Michael Mann (commonly misspelt Michael Man) is one of the most respected film directors of this generation. This blog is for all those who appreciate Michael Mann's work on the big and small screen. In following Mann's movies I find myself drawn into a world I occasionally become profoundly moved by. Come visit if you want to hear all the latest Michael Mann news I discover on the web.
For those who know Michael Mann's films, you will know that he uses the term "Time is Luck", quite often. It relates so vividly to this situation. Did you know that this term probably relates to a Biblical verse in Ecclesiastes 9:11. Read that verse, and you can directly apply that to what happened on the now unfortunately named "Luck".
Despite the horribly disappointing end to the making of Luck, I am ready for more Michael Mann material. The truth is, the end of Luck was a devastating blow to all involved in the project, and it was further marred by ill reported stories that I had no appetite to blog. This was supposed to be Mann's nine hour movie - to use the amazing opportunity such time presents to the storytelling creative director/producer. We all feel robbed of that same rush of enthusiasm to see and experience that happen. It is therefore poignant to post an excellent interview to be seen in full between Michael Mann and Tavis Smiley about the making and development of Luck. I may have even posted it before. But here it is, to help me move on to what is the next "thing". In the interview Mann says more than once how "careful" they are with the horses.
Going back to the interview, here it is below. Asked what movies he is likely to work on he mentions Agincourt, but adds a new story to his already large list in waiting: The Tam. He refers to Alex Sage, writing a story in Indonesia on the South China Sea.
If you have access to SkyGo, you can now also watch Sky Atlantic on your iPhone or iPad, meaning Luck cannot be missed! If you don't have Sky, but your parents do, ask them if you can feed into their SkyGo account, because I bet they don't use it!
For those in the UK who are familiar with Tom Payne, the former Waterloo UK actor now enjoying the luxuries of LA, and are now following his new part on HBO Luck, you can see him on an exclusive HBO behind the scenes video by clicking here.
There is some great Michael Mann goodness to enjoy in these cold spells of UK winter!
An article today from the Hollywood reporter decided to take a negative angle on a press presentation of HBO's Luck, having been given access for a Q&A with Michael Mann, David Milch, Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. The report said the event had "exceptionally awkward and amusing moments." The PR team for HBO were apparently not on the ball as according to the report they organised Mann and Milch's seats at opposite ends to each other, to the notice of some entertainment writers looking for media fodder, following previous news of discontent between the two men. The creative giants of screen sat up front were perhaps thinking that the event was about the exciting launch of some superb new entertainment, but some writers saw their main news story of what happened behind the scenes.
Nick Nolte was reported to have given quirky personal opinions on 3D TV warning of its negative health effects. I don't entirely disagree. It wouldn't surprise me that if 3D catches on more than it already has, that health reports will undermine any technological advancements in this area. I saw Puss in Boots (with my kids!) in 3D and I had a headache and felt sick the rest of the day! I enjoy the sense of depth and involvement of 3D, but Nolte is right. It isn't a natural function of our eye. My opinion is that holographic cinema in about 50 years will be the replacement media of the future. 2D is not going to disappear yet. But 3D? I applaud the efforts to introduce a new experience for the viewer, but think it falls into the laps of TV makers wanting new features to lure customers into buying replacement TV sets, hence their hype of the technology. TV makers should make less of 3D (if they want to avoid litigation for screwing up the eyes of our children!), and realise that the true potential of TV is in the Smart TV revolution - turning our iPhone into a giant screen and hooked to the internet for movie streaming and social interaction. To this end TV makers have been distinctly lazy and without vision. Apple are forcing the agenda with their rumoured iTV set to launch this year. Finally, the best screen estate in our homes gets intelligent.
I digress. Rather than read my twaddle, see the most recent articles about Luck on these links below:
In my frustration in not being able to see Luck I found an alternative over at VideoWeed. Seems very naughty of the site and you have to endure interrupting adverts periodically. The quality is also poor, but good enough to watch full screen on a 15" laptop at a distance - just. If you are desperate for a glimpse of Luck, then try this:
If they haven't paid for it, then I am sure HBO will be closing it down fairly quickly.
I will post a review of Luck shortly (late now here in UK and all this late night blogging and tweeting is not good for the work that pays for my bread!). I would love to write it now, because Luck met all my expectations. I really loved it. I just connect with almost anything Mann does, and he brings the best out of the entire production. Superb dialogue by Milch, and extremely skilled changes of pace throughout. Very much reminded me of the construction of The Insider... lots of multiple conversations all interrelated and fascinating. I am deeply frustrated with the tepid, lazy reviews I have seen of the first pilot of Luck. It deserves much higher praise and examination. I found it stunning, from the quality of acting to the cinematography to the music. All the talk of poor audio seems nonsense to me - I found it perfectly legible. More on Luck later!
It does a disservice to the effort gone into the quality of Luck to watch it on VideoWeed, so if you can wait, I would... but I couldn't! Can't wait to see it properly next February, on Sky Atlantic in the UK.
For UK fans looking forward to Michael Mann's HBO Luck, here is a longer behind the scenes video featuring all the cast of Luck! I think it brilliantly sums up Luck and, also what I think... that to get the most out of this series, you just have to keep watching and gradually become immersed in the lives of those characters in it. I like the quote from Tom Payne, who say's: "everyone's luck is based on everyone elses luck." I am expecting an intricate storyline that will fascinate us. Thank you David Milch.
Being stuck in the UK, it is frustrating to be missing the HBO Luck 'sneak peek' party. But for your convenience I have pulled out some of the latest online reviews of the pilot that reveal mixed feelings, that are largely reflected in the twitter universe. From all the reactions, there seems to be largely cautious anticipation for the rest of the series, having been impressed by cast and "look", but confused by the 'in at the deep end' dialogue and naturalistic sound mixing (which is now common in a Mann production - Miami Vice had similar dialogue sound criticisms).
The overall consensus, I sense, is that there wasn't enough in the pilot to see where it is going (short Hoffman screen time), but there was more than enough to generate the want to see more and see what Milch is going to give us. As with any worthwhile, absorbing and character driven storylines, it has to slow burn before the viewer can 'feel' the inside of what is happening.
I get the impression that Michael Mann receives praise across the board for clear leadership and direction in the overall colour pallet, look and style - so can't wait to see it!
I will cut to the chase. Here is a selection of media reviews for you to consume:
Finally, the world gets to see a better glimpse as to how big Michael Mann/Milch's cinematic "Luck" is going to be with a sneak peek preview of the show at 10.00pm on HBO in the US tonight (after Boardwalk Empire finale).
Since I am based in the UK I am missing the whole party! But I received tweets from Tom Payne and the awesome John Otiz, which cheered me up! The buzz is finally getting louder, and I am hearing that Nick Nolte could even pull the heartstrings as the horse lover. Let's face it... the cast of Luck is just breathtaking. All the trailers that HBO are releasing are trying their hardest to reveal them all adequately. I am losing count of how many iterations there are, but the below is one of the recent ones.
Check out the HBO tweets!
I am off to bed... I look forward to hearing what all you lucky Americans think of "Luck". If you are reading this, please leave a comment. I want to hear all about it!
It is all "Luck" at the moment, as preparations hot up for the greatly anticipated Premier episode taster due on Dec. 11, at 10:00 p.m., following the season 2 finale of Boardwalk Empire. Being a UK resident, I won't be seeing it (Doesn't come to us Brits until February). Now, if I was an entertainment magazine staff writer I may well be receiving the full nine-episode season to review, according to Stuart Levine at Variety. Click here for all the details. We will shortly be reading a lot of exclusives and seeing newly released promotional images in all those glossies.
The official series debut Sunday, Jan 29 with the remainder of the 9-episode season debuting on subsequent Sundays.
I am hearing rumblings that John Ortiz is superb in it. I loved his convincing role in Miami Vice, and he maximised his quirky role in Public Enemies too. I predict some serious awards will be coming Luck's way, and it would be fitting for John Ortiz to finally get wider recognition. Of course, Dustin Hoffman will receive the most attention, and all in all, I think Luck will become the pinnacle of modern day TV achievement. Quite a statement. Hope I am right. But being in the UK, I won't know until February, when it first airs on this side of the Atlantic.
I guess all the exclusives appearing out there will drown out this blog. I will bow out gracefully. With Luck to now enjoy, we can also be sure Michael Mann will not have had his feet up. Let's see what else pops up on his horizon... remember all that talk about Agincourt, Robert Capa and so on?
Sky television's 'Sky Atlantic' Facebook page has a comment left by one of their people stating that HBO's Luck will not be airing on Sky Atlantic until February. They write, "we will be airing in soon after the US, in February next year" (2012). Given the debut for the US HBO Channel is Sunday, January 29th, February is indeed 'soon' after, but how soon is still unclear. It means I won't be able to blog immediately after each episode. I am sure you will survive...
There is no indication that the UK will have a special preview of the series either, as there is in the US in December. I could say we are "out of Luck" in the UK, but I think the "Luck" jokes will soon be wearing thin!
A new trailer for HBO Luck this November. This one contains the much waited for compilation with extra dialogue, which gives us a better foretaste of what is to come. It doesn't disappoint and the extra visuals serve to only excite my anticipation. It looks beautiful, dynamic, intelligent and emotive. What more do we need? Sunday 29th January the official series premier date of HBO Luck.
Great news and a pre-Christmas treat! HBO will be premiering Michael Mann's HBO Luck December 11 at 10.00pm ET/PT on HBO. This brings the show forward for airing by a month, as it was originally scheduled for release in January 2012. However, we will have to wait until January to see subsequent shows. HBO posted the following on Twitter:
"Note that #LUCK makes its official series debut Sunday, Jan 29 with the remainder of the 9-episode season debuting on subsequent Sundays."
Gosh, I need to hurry and get my Sky subscription sorted! From what I know, you can't get HBO Atlantic channel on Virgin Media.
Rumours are that the tensions between Michael Mann and David Milch have maybe caused Milch to look for work elsewhere. I hope that isn't the case, because I think the two men, despite the creative difficulties in sharing a vision, have the capacity to change how we view TV, again. Just like Mann did with Miami Vice. Read this recent article to get the full scoop.
While I am posting, can I also direct you to the HBO "Luck" forum, which features all the latest news and information surrounding Luck. It is quiet there at the moment, but no doubt will explode into frenzied action once people realise how special this series is going to be. It will be huge.
One of the extraordinary leaps into the now fashionable "Hollywood TV" has been made in quiet, yet blockbusting style, by British actor Tom Payne. Payne is playing the character Leon "Bug Boy" Micheaux in Michael Mann's forthcoming "Luck" coming to our screens in January. I first came across Tom Payne on TV playing a handsome, popular and self confident high school student, Brett Aspinall, in the UK TV series Waterloo Road (2007-08). He is instantly likable, in the way that you wish he wasn't, because like Justin Timberlake, he is brilliantly talented, has the looks, and can put the two together. Men hate that. I recall seeing him on screen for the first time and the immediate impression was he would be a star of the future. I wasn't alone thinking this. He was named as one of Screen International magazine's stars of tomorrow 2007.
Payne oozes screen presence, and has the confidence in his acting to take you on his journey in character. It is in Payne's ability to bring you into his interior world that sets him apart and enabled him to impress one of the most discerning character actor directors in the world: Michael Mann. Mann has worked with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, James Caan, William Petersen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina.... the list is long, illustrious and still not finished. More recently, Mann is adding Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte and the new kid on the block: Tom Payne. Except Payne is no kid. When playing Brett in Waterloo Road his real life age was 24, but his character was a 17 year old. It is perhaps his mature, yet youthful appearance that lends strength and certain niche to Payne's offering as an actor. In Luck, he plays the horse jockey Leon and at 5'7" in height he can pull it off. The average height of a horse jockey is said to be 5'6". It is clear that Payne has the specific ingredients Mann was looking for in this anticipated role within Luck.
With Michael Mann's illustrious history of casting, the challenge is certainly on for Payne to impress as he steps onto set with Hoffman and Nolte. We only have a glimpse of Payne playing Leon in the current two versions of the Luck trailers currently released by HBO. We see him walking past the stands looking uncertain (in character) in the first trailer, and then in the second trailer we see him in the gates on horseback about to race. Both clips are enough to see, in my opinion, he has found character. Payne will have discovered Mann's passion for realism and detail, and this would be to Payne's liking, having himself wanted to add detail for his role as football legend George Best - which required more chest hair! Horse racing is a huge learning curve, and Mann's boot camp for learning skill sets required for roles is well known. Future interviews will no doubt reveal the extent of Payne's race training.
Payne didn't just jump from Waterloo Road to Luck. He appeared in a number of other TV movies and appearances. Yet intriguingly, none of these gave him the exposure that Waterloo Road provided him. Waterloo Road, whilst mainstream BBC drama, was high quality and creative. Musical montage sequences gave emotional, indepth edge to it, a style that has since been copied by other TV series. It was quality acting, excellent dialogue and fun. It is not obvious to understand how Payne landed the part in Luck, despite acknowledging his obvious talent. We don't know what golden stepping stone took him there. But what we do know is that he will be a great success. I liked him in Waterloo, and as predicted back then, the world will hear a lot more of Tom Payne, the quiet and serious actor who realizes character is more important than seeking celebrity.
Payne's passion for character acting is found in his other project, a movie which he has recently been filming in Israel: Inheritance. The sensitive tale of an Englishman having a contended love affair with a Palestinian girl.
So watch out for Tom Payne. His fame has been relatively low key. As of next January I reckon he is about to set your screens alight and become wildly famous, meaning we are sure to see him on our screens for a long time to come.
I am truly excited to share with you the latest release of the Michael Mann / Milch HBO teaser trailer for "Luck". The first trailer was thrilling, and this short edit increases the adrenaline to spine tingling proportions! It raised the level of expectation, displaying more stunning cinematography, more sophisticated dialogue and more sublime acting... the stage is set. Roll on January when it is set to come to our screens!
The trailer is self-explanatory, but we see Hoffman's character Chester Bernstein in prison, and he looks convincing. And we catch a better glimpse of Crime Story's Dennis Farina playing Gus Economou, which on the face of it looks perfect casting for a world set in the murkiness of corrupt business.
Is that the UK's Tom Payne in the green horse jockey jersey playing the character of Leon Micheaux? Not sure, but he is a bright young star for the future, and I will be posting a feature on him soon.
As Reported in the LA Times, Michael Mann's & David Milch's Luck is coming to TV screens in January 2012:
As HBO executives finalize their plans for the upcoming season, it looks like viewers will finally get some "Luck" early next year.
Set in the world of horse racing, "Luck" is the brainchild of David Milch, who previously created the western "Deadwood" and the surreal surfing drama "John From Cincinnati" for the pay-cable network. Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman plays a lifetime gambler recently released from prison.
"We’re definitely gonna premiere it in January 2012," HBO programming chief Michael Lombardo revealed to reporters at the TV media tour in Beverly Hills Thursday afternoon. "Luck" will take over the Sunday slot once occupied by the polygamy drama "Big Love," which recently wrapped its run.
The following article indicates all is not well behind the scenes of Luck. Milch has changed agents from CAA to ICM. Until this switch, Mann and Milch both shared the same agent under CAA. Any rift is pure speculation, with some hoping that Mann and Milch are not getting on with each other. Irrespective of their potential differences, I can't wait to see the fruit of their struggles. With such artistic friction and mutual accountability we can be sure to enjoy the highest standard of writing and filming.
You may have noticed unusual activity at the Central Women's Jail on Monday. There were StarWagon trailers and a convoy of trucks packed with equipment, along with a "Lunchbox" setup with top-of-the-line cuisine. The Women's Jail has been virtually vacant since July 2009 and for the first time in the facility's forty year history it was used as the set for filming a series involving a major Hollywood star and director. It will be a year before the film can be viewed, however. A nearly seventy-member crew was here to film a scene for an HBO series-in-the-making titled "Luck". This was a small set by Hollywood standards.
Philip Noyce, one of the appointed directors on HBO’s Luck:
Philip Noyce: Recently I did a HBO series with Michael Mann written by David Milch called Luck where we used the Alexa camera which is a real breakthrough. I can say after working with that that film unfortunately is dead, because you can do everything on the Alexa camera that you can do on film. It can look exactly like film when it’s projected. We were shooting exterior L.A. streets no lights. It’s become a situation where night shooting is actually quicker than day shooting now with the new cameras. Whereas night shooting you’d say, ‘Oh, you’ll shoot 11 shots at the most.’ Now you can shoot 60. It’s really fast. It was the freest shooting I’ve ever been involved with. Michael Mann has chosen the three operators from experience, so they’re all really inventive. Usually you finish early because the crew are living in terror of Michael turning up on set. So they’re fast like a wild horse that’s been broken in. So they’re director friendly.
