Michael Mann

Michael Mann's TV History Interview

2012-01-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

Michael Mann spoke to @kentucker about his history in TV, with particularly interesting backgrounds to shows such as the Jericho Mile. Good interview.

http://watching-tv.ew.com/2012/01/21/michael-mann-interview-luck-hbo/

Return to the Scene of the Crime - Heat Bonus Feature

2012-01-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

I came across this YouTube footage that is on the Heat DVD as a bonus feature. Ten years after the film was made cameras follow the original location scouts for Heat as they provide a guided tour of some of the key shooting locations for Heat around LA. One of the most interesting is where they discuss the final airport scene and Mann's inch by inch detail in planning the final shoot out. For those who haven't seen this bonus feature you will enjoy it.

Reports from HBO Luck Q&A session

2012-01-13T16:01:00.000-08:00

An article today from the Hollywood reporter decided to take a negative angle on a press presentation of HBO's Luck, having been given access for a Q&A with Michael Mann, David Milch, Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. The report said the event had "exceptionally awkward and amusing moments." The PR team for HBO were apparently not on the ball as according to the report they organised Mann and Milch's seats at opposite ends to each other, to the notice of some entertainment writers looking for media fodder, following previous news of discontent between the two men. The creative giants of screen sat up front were perhaps thinking that the event was about the exciting launch of some superb new entertainment, but some writers saw their main news story of what happened behind the scenes.

Nick Nolte was reported to have given quirky personal opinions on 3D TV warning of its negative health effects. I don't entirely disagree. It wouldn't surprise me that if 3D catches on more than it already has, that health reports will undermine any technological advancements in this area. I saw Puss in Boots (with my kids!) in 3D and I had a headache and felt sick the rest of the day! I enjoy the sense of depth and involvement of 3D, but Nolte is right. It isn't a natural function of our eye. My opinion is that holographic cinema in about 50 years will be the replacement media of the future. 2D is not going to disappear yet. But 3D? I applaud the efforts to introduce a new experience for the viewer, but think it falls into the laps of TV makers wanting new features to lure customers into buying replacement TV sets, hence their hype of the technology. TV makers should make less of 3D (if they want to avoid litigation for screwing up the eyes of our children!), and realise that the true potential of TV is in the Smart TV revolution - turning our iPhone into a giant screen and hooked to the internet for movie streaming and social interaction. To this end TV makers have been distinctly lazy and without vision. Apple are forcing the agenda with their rumoured iTV set to launch this year. Finally, the best screen estate in our homes gets intelligent.

I digress. Rather than read my twaddle, see the most recent articles about Luck on these links below:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tca-luck-nick-nolte-dustin-hoffman-david-milch-michael-mann-281559

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/13/idUS53236655420120113

You can also access the full HBO airing schedule for Luck in the US:

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 29 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: Jan. 29 (10:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 30 (9:00 p.m.) and 31 (11:00 p.m.), and Feb. 1 (10:00 p.m.), 4 (12:45 a.m. ET/9:45 p.m. PT), 7 (10:00 p.m.), 8 (9:00 p.m.) and 11 (10:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Jan. 30 (8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.) and Feb. 2 (midnight), 3 (9:00 p.m.), 5 (2:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.) and 16 (8:00 p.m.)

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/13/luck-debuts-sunday-january-29-on-hbo/116418/

The Study of Mann Interview

2012-01-09T16:14:00.000-08:00

Michael Mann has returned to the interview table for the Directors Guild of America with F.X Feeney, who originally interviewed Mann for his wonderful published book "Michael Mann" published by Taschen (which I own). Mann obviously seems very comfortable talking to Feeney, because Mann's replies to often short questions are some of his most revealing to date. It is for this reason that this interview is a must read, with a wealth of new revelations about Mann's methodology in film and his relationship with the actors and crew he works with.

We have been left very short of Michael Mann information of late, and this occasional Michael Mann blogger has been left dry of "Mann Water" for a long time. It is therefore a tease when he gives more uncertain clues as to what his next major movie project will be. I wonder if the conversation he has with F.X Feeney next week will be made public? Read the end of the interview to see what I am talking about!

Full interview here

In the meantime, I have now bought a new plasma, a Panasonic G30 42" (THX calibration option) in readiness for Luck.

Luck Pilot on VideoWeed

2011-12-13T16:57:00.000-08:00

In my frustration in not being able to see Luck I found an alternative over at VideoWeed. Seems very naughty of the site and you have to endure interrupting adverts periodically. The quality is also poor, but good enough to watch full screen on a 15" laptop at a distance - just. If you are desperate for a glimpse of Luck, then try this:

http://www.videoweed.es/file/060c4b30ed585

If they haven't paid for it, then I am sure HBO will be closing it down fairly quickly.

I will post a review of Luck shortly (late now here in UK and all this late night blogging and tweeting is not good for the work that pays for my bread!). I would love to write it now, because Luck met all my expectations. I really loved it. I just connect with almost anything Mann does, and he brings the best out of the entire production. Superb dialogue by Milch, and extremely skilled changes of pace throughout. Very much reminded me of the construction of The Insider... lots of multiple conversations all interrelated and fascinating. I am deeply frustrated with the tepid, lazy reviews I have seen of the first pilot of Luck. It deserves much higher praise and examination. I found it stunning, from the quality of acting to the cinematography to the music. All the talk of poor audio seems nonsense to me - I found it perfectly legible. More on Luck later!

It does a disservice to the effort gone into the quality of Luck to watch it on VideoWeed, so if you can wait, I would... but I couldn't! Can't wait to see it properly next February, on Sky Atlantic in the UK.

Luck Season 1: An Invitation to the Set

2011-12-12T16:05:00.000-08:00

For UK fans looking forward to Michael Mann's HBO Luck, here is a longer behind the scenes video featuring all the cast of Luck! I think it brilliantly sums up Luck and, also what I think... that to get the most out of this series, you just have to keep watching and gradually become immersed in the lives of those characters in it. I like the quote from Tom Payne, who say's: "everyone's luck is based on everyone elses luck." I am expecting an intricate storyline that will fascinate us. Thank you David Milch.

HBO Luck Pilot Reviews

2011-12-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

Being stuck in the UK, it is frustrating to be missing the HBO Luck 'sneak peek' party. But for your convenience I have pulled out some of the latest online reviews of the pilot that reveal mixed feelings, that are largely reflected in the twitter universe. From all the reactions, there seems to be largely cautious anticipation for the rest of the series, having been impressed by cast and "look", but confused by the 'in at the deep end' dialogue and naturalistic sound mixing (which is now common in a Mann production - Miami Vice had similar dialogue sound criticisms).

The overall consensus, I sense, is that there wasn't enough in the pilot to see where it is going (short Hoffman screen time), but there was more than enough to generate the want to see more and see what Milch is going to give us. As with any worthwhile, absorbing and character driven storylines, it has to slow burn before the viewer can 'feel' the inside of what is happening.

I get the impression that Michael Mann receives praise across the board for clear leadership and direction in the overall colour pallet, look and style - so can't wait to see it!

I will cut to the chase. Here is a selection of media reviews for you to consume:

Vogue

http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/and-theyre-off-a-sneak-preview-of-luck/

LA TImes

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-hbo-luck-20111212,0,339190.story

NYMag

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/12/handy-guide-to-understanding-hbos-luck.html

Flavorwire

http://flavorwire.com/240474/the-problem-with-hbos-luck

Wall Street Journal
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/12/12/luck-season-1-pilot-preview-tv-recap/

Owning Racehorses

http://grevelisracing.blogspot.com/2011/12/luck-sneak-peak-disappoints.html

What a culture

http://whatculture.com/tv/tv-review-hbos-luck-pilot.php

Entertainment Weekly

http://watching-tv.ew.com/2011/12/11/luck-hbo-dustin-hoffman-smichael-mann-david-milch/

Hit Fix

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/and-theyre-off-early-thoughts-on-hbos-luck

ScreenRant

http://screenrant.com/luck-series-premiere-review-yman-143180/

PaulLickReport (Various public comments)

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/reviewer-luck-a-beautiful-hour-of-television/

Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/dec/12/luck-pilot-episode-hbo?newsfeed=true

AOL TV

http://www.aoltv.com/2011/12/12/luck-dustin-hoffman-thoughts-on-david-milch-hbo-drama/

Daily Racing Form

http://www.drf.com/news/review-hbos-luck-gets-down-and-dirty-track

Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/12/luck-dustin-hoffman-tv-series_n_1142608.html

Slate

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2011/12/hbo_s_luck_with_dustin_hoffman_and_nick_nolte.html

Tonight's HBO Luck Sneak Peek

2011-12-11T15:59:00.001-08:00

Finally, the world gets to see a better glimpse as to how big Michael Mann/Milch's cinematic "Luck" is going to be with a sneak peek preview of the show at 10.00pm on HBO in the US tonight (after Boardwalk Empire finale).

Since I am based in the UK I am missing the whole party! But I received tweets from Tom Payne and the awesome John Otiz, which cheered me up! The buzz is finally getting louder, and I am hearing that Nick Nolte could even pull the heartstrings as the horse lover. Let's face it... the cast of Luck is just breathtaking. All the trailers that HBO are releasing are trying their hardest to reveal them all adequately. I am losing count of how many iterations there are, but the below is one of the recent ones.

Check out the HBO tweets!

I am off to bed... I look forward to hearing what all you lucky Americans think of "Luck". If you are reading this, please leave a comment. I want to hear all about it!

The HBO December Luck Train is Coming Very Soon

2011-12-07T13:57:00.001-08:00

It is all "Luck" at the moment, as preparations hot up for the greatly anticipated Premier episode taster due on Dec. 11, at 10:00 p.m., following the season 2 finale of Boardwalk Empire. Being a UK resident, I won't be seeing it (Doesn't come to us Brits until February). Now, if I was an entertainment magazine staff writer I may well be receiving the full nine-episode season to review, according to Stuart Levine at Variety. Click here for all the details. We will shortly be reading a lot of exclusives and seeing newly released promotional images in all those glossies.

The official series debut Sunday, Jan 29 with the remainder of the 9-episode season debuting on subsequent Sundays.

I am hearing rumblings that John Ortiz is superb in it. I loved his convincing role in Miami Vice, and he maximised his quirky role in Public Enemies too. I predict some serious awards will be coming Luck's way, and it would be fitting for John Ortiz to finally get wider recognition. Of course, Dustin Hoffman will receive the most attention, and all in all, I think Luck will become the pinnacle of modern day TV achievement. Quite a statement. Hope I am right. But being in the UK, I won't know until February, when it first airs on this side of the Atlantic.

I guess all the exclusives appearing out there will drown out this blog. I will bow out gracefully. With Luck to now enjoy, we can also be sure Michael Mann will not have had his feet up. Let's see what else pops up on his horizon... remember all that talk about Agincourt, Robert Capa and so on?

HBO Sky Atlantic Luck Debut in the UK

2011-12-01T11:52:00.001-08:00

Sky television's 'Sky Atlantic' Facebook page has a comment left by one of their people stating that HBO's Luck will not be airing on Sky Atlantic until February. They write, "we will be airing in soon after the US, in February next year" (2012). Given the debut for the US HBO Channel is Sunday, January 29th, February is indeed 'soon' after, but how soon is still unclear. It means I won't be able to blog immediately after each episode. I am sure you will survive...

There is no indication that the UK will have a special preview of the series either, as there is in the US in December. I could say we are "out of Luck" in the UK, but I think the "Luck" jokes will soon be wearing thin!

Public Enemies Michael Mann and Actor Interviews

2011-12-01T07:55:00.001-08:00

Michael Mann Public Enemies Interview

If Public Enemies was your favourite Michael Mann film, then here are some additional interviews that may be of interest. There is a brief Johnny Depp interview where he reveals one of his genuine talents (as if he doesn't have enough already) is with aiming a gun, having grown up with them during his childhood. Christian Bale offers a full interview too. Unfortunately there are no embed sharing options for the videos, so I include the links below:

Michael Mann Interview: Public Enemies

http://www.3news.co.nz/Full-Public-Enemies-interview-with-Michael-Mann/tabid/337/articleID/112498/Default.aspx

Depp & Bale Talk Guns: Public Enemies

http://www.3news.co.nz/Depp-and-Bale-talk-guns-and-their-latest-film-Public-Enemies/tabid/337/articleID/114706/Default.aspx

Christian Bale Full Interview: Public Enemies

http://www.3news.co.nz/Full-Public-Enemies-interview-with-Christian-Bale/tabid/337/articleID/114646/Default.aspx

Marion Cotillard Full Interview: Public Enemies

http://www.3news.co.nz/Full-Public-Enemies-interview-with-Marion-Cotillard/tabid/337/articleID/114649/Default.aspx

Latest "Quiet" HBO Luck Trailer

2011-11-30T15:51:00.000-08:00

Yet another edited version of the HBO Luck trailer. Luscious cinematography. Lots of energy.

Ali "running" shot

2011-11-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

With scant new news on Michael Mann's endeavours (wimper), I came across this fascinating website that uses one of my favourite tunes of the moment: Arcade Fires "We Used to Wait". A website has been set up that has a fascinating use of HTML 5... it is full of brilliant surprises for the visually / musically / artfully minded! Be sure to put in your place of birth or it won't work. What is additionally great, is the superbly stunning opening film. It reminded me immediately of Michael Mann's Ali "running" sequence. A direct influence, possibly! But it looks stunning. So what the heck, I share it here.

http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/

What do you think?

Michael Mann HBO Luck New Updated Trailer

2011-11-16T23:55:00.000-08:00

A new trailer for HBO Luck this November. This one contains the much waited for compilation with extra dialogue, which gives us a better foretaste of what is to come. It doesn't disappoint and the extra visuals serve to only excite my anticipation. It looks beautiful, dynamic, intelligent and emotive. What more do we need? Sunday 29th January the official series premier date of HBO Luck.

Michael Mann blog changing domain name

2011-11-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

In an effort to make this blog more visible to Michael Mann fans I will be changing the domain of this site from www.michael-mann.blogspot.com to simply www.michael-mann.net (best domain I could get).

If you have an RSS feed to this site, you might need to change it once the new URL goes live. I am not totally sure what the consequences are, but this is a heads up. I may lose google rankings, so for a while perhaps, this site may not be featured as prominently as it was.

Whilst talking "blogging", may I just convey my thanks for stopping by my site. There is a deceptively large amount of information here, perhaps more than anywhere else, on the subject of Michael Mann. I welcome any recommendations on how to improve this site more in terms of presentation, technical set up, and mention if you want to see anything else covered. I am aware of a shortfall on info on Thief, Manhunter and Ali especially.

Regular visitors will know about the social network site I set up, which I haven't really had time to properly input content into. The good part is that there is nothing stopping you guys populating it with information for the good of all.

If you are on Google, then do please express your support of this site by "following" it. There must be more than 15 Michael Mann fans out there who use Google!!!! I look at the Michael Mann facebook page and admire the level of interest there. I think people genuinely think he is Michael Mann. Guys... it isn't.

Thanks for your interest, and three cheers for Michael Mann ;-). Looking forward to Luck.

The new domain will go live over the next 7-10 days.

www.michael-mann.net

HBO Luck to Premier December

2011-11-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

Great news and a pre-Christmas treat! HBO will be premiering Michael Mann's HBO Luck December 11 at 10.00pm ET/PT on HBO. This brings the show forward for airing by a month, as it was originally scheduled for release in January 2012. However, we will have to wait until January to see subsequent shows. HBO posted the following on Twitter:

"Note that #LUCK makes its official series debut Sunday, Jan 29 with the remainder of the 9-episode season debuting on subsequent Sundays."

Gosh, I need to hurry and get my Sky subscription sorted! From what I know, you can't get HBO Atlantic channel on Virgin Media.

Brian Cox talks about the enduring nature of Michael Mann's Manhunter

2011-10-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the release of Michael Mann's Manhunter on BluRay, there have been numerous articles written on this highly regarded cult classic. What appealed to me about this article is that it is a very recent interview with Brian Cox who played Lector, providing additional insight for those either new or familiar with the film. He comments about the music that back then had an 80's sound that now dates the film, which could have been avoided. In a sense I think he is right, but on another level, I actually think the music still works if creating the correct mindset and context to receive it. It is powerful stuff. Overall, Cox is very positive about the film.

Here is a quote from the article that reveals something unique about Mann's approach in Manhunter:

I think it’s interesting, though, that Mann trimmed out some of the more excessive parts of the novel, and made a much more simmering film.

He wanted to imply more, and I think he succeeded in implying evil rather than showing it. I think the opening sequence, when we go through the house while the killing’s taking place – he did it. All the videos of the families. You know their fates, but he doesn’t dwell on any of it.

It’s way, way ahead of its time. I mean, CSI and all those programmes have all virtually ripped that off, in an amazing, successful way. The chemical aspect of criminality. That whole scientific thing.

Michael [Mann] was all about the unsaid rather than the said, and [William Petersen], who every time I see the film, I think his performance gets better and better, because it’s so wrought and tight.

The full article can be read here: http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/1075052/brian_cox_interview_manhunter_hannibal_the_cannibal_adaptation_michael_mann_and_brett_ratner.html

See a video analysis here:

Michael Mann and David Milch still in Luck? And HBO "Luck" forum online.

2011-10-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Rumours are that the tensions between Michael Mann and David Milch have maybe caused Milch to look for work elsewhere. I hope that isn't the case, because I think the two men, despite the creative difficulties in sharing a vision, have the capacity to change how we view TV, again. Just like Mann did with Miami Vice. Read this recent article to get the full scoop.

While I am posting, can I also direct you to the HBO "Luck" forum, which features all the latest news and information surrounding Luck. It is quiet there at the moment, but no doubt will explode into frenzied action once people realise how special this series is going to be. It will be huge.

http://www.hbo.com/luck/index.html#/luck/index.html

Tom Payne as Leon "Bug Boy" Micheaux in Michael Mann's Luck

2011-10-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

One of the extraordinary leaps into the now fashionable "Hollywood TV" has been made in quiet, yet blockbusting style, by British actor Tom Payne. Payne is playing the character Leon "Bug Boy" Micheaux in Michael Mann's forthcoming "Luck" coming to our screens in January. I first came across Tom Payne on TV playing a handsome, popular and self confident high school student, Brett Aspinall, in the UK TV series Waterloo Road (2007-08). He is instantly likable, in the way that you wish he wasn't, because like Justin Timberlake, he is brilliantly talented, has the looks, and can put the two together. Men hate that. I recall seeing him on screen for the first time and the immediate impression was he would be a star of the future. I wasn't alone thinking this. He was named as one of Screen International magazine's stars of tomorrow 2007.

Payne oozes screen presence, and has the confidence in his acting to take you on his journey in character. It is in Payne's ability to bring you into his interior world that sets him apart and enabled him to impress one of the most discerning character actor directors in the world: Michael Mann. Mann has worked with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, James Caan, William Petersen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina.... the list is long, illustrious and still not finished. More recently, Mann is adding Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte and the new kid on the block: Tom Payne. Except Payne is no kid. When playing Brett in Waterloo Road his real life age was 24, but his character was a 17 year old. It is perhaps his mature, yet youthful appearance that lends strength and certain niche to Payne's offering as an actor. In Luck, he plays the horse jockey Leon and at 5'7" in height he can pull it off. The average height of a horse jockey is said to be 5'6". It is clear that Payne has the specific ingredients Mann was looking for in this anticipated role within Luck.

With Michael Mann's illustrious history of casting, the challenge is certainly on for Payne to impress as he steps onto set with Hoffman and Nolte. We only have a glimpse of Payne playing Leon in the current two versions of the Luck trailers currently released by HBO. We see him walking past the stands looking uncertain (in character) in the first trailer, and then in the second trailer we see him in the gates on horseback about to race. Both clips are enough to see, in my opinion, he has found character. Payne will have discovered Mann's passion for realism and detail, and this would be to Payne's liking, having himself wanted to add detail for his role as football legend George Best - which required more chest hair! Horse racing is a huge learning curve, and Mann's boot camp for learning skill sets required for roles is well known. Future interviews will no doubt reveal the extent of Payne's race training.

Payne didn't just jump from Waterloo Road to Luck. He appeared in a number of other TV movies and appearances. Yet intriguingly, none of these gave him the exposure that Waterloo Road provided him. Waterloo Road, whilst mainstream BBC drama, was high quality and creative. Musical montage sequences gave emotional, indepth edge to it, a style that has since been copied by other TV series. It was quality acting, excellent dialogue and fun. It is not obvious to understand how Payne landed the part in Luck, despite acknowledging his obvious talent. We don't know what golden stepping stone took him there. But what we do know is that he will be a great success. I liked him in Waterloo, and as predicted back then, the world will hear a lot more of Tom Payne, the quiet and serious actor who realizes character is more important than seeking celebrity.

Payne's passion for character acting is found in his other project, a movie which he has recently been filming in Israel: Inheritance. The sensitive tale of an Englishman having a contended love affair with a Palestinian girl.

So watch out for Tom Payne. His fame has been relatively low key. As of next January I reckon he is about to set your screens alight and become wildly famous, meaning we are sure to see him on our screens for a long time to come.

WATERLOO ROAD

GEORGE BEST

George Best interview: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a153442/tom-payne-best-his-mothers-son.html

Manhunter Essay and other miscellaneous links.

2011-10-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a simple web link to a short essay on Manhunter, in anticipation of its release on Blu-Ray:

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/1063366/why_you_should_watch_michael_manns_manhunter.html

A list of links from another blog offering a host of reviews from all of Michael Mann's movies:

http://largeassmovieblogs.blogspot.com/2011/09/lambs-in-directors-chair-20.html

Miami Vice TV and Movie locations

2011-10-02T14:46:00.001-07:00

Michael Mann's 2006 film Miami Vice was full of stunning locations and cinematography. For those fascinated by location, here is a fantastic site with CIA like level investigations as to where all the Miami Vice locations are at.... whoever did this web page should be working for the NSA!

http://www.sffl.comcastbiz.net/page13.html

Thanks to Rick who tipped me off on this link from my other site over at www.michaelmann.ning.com

If you haven't noticed, I am now on Twitter @michaelmannblog
See feed on left.

Updated HBO Luck Michael Mann/Milch Teaser Trailer

2011-09-30T02:26:00.000-07:00

I am truly excited to share with you the latest release of the Michael Mann / Milch HBO teaser trailer for "Luck". The first trailer was thrilling, and this short edit increases the adrenaline to spine tingling proportions! It raised the level of expectation, displaying more stunning cinematography, more sophisticated dialogue and more sublime acting... the stage is set. Roll on January when it is set to come to our screens!

The trailer is self-explanatory, but we see Hoffman's character Chester Bernstein in prison, and he looks convincing. And we catch a better glimpse of Crime Story's Dennis Farina playing Gus Economou, which on the face of it looks perfect casting for a world set in the murkiness of corrupt business.

Is that the UK's Tom Payne in the green horse jockey jersey playing the character of Leon Micheaux? Not sure, but he is a bright young star for the future, and I will be posting a feature on him soon.

Enjoy!

Texas Killing Fields: Ami Canaan Mann Directing, with Michael Mann Producing.

2011-08-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

This has been building for a while. Ami Canaan Mann, daughter of Michael Mann, has directed what looks to be an excellent movie: Texas Killing Fields. The trailer is packed with dialogue, thick with action and has many of the hallmarks of her father's signature style. It looks to have everything we love about her father's films. I have no doubt whatsoever that Ami will be wanting to put her own personal stamp on this and not be known as simply Michael Mann's daughter. What I noticed in the trailer was this powerfully visualized little girl. It's a clue (to me at least) that she is pivotal in this movie. This is definitely an Ami story, not a Michael Mann one. It will be great to see her use her father's craft to create a different type of story. The trailer looks very impressive, beautifully shot and offers much. I want to see this movie! We now have two Mann's to cheer. I very much look forward to its release.

Read more here

Michael Mann goes fishing with Buddy Vanderhoop.

2011-08-21T03:54:00.000-07:00

Mann (left) fishing with fishing legend Buddy Vanderhoop

If you want to know what Michael mann is doing this August 2011, he is as I am... on holiday. But while I am taking my kids to the beach, Mann is doing some serious sea fishing. An earlier post mentions his first trip with master fisherman Buddy Vanderhoop, joined by John Belushi. This time he seems alone, with none other than President Obama possibly taking over his rod later in the week! Buddy's reputation obviously goes a long distance ahead of him!

Here is the link to the article.

Video Essay: Justice, Vengeance, and Empty Retribution in Public Enemies

2011-08-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

A tweeter posted this link, so I thought I would share it. It is worth watching, as it does in a very brief way, evoke something of what Public Enemies essentially communicates to its audience. It is, I think, a valuable message worth watching, appropriately conveying the emptiness of public retribution...

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/reeligion/2011/08/video-essay-justice-vengeance-and-empty-retribution-in-public-enemies/