Public Enemies
My opinion of Johnny Depp is a contradictory one. On the one hand, I can’t help but to enjoy the movies that feature him as the central star. I was thoroughly entertained by movies like Sleepy Hollow and Pirates of the Caribbean. On the other hand, there’s just something about Depp that bothers me and I can’t quite put my finger on it. It is with this pre-existing bias that I walked into the movie theatre to watch Public Enemies, a movie where Depp plays notorious 1930s bank robber John Dillinger.
Working alongside other bank robbers like Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson, Dillinger goes on to make a killing (no pun intended) holding up the financial institutions of the day and robbing them of every penny. The methodology is exact, precise, and remarkably effective. However, there are certainly risks to this unconventional choice of career and Depp’s character finds himself running from the law, getting arrested, and breaking out on more than one occasion.
The costume design and overall atmosphere of Public Enemies is very representative of the 1920s and 1930s, getting all of these wanted criminals to rob banks in well-tailored suits and vintage hats. You’re not a gentleman if you don’t have a nice hat, you see. I was hoping to get more bank robbing and less of the underdeveloped love affair. Also, while Depp did a fine job as Dillinger, I can’t really say the same about the excessively intense performance of Christian Bale as FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Why so serious, Christian?
In the end, Public Enemies was still a nice character piece for John Dillinger, but it failed to live up to my expectations.
Star Trek
You might remember the Star Trek review that guest blogger Ray Ebersole posted in this space a few months back. I was told by many of the people who had watched the new Star Trek movie that it had more wide-reaching appeal that just to the Trekkies in the audience. Although I did become a fan of The Next Generation for a couple of years, I never really watched the original series with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
For this reboot of the series, we see a guy that I normally know as Sylar play the perennial Vulcan and then there’s Harold from White Castle portraying the role of Sulu. Even so, it was easy to get past these pre-conceived notions and see a film that was jam-packed with action, clever dialogue, and good character development. The scenes where current Spock interacts with future Spock are particularly well done, giving a nod to the need for nostalgia while still looking ahead for the future of this franchise.
I wouldn’t say that the refreshed Star Trek movie boldly goes where no man has gone before, but it does go in a direction that could be entertaining and viable for years to come. Live long and prosper.
Jaws 2
When I was over visiting my friend some time ago, we started flipping through the channels on her television and came across a man on a boat being attacked by a giant shark. Although I probably did watch the original Jaws when I was younger, my memories of the film are vague at best. For the first while, I thought that I was indeed watching the original and not this lesser-recognized sequel.
In this 1978 sequel, Roy Schneider reprises his role as Police Chief Martin Brody in and around the resort of Amity Island. Some people get freaked out about the shark attacks, Brody gets incredibly paranoid about the whole situation, and the local developers (and government) want to cover up the risk in an effort to boost tourism and confidence in their resort. Well, let’s just say that the shark wasn’t involved in any of these discussions.
If you’re looking to enjoy some cheesy special effects from 30 years ago, capped with some cheesy one-liners between the teenagers and some highly predictable plot lines, take a chance on Jaws 2. Otherwise, you’re better enjoying yourself on a real resort island without animatronic sharks. It’s not exactly a whale of a time.
I love the Jaws series. Each have their own cool things. Yes there is a Jaws 4, not as good but it is neat to see the series carry on.
Cheesy Mechanical Sharks FTW!
Yes, Star Trek does move in a new direction and I believe a needed direction seeing how worn out the old series was.
Really like Jaws, and remember seeing the original with my first girlfriend in High School. Oh was that a long time ago and I really don’t remember watching the movie either. My date was more important, or more willing to make me happy. ;0
Johnny Depp just bothers me. I believe it’s his a feminine acting that turns me off.
nice movie … i love Depp , honestly i prefer to jaw 1 than jaw 2…it was classic movie with minimum effect
I like Johnny Depp, but I haven’t seen him in anything that might be considered “normal” since 21 Jump Street, which I never really watched.
He seems to do a good job of picking and playing “odd” characters and bringing them to life with a humanity that someone else in the same role might not be able to pull off.
Star Trek was one of the best Trek movies and did a good job at refreshing the genre, not sure if they can follow it up with a refreshing TV series or not.
Jaws is classic and one of the best films I have seen that scared me to death when I was 8 and saw it.
I haven’t seen Public Enemies, but as far as Johnny Depp he is a very verasatile actor, but I like his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean best, he was a little too eerie in Charlie and the Chocolate factory, and he tends to have the same somber type for all roles, minus as Jack Sparrow.
I was a 5-year-old kid when I watched JAWS 2 in the cinema with my parents and I still had good memories of this classic.
However, I can’t sing the same praises of the subsequent follow-ups in the series. I can’t recall any classic scenes in JAWS 3-D & JAWS: The Revenge even though I watched them in the 80’s.
Is there going to be a JAWS 5? Will it happen?
I love Johnny Depp and I can’t wait to watch Public Enemies. I am way behind my original schedule to watch the movie when it was released. However, I am not a fan of Jaws or Star Trek.