, I can’t believe that the author of this website did that to an 8 year old with cancer…Wow.