Supporting performances are always tought ot choose from. On one hand nearly every performance is there to support the story, but you don't want a piece that could conceivably be called the lead, nor do you want to glorify a cameo (I may be about to do that). Of the 5 performances listed below only one is likely to get an Oscar nod, and I've completed ignored last years selection that could have been eligible (Brolin, Hoffman and Shannon), however all these actors have reached out and grabbed me in their own way. Each of them lifted the overall piece and that, surely, is worth celebrating.
1. Christoph Waltz - Inglorious Basterds. As you know I had big problems with the lack of humanity in this film, but strangely it was the least humane character who lights up the screen. Waltz veers from comic to serious poses often in the same sentence, and shows he can act in 4 different languages - no mean feat.
2. Fred Melamed - A Serious Man. Before Melamed enters we get a vague idea of his character from Larry Gopnik and his wife as they consider the forthcoming divorce, but nothing prepares you for his melodious voice and hurt dog tone. Possibly the worst person you'd want to lose your wife to.
3. Stephen Lang - Public Enemies. Lang is barely in Michael Mann's latest exercise in digital film; he's merely an additional agent called in by Christian Bale, but he carries himself, and speaks in such a way that you know he's seen every crime imaginable and he knows how to catch this criminal.
4. Rayniel Rufino - Sugar. The character is there as a foreshadow to our protagonist. He has moved to the states earlier and his career will dramatically change earlier, but with every decision Rufino makes with the part you can understand it and appreciate where's he's heading to.
5. Tom Wilkinson - Duplicity. This is a bit of a guilty pleasure, and I've probably seen better performances that fail to make this list, but Tom's proper bastard CEO relishes the competition he sets himself. He also is involved in a completely barmy bust up with Paul Giamatti so extra points for that.
Monday, 28 December 2009
2009 in Review - Best Supporting Actor
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Public Enemies
2009. Dir: Michael Mann. Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup and Stephen Dorff. ●●●●○
The future is here. Forget about James Cameron, Pixar and the whole 3D gimmick, Michael Mann is ushering in the greatest change to cinema since the creation of widescreen. The future (even when it's the past) is digital. And it's crisp and beautiful.
So, I went to see Mann's latest on Friday, and spent the weekend considering the film and how it affected me. Plotwise there is little I can tell you that you can't find out from Wikipedia. Johnny Depp plays John Dillinger, the folk hero like American bank robber from the 30's, Marion Cotillard the coat-check girl he falls for and Christian Bale the G-Man chasing him down.
But the story, and it's inevitable end, is scarcely the point. Mann excels at showing the relationship between the criminal and the cop, at highlighting the differences and similarities between the two. In Heat we understand the dedication that both sides have to their profession, in Collateral we sympathise for both Tom Cruise's hired killer as well as the dogged cops frantically trying to stop him.
The film certainly doesn't disappoint here, we see how Dillinger and Purvis are both driven and exacting men. They both understand the importance of planning the job in detail, and choosing the right team. However we don't get under their skin in the way we have with Mann's back catalogue. The feds are essetially ciphers with no back story or emotions. Dillinger fares better with some interesting insights into his brushes with fame, and the moral exactitude he brings with him to his work; as opposed to the ambitious mafia and pshychopathic mobsters he mixes with. Depp works fine with what he has, the trademark half smile he carries giving the audience a taster of the depth of character, but it's only a start to understanding the man.
Instead it's up to Marion Cotillard (as Billie Frechette) to carry the acting honours. She beautifully conveys how out of depth she is with the world of gangsters and the variations in her attitude are perfect. Another stand out is Stephen Lang, as one of the seasoned Southern agents Purvis calls up. He manages to convey more depth with a look and a way of standing than Bale does throughout the film. I look forward to seeing more of him soon (he's in Avatar).
The screenplay is better with the action scenes. The robberies themselves may seem rushed and interchangeable, although I expect that's deliberate, but the Prison break at the beginning and the woodland shoot out are incredibly tense, and fully draw you into the action.
Kudos to Mann's direction for making these scenes really work.
Congratualtions are also due to the sound mixers, the gunfights sounded exceptionally real and dangerous (and the crowd scenes so alive with rhubarbing) that I was hooked to every pindrop. I'm ashamed to say I completely forgot Elliott Goldenthal was scoring, so I don't expect it's one of his greatest efforts.
I started the review talking about the digital cinematography, and this for me is the highlight of the film. Mann has proved that hand-held camera techniques and up close digital filming can work in a period setting, and can be gorgeous. Every shot seems to be perfectly fit, every angle worked out. With digital film it feels different to the viewer, more immediate, more real. I love that.
Overall this is an incredibly film to watch and listen to. It's just a real shame I didn't feel more about the characters.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Out this Week (03/07/09)
Not even a competition for this weeks top film with the closest other entry getting less than half the blobs of the leader. That leader, unsurprisingly, is Michael Mann's latest foray into crime: Public Enemies.
Embodiment of Evil
It's been 41 years since the last episode in this sadistic gravedigger series, however there's been no reimagining, simply a long prison sentence with the same actor-director taking the lead. Follow Ze as he cuts up the poor and dispossed of Sao Paulo!
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
OK, it's not art, and it won't have the complex storytelling techniques of the Pixar animations, but I do have a soft spot for the Ice Age films. The trailer promises more of the same buddy picture jokes, with some highly suspect evolution jumping hook. Expect everything Scrat does to be hilarious.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Kambakkt Ishq
The producers have worked a lot to promote this Akshay Kumar starring romance, with onset blogs and tie in (free) computer games. With it's Hollywood locations as well, this could be the best way to give Bollywood a taster.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Public Enemies
Or at least it would if I wasn't going to see this. Johnny Depp and Christian Bale face off in the taut action thriller from Micheal Mann, about the hero bank robbers from the 1930's and the creation of the FBI to thwart them. Their time was short and exciting. Can't wait to see how it's turned out.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
S. Darko
Most pointless sequel of the year award (possibly) goes to Donnie's sister, who manages to get caught in a wormhole similar to that of her depressed older brother. Expect all the angst and resonance to be sucked out of this, leaving just a hollow core with a twisty non-sensical plot. Even Frank couldn't be persuaded to return.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Johnny Depp
Happy Birthday to
Johnny Depp
46 today
I've been dreading this morning for the last month or so, not because I'm a Deppophile - I quite like the guy - but because his slate is so full of films I want to see this might be the longest birthday celebration/advert for forthcoming pics I've done.
First up is Public Enemies, which I showed you the trailer for last Tuesday. Then later this year we'll see Depp channelling Heath Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. In 2010 he'll grace the screens only once, for old pal Tim Burton, as the Mad Hatter in the Alice in Wonderland live action pic. In 2011 we'll him voice a dog in the animated Rango, so there's another box office topper (animated dogs virtually guarantees it). He's also potentially back in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote when Terry Gilliam resurrects that project. Finally (and we're really talking the long game here) Depp will be Tonto to the yet to be cast Lone Ranger.
All in all that's a really impressive slate of films, I'm sure you'll agree.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Tuesday Trailers - Public Enemies
Now that May is over we can start to show trailers for July, and that's a good thing as there are many films I want to see. Right at the top is Michael Mann's depression pic Public Enemies. Just watch this trailer and tell me you're not fascinated by the grace of the camera, the gorgeous sets (I love 1930's banks) or the Goldenthal score.
Public Enemies comes out on 3 July 2009.
Monday, 12 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Public Enemies
Gangsters are intensely cinematic. Gangsters from the 30's more so than anyone else. Indeed Hollywood's relationship with the 30's gangster is a fascinating account of how tastes and values have changed over the years from Scarface to Some Like it Hot to The Untouchables. Public Enemies is therefore picking up that baton and running with it into the 21st century.
The film appears to be a depression era retelling of Michael Mann's previous hit Heat, in that it will show the point of view of both the FEDs, led by Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) and the notorious, most wanted trio of John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Pretty Boy Floyd (Channing Tatum).
We know that Mann can deliver on the action front; watch any of his crime related output to see superb examples of gunfights. He is also able to bring out incredibly subversive performances from his actors - especially from those actors taking on the criminal roles.
Johnny Depp robs a bank; with a tommy gun - love it.
The depth of the quality cast is also interesting. The four actors already mentioned will be supported by Bill Crudup, Giovanni Ribisi, Marion Cotillard, Stephen Dorff.
The craft angle is also likely to be fantastic. Elliott Goldenthal (The Good Thief, Frida, Interview with a Vampire) is composing the score and is already being tipped as one of the top scores to look out for in 2009. Mann has called his regular DP (prior to going all hand held digital on us) Dante Spinotti (L.A. Confidential, The Insider) and Colleen Atwood is costuming (Chicago, Sweeney Todd).
Overall I can think of very few reasons why this film wouldn't be in 2009s must sees.
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Catching up - Birthdays
Here are the birthdays I have missed:
Name Age Birthday Coming Soon (if I have an interest in seeing it)
Bill Murray 58 21 September
Mickey Rooney 88 23 September
Will Smith 40 25 September Seven Pounds
Gwynneth Paltrow 36 27 September
Mira Sorino 41 28 September
Marion Cotillard 33 30 September Public Enemies, Nine
Julie Andrews 73 01 October
Clive Owen 44 03 October Duplicity, Boys are Back in Town
Susan Sarandon 62 04 October Lovely Bones
Kate Winslet 33 05 October Revolutionary Road, Reader
Mary Badham 56 07 October
Sigourney Weaver 59 08 October Avatar
Melinda Dillon 69 13 October
Angela Lansbury 83 16 October
John Lithgow 63 19 October
Viggo Mortensen 50 20 October Appaloosa, The Road
Joan Fontaine 91 22 October
Kevin Kline 61 24 October
Bob Hoskins 66 26 October Christmas Carol
Peter Firth 55 27 October
Jane Alexander 69 28 October
Richard Dreyfuss 61 29 October W.
And a picture for Richard as it's his birthday today:
