I left one movie off my previous post from 2007, which was my Part One list of Twelve Movies From The Last Five Years That I Wanted To Like But Didn’t.  Remaining are the movies from 2008 and 2009 that made (or didn’t make, if you look at it that way) the cut.

2007 continued

American Gangster

Common = Gangster in RIdley Scott's American Gangster.

This movie was built up to be pretty big in the minds of those that love a gangster film.  You have Denzel, Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott directing, a Jay-Z-laden soundtrack, and comparisons to the classic film Scarface, then…ehhh.  The movie was just okay. It wasn’t along the same lines of the Pacino/DePalma classic, it didn’t really move me, nothing about it was very memorable, even though it was a solid film.  It was just another movie and that was disappointing. I still haven’t seen it since.

2008 – Be Kind, Rewind & Blindness

Be Kind, Rewind

Be Kind featured Mos Def and Jack Black, an odd and intriguing pairing, mixed with the directing talents of Michel Gondry, and the result was one of the weakest movies of the year.  Mos was almost impossible to watch (to listen to him), the lo-fi film recreation storyline should have been a lot more fun, and it really amounted to a schlocky, underwhelming piece, that made me further question the talents of those involved, and have highly soured me on Gondry as a director. He has to earn back the good will that he built with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and I don’t know that he is up to the task.

Blindness

This turned out to be the biggest rip-off ending in a film that I have seen in years.  With Fernando Meirelles helming one of my favorite films of the past decade and a high-ranking personal favorite of all-time in the amazing City of God, this was an opportunity to see him take the next huge step as a director and reap the rewards that fans of City of God wanted for him. (Fernando, feel free to mix in a Lil’ Dice cameo).  Instead, he didn’t take advantage.  The movie kept your attention (though not easily) for the duration and then yanked the rug out from beneath your feet in a horrendous ending.  I don’t know that I will ever forgive him.  BTW, Fernando, call me – because in truth I don’t remember the ending, I just know I absolutely hated it.

2009 – Bronson, Watchmen, The Hangover & Public Enemies

Bronson

Tom Hardy was Bronson, pre-Inception.

Nicolas Winding Refn’s film built up as A Clockwork Orange type of film, but was nothing more than a weird, sordid tale about a guy, told in an odd, and rather uninspiring way.  I was very high for the film before I saw it only to be incredibly let down. It was actually hard to make it through. I know it was based on a true story, but it didn’t redeem it at all for me. I hoped for a lot more.

Watchmen

This was a film that had a great trailer. Normally I wouldn’t have had much interest in a film like this, but it was built up to be perhaps one of the biggest movies ever, and landed with a rather resounding thud.  This wasn’t a horrible work, but if you counter it with a movie like The Dark Knight which more than matched the hype, it only exaggerated the difference of what this film might have been.  I think Zack Snyder may be able to become an interesting director, but he also might be the next Michael Bay. At this point, the meter is swinging in the “Bay” direction. Not good.

The Hangover

I don’t like comedies. Rarely, do they ever live up to my expectations, which are, I don’t know, how do I say this, to….laugh during the movie.  Is that too much to ask?  Absolutely. I chuckled two to three times during the film.  That does not a good movie make, nor is it worthy of being the biggest comedy of all-time.  This movie exemplifies how different the tastes of mainstream America and mine are.  I envy you, mainstream audiences.  To derive enjoyment from such average work must be nice. I wish I was as easily entertained, but alas, I am not. I’d rather be hung over, than watch The Hangover.  It was not believable, nor very fun.

Public Enemies

I have to include this movie on the list, because we did a dedication week to Michael Mann here on The Film Nest, and I (essentially) had breakfast with the man a few months ago. I was hoping for another movie along the lines of his previous actioners such as Heat and Collateral.  This did not match that.  I don’t think that this is a bad movie by any means, it just wasn’t great, and I thought it had the potential to be that.

Casting Johnny Depp (a feminine man in a masculine role) was the starting point of this heading down the wrong path.  The action was ordinary and you didn’t care enough about the characters to engage in the story.  It was a movie you simply watched but didn’t interact with. For that, it makes the disappointing list.  And Michael, next time we are at breakfast, easy with the staring at me brother, I’m just trying to eat and mind my own business.  Don’t use me for your script inspiration – unless of course, you really, really needed it.

I hope all movies I see are entertaining, but the odds are stacked wildly against me.  In the next five years, if I lower my expectations, perhaps there won’t be a need to compile such a list. I’m counting on you Hollywood, to bail me out.  If not, my pen (or keyboard in this case) is ready. Good luck.

Written and compiled by The Film Nest guest contributor “FightinIrish” (peep him in the Comments section)

Did Christmas already come and go? No holiday titles this week and almost no titles at all. Small week for new BD releases, however, we are given the new Michael Mann and the new Harry Potter. Perhaps all other studios felt threatened by the Blu-ray box office potential of Harry Potter. WB even threw two reissues of the first two films in the series. There’s a hidden gem in this slate, starring Robin Williams, you’d be happy to seek out.

Please know anything you buy through use of the attached links goes toward supporting us at The Film Nest. Thanks in advance.

Public Enemies

Michael Mann’s latest.  I missed this in theaters but the use of digital cameras, gives the film a look that I don’t think goes with the setting and mood of the film.  If you’re making a period piece, a gritty gangster-type film, give me traditional film stock with film grain.  The digital cameras, especially the way Mann’s used them, looks too out of the place, almost like cell phone video or something. The aspect seems off, the gun fights look like behind-the-scenes documentary pieces. It doesn’t have that “finished touch” look that one comes to expect.  With Collateral and Miami Vice, this was easy to look past, but with this film, it just doesn’t feel right. Now what do we think of the film itself, here’s the review to remind you.

Supplements: Larger than Life: Adversaries, Michael Mann: Making Public Enemies, Last of the Legendary Outlaws, On Dillinger’s Trail: The Real Locations, Criminal Technology, Feature Commentary with Director Michael Mann, U Control – Interactive Timeline, U Control – Picture in Picture, Gangster Movie Challenge, My Chat, My Movie Commentary, My Scenes Sharing, IPhone APP, BD-Live

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

It seems that the fantasy genre has died down over the last few years, what with the end of the Rings trilogy and the demise of the Narnia “franchise,” but Harry Potter is still kicking strong and making huge money.  I’ll pick this up because I’ve gotten the rest of the series on disc..  The question for fans is, do you buy these individually or wait for the ultimate box set containing all the films and a locker full of useless swag?  Here’s our review and our thoughts of the film with respect to its use of D-Box technology.

Supplements: Additional scenes, Close-up with the cast and crew, J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life, One-minute drills, What’s on your mind, Universal’s “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” sneak peek, WB Maximum Movie Mode, BD-Live, My commentary, Live Community Screening, Introduction to the Harry Potter Ultimate Editions by Daniel Radcliffe, Facebook Connect

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Ultimate Edition

The first film gets a double dip on Blu, this time with a box full of that useless swag I mentioned earlier.  This film, and the one that follows, really were the young kid versions of the series and who better to have directed them than Chris Columbus?  This guy knows how to make family friendly/kids films.  An enjoyable film and a good way to start off the film franchise.

Supplements: Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins, Featurettes, Galleries, Deleted scenes, Trailers, More!, In-Movie Experience with Chris Columbus, WB Maximum Movie Mode, BD-Live, Theatrical & Extended, Digital Copy (Theatrical), 48-page photo booklet

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Ultimate Edition

The second film in the series, considered by most to be the least favorite.  One can definitely see the growth the actors took and it was obvious after this film that the series needed some growth in the direction and to take a new approach.  A set, like the first, that will be loaded with collectibles and have the best-looking and sounding version of this film to date, as well as including the extended cuts.

Supplements: Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters, Screen tests, Featurettes, Deleted scenes, Galleries, Trailers, WB Maximum Movie Mode, In-Movie Experience with Chris Columbus, BD-Live,  Theatrical & Extended, Digital Copy, 48-page photo booklet.

Julie & Julia

No film year would be complete without some sort of a biopic, or someone portraying another famous individual, and with this film we get a look into the beginnings of Julia Child and her impact on an everyday person.  Will Streep get a Oscar nomination for playing someone famous, just as countless others have in the past? Seems odd that the majority of the special features are actually old shows of Child’s, showing how to prepare various meals.  Oh well.

Supplements: Commentary with Writer/Director Nora Ephron, Family & Friends Remember Julia Child, Julia’s Kitchen, Secret Ingredients: Creating Julie & Julia, Poaching Eggs with Julia Child & Jacques Pépin, Making Hollandaise Sauce with Julia Child & Jacques Pépin, Mark Peel prepares Scrambled Eggs, Suzanne Goin prepares Braised Beef Short Ribs, Steven Lewandowski & Drew Nieporent Prepare Butter Poached Maine Lobster, movieIQ

World’s Greatest Dad

Is this Robin Williams best film he’s made in a long while?  We’ll have to watch to find out.  Bobcat Goldthwait directs, never figured him for behind the lens, but you have to do something now that they aren’t making Police Academy 14. Read our in-depth review.

Supplements: Audio commentary, Deleted scenes, Outtakes, Behind the scenes, HDNet: A Look at ‘World’s Greatest Dad’, Music video

UFC : Ulitmate 100 Greatest Fights

Spike TV ran a marathon of sorts of their countdown of the 100 greatest UFC fights leading up to UFC 100 (really, why are they still counting?).  That series was just the “I Love the 80’s” style countdown, highlight and clips of the fights with comments from various fighters and Dana White.  This set, however, is each and every one of those fights in their entirety, which I must say is huge.  I cant think of a fight in the UFC that wasn’t on the list, so basically get this and you get pretty much every fight you’d need to see in the UFC.  The #1 fight though is a bit of a headscratcher for me.  I know why they chose it, as I could think of at least 15 fights that were better.  #1 though did have a huge impact on the future of the organization, no doubt.

Supplements: Yet to be announced.

Critics Corner – “Public Enemies”

Film Outlet	Movie Critic	Rating Given	Review Date
	The Rake	2 / 4 nests	7-2
	Peter Travers	3.5 / 4 stars	6-30
	Lisa Schwarzbaum	B-	6-30
	Roger Ebert	3.5 / 4 stars	6-29
	Critics / Users	B / B+	7-3
	Rob Calvert	3 / 4 stars	6-30
	Rating / T-Meter	6.3 / 63%	7-3

As we are close to capping off our “Michael Mann Week” here at The Film Nest, I have a question that might really need to be addressed: Has Michael Mann lost his magic touch?  In reviewing all of Michael’s works in this week’s Michael Mann: Career Retrospective piece, I didn’t see any point in his career where he had back to back missteps as a director.  Well, with Public Enemies, I am sad to report, this occurrence has happened.  Coming on the heels of the major let down (at least in box office) that was 2006′s Miami Vice, Mann was sure to hit at least a solid double with mega-stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale on base, right?  Unfortunately, it is more like a bloop single at best.

Public Enemies is a biography of sorts, tracking the travails of the notorious bank robber John Dillinger, in the depression era 1930′s.  The film opens in 1933, four years into the economically woeful situation in the United States, and the height of Dillinger’s fame and fortune.  Yes, I said fame and fortune, though neither are remotely explained.  I’m still trying to determine what this movie was: a cops and robbers heist film (maybe); a character study (no way); a love story (more than anything, perhaps).  Public Enemies seemingly tries to be all of these and is none of these at the same time.

We follow Depp’s Dillinger busting his way out of prison in the opening sequence.  Confusion and gun fire reign, who’s who and what is what are unknown, and seemingly unnecessary, as we watch what unfolds on the screen before our eyes.  Dillinger’s gang is living large through robbing banks, perpetually on the run from the law.  Enter Christian Bale’s Melvin Purvis, based on the true to life individual, promoted to head of the newly formed FBI, ready to hunt down Dillinger and uphold justice.  Seems like it could be a nice little setup, but to what avail?

"Cock the hammer, it's time for action."

We see Dillinger rob banks and meet a lovely young woman whom he instantly falls in love with, the worthy Oscar winning actress Marion Cotillard, and the only questions that remain are; will his life of crime catch up to him or can he go on living lavishly forever? I think you know how this one goes.  Dillinger is a man living in the moment, which sounds great, if we cared at all.  We don’t because there is little character development, and what does take place is just thrown into a cycle of heist, arrest, break out; rinse, wash, repeat.

So yeah, Dillinger gets caught by Purvis and his men (history tells us this, hence its not a spoiler), only for Dillinger to somehow break out of prison again, and end up on the run.  While this all may be based on true events, the way in which Mann “organizes” the film is more chaotic than controlled.  There seems to be scene after scene of disconnectedness, while even when one thing leads to another, there is no emotional involvement in what happens.

This could all essentially be excusable, meanwhile, while it’s the middle of summer and audiences want to have fun.  But alas, there is little fun to be had here.  There are some shootouts, but no joviality in the plot, as in say, Road To Perdition, which is a heavier film in tone anyway, but still allowed us to have some laughs and thrills with the characters.  The much ballyhooed shootout in the forest is the most exciting set piece in the film, and still, it reeked of mediocrity for the most part.  Some people die, some don’t, but the lack of strong characters never help the film around all of its continuity issues.

It doesn't always feel "good to be a gangster."

Depp and Bale are fine, and what little acting that is required is relatively good throughout, there’s just not that much required.  A vast array of characters come into play; various agents and gangsters (Frank Nitty, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson), a madam for hookers, and of course, the love story with Cotillard which really “drives” the film.  Steven Dorff, Channing Tatum (in a huge 30 seconds of screen time, hand him an Oscar!) and my kiss of death, Giovanni Ribisi, all show up.  But they are all thrown into a loosely structured framework that simply doesn’t add up to much.  Have I said that yet?

This is not a summer blockbuster but rather your average, run of the mill actioner, with either a middling script, or poor editing and execution, most likely both.  It’s not like this group struck out on three pitched balls, but its just not nearly what you would expect from all the talent involved.  You have to blame Mann and now he has misfired twice in a row.  You might start to question where he will go from here, but last I checked Brett Ratner still has a career, so I guess Mann’s safe too.

I used to be a fan of the political hip-hop group Public Enemy, so when I first received word that there was a film titled Public Enemies, my initial reaction was one of befuddlement: Chuck D and Flavor Flav turned to acting?  But alas, that skepticism was met with greater delight when I learned that Michael Mann would be helming the picture and he would have some great actors in Johnny Depp and Christian Bale to help bring his story to life.  Mann has long been one of my favorite Directors, leading such enjoyable films as Heat and Collateral, among several others.  He is a veteran of the crime/action genre, so who better to bring the story of notorious gangster John Dillinger to the big screen?

"He's got a gat and ain't scared to use it."

To tell a bit about what the film will be based on, “PE” is set in the depression-era of the 1930′s (how apropos that America has been in a depression of sorts over the past year or two as well), Dillinger (Depp) and his crew have been doing what they do best, robbing from the rich (banks) and giving to the poor (kind of, depending on how the tale goes), in a manner that might make Robin Ghetto (that’s “Hood” to you) proud.  Dillinger was lauded by the public, since they hated the banks for the depression, and known for busting out of jails with greater ease than Jebediah from Out of Sight.  Bale (yeah, The Dark Knight and the just released Terminator: Salvation star), will play real-life federal agent Melvin Purvis who was the man obsessed with capturing the elusive Dillinger.  A cast that includes Billy Crudup (Almost Famous, Watchmen), Channing Tatum, and Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard bring heat to the film in a way few summer blockbusters can claim.  This will be a game of cat and mouse with Dillinger trying to stay a step ahead of Purvis the entire way.

"Why so serious?"

Some intrigue remains as to how well this film will do in the box office given a.) the current state of our economy and the types of films people are paying money to see (typically escapist) and b.) whether or not Bale will receive any public backlash from his outburst on the set of T4, which I wouldn’t think is likely to affect this film, but you never know.  On the flip side, Depp is among the most singularly popular actors working today, so odds of it blowing up (that’s slang for “doing well”) are in its favor.

"Oh, that's why!"

Early stills and the trailers look fabulous, so count me among those who are revved up for this one as it’s been a summer of slow starts in terms of quality films thus far for me.  This will only be Mann’s 8^th film in the last two decades, so expect quality to win out over quantity almost every time.  I always anticipate Mann’s movies (though his Miami Vice disappointed) and I am sure with the great attention to detail that both he and the lead actors are known for, we should be in for one hell of a fun ride.  This will be looting your box office funds come July 1st.