Public Enemies

[RKO]

Just a quick question for those who have seen it.

I'm a huge Depp and Bale fan and really enjoyed some of Mann's films. My gf and I were trying not to spend so much money lately and that includes being selective on what we see in the theatre. I was wondering if someone who is level headed and not a super Michael Mann fanboy(only because I know they will praise his cinematography, which is good but their opinion might be a bit biased) can tell me if this is worth seeing in the theatre or will it be ok to wait for DVD?

I just realized Mann had also directed the film The Keep, I remember liking that movie(and being scared **** less) when I was real young and am surprised it hasn't had a proper DVD release. Not too bad of a cast either now that I look at it since I didn't know who the actors were when I was a child. Gabriel Byrne, Ian McKellen, Scott Glen(Backdraft) and Jurgen Prochnow(Das Boot, Beer Fest).

You're a huge Depp and Bale fan, and you're planning on passing this one on theaters?....You're insane.

 

[-Arya-]

As much as I loved it this film isn't really a must see in theaters. I would wait until Bruno. That demands a theater experience.

 

[Figs]

RKO, I would only see this in the theatre if the movie was that great or just looked that good. I really want to see it in the theatres but I shouldn't be spending as much money anymore.

Arya, Bruno looks pretty damn funny and it would be great to see it opening weekend with a energetic crowd but I'm sadly going to probably wait for DVD on that one too.

 

[Watson]

He played his role well and had some nice subtle moments, but it wasn't a very meaty role, so he wasn't particularly memorable, imo. At least, not in comparison to Depp and Cotillard, who both got dramatic scenes where they each had a chance to shine. Stephen Graham and Billy Crudup also had flashier roles.

That Billy Crudup plays J. Edgar Hoover amuses me immensely. He was not as pretty as Crudup, that's for damn sure.

 

[CelticPredator]

I'm gonna get blasted, but I dont care. This is one of the worst looking movies I have ever seen. I HATE HATE HATE that style. It looks like a student film, or a clip from the 9'oclock news. Its hidious. Absolutly awful. I knew I was going to hate it when I saw the trailer. I turned off Miami Vice because I couldnt deal with the look. Some of the shots look just like Mann grabbed some 13 year old kids camera, and filmed an action scene with it. Every thing looked so cheap and fake. Like a DTV movie.



Got that out of the way. But I liked the movie. 7/10. Would've been a 8.5 if not for the camera work.

 

[flickchick85]

That Billy Crudup plays J. Edgar Hoover amuses me immensely. He was not as pretty as Crudup, that's for damn sure.

Yeah, they tried to ugly Crudup up a little bit too, by giving him some prosthetic jowls or "fat make-up" but it didn't really work, because I thought to myself a few times, "I'm not supposed to be so attracted to you, Hoover..." Oh well, he played the part well, I thought.

RKO, I would only see this in the theatre if the movie was that great or just looked that good. I really want to see it in the theatres but I shouldn't be spending as much money anymore.

In all honesty, I loved this movie to death (as I said, it's tied with Up as my favorite of the year), but I think you could wait for the DVD on it. The main reason being the sound - it's a little wonky in theaters. I think Mann had it at some unusual settings for the theaters to use (because he wants the gunshots to go right through you), and a lot of the projectionists are like, "there's no way I'm setting it that loud," so the result is that a lot of the dialogue is really, really hard to hear, while the music and sound effects are just fine. At first I thought that was just my bad theater experience, but I've seen several reports of the same problem, so I think it's just Mann's odd mixing/settings. It might be better to have on home video where you can adjust the volume accordingly (but keep it loud for the shootouts - They're amazing!) and rewind if you miss some important dialogue.

 

[BlackLantern]

I'm gonna get blasted, but I dont care. This is one of the worst looking movies I have ever seen. I HATE HATE HATE that style. It looks like a student film, or a clip from the 9'oclock news. Its hidious. Absolutly awful. I knew I was going to hate it when I saw the trailer. I turned off Miami Vice because I couldnt deal with the look. Some of the shots look just like Mann grabbed some 13 year old kids camera, and filmed an action scene with it. Every thing looked so cheap and fake. Like a DTV movie.



Got that out of the way. But I liked the movie. 7/10. Would've been a 8.5 if not for the camera work.

I read that Mann had to rewrite the ending of 'Miami Vice' because of a shooting near their location in Honduras and Jamie Foxx refused to do any more filming outside of the US...

 

[lime]

I'm going to the cinema right now! There is no storm this time
In three-four hours i will post my thoughts.

 

[lime]

The movie was great!

9.5/10

 

[Figs]

In all honesty, I loved this movie to death (as I said, it's tied with Up as my favorite of the year), but I think you could wait for the DVD on it. The main reason being the sound - it's a little wonky in theaters. I think Mann had it at some unusual settings for the theaters to use (because he wants the gunshots to go right through you), and a lot of the projectionists are like, "there's no way I'm setting it that loud," so the result is that a lot of the dialogue is really, really hard to hear, while the music and sound effects are just fine. At first I thought that was just my bad theater experience, but I've seen several reports of the same problem, so I think it's just Mann's odd mixing/settings. It might be better to have on home video where you can adjust the volume accordingly (but keep it loud for the shootouts - They're amazing!) and rewind if you miss some important dialogue.

Thanks for the reply(you too Arya). I guess I'll wait for DVD then.

 

[flickchick85]

Thanks for the reply(you too Arya). I guess I'll wait for DVD then.

No problem, glad I could help!

 

[lime]

The last scene was bloody brilliant! I't make me cry. I don't know why the movie get so mutch hate? I guess it's the digital look.

 

[CelticPredator]

It is. I couldnt stand it. Ugliest film I've ever seen.

 

[-Arya-]

Arya, Bruno looks pretty damn funny and it would be great to see it opening weekend with a energetic crowd but I'm sadly going to probably wait for DVD on that one too.

Oh come on! If this is anything like Borat (I know it will be) then a theater would be the best place to watch it. Are there any other movies you plan to see this summer?

 

[Figs]

Oh come on! If this is anything like Borat (I know it will be) then a theater would be the best place to watch it. Are there any other movies you plan to see this summer?

I think I'll be seeing Harry Potter in the theatre because of my gf. Avatar is another one as well as District 9 and probably Shutter Island.

 

[Doctor Jones]

My friend was this film yesterday and said it was very good. I was very close to going with him but was confused about the times, because he went early in the morning. But he said he'd like to see it again, and my dad wants to see it, so there's a chance.

I just don't want to blow all my money out on the movies. I still want to see The Hangover, this and HP I will definately see.

 

[Doctor Jones]

It is. I couldnt stand it. Ugliest film I've ever seen.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed this. When I first saw the trailer I thought how it was shot looked off. And yeah, like a student film.

 

[-Arya-]

I think I'll be seeing Harry Potter in the theatre because of my gf. Avatar is another one as well as District 9 and probably Shutter Island.

Great choices. I stopped with Harry Potter after the fourth film. For me, It just got redundant after that point.

 

[War Party]

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how Mann utilizes digital here. I'll probably love it since I'm a bit bias, because I use digital for my own films. Just love how it looks.

 

[lime]

I had no problems with the digital look. The movie was amazing.

 

[topdog1]

I honestly can't believe anyone has any praise for this film. The action was very light and the acting very average (even though the cast is outstanding). I could barely sit through its entire poorly paced run.

4.5/10

I can’t believe a director as accomplished as Michael Mann would produce a movie with this poor of a presentation. More than half the film consists of ultra zoom close ups. Are Johnny Depp's nose hairs really that camera worthy? Maybe they spent the entire budget on gathering this cast and had to hide their period piece shooting behind ultra zooms on two 1930's cars? The horrid and shaky camera work is far too distracting and often pulls the viewer right out of the film. Add to that a rather poor pace and a story that never allows you to connect with either lead and maybe this rating is too kind. For the most part, Dillinger's charm and savvy are lost as we never see what made him a competent bank robber or really why he was an infamous scoundrel. Bale's performance is monotone drab as is most of the running time of this very disappointing movie.

 

[The Chris]

I thought this was a very well made and entertaining film. My favorite performance in the film's was Bale's actually. The man may not have breakdown and cry moments in the film like a few others do, but he expresses his feelings with his eyes better than anyone I think in Hollywood. I thought the accent was on the money, and was glad to see that he was in the film much more than I thought he would be. I think all three leads had that one scene that defined them in the film, Depp's is

Spoiler

breaking down in the car when Billie is arrested

and Marion's is

Spoiler

getting the hell beat out of her in the interrogation

Bale's however was different and maybe even more special than the others because he barely speaks. It's the scene with Depp. There are moments when he so weak looking and filled with pain, yet it still looks like he can reach through the bars and ring Dillinger's neck at any moment, and then we have that smug and accomplished look on his face that I've rarely seen from him and I loved it. There's nothing dull and cold here to me. It's subtlety 100% Some people are acting like this is Keanu Reeves are something. It's ridiculous.

I also loved the look, but then again I'm a fan of digital, especially this kind of digital that is both beautiful to look at but I also think is not sugarcoated. It fits the mood of the piece. Favorite image I think has to be

Spoiler

Purvis walking away from the scene of Dillinger's death. The light was magnificent

I give the movie a 4.5 out of 5 and I hope to see Depp vs Bale again.

 

[Doctor Jones]

And the Batman 3 suggestions starts....

But yeah, both I would love to see together again.

 

[The Chris]

And the Batman 3 suggestions starts....

But yeah, both I would love to see together again.

Even if it's not that. I got very hyped for this film because of those two, so I just hope they make another film no matter what, where they will have more screen time together. My DVD collection is basically filled with their stuff so I think they're both awesome.

 

[Prison Mike]

this movie was awesome. I had a great time in the theaters. The audience seemed to get really into this. Both Depp and Bale did a fantastic job, IMO.