tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post1357764283384854308..comments2024-03-28T16:52:10.619-04:00Comments on Radiator Heaven: The Adventures of Baron MunchausenJ.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11823190634186509982noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-91139568038473696382019-03-06T23:16:46.690-05:002019-03-06T23:16:46.690-05:002010! Don Quixote! Ha! I heard that now in 201...2010! Don Quixote! Ha! I heard that now in 2019 (I don't wanna jinx it) it could be happening.Peter Nevinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12315806092429093883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-50753156056256274902016-10-02T15:26:24.490-04:002016-10-02T15:26:24.490-04:00Thank you! And I was more than happy to participat...Thank you! And I was more than happy to participate!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-74765981437318926762016-10-02T15:26:08.029-04:002016-10-02T15:26:08.029-04:00It is a busy film with a lot going on but really d...It is a busy film with a lot going on but really does get better and better upon subsequent viewings. I remember seeing it when it first came out and loving it but over the years my appreciation for it has grown as I realize just how much is going on in this film. Thanks for the kind words.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-46453283972469001182016-10-02T07:11:50.662-04:002016-10-02T07:11:50.662-04:00Thorough and thoughtful review of a very imaginati...Thorough and thoughtful review of a very imaginative movie. Thanks for participating in the blogathon!Steve Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07460010481523481647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-66707427792489946792016-10-02T06:01:21.063-04:002016-10-02T06:01:21.063-04:00I'm a big Gilliam fan (although as I admitted ...I'm a big Gilliam fan (although as I admitted on BNoirDetour's review of Brazil for this blogathI can't recall if I've actually seen Brazil yet). I remember seeing this one in the theater and being thoroughly confused. It was only the second Gilliam film I'd ever seen, but since I loved Time Bandits, I just HAD to go. It was only after later viewings that I got it. Nice review.Quiggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12434473473185065992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-30758316171824033562010-08-12T09:28:23.861-04:002010-08-12T09:28:23.861-04:00Will:
Heh! I appreciate your honesty, Will! I agr...Will:<br /><br />Heh! I appreciate your honesty, Will! I agree, Gilliam certainly isn't for everyone and his brand of epic lunacy mixed with skewed worldview can be too much for some.<br /><br />Maybe you should give FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS a try? Or try brewing some coffee before you give BARON MUNCHAUSEN a go. ; )Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-86699801806471975902010-08-11T17:37:37.356-04:002010-08-11T17:37:37.356-04:00Oddly enough, the only Terry Gilliam film I liked ...Oddly enough, the only Terry Gilliam film I liked was not directed by Terry Gilliam (Lost in La Mancha) and I just can't get into his films. I like to think I am a prolific film watcher but. . .I literally fall asleep in EVERY Gilliam film (I have not seen the entirety of Brazil, 12 Monkeys, Munchausen, Time Bandits, Tideland, and I was fighting sleep in Brothers Grimm).<br /><br />That said. . .I respect his talents but humbly agree to disagree with those who like him. It's an aquired taste, yes? I did like your write up though. . .I may have to give BM another viewing but probably right after I wake up from a 10 hour sleep and in broad daylight.Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-55783528412491754672010-08-10T11:29:37.177-04:002010-08-10T11:29:37.177-04:00Hokahey:
I agree with you about the distinctivene...Hokahey:<br /><br />I agree with you about the distinctiveness of PARNASSUS. It's a shame that it didn't get better distribution.<br /><br />Also, thanks for the heads up on that foreign version of MUNCHAUSEN. I may have track it down.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-26912539479689208642010-08-10T10:55:22.818-04:002010-08-10T10:55:22.818-04:00Gilliam certainly has an imagination and this is a...Gilliam certainly has an imagination and this is an imaginative film - though not my favorite Gilliam.<br /><br />I really liked <i>Dr. Parnassus</i>. A very different film like that stands out with the normal fare released in a given year.<br /><br />Also very wild is a foreign version of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. I believe it's Czech or Hungarian or something like that. It's the kind of film that's so weird you think you're stoned or delirious.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-21065337435394710842010-08-09T09:44:31.986-04:002010-08-09T09:44:31.986-04:00The Film Connoisseur:
I agree. Many of Gilliam...The Film Connoisseur:<br /><br />I agree. Many of Gilliam's films have been profitable and usually exceed his budgets despite the reputation he acquired with BARON MUNCHAUSEN for going over-budget.<br /><br />Its true, Time Bandits was also a money maker. He gets tagged as the problematic filmmaker who tends to go over budget, yet a big chunk of his films have made lots of it. <br /><br /><br />The Sci-Fi Fanatic:<br /><br />Thank you so much for your detailed and heartfelt comments... wow!<br /><br />I agree with what you're saying, esp. the notion of Gilliam as an artist. I almost always find something interesting going on in his films, even one like THE BROTHERS GRIMM which was compromised from the get-go. He still managed to inject his distinctive look and feel into it, which is certainly the sign of a true auteur.<br /><br /><br />Bryce Wilson:<br /><br />Nice to see that you're a fan of this film. I love it and rank it highly among Gilliam's films.<br /><br /><br />Sam Juliano:<br /><br />I'm glad you mentioned PARNASSUS, a film I caught up with recently and really enjoyed. It was good to see Gilliam create something for scratch instead of adapting someone else's work. Thank you for the kind words, my friend!<br /><br /><br />Keith:<br /><br />Hey there! Good to see another fan of this fine film.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-59726461732351771472010-08-09T09:04:36.821-04:002010-08-09T09:04:36.821-04:00Great writeup on this film. I love it. I watched...Great writeup on this film. I love it. I watched it so many times years ago. It was a favorite of mine. It's been ages since I've watched it though.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14832710800680256206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-80861875171500612382010-08-08T23:29:33.670-04:002010-08-08T23:29:33.670-04:00"To this end, watching a film like Gilliam..."To this end, watching a film like Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989) is akin to reading one of those great fairy tales from your childhood. His film is the cinematic equivalent of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series or J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy in its ability to tell a good story, present colorful and unusual characters, and take us to places we can only dream about. And like these books, the film is set on an epic scale, spanning all realms, from the legendary city of Constantinople, to the Moon, to the insides of a giant sea monster."<br /><br />Aye J.D., well said! I know well of the production issues you broach here, but in the end this was quite a visual carnival show, and I was so excited to get the Criterion CAV laserdisc set years back. Gilliam, as he proved again with PARNASSUS last year is a vituoso in create teh magical images, and BARON MUNCHAUSEN still remains today the best in that department! This is quite a historical and thematically analytical piece, suffused with real excitement!Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-16683596995363522232010-08-06T17:10:05.702-04:002010-08-06T17:10:05.702-04:00Nice write up as always. This remains a personal f...Nice write up as always. This remains a personal favorite of mine. And not to mention the only film I couldn't help but double dip for on Blu Ray.Bryce Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-14241429687677141582010-08-06T12:51:21.856-04:002010-08-06T12:51:21.856-04:00JD.
My initial reaction to your review of this sci...JD.<br />My initial reaction to your review of this science fiction fantasy was one of excitement to read. <br /><br />I have fond memories of seeing it as a child. Ironically my wife was watching this extensive documentary on television the other day regarding the Monty Python group with interviews featured by Idle and Gilliam and such. What I caugt was very interesting. Mind you, I've never been the ultimate Gilliam fan. I did love Time Bandits, this one and The Fisher King.<br /><br />So, anyway, loved your review. "Society seems to be collapsing." It's gradual and we may have differing opinions on why this is happening, but boy is it ever. Sad really. It breaks my heart really. I suppose that an entirely different subject and may speak to why I enjoy films so much for the escape of it all, sci-fi and fantasy films like this one in particular.<br /><br />It's fascinating too how the concept of Baron Munchausen has caught the imagination of so many peoples of different national origins. Terrific take on the film with loads of good historical perspective! A great read.<br /><br />By the way, Robin Williams, Eric Idle, Uma, Pryce, Sarah Polley - the Splice girl [she's been around eh?]- what a cast! <br /><br />As many of your fine commenters have suggested, like yourself, Gilliam is indeed an inventive if non-prolific filmmaker that I find fascinating for all his adversity. The finished product is always, at least, interesting. In fact, while Gilliam seems to bring much of the tension and conflict upon himself, you have to admit the man is an artist and does everything he can to remain true to his own vision. I think his imagination comes across on screen. He is unique and I don't think he would be as successful artistically if he compromised as much as the studios might want him to.<br /><br />Not unlike Tombstone [which I am watching for the first time now- thanks to you], you have reminded me of these Gilliam pictures which will require a revisit. You reminded me what a special director Gilliam is. Thank you.<br /><br />And your final point about Gilliam merging science and fantasy or fiction and reality- I think the man was entirely successful in doing so. That's certainly no easy task, which may explain why Gilliam fights tooth and nail to bring his vision to life. A treat like this is rare to see nowadays.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-2907031831567237422010-08-05T16:45:33.505-04:002010-08-05T16:45:33.505-04:00Its true, Time Bandits was also a money maker. He ...Its true, Time Bandits was also a money maker. He gets tagged as the problematic filmmaker who tends to go over budget, yet a big chunk of his films have made lots of it. <br /><br />I read GOOD OMENS and agree, he would be perfect for it. Its funny, fast paced, and filled with a million hilarious situations that are perfect for Gilliams kind of humor.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-20731216933685057632010-08-05T16:26:41.367-04:002010-08-05T16:26:41.367-04:00The Film Connoisseur:
Yes, I love this film too a...The Film Connoisseur:<br /><br />Yes, I love this film too and was lucky enough to see it during its way-too brief theatrical run and the Moon sequences where incredible on the big screen. So, I have a soft spot in my heart for this one. And then once I read up about the myriad production problems Gilliam was forced to deal with it made me appreciate the film even more!<br /><br />Yeah, Gilliam tends to get tagged with the troublemaker/fiasco label but both THE FISHER KING and 12 MONKEYS were pretty problem-free productions and despite his tussle with the WGA over script credit, FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS got done with a minimum of trouble, if memory serves.<br /><br />I sure hope he gets to make DON QUIXOTE. It's a passion project of his but deep down I'd love to see him adapt GOOD OMENS, a fantastic book and one that Gilliam has been circling for ages.<br /><br /><br />Joe Valdez:<br /><br />Yeah, Gilliam can be his own worst enemy at times and I think one of his long-time collaborators has said that he works best when he's up against conflict and pressures from the studio/producers. He almost thrives on it. And it certainly seems bear out in the production woes/struggles of many of his films.<br /><br />And like you, I wish Gilliam made more films. Like Orson Welles said, filmmaking is 90% hustling and 10% actual filmmaking (or something like that). It seems like Gilliam is always trying to scrape some money together to make one of his crazy films because he isn't willing to play the Hollywood studio game. He's a stubborn outsider.<br /><br /><br />SteveW:<br /><br />Yes, as I said above, I do believe that in some cases, Gilliam is his own worst enemy. And I also think that he thrives of having his back up against it and fosters that "us vs. them" mentality.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-84108691200273251592010-08-05T16:02:46.679-04:002010-08-05T16:02:46.679-04:00Given all the production problems Gilliam has had ...Given all the production problems Gilliam has had on so many of his films (esp. his "personal" films as opposed to work for hire like "The Fisher King"), you have to wonder how much of it he brings on himself. There are definitely people who set themselves up to fail, and after reading story after story about him I suspect that Gilliam is one of these.SteveWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-16483447579266008982010-08-05T15:56:49.714-04:002010-08-05T15:56:49.714-04:00I have to admit that the one common denominator in...I have to admit that the one common denominator in the turmoil of <em>Brazil</em>, <em>Baron Munchausen</em> and <em>Don Quixote</em> was Terry Gilliam. He never engendered the type of protection that Tim Burton has enjoyed from the producers he's worked with and as a result, Gilliam hasn't been able to make nearly enough movies for my liking. Thanks for this post though, J.D., and reminding me how ingenious stretches of <em>Baron Munchausen</em> are.Joe Valdezhttp://thisdistractedglobe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-55318786828747955702010-08-05T15:32:07.891-04:002010-08-05T15:32:07.891-04:00With all of its production woes, its a true feat t...With all of its production woes, its a true feat that this film ever got made, and a testament to Gilliams filmmaking that it turned out so fine! I mean, this movie is amazing in my book! Truly amazing, dazzling and imaginative. <br /><br />It was a fiasco, and it seems that every other Gilliam film is a fiasco! In his last one Heath Ledger died! On The Man Who Killed Quixote (his biggest fiasco yet) a storm destroyed his sets and his main star got sick! <br /><br />But things are looking better, it seems he will finally make his Don QUixote movie with Johnny Depp after all....cant wait for that to materialize!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.com