Miami Vice (2006)

In 7 words or less: Crockett and Tubbs get all contemporary

What's it all About? Although based on the groundbreaking (Michael Mann produced) 80s TV show, Miami Vice shares little with its formerly televised counterpart. Yes, the names are the same and they still hoon around Miami in a Ferrari but that's really where the similarities end. This is a meticulous, incredibly detailed look at two undercover cops posing as transportation experts for the Miami drug trade. 

Best bits? This film was shot on high-definition digital video. Although controversial, I really enjoy digital cinematography and see it as simply another medium, not a replacement/substitute for film; just something different. I absolutely love its use within Miami Vice; it completely fits Mann's stylised, edgy vision and immerses you deeply in the experience. The contrast it gives you between day and night is glorious - the day scenes pop with insane colour and detail and the night shots are my idea of cinematography heaven! 

I love the fast paced, no hanging around and functional aspects of this film. The dialogue is serious, unforgiving and features a lot of technical jargon. This only adds to what Mann is trying to do with this film. You have to concentrate to understand the beats and storyline therefore making it a really immersive ride.

To untrained, lazy blockbuster glazed eyes, the relationship between the two leads (Farrell and Foxx) might seem shallow and somewhat unexplored, but to me their unspoken story is the glue that keeps the whole thing from falling apart. These are real people, operating in a real world, they don't continually high five and tell each other how they feel.

One of my favourite scenes is when Crocket takes Isabella to Cuba for a Mojito in the 'go fast' boat. Incredible!

Did it make you think thoughts? This film received mixed reviews when released and I can totally see why. It's an acquired taste both visually and in the design of its narrative. In my opinion Miami Vice is a big budget film that's been allowed the freedom to creatively experiment.

Whilst Miami Vice never reaches the dizzying heights of other Mann films, it none the less remains a really artistically interesting addition to his locker. I absolutely love it.

Would you watch it again? Definitely. I like to get my Vice on at least once a year.

Rating (out of 100%): 90% Visually inspiring, engaging, intelligent cinema for grown ups.

The Keep (1983)

In 7 words or less: Michael Mann's weird fantasy horror film!?

What's it all About? It's WWII and a bunch of Nazis get sent to guard some weird citadel in Romania called 'The Keep'. A couple of German soldiers try to steal some strange silvery crosses from inside the keep and accidentally wake up some serious evil. The local villagers seem petrified of the place and when Nazi soldiers start mysteriously getting murdered the townsfolk get the blame. Typical Nazis.

Best bits? The scene where the two German soldiers are trying to steal the cross is awesome! Out of nowhere the film totally changes direction; we're hit with hard 80s synths and a truck load of dry ice! If you have the time you should check it out below.



The weird thing that those guys wake up is apparently called Molasar, he takes on various forms throughout the movie, starting out as just smoke (exactly like LOST) but as he claims more victims he takes on a more human based form. For 1983 this thing looks amazing and still gave me a good scare in 2012.

The Tangerine Dream soundtrack is totally amazing! Although, apparently one of the reasons The Keep hasn't had a DVD release is down to those Tangerines Dreamers being involved in a copyrights debacle with the studio. I don't think Paramount are too bothered about The Keeps lack of DVD release to be honest. 

Did it make you think thoughts? Michael Mann's second picture is no B movie, it's really well made and as you'd expect looks extremely dynamic and interesting. Knowing the sort of director he is now and the films he's accustomed to making, looking back, The Keep really stands out as bizarre deviation from everything else he's ever made or been associated with. It wasn't successful and it's probably no coincidence that he's never felt the need to return to the fantasy horror genre!

I'm not surprised that this movie has carved a small, loyal following out there in cyber world, it smacks of a young artistic director with his first proper budget going wild with lights, creature effects and whacky camera angles. It's all great fun and as with all fantasy horror films goes completely bonkers three quarters of the way in! Confusing as hell; just lights and fog for the most part. Lol, it's a funny genre.

Would you watch it again? For sure! I hope it gets a blu ray release one day, I won't hold my breath though.

Rating (out of 100%): 69% Surprised it was this good actually. I don't know why I thought it wasn't going to be a proper film? In places it's bloody amazing, although it does descend into conventional lunacy towards the end. Worth checking out, but we're all glad Mann went on to better things.

The Insider (1999)

In 7 words or less: A man breaks his confidentiality agreement.

What's it all About? Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) is a producer for the award winning American current affairs show '60 Minutes'. Jeffery Wigand (Russell Crowe) is a former research biologist for major tobacco company, Brown & Williamson, who at the beginning of the film is fired. Bergman smells that Wigand is withholding important information regarding his work at Brown & Williamson that would almost certainly fall under the realm of public interest. Although Wigand feels compelled to go on 60 Minutes and tell America what he knows, he is tragically mired by a confidentiality agreement he signed with his former company that prevents him discussing any of his work or research. What ensues is a corporate giants total deconstruction of Jeffery Wigand's life and a first hand account of the insurmountable pressure they place on him not to break his agreement. Based on a true story.

Best bits? Probably my favourite Michael Mann film as far as cinematography goes. The camera work is integral to the story in this film, it's cleverly used to build tension and highlight intense thought and critical focus points; I don't think I've ever seen a film where the camera gets this close to the actors grill. Scenes that really stand out are when Wigand goes to the driving range at night only to realise he's being followed by some corporate heavy and the scene where Bergman's on the beach, shouting down the phone at a hotel manager because he thinks Wigan might try to take his own life. 

Did it make you think thoughts? The story sounds so dull but in my opinion this is one of the most thrilling films ever made. Pacino and Crowe put in career defining performances for my money and were shockingly denied Oscars. It's such a captivating watch, every shot is fiendishly interesting and deeply immerses you into the film; this is clearly the culmination of a group of people operating in their absolute prime. It also really made me think about how insanely powerful corporations can be and how far their tentacles can spread into seemingly unrelated avenues. 

Would you watch it again? Absolutely! Why is this not out on Blu Ray yet? I watched it on Film 4HD which was stunning but probably just upscaled; I demand 1080p!

Rating (out of 100%): 96% Possibly Michael Mann's second best film. If you haven't seen it I implore you to check it out! Stunning.

Manhunter (1986)

In 7 words or less: Man gets inside killers head. At night.

What's it all About? Will Graham (William Petersen, he played Pat Garrett in Young Guns 2) is a former FBI profiler who's specialty was to get inside the heads and minds of homicidal crims. He got a little too close to a certain Hannibal Lecktor on his last case and was forced to take early retirement in Florida. The film starts with Will being lured out of retirement to help the FBI track down 'The Tooth Fairy' a family murdering nut job of the highest order! What follows is Will's intense journey into the mind of a killer. Seriously gripping stuff!

Best bits? This, one of Michael Mann's earlier works, is a stunning, enthralling journey into the mind of a murderer. Set predominantly at night, Mann paints the whole film with a glorious blue hue that washes over the screen creating a magnificent  nighttime haze, drenched with atmosphere! 

A bluey!

Will spends most of his time walking around at night brooding, he stares into rainy window panes whilst hypnotically talking into his dictaphone, speaking as if he himself were the killer, working things out, I find it numbingly relaxing! I guess I'm saying 'atmosphere', the atmosphere and subsequent electric tension are the best attributes of this film.

The part where Will turns to Hannibal Lecktor for advice on how to catch 'The Tooth Fairy' is an incredibly gripping and tense scene. It's creatively shot and sees Will confronting his former terror (Lecktor) with nail biting tension. Brian Cox was the first actor to tackle the infamous Hannibal 'the bitey' Cannibal and does a great job in my opinion. Totally different from Hopkins' turn as the sinister Dr, not as obvious and probably not as visual but definitely just as captivating.

The synth score needs to get a mention. Wow! You take that away and you lose 80% of the atmos. It's wildly over the top and beautifully dramatic, my god it's cool! Will looks into a rainy window whilst cityscape synths blast your face off, he mutters "It's just you and me now, sport. And I'm going to find you, God damn it." Yes!!! Amazing!



Did it make you think thoughts? I don't really want to get into the (despite boasting a strong cast) rather juvenile remake, Red Dragon. I didn't like it, and compared to this, it's amateur hour. Watching this in the right conditions is an elevated, heightened experience, you go on a journey with this guy, you figure out the story as he does, you feel his desperation, it's like walking in someone else's shoes. Only Michael Mann captures intensity like this, to some it's cheesy, and if you're not invested in the story I can see how it might smell like chedder, but to me, it's heaven!

Would you watch it again? Yes! Classic Mann!

Rating (out of 100%): 90% A young Michael Mann flexes his chops! Electric, vibrant cinema! Watch it.