Sunday, September 04, 2016

GONZO JOURN., TROPICAL STYLE

In the subversive 2011 movie “The Rum Diary,” a conservative politician says, “Bomb Cuba off the face of the earth and let their people live in peace.”  
The movie based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel of the same name provides biting political commentary relevant to 1960 wherein San Juan, P.R. is portrayed as a poverty stricken hell hole being victimized by ruthless corporate villains.
Johnny Depp reprises the Thompson intrepid reporter role without much of the drunken and stoned stupor recalled in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” a film noted for its gross out scenes.  
Filmed in “super 16mm” it looks a bit gauzy even at 1080i, but I found it quite engrossing.   

Gonzo in Person

In the 1990s, Dr. Thompson stumbled on stage late with a bottle of Jack Daniels in hand for a forum at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, and I was in the audience.  The good doctor was no stranger to strong waters and he was indeed “in the bag” that evening so I can’t say that I got the good of the $12 I paid for that event.

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