Public Enemies, 2009 - Movie Review

Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, Christian Bale
Running Time: 140 minutes
Score: 9 / 10

Another review for Public Enemies. This one by Pamela Fruendt.

Michael Mann's 'Public Enemies' is a visually stunning, emotionally satisfying and damn near perfect film shot in a crisp documentary style rarely seen today. You are not just watching John Dillinger and friends shoot it out in the 1930's. No, you're the proverbial 'fly on the wall' smack dab in the middle of it and along for the ride. Oh, and what a ride it is! From the shuffling feet and chains in the opening scene to the double hankie gut-wrenching ending ( And I don't mean Dillinger's death. ), 'Public Enemies' is a feast for the eyes and the senses.

Johnny Depp's Dillinger is a man's man full of grit and action and Depp ( 3-time Academy Award Nominee for Best Actor ) dazzles as always. His range of emotions shown throughout the film, particularly those following Billie Frechette's arrest, leaves no doubt as to his acting skill. Depp is the finest actor of his generation.

Marie Cotillard ( Academy Award Winner for 'La Vie en Rose' ) is perfectly cast as Billie Frechette, Dillinger's true love. Her strength and vulnerability and on screen chemistry with Depp is memorable. Cotillard appears in two of the film's most emotional scenes, including one where a chivalrous Melvin Purvis carries her to the bathroom when she can not walk after being brutalized by Chicago investigators. It was a scene I did not expect.

Christian Bale's performance resonates with just the right amount of restraint and 'get the job done' ideology. He is the perfect foil to Billy Crudup's pompous, manipulating J Edgar Hoover. Bale appears in far more of the film then I had expected. His one on one with Dillinger at the Crown Point jail is priceless. Their verbal barbs remind me of two tom cats circling one another looking for signs of weakness.

The supporting cast, generally left to unrecogizable actors in lesser films, is a kalidescope of known faces. Some linger on the screen. Others, you'll have to look for or you'll miss them. British actor Stephen Graham is outstanding as Baby Face Nelson. Never have I seen an actor take such pleasure in killing his fellowman. Those to look for include: Lili Taylor ( Arizona Dream ); Channing Tatum ( Fighting ); Emilie de Ravin ( Lost ); Giovanni Ribisi ( The Dog Problem & The Rum Diary ); and Leelee Sobieski ( 88 Minutes ). And don't forget the fantastic 'Public Enemies' extras - each and every one of them. They are the true fabric of the film.

Finally, are there gaps in the film? Of course. Is everything explained? No. But the audience is the 'fly on the wall' and we see enough. 'Public Enemies' is not your typical spoon-fed summer fare. You're going to have to work a bit with this film. Dare I say concentrate? Look at it this way, the R rating means you don't have to contend with children throwing popcorn and climbing over the seats. Thank you, Michael Mann. Thank you.

Check out my time at the Public Enemies press conference with Michael Mann, Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard.

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Alice in Wonderland - More photos

I know that we have seen photos of them before but here are slightly more detailed pics of the costumes and look for Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland. Above is Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. Below is Mia Wasikowska as Alice (with a white rabbit no less) and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen.
As previously mentioned this is more of a sequel to the original tale - Alice, now 17 years old, as she escapes from a snooty party and follows a white rabbit down a hole, back to Wonderland. The White Rabbit is convinced that he has the right girl, the one who had visited the magical land ten years prior. But Alice doesn’t remember her past visit to Wonderland. The creatures of Wonderland are ready to revolt and are hoping/waiting for Alice to help them, but will she? Can she?
Source: /film

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La Horde - Trailer for Yannick Dahan's zombie vs gangster film

Finally after concept art, cool photos and behind the scenes footage and months of waiting there is now a trailer for the Frence zombie film, La Horde. Has it been worth the wait?

North of Paris. In order to avenge the murder of one of their own by a group of ruthless gangsters, four corrupt cops go on a rampage in a condemned building serving as the mobster’s hideout. Now trapped, the officers are about to be executed when the unimaginable occurs: hordes of bloodthirsty, cannibalistic creatures invade the building, savagely attacking everyone. Unexpected alliances are made when their lives are threatened by the unthinkable.

La Horde

Source: Quiet Earth

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Best concert film ever - Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense

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Corky & The Juice Pigs - I'm The Only Gay Eskimo

I know this is quite old but it does make me laugh. If you've never seen it before enjoy.

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Blood Trail - You have to watch this. Definitely not a kids animated movie

This is a stunning piece of CG animation. It blew me away, but be warned it is very gory and scary so make sure the kids are away from the computer when you watch it.

Creative studio Nathan Love, in collaboration with Perspective Studios, are the people behind this three-minute trailer for Blood Trail.

It is based on writer Matt Cochran’s screenplay and is expected to be developed into a feature film, video game and/or graphic novel. I hope we get a full feature out of it as it had me on the edge of my seat by the end of the trailer. Well worth a watch.

Source: Twitch

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Jessica Biel may be in Thor. Clifton Collins Jr won't.

Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Brian Blessed are cast as Thor, Loki and Odin, but who elso will be in Kenneth Branagh's adaption of the Marvel comic?

Clifton Collins Jr. isn't. He mentioned a while back that he was meeting with the Thor people, but he didn't mention for what role. He told The Dead Bolt this week that he's no longer a part of the project.

"That was a long time ago. I wasn't really getting into it, I was just preparing stuff. It's a fantastic director, a great piece, but I have absolutely nothing to do with it."

Meanwhile Jessica Biel is now being rumored to be playing a female character and love interest to the titular hero in the project according to Nuke the Fridge.

The site's source also says the role is likely to be that of Amora The Enchantress , however it could be theAsgardian warrior Sif. Still no word on what role Natalie Portman or Josh Hartnett may be playing.

Do you want to see Biel in Thor? What character do you think she will be playing?

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Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Posters

Here are the Alice and Mad Hatter posters for Tim Burton's new Alice in Wonderland film. Basically, the photos that were released a week or two ago with some text on, but they do look nice. Thanks to Pam for taking the photos when she spotted them.

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Deadpool will speak to you!

Great news for me and all other Deadpool fans. Ryan Reynolds says Deadpool will break the fourth wall.

“Break the fourth wall? Oh yeah, he’s got to. I want to see him break the Great Wall." Reynolds said while talking to Empire.

“The studio's working on a script and trying to find a director. The main goal is to make sure it stays close to the source material."

What did Reynolds think about the decapitated head at the end of X-Men Origins: Wolverine? “That we won’t speak of."

Sounds to me that Reynolds has got the right mindset for the film. I just hope it doesn't get ripped apart by the studio.

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Inglourious Basterds - UK Quad poster

Quentin Tarantino's new film is out in the UK on 19th August. I can't wait.

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RoboGeisha - all kinds of NSFW awesomness!

Noboru Iguchi's new film RoboGeisha looks as crazy as his others - Tokyo Gore Police and Machine Girl.

Let me know what your favourite bit of the trailer is.

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Red Mist is out today

If you are not up for any giant robo action or Depp and Bale wearing suits, but instead feel the need for a horror fix then brit film Red Mist is out in cinemas today.

Directed by Paddy Breathnach (Shrooms) and staring Arielle Kebbel (The Uninvited), Sarah Carter (Skinwalkers), MyAnna Buring (The Descent), Andrew Lee Potts (Primeval) and Martin Compston.

A group of medical students at Forthaven General Hospital study hard and party harder, until a cruel prank accidentally puts the hospital's creepy caretaker into a deep coma. But when Catherine (Arielle Kebbel) tries to revive the degenerate loner with an experimental drug, she instead sends his brainwaves beserk.

It's not long before Catherine's friends are picked off one-by-one in a spree of grisly kills as the ultimate out-of-body experience ushers in a bloodbath of brutal revenge.

It is also out on DVD/ Blu-Ray on 13th July.

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The Runaways - First look at Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie

Previously we saw Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett for The Runaways film, but now we have some photos of Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie. Both star in the new Twilight film, New Moon. It looks as if they were having a bit of a laugh on this one and Stewart is really working her acting while bending over talents!

What do you think of Dakota's new look?

Source: Just Jared


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Posters - G.I. Joe, Couples Retreat, Five Minutes of Heaven, Precious, Surrogates, The Informant

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Avatar - Our first proper look at the alien Na'Vi

The 3D CG film that will supposedly change the face of cinema is getting closer everyday.

Now this Comic-Con banner gives us our first proper glimpse at the blue skinned alien Na'Vi in James Cameron's Avatar. They are all totally CGIified over a motion captured performer.

What are your thoughts on the image?

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