Gonzo's a Goner

Its 11 at night and I'm searching for the best movie I'll ever see. Ok, not exactly... but I am searching for a film that will keep me from drifting into a hard slumber. I log onto Netflix and naturally I go to "Netflix Top Suggestions for Danielle." As I'm scrolling through this list of documentaries, foreign lust films, romantic comedies, etc., I can't help but to wonder why in the hell would these movies be suggested for me. I spent tedious hours meticulously going through movie after movie rating star after star so that Netflix would be able to "read" me. So why do all these suggestions look like the worst of the worst?

Then the nagging phrase we all have heard pops into my head, "you can't judge a book by its cover," and in this case.. movie. So, i'll give it a try. What could possibly go wrong with giving Netflix a go. I guess I could watch some horrible pyschological thriller that somehow manipulates the thoughts in my brain and causes me to go on a mass murdering rampage... well, you get what I'm saying.. these movies can't be that bad, right?

So, I'm scrolling through this movie list, and to start off my journey with the "ultimate mind-reader," I must choose something that is ... let's say, somewhat appealing to me. Part of my study, I guess you could call it, is picking a film out of each top ten suggestions given to me when I log on. For the first experiment I have already scrolled through the first seven movies with complete angst that I am going to be watching a droning love story this late at night.Then I come across Gonzo. Ahh, the beautiful, eccentric, and lustful Hunter S. Thompson. Ok Netfllix, you got me.


The film loads. The film begins. Flashy pictures and videos begin to unravel the complicating and intrinsic life of Thompson. The familiar monotoned voice of Johnny Depp narrates. Beautiful. I already felt a sense of attachment to this film, being that I saw Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, I felt like i was reunited with an old friend.

The film is a documentary of the life of Hunter S. Thompson and ranges from his time spent with the Hell's Angels to his various psychedelic acid and mescaline trips. Both his wives tell the intimate details of his life along with readings and excerpts from his novels: Hell's Angels, Fear and Loathing: Campaign Trial '72, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Video clips and pictures show a peak into Thompson with Jimi Hendrix playing in the background. Either I had fallen asleep and was dreaming or my bedroom had literally time-travelled into the 70's.

How ironic that the first film I watch in my experiment and blogging of Netflix happens to be about the life of a fellow journalist and writer. The film inspired me, moved me... to write; not play with guns and ultimately kill myself (oops, I guess you can't really spoil a documentary) but to simply write. Yes, unfortunately Gonzo is a goner, but this movie completely exceeded my expectations.

Netflix.. I'll give it to you this time, you read my mind for this late night movie pick.