Terry Gilliam Challenge: Tideland

Tideland (Terry Gilliam, 2005)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1

Trauma, Coming of Age, Grief and Coping, Dark, Horror

Terry Gilliam's says in his disclaimer to the film: Some people will hate this movie. Some will love it. Some won't understand what's going on. I think that is very true. It is very disturbing, but a beautiful experiment in storytelling. I've never seen a film that was truly from the point of view of a child--that explores her reactions, her imagination, and thoughts. While the "reality" of the story was horrific, the way young Jeliza-Rose deals with her situation is fascinating and inspiring. I don't think I can watch it again, but I'm glad I did take this one on.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Flavors of Youth: International Version

Flavors of Youth: International Version (Haoling Li, Yoshitaka Takeuch, and Xiaoxing Yi, 2018)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Coming of Age, Reminiscence, Animation

A lovely collection of stories of youth. Beautiful art and dialogue, but the English voice-acting was sub-par, in my opinion. Each story had its moments: homesickness, self doubt, and lost love. Worth watching, for sure. I enjoyed how it made me think about my own adolescent years.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Terry Gilliam Challenge: The Fisher King

The Fisher King (Terry Gilliam, 1991)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Complex Relationships, Whimsical, Grief, Coping

What a beautiful and hilarious story of friendship and redemption. Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges make the perfect odd couple. I thoroughly enjoyed how Terry Gilliam chose to adapt the story of The Fisher King and also how he chose to show Parry's grief and coping from his traumatic loss. Grief is such a personal emotion, different for everyone. An all-around great film.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Terry Gilliam Challenge: Twelve Monkeys

Twelve Monkeys (Terry Gilliam, 1995)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Fantasy, Adventure, Time Travel, Post-Apocalyptic, Philosophical

Time travel has always fascinated me, but stories and films about it never fail to disturb me. There is something strange and eerie about the idea of getting caught in a time loop and altering time and events. And it's so depressing to think that going back to try to prevent something awful from happening just can't be done. This story takes that to a whole new level because it is post-apocalyptic. Terry Gilliam masterfully adapted the short film "La Jetee," which I watched right after this film. Wow.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here