I’m probably the last to see this, I think it’s been doing the rounds, but I only saw it today. From some group called ‘Improv Everywhere’.

In recent years there hasn’t been much disappointed me like the work of director Michael Mann.

Heat didn’t live up to the hype, The Insider was too long and slow, and Ali didn’t really go anywhere as a story. Collateral was alright, but again was built up too much. Miami Vice was an unforgivable mess of a film, and the hype-driven expectations that caused my disappointment with the other films, was blown out of the water by how much I hated watching it.

That being said Mann is back with a series of interesting films for the years ahead. Top of that list is Public Enemies, but more on that later.

Empire staring Will Smith, is a story about a contemporary global media mogul written by The Aviator’s John Logan.

Frankie Machine, re-teams Mann and Robert De Niro for a screen adaptation of Don Winslow’s novel The Winter of Frankie Machine.

One I would like to see, despite it staring Leonardo DiCaprio, is Hollywood Noir. Since the article says shooting in February and it is now May without any sign of them shooting I’m guessing this one isn’t going to happen any time soon. Pity.

Then there are films about Alexander Litvinenko, an ex-KGB agent who was poisoned with polonium in November 2006. At first it seemed Johnny Depp and Michael Mann were developing rival projects, but now it seems they have teamed up for one film.

One film the pair are filming together is Public Enemies!

Depp will be joined by Christian Bale and Billy Crudup in this 1930’s story of FBI Agent, Melvin Purvis’s (Bale) hunt of Gangsters John Dillinger (Depp) and Baby Face Nelson. Crudup will be playing J. Edgar Hoover.

Mann will unfotunately be writing the screenplay but it’s based on Bryan Burrough’s book Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34 so it mightn’t be as bad as his Miami Vice script.

Check back soon for my review of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

There has been a great response for the workshops in Spain and there are only a few places left in each workshop. If anybody is still interested in participating please let me know as soon as possible and I will send you details on how to book a place. If you want more info, dont hesitate to contact me and I will answer asap. If you are interested click under my name where it says “Read the rest of this entry>>”

Best wishes,

Marcus

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The latest trailer for The Dark Knight hit the web today. Wonder if it’s the one Frank saw? Enjoy!

I like it! Shows a lot but it’s still a nice trailer. This film looks like they’ve dropped Batman into the real World rather than a comic book World. I’ve always felt that wouldn’t be possible but it might just work. If it does I’ll be very impressed. I like what we see of Heath Ledger’s performance too.