1160. Collateral

Collateral
2004
Directed by Michael Mann

I keep thinking my Tom Cruise days are behind me, but then he pops up in another entry. It's scary to know he could be lurking behind every corner. But I'll be honest, I was craving something a little less broody than what the List has been doling out lately. This fit the bill pretty well. At the very least, it didn't contain any wartime atrocities.

Max is a Los Angeles cab driver who agrees to drive a stranger to several locations over the course of a night for $600. As Max waits at the first stop, a body falls on his cab. The stranger reveals himself to be a hitman with a tight schedule. He forces Max to drive him to his remaining jobs, and Max becomes increasingly desperate for a means of escape.

I really love Jamie Foxx, who pretty much steals the show from Cruise with his convincing performance as an ordinary man who finds himself hopelessly out of his league. There was also a really powerful supporting cast, which included the always impressive Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem.

I think the script coupled with the performances prevented this film from being another thoughtless action movie, even if it kind of turned into the Terminator toward the end. I enjoyed it, and it was a nice reprieve from really dark subject matters. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg all passed on the opportunity to direct.

Adam Sandler was considered for the role of Max. 

John Travolta was considered for the part of Vincent. One creepy Scientologist at a time please.

892. Heat

Heat
1995
Directed by Michael Mann

I wasn't sure I was going to take this one.  It was hyped as the first time Robert De Niro and Al Pacino meet onscreen and I was afraid it would be a "whip them out and measure them" type showdown that would grate on my nerves.  However, this was quite an enjoyable film; I don't even think I will complain about the running time.

Seasoned LAPD detective Vincent Hanna attempts to capture and successfully convict Neil McCauley, a career criminal.  I know it's a rather vague summary, but any further description feels like it would constitute as a spoiler.  Suffice to say, both men are more similar than they realize.  Iago was our dark Othello, Faith was our dark Buffy,  Gollum was our dark Frodo and so Neil is our dark Vincent.  Or maybe Vincent is our dark Neil.  It's hard to say which of these men is the hero.

A thief and cop sit down at a diner together.  Talk about a screenwriter's wet dream.  It is admittedly a great scene, although it's certainly not the only reason this film is great.  It is brilliantly paced and, of course, brilliantly acted.  I knew Pacino and De Niro would be incredible but I was also impressed with Ashley Judd, Natalie Portman, and (surprisingly) Val Kilmer.

This might be my favorite Al Pacino movie.  I know, I know.  It's a big statement.  I might take that back if challenged, but for now, let's let it lie.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Al Pacino had a facelift prior to filming.

Body count of 21.

737. Manhunter

Manhunter
1986
Directed by Michael Mann

This is the first film to feature Hannibal Lecter, who is one of the most iconic villains in movie history.  I only ever saw him before in The Silence of the Lambs, which was a lot better than this.  I suppose that is an unfair comparison.  But I can't help it!  It just didn't feel right without Anthony Hopkins.

Will Graham is a retired FBI criminal profiler who suffered a mental breakdown after the capture of Hannibal.  He is pulled out of retirement by his old boss when a new serial killer (dubbed the Tooth Fairy because of the bite marks he leaves on victims) comes on the scene.  Graham visits Hannibal in prison to try to get in the mindset of the murderer.  Personally, I would have assumed it was a vampire and deferred to Buffy, not Hannibal.  Perhaps I belong in the institution.

Like I said, this is an earlier film and it is unfair to compare it to The Silence of The Lambs, as the latter probably was greatly influenced by it.  Still, it is almost impossible not to at this point.  I thought Will was a dull character (even his name is boring) and missed Jodie Foster's performance.  Watching Brian Cox play Hannibal just doesn't work for me anymore.

If I had seen this in 1986 I probably would have given it a more favorable review on my twelve pound computer.  Unfortunately, with hindsight, I could have skipped it.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Only Hannibal film where the character's last name is spelled "Lecktor."