Last Movie you Watched?

Risico007 · February 23

The living daylights: a fantastic film and honestly Dalton’s perfect debut

I dont even mind the sticky modern day political stuff as well today’s friends are tomorrow’s enemies etc

The music the atmosphere Dalton’s performance in fact the only issue is Kara is kind of weak but in all honesty i have never been super attracted to any of Dalton’s bond girls but over all a fantastic film

1. The living daylights
2. A complete unknown
3. When harry met sally
4. Casino Royale 1954

DarthDimi · February 24

FoxRox wrote: »

Already finished Michael Mann's filmography (I have had a lot of free time over the past few months), so now it is time for my latest ranking and thoughts.

1. Thief (1981)
Having watched everything, Mann's debut film Thief remains my absolute favorite work that he did, for a whole lot of reasons. James Caan, playing the lead character Frank, gives undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career; Frank is a complicated protagonist, unequipped with social skills and rough around the edges to say the least, but incredible at what he does and still very human under the surface. Despite his serious flaws, I really felt for him towards the end when certain things go down, and that is the way a well-done movie is supposed to be. All the other characters are colorful and interesting as well, though I would like to single out Robert Prosky as Leo, who felt like a realistic, truly terrifying Chicago crime boss. On top of a constantly engaging story and great acting, the movie delivers one of the greatest soundtracks I have ever heard - perhaps Tangerine Dream's film score masterpiece, and they did many great ones - and first-rate atmosphere with the city, particularly when it is neon-lit at night. For me, Thief is just complete movie heaven all around, boasting a gripping narrative, fascinating characters, gorgeous visuals, outstanding audio, and directorial genius that feels like it is from a veteran, master filmmaker rather than a first-timer. Easily one of my all-time favorite movies!

2. Heat (1995)
Heat is widely and understandably considered to be Michael Mann's magnum opus, and if not for how much I love Thief, it would have captured the #1 spot on my list as well. I mean, what can I really say about this one that has not been said already? Absolutely stacked cast spearheaded by Al Pacino and Robert de Niro, a sensational script that provides both an amazing story and terrific dialogue, a solid soundtrack from Elliot Goldenthal, and impeccable usage of the Los Angeles setting. The film has so much going on, but it somehow manages to perfectly balance everything, giving the audience all the intense action we crave (the post-bank robbery shootout is absolutely insane), but also going deep into the personal lives of the main characters so that we really become invested in them throughout the journey. The length of the movie is nearly three hours, but it all flies by so fast and never once loses my interest. Heat is simply a fantastic film from top to bottom - an artistic achievement of the highest caliber, and definitely worthy of being called one of the greatest crime classics ever made.

3. Manhunter (1986)
I would consider Manhunter to be yet another 10/10 masterpiece like the last two films I discussed. It features a distinctly 1980s feeling thanks to the aesthetics and music, both of which give it plenty of flavor to go with its other strengths. The story and progression are brilliant, and I love how much focus went into William Petersen's main character, Will Graham, having to think like the villains to get the job done. There is a lot of dark psychology involved in addition to some awfully disturbing violence as well. I found the whole affair to be super suspenseful and intense, and at the center of it all is a spectacular, unsettling performance from Tom Noonan as the movie's main threat, Francis Dollarhyde. Getting to see some of his personal life along with his abhorrent crimes really made things extra compelling. I could not recommend it to the faint of heart, but Manhunter is a first-rate thriller with strong elements in every department that make it exceptional and memorable among other movies like it (I do still prefer The Silence of the Lambs slightly, to address a common comparison, but both are splendid!).

4. Collateral (2004)
For me, Collateral is the last "truly great" film that Mann directed, and it stands out in a really big, positive way among the rest of his output in the 21st century. The story of this movie is really cool in both concept and execution, having the right directing, acting, and writing to do it all justice. Jamie Foxx's protagonist Max Durocher is likable, sympathetic, but flawed - a fully 3D character that is worthy of an audience's attention and investment. Tom Cruise has rarely been better than he is here as Vincent - scary, philosophical, enigmatic, and very physical. Other actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo are great here as well, but it is Foxx and Cruise and their electric chemistry that make this movie what it is. Collateral is action-packed, twisty, and witty, and definitely one of the most purely fun and entertaining movies that Michael Mann made.

5. The Insider (1999)
The Insider might not have as much action as the average Mann movie, but it has a plenty riveting story and characters to grab your attention! Al Pacino was reliably great as journalist Lowell Bergman, though it is Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand that was the most impressive in the movie to me; you really feel for the guy and all the horrible stuff he had to go through. The message of the film is sadly eternally relevant, and I am very glad it was told because I had no idea about any of it before I saw it. It is not the most stylish or flashy movie of Mann's career, but The Insider proved he could do solid work beyond action-y films, and it definitely earned my respect and intrigue as I watched it.

6. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
The Last of the Mohicans is definitely a unique entry in Mann's filmography. For one thing, it is his only film to be set before the 20th century, and for another, it feels more straightforward in its narrative and presentation than most of his other work. I really love the period piece aspects here like the costumes, setting, and history stuff, and Daniel Day-Lewis is always a joy to watch. Watching this movie again after a long time, though, I have to admit that few elements stood out as truly "extraordinary," even though it is still a very good, consistent experience that I mostly enjoyed. Still, the action and drama are plentiful, and the music was definitely noteworthy. I like The Last of the Mohicans a fair amount overall, though I think it falls just a little short of Mann's elite tier of movies.

7. Public Enemies (2009)
It should have been a slam-dunk, but Public Enemies ended up being merely "good" instead of "great." It is one of the last decent films that Johnny Depp starred in (he does a pretty solid job in this movie), though, and I am a sucker for Prohibition-era gangster films, so the aesthetics and vibes associated with that went a long way for me in enjoying this one. Though I think they are normally good actors, I had mixed feelings about the performances of Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard; neither are outright bad here or anything, but they were both pretty "meh" I thought, which can at least partly be attributed to the directing and writing of their characters. The story is pretty engaging most of the way, still, though it is stronger when it focused on the "bad guys" than the "good guys." On that note, one of my favorite things this film did was show how nasty the "good guys" could be; moral ambiguity is always a fun element for me. The overall film is admittedly a little underwhelming, but Public Enemies still delivers in a lot of the most important areas, namely intense violence, an interesting plot, and a stylish presentation.

8. The Keep (1983)
Given its massive lack of coherence and obvious state of being unfinished, The Keep might objectively be the worst film of Michael Mann's career, and yet I am still placing it above a few of his other movies based on my own personal interest level. Beyond the basics, trying to understand the story here is a lost cause, but we as an audience are still granted several other aspects to enjoy: a superb Tangerine Dream score, dark and creepy aesthetics and vibes, and some interesting characters, particularly the nightmarishly designed Molasar. It can also rightfully take its place as a "Nazi carnage classic" alongside movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Inglourious Basterds, and Sisu. The Keep may be a mess, to say the least, but it is an entertaining, fascinating mess with redeemable qualities, though it does sadly stand as as the biggest wasted potential of Mann's career.

9. Ferrari (2023)
Ferrari is a mostly decent biopic, but I think it lacked exceptionally great qualities beyond a superb performance from Penélope Cruz. The directing is fine, the writing is fine, the acting is fine, but, for me, that was kind of just it: it is just "fine" as a whole. If I had more interest in cars and the people involved in the story to begin with, I might have gotten into it more, but as is, it felt like a serviceable but detached experience for me watching this movie. I do not really have much else to say about Michael Mann's most recent film. I think Ferrari was competently made and did at least manage to hold my interest most of the way, but I am in no rush to see it again, and it did little to set itself apart in a great way among other biopics I have seen.

10. Ali (2001)
Speaking of biopics, I found Ali to be a similar experience: competently made, but nothing too special. Though I recognize his greatness and accomplishments, I have never personally been a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, or boxing in general for that matter, so I am not exactly the target audience for this movie. I think the acting was pretty good, and there are not too many severe flaws to be found, per say, but I found the overall experience to be quite repetitive and overlong. I did not gain much from watching the movie, honestly, even though I would not call it "bad." Ali will likely appeal more to people who are invested in the subject material to begin with, but for me, it was one of Mann's least entertaining films.

11. Miami Vice (2006)
A lot of people probably will not like me putting Miami Vice so low on this list, but if I am being fully honest, I just did not care much for this movie. I have never seen the original TV show, so again, I might not have the best opinion here, but this film did not do much for me. Other than good and plentiful action, I was kind of bored with it; the characters were far less interesting than the usual from a Mann film, and I felt like there should have been a lot better chemistry and comradery between Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell's leading characters. The romance subplots were also "meh" at best. I feel like the film could have really benefitted from some humor and wittiness, but most of it was a bleak, heavy experience that, at least to me, lacked the fun and joy of most of Mann's other action-y work. Miami Vice definitely seems to have its fans, but I did not end up as one of them, I am afraid - at least for this movie.

12. Blackhat (2015)
Blackhat was a pretty easy choice as my least favorite Michael Mann movie. Everyone else has already said it, but Chris Hemsworth's casting is really off here, and I cannot say many other actors or characters particularly impressed me either. The story was confusing and unsatisfying to me, and the CGI moments, though brief, were totally unnecessary and off-putting. Like Miami Vice, I think this movie would have been better off being less dour, too. I would never have guessed that Mann made this, as it feels like a generic, mediocre action/thriller film that could have come from anyone. All things considered, though, Blackhat being the low point out of twelve movies is not bad!

And there it is, another film director in the books! For me, when Michael Mann was "on" - particularly #1-4 - he is as entertaining, fun, and rewatchable as any filmmaker ever, and when he is "off" - particularly #9-12 - he is usually not outright "bad," but can become a bit dull and forgettable. His career has been very impressive overall, though, and I am very glad I checked out his movies, especially since a handful ended up becoming truly huge favorites!

@FoxRox
A very enjoyable read, this, and one I can mostly agree with. I'm glad you rank both THIEF and HEAT so high; they are definitely my favourite Michael Mann films as well. Well, you're one of us now, welcome to the club. ;-)

FoxRox · February 24

DarthDimi wrote: »

FoxRox wrote: »

Already finished Michael Mann's filmography (I have had a lot of free time over the past few months), so now it is time for my latest ranking and thoughts.

1. Thief (1981)
Having watched everything, Mann's debut film Thief remains my absolute favorite work that he did, for a whole lot of reasons. James Caan, playing the lead character Frank, gives undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career; Frank is a complicated protagonist, unequipped with social skills and rough around the edges to say the least, but incredible at what he does and still very human under the surface. Despite his serious flaws, I really felt for him towards the end when certain things go down, and that is the way a well-done movie is supposed to be. All the other characters are colorful and interesting as well, though I would like to single out Robert Prosky as Leo, who felt like a realistic, truly terrifying Chicago crime boss. On top of a constantly engaging story and great acting, the movie delivers one of the greatest soundtracks I have ever heard - perhaps Tangerine Dream's film score masterpiece, and they did many great ones - and first-rate atmosphere with the city, particularly when it is neon-lit at night. For me, Thief is just complete movie heaven all around, boasting a gripping narrative, fascinating characters, gorgeous visuals, outstanding audio, and directorial genius that feels like it is from a veteran, master filmmaker rather than a first-timer. Easily one of my all-time favorite movies!

2. Heat (1995)
Heat is widely and understandably considered to be Michael Mann's magnum opus, and if not for how much I love Thief, it would have captured the #1 spot on my list as well. I mean, what can I really say about this one that has not been said already? Absolutely stacked cast spearheaded by Al Pacino and Robert de Niro, a sensational script that provides both an amazing story and terrific dialogue, a solid soundtrack from Elliot Goldenthal, and impeccable usage of the Los Angeles setting. The film has so much going on, but it somehow manages to perfectly balance everything, giving the audience all the intense action we crave (the post-bank robbery shootout is absolutely insane), but also going deep into the personal lives of the main characters so that we really become invested in them throughout the journey. The length of the movie is nearly three hours, but it all flies by so fast and never once loses my interest. Heat is simply a fantastic film from top to bottom - an artistic achievement of the highest caliber, and definitely worthy of being called one of the greatest crime classics ever made.

3. Manhunter (1986)
I would consider Manhunter to be yet another 10/10 masterpiece like the last two films I discussed. It features a distinctly 1980s feeling thanks to the aesthetics and music, both of which give it plenty of flavor to go with its other strengths. The story and progression are brilliant, and I love how much focus went into William Petersen's main character, Will Graham, having to think like the villains to get the job done. There is a lot of dark psychology involved in addition to some awfully disturbing violence as well. I found the whole affair to be super suspenseful and intense, and at the center of it all is a spectacular, unsettling performance from Tom Noonan as the movie's main threat, Francis Dollarhyde. Getting to see some of his personal life along with his abhorrent crimes really made things extra compelling. I could not recommend it to the faint of heart, but Manhunter is a first-rate thriller with strong elements in every department that make it exceptional and memorable among other movies like it (I do still prefer The Silence of the Lambs slightly, to address a common comparison, but both are splendid!).

4. Collateral (2004)
For me, Collateral is the last "truly great" film that Mann directed, and it stands out in a really big, positive way among the rest of his output in the 21st century. The story of this movie is really cool in both concept and execution, having the right directing, acting, and writing to do it all justice. Jamie Foxx's protagonist Max Durocher is likable, sympathetic, but flawed - a fully 3D character that is worthy of an audience's attention and investment. Tom Cruise has rarely been better than he is here as Vincent - scary, philosophical, enigmatic, and very physical. Other actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo are great here as well, but it is Foxx and Cruise and their electric chemistry that make this movie what it is. Collateral is action-packed, twisty, and witty, and definitely one of the most purely fun and entertaining movies that Michael Mann made.

5. The Insider (1999)
The Insider might not have as much action as the average Mann movie, but it has a plenty riveting story and characters to grab your attention! Al Pacino was reliably great as journalist Lowell Bergman, though it is Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand that was the most impressive in the movie to me; you really feel for the guy and all the horrible stuff he had to go through. The message of the film is sadly eternally relevant, and I am very glad it was told because I had no idea about any of it before I saw it. It is not the most stylish or flashy movie of Mann's career, but The Insider proved he could do solid work beyond action-y films, and it definitely earned my respect and intrigue as I watched it.

6. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
The Last of the Mohicans is definitely a unique entry in Mann's filmography. For one thing, it is his only film to be set before the 20th century, and for another, it feels more straightforward in its narrative and presentation than most of his other work. I really love the period piece aspects here like the costumes, setting, and history stuff, and Daniel Day-Lewis is always a joy to watch. Watching this movie again after a long time, though, I have to admit that few elements stood out as truly "extraordinary," even though it is still a very good, consistent experience that I mostly enjoyed. Still, the action and drama are plentiful, and the music was definitely noteworthy. I like The Last of the Mohicans a fair amount overall, though I think it falls just a little short of Mann's elite tier of movies.

7. Public Enemies (2009)
It should have been a slam-dunk, but Public Enemies ended up being merely "good" instead of "great." It is one of the last decent films that Johnny Depp starred in (he does a pretty solid job in this movie), though, and I am a sucker for Prohibition-era gangster films, so the aesthetics and vibes associated with that went a long way for me in enjoying this one. Though I think they are normally good actors, I had mixed feelings about the performances of Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard; neither are outright bad here or anything, but they were both pretty "meh" I thought, which can at least partly be attributed to the directing and writing of their characters. The story is pretty engaging most of the way, still, though it is stronger when it focused on the "bad guys" than the "good guys." On that note, one of my favorite things this film did was show how nasty the "good guys" could be; moral ambiguity is always a fun element for me. The overall film is admittedly a little underwhelming, but Public Enemies still delivers in a lot of the most important areas, namely intense violence, an interesting plot, and a stylish presentation.

8. The Keep (1983)
Given its massive lack of coherence and obvious state of being unfinished, The Keep might objectively be the worst film of Michael Mann's career, and yet I am still placing it above a few of his other movies based on my own personal interest level. Beyond the basics, trying to understand the story here is a lost cause, but we as an audience are still granted several other aspects to enjoy: a superb Tangerine Dream score, dark and creepy aesthetics and vibes, and some interesting characters, particularly the nightmarishly designed Molasar. It can also rightfully take its place as a "Nazi carnage classic" alongside movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Inglourious Basterds, and Sisu. The Keep may be a mess, to say the least, but it is an entertaining, fascinating mess with redeemable qualities, though it does sadly stand as as the biggest wasted potential of Mann's career.

9. Ferrari (2023)
Ferrari is a mostly decent biopic, but I think it lacked exceptionally great qualities beyond a superb performance from Penélope Cruz. The directing is fine, the writing is fine, the acting is fine, but, for me, that was kind of just it: it is just "fine" as a whole. If I had more interest in cars and the people involved in the story to begin with, I might have gotten into it more, but as is, it felt like a serviceable but detached experience for me watching this movie. I do not really have much else to say about Michael Mann's most recent film. I think Ferrari was competently made and did at least manage to hold my interest most of the way, but I am in no rush to see it again, and it did little to set itself apart in a great way among other biopics I have seen.

10. Ali (2001)
Speaking of biopics, I found Ali to be a similar experience: competently made, but nothing too special. Though I recognize his greatness and accomplishments, I have never personally been a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, or boxing in general for that matter, so I am not exactly the target audience for this movie. I think the acting was pretty good, and there are not too many severe flaws to be found, per say, but I found the overall experience to be quite repetitive and overlong. I did not gain much from watching the movie, honestly, even though I would not call it "bad." Ali will likely appeal more to people who are invested in the subject material to begin with, but for me, it was one of Mann's least entertaining films.

11. Miami Vice (2006)
A lot of people probably will not like me putting Miami Vice so low on this list, but if I am being fully honest, I just did not care much for this movie. I have never seen the original TV show, so again, I might not have the best opinion here, but this film did not do much for me. Other than good and plentiful action, I was kind of bored with it; the characters were far less interesting than the usual from a Mann film, and I felt like there should have been a lot better chemistry and comradery between Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell's leading characters. The romance subplots were also "meh" at best. I feel like the film could have really benefitted from some humor and wittiness, but most of it was a bleak, heavy experience that, at least to me, lacked the fun and joy of most of Mann's other action-y work. Miami Vice definitely seems to have its fans, but I did not end up as one of them, I am afraid - at least for this movie.

12. Blackhat (2015)
Blackhat was a pretty easy choice as my least favorite Michael Mann movie. Everyone else has already said it, but Chris Hemsworth's casting is really off here, and I cannot say many other actors or characters particularly impressed me either. The story was confusing and unsatisfying to me, and the CGI moments, though brief, were totally unnecessary and off-putting. Like Miami Vice, I think this movie would have been better off being less dour, too. I would never have guessed that Mann made this, as it feels like a generic, mediocre action/thriller film that could have come from anyone. All things considered, though, Blackhat being the low point out of twelve movies is not bad!

And there it is, another film director in the books! For me, when Michael Mann was "on" - particularly #1-4 - he is as entertaining, fun, and rewatchable as any filmmaker ever, and when he is "off" - particularly #9-12 - he is usually not outright "bad," but can become a bit dull and forgettable. His career has been very impressive overall, though, and I am very glad I checked out his movies, especially since a handful ended up becoming truly huge favorites!

@FoxRox
A very enjoyable read, this, and one I can mostly agree with. I'm glad you rank both THIEF and HEAT so high; they are definitely my favourite Michael Mann films as well. Well, you're one of us now, welcome to the club. ;-)

@DarthDimi
Thank you! I love doing these ranking + write-ups, and it’s really nice to be able to share that with others. You definitely can’t go wrong with those ones; I intend to buy and watch them many times over in the future, haha. I’ve already listened to the Thief soundtrack dozens of times. Happy to be in the club, thanks! :D

DarthDimi · February 24

FoxRox wrote: »

DarthDimi wrote: »

FoxRox wrote: »

Already finished Michael Mann's filmography (I have had a lot of free time over the past few months), so now it is time for my latest ranking and thoughts.

1. Thief (1981)
Having watched everything, Mann's debut film Thief remains my absolute favorite work that he did, for a whole lot of reasons. James Caan, playing the lead character Frank, gives undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career; Frank is a complicated protagonist, unequipped with social skills and rough around the edges to say the least, but incredible at what he does and still very human under the surface. Despite his serious flaws, I really felt for him towards the end when certain things go down, and that is the way a well-done movie is supposed to be. All the other characters are colorful and interesting as well, though I would like to single out Robert Prosky as Leo, who felt like a realistic, truly terrifying Chicago crime boss. On top of a constantly engaging story and great acting, the movie delivers one of the greatest soundtracks I have ever heard - perhaps Tangerine Dream's film score masterpiece, and they did many great ones - and first-rate atmosphere with the city, particularly when it is neon-lit at night. For me, Thief is just complete movie heaven all around, boasting a gripping narrative, fascinating characters, gorgeous visuals, outstanding audio, and directorial genius that feels like it is from a veteran, master filmmaker rather than a first-timer. Easily one of my all-time favorite movies!

2. Heat (1995)
Heat is widely and understandably considered to be Michael Mann's magnum opus, and if not for how much I love Thief, it would have captured the #1 spot on my list as well. I mean, what can I really say about this one that has not been said already? Absolutely stacked cast spearheaded by Al Pacino and Robert de Niro, a sensational script that provides both an amazing story and terrific dialogue, a solid soundtrack from Elliot Goldenthal, and impeccable usage of the Los Angeles setting. The film has so much going on, but it somehow manages to perfectly balance everything, giving the audience all the intense action we crave (the post-bank robbery shootout is absolutely insane), but also going deep into the personal lives of the main characters so that we really become invested in them throughout the journey. The length of the movie is nearly three hours, but it all flies by so fast and never once loses my interest. Heat is simply a fantastic film from top to bottom - an artistic achievement of the highest caliber, and definitely worthy of being called one of the greatest crime classics ever made.

3. Manhunter (1986)
I would consider Manhunter to be yet another 10/10 masterpiece like the last two films I discussed. It features a distinctly 1980s feeling thanks to the aesthetics and music, both of which give it plenty of flavor to go with its other strengths. The story and progression are brilliant, and I love how much focus went into William Petersen's main character, Will Graham, having to think like the villains to get the job done. There is a lot of dark psychology involved in addition to some awfully disturbing violence as well. I found the whole affair to be super suspenseful and intense, and at the center of it all is a spectacular, unsettling performance from Tom Noonan as the movie's main threat, Francis Dollarhyde. Getting to see some of his personal life along with his abhorrent crimes really made things extra compelling. I could not recommend it to the faint of heart, but Manhunter is a first-rate thriller with strong elements in every department that make it exceptional and memorable among other movies like it (I do still prefer The Silence of the Lambs slightly, to address a common comparison, but both are splendid!).

4. Collateral (2004)
For me, Collateral is the last "truly great" film that Mann directed, and it stands out in a really big, positive way among the rest of his output in the 21st century. The story of this movie is really cool in both concept and execution, having the right directing, acting, and writing to do it all justice. Jamie Foxx's protagonist Max Durocher is likable, sympathetic, but flawed - a fully 3D character that is worthy of an audience's attention and investment. Tom Cruise has rarely been better than he is here as Vincent - scary, philosophical, enigmatic, and very physical. Other actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo are great here as well, but it is Foxx and Cruise and their electric chemistry that make this movie what it is. Collateral is action-packed, twisty, and witty, and definitely one of the most purely fun and entertaining movies that Michael Mann made.

5. The Insider (1999)
The Insider might not have as much action as the average Mann movie, but it has a plenty riveting story and characters to grab your attention! Al Pacino was reliably great as journalist Lowell Bergman, though it is Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand that was the most impressive in the movie to me; you really feel for the guy and all the horrible stuff he had to go through. The message of the film is sadly eternally relevant, and I am very glad it was told because I had no idea about any of it before I saw it. It is not the most stylish or flashy movie of Mann's career, but The Insider proved he could do solid work beyond action-y films, and it definitely earned my respect and intrigue as I watched it.

6. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
The Last of the Mohicans is definitely a unique entry in Mann's filmography. For one thing, it is his only film to be set before the 20th century, and for another, it feels more straightforward in its narrative and presentation than most of his other work. I really love the period piece aspects here like the costumes, setting, and history stuff, and Daniel Day-Lewis is always a joy to watch. Watching this movie again after a long time, though, I have to admit that few elements stood out as truly "extraordinary," even though it is still a very good, consistent experience that I mostly enjoyed. Still, the action and drama are plentiful, and the music was definitely noteworthy. I like The Last of the Mohicans a fair amount overall, though I think it falls just a little short of Mann's elite tier of movies.

7. Public Enemies (2009)
It should have been a slam-dunk, but Public Enemies ended up being merely "good" instead of "great." It is one of the last decent films that Johnny Depp starred in (he does a pretty solid job in this movie), though, and I am a sucker for Prohibition-era gangster films, so the aesthetics and vibes associated with that went a long way for me in enjoying this one. Though I think they are normally good actors, I had mixed feelings about the performances of Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard; neither are outright bad here or anything, but they were both pretty "meh" I thought, which can at least partly be attributed to the directing and writing of their characters. The story is pretty engaging most of the way, still, though it is stronger when it focused on the "bad guys" than the "good guys." On that note, one of my favorite things this film did was show how nasty the "good guys" could be; moral ambiguity is always a fun element for me. The overall film is admittedly a little underwhelming, but Public Enemies still delivers in a lot of the most important areas, namely intense violence, an interesting plot, and a stylish presentation.

8. The Keep (1983)
Given its massive lack of coherence and obvious state of being unfinished, The Keep might objectively be the worst film of Michael Mann's career, and yet I am still placing it above a few of his other movies based on my own personal interest level. Beyond the basics, trying to understand the story here is a lost cause, but we as an audience are still granted several other aspects to enjoy: a superb Tangerine Dream score, dark and creepy aesthetics and vibes, and some interesting characters, particularly the nightmarishly designed Molasar. It can also rightfully take its place as a "Nazi carnage classic" alongside movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Inglourious Basterds, and Sisu. The Keep may be a mess, to say the least, but it is an entertaining, fascinating mess with redeemable qualities, though it does sadly stand as as the biggest wasted potential of Mann's career.

9. Ferrari (2023)
Ferrari is a mostly decent biopic, but I think it lacked exceptionally great qualities beyond a superb performance from Penélope Cruz. The directing is fine, the writing is fine, the acting is fine, but, for me, that was kind of just it: it is just "fine" as a whole. If I had more interest in cars and the people involved in the story to begin with, I might have gotten into it more, but as is, it felt like a serviceable but detached experience for me watching this movie. I do not really have much else to say about Michael Mann's most recent film. I think Ferrari was competently made and did at least manage to hold my interest most of the way, but I am in no rush to see it again, and it did little to set itself apart in a great way among other biopics I have seen.

10. Ali (2001)
Speaking of biopics, I found Ali to be a similar experience: competently made, but nothing too special. Though I recognize his greatness and accomplishments, I have never personally been a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, or boxing in general for that matter, so I am not exactly the target audience for this movie. I think the acting was pretty good, and there are not too many severe flaws to be found, per say, but I found the overall experience to be quite repetitive and overlong. I did not gain much from watching the movie, honestly, even though I would not call it "bad." Ali will likely appeal more to people who are invested in the subject material to begin with, but for me, it was one of Mann's least entertaining films.

11. Miami Vice (2006)
A lot of people probably will not like me putting Miami Vice so low on this list, but if I am being fully honest, I just did not care much for this movie. I have never seen the original TV show, so again, I might not have the best opinion here, but this film did not do much for me. Other than good and plentiful action, I was kind of bored with it; the characters were far less interesting than the usual from a Mann film, and I felt like there should have been a lot better chemistry and comradery between Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell's leading characters. The romance subplots were also "meh" at best. I feel like the film could have really benefitted from some humor and wittiness, but most of it was a bleak, heavy experience that, at least to me, lacked the fun and joy of most of Mann's other action-y work. Miami Vice definitely seems to have its fans, but I did not end up as one of them, I am afraid - at least for this movie.

12. Blackhat (2015)
Blackhat was a pretty easy choice as my least favorite Michael Mann movie. Everyone else has already said it, but Chris Hemsworth's casting is really off here, and I cannot say many other actors or characters particularly impressed me either. The story was confusing and unsatisfying to me, and the CGI moments, though brief, were totally unnecessary and off-putting. Like Miami Vice, I think this movie would have been better off being less dour, too. I would never have guessed that Mann made this, as it feels like a generic, mediocre action/thriller film that could have come from anyone. All things considered, though, Blackhat being the low point out of twelve movies is not bad!

And there it is, another film director in the books! For me, when Michael Mann was "on" - particularly #1-4 - he is as entertaining, fun, and rewatchable as any filmmaker ever, and when he is "off" - particularly #9-12 - he is usually not outright "bad," but can become a bit dull and forgettable. His career has been very impressive overall, though, and I am very glad I checked out his movies, especially since a handful ended up becoming truly huge favorites!

@FoxRox
A very enjoyable read, this, and one I can mostly agree with. I'm glad you rank both THIEF and HEAT so high; they are definitely my favourite Michael Mann films as well. Well, you're one of us now, welcome to the club. ;-)

@DarthDimi
Thank you! I love doing these ranking + write-ups, and it’s really nice to be able to share that with others. You definitely can’t go wrong with those ones; I intend to buy and watch them many times over in the future, haha. I’ve already listened to the Thief soundtrack dozens of times. Happy to be in the club, thanks! :D

@FoxRox
The Tangerine Dream score in Thief is absolutely mesmerizing. It transports me back to my earliest memories with its heavy use of synths, creating a dreamy atmosphere that's more ethereal than Carpenter's style but incredibly effective in capturing the film's emotional essence. Paired with James Caan's intense performance and Robert Prosky's captivating villainy, the score elevates Thief's unique portrayal of the life of a blue-collar criminal fighting upstream. Donald Thorin's impeccable cinematography adds another layer of brilliance. While I admire Dante Spinotti's later work in Mann's films (Manhunter, The Last of the Mohicans, Heat, The Insider, and Public Enemies), the visual style of Thief remains a true masterpiece.

MajorDSmythe · February 24

Take Cover (2024)
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Scott Adkins teams up with stuntman-turned-director Nick McKinless for this low budget high concept action thriller. Following a job that doesn't go entirely to plan, a sniper and his spotter become trapped in a penthouse, with a rival sniper taking shots from a rooftop opposite, and a steady stream of fight fodder coming up in the lift. The film skirts some ground familiar to action fans, but the addition of the sniper, adds an extra edge to the fights (which Adkins continues to exist in a league of his own as the last true old school action star), and at less than 90 minutes, Take Cover never outstays its welcome.

Mathis1 · February 24

FoxRox wrote: »

Already finished Michael Mann's filmography (I have had a lot of free time over the past few months), so now it is time for my latest ranking and thoughts.

1. Thief (1981)
Having watched everything, Mann's debut film Thief remains my absolute favorite work that he did, for a whole lot of reasons. James Caan, playing the lead character Frank, gives undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career; Frank is a complicated protagonist, unequipped with social skills and rough around the edges to say the least, but incredible at what he does and still very human under the surface. Despite his serious flaws, I really felt for him towards the end when certain things go down, and that is the way a well-done movie is supposed to be. All the other characters are colorful and interesting as well, though I would like to single out Robert Prosky as Leo, who felt like a realistic, truly terrifying Chicago crime boss. On top of a constantly engaging story and great acting, the movie delivers one of the greatest soundtracks I have ever heard - perhaps Tangerine Dream's film score masterpiece, and they did many great ones - and first-rate atmosphere with the city, particularly when it is neon-lit at night. For me, Thief is just complete movie heaven all around, boasting a gripping narrative, fascinating characters, gorgeous visuals, outstanding audio, and directorial genius that feels like it is from a veteran, master filmmaker rather than a first-timer. Easily one of my all-time favorite movies!

2. Heat (1995)
Heat is widely and understandably considered to be Michael Mann's magnum opus, and if not for how much I love Thief, it would have captured the #1 spot on my list as well. I mean, what can I really say about this one that has not been said already? Absolutely stacked cast spearheaded by Al Pacino and Robert de Niro, a sensational script that provides both an amazing story and terrific dialogue, a solid soundtrack from Elliot Goldenthal, and impeccable usage of the Los Angeles setting. The film has so much going on, but it somehow manages to perfectly balance everything, giving the audience all the intense action we crave (the post-bank robbery shootout is absolutely insane), but also going deep into the personal lives of the main characters so that we really become invested in them throughout the journey. The length of the movie is nearly three hours, but it all flies by so fast and never once loses my interest. Heat is simply a fantastic film from top to bottom - an artistic achievement of the highest caliber, and definitely worthy of being called one of the greatest crime classics ever made.

3. Manhunter (1986)
I would consider Manhunter to be yet another 10/10 masterpiece like the last two films I discussed. It features a distinctly 1980s feeling thanks to the aesthetics and music, both of which give it plenty of flavor to go with its other strengths. The story and progression are brilliant, and I love how much focus went into William Petersen's main character, Will Graham, having to think like the villains to get the job done. There is a lot of dark psychology involved in addition to some awfully disturbing violence as well. I found the whole affair to be super suspenseful and intense, and at the center of it all is a spectacular, unsettling performance from Tom Noonan as the movie's main threat, Francis Dollarhyde. Getting to see some of his personal life along with his abhorrent crimes really made things extra compelling. I could not recommend it to the faint of heart, but Manhunter is a first-rate thriller with strong elements in every department that make it exceptional and memorable among other movies like it (I do still prefer The Silence of the Lambs slightly, to address a common comparison, but both are splendid!).

4. Collateral (2004)
For me, Collateral is the last "truly great" film that Mann directed, and it stands out in a really big, positive way among the rest of his output in the 21st century. The story of this movie is really cool in both concept and execution, having the right directing, acting, and writing to do it all justice. Jamie Foxx's protagonist Max Durocher is likable, sympathetic, but flawed - a fully 3D character that is worthy of an audience's attention and investment. Tom Cruise has rarely been better than he is here as Vincent - scary, philosophical, enigmatic, and very physical. Other actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo are great here as well, but it is Foxx and Cruise and their electric chemistry that make this movie what it is. Collateral is action-packed, twisty, and witty, and definitely one of the most purely fun and entertaining movies that Michael Mann made.

5. The Insider (1999)
The Insider might not have as much action as the average Mann movie, but it has a plenty riveting story and characters to grab your attention! Al Pacino was reliably great as journalist Lowell Bergman, though it is Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand that was the most impressive in the movie to me; you really feel for the guy and all the horrible stuff he had to go through. The message of the film is sadly eternally relevant, and I am very glad it was told because I had no idea about any of it before I saw it. It is not the most stylish or flashy movie of Mann's career, but The Insider proved he could do solid work beyond action-y films, and it definitely earned my respect and intrigue as I watched it.

6. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
The Last of the Mohicans is definitely a unique entry in Mann's filmography. For one thing, it is his only film to be set before the 20th century, and for another, it feels more straightforward in its narrative and presentation than most of his other work. I really love the period piece aspects here like the costumes, setting, and history stuff, and Daniel Day-Lewis is always a joy to watch. Watching this movie again after a long time, though, I have to admit that few elements stood out as truly "extraordinary," even though it is still a very good, consistent experience that I mostly enjoyed. Still, the action and drama are plentiful, and the music was definitely noteworthy. I like The Last of the Mohicans a fair amount overall, though I think it falls just a little short of Mann's elite tier of movies.

7. Public Enemies (2009)
It should have been a slam-dunk, but Public Enemies ended up being merely "good" instead of "great." It is one of the last decent films that Johnny Depp starred in (he does a pretty solid job in this movie), though, and I am a sucker for Prohibition-era gangster films, so the aesthetics and vibes associated with that went a long way for me in enjoying this one. Though I think they are normally good actors, I had mixed feelings about the performances of Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard; neither are outright bad here or anything, but they were both pretty "meh" I thought, which can at least partly be attributed to the directing and writing of their characters. The story is pretty engaging most of the way, still, though it is stronger when it focused on the "bad guys" than the "good guys." On that note, one of my favorite things this film did was show how nasty the "good guys" could be; moral ambiguity is always a fun element for me. The overall film is admittedly a little underwhelming, but Public Enemies still delivers in a lot of the most important areas, namely intense violence, an interesting plot, and a stylish presentation.

8. The Keep (1983)
Given its massive lack of coherence and obvious state of being unfinished, The Keep might objectively be the worst film of Michael Mann's career, and yet I am still placing it above a few of his other movies based on my own personal interest level. Beyond the basics, trying to understand the story here is a lost cause, but we as an audience are still granted several other aspects to enjoy: a superb Tangerine Dream score, dark and creepy aesthetics and vibes, and some interesting characters, particularly the nightmarishly designed Molasar. It can also rightfully take its place as a "Nazi carnage classic" alongside movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Inglourious Basterds, and Sisu. The Keep may be a mess, to say the least, but it is an entertaining, fascinating mess with redeemable qualities, though it does sadly stand as as the biggest wasted potential of Mann's career.

9. Ferrari (2023)
Ferrari is a mostly decent biopic, but I think it lacked exceptionally great qualities beyond a superb performance from Penélope Cruz. The directing is fine, the writing is fine, the acting is fine, but, for me, that was kind of just it: it is just "fine" as a whole. If I had more interest in cars and the people involved in the story to begin with, I might have gotten into it more, but as is, it felt like a serviceable but detached experience for me watching this movie. I do not really have much else to say about Michael Mann's most recent film. I think Ferrari was competently made and did at least manage to hold my interest most of the way, but I am in no rush to see it again, and it did little to set itself apart in a great way among other biopics I have seen.

10. Ali (2001)
Speaking of biopics, I found Ali to be a similar experience: competently made, but nothing too special. Though I recognize his greatness and accomplishments, I have never personally been a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, or boxing in general for that matter, so I am not exactly the target audience for this movie. I think the acting was pretty good, and there are not too many severe flaws to be found, per say, but I found the overall experience to be quite repetitive and overlong. I did not gain much from watching the movie, honestly, even though I would not call it "bad." Ali will likely appeal more to people who are invested in the subject material to begin with, but for me, it was one of Mann's least entertaining films.

11. Miami Vice (2006)
A lot of people probably will not like me putting Miami Vice so low on this list, but if I am being fully honest, I just did not care much for this movie. I have never seen the original TV show, so again, I might not have the best opinion here, but this film did not do much for me. Other than good and plentiful action, I was kind of bored with it; the characters were far less interesting than the usual from a Mann film, and I felt like there should have been a lot better chemistry and comradery between Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell's leading characters. The romance subplots were also "meh" at best. I feel like the film could have really benefitted from some humor and wittiness, but most of it was a bleak, heavy experience that, at least to me, lacked the fun and joy of most of Mann's other action-y work. Miami Vice definitely seems to have its fans, but I did not end up as one of them, I am afraid - at least for this movie.

12. Blackhat (2015)
Blackhat was a pretty easy choice as my least favorite Michael Mann movie. Everyone else has already said it, but Chris Hemsworth's casting is really off here, and I cannot say many other actors or characters particularly impressed me either. The story was confusing and unsatisfying to me, and the CGI moments, though brief, were totally unnecessary and off-putting. Like Miami Vice, I think this movie would have been better off being less dour, too. I would never have guessed that Mann made this, as it feels like a generic, mediocre action/thriller film that could have come from anyone. All things considered, though, Blackhat being the low point out of twelve movies is not bad!

And there it is, another film director in the books! For me, when Michael Mann was "on" - particularly #1-4 - he is as entertaining, fun, and rewatchable as any filmmaker ever, and when he is "off" - particularly #9-12 - he is usually not outright "bad," but can become a bit dull and forgettable. His career has been very impressive overall, though, and I am very glad I checked out his movies, especially since a handful ended up becoming truly huge favorites!

@FoxRox , you should also check out the little seen 'The Jericho Mile' (1979), that Mann made in his early career! Well worth seeing!

Creasy47 · February 24

I second @Mathis1's comment. It's a made-for-TV movie but I was pretty blown away by it during my last Mann-athon. Definitely surprised me with its quality.

DarthDimi · February 25

THE DETECTIVE (1968)

Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra team up in the '60s to create the first Die Hard film. Because technically, that's what this is; it's the first adaptation of a book series that would spawn one of our generation's most celebrated action films. Evidently, when Ol' Blue Eyes joined this detective noir project to address contemporary taboos such as "illegal" homosexuality, no one was thinking about a future in which Bruce Willis would shoot up the Nakatomi building.

The Detective is a crime drama film, not an action film. Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, and Jacqueline Bisset join New York's biggest lyrical fan to expose an intricate plot in the spirit of the great, delightful noir flicks of old. Yippee ki‐yay nothing, mate, because Sinatra will show the distressed damsel who's boss, not eliminate German terrorists. And the result is a film that I absolutely love. Douglas knows what he's doing. He takes risks, he elicits an amazing performance from Sinatra, and he pulls me into this story from the first moments. My only struggle with the film is the use of flashbacks. Narratively, they make perfect sense, but Sinatra looks the same in both timelines, making it very hard to establish what happened 'then' and what's happening 'now'. Luckily, I've seen the film enough times by now to get a grip on that storytelling device.

Overall, this is not at all a must-see if you're working your way through the Die Hard series, since these films have as much in common with each other as Gone With The Wind with The Lego Batman Movie. But, this is a must-see in every other regard. A classic film, and my favourite Douglas Gordon and Sinatra film. Joe's the man.

GoldenGun · February 26

DarthDimi wrote: »

THE DETECTIVE (1968)

Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra team up in the '60s to create the first Die Hard film. Because technically, that's what this is; it's the first adaptation of a book series that would spawn one of our generation's most celebrated action films. Evidently, when Ol' Blue Eyes joined this detective noir project to address contemporary taboos such as "illegal" homosexuality, no one was thinking about a future in which Bruce Willis would shoot up the Nakatomi building.

The Detective is a crime drama film, not an action film. Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, and Jacqueline Bisset join New York's biggest lyrical fan to expose an intricate plot in the spirit of the great, delightful noir flicks of old. Yippee ki‐yay nothing, mate, because Sinatra will show the distressed damsel who's boss, not eliminate German terrorists. And the result is a film that I absolutely love. Douglas knows what he's doing. He takes risks, he elicits an amazing performance from Sinatra, and he pulls me into this story from the first moments. My only struggle with the film is the use of flashbacks. Narratively, they make perfect sense, but Sinatra looks the same in both timelines, making it very hard to establish what happened 'then' and what's happening 'now'. Luckily, I've seen the film enough times by now to get a grip on that storytelling device.

Overall, this is not at all a must-see if you're working your way through the Die Hard series, since these films have as much in common with each other as Gone With The Wind with The Lego Batman Movie. But, this is a must-see in every other regard. A classic film, and my favourite Douglas Gordon and Sinatra film. Joe's the man.

I really like The Detective too.

I think I first saw it back when we had that cinephile thread on here where each participant suggested a movie we all had to watch which was then being discussed for one week. I remember Rumble Fish and L' avventura (which was my own suggestion) were also discussed. It was a fun thread and an interesting way to discover more quality films.

In the end though it got more difficult for everyone to find the time to fully engage. Which is understandable, of course. Life can be busy, after all.

LeonardPine · February 26

FoxRox wrote: »

Already finished Michael Mann's filmography (I have had a lot of free time over the past few months), so now it is time for my latest ranking and thoughts.

1. Thief (1981)
Having watched everything, Mann's debut film Thief remains my absolute favorite work that he did, for a whole lot of reasons. James Caan, playing the lead character Frank, gives undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career; Frank is a complicated protagonist, unequipped with social skills and rough around the edges to say the least, but incredible at what he does and still very human under the surface. Despite his serious flaws, I really felt for him towards the end when certain things go down, and that is the way a well-done movie is supposed to be. All the other characters are colorful and interesting as well, though I would like to single out Robert Prosky as Leo, who felt like a realistic, truly terrifying Chicago crime boss. On top of a constantly engaging story and great acting, the movie delivers one of the greatest soundtracks I have ever heard - perhaps Tangerine Dream's film score masterpiece, and they did many great ones - and first-rate atmosphere with the city, particularly when it is neon-lit at night. For me, Thief is just complete movie heaven all around, boasting a gripping narrative, fascinating characters, gorgeous visuals, outstanding audio, and directorial genius that feels like it is from a veteran, master filmmaker rather than a first-timer. Easily one of my all-time favorite movies!

2. Heat (1995)
Heat is widely and understandably considered to be Michael Mann's magnum opus, and if not for how much I love Thief, it would have captured the #1 spot on my list as well. I mean, what can I really say about this one that has not been said already? Absolutely stacked cast spearheaded by Al Pacino and Robert de Niro, a sensational script that provides both an amazing story and terrific dialogue, a solid soundtrack from Elliot Goldenthal, and impeccable usage of the Los Angeles setting. The film has so much going on, but it somehow manages to perfectly balance everything, giving the audience all the intense action we crave (the post-bank robbery shootout is absolutely insane), but also going deep into the personal lives of the main characters so that we really become invested in them throughout the journey. The length of the movie is nearly three hours, but it all flies by so fast and never once loses my interest. Heat is simply a fantastic film from top to bottom - an artistic achievement of the highest caliber, and definitely worthy of being called one of the greatest crime classics ever made.

3. Manhunter (1986)
I would consider Manhunter to be yet another 10/10 masterpiece like the last two films I discussed. It features a distinctly 1980s feeling thanks to the aesthetics and music, both of which give it plenty of flavor to go with its other strengths. The story and progression are brilliant, and I love how much focus went into William Petersen's main character, Will Graham, having to think like the villains to get the job done. There is a lot of dark psychology involved in addition to some awfully disturbing violence as well. I found the whole affair to be super suspenseful and intense, and at the center of it all is a spectacular, unsettling performance from Tom Noonan as the movie's main threat, Francis Dollarhyde. Getting to see some of his personal life along with his abhorrent crimes really made things extra compelling. I could not recommend it to the faint of heart, but Manhunter is a first-rate thriller with strong elements in every department that make it exceptional and memorable among other movies like it (I do still prefer The Silence of the Lambs slightly, to address a common comparison, but both are splendid!).

4. Collateral (2004)
For me, Collateral is the last "truly great" film that Mann directed, and it stands out in a really big, positive way among the rest of his output in the 21st century. The story of this movie is really cool in both concept and execution, having the right directing, acting, and writing to do it all justice. Jamie Foxx's protagonist Max Durocher is likable, sympathetic, but flawed - a fully 3D character that is worthy of an audience's attention and investment. Tom Cruise has rarely been better than he is here as Vincent - scary, philosophical, enigmatic, and very physical. Other actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and Mark Ruffalo are great here as well, but it is Foxx and Cruise and their electric chemistry that make this movie what it is. Collateral is action-packed, twisty, and witty, and definitely one of the most purely fun and entertaining movies that Michael Mann made.

5. The Insider (1999)
The Insider might not have as much action as the average Mann movie, but it has a plenty riveting story and characters to grab your attention! Al Pacino was reliably great as journalist Lowell Bergman, though it is Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand that was the most impressive in the movie to me; you really feel for the guy and all the horrible stuff he had to go through. The message of the film is sadly eternally relevant, and I am very glad it was told because I had no idea about any of it before I saw it. It is not the most stylish or flashy movie of Mann's career, but The Insider proved he could do solid work beyond action-y films, and it definitely earned my respect and intrigue as I watched it.

6. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
The Last of the Mohicans is definitely a unique entry in Mann's filmography. For one thing, it is his only film to be set before the 20th century, and for another, it feels more straightforward in its narrative and presentation than most of his other work. I really love the period piece aspects here like the costumes, setting, and history stuff, and Daniel Day-Lewis is always a joy to watch. Watching this movie again after a long time, though, I have to admit that few elements stood out as truly "extraordinary," even though it is still a very good, consistent experience that I mostly enjoyed. Still, the action and drama are plentiful, and the music was definitely noteworthy. I like The Last of the Mohicans a fair amount overall, though I think it falls just a little short of Mann's elite tier of movies.

7. Public Enemies (2009)
It should have been a slam-dunk, but Public Enemies ended up being merely "good" instead of "great." It is one of the last decent films that Johnny Depp starred in (he does a pretty solid job in this movie), though, and I am a sucker for Prohibition-era gangster films, so the aesthetics and vibes associated with that went a long way for me in enjoying this one. Though I think they are normally good actors, I had mixed feelings about the performances of Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard; neither are outright bad here or anything, but they were both pretty "meh" I thought, which can at least partly be attributed to the directing and writing of their characters. The story is pretty engaging most of the way, still, though it is stronger when it focused on the "bad guys" than the "good guys." On that note, one of my favorite things this film did was show how nasty the "good guys" could be; moral ambiguity is always a fun element for me. The overall film is admittedly a little underwhelming, but Public Enemies still delivers in a lot of the most important areas, namely intense violence, an interesting plot, and a stylish presentation.

8. The Keep (1983)
Given its massive lack of coherence and obvious state of being unfinished, The Keep might objectively be the worst film of Michael Mann's career, and yet I am still placing it above a few of his other movies based on my own personal interest level. Beyond the basics, trying to understand the story here is a lost cause, but we as an audience are still granted several other aspects to enjoy: a superb Tangerine Dream score, dark and creepy aesthetics and vibes, and some interesting characters, particularly the nightmarishly designed Molasar. It can also rightfully take its place as a "Nazi carnage classic" alongside movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Inglourious Basterds, and Sisu. The Keep may be a mess, to say the least, but it is an entertaining, fascinating mess with redeemable qualities, though it does sadly stand as as the biggest wasted potential of Mann's career.

9. Ferrari (2023)
Ferrari is a mostly decent biopic, but I think it lacked exceptionally great qualities beyond a superb performance from Penélope Cruz. The directing is fine, the writing is fine, the acting is fine, but, for me, that was kind of just it: it is just "fine" as a whole. If I had more interest in cars and the people involved in the story to begin with, I might have gotten into it more, but as is, it felt like a serviceable but detached experience for me watching this movie. I do not really have much else to say about Michael Mann's most recent film. I think Ferrari was competently made and did at least manage to hold my interest most of the way, but I am in no rush to see it again, and it did little to set itself apart in a great way among other biopics I have seen.

10. Ali (2001)
Speaking of biopics, I found Ali to be a similar experience: competently made, but nothing too special. Though I recognize his greatness and accomplishments, I have never personally been a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, or boxing in general for that matter, so I am not exactly the target audience for this movie. I think the acting was pretty good, and there are not too many severe flaws to be found, per say, but I found the overall experience to be quite repetitive and overlong. I did not gain much from watching the movie, honestly, even though I would not call it "bad." Ali will likely appeal more to people who are invested in the subject material to begin with, but for me, it was one of Mann's least entertaining films.

11. Miami Vice (2006)
A lot of people probably will not like me putting Miami Vice so low on this list, but if I am being fully honest, I just did not care much for this movie. I have never seen the original TV show, so again, I might not have the best opinion here, but this film did not do much for me. Other than good and plentiful action, I was kind of bored with it; the characters were far less interesting than the usual from a Mann film, and I felt like there should have been a lot better chemistry and comradery between Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell's leading characters. The romance subplots were also "meh" at best. I feel like the film could have really benefitted from some humor and wittiness, but most of it was a bleak, heavy experience that, at least to me, lacked the fun and joy of most of Mann's other action-y work. Miami Vice definitely seems to have its fans, but I did not end up as one of them, I am afraid - at least for this movie.

12. Blackhat (2015)
Blackhat was a pretty easy choice as my least favorite Michael Mann movie. Everyone else has already said it, but Chris Hemsworth's casting is really off here, and I cannot say many other actors or characters particularly impressed me either. The story was confusing and unsatisfying to me, and the CGI moments, though brief, were totally unnecessary and off-putting. Like Miami Vice, I think this movie would have been better off being less dour, too. I would never have guessed that Mann made this, as it feels like a generic, mediocre action/thriller film that could have come from anyone. All things considered, though, Blackhat being the low point out of twelve movies is not bad!

And there it is, another film director in the books! For me, when Michael Mann was "on" - particularly #1-4 - he is as entertaining, fun, and rewatchable as any filmmaker ever, and when he is "off" - particularly #9-12 - he is usually not outright "bad," but can become a bit dull and forgettable. His career has been very impressive overall, though, and I am very glad I checked out his movies, especially since a handful ended up becoming truly huge favorites!

Excellent write up @FoxRox

I agree with most of your list. I'm not a fan of Public Enemies. John Milius did it oh so much better with 'Dillinger' in the 70's.

I have a soft spot for 'Blackhat' although occasionally it's like Mann doing Mann.

I saw 'Ali once, but i wasn't a fan. For some reason it had Jon Voight in ridiculous prothetics..

According to James Caan, his performance in 'Thief' is his personal favourite.

I haven't seen 'Ferrari' yet...

MajorDSmythe · February 26

DarthDimi wrote: »

THE DETECTIVE (1968)

Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra team up in the '60s to create the first Die Hard film. Because technically, that's what this is; it's the first adaptation of a book series that would spawn one of our generation's most celebrated action films. Evidently, when Ol' Blue Eyes joined this detective noir project to address contemporary taboos such as "illegal" homosexuality, no one was thinking about a future in which Bruce Willis would shoot up the Nakatomi building.

The Detective is a crime drama film, not an action film. Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, and Jacqueline Bisset join New York's biggest lyrical fan to expose an intricate plot in the spirit of the great, delightful noir flicks of old. Yippee ki‐yay nothing, mate, because Sinatra will show the distressed damsel who's boss, not eliminate German terrorists. And the result is a film that I absolutely love. Douglas knows what he's doing. He takes risks, he elicits an amazing performance from Sinatra, and he pulls me into this story from the first moments. My only struggle with the film is the use of flashbacks. Narratively, they make perfect sense, but Sinatra looks the same in both timelines, making it very hard to establish what happened 'then' and what's happening 'now'. Luckily, I've seen the film enough times by now to get a grip on that storytelling device.

Overall, this is not at all a must-see if you're working your way through the Die Hard series, since these films have as much in common with each other as Gone With The Wind with The Lego Batman Movie. But, this is a must-see in every other regard. A classic film, and my favourite Douglas Gordon and Sinatra film. Joe's the man.

That's one of my favourite films to feature The Chairman. And Jacqueline Bisset is always a plus.

Blood And Black Lace (1964)

And early Giallo from the master, Mario Bava. I don't think I have ever seen a film where the colours just.... *pop* off the screen. I knew I was going to love this, even during the credits sequence...

A masked figure stalks the models of a high end fashion house in Millan. And that's all you need to know, as I don't want to give anything away.

I wondered afterwards if this was the inspiration for Delirium (1987), directed by Mario's son, Lamberto. Both films feature a killer murdering the models of a fashion company. Delirium lacks the flair of Blood And Black Lace, but does have Serena Grandi... ;)

GoldenGun · February 26

MajorDSmythe wrote: »

DarthDimi wrote: »

THE DETECTIVE (1968)

Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra team up in the '60s to create the first Die Hard film. Because technically, that's what this is; it's the first adaptation of a book series that would spawn one of our generation's most celebrated action films. Evidently, when Ol' Blue Eyes joined this detective noir project to address contemporary taboos such as "illegal" homosexuality, no one was thinking about a future in which Bruce Willis would shoot up the Nakatomi building.

The Detective is a crime drama film, not an action film. Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, and Jacqueline Bisset join New York's biggest lyrical fan to expose an intricate plot in the spirit of the great, delightful noir flicks of old. Yippee ki‐yay nothing, mate, because Sinatra will show the distressed damsel who's boss, not eliminate German terrorists. And the result is a film that I absolutely love. Douglas knows what he's doing. He takes risks, he elicits an amazing performance from Sinatra, and he pulls me into this story from the first moments. My only struggle with the film is the use of flashbacks. Narratively, they make perfect sense, but Sinatra looks the same in both timelines, making it very hard to establish what happened 'then' and what's happening 'now'. Luckily, I've seen the film enough times by now to get a grip on that storytelling device.

Overall, this is not at all a must-see if you're working your way through the Die Hard series, since these films have as much in common with each other as Gone With The Wind with The Lego Batman Movie. But, this is a must-see in every other regard. A classic film, and my favourite Douglas Gordon and Sinatra film. Joe's the man.

That's one of my favourite films to feature The Chairman. And Jacqueline Bisset is always a plus.

Blood And Black Lace (1964)

And early Giallo from the master, Mario Bava. I don't think I have ever seen a film where the colours just.... *pop* off the screen. I knew I was going to love this, even during the credits sequence...

A masked figure stalks the models of a high end fashion house in Millan. And that's all you need to know, as I don't want to give anything away.

I wondered afterwards if this was the inspiration for Delirium (1987), directed by Mario's son, Lamberto. Both films feature a killer murdering the models of a fashion company. Delirium lacks the flair of Blood And Black Lace, but does have Serena Grandi... ;)

One of the best gialli!! Love that one! Gorgeously atmospheric.

MajorDSmythe · February 26

GoldenGun wrote: »

MajorDSmythe wrote: »

DarthDimi wrote: »

THE DETECTIVE (1968)

Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra team up in the '60s to create the first Die Hard film. Because technically, that's what this is; it's the first adaptation of a book series that would spawn one of our generation's most celebrated action films. Evidently, when Ol' Blue Eyes joined this detective noir project to address contemporary taboos such as "illegal" homosexuality, no one was thinking about a future in which Bruce Willis would shoot up the Nakatomi building.

The Detective is a crime drama film, not an action film. Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, and Jacqueline Bisset join New York's biggest lyrical fan to expose an intricate plot in the spirit of the great, delightful noir flicks of old. Yippee ki‐yay nothing, mate, because Sinatra will show the distressed damsel who's boss, not eliminate German terrorists. And the result is a film that I absolutely love. Douglas knows what he's doing. He takes risks, he elicits an amazing performance from Sinatra, and he pulls me into this story from the first moments. My only struggle with the film is the use of flashbacks. Narratively, they make perfect sense, but Sinatra looks the same in both timelines, making it very hard to establish what happened 'then' and what's happening 'now'. Luckily, I've seen the film enough times by now to get a grip on that storytelling device.

Overall, this is not at all a must-see if you're working your way through the Die Hard series, since these films have as much in common with each other as Gone With The Wind with The Lego Batman Movie. But, this is a must-see in every other regard. A classic film, and my favourite Douglas Gordon and Sinatra film. Joe's the man.

That's one of my favourite films to feature The Chairman. And Jacqueline Bisset is always a plus.

Blood And Black Lace (1964)

And early Giallo from the master, Mario Bava. I don't think I have ever seen a film where the colours just.... *pop* off the screen. I knew I was going to love this, even during the credits sequence...

A masked figure stalks the models of a high end fashion house in Millan. And that's all you need to know, as I don't want to give anything away.

I wondered afterwards if this was the inspiration for Delirium (1987), directed by Mario's son, Lamberto. Both films feature a killer murdering the models of a fashion company. Delirium lacks the flair of Blood And Black Lace, but does have Serena Grandi... ;)

One of the best gialli!! Love that one! Gorgeously atmospheric.

Absolutely. I was going to ask if you'd seen it.

GoldenGun · February 26

MajorDSmythe wrote: »

GoldenGun wrote: »

MajorDSmythe wrote: »

DarthDimi wrote: »

THE DETECTIVE (1968)

Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra team up in the '60s to create the first Die Hard film. Because technically, that's what this is; it's the first adaptation of a book series that would spawn one of our generation's most celebrated action films. Evidently, when Ol' Blue Eyes joined this detective noir project to address contemporary taboos such as "illegal" homosexuality, no one was thinking about a future in which Bruce Willis would shoot up the Nakatomi building.

The Detective is a crime drama film, not an action film. Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, and Jacqueline Bisset join New York's biggest lyrical fan to expose an intricate plot in the spirit of the great, delightful noir flicks of old. Yippee ki‐yay nothing, mate, because Sinatra will show the distressed damsel who's boss, not eliminate German terrorists. And the result is a film that I absolutely love. Douglas knows what he's doing. He takes risks, he elicits an amazing performance from Sinatra, and he pulls me into this story from the first moments. My only struggle with the film is the use of flashbacks. Narratively, they make perfect sense, but Sinatra looks the same in both timelines, making it very hard to establish what happened 'then' and what's happening 'now'. Luckily, I've seen the film enough times by now to get a grip on that storytelling device.

Overall, this is not at all a must-see if you're working your way through the Die Hard series, since these films have as much in common with each other as Gone With The Wind with The Lego Batman Movie. But, this is a must-see in every other regard. A classic film, and my favourite Douglas Gordon and Sinatra film. Joe's the man.

That's one of my favourite films to feature The Chairman. And Jacqueline Bisset is always a plus.

Blood And Black Lace (1964)

And early Giallo from the master, Mario Bava. I don't think I have ever seen a film where the colours just.... *pop* off the screen. I knew I was going to love this, even during the credits sequence...

A masked figure stalks the models of a high end fashion house in Millan. And that's all you need to know, as I don't want to give anything away.

I wondered afterwards if this was the inspiration for Delirium (1987), directed by Mario's son, Lamberto. Both films feature a killer murdering the models of a fashion company. Delirium lacks the flair of Blood And Black Lace, but does have Serena Grandi... ;)

One of the best gialli!! Love that one! Gorgeously atmospheric.

Absolutely. I was going to ask if you'd seen it.

Ow yes, it's a top 10 giallo for me :)

DarthDimi · February 26

GoldenGun wrote: »

MajorDSmythe wrote: »

GoldenGun wrote: »

MajorDSmythe wrote: »

DarthDimi wrote: »

THE DETECTIVE (1968)

Gordon Douglas and Frank Sinatra team up in the '60s to create the first Die Hard film. Because technically, that's what this is; it's the first adaptation of a book series that would spawn one of our generation's most celebrated action films. Evidently, when Ol' Blue Eyes joined this detective noir project to address contemporary taboos such as "illegal" homosexuality, no one was thinking about a future in which Bruce Willis would shoot up the Nakatomi building.

The Detective is a crime drama film, not an action film. Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, and Jacqueline Bisset join New York's biggest lyrical fan to expose an intricate plot in the spirit of the great, delightful noir flicks of old. Yippee ki‐yay nothing, mate, because Sinatra will show the distressed damsel who's boss, not eliminate German terrorists. And the result is a film that I absolutely love. Douglas knows what he's doing. He takes risks, he elicits an amazing performance from Sinatra, and he pulls me into this story from the first moments. My only struggle with the film is the use of flashbacks. Narratively, they make perfect sense, but Sinatra looks the same in both timelines, making it very hard to establish what happened 'then' and what's happening 'now'. Luckily, I've seen the film enough times by now to get a grip on that storytelling device.

Overall, this is not at all a must-see if you're working your way through the Die Hard series, since these films have as much in common with each other as Gone With The Wind with The Lego Batman Movie. But, this is a must-see in every other regard. A classic film, and my favourite Douglas Gordon and Sinatra film. Joe's the man.

That's one of my favourite films to feature The Chairman. And Jacqueline Bisset is always a plus.

Blood And Black Lace (1964)

And early Giallo from the master, Mario Bava. I don't think I have ever seen a film where the colours just.... *pop* off the screen. I knew I was going to love this, even during the credits sequence...

A masked figure stalks the models of a high end fashion house in Millan. And that's all you need to know, as I don't want to give anything away.

I wondered afterwards if this was the inspiration for Delirium (1987), directed by Mario's son, Lamberto. Both films feature a killer murdering the models of a fashion company. Delirium lacks the flair of Blood And Black Lace, but does have Serena Grandi... ;)

One of the best gialli!! Love that one! Gorgeously atmospheric.

Absolutely. I was going to ask if you'd seen it.

Ow yes, it's a top 10 giallo for me :)

Oh absolutely. One of the very best. Very atmospheric and energetic, this.

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