Collateral
Rented the Michael Mann masterpiece Collateral (trailer) last night. A great movie that I wish I had seen in the theaters. Michael Mann is the king director in my book. His films are so focused and finely crafted with intense visual detail. I would love to see a feature on DVD’s that allows the viewer to remove all dialog, so that you’re just watching the visuals with the only sounds coming from the soundtrack and movie score. The low lighting and night photography in Collateral are arresting and beautiful and paint a picture of L.A. that I haven’t seen in any other movie. From Thief, which was shot in Chicago, to Miami Vice, it’s obvious that Mann knows how to celebrate and mystify a city all at once.

Tom Cruise’s performance is efficient and his delivery effortless. I’d like to see him in more roles like this. Roles where he’s understated, subtle and, well frankly, not a good guy. Mann does a great job of stripping the actor from the character in his films and Cruise is just one example. Mark Ruffalo is also very good in this film. Gotta keep an eye on his work too. Two thumbs way up.