The Best of Michael Mann

With Michael Mann’s latest film, Blackhat, hitting theaters this weekend, here are the top five movies on his resume:

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Public Enemies

Brief Synopsis: “In the shadow of the Great Depression, criminal minds are thriving — notorious men such as John Dillinger, “Baby Face” Nelson and “Pretty Boy” Floyd — and it’s up to J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI to bring them down in this gritty crime drama.”

Cast includes:

 

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Last of the Mohicans

Brief Synopsis: “As the English and French soldiers battle for control of the North American colonies in the 18th century, the settlers and native Americans are forced to take sides. Cora and her sister Alice unwittingly walk into trouble but are saved by Hawkeye, an orphaned settler adopted by the last of the Mohicans.”

Cast includes:

 

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Collateral

Brief Synopsis: “A cab driver finds himself the hostage of an engaging contract killer as he makes his rounds from hit to hit during one night in LA. He must find a way to save both himself and one last victim.”

Collateral is a perfect example of when fine film-making combines with great acting. Michael Mann, a director who usually tackles larger, more ambitious projects, is at home in the smaller Collateral. Instead of focusing on shootouts or large action sequences, Mann focuses on the setting, the acting, and the little details. … Thus, when it hits, it hits hard, and reminds us over and over that this isn’t the kind of happy story we usually get. It’s dark, bleak, and lacks a lot of hope at times, but is effective for doing so and makes Collateralone of the best films of the 2000s.”
– Cinematic Katzenjammer Nick

“The one thing I like the most about Michael Mann is that his stories may not be the best on paper, but when their played out, they are simply riveting. Heat, a film where cop chases bad guy, seen it done a million times, however, it’s considered his best work. For me, this is his best.”
– Dan O’Neill

Cast includes:

 

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The Insider

Brief Synopsis: “Tells the true story of a 60 Minutes television series exposé of the tobacco industry, as seen through the eyes of a real tobacco executive, Jeffrey Wigand”

“A corporate/political thriller of the highest order. This is the kind of film that reminds us how awesome movies can be.”
– Bryan Lienesch

The Insider stands as a towering piece of cinema and one of the finer films of Michael Mann’s career.  With a talented cast led by the iconic Al Pacino and a young Russell Crowe, Mann’s follow-up to Heat is equally electrifying in a different way.  No half measures are taken in the making of this corporate thriller.  It’s the type of movie that will give you goosebumps as the cast and crew give it their all.”
Sober Film Critic James Brown

Cast includes:

 

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Heat

Brief Synopsis: “Obsessive master thief McCauley leads a crack crew on various military-style heists across L.A. while equally obsessive detective Hanna tracks him. Each man recognizes and respects the other’s ability and dedication, even as they express the willingness to kill each other, if necessary.”

Heat is to cop movies what The Godfather is to gangster movies. Not only is it a rip-roaring, guns-blazing action flick, it’s also a brilliant character study of two men on opposite sides of the same coin.”
George Rother of MovieGuy 24/7

“In Heat … we get to see two masters at work doing what they do best.  With an incredible supporting cast and Mann setting the stage for their epic encounter, we’ve got instant movie magic.  Heat may just be the greatest cops and robbers movie of all time. ”
Sober Film Critic James Brown

Cast includes: