Dreams: July 1997 News Bulletin

Edited by Phil Stubbs

Fear and Loathing
Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is set to start shooting any day now, directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp as the Gonzo journalist and Benicio del Toro as his attorney. Also cast in recent weeks is Gary Busey, who's recently been recovering from surgery. Down as a producer is Patrick Cassevetti, who worked with Gilliam on Time Bandits and Brazil.

Gilliam replaced Alex Cox as director of the movie. Cox has said that Gilliam's direction will make the film different than he had envisaged it, suggesting that with Gilliam at the helm, we'll "see the bats". There are some good websites dedicated to Hunter S. Thompson, which can be located through Yahoo.

Python Reunion in Buckinghamshire... Latest Report
In May 1997, the five Python members who are still alive had a reunion. Eric Idle put a report on PythOnline, from which I lift the following:

"...along long and windy corridors hung with portraits of the Astors, we have a Business Conference Room booked for 24 hours, which comes complete with a black-tied, morning-coated gentleman, who rapidly fills our orders for cappucini and snacks. Gilliam fiddles with the high tech controls and makes the curtains open and close several times, plunging the room into darkness. He then discovers the projecting sketch pad and proceeds to doodle, throwing great outlines on a screen which fills one side of the room. Is there any other major film director so endearingly silly?"

Idle comments on the likelihood of a new Python movie, "So to the very big questions - will we or won't we? I think we agreed to come up with a first draft screenplay by some time next year. John proposed another reunion in mid-September when TG finishes his shoot. TG is unavailable really for ages. One thing for sure we are still happily bonkers. Lack of money has not spoiled us. Also we are all still funny. Hilarious in fact, thoiugh you may have to take my word for it. The banter was incessant, affectionate and deeply personal. It was a great reunion. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I look forward to the next..."

Here's one of Gilliam's sketches that Idle nicked at the end of the meeting:

Meaning of Life CD-ROM
7th Level, the company who released Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time and Holy Grail on CD-ROM have announced that their new Python CD-ROM game will be Monty Python's Meaning of Life, to be released later this year. 7th Level have put together a special Meaning of Life site.

From birth to death, players will navigate through scenes from the original film, interacting with the original characters, solving puzzles, watching clips, and playing through such thoroughly important games as You Don't Know John, Live Organ Transplants, Mealtime with Mr Creosote and the Hendys Conversation Game. Terry Gilliam, the game's executive producer has said, "We will bake this game to a perfect golden brown - it will taste like no other Python CD-ROM."

Film Finances Link
I've recently found the Film Finances website. They are the people who (unluckily?) guaranteed the completion of Munchausen.

Farewell, Don Henderson
I'm very sad to report that actor Don Henderson died on 22 June. He was 65. He was a much loved character actor on British TV, and worked with Gilliam on Brazil and Munchausen.

What's new in this fifth release?
In this release, you will find the following new features:

Yet more links to other interesting Gilliam-related sites - look out for these new links on the individual Dreams pages as well as the home page!
New updated news page!
An exclusive Dreams interview with the directors of The Hamster Factor!
A transcript of Terry Gilliam's appearance on The Big Breakfast when 12 Monkeys was released!
More Gilliam motifs, as sent to Dreams by Keith Hamel!

It's been nearly three months since the last update I think - However I've now completed my philosophy exams, which means over subsequent months you can expect regular updates within Dreams.

Please come back and tell me what you think of the fanzine... and look out for the sixth release! More images will be available soon as promised, including an excellent new Gilliam caricature by an upcoming cartoonist!

Over forthcoming months, this site will continue to grow. And maybe I'll find a picture of Terry in a more tasteful shirt for the home page. Come back soon.

Contributions are welcome! If you wish to send letters, analysis, news or any information regarding Terry Gilliam and his work, then email me!

Hey readers! Thanks to everyone who has emailed me - keep in touch. To those who haven't, tell me what you think of Dreams. And let me know you've visited. Send your emails to me at phil@dreams.u-net.com

Dreams is stored by the witty, attractive and stylish people at Smart Multimedia, whose corporate HQ is situated in the glorious town of Macclesfield, Cheshire. These people know a thing or two about all that multimedia stuff, so in the unlikely event that you have plenty of money to spend on design (regardless of media), give them a call.

Phil Stubbs - Manchester, England. July 1997.

[Back to Dreams Home Page]