Gonzo Gets It

Johnny Depp stars in Hunter S. Thompson story

(NEWSER) - The Rum Diary is like a superhero origin story, several reviewers note: Set in Puerto Rico, it tells the story of how journalist Hunter S. Thompson became himself—complete with heavy drinking and plenty of sex.

• You get the sense that the film is a "passion project" for the impressive Johnny Depp, writes Betsy Sharkey in the Los Angeles Times . Puerto Rico is "beautifully rendered"—"even the poverty has an appeal"—but despite all that, Rum Diary never finds its voice.

Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz star in Rob Marshall's film

(NEWSER) - The latest Pirates of the Caribbean is more of the same, and it’s getting stale—but Captain Jack Sparrow remains somewhat compelling, critics say.

• It’s “exactly like what you'd expect: overlong (two hours and 20 minutes), overstuffed (with at least four separate beats that could count as endings), and extremely loud,” writes Dana Stevens in Slate . Plus, “I liked these movies better when you thought Capt. Jack Sparrow was gay.”

Morgan Spurlock helms documentary on advertising

(NEWSER) - Morgan Spurlock, the guy behind Super Size Me, calls his latest documentary—an exploration of our ad-obsessed culture—The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. And critics seem to agree:

• Spurlock “has this habit of making documentaries that come hidden in the Trojan horse of silly and then stab at your conscience,” writes Peter Travers in Rolling Stone . “As ever, he makes you laugh till it hurts.”

Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp unimpressive in cliché-ridden film

(NEWSER) - The Tourist stars Angelina Jolie as a femme fatale expertly evading international authorities, with Wisconsin math teacher Johnny Depp at her side. It’s chock-full of cliches, the acting isn't so hot, and critics just aren’t on board:

• “There is a moment in The Tourist when Johnny Depp turns to Angelina Jolie and asks 'Why is all this happening?' It's a question moviegoers will be asking themselves as well,” writes Kenneth Turan in the Los Angeles Times .

Yael Hersonski takes on Das Ghetto

(NEWSER) - A stunning new documentary goes into limited release today, taking a different and absorbing look at the Holocaust. Dubbed A Film Unfinished, the piece, from Israeli director Yael Hersonski, revolves around a never-completed German propaganda film called “Das Ghetto.” Shot in 1942, the silent film contrasted Jews living in luxury in the Warsaw ghetto, with the poor ones in the street. For years, it was seen as flawed but authentic—until new footage uncovered in 1998 revealed that all the scenes showing privileged Jews were staged. More»