COLLATERAL review thread...
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COLLATERAL review thread...
(Positive)
http://www.filmjerk.com/nuke/article990.html
"After excursions to true life tales of whistle-blowing (“The Insider”) and sports legends (“Ali,” a rare misfire), Mann pulls up his collar and stumbles back into the city of neon, crime, and indifference to create his best film in over a decade."
http://www.joblo.com/collateral.htm
"Tom Cruise can do no wrong. Consider this film yet another amazing achievement in this man's burgeoning movie resume, which at this point, can likely be considered one of the greatest looking filmographies of all-time."
http://www.filmjerk.com/nuke/article990.html
"After excursions to true life tales of whistle-blowing (“The Insider”) and sports legends (“Ali,” a rare misfire), Mann pulls up his collar and stumbles back into the city of neon, crime, and indifference to create his best film in over a decade."
http://www.joblo.com/collateral.htm
"Tom Cruise can do no wrong. Consider this film yet another amazing achievement in this man's burgeoning movie resume, which at this point, can likely be considered one of the greatest looking filmographies of all-time."
#2
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: COLLATERAL review thread...
Originally posted by scott shelton
"Tom Cruise can do no wrong. Consider this film yet another amazing achievement in this man's burgeoning movie resume, which at this point, can likely be considered one of the greatest looking filmographies of all-time."
"Tom Cruise can do no wrong. Consider this film yet another amazing achievement in this man's burgeoning movie resume, which at this point, can likely be considered one of the greatest looking filmographies of all-time."
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ColLAteral
With it's shaky digital camera look and gritty feel Collateral comes off as one of the years best films to me. Michael Mann's addiction to Los angeles comes out strong. You might only be seeing Jaime Foxx, Tom Cruise and Jade Smiths name on the tag line but you are missing Mann's other big star which comes out beautifully in this film. The City of Los Angeles. Much of what you saw in HEAT but only 10x's stronger comes out here. In heat you got a small sample of the greater los angeles area. This time Mann takes you for a tour ride in a cab along the streets of this beautiful city.
Thanks to Catch21, I got to see it tonight and I loved it. Perhaps a bit to much. Growing up in Los Angeles has left an imprint on me. I'm about 5 minutes away from Downtown Los Angeles so the beautiful city of angels has left it's mark on me. I love it. Every inch of it. From it's dirty gritty look to it's beautiful areas. I tried once to leave it and came back to it missing it.
Michael Mann uses all of what I love of Los Angeles into this film and brings Tom Cruises' "cool guy" hitman to play around in it. Between having that calm, cool and collective attitude while carrying out his hits Cruise brings out a villian you want to hate, but just end up wanting to be like. He carries himself well throughout the picture. When something goes wrong he rolls with the punches and expresses that in a cool manner that you just have to respect.
Jaime Foxx comes into the picture as the average joe taxi driver. You care about the guy because you can relate. Looking for that next big thing but just going along with the program waiting around. You feel for him and the situation he has been put in. You don't at anytime feel like he could get out of it. The best thing you can do is just watch him react and realize that he never really had a choice.
The films look is what shines. Mann's use of Los Angeles in almost every shot of this reflects the mood of the picture. The situation and the action in it is very believable. I usually find myself nitpicking films. Not at all in this one. The events of the night unfold almost to natural. Nothing to question and everything to enjoy. I found myself loving every minute of this film and loving the cinematography so much that I'm going to see it again just to take it all in.
If there is one reason alone to watch this film is to view Los Angeles from a lot of different angles and get the feel of what Mann does best.. Brings out the city of Los Angeles like no one else does.
I loved it.
With it's shaky digital camera look and gritty feel Collateral comes off as one of the years best films to me. Michael Mann's addiction to Los angeles comes out strong. You might only be seeing Jaime Foxx, Tom Cruise and Jade Smiths name on the tag line but you are missing Mann's other big star which comes out beautifully in this film. The City of Los Angeles. Much of what you saw in HEAT but only 10x's stronger comes out here. In heat you got a small sample of the greater los angeles area. This time Mann takes you for a tour ride in a cab along the streets of this beautiful city.
Thanks to Catch21, I got to see it tonight and I loved it. Perhaps a bit to much. Growing up in Los Angeles has left an imprint on me. I'm about 5 minutes away from Downtown Los Angeles so the beautiful city of angels has left it's mark on me. I love it. Every inch of it. From it's dirty gritty look to it's beautiful areas. I tried once to leave it and came back to it missing it.
Michael Mann uses all of what I love of Los Angeles into this film and brings Tom Cruises' "cool guy" hitman to play around in it. Between having that calm, cool and collective attitude while carrying out his hits Cruise brings out a villian you want to hate, but just end up wanting to be like. He carries himself well throughout the picture. When something goes wrong he rolls with the punches and expresses that in a cool manner that you just have to respect.
Jaime Foxx comes into the picture as the average joe taxi driver. You care about the guy because you can relate. Looking for that next big thing but just going along with the program waiting around. You feel for him and the situation he has been put in. You don't at anytime feel like he could get out of it. The best thing you can do is just watch him react and realize that he never really had a choice.
The films look is what shines. Mann's use of Los Angeles in almost every shot of this reflects the mood of the picture. The situation and the action in it is very believable. I usually find myself nitpicking films. Not at all in this one. The events of the night unfold almost to natural. Nothing to question and everything to enjoy. I found myself loving every minute of this film and loving the cinematography so much that I'm going to see it again just to take it all in.
If there is one reason alone to watch this film is to view Los Angeles from a lot of different angles and get the feel of what Mann does best.. Brings out the city of Los Angeles like no one else does.
I loved it.
#7
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Originally posted by Rivero
This film has been getting some very mixed reviews. I'll still be there opening night.
This film has been getting some very mixed reviews. I'll still be there opening night.
Fresh: 65 Rotten: 6
pretty impressive in my book
update Friday, Aug. 6 morning
Last edited by Frank TJ Mackey; 08-06-04 at 09:43 AM.
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2 excellent reviews in the Wash Post. I'm really looking forward to seeing this film.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2004Aug5.html
"Collateral' is the best kind of genre filmmaking: It plays by the rules, obeys the traditions and is both familiar and fresh at once."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2004Aug5.html
"If 'Collateral' is all formula, it's polished to a fine sheen."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2004Aug5.html
"Collateral' is the best kind of genre filmmaking: It plays by the rules, obeys the traditions and is both familiar and fresh at once."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2004Aug5.html
"If 'Collateral' is all formula, it's polished to a fine sheen."
#11
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I can not tell you how much I loved this film. Simply put I want to see it again and again. . From what I hear, only one scene was shot in 35mm because mann felt that digital didn't look good in a certain nightclub scene.
I think the way L.A. is represented was great. Showed you an L.A. that isn't typically seen through any other film or how tourist would normally see it.
I think the way L.A. is represented was great. Showed you an L.A. that isn't typically seen through any other film or how tourist would normally see it.
#12
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Originally posted by Jackskeleton
I think the way L.A. is represented was great. Showed you an L.A. that isn't typically seen through any other film or how tourist would normally see it.
I think the way L.A. is represented was great. Showed you an L.A. that isn't typically seen through any other film or how tourist would normally see it.
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This was the movie I've been waiting for all summer... one that just comes out of the gate and does NOT disappoint. It's a really great film, it's funny, exciting and looks fantastic too. If you're going to see this, make sure to see it in Digital Projection if you get the chance... the movie has some great cinematography and the film prints don't reproduce the digital as clearly... The performances in the film are fantastic and Cruise makes a very interesting bad guy. Finally, Michael Mann has made a film that isn't bloated or self important and really hits the mark... he's been close before, but finally he has his GREAT film.
I hope audiences embrace this film...a great movie.
MATT
and I agree with that one reviewer, Cruise's filmography is quite excellent... I mean, if the guy is in a movie, it's usually good (9 times out of 10 anyhow)
I hope audiences embrace this film...a great movie.
MATT
and I agree with that one reviewer, Cruise's filmography is quite excellent... I mean, if the guy is in a movie, it's usually good (9 times out of 10 anyhow)
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I'm sure I'm going to be in the minority here, but I thought thisi movie was just laughably horrendous. I mean it was SOOOOOOooooo stupid.
First off, Jamie Fox. This is the current "it" guy that it's just mandatory for Hollywood & critics to love. Any of a hundred actors out there could have played his part & I know he is getting rave reviews, but his performance was a dime a dozen. Critics & the media are warming him up for the PC Oscar nod he will get for the Ray Charles movie, the movie isn't even released, & it's so obvious he will get one. Character wise, there were a million different ways for him to get away from Cruise. There is NOOO WAY, an LA cab driver in real life is going to have a flirty cab encounter with a beautiful, rich, high-end lawyer.
Second, the plot & script. What movie are all of these critics seeing that are raving about the story & characters. A man, with no mask, in screaming features like grey hair & a grey suit is driving around LA in a cab that is bashed up & there aren't cops all over the place chasing after this guy? Just one detective happens to be on to him? Give me a break. And the club seen, was so confusing & stupid
Tom Cruise - I've become a huge Cruise fan, & think people are crazy if they think he can't act. And he is good in this movie, but only b/c he is Tom Cruise. There is NOTHING to his character. He kills people, bid deal. A thousand movies have his kind of hearltess killer in them. And worse, rather than just make him a full-out heartless bastard, they have to throw in, IMO Cruise did it himself that bit about
.
Aside from Cruise playing a bad guy, there is nothing original, exciting or innovative in this movie. I really wanted to like it, but it's nothing more that OK. Yet another typical summer flick.
But I may be a bit bitter since I got so excitied to see Jasaon Statham in the beginning, the sinlge most underrated talent in hollywood IMO, &
First off, Jamie Fox. This is the current "it" guy that it's just mandatory for Hollywood & critics to love. Any of a hundred actors out there could have played his part & I know he is getting rave reviews, but his performance was a dime a dozen. Critics & the media are warming him up for the PC Oscar nod he will get for the Ray Charles movie, the movie isn't even released, & it's so obvious he will get one. Character wise, there were a million different ways for him to get away from Cruise. There is NOOO WAY, an LA cab driver in real life is going to have a flirty cab encounter with a beautiful, rich, high-end lawyer.
Second, the plot & script. What movie are all of these critics seeing that are raving about the story & characters. A man, with no mask, in screaming features like grey hair & a grey suit is driving around LA in a cab that is bashed up & there aren't cops all over the place chasing after this guy? Just one detective happens to be on to him? Give me a break. And the club seen, was so confusing & stupid
Spoiler:
Tom Cruise - I've become a huge Cruise fan, & think people are crazy if they think he can't act. And he is good in this movie, but only b/c he is Tom Cruise. There is NOTHING to his character. He kills people, bid deal. A thousand movies have his kind of hearltess killer in them. And worse, rather than just make him a full-out heartless bastard, they have to throw in, IMO Cruise did it himself that bit about
Spoiler:
Aside from Cruise playing a bad guy, there is nothing original, exciting or innovative in this movie. I really wanted to like it, but it's nothing more that OK. Yet another typical summer flick.
But I may be a bit bitter since I got so excitied to see Jasaon Statham in the beginning, the sinlge most underrated talent in hollywood IMO, &
Spoiler:
Last edited by Sessa17; 08-06-04 at 04:27 PM.
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the sinlge most underrated talent in hollywood IMO
I enjoyed it though. Even with film cliches and all. Was one of my favorites this year so far.
#16
DVD Talk Legend
I just saw it also, and it is without a doubt one of the best films of the year. It's amazing how I can go from seeing a piece of crap like The Village one week, then the next see something that is just outstanding. Collateral is not the best movie ever, but it's damn solid and very well made. I was highly impressed with Jamie Foxx, and as I posted a few days ago he is well on his way to much bigger and better things. However, I was even more impressed with Tom Cruise. I know many want to hate on him, but I just loved his work in this film. He just fit into the role so perfectly, a role that is a good bit different from most of his other work.
A great story, solid acting from everyone involved, great writing, fantastic direction, all equals a solid film, and a great filmgoing experience.
EDIT:
The more I think about the film, and all aspects of it, the more I love it. I'm being tempted to go watch it again, and I almost never do that.
A great story, solid acting from everyone involved, great writing, fantastic direction, all equals a solid film, and a great filmgoing experience.
EDIT:
The more I think about the film, and all aspects of it, the more I love it. I'm being tempted to go watch it again, and I almost never do that.
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I loved the movie too. Michael Mann is just a total genius in terms of framing the interaction between Cruise & Foxx amidst the sleepless city of LA.
Did anyone question the ending though??
Did anyone question the ending though??
Spoiler:
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Originally posted by Jackskeleton
Underrated talent in hollywood? How so? He already had his own film already. Underrated nothing. he just fits into a certain type of role. that of a hitman.
Underrated talent in hollywood? How so? He already had his own film already. Underrated nothing. he just fits into a certain type of role. that of a hitman.
Like I said, for the movie, I love Cruise, but the character was paper thin as was the script. There was nothing new in this movie, I in the worst year ever for American film, saying this is "one my favorites of the year" isn't saying much.
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After a second viewing I notice some locations that I can actually see just looking outside of my house.
The bridge overpass that is seen after the hospital is right outside. next to a school I went to and well, that's the freeway exit right next to it that I take everyday.
Even more reason to love this film. Michael Mann really likes my neighborhood.
The bridge overpass that is seen after the hospital is right outside. next to a school I went to and well, that's the freeway exit right next to it that I take everyday.
Even more reason to love this film. Michael Mann really likes my neighborhood.
#21
DVD Talk Hero
You know, people die in this movie, but I couldn't help but laugh with some of the situations in which the humor came shining through the dark of night in L.A.
There's a lot to like about this film, and the direction appeared effortless (in that I never thought the camerawork got in the way of telling the story or never missed the inner turmoil/conflict that Max has as he is coerced into driving Vincent around for a night of contract killings).
Both Cruise and Fox do a fine job needling each other and chipping away at each other's exteriors in the span of their starcrossed night together.
I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.
There's a lot to like about this film, and the direction appeared effortless (in that I never thought the camerawork got in the way of telling the story or never missed the inner turmoil/conflict that Max has as he is coerced into driving Vincent around for a night of contract killings).
Both Cruise and Fox do a fine job needling each other and chipping away at each other's exteriors in the span of their starcrossed night together.
I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.
#23
I saw it tonight and really enjoyed it as well. I don't see how gray hair and a gray suit are "screaming features" as somebody said... if you wanted to look bland and unnoticeable, there's not a much better color to pick than dull gray. As far as the cab being banged up...
Spoiler:
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Saw it. I really have to hand it to Michael Mann, he can flat out make a great action movie while still making the focus the characters. Foxx probably gave his best performance ever and Cruise defied type unlike anything he has done in the past. I still think Heat is Mann's best movie, but this one is a second.
What made the movie work for me was that while it had a lot of action, it never tried to blow it out of proportion (aka bullet time shots, huge explosions, fancy stunts); the violence and action seemed to have a good base in reality.
Unfortunately, I don't think many mainstream audiences will buy into it. I love movies that focus on characters over action, and think that is Mann's true strength. I just don't think the movie had enough major action to keep the average summer movie goer entertained. It kept me entertained, but too many people expect Fast and the Furious and Mission:Impossible 2 type action in their movies to have patience with something that tries to give the action meaning. Furthermore, while he did a good job, I don't think many people will accept Tom Cruise as a bad guy. They still want Ethan Hunt and Jerry Maguire, not Vincent or Frank T.J. Mackey.
Oh well, at least I liked it, and that's all that matters. I hope Dreamworks handles the DVD and not Paramount, though with Mann I don't expect much in terms of extras.
What made the movie work for me was that while it had a lot of action, it never tried to blow it out of proportion (aka bullet time shots, huge explosions, fancy stunts); the violence and action seemed to have a good base in reality.
Unfortunately, I don't think many mainstream audiences will buy into it. I love movies that focus on characters over action, and think that is Mann's true strength. I just don't think the movie had enough major action to keep the average summer movie goer entertained. It kept me entertained, but too many people expect Fast and the Furious and Mission:Impossible 2 type action in their movies to have patience with something that tries to give the action meaning. Furthermore, while he did a good job, I don't think many people will accept Tom Cruise as a bad guy. They still want Ethan Hunt and Jerry Maguire, not Vincent or Frank T.J. Mackey.
Oh well, at least I liked it, and that's all that matters. I hope Dreamworks handles the DVD and not Paramount, though with Mann I don't expect much in terms of extras.