But no, it was Tom Cruise that Bale looked to for inspiration. According to director Mary Herron, Bale based his character on Cruise’s “intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes.”

Hmmm … I wonder what that says about Tom Cruise. That he’s really a psycho inside? That his maniacal laugh comes from a deep-seated psychosis involving aliens and spirit guides?

In an interview with BlackBook, Herron talked about how she and Bale created the delusional Bateman. “We talked about how Martian-like Patrick Bateman was, how he was looking at the world like somebody from another planet, watching what people did and trying to work out the right way to behave.”

She added, “And then one day he [Bale] called me and he had been watching Tom Cruise on David Letterman, and he just had this very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes, and he was really taken with this energy.”

“American Psycho” stars Bale as a wealthy New York investment banking executive who hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends. Buy it on Amazon.

Image: © Copyright 2000 – Universal Studios – All rights reserved.

Post from: Film Gecko

Vera writes that she’s "never sure whether to be amused or perplexed when bad guys become tourist attractions." I quite agree!

She goes on to say: "And now we have the reckless, not-too-bright, ruthless John Dillinger indirectly doing good for his home state of Indiana, his hideaway state of Wisconsin and Chicago, home of hoods. Wisconsin, particularly, betting the movie Public Enemies will be a smash hit, launched a tourism campaign that stops just short of calling Dillinger “Wisconsin’s Favorite Son.” “See bullet holes from the 1934 shoot out” at Little Bohemia (now a restaurant rather than a lodge). “Go ‘on the lam’ in Wisconsin,” the tourism touts recommend on a web site listing Wisconsin tours.

You know, I pondered in my review of "Public Enemies" whether the film romanticizes the gangster life. And it really does. I didn’t realize this before, but scenes from the movie exactly mirror scenes from the real life of John Dillinger, particularly of him leaning on that guy like he’s a long lost buddy, as he’s being dragged off for incarceration.

So what do you think? Is it good to romanticize the gangster life and create tourism campaigns around it? 

Image: © Universal Pictures

Post from: Film Gecko

Movie: Public Enemies * Trailer * 6 Clips * Images * Official Site	In Theaters: July 1, 2009
Runtime: 140 minutes	Directed by: Michael Mann
MPAA Rating: R for gangster violence and some language	Gecko Rating:

I wondered if "Public Enemies" would romanticize the gangster life, and it sort of does. But it also gives the other side of the story – the blood, violence, and nastiness.

Still, this movie mostly romanticizes it, mainly because Johnny Depp is just so darn cute. What girl could resist his charms, gangster or not? Plus, I think he’s actually getting better looking as he gets older. But enough of my crush…

In "Public Enemies," Depp plays notorious gangster John Dillinger in the 1930s. It’s not a life story or anything; the movie actually picks up with him getting out of prison after something like nine years. Apparently, he’s learned nothing in there, because he’s right back at it, gathering the gang back together and planning their next bank robbery.

We really don’t see a lot of the other gangsters – it’s mostly about Dillinger – but on the sidelines is Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham), Pretty Boy Floyd (Channing Tatum) and others. In a nightclub, Depp spots the beautiful Billie Frechette (Marion Cotillard) and goes over to introduce himself. He wastes no time and not only strikes up a romance right away, but also tells her who he is and what he does. "I’m John Dillinger, and I rob banks." She resists his charms at first, but they’re soon involved in a torrid affair.

I don’t know enough about Dillinger to know if everything in the movie is factual, but it sure plays well on screen. The romance, the bank robberies, the hiding out, the cat-and-mouse games with G-Man Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) and FBI director J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) … it’s all good. But what I really love about the movie is the fantastic cinematography. If it doesn’t win some awards, then something is seriously wrong with the world.

The camera work vacillates between traditional shots like you’d see in any commercial movie and old news footage-type shots. I don’t know the technical terms, but it’s very clear and concise, and almost bathed in a sepia toned sheath. I kept thinking about the footage of Lee Harvey Oswald being gunned down as he was being transferred from one place to another, because it reminded me of that. Other scenes looked like they were shot with a hand-held home movie camera. It gives you the feeling of being right there at that time and place.

The original music by Elliot Goldenthal — a guitarsy-cross between folk and jazz – is also really impressive. I could have just listened to the music all day. And all of the vintage stuff – the cars, guns, clothing, and interior designs – was all spot-on.

"Public Enemies" didn’t have enough bank robberies to impress my teenaged son, but if you’re a fan of Johnny Depp or gangster movies, or if you just want to see a really well-made film, then go check this one out.

NOTE TO PARENTS: The R rating is mainly for violence; there are quite a few scenes of people being gunned down, heads getting banged, people bleeding to death, that sort of thing. There’s a little bit of sex, but nothing explicit. You just see Dillinger and Frechette in bed together. I’d say it’s ok for kids 16 and older who don’t mind violence.

Images: © Universal Pictures

Post from: Film Gecko

Thanks to MTV for the videos, and check out all of Film Gecko’s "Public Enemies" coverage!

Johnny Depp: What motivates an outlaw? 

Christian Bale: The gangster mythology:

Leelee Sobieski’s crush on Johnny Depp:

Marion Cotillard: Why are women attracted to bad boys?

Post from: Film Gecko

"I am, as it happens, a guest on the private island of Johnny Depp. For reasons that surely once made sense, this 45-acre Bahamian dollop appears on maps as Little Hall’s Pond Cay. And this idyllic stretch of sand has been re-christened by the actor as Lily Rose Beach, after his 10-year-old daughter. We are surrounded by silver buttonwood, mangrove thickets, flowering plants, and a huge coconut tree about to drop its fruit. Tiki torches flicker in the shadows."

So begins the journey on which Depp talks about his John Dillinger film "Public Enemies" (in theaters July 1), his new film "The Rum Diaries," barracudas, friend Marlon Brando and much more.

"Money doesn’t buy you happiness," says Depp. "But it buys you a big enough yacht to sail right up to it." Read the full story here, and below, watch a video of Depp and Christian Bale (who plays Melvin Purvis) at the L.A. premiere of "Public Enemies."

Post from: Film Gecko

Directed by Michael Mann, the movie tells the story of charismatic gangster John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), whose bank raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) and his fledgling FBI, including agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale).

The story also delves into Dillinger’s girlfriend Bill Frechette (Marion Cotillard), and his gang, including Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi). Hoover made Dillinger America’s first “Public Enemy Number One” and sent in Purvis, the dashing "Clark Gable of the FBI.’’

Dillinger reassures Billy at the racetrack:

Purvis confronts Dillinger:

Dillinger at the Biograph Theatre:

Assault on the Little Bohemia Lodge:

Dillinger tells Billie he robs banks:

Billie tells Dillinger she wants to go away with him:

Post from: Film Gecko

Directed by Michael Mann, it tells the story of charismatic gangster John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), whose bank raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) and his fledgling FBI, including agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale).

The story also delves into Dillinger’s girlfriend Bill Frechette (Marion Cotillard), and his gang, including Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi). Hoover made Dillinger America’s first “Public Enemy Number One” and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.’’ 

If it seems like an old West shootout, you’re not far off. Purvis brought in a crew of Western ex-lawmen and orchestrated multiple betrayals, from the infamous “Lady in Red’’ to Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti.

Are you looking forward to this movie as much as I am?

More pics after the jump…

Images: © Universal Pictures

Post from: Film Gecko

The gangster flick stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard and Billy Crudup, and is directed by Michael Mann. I’m a big fan of his dating back to his “Crime Story” days. Also check out the “Public Enemies” Facebook Page and follow Universal Pictures on Twitter.

On the Web site:

• Michael Mann’s Insights & Images:  Learn more about acclaimed director, co-writer, and producer Michael Mann
• Crimewave: The Life of John Dillinger:  COMING SOON!
• Gangsters and G-men:  View the character profiles of John Dillinger, his partners in crime, and the men who sought to bring them down.
• Interactive Map: Navigate the interactive map that pinpoints all of John Dillinger’s bank heists and escapades!
• Landscapes:  Scroll through an amazing extended gallery of downloadable images from the film
• Filmmakers:  Learn about the great minds who worked behind the scenes to create this visionary tale
• Video:  Check out the PUBLIC ENEMIES trailer and TV spots
• Gallery:  Browse through on-set photos of the cast
• Downloads: Get FREE desktop and buddy icon downloads

Image: © Universal Pictures

Post from: Film Gecko

I love sequels that bring in lots of references from the preceding movies. “Terminator Salvation” does that, especially from the very first movie, “The Terminator.” 

You remember the story: Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor meets Kyle Reese, who was sent back from the future to keep her safe from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s big, bad Terminator. In the process, Sarah and Kyle grow close, and she gets pregnant with John Connor, who later becomes the leader of the resistance movement against the machines and Skynet. John is also the one who sent Kyle back to protect Sarah – so that he could be born.

I don’t know that I’ve fully grasped the concept of the first three Terminator movies until now. And it’s because “Terminator Salvation” is told from the future point of view, whereas “The Terminator” was told from the current point of view (or at least, current when it was released in 1984).

In “Terminator” we see things from Sarah’s point of view. In “Terminator Salvation,” we see things from adult John’s point of view in 2018. By this time, Skynet has destroyed most of humanity in a nuclear holocaust, and John Connor (Christian Bale) is leading a group of survivors known as “The Resistance” to keep the machines from killing them, too, and completely taking over. John is married now, to Kate (Bryce Dallas Howard).

There’s yet another twist to the story, though, in the form of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a guy whose last memory was of being on death row years earlier. When he wakes up, it’s to a post-apocalyptic world where giant robots are killing people and the Earth is a wasteland. Think “Road Warrior,” only with robots.

Marcus meets up with Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin) and a young mute girl named Star (Jadagrace). Reese jokingly tells Marcus that they’re the “L.A. Division” of the Resistance. On their way to find John Connor, Marcus connects with another Resistance fighter, Blair (Moon Bloodgood).

About the references, I won’t give too much away, but let’s just say that “Terminator Salvation” pays homage not only to Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but also to the catch-phrase “I’ll be back,” among other things. Being a “Terminator” fan since the first movie, I was definitely geeked by all this.

As for the Terminators themselves, there are some really nasty new models we haven’t seen before. And like the T-800 and other models that came earlier, these new versions “will not stop” until their goal is accomplished (i.e. whomever they’re chasing is either dead or captured). To that end, we get plenty of chase scenes, explosions, and hand-to-hand combat.

If you’re a Terminator fan, or a science fiction/robot movie fan, you should definitely check out “Terminator Salvation.” It’s intense, action-packed, and a nice segue into a reboot for the franchise. I predict more movies will follow.

The only reason I gave it four out of five geckos is because some of the lines were a little cheesy, and the ending was a little cliche.  

Note to Parents: As you might imagine, this movie is chock full of action and violence, including explosions, gunfire, chase scenes, shootings, and stabbings. Wounded and mutilated humans are shown, though there’s not a ton of blood. Language includes “hell” and “damn,” as well as one “f**k” and a few “sh*ts.” The overall good-vs-evil message is positive, and I’d say it’s fine for kids 14 and older who aren’t bothered by all of that.

Other Links on Film Gecko: Video Interviews with Moon Bloodgood and Christian Bale, 53 Images, Interview with Michael Papajohn, 4-Minute Trailer, 3rd Official Trailer

Photo Credits: TM and (c) 2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Post from: Film Gecko

Christian Bale:

Moon Bloodgood and Common:   

Sam Worthington:

John Rosengrant – Animatronics:

McG, Director of “Terminator Salvation”:

Post from: Film Gecko