The Rum Diary

Johnny Depp has his second go round as the late Hunter S. Thompson with this flat adaptation of one of the author’s earlier novels. Depp plays Kemp, a wannabe journalist, and Thompson alter ego, who moves to Puerto Rico to drink, take drugs and, oh yeah, take a newspaper job. The film has its share of interesting supporting characters, including Giovanni Ribisi as a raging alcoholic and Aaron Eckhart as a shifty entrepreneur. But it never really goes anywhere, with Amber Heard offering nothing as the romantic interest. Only true Thompson fans will find any interest in this, and even they will have their patience tested. Took forever to release, cost $45 million to make and made just over $5 million on its opening weekend, so HUGE BOMB.