Comments on: Collateral (2004) http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2008/04/12/collateral-2004/ Film reviews and commentary tonight, before I forget tomorrow Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:14:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Joe Valdez http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2008/04/12/collateral-2004/comment-page-1/#comment-4598 Joe Valdez Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:02:49 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2008/04/12/collateral-2004/#comment-4598 AR: Russell Crowe went on to play a very similar antagonist in <em>3:10 to Yuma</em>, and while I agree with you that he’s a better actor, I also agree that Tom Cruise did a superb job. I’m wondering when the anti-Cruise fervor will subside and people will start to remember that he’s a terrific actor. I also think Mann really dodged a bullet not having to use Adam Sandler in this movie. Jamie Foxx is what made it more than an exercise in style for me. Daniel: Thanks for commenting. Here's what Mann had to say in the production notes, "For people who don't live here or for some who do, it's not the Los Angeles of palm trees and Malibu, but the city of Los Angeles-Commerce, Wilmington, South Central, East L.A., downtown … and there is a unique mood to the skies above L.A., at two or three a.m. Streetlights reflect off the bottom of clouds. Even in darkness, you can see into the distance; silhouetted palms against the sky … I had to figure out how we were going to evoke that three-dimensional night-how to see into the L.A. night." AR: Russell Crowe went on to play a very similar antagonist in 3:10 to Yuma, and while I agree with you that he’s a better actor, I also agree that Tom Cruise did a superb job. I’m wondering when the anti-Cruise fervor will subside and people will start to remember that he’s a terrific actor. I also think Mann really dodged a bullet not having to use Adam Sandler in this movie. Jamie Foxx is what made it more than an exercise in style for me.

Daniel: Thanks for commenting. Here’s what Mann had to say in the production notes, “For people who don’t live here or for some who do, it’s not the Los Angeles of palm trees and Malibu, but the city of Los Angeles-Commerce, Wilmington, South Central, East L.A., downtown … and there is a unique mood to the skies above L.A., at two or three a.m. Streetlights reflect off the bottom of clouds. Even in darkness, you can see into the distance; silhouetted palms against the sky … I had to figure out how we were going to evoke that three-dimensional night-how to see into the L.A. night.”

]]> By: Daniel http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2008/04/12/collateral-2004/comment-page-1/#comment-4596 Daniel Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:47:16 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2008/04/12/collateral-2004/#comment-4596 Awesome, Joe. I need to see this again, but I have faith it will gradually gain new fans as the years go on. I'm a Tom Cruise apologetic and use this for evidence when necessary. Adam Sandler? Would. Have. Been. A. Nightmare. Great Crowe connection to <i>3:10 to Yuma</i>, by the way. I think that still would have been a better fit, even if he'd been in both. Also love your observation of the city streets adding so much to the feel of the movie. Definitely not your typical look at L.A, which is always either Hollywood, Crime/Cop Central, or Futuristic/Apocalyptic. Awesome, Joe. I need to see this again, but I have faith it will gradually gain new fans as the years go on. I’m a Tom Cruise apologetic and use this for evidence when necessary. Adam Sandler? Would. Have. Been. A. Nightmare.

Great Crowe connection to 3:10 to Yuma, by the way. I think that still would have been a better fit, even if he’d been in both.

Also love your observation of the city streets adding so much to the feel of the movie. Definitely not your typical look at L.A, which is always either Hollywood, Crime/Cop Central, or Futuristic/Apocalyptic.

]]> By: AR http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2008/04/12/collateral-2004/comment-page-1/#comment-4588 AR Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:01:54 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2008/04/12/collateral-2004/#comment-4588 Completely agree. With you and the critics. I loved the film up until the last third or so. The look of the film is really fantastic, and you're right, it captures a gritty noir L.A. that is fascinating to watch. Foxx is also quite good. I didn't know Crowe was originally attached to this, but now I can't help but imagine what he would've done with the role. Cruise certainly worked, but Crowe is arguably a better actor. Completely agree. With you and the critics. I loved the film up until the last third or so. The look of the film is really fantastic, and you’re right, it captures a gritty noir L.A. that is fascinating to watch. Foxx is also quite good.

I didn’t know Crowe was originally attached to this, but now I can’t help but imagine what he would’ve done with the role. Cruise certainly worked, but Crowe is arguably a better actor.

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