FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998) | Reaction & Commentary | I'll never be the same...

[@ryanswaynow]

FUN FACT: when Johnny is walking through the club during the flashback sequence, and says “There I was… there I am!” The guy he’s looking at is the actual real life, Hunter S Thompson.

[@Me4u2c42]

Was going to say this. Lol. 🤙🏽🤙🏽🖖🏼🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@Paul77ozee]

Plus l think you see him in the old footage of Woodstock wearing the black jacket and l think standing near a heels angles member. He spent time with them for a story.

[@ryanswaynow]

@@Paul77ozee yeah and he had the balls to stand up to their leader for kicking a dog and smacking a woman, so they almost beat him to death.

[@Paul77ozee]

@@ryanswaynow it amazes me that The Rolling Stones manager hired the angels for security at one of there concerts. I think it was at Altamont.

[@ryanswaynow]

@@Paul77ozee that’s definitely the concert where they were security and killed that dude. A lot of people consider that and the Manson murders the combo that ended the hippie era.

[@LordVolkov]

"I... think he's a good writer..." Hunter was an exceptional writer, with a very dark sense of humor and strong political views that he expresses with a savage eloquence. I highly recommend seeking out his work.

[@harpermanVideo]

Best modern American writer. A G.O.A.T. for sure.

[@GoodDocGonzo]

😢I miss Hunter

[@LordVolkov]

@@GoodDocGonzo He would have much to say about the current state of America...

[@aaronlane1391]

Fear and Loathing was my first HST book when I was about 13 lol (I read that Clockwork Orange and Catch 22 in the same summer- actually I think these books helped navigate the last couple years quite a bit) My favorite HST books are Hells Angels and The Curse of Lono.

[@gregstephens]

Yes, I would say “exceptional” is not too much praise in the slightest. One of the finest American writers- and not using “American” to limit his talent is scope, but to emphasize one of his main topics.

[@BulldogMack700rs]

"when does the bender stop" 2005 was the year Thompson died, he never stopped.

[@potterj09]

It's never gonna stop man ... hop !!! .. like a bunny !!! 😆

[@jnagarya519]

He committed suicide. If you think death didn't stop him then you are deluded by the drug-hype. Even Timothy Leary became an acid casualty -- from "peace and love and flowers" to paranoia and guns.

[@mithroch]

Bill Murry also played Hunter S Thompson in Where the Buffalo Roam... but Depp absolutely nails the portrayal... right down to his speaking cadence

[@LordVolkov]

He spent time with Hunter to capture his mannerisms, tone, and cadence. It really is a great performance!

[@gordonhaire9206]

Bill Murray only plays one role: Bill Murray.

[@yournamehere6002]

@@gordonhaire9206 Bill Murray was good as Thompson, he too spent time with Hunter

[@galaxytractor]

I think the Depp character, (Hunter) was just making a commentary (from his perspective) as a drugged out writer, on what he viewed America to be. I don't think that the movie has any real message other than that. Much of what he says sounds intellectual because he's a 'writer'. The only real message (if this movie contains such a thing) is that drugs (like many endeavors) may make for interesting adventures, but that doesn't make them 'good'.

[@Ahzpayne]

Give me a home, where the buffalo roam...and I'll show you a house full of shit.

[@christopherconard2831]

1) Yes, he was an incredible writer. He is also credited with creating a style known as Gonzo Journalism. The goal being to join and immerse yourself in a group to the point of becoming one of them, then writing from that point of view. 2) I'd hate to be his neighbor. He was President Ford's neighbor in Colorado. He would often send pictures of Ford and the Secret Service to them. He took the pictures through a scope on a rifle. Different times.

[@Research0digo]

His whacko neighbor accused Thompson of shooting at his cattle. A real firefight ensued. Score settled.

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

When he describes his experiences in the decade before, the optimism and hope, then says "you can almost see the high water mark" where it all started to go wrong...the clarity and sadness in that moment are the heart of the story. Through most of their chaotic tripping, there doesn't seem to be any purpose behind it, but that story tells us it's a kind of wake for dead dreams that he still mourns.

[@DjDown1984]

One of the greatest dialogues in history

[@guitarattempter71]

It's because Hunter already knew that the American Dream was dead. It just took the rest of us 50 years to catch up.

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

@@guitarattempter71 It's a little more complicated than that.

[@jnagarya519]

Thompson did kill himself.

[@enotsnavdier6867]

​@@guitarattempter71The American Dream never truly existed tbh

[@adamdarmstaedter1256]

The part in the casino when the carpet is morphing is one of the most accurate depictions of tripping on acid that I have seen in a movie.

[@regularsizeruss3874]

Right!?! The mumbling too.

[@stevencoardvenice]

Yea. Both mushrooms and acid begin with illusions like that, when you're starting to feel it. Carpets and Walls flowing and breathing

[@potterj09]

"Free lunch, final wisdom, total coverage!"

[@dennismason3740]

Depp is playing Hunter S. Thompson, a brilliant if drunk journalist for Rolling Stone. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas originally appeared in segments in the magazine. I read it every few years and it has me howling. Depp probably does a nice audio version in YT. Depp's portrayal of Hunter is pretty good. The movie is basically based on a real journalistic adventure - it's best to not underestimate the veracity of the scenes.

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

"Drunk" is an understatement.

[@jnagarya519]

Drunk!? He wasn't stingy in his use of alcohol, but he was 'way beyond that in drug use.

[@stevencoardvenice]

​@@jnagarya519 His bread and butter was liquor and coke. His daily routine. The psychedelics were more for special nights

[@TheNeonRabbit]

About the flags: The full title of the book upon which this movie is based is "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream"

[@sample.text.]

Johnny actually lived with Hunter S. Thompson for a while. They had a great friendship. Just two kindred spirits who happened to find one another in their lifetime. His mannerisms, while exaggerated in the movie, are actually very similar to how Hunter was.

[@d4mdcykey]

To be honest, that "bender" lasted several _decades._ Hunter was not a normal man, he was equal parts brilliant and tragic. Long live the memory of Gonzo.

[@CChissel]

Big Hunter Thompson fan here, read all his books and watched all the movies based on them. This is my favorite movie of any book he’s written. Depp does a phenomenal job at portraying Thompsons alter ego and just has a stunning performance overall. Love this movie so much and glad you’re experiencing it. Basically he looks at America as a corrupt and adulterous place that is trying very hard to hide its true nature, under the guise of “the American dream” which never really existed, at least not anymore. It’s all a lie, a big scam and we are all doomed lol but we have to fit in or else it will be even worse for us

[@jrobwoo688]

I am sooooo here for this! “Too weird to live, too rare to die.”

[@LordVolkov]

The book/movie is endlessly quotable in the weirdest way. "We can't stop here! This is bat country!"

[@sammybear7100]

@@LordVolkov Don't judge your taco by its price

[@rickwelch8464]

"I have never been able to properly explain myself in this climate"

[@tommcewan7936]

"A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production."

[@daz97]

TELL ME ABOUT THE GOLF SHOES 😂😂😂

[@MrDootDali]

Hunter Thompson's "watermark" written observation makes perfect sense to me, and IMHO is among the greatest moments of American literature.

[@michaelbuhl4250]

I got to see Hunter S. Thompson speak at Vanderbilt University back in the '80s. It was just as strange as you would expect. He started off coherent, but it devolved into him pacing the stage listing off dangerous animals and saying he was going to be taking away by rich Greeks.

[@Rumblepak_5]

The scene of him checking into the hotel at the beginning is the best portrayal of an acid trip. Reminds me of the time I was trying to check out at Toys R Us just as the acid hit me, the cashier sounded like she was speaking jibberish and it took much longer that it should have to buy a Star Wars toy to play with while I was high.

[@stevencoardvenice]

Everything is the best portrayal. I don't even know where to begin. Masterpiece movie. Sounds like your trips have been relatively mild. Unfortunately I've gone to that wild animal dimension like benicio in the tub, etc. Took too much one time by accident. I've been with many friends who've gotten like that, over the years. Werewolf mode. Lots of screaming, puking, rolling around on the floor

[@srottfaen]

Lets just say that "reality" is a nebulous concept in this movie.

[@euchongo4240]

And in reality

[@Enrique-Garcia]

"Reality" is probably the one word Hunter couldn't spell. On purpose.

[@Shawnie_G]

So Glad you did this! Hunter S Thompson was such a unique human!

[@jenniferdarling6]

Growing up on this book we were nervous when this released but it holds up to the aesthetic and ideas of Thompson

[@Glitch_Wizard]

Totally understandable. Of all the books that exist this one is near the top of the list of ones id be nervous about a movie adaptation for lol.

[@johntyson]

This movie nails the visual and mental mind F of a strong acid trip. Much of my misspent teen years were under the influence of LSD and trying different experiences while on LSD. Standing in line for an hour to ride a roller coaster was something I’ll never forget. Riding the roller coaster was a relief after standing in line with dozens of strangers.

[@shadyd2544]

Holy shit I couldn't imagine going on a freaking roller coaster while on that stuff. I barely have the courage to leave my room on that stuff.

[@DamagedButManaging]

LSD (among other things) is the reason most of the 1990's is a blur for me. I had a blast, but don't remember a hell of a lot of it

[@Harv72b]

LSD brings back three primary memories for me: 1) Seeing Silence of the Lambs in the theater on acid (do not recommend) 2) Going through a haunted amusement park on acid (sort of recommend) 3) Dropping acid in my friend's basement bedroom, putting "Kashmir" on single track repeat on his stereo, and then going upstairs where, once the drug kicked in, the mere thought of returning to the basement to make *that goddamned song stop playing over and over and over again* was an impossibility (do not, under *ANY* circumstances, recommend--I _still_ can't listen to that song, more than 30 years later) In short, what doesn't kill you gives you interesting stories to leave in KZbin comments.

[@johntyson]

@@shadyd2544 Lol! I actually passed out going through a loop on one roller coaster. Regaining consciousness while on acid while still riding a roller coaster is a sensation I’ll never forget.

[@johntyson]

@@Harv72b Love it. You are my people.

[@matthewfike4491]

Hunter S. was an incredibly interesting fellow. His send off after death alone is worth reading about.

[@themadpizzler6081]

Terry Gilliam is a genius of atmosphere, this, "FIsher King", "Adv. Baron Munchausen".... they're all beautiful movies.

[@carm3d]

Brazil

[@n0tk0sher]

​@@carm3d I 2nd that! My favorite.

[@LordVolkov]

Brothers Grimm is such a beautiful gothic fantasy and wildly underrated among Terry's films.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

_Jabberwocky_

[@StarkRG]

"Is it real or is it fantasy" Yyyeeesss? This is one of those movies that take repeated viewings to really understand.

[@ianrastall]

The book is really what it's all about. That's why the movie got made, and why Sid & Nancy's Alex Cox was part of the project. It's a counterculture classic. Hunter believed in "gonzo journalism", i.e. making his own life the story. So it's all true, BTW. That's why it's not just, "That's one way to do it," with the bathtub scene. His lawyer had taken a whole sheet of acid and was trying to commit suicide, but Hunter threw a grapefruit into the tub instead of the radio.

[@Research0digo]

Cox didn't direct it.

[@silversasquatch79]

missed opportunity to end the video with "as your attorney I advise you to like, comment, and subscribe" 🙂

[@m.pieterse3785]

Holy shit girl, i just learned you're a comedian. I thought you looked familiar. Thanks for keeping it real. Real. Great content!

[@Paul77ozee]

My favourite part is always the guy who walks in on Depp and Flea. Just the way he looks at the door while smoking and sitting at the bar, wondering what’s happening behind that door.

[@terryhughes7349]

If you watch historical video, Depp absolutely nailed the role. Just a fun film. Great reaction Shanelle! After watching the film, i always order a Singapore Sling for my last drink. Carrie Fischer convinced her mother (Debbie Reynolds) to make a cameo in the film

[@robertlopez628]

When you're on a binge you're just going from one drug hit to another without noticing or caring about the outside world, you think you're fine but you're not. This movie replicates this experience. Flashing bits of memory between drugs usage. I love this movie.

[@neillio]

Terry Gilliam is a very interesting filmmaker! Hope you get to check out more of his stuff on the channel because he really has a unique style and vibe.

[@williambailey1206]

Yeah!!!! Just woke up from being sick for almost a week, go on KZbin and having one of my favorite reactors doing another one of my favorite movies I had the privilege of seeing in theatres. Thanx Shanelle. Nothing better than waking up with a smile.

[@S.E.Walker]

I did not like or understand this movie the first time I watched it. Now, two decades and a lot of drugs later, it is one of my favorite films and it keeps getting funnier every single time I see it. (And that monologue about the wave cresting is unreasonably brilliant). So happy you gave this bonkers movie some much-needed reaction love.

[@stevencoardvenice]

Exactly. In high school i felt it was the worst movie I had ever seen in a theatre. Exhausting. But I like you, a few years later, after experiencing the fear and the loathing myself, I realized its one of the best movies ever made. And definitely the funniest movie ever made. One time me and 3 friends/roommates drank beers and ate shrooms one night and put this on. I've never laughed like that in my life. We were all crying. Especially the elevator scene, and the bath tub scene. We were all vibing with what was going on on-screen, and just kept laughing and laughing. Then I went and puked in my room around 4am, because all the beer fluids and shrooms had confused my stomach Another good one to watch if you're trippin is dumb and dumber with Jim Carrey and Jeff daniels.

[@harrydoupe9315]

Another fun fact: I saw Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas when I was in my teens. Lucky.

[@hdtv00]

This movie has the GREATEST audio commentary on the dvd from criterion collection in the history of movies. They go to Hunter S Thompson's Owl Ranch and record him watching it. It's insanity.

[@Theomite]

It takes all of his daughters to keep him involved and coherent. Amazing.

[@gluuuuue]

Thompson is actually saying something, but I do think a lot of it is steeped in the context of that entire cultural experience of that time in history. I was born in the '70s, heard my parents (who themselves were at best only into the peace movement) tell stories about that whole age, and even saw older family and strangers still deeply into or affected by it, and even then it's difficult for me to fathom how real all that was or how far some people, like Hunter S. Thompson, went down those rabbitholes. I tend to love this sort of experiential filmmaking, and most of Gilliam's films.

[@jrobwoo688]

Natural Born Killers directed by Oliver Stone. Story by Quentin Tarantino, but highly reworked for the screen by Oliver Stone. The visuals alone, make the film definitely worth a watch.

[@GMontag]

Oh man, if Monty Python is the only thing you know Terry Gilliam for, you're in for a treat with the rest of his filmography. Time Bandits, Brazil, 12 Monkeys, The Fisher King, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen are all amazing films.

[@johnrussell-bk7lv]

I have done acid many times and I have been to Vegas and NEVER shall the two meet in my life. If you have any morals and the concept of virtue matters to you at all then Vegas is a nightmare even when sober. The strip is a tiny beacon of opulence and mindless excess surrounded by miles and miles of abject human misery in every direction. It's a perfect encapsulation of everything that is evil and depraved about unfettered capitalism and the absolute rejection of any and all ancient wisdom in favour of slobbering, wanton greed and lust. Hunter Thompson had a weird ability to explore the depths of such things with drugs and intellect without his entire soul devolving into a primal scream. I'm not sure I have that kind of strength, but I'm grateful that someone once did.

[@hashtagPoundsign]

If you haven’t seen them, I recommend in no particular order: “Colossus: The Forbin Project” (1970), “Primer” (2004), “Bagdad Cafe” (1987), “Explorers” (1985), “The 51st State” (2001), “Falling down” (1993), “Matchstick Men” (2003), “Super Mario Bros.” (1993), and lastly in this list “Spawn” (1997)

[@vincentkrommenhoek7431]

The scene where they convince security that they need to see the show and behave. Then get kicked out after a few seconds dying of laughter was golden. Awesome movie and a bit to insane for most people. The visuals while on drugs are pretty on point.

[@donkfail1]

I thought Hunter S. Thompson and his writing would be impossible to depict, but this is fantastically close. If you aren't familiar with Terry Gilliam; do watch more of his movies. I recommend Brazil (1985), 12 Monkeys (1995) and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009).

[@jnagarya519]

The film is better than the book.

[@VizEffects-MorphVideos-to7yx]

I've seen this movie many times... I guess my mind overlooked the crazy camera angles, or the flags. You're awesome at pointing out the details I missed. Cheers!

[@VizEffects-MorphVideos-to7yx]

Same here. Awesome Job

[@nicholasbielik7156]

Herman Melville’s novel The Confidence Man identified the idea of The United States as a con in 1857. Its an idea that each generation has to come to terms with. We’re so good at selling the dream that it’s hard for us to see through it to the banal and unpleasant reality.

[@BlackMatt2k]

As a drug person this movie was validating, and as a former drug person this movie is validating.

[@ryanswaynow]

“When do you throw in the towel on the bender?” I asked myself that 10 years ago. I’ll let you know when I finally do.

[@OCDtea]

13:43 Hunter S. Thompson himself shaved Depp's head

[@TheNeonParadox]

Of all the movies made about Hunter's journalistic endeavors, I can't believe nobody has made a movie about his time with the Hell's Angels.

[@TestTesticles]

The "Tilty cam" is called a Dutch Angle and it's used to signify that "something isn't right" or "All isn't as it seems" in a scene.

[@christopherdeguilio6375]

One of my personal all time top five. I was 23 and working on Cape Cod for the summer and living in a tiny shack on the beach with three of my friends when this movie came out. We had all read Hunter S Thompson in college and were fans and we saw this movie at least once a week for it's entire theatrical run ...in various states of mind.... and with various company... it'll just always bring me back to that summer

[@apatternedhorizon]

Read the book. Then read The Rum Diary. Look up gonzo journalism. It's basically writing in a first person stream of consciousness style with some hyperbole and that's what this is. Johnny spent a lot of time with Hunter to get his mannerisms and way of speaking down pat. And then when Hunter killed himself, johnny funded a cannon to shoot Hunter's ashes into the sky out of a giant gonzo fist because that's what he wanted. Hunter shaved Johnny's head. There's a famous picture. The guy in the bathroom was Flea from RHCP. Buy the ticket, Take the ride. Another Freak in the Freak Kingdom. Too weird to live, Too rare to die.

[@manuelvillacana9284]

My favorite movie with the actor who played the police officer would be silver bullet by Stephen King.

[@myfriendisaac]

9:50 I love that 🤷🏾‍♂️😂 The film is a visual acid trip that just escalates continually!!!

[@carm3d]

I got heavy motion sickness when I saw this in the theater; probably because we were seated in the front. Benicio DelToro gained weight for this role When they were kicked out of the restaurant at the start of the movie, there was an angel with a flaming sword guarding the entrance. This is a reference to when Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden. It was guarded by an angel with a flaming sword. Basically the restaurant saying, "And stay out!" The dinosaurs looked just like the illustrations in the book.

[@AZURAKAZ]

Saw it completely sober and had trouble finding my way out of the theater afterwards.

[@plaidcowsyndrome]

If you dig this, there is a slightly less weird movie about the same character, but played bill Murray, called Where the Buffalo roam… I think you’ld dig

[@matthill5426]

Fun movie trivia here: Johnny Depp actually let the real Hunter S. Thompson shave his head into male pattern baldness for this role, with a straight razor. Measure of trust right there, letting a stoned AF Hunter at your scalp with a blade! Depp and Thompson became friends during the making of this movie, and Depp even payed for Thompson's remains to be disposed of after his death according to his wishes: he was cremated, and his ashes shot into the sky on a rocket. Fitting end for a space cowboy like Thompson, I'd say. :)

[@eugeneodonnell4680]

Johnny shaved his head right in the pattern of Hunter Thompson's baldness. To prepare for the role he spent about six weeks living with Hunter. They became close friends until Thompson died in about 2006.

[@RaceSimCentral]

I had to read the book to really appreciate this. I couldn't even make out anything they were saying lol It helped a ton. It really just seems like a stream of thoughts, non stop, crazy.

[@namco003]

My work had me in Vegas over a year ago for 8 months(3 weeks there 1 week home), and I made it a point to watch this movie the first day I was there and I pretty much just let it run when I went to bed. The place I was working at is in the movie, but it's the scene where he drives past the Welcome to Vegas sign, and the camera pans and stops, that area is now a huge shopping area, like an outdoor mall, but in the movie it was being constructed. I'm a huge Python fan, and would watch flying Circus when closing up at Blockbuster, and since Terry Gilliam directed it, I watch it. Loved it so much.

[@randalthor741]

FYI, Johnny Depp lived with Hunter S. Thompson for months prior to filming this to get his mannerisms and way of talking down. I haven't seen that much video of Hunter S. Thompson, but from what I've seen, Depp did a pretty damn good job.

[@muffinamy83]

Hunter S. Thompson. Yeah, he's "a pretty good writer." Spit-take when you said that! 😆

[@likecrazyhorse]

That hippie licking acid off Johnny's sleeve is Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers

[@iesickboy]

I read the book when I was 18 while doing shipping and receiving at the bookstore in the mall. It was a year or two before the movie. Sitting in the hall eating my sandwich while on break and actually laughing audibly, while reading, for one of the first times in my life, and I had read quite a lot. Hunter's life and work was fascinating from the get go for me. Such an amazing experience seeing the words put into action. Beautiful content from you, per usual.

[@jakemcnulty7510]

Hey Shanelle, love the reaction as always. I hope this leads to you checking out more Terry Gilliam films on the channel. These would include "Time Bandits" (1981), "The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen" (1988), "The Fisher King" (1991), "12 Monkeys" (1995), "Tideland" (2005), "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassas" (2009), "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" (2018) and my personal favourite "Brazil" (1985). All of them worth a watch, and I promise you'll not regret it. P.S. I don't mean to be 'nit-picky' or anything, but it is pronounced "Gil-Lee-Um". Just thought you should know.

[@pumkinheadfanvhsforever6087]

Don't leave out that he was the 6th member of Monty Python! He was behind all the animation for the show(as well as acting in some of the skits and all the movies). Love Brazil!

[@TheJamieRamone]

I can vouch for Time Bandits and 12 Monkeys.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

Those are all fantastic! Brazil is my personal favofrite, but I also love Baron Munchaussen, Time Bandits and especially - The Fisher King (a close second next to Brazil).

[@tejoe13]

Time Bandits is a must watch.

[@Im_The_Dude]

I have always said, as someone who used to partake heavily in substances that are not of a legal nature, that the pace and overall feeling of this movie is the most accurate representation of an experience on “too much” of most drugs I enjoyed. Anxiety, confusion, hilarity and fright. All at once. Fantastic movie.

[@roryphares6192]

My uncle made this film, he’s a key grip. He welded a frame on the car for the driving scenes.

[@TheLyleB]

Walking into Circus Circus with their heads full of ether like the village drunkards in some early Irish novel is one of the best scenes ever put to film.

[@bazil83]

10:42 "things have *mescalated"... eyyyyyy, I'm here all week.

[@svenpoletka5236]

The bender ends precisely when it means to, never sooner nor later!

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

I think Gandalf said that.

[@rodentnolastname6612]

Please deep dive into all of Terry Gilliam's films. You will not be disappointed.

[@peterschmidt4348]

Please watch "All Quiet on the Western Front" (2022). Winner of 4 Oscars.

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

If anyone can make you feel like you're tripping, it's Terry Gilliam.

[@GKinslayer]

The way they did Depp's hair is he was friends with the person that wrote the book - Hunter S Thompson. And it was Thompson himself that shaved Depp's hair for this role. Also if you dig camera angles Gilliam's movie Brazil is chock full of them.

[@3DJapan]

Funny thing is, it's a pretty accurate portrayal of Hunter S. Thompson.

[@robovike]

It blows my mind that the guy who directed this drug-fueled felony-gathering film is the same one who helped the little people and the kid defeat Napoleon, demons and the Devil itself (Terry Gilliam, Time Bandits).

[@bigjay123]

I love love this movie not just the shots but the acting and the jokes and the whole thing I just love it

[@xotmatrix]

I like that I can say "yes" to every one of Shanelle's pre-watch speculations about this movie.

[@tubularap]

Shanelle is stepping into "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" without knowing much about it... it's gonna be great :-) Where's my popcorn? BTW; Shanelle did foresee the type of movie very well: 1:30 - "comical heightened reality".

[@markmcgee2417]

The little person carrying the phone to Hunter was also in Where The Buffalo Roam another film based on Hunter S. Thompson with Bill Murray portraying Hunter.

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a very powerful book. I read it when it was a series in Rolling Stone, before it was in book form. Well worth reading. The keys to the movie (IMHO) are the Dr. Johnson quote at the beginning, and the "wave speech."

[@cbretschneider]

I really hope you watch more Terry Gilliam films. He always goes for wacky camera work and absurd storytelling. Nobody portrays madness like he does. Brazil, Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Monkeys, The Imagenarium of Dr. Parnassus, Tideland... The Fisher King is my personal favorite starring Robin Williams & Jeff Bridges with Amanda Plummer, Mercedes Rueh & Michael Jeter. Extra special bonus points if you read the Arthurian legend of Parsifal too. 🥂

[@lisathuban8969]

I absolutely LOVE Time Bandits, Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and, even though it's hard to watch, the excellent Brazil.

[@Apvizionz]

Def feels like an acid and or shroom trip getting dark

[@ebaker1968]

Watch a documentary on Hunter S. Thompson. It'll give you some perspective on Johnny Depp's performance in this film. He really nails it. A lot of the dialogue in the movie is directly from the book.

[@jonhenry8268]

It's almost word for word

[@rollingstoneworks3183]

This is a perfect opportunity to remind you that although you watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail, you absolutely need to watch The Life of Brian. It needs to happen. Cheers… And yes…you need to try acid…

[@ll7868]

Easily one of my Top 10 All-Time, Any Genre Movies. Terry Gilliam is a freakin' genius, even as a kid his animations on Monty Python were my favourite part of the show, hilariously trippy. As an adult they were even better when stoned.

[@TheJamieRamone]

16:56 - That's a good observation. I'll keep that in mind when I get around to watching it.

[@TheJamieRamone]

16:24 - Now that you said that it reminded me of Leaving Las Vegas (1995, N. Cage, E. Shue). That's another one both set in Vegas and about self-destruction. Good watch, you should add that one to your list.

[@jimmcdonald4087]

It's a great movie, but basically because it's a faithful representation of Thompson's book. That's no easy trick though. Likewise, Depp was doing a faithful impersonation of Hunter Thompson.

[@AlanCanon2222]

I regularly play guitar in Hunter's old neighborhood in Louisville, and I'm happy that we unleashed him upon the world. Louisville is still the sort of insanely creative place that spawns Mr Thompson's kind. I heard a story of someone who happened to be at some big shindig in northeastern Jefferson County, with plenty of old Louisville money rubbing elbows with new. Hunter Thompson pulled up in a golf cart -- on the road, mind you -- and scooped up a couple of people for a joyride back to some other event back where he'd come from....

[@ericmarois6960]

Loved that little wink. Great movie, great visual depiction of being under influence. Awesome talent for doing how it was done, gave me feelings of all sorts all turned up to eleven. As you said:"loud". Not something I want to watch again soon but definitely one that needed to be seen at least once. Thanks for the vid.

[@stephaniemccarthy1676]

Saw your stand up act of 2016. Very good. I laughed out loud.

[@mindcrome]

17:59 Thompson's line about North Las Vegas is spot on "North Vegas is where you go when you've fucked up one to many times on the Strip." I grew up and still live in North Las Vegas.

[@thomassantillan2194]

"Do I have to try acid?" Most people should, at least once.

[@ChiliConCarnage]

I was already tripping balls when I saw this movie for the first time. It was an experience, to say the least.

[@fishhookism]

Hunter never did throw in the towel

[@leonstrand329]

Not many people react to this movie, thank you

[@TheCBOShow]

Hello Shanelle, he is a brilliant writer but you have to remember the amount of drugs he used on a daily basis, by the time he was in his 40's he had a regiment of drug usage. Plus the fact the Director was a main character in Monty Python. Hunter S. Thompson was an American Icon and created his own style of writing that is called "Gonzo Journalism". Here is what a normal day looked like for him, BTW, he did this every single day after he got older. I hope you are ready.... 3:00 p.m. rise 3:05 Chivas Regal with the morning papers, Dunhills 3:45 cocaine 3:50 another glass of Chivas, Dunhill 4:05 first cup of coffee, Dunhill 4:15 cocaine 4:16 orange juice, Dunhill 4:30 cocaine 4:54 cocaine 5:05 cocaine 5:11 coffee, Dunhills 5:30 more ice in the Chivas 5:45 cocaine, etc., etc. 6:00 grass to take the edge off the day 7:05 Woody Creek Tavern for lunch-Heineken, two margaritas, coleslaw, a taco salad, a double order of fried onion rings, carrot cake, ice cream, a bean fritter, Dunhills, another Heineken, cocaine, and for the ride home, a snow cone (a glass of shredded ice over which is poured three or four jig­gers of Chivas) 9:00 starts snorting cocaine seriously 10:00 drops acid 11:00 Chartreuse, cocaine, grass 11:30 cocaine, etc, etc. 12:00 midnight, Hunter S. Thompson is ready to write 12:05-6:00 a.m. Chartreuse, cocaine, grass, Chivas, coffee, Heineken, clove cigarettes, grapefruit, Dunhills, orange juice, gin, continuous pornographic movies. 6:00 the hot tub-champagne, Dove Bars, fettuccine Alfredo 8:00 Halcyon 8:20 sleep Dunhills are cigarettes and Chivas is a brandy or bourbon, Chartreuse is the same, like 35% ABV, and Halcyon to knock him out. Rinse and repeat for decades!!! How he lived so long is a testament to how the human body can defend itself. He eventually got so tired of living that he killed himself and let his family know that he was going to do it and after his death his final request was to have his ashes shot out of a canyon into the forest's of his property so his nutrients would become part of these trees. Johnny Depp funded most or all of his funeral costs. Hunter S. Thompson's ashes were loaded into a cannon and shot up into the air and dispersed down on his property, away from the crowd of course. He was a legend, with all his faults. Just because an man is a drug addict and not a great human being doesn't disqualify him from being the game changer he was, even though he was unconventional and somewhat bats**t crazy, he reported a unique and profound perspective on the America he was living in. No one else captured the imagination of people like he did. Why??? He had ZERO filters. He just didn't care about being successful and proper, like most reporters or writers, he just let go and wrote. His line about seeing the high water mark and then rolling back is one of my all time favorite movie quotes of all time. Love your Reactions!! Keep up the great work!!

[@OfficialAuntieJenn]

I was an avid fan of this book and read Thompson's articles in Rolling Stone my teen-adult years. As an opinionated youngster, I even had the audacity to actually write him to disagree with one of his pieces. Never heard back. However, I did see him speak at a peace rally that I stumbled across while I was working in Aspen a few years before he died. His work definitely had a formative affect on me When this movie came out I probably saw it opening night being a fan of the book and Johnny Depp. And it is probably the most perfect visual representation of my personal experience reading that book as a kid. Loved it! Loved your review.

[@09Raffytaffy]

Oh boy...! Went a bit crazy back in the day over Thompson! Here come the flashbacks lol R.I.P. Hunter. If any of you feel the notion to delve into this further. Take a deep breath and don't dive too deep!

[@laudanum669]

Shanelle "I would hate to be their neighbor". That made me laugh, because in Hunter's book "Songs of the Doomed". There is a copy of a letter from a tenant to the landlord of a apartment building that Hunter lived in at one time. The letter makes mention of loud screams and constant noise from his apartment.