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A Third Horse Dies During The Filming Of HBO’s ‘Luck,’ All Animal Filming Is Suspended

Travis Woods — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:45:24 +0000

UPDATE: HBO has now gone beyond halting production of scenes involving animals; due to increasing animal safety issues, accidents, and the fact that “it is impossible to guarantee they won’t [happen] in the future,” HBO has cancelled Luck entirely.

“Luck” isn’t exactly a quality shared by the HBO series of the same name—the new Dustin Hoffman-starring drama, which is set in the world of horse raising, has accidentally caused the death of a third horse over the past year of filming. And, understandably, PETA is enraged, and all filming of animals on Luck has been halted.

During filming of the series’ pilot (directed by Michael Mann), a horse incurred a severe fracture after falling while a race sequence was being shot; in a later episode, another horse was killed during filming. Now, while shooting the beginning of Luck’s second season, a horse suffered a head injury during transport, and eventually had to be euthanized at the track where the series is filmed. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, and the American Humane Association is currently investigating the matter.

Now, PETA has issued a statement that no retired racehorses should have “should have been anywhere near a racetrack,” and HBO has halted all filming that concerns horses—which could put the show in a jam, seeing as how the series is completely enmeshed in the world of horse racing. More on this as it develops.

What do you think of the Luck incident?

Source: The AV Club

HBO’s Luck Already Has a Second Season Order

Damon Houx — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:10:55 +0000

With 3.3 Million viewers tuning into the pilot of Luck, HBO feels confident enough to order a second season of ten episodes. The show, which was written by Deadwood‘s David Milch and executive produced by Michael Mann, stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte (among others) in a series about a horse track and getting even. Though many shows have been cancelled after a high profile pilot failed to bring in viewers, rare is the show that is renewed so quickly renewed out the gate.

There are a number of reasons for a fast renewal – though with a show that centers around a horse track it’s hard not to make a betting joke. More than likely the cast is made up of talented working actors, and HBO wanted to make sure everyone was cemented for the second season. Nick Nolte was just nominated for an Oscar, and usually that leads to other offers. Locking the cast down was likely a necessity.

This also gives the creative team more breathing room. Milch’s previous HBO show Deadwood ended after three seasons because it was considered cost-prohibitive even though it’s one of the most critically acclaimed shows in television history, so perhaps this is a gesture of good faith. But with filmmakers like Todd Haynes, Martin Scorsese, Mann and Jody Hill finding a home at HBO, there’s no denying the network has found a new life as a home for great television from master filmmakers.

Did you watch Luck‘s Pilot?

HBO’s Luck Teases Dustin Hoffman

Damon Houx — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:34:23 +0000

Michael Mann and David Milch make one heck of a combination. The creator of Miami Vice – and one of the greatest filmmakers on crime – and the creator of Deadwood working together? Sold American. Then there’s their cast: Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Richard Kind, Kevin Dunn, and Michael Gambon. It’s now hard to wait until 2012 for the new series Luck on HBO, but here’s a tease. Check it out.

The only question that comes with such great artists involved in a project like this is if they can deliver the goods. Hoffman stars as Chester Bernstein, who comes out of prison to enact a possible heist with his former muscle Gus Economou (Farina). Gambling, horse racing, crime – this could be something special.

And HBO has been good at getting the right team together, though after the collapse of Deadwood, seeing Milch back is exciting, and this cast is the right sort of men you’d expect in the Michael Mann (and David Milch) universe. Though network television is currently launching their fall seasons, we’re seeing more and more shows have their own schedules, and HBO has had a number of shows blossom by following the British formula of letting a show have a limited run instead of the more standard 24 episodes a year. It’s been working well for them, and it’s also great to see them give homes to filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Michael Mann. Luck hits in early 2012, and it’s hard to wait.

Do you hold out hope for a Deadwood movie?

Michael Mann To Follow Up ‘Public Enemies’ With ‘Gold’?

Travis Woods — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:11:21 +0000

Not much has been heard from Michael Mann after Public Enemies came and went two years ago, failing to live up to the promise of his earlier films like Heat, The Insider, and Collateral. Now that the director has the HBO project Luck looming in the near future, attention has been to turn to what the methodical director’s next big project will be. And /Film has it that Mann may be moving into The Treasure of the Sierra Madre territory.

Apparently, “the director has seized upon Gold,” which is described as “a contemporary thriller” (which isn’t exactly helpful) written by Patrick Massett and John Zinman (Friday Night Lights)

Not much is known about the film project, beyond the fact that it is “set around a ruthless search for the precious metal,” and that Paul Haggis (Crash) was originally set to direct the film. Now Haggis has passed and move to the role of producer, and Mann has nabbed the script with the apparent intention of directing. And while the script is still being polished and has yet to make it out to the studios of yet, Gold has made its way to Leonardo DiCaprio which, in addition to Mann’s name, probably won’t hurt it’s chances of being made.

What do you think of Mann directing a film like Gold?

Bradley Cooper, Sam Worthington Join The Texas Killing Fields?

Krystal Clark — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:02:48 +0000

Bradley Cooper and Sam Worthington are everywhere these days, nipping at the heels of every major film that’s going into production. According to Pajiba, there’s word that the Australian and the American are on board for the Michael Mann produced film, The Texas Killing Fields.

According to the site, Mann won’t direct the film, instead that honor will go to his daughter Ami Mann (not the singer). A few months back there was word that Danny Boyle might take on The Texas Killing Fields, but the director thought it was too dark to ever get made. He loved the script and thought it would transfer onto screen beautifully, but he felt that there would have to be a lot of star power behind it for a studio to take it on.

That was back in February, fast forward to today, Boyle in no longer attached and two up and coming stars may take on the lead roles in the film. Ami Mann was the second unit director on Heat, and was attached to Monsoon a film that was in development, but has yet to see the light of day. As a fan of both actors attached, there isn’t a real downside to them being involved. At this point in the industry, we need some new blood and taking on a film of this nature may be what the actor’s need to take their careers to the next level.

What do you think about Worthington and Cooper being cast in The Texas Killing Fields?

Michael Mann To Direct Robert Capa Biopic

Krystal Clark — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:56:27 +0000

Columbia Pictures has teamed up with director Michael Mann for a biopic of famed photographer, Robert Capa. According to Variety, the director will helm a feature based on the adaptation of “Waiting for Robert Capa,” a Spanish language novel by Susana Fortes. The period drama is the first major project announced for Mann since the release of this summer’s Public Enemies.

According to the trade, the story will begin in Paris in 1935, where Capa, a refugee from fascist Hungary, met Taro, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany. The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War a year later began Capa’s emergence as the most renowned war photographer ever and established Taro as the first front line female battle photographer. She was killed in the Battle of Brunete in 1937. The film will center on their two year love affair, while on the front lines of war.

In recent years, 4,300 photos taken mostly by Capa and Taro during the Spanish Civil War were recently discovered, and are expected to be showcased at Manhattan’s International Center of Photography in fall 2010.

In my opinion, Michael Mann is a hit or miss type of director. Sometimes he can really blow you away with his work (Heat) and other times leave you completely underwhelmed (Public Enemies). With his rocky history, which effect do you think this film will have?

What do you think of Michael Mann directing a Robert Capa biopic?

Box Office Predictions: Ice Age Vs. Public Enemies

Laura Aguirre — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:41:28 +0000

This weekend the serious versus the not so serious will be battling it out at the box office. Although both Public Enemies and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs made their debut on Wednesday across North America, both films have a third “summer fun” (as Michael Bay likes to call it) film to compete against, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

So far the third Ice Age is leading the race having grossed an estimated $13.8 million in 1,993 theaters, leaving the new Transformers with $10.9 million on the beginning of its second week. Public Enemies was left in third place on opening night making $8.2 million. But the weekend is not over; in fact it really hasn’t even started, which leaves us to wonder if Ice Age will manage to stay at number one (like it has in the past)? And will Public Enemies make it to number two and beat Bay’s robot-smash film?

Michael Mann‘s previous film Miami Vice ranked at number one at the box office opening weekend, grossing $25,723,815. Which isn’t bad, but Public Enemies’ has some help with mega-stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale‘s. Depp’s was able to pull in some big numbers for his performances in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (the film has ranked at number one all three times), although Depp’s last film, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ranked at number five, grossing $9,300,805 on opening weekend. And Bale’s latest film Terminator Salvation did not have open as big as studios had hoped for. That being said, they have pulled in viewers before and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them do it again.

20th Century Fox’s 3D animated Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is the third film in the Carlos Saldanha franchise and so far, it seems like the latest film will join the records of the previous two. In the past, both films have ranked at number one at the box office on opening weekend; In 2002, Ice Age dominated the box office grossing $46,312,454 on opening weekend, and in 2006, Ice Age: The Meltdown they had even more success with $68,033,544 in profits opening weekend.

At the moment it seems as if Ice Age will battling Transformers for the title and Public Enemies will have to take a backseat to the mega-films. At this moment it seems like Ice Age will keep it’s opening weekend tradition.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Public Enemies: Movie Review

Mali Elfman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:30:44 +0000

New in theaters in legendary filmmaker Michael Mann‘s new film Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard. Although this film is being marketed as another action-thrill ride, it’s not, it’s more than that, it’s a solid film.

Check out the good, the bad, and the plot below…

The Plot:

Public Enemies tells the true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp), whose charm and lightening fast speed made him one of the most wanted and most loved bank robbers of all time. Due to his fame, J. Edgar Hoover’s (Billy Crudup) fledgling top FBI agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), was put on the case to stop Dillinger, which proved to be a much more difficult than expected. Often the problem wasn’t catching him, it was keeping him! While in the midst of his fame, he audaciously picked up girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) and added her to his list of treasures. After a number of run ins with other infamous thieves including Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) the FBI made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One. Although Dillinger outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ many times, with help from outside gunman, Purvis and the FBI able to close in on Dillinger and begin the real hunt.

The Good:

The Acting: Although all three stars of the film Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Marion Cotillard — as well as the phenomenal supporting cast, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi, Branka Katic and MANY more — all put in amazing performances, the award for the best actor goes to Depp for his role as John Dillinger. He helps you to understand the neurosis, fears, and dreams of a real like legend like Dillinger, all the while being completely and utterly charming and yet dangerous. I wasn’t expecting so much from what looked to be just an action-thrill ride, but yet again Depp rises above expectations and puts in an amazing performance. Go team Depp!
The Dialogue: Gives you everything you need without any excess. There is no greater compliment when it comes to dialogue. Nicely done Ronan Bennett, Michael Mann, and Ann Biderman.
The Overall Look: From the costumes and make-up, to the facial expressions and overall demeanor, thanks to an amazing crew the entire film had a genuine 30′s quality to it.
The Simplicity: Although they’re marketing this as a thriller, the film seemed more like a drama with action scenes laced in. Everything is done very straight-forward perspective, they’re not trying to trick you in any clever way, they’re merely telling the true-ish story of John Dillinger from start to end.

The Bad:

The Sound Mixing: At the screening I attended, they kept us all in the lobby for 45 minutes with Michael Mann “adjusted the sound.” We were told repeatedly that Mann is a stickler about the way his movie sounds. In fact when I sat down I realized that Mann was about 10 feet away from me still making adjustments. Sadly, it was to no avail. Perhaps there was a problem in the theater, but the film sounded bad. Lines would start out quiet and then end loud. People were yelling “louder.” This was one of the first screenings I’ve ever seen where the volume was about two notches too low. Maybe other films have made me a bit deaf, but I was unable to hear lines and noises that were necessary to the film. At one point a car door closes and does not make a noise, which may have been intentional, but was distracting either way.
Christian Bales’ Character: Bale’s character Melvin Purvis needed some redeeming qualities. I’m still not sure why he doesn’t deliver the last line in the film to Marion Cotillard instead of the person who does (get back to me after you’ve seen the film). It’s obvious that Purvis is driven and that he’s fighting for what he believes is right, but the entire time you’re rooting for Dillinger and at some point you have to see the good in what Purvis’ is doing, otherwise he is just a monster who never balances out the equation. Which leads me too…
Lack of Cat and Mouse: When you’re watching the hunter chase the hunted, you need to see how they are connected. Both of them are in this together. Dillinger likes being hunted, he enjoys being an outlaw, and Purvis’ enjoys hunting people and putting them away. The two have a relationship, a bond that few people could ever understand. I never saw any kind of bond between them, which may have to do with…
The Moment: What are we all waiting for? To see the two big stars in the film Depp and Bale square off, and they never get their moment! They have one (count um one!) scene together which is probably about 60-90 seconds. We never have a chance to really see their dynamic. Although they do a lot in those 90 seconds, I wanted more for in a 140 minute film.
No Sense of Satisfaction: Yes, you have to stay true to the story, but we’re also here to watch a movie. We need a stand off, recognition that these isn’t a stand off, a moral, something, in order to feel satisfied walking out of the theater.
The Moral: Damn the Man?

Overall:

Overall the characters are far more interesting than the story. Although I could respect the movies and the actors in it, I was never truly engaged with the film and therefore it left me feeling a bit cold. That being said, the acting is enough to keep you entertained 140 minutes and that’s no easy task!

Rating: 5.5/10

Official Trailer for Public Enemies

Krystal Clark — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:00:05 +0000

Finally, we’ve gotten the first official trailer for Michael Mann’s Public Enemies. Just one day after the release of the film’s first movie poster , Universal Pictures have released the following action packed promo. Is it just me or can Johnny Depp do no wrong? I really do love that man. Anyway, without getting all sentimental you can check out the trailer and judge for yourself.

Public Enemies is set for release on July 1, 2009 and co-stars Christian Bale, and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard.

View the trailer after the jump.

Well, what do you think? Is it worth the hype or were you expecting more?

First Official Poster for Public Enemies

Krystal Clark — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:30:04 +0000

The first official theatrical poster for Michael Mann’s gangster epic Public Enemies has just been released. The marketing for the film has been rearing its head since late last year, but today they brought out the big guns (literally). The above photo features Johnny Depp as public enemy number one, John Dillinger. The film co-stars Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis, Watchmen alum Billy Crudup as J. Edgar Hoover, and Channing Tatum as Pretty Boy Floyd. Public Enemies is scheduled for release this summer on July 1.

Check out the full sized poster after the jump.

So what do you think of the first Public Enemies poster?

ScreenCrave.com » michael mann

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Public Enemies: Movie Review

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

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