Leave it to Hans to select proper adult and mind challenging films such as those based on a Roald Dahl novel. Alas, he is going for something that someone with his 5th grade reading level will enjoy. But in all seriousness, I am also a huge fan of Wes Anderson, and he has reached automatic watch level. I am in the minority however, as I count The Life Aquatic as one of my favorite movies ever; it’s irreverent humor just struck such a chord with me, and the island assault scene is easily one of my favorite film sequences of all time. But moving on to my #5, I present what will most likely be one of the most bittersweet films of 2009…
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Title: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Synopsis: The leader of a traveling theatre troupe takes audience members through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations, all under the auspice of the cliche deal with the Devil.
Director: Terry Gilliam
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, Tom Waits
Why you should be excited too: A Terry Gilliam film is usually a must see, but in this case, we will witness the last recorded performance by the late Oscar winner, Heath Ledger. When Ledger died during the filming of this flick, there was no shortage of people who chalked it up under the multitude of misfortunes that Terry Gilliam has had during his tenure in Hollywood. However, when the film was made salvageable by the plot device of using three different actors to play Ledger while in different parts of the film, and that the three would be Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell (I can hear the thuds of the women of the world feinting to the floor now), and that each of these movie stars would be donating their salaries to Ledger’s daughter Matilda, it made my interest in what Gilliam’s fantastic imagination would be bringing to the screen all the greater. I eagerly await the work of some of the finest actors in the business under the direction of one of the business’ most creative, coming out as of now, on September 24, 2009.
Heath Ledger's final performance
The Feature Preachers 