New Cinema Wallpaper of the Day
Monday, June 15, 2009

Here we have filmmaker Michael Mann on the set of his latest film, Public Enemies (official site). I am interested to see how he does with more of a period piece and having it be a tale of John Dillinger does suit his strengths as a filmmaker. Hands down my favorite John Dillinger related film was the 1979 Lewis Teague directed film with a screenplay by John Sayles, The Lady in Red which features a rousing performance by Pamela Sue Martin and at the top of his game type of performance from an uncredited Robert Forster (whom is also great in the impressive Jaws knock off from Teague in 1980’s Alligator).

Note Public Enemies bows on June 23rd at the Los Angeles Film Festival (details).

I often love behind the scenes stills taken from film sets more so than on set stills taken of in scene action which is often close to how it later looks in the film itself. Seeing how a moment or scene was brought to life and its origins are often priceless records in the annals of cinema history. So much in terms of capturing the making can often time focus on what we see through the lens itself and not often do we get to peak back behind the curtains to see the magic being made.

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original international release of the film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

“I’ve played heroes and antiheroes, and I thought Vincent was just a great character… very dynamic. I wanted to explore the character and get an understanding of him, particularly because he’s demonstrating some seriously antisocial behavior (laughs). One of the first things I try to do is find the character’s moral code because, whether you agree with them or not, people have their own moral codes. Vincent was hired to do a job and it would be a breach of his moral code not to do it. He’s an absolute professional. I looked at it from that point of view, getting into the character.”
- Actor Tom Cruise on his portrayal of Vincent

Caption:
Max (JAMIE FOXX, center) tries to intervene with Vincent (TOM CRUISE, left) to save the life of Daniel (BARRY SHABAKA HENLEY), one of the people Vincent was contracted to kill in DreamWorks Pictures’ and Paramount Pictures’ thriller COLLATERAL.

Photo By:
Frank Connor

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original USA release of the film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

“In directing Tom (Cruise), I was working with someone who has the most complete focus and dedication to being there and making himself available to everything. You believe that Tom can do what his character does in the picture for the simple reason that Tom can do everything his character does in the picture. All those skills were acquired in pre-production.”
- Director Michael Mann on Tom Cruise as Vincent

Caption:
Vincent (TOM CRUISE) is a contract killer who has been hired by a narcotrafficking cartel to kill five people on one night in the city of Los Angeles in DreamWorks Pictures’ and Paramount Pictures’ thriller COLLATERAL.

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original USA release of the film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile

The first of many images I will be posting from this film. Please note many of the original digitally supplied press images came already hugely over artifacted. As such these will look particularly more grainy than others I’ve posted here.

Caption:
Director MICHAEL MANN (left) goes over a scene with stars TOM CRUISE and JAMIE FOXX on the set of DreamWorks Pictures’ and Paramount Pictures’ thriller COLLATERAL.

Photo By:
Frank Connor

Image Source:
Official still that was used in the original USA release of the film.

Related Links:
::: IMDb Profile