The Warren Report » PUBLIC ENEMIES

Preview: PUBLIC ENEMIES

Warren — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:12:29 +0000

In the action-thriller PUBLIC ENEMIES, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp)—the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone—from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang—later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi)—thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.’’

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals—from the infamous “Lady in Red’’ to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti—were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.

Eez eet safe? Eez eet SIFF?

Warren — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:54:35 +0000

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop? I suppose it depends, much like trying to verify the number of movies the typical attendee of the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) sees during the 25-day marathon. According to SIFF’s Managing Director, Deborah Person — who did not return calls for comment — the answer is: 1 or 2. Now while I find this hard to swallow considering the obsessiveness of full series pass-holders and members of the Fools Serious crowd (many of whom watch over a hundred each), let’s take Person’s stat at face value. That means you — discerning Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. and gender-neutral Average Movie-Goer — must select the sterile needle from the bio-hazard trash-bin of SIFF’s 392 films. Because I care about your health, I offer a list of options for this year’s festival, some of which I’ve seen, some about which I am simply excited. Parenthetically, I proffer my cases and disclaimers. Feel free to argue my choices or put forth your own right here on The Warren Report. So, here goes, my top 22 recommendations for safe-SIFF.

ABOUT ELLY (d. Asghar Farhadi) Whether or not Iran is a terrorist state is inconsequential; the country regularly produces the best foreign films. Proof that censorship is the true mother of invention.

ADAM (d. Max Mayer) Finally, a feature that tackles Asperger’s respectfully rather than as a Lifetime disease-of-the-week.

ART & COPY (d. Doug Pray) Like Mad Men? Don’t believe the hype, get the facts in this artful doc about the advertising world… in the 60s.

BLACK DYNAMITE (d. Scott Sanders) A parody of blaxploitation flicks using my fave, THREE THE HARD WAY, as its “source material.”

BURMA VJ — REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY (d. Anders Hogsbro Ostergaard) The revolution may not be televised, but this uprising was captured bravely by new world media.

THE CONVERSATION (d. Francis Ford Coppola) One of the 10 Best Films… EVER. Gene Hackman. John Cazale. Brilliant!

THE COVE (d. Louie Psihoyos) Just when dolphins thought it was safe to stay in the water, Richard Barry reveals they have more to fear than tuna nets.

EVERY LITTLE STEP (d. James D. Stern & Adam Del Deo) One singular sensation, this meta-doc pulls back to encompass both the origins of A CHORUS LINE and its redefining revival.

FILM 1ST. a girl & a gun (d. Gustav Deutsch) It’s always worth checking out one experimental film and this mix of war footage and vintage porn promises to titillate if not make sense.

FOREVER ENTHRALLED (d. Chen Kaige) Some directors demand respect.

GARBAGE DREAMS (d. Mai Iskander) Feeling sorry for yourself? Remember: life ain’t that bad. Compare yours to these Egyptian kids who, literally, spend their lives in the dumps.

THE HURT LOCKER (d. Kathryn Bigelow) Ms. Bigelow may be the most under-rated action director of our day. Glad to see her work back on screen. Note: this ought to be Jeremy Renner‘s breakout role.

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF LITTLE DIZZLE (d. David Russo) Seattle’s own David Russo is truly a film ARTIST, someone who understands how to use the visual medium for the greatest possible impact. Bonus: watch a man birth a fish out his butt!

INJU, THE BEAST IN THE SHADOW (d. Barbet Schroeder) An erotic mystery thriller from the man who made REVERSAL OF FORTUNE, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE and BARFLY… count me in!

MACHAN (d. Uberto Pasolini) A Sri Lankan comedy about international handball competition? Either way, this should prove memorable and, possibly, hilarious.

MANHOLE CHILDREN (d. Yoshio Harada) This documentary makes GARBAGE DREAMS play like a Disney flick.

MESRINE: A FILM IN TWO PARTS (d. Jean-Francois Richet) Forget PUBLIC ENEMIES. This four-hour French bio-pic tracks the titular career criminal’s rise to the country’s Most Wanted. #1… with many bullets.

THE MISSING PERSON (d. Noah Buschel) Michael Shannon was Oscar®-nominated for his performance in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. See, again, why he may be America’s most undersung actor.

MOON (d. Duncan Jones) Sam Rockwell stars in a sci-fi thriller that seems to owe a debt to Rod Serling, SOLARIS and SILENT RUNNING.

MORRIS: A LIFE WITH BELLS ON (d. Lucy Akhurst) Silly mockumentary belittles Brit twits who get their hanky-waving groove on. MORRIS (sur)passes A MIGHTY WIND.

PAPER HEART (d. Nicholas Jasenovec) Charlene Yi is a very funny lady. I’d watch her do anything. So why not take in this pseudo-documentary love trip with her equally adorable (and adored?) cohort, Michael Cera.

SCHOOL DAYS WITH A PIG (d. Tetsu Maeda) After watching FOOD, INC. you might want to review the joyful Japanese SCHOOL DAYS for a reminder of some of the more basic moral quandaries regarding our carnivorousness.

This Summer’s Breakout Stars!

Warren — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:18:26 +0000

Like a high school kid eating nothing but deep-fried, chocolate-dipped pizza, these stars are set to break out this Summer.

Jeremy Renner (THE HURT LOCKER)

Renner is a fascinating, intense actor who I first saw in the under-rated TAKE co-starring Minnie Driver. He’s an odd hybrid of David Caruso and Leonardo DiCaprio. Look for him in Kathryn Bigelow‘s explosive return-to-form, a riveting Iraq thriller that proves Renner is da bomb or, at least, the best of the bomb squad.

Mike Tyson (TYSON, THE HANGOVER)

You think you know him. You think you hate him. But I defy anyone to watch James Toback‘s captivating documentary, TYSON, without changing her or his opinion of Iron Mike. Then, listen to the former boxer’s tone-deaf tribute to Phil Collins in THE HANGOVER and you may just wish Tyson was your new, best friend.

Bruno aka Sacha Baron Cohen (BRUNO)

Fool us once, shame on Sacha. Fool us twice, shame on America. Could it be that enough folks worldwide missed the BORAT phenomenon so that Baron Cohen could repeat his Punk’d-like antics without his “co-stars” catching on? Well, thank god! There is nothing better than watching windbags and jackasses reveal their true colors when confronted by the gayest comedy icon since… Doogie Howser?

Lauren Bowles (DANCE FLICK)

Here’s hoping that audiences finally learn the name Lauren Bowles. She’s one of the funniest women in the world despite limited time on screen to show her stuff. (THE HEARTBREAK KID, GHOST WORLD, tons of tv) Perhaps the ever-expanding Wayans clan will finally give her the opportunity to bust a move.

Steve Zahn (MANAGEMENT)

He’s been amazing and amusing for years, but always as a second banana. (see: OUT OF SIGHT, SUNSHINE CLEANING, THAT THING YOU DO!) Now, Zahn gets a leading role opposite America’s best FRIEND, Jennifer Aniston. He’s laughable and… lovable.

Marion Cotillard (PUBLIC ENEMIES)

Sure, she already has an Oscar® for her star turn as Edith Piaf in LA VIE EN ROSE. But that was a French film. Truthfully, how many of you saw that? Well, there will be no missing her this summer as she holds her own with John Dillinger and Melvin Purvis (aka Johnny Depp and Christian Bale) in Michael Mann‘s original gangsta flick.

Mega Shark (MEGA SHARK VS. GIANT OCTOPUS)

Forget Predator. Forget Freddy Krueger. Totally disregard whatever was happening in THE HAPPENING. The greatest menace comes to us from the bottom of the sea and the bottom of Roger Corman‘s barrel. Mega Shark isn’t just a perpetual motion, man-eating machine. It is also a bridge-chomping omnivore that can leap into the skies to devour a plane. Top that, Mega…tron!

An-ti-ci-pa-tion. It’s making me wait.

Warren — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:26:43 +0000

Whether it’s blockbusters or ketchup, anticipation is an unscientific measure of quality. Tentpoles and Heinz come slower than a one-legged dog when called, but are they worth the wait? BuddyTV asked me to rate this summer’s major motion pictures in terms of my excitement level. I have ranked them below, from most eagerly awaited to most hopefully avoided, along with some short, snarky parentheticals explaining my reasoning. (Please, feel free to disagree right here on this blog post.)

UP (Pixar is undefeated. Can they go 10 for 10?)

PUBLIC ENEMIES (I don’t care if Michael Mann is an ass, he’s also a brilliant filmmaker)

BRUNO (Can Sacha fool America again? Really?)

TERMINATOR SALVATION (I’ll be back… yet again.)

MANAGEMENT (I love Steve Zahn!)

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2 (Great cast)

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3 (Enjoyed the original; love Denzel, loathe Travolta)

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER (Worth it for Zooey alone)

IMAGINE THAT (written by my friends, a must see)

DRAG ME TO HELL (Sam Raimi‘s return to form!?!)

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (The trailer looks awful, but QT still deserves a look)

THE HANGOVER (If only for Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins)

THE HURT LOCKER (Welcome back, Kathryn Bigelow)

FUNNY PEOPLE (Adam Sandler dying? Wish fulfillment?)

JULIE & JULIA (For Streep and Adams)

THE BOAT THAT ROCKED (Still getting my sea legs)

G.I. JOE (Okay, I was a boy once. Once!)

TRANSFORMERS 2 (Revenge of the silly!)

LAND OF THE LOST (Hated the series, why should I enjoy the cheese on the big screen?)

H2: HALLOWEEN 2 (MacDowell, Malcolm in the middle… of mayhem. Rob Zombie mayhem!)

THE UGLY TRUTH (They said it, not me)

G-FORCE (Better than an ICE AGE re-tread, methinks)

ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (Um, not quite Pixar)

HARRY POTTER AND THE… umpteenth, full-blooded disappointment?

SHORTS (Briefly interested)

I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER (I love you not, Chris Columbus.)

ALIENS IN THE ATTIC (Bats in the belfry?)

MY SISTER’S KEEPER (Good book… might be better to re-read it)

YEAR ONE (Didn’t they make this with Ringo Starr already? CAVEMAN?)

THE PROPOSAL (Say I don’t)

MY LIFE IN RUINS (Nia Vardalos? Ugh. MY BIG FAT I DON’T GIVE A CRAP!)

DANCE FLICK (Yipes! More Wayans!)

LITTLE ASHES (Um, the veggie vampire as Dali? Pass.)

ANGELS & DEMONS (Still wish I hadn’t seen the first one)