There was a lot of buzz about this, not only for Johnny Depp’s performance, but because long-time Michael Mann cinematographer Dante Spinotti shot the entire film in HD - meaning that there were some absolutely beautiful wide shots, one in particular was at the beginning jail break, but when it came to indoor/dark close-ups, it was a little too pixilated, but that’s the trade-off with HD. It did have a really slick look to it, and the period costumes and set design were also pretty awesome. My biggest problem/disappointment, was the story…it was just so blah. I didn’t really care for the characters (created from a script by director Mann, and Anne Bidderman; writer/creator of my favorite new drama from last season, Southland), there was never really any explanation or set up for Dillinger, or why he did what he did. The shoot-out scenes were intense and beautifully shot (it was much more violent than I anticipated), but the characters didn’t really have too much to say between the gunfire. And from what I’ve read, the writers also took some liberties with rewriting history, but I can look past that. The performances were just ok, though Marion Cotillard lit up the screen in every scene she was in as Dillinger’s love interest Billie Frechette., and there were cameos galore; Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieskee (where have you been hiding?!). Bale and Depp were just ok - although I’m somewhat fascinated that Johnny Depp can, for the most part, completely transform from one character into another--to bad the same can’t be said for Christian Bale--but overall I was a little disappointed with this. Public Enemies was supposed to be the summer movie that would go onto Oscar gold, and that still might happen with 10 Best Picture slots, but I was expecting a much more interesting and engaging film. Grade: B -Wednesday I went to the gym (the PF) with Meredith from work, and we did speed intervals. At first, I was really hesitant about doing them, but I want to work on my time (I’d love to break 2 hours, but I don’t think that’s a realistic goal quite yet), and Meredith said this was a really good way to do it. She printed out this sheet with the 30 minute session, and we were off. You basically alternated speeds for a minute at a time. It was a little tough, but I did ok - I was super tired at the end and sweating like whoa, but it was a good work out.
Glad that the Michael Jackson hoopla is starting to die down (pun intended) - it’s sad that he died, but seriously? Does it warrant as much coverage it’s gotten? I don’t think so. Shep Smith apparently said on Fox News Wednesday that the LAPD and the city of Los Angeles closed the free way at rush hour for the procession…seriously?! I'm over it, yeah, he was a legend, but do we need to be inundated with coverage for 2+ weeks? I don't think so.
Finally got around to seeing Role Models last night (I know, I'm about 6 months behind) and really liked it, even if it was totally predictable. Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott had great chemistry, and the two kids were great too. There were a couple of great one-liners, my favorite being, of course, the whispering eye. Not quite as funny as I Love You Man, but better than The Hangover. Wish I had seen this in theaters, I'm sure I would have laughed more than I did sitting on the couch. Grade: B+
The MOS got some really exciting news yesterday, but I sadly can't share til the end of the summer, but you can bet that at the first possible minute I can, I will.
Going to see The Hurt Locker tonight, which I've heard marvelous things about (like it's the current Best Picture front-runner), so expect a full report on that over the weekend.
Getting tickets to A Steady Rain, a new drama starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig and an iPhone tomorrow. You know, no big deal.
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