The Anti-Lumenick
Michael Mann's Public Enemies "marks an exciting return to muscular, patient storytelling for Mann," writes In Contention's Kris Tapley. "After dubious stabs at commercial appeal in Collateral and Miami Vice -- films that certainly have followers and admittedly plumb thematic depths no other filmmaker would have reached -- the director has painted his most resonant character study since 1995's Heat.
Public Enemies "fits seamlessly into a line of filmmaking Mann has generated to represent, as F.X. Feeney has called it, 'a profound, interactive, philosophical history of the United States.' Collateral and em>Miami Vice served as stylistic, muscle-flexing diversions, but here the director seems more thoughtful in his approach to character and structure. As with Ali, he doesn't succumb to the lures of the biopic. He tells a story, directly, and without qualification or ornamentation. The film is classic Mann."
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 23, 2009 at 5:06 PM
comment #1
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
Ace of base. There's no doubt this film will rule. It could very well be a modern classic on the scale of The Departed. I know some people aren't keen on that film, but there's nothing better than seeing a quality filmmaker with a cast of proper actors delivering a hard-ass, muscular crime drama.
Mann = The Mann. Heat and The Insider are two of the best movies of the '90s.
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at June 23, 2009 5:20 PM
comment #2
televisiontears
says ...
I get more excited for this every day. If nothing else, I'm very curious to see how Mann makes a 30's period piece work on digital. Fincher perfectly captured the 70's with it, but I'm trying to understand the level of production design required to eliminate our preconceptions and make this a believable world.
Richard Kelly also has a 70's-set film out this year which he shot on digital. It's a very exciting time for someone like me, who's worked exclusively with the format.
Btw, that photoshop inspired.
Posted by televisiontears
at June 23, 2009 5:48 PM
comment #3
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
Yeah. I was initially worried about the hi-res digital look of the film, but early word says it makes it seem as if you're actually living in the era rather than looking back on it through grainy stock.
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at June 23, 2009 6:05 PM
comment #4
Travis Crabtree
says ...
"This film will rule"
I continue to be astonished at the number of people who give an unqualified "thumbs up" to movies that haven't seen yet. "That movie's gonna ROCK! Just look at the poster!"
I hope "Public Enemies" is good. I like good movies as much as the next guy. And from what I've heard, it sounds like it probably will be good. But jeez....
Posted by Travis Crabtree
at June 23, 2009 6:35 PM
comment #5
frankbooth
says ...
If that was the intent, Bosh, then that's a cool concept. I'm sick of period films that look preserved in amber. Was everything really dusty and golden-hued back in the days of yore?
Posted by frankbooth
at June 23, 2009 6:35 PM
comment #6
ImNotPaulAvery
says ...
AICN's McWeeney posted his review as well and it's essentially pretty positive. http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured/posts/2009-6-16-the-motion-captured-review-public-enemies
Really, his only complaint is that the film doesn't break any new ground on Dillinger. Other than that, he seems to dig it. Coming from a ardent admirer of Mann (I even wholeheartedly liked Vice), I couldn't be more excited for PE. Opening night for sure.
Posted by ImNotPaulAvery
at June 23, 2009 6:48 PM
comment #7
Wayne
says ...
You mean Lumenick might be completely full of shit?!? Getouttahere!
Posted by Wayne
at June 23, 2009 6:55 PM
comment #8
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
Crabtree: I'm pretty sure you're certain Transformers will suck before you've seen it, so how's that different to being certain PE will rule ahead of time?
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at June 23, 2009 7:10 PM
comment #9
Travis Crabtree
says ...
Good point.
I guess it's because I'm crabby bastard and assume that most Hollywood films will suck until proven otherwise.
"Shit" is the default position.
I kid you guys but I'd give anything to have the unbridled optimism and enthusiasm that you and actionman have. Reminds me of when I was a young whippersnapper.
(""Superman III''s gonna be awesome!.....doh!")
Posted by Travis Crabtree
at June 23, 2009 7:34 PM
comment #10
sumo-pop
says ...
I will defend Collateral and Miami Vice to the death. That being said, this is exciting.
Posted by sumo-pop
at June 23, 2009 7:40 PM
comment #11
tommysunshine
says ...
I don't normally value Lumenick but on this occasion he is dead right.
Public Enemies is formulaic, boring, false and shamelessly ties itself to the aren't-banks-evil mentality that pervaded the nation circa dec 2008.
I will be astonished if loopy lou is the only one who points out that this film is terrible. It's time Johnny Depp stopped getting such an easy ride.
Posted by tommysunshine
at June 23, 2009 7:59 PM
comment #12
DeeZee
says ...
Daniel Craig in a "remake" of House and Poltergeist. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i772f176924f862d4f21e5054e03f686c
Can we call Fincher a sell-out yet?
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i0849a35b3cfeb85913c842dafb967088
Posted by DeeZee
at June 23, 2009 9:08 PM
comment #13
DeeZee
says ...
Also, why has Depp been photoshopped to look like the Joker?
Posted by DeeZee
at June 23, 2009 9:09 PM
comment #14
md'a
says ...
Dammit, *I* wanted to be the Anti-Lumenick!
Posted by md'a
at June 23, 2009 9:19 PM
comment #15
The Winchester
says ...
Travis Crabtree, lately I've been feeling less than enthusiastic about most "Hollywood fare", but with a pedigree like Public Enemies has (Mann, Depp, Bale, Crudup as non-cross dressing Hoover) it's hard not to get excited, and think it can't rock. I really hope it does, indeed, rock. If the film were directed by someone, like James Mangold or Roger Donaldson, there would be more doubt as to if it actually could, indeed, rock. But say what you will about Miami vice, Mann makes solid motion pictures.
(On Digital video)
Posted by The Winchester
at June 23, 2009 9:53 PM
comment #16
televisiontears
says ...
Fake DZ, I think the reasoning behind the Joker photoshop should be apparent, and I don't want to feel like even more of an idiot for explaining it to you. Sometimes I can't tell if you're in character or not. Please get a new handle, or just stop.
Posted by televisiontears
at June 23, 2009 10:24 PM
comment #17
DeeZee
says ...
If Depp wore a zoot suit and set up nasty traps for Bale, I'd get it. But it just seems like an awkward analogy to me. Might as well give him the Scarface look next...
Posted by DeeZee
at June 23, 2009 11:26 PM
comment #18
BurmaShave
says ...
God I hate the Hollywood Reporter, that Craig update is complete ass. Sounds commercial not prestige (what the hell is wrong with Sheridan these days) and MUNICH, which he wasn't even a lead in, was made before Bond.
Posted by BurmaShave
at June 24, 2009 1:37 AM
comment #19
dinovelvet
says ...
The only thing that sucks about Public Enemies is the period setting, which prevents any potential classic Michael Mann pop/rock interludes a la Audioslave, Moby, In a gadda da vida etc. Though it would be cool if he put Audioslave songs into a 30s gangster film anyway.
Posted by dinovelvet
at June 24, 2009 2:50 AM
comment #20
Steven Kar
says ...
dino,
He DID do that.
Posted by Steven Kar
at June 24, 2009 4:05 AM
comment #21
George Prager
says ...
Aren't you guys going to respond to what tommysunshine wrote? It is a devastating critique!
Posted by George Prager
at June 24, 2009 6:41 AM
comment #22
nemo
says ...
"Public Enemies is formulaic, boring, false and shamelessly ties itself to the aren't-banks-evil mentality that pervaded the nation circa dec 2008."
Do you anything at all about the 1930s or the Great Depression? The banks-are-evil mentality ruled throughout the 1930s. There's a reason bank robbers such as Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, and many others were widely viewed as folk heroes at the height of their activities.
Posted by nemo
at June 24, 2009 11:36 AM
comment #23
Gaydos
says ...
George Prager: By end of day, key reviews will be up.
Posted by Gaydos
at June 24, 2009 12:42 PM
comment #24
dkaye
says ...
I am a huge Mann fan and was terribly disappointed. That's all I'll say for now.
Posted by dkaye
at June 24, 2009 1:41 PM
comment #25
gafi
says ...
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at May 23, 2011 6:11 AM