This week at the movies, we've got crime and punishment (Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale) and prehistoric domesticity (Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, with voice work from Ray Romano and Queen Latifah). What do the critics have to say?
Public Enemies
Public Enemies hits theaters with an impressive pedigree -- it's directed by Michael Mann and stars two of contemporary cinema's biggest names, Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. And although critics say the picture offers plenty to admire, it's strangely muted overall. Depp stars as legendary bank robber John Dillinger, whose daring criminal exploits made him an American folk hero in the 1930s, while Bale plays g-man Melvin Purvis, who's hell-bent on taking him down. The pundits say Public Enemies has impeccable period ambience, and Depp emits oodles of roguish charm in the lead. However, others say it never makes the leap from good to great; it's a solid crime picture that never fully explores its characters or its era.)
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is the third film in a series that saw its critical fortunes dwindle from the first movie to the second. And the scribes say that this one's not much better, despite solid animation and a funny turn from Simon Pegg as a crazed weasel. Mammoth couple Manny and Ellie (Ray Romano and Queen Latifah) are expecting their first kid, but find they must rescue their sloth pal Sid (John Leguizamo), who's trying to raise some T. Rex babies, from an angry dinosaur. The pundits say Ice Age's 3-D visuals are often extraordinary, but the story is tired stuff, and even the irrepressible Scrat, so entertaining in the first two films, brings little levity to the proceedings.
Also opening this week in limited release:
- The Chilean import Tony Manero, about a man who's obsessed with Saturday Night Fever during the Pinochet era, is at 93 percent.
- The Beaches of Agnes, an autobiographical documentary from French New Wave pioneer Agnes Varda, is at 91 percent.
- The Girl From Monaco, a dark comedy about an attorney who meets a beautiful woman while defending a criminal in Monaco, is at 60 percent.
- I Hate Valentine's Day, a romantic comedy that reunites My Big Fat Greek Wedding stars Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, is at 40 percent.
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Logan A. writes: on Jun 30 2009 05:00 PM Thats too bad, I was really wqnting Public Enemies to be THE Oscar film this year. Damn. Ill Still see it though, I love the 1930 era movies. (Reply to this) |
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MADDAZ writes: on Jun 30 2009 05:02 PM Looks like Public Enemies could be another Miami Vice. Great actors but bland story. The last of the Mohicans seems to be Michael Mann's best work to date and wish he would revisit that story. Who knows matbe he will. (Reply to this) |
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J_Jonah_Jamieson writes: on Jun 30 2009 05:09 PM I'd rather the worse Michael Mann movie over Michael E-Bay's best anyday. First movie since Star Trek that I will actually pay to see this summer. PARKER!!!!!! (Reply to this) |
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Alejandro P. writes: on Jun 30 2009 05:16 PM i will still see public enemies. on the other hand I really recommend Tony Manero watch ityou will be pleased :) (Reply to this) |
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RE4P3R writes: on Jun 30 2009 05:25 PM Logan A.: Really? The July release date alone is a sign of the film's ability at the Oscars. The least one could hope for is a nomination for Johnny Depp in the Best Actor category (which the reviews hint is very improbable). (Reply to this) |
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AntonChigurh writes: on Jun 30 2009 05:54 PM I can not wait to see public Enemy's. I think Mann was going for an entertaining summer action movie rather than an Oscar picture, kinda like Heat or Collatreal. I also love the 1930's setting, that alone is worth the price of admission. (Reply to this) |
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frank f. writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:00 PM "I can not wait to see public Enemy's. I think Mann was going for an entertaining summer action movie rather than an Oscar picture" You can't be for real?! (Reply to this) |
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Kevin E. writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:06 PM Well the critics that I trust have all given this a good review and I was going to see it anyway. And ditto on the Michael Mann over Michael Bay comment. (Reply to this) |
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Bob S. writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:32 PM As a huge, huge, huge lover of this particular period, of gangsters, of Michael Mann, Johnny Depp, and Christian Bale, and to a lesser extent Cotillard, it's a no-brainer for me. They had me with the first trailer for this. (Reply to this) |
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De4ective Detectiv3 writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:37 PM Honestly, I gotta say if your having doubts about this movie, you people could always go see THE HURT LOCKER, which expands to wide release this weekend. Alright, shameless promotion over But yeah, a common complaint I'm hearing about this movie is that Mann's uber-modern style filmmaking kinda clashes with it being a period peice and all. I want to see this movie more because I'm fascinated by John Dillinger, could care less about Christian Bale, his acting is a little dull. (Reply to this) |
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MovieMaster writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:43 PM I was hoping PE would get a little better reviews but 58% isn't all too bad and despite reviews I'll be seeing it anyway. (Reply to this) |
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Hans M. writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:49 PM Yeah, Hurt Locker is still higher on the list to see than Public Enemies. If a movie sounds as half-assed as this sounds, I'll probably fall asleep anyway. (Reply to this) |
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Glenn W. writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:53 PM i was sold on Public Enemies since word hit that Depp and Bale were going to be in a Michael Mann film together. and ditto with the "Mann > Bay" sentiment. (Reply to this) |
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Magic is Might writes: on Jun 30 2009 06:57 PM See why did this thread turn into a Mann vs. Bay thread? Glenn W. you are a sad little boy. (Reply to this) |
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DanielthePhantasm XIX writes: on Jun 30 2009 07:06 PM wait for tomorrow it will go up (Reply to this) |
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De4ective Detectiv3 writes: on Jun 30 2009 07:08 PM @ Magic is Might I know, I for one am getting sick of all the attention people are giving Bay, even though all they want to do is pan him. I say, lets end the discussion here, there are like a dozen other Bay related stories you can go troll. (Reply to this) |
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Bob S. writes: on Jun 30 2009 07:59 PM In reply to this comment (#2519783) Haha, you know who he is, right? (Reply to this) |
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Magic is Might writes: on Jun 30 2009 08:09 PM Who am I hypocrite...i mean Bob? Have you found concrete evidence yet? I guess you are going to say that CtrlAltDestroy is Captain because they both use the word BAY in their posts. Sad Sad Sad, having no life and some serious mental issues is sad. (Reply to this) |
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Nighthawk567 writes: on Jun 30 2009 08:15 PM It's unfornunate that Public Enemies seems to be getting mixed to bad reviews from critics. I really wanted Michael Mann to redeem himself after the bland and dull Miami Vice. Formely one of my favorite director's, Michael Mann has really naken a career nosedive. Heat is one of my favorite movies of all time and Last of the Mohicans is very good. I'll still see Public Emnemies despite the reviews. I was hoping for a career reebound from Micahel Man, but now I'll just have to go into the picture and hope for the best. (Reply to this) |
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Bettina K. writes: on Jun 30 2009 08:17 PM In reply to this comment (#2519743) I don't think Mann is concerned with generating entertaining summer action movies, Chigurh. He would also spell "Public Enemy's" Public Enemies and "Collatreal" Collateral. Heat was a brilliant, Oscar-worthy film by all standards, including yours. I think the Trifecta of Michael Mann, a legendary gangster story and Johnny Depp had us dreaming. Trusting my favorite critics, I'll run to see The Hurt Locker, too, and stroll to see Public Enemies with a somewhat muted excitement. (Reply to this) |
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