Of course, what was I expecting right? The film’s called “Public Enemies” and it’s a story about John Dillinger, infamous bank robber/tabloid fodder running from an FBI squad determined to take him down. Merciless machine guns were to be expected. Anything less would’ve been too civilized. Fair enough. That’s not even my main complaint, it’s just a simple observation on our culture’s obsession with violence – but that’s a whole other topic, reserved for a whole other time.

Let’s just get straight to the core of Public Enemies, starting with the highest point: Johnny Depp. The movie should’ve just been called “John Dillinger” because every memorable scene happened when he was in it – the elaborate bank robberies, the ingenious prison escapes, the awesome line recitals (“They ain’t tough enough, smart enough or fast enough. I can hit any bank I want, any time. They got to be at every bank, all the time.”) The tone and inflection in that phrase alone is a testament to his incredible talent. The man just oozes coolness with every stride and every smirk taking the charismatic attitude to a whole new altitude.

This is by far Johnny Depp’s best performance. The movie shines whenever he takes front and center – where he displays his gifts of charm and his deliciously seductive appeal, his smooth coolness and the way he effortlessly wins over supporters – including the press, the public (the irony) and of most importance, his lady love Billie Frechette played by Marion Cotillard, as seen in the captivating restaurant scene. Badboys are actually the antithesis of what I like, but even I could not deny Johnny D if he came on to me the way he did to her. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to be JD’s girl?

Others have stated that Depp and Cotillard lacked any true chemistry which I found hard to believe, considering their love-story was among the more interesting angles as well as the most magical. They had a spark that lit up my eyes whenever they appeared on screen – and this is apart from their superior good-looks. A friend of mine found Cotillard’s acting questionable, considering her Oscar-winning status, but I blame it on the awkward script – (“When my boyfriend finds out what you did to me, you’re going to be in big trouble.”) and then she says “fat boy”, and the whole thing came off sounding kind of silly. But Cotillard admirably injected both innocence and strength into the central female character, a coat-check girl who suddenly finds herself in the heart of John Dillinger’s notoriety.

I was originally excited for this movie because of Christian Bale, because he never disappoints, and he certainly did not as Melvin Purvis. But honestly, all I kept thinking was “outta the way, you!” (The way Homer Simpson said it when he pushes aside that little lamb) Bale was great as always, but his character was just too wooden, too naive, too spineless and too forthright to be admired. That is, until the end of the interrogation scene, when Melvin is guided by compassion instead of ruthless determination. Of course one can’t blame Christian for Melvin’s character, and from the viewer’s perspective, Melvin is not the man we root for, because our spirit lies with Johnny’s survival. The funny pants he wore won’t win him any points either.

Which leads me another point altogether – the period pieces were quite astounding – the costumes, the cars, the set, the aesthetics all came to life under the skilled instruction of Mr. Mann. The camera will be (has been) a source of contention among many film-goers and critics primarily for its HD-in-your-face clarity. Personally, at times I felt like I was watching one of those British television dramas. The ones that would prompt me to quickly change the channel. But I eventually got used to the technique and I appreciate the insider-like glimpse into the fast life of Mr. Dillinger.

I’m not qualified to judge the artistic merits of the movie, but I am able to subjectively assess whether it was enjoyable, and while I could endlessly praise Johnny’s presence, it wasn’t enough to catapult the movie into classic status. The truth is, I got bored. It’s as simple as that. I just lost interest. It peaked then it plateau’d, it delighted then it dragged. And somewhere between this beefed up bio of the intriguing, albeit seemingly fictional man, I got lost in a blaze of fierce firework and fire-cracker-like bullets.

Michael Mann was obviously very ambitious and confident in his ability to recreate, or retell Dillinger’s ill-fated tale. For the most part, it’s all very entertaining and fully-engaging. But something was missing. The entire project was a big under-taking with big stars, big guns and big egos. But where the film shines with star power, it dulls with drab dialogue. I can’t help but feel that it could have used a little more conversation and a little less ammunition – a little more soul and little less rock and roll.

But I think I’ve been submerged in self-pity long enough – there’s no point in stalling anymore. I mean, hey, YOU’RE reading this right? And that’s all that matters . Plus, the movie-viewing world needs my opinions or the motion picture industry as we know it will collapse. So I’m back.

Okay, I’m kind of lying. I actually have to credit the lack of updates to my feelings on Terminator. I saw it not too long ago but I couldn’t figure out exactly what I wanted to say about it.

How do you approach a movie that you’ve waited so long to see, but were severely let down by? How do you evaluate the performance of your favorite actor who’s image is now obviously tarnished by an infamous incident on the set of said film? What do you do when you don’t want to criticize a movie that pretty much sucked quite badly? Well, a fair critic would objectively analyze the film, pointing out its flaws and defending its merits. But as you know, I’m not really a film critic…

So here’s my completely biased, pseudo-review of Terminator: Salvation.

Christian Bale was awesome. The movie was spectacular. All the top-notch special effects, man against machine fight sequences, killers on wheels, menacing air crafts, full-bodied explosives and the raw, gritty feel of the post-apocalyptic landscape combined to create a timeless masterpiece. Not to mention the extensive character development, the thoughtful dialogue, the nifty plot twists and the human-cyborg love angle. And to top off this cornucopia of awesomeness was the commendable end quote “There is no fate, but what we make.” That’s really all I have to say. Four stars, two thumbs up, hands down the best blockbuster of the season, bolstered in no small part by Bale’s magnetic screen presence. I sure hope he meant it when he said “I’ll be back.”

Hmm. I myself can’t tell if I’m being sarcastic. Maybe I really did like the movie. Perhaps it wasn’t all that bad. I guess it’s just a matter of weighing it against expectations, and initially mine were as high as a T-Rex on stilts. Maybe I should go back and re-watch it, this time tuning my expecto-dial to zero, so that I could emerge fully satisfied at having witnessed a relatively laudable cinematic accomplishment. Yes, it deserves a second viewing.

Honestly, I don’t really need an excuse to do a Christian Bale double-take. Man, I am such a girl.

Given the current economical climate and the prevalence of piracy, paying for movies probably isn’t at the top of everyone’s expenditures.  I know I’ve been quite selective of the movies I watch these days. (Disclaimer: I do not endorse illegal downloading!) But if any of these actors were featured in the film (all else being equal), there would be a greater likelihood I’d watch it. So in keeping with the “Facebook 25…”  (in no particular order – except for the first one!) here are MY 25:

1. Christian Bale

Of course. As if I’m really gonna create such a list and not include my beloved CB! Personal problems aside, his acting chops are tops, which is why he’s at the top of my list. Claims his one personal regret is that he never enrolled in acting school. Really? Here’s a guy who was nominated for an Oscar at the age of 13 for his performance in Empire of the Sun. Surely he has enough ‘natural’ talent to carry him forth. One thing I would like to see him try perhaps, is comedy, since he’s so accustomed to serious characters. That’s a sight to behold – Christian cracking the comedic whip? I’m already giddy!

2. Michael Cera

Speaking of comedians, he’s one of my favorites. I wish I were friends with Michael. He’s the ultimate best guy friend, with his adorable self-consciousness, quick-wittedness, shy guy sensitivity and a most unexpected funny streak. He’s effortlessly talented,  cute and seems very genuine. I love him. I want to hug him. The only downside with Cera, is that he seems to play the same role in virtually every movie I’ve seen him in. Across the board, from Superbad to Juno to Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, there’s really been little divergence between each character. As appealing as it is, I hope this won’t limit him for future roles.

3. Will Smith

On the streets he’s known as the Fresh Prince, but in Hollywood, he’s the King of the box office. Starring in one blockbuster after the next, Mr. Independence Day definitely deserves his reign. One of the most charming, versatile actors, Will can pretty much do it all. Rumour has it he’s in the running for People magazine’s sexiest man alive. I think he’s the best guy for it, and not because I think he’s THE sexiest man (people say he looks like my brother!) but his overall multi-layered appeal does make him a worthy candidate for the title. I just love Will Smith. Love him!

4. Cillian Murphy

I won’t lie. I haven’t seen many of his films and I first discovered him in Batman Begins. And that did it for me. Red Eye came next, and although less impressive, it was still worthwhile to see him in a starring role. You might imagine how happy I was to see his one-liner appearance in the Dark Knight. I’m just wondering why I haven’t seen him since. He has a distinct, attractively ambiguous look about him that would make him suitable for many different characters – hero, villain, boyfriend, even a dolled up trans-gender (as seen in Breakfast on Pluto), he seems totally unafraid to embrace the different aspects of acting, and his chameleon-esque capabilities are what continually add to his appeal. That, and those beautiful, spell-binding eyes.

5. Macaulay Culkin

I would certainly love to see Culkin make a big-screen come back. One of the best child actors of his generation, it’s a shame the personal problems overshadowed his fame.  He’s always struck me as an intelligent thespian, a cut above his child-actor peers. I still think he’s cool. And he was good friends with Michael Jackson!

6. Robert Downey Jr.

Oh RDJ, what can I say? He’s been around for a while but manages to stay so charmingly youthful. Granted, his career experienced a major rejuvenation thanks to Iron Man, but he’s had his share of critical acclaim in films like Charlie Chaplin and one of my personal favorites, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, forming one half of the best on-screen duo ever (with Val Kilmer). I can’t wait to see him next in The Soloist with Jamie Foxx. I love hearing him talk.

7. Tom Welling

Right after Batman, Superman is my favorite super hero. I LOVE Tom Welling (aka Smallville’s Clark Kent). Easily one of the best looking men I’ve ever seen in my life. Now, I don’t usually like to apply unrealistic standards of perfection to people, but let’s be superficial for a second: Tom Welling is perfect. He’s the ultimate male specimen, if there were ever such a thing. I’m talking the alpha male-protector with the chiseled body and distinguished, masculine features. I’ll admit that I usually don’t go for these types, but if you’re going to embody the legendary man of steel…then well, Tom’s the real deal. Biggest casting mistake? Brandon Routh as Superman. Seriously folks, Superman is an action figure, not a barbie doll!

8. Ryan Gosling

He is, in my opinion, the better of our two famous  Canadian Ryans. (Ryan Reynolds?) He may have swept us away in the Notebook, but I was more fascinated by his portrayal of the socially-inept loner in Lars and the Real Girl. His depiction of a drug-addict school teacher in Half Nelson amassed widespread praise, as well as an Oscar nomination for best actor. I still can’t believe he was THAT guy from Breaker High.

9. Emile Hirsch

I have a weakness for brunettes (okay that was irrelevant). His overall demeanour is endearing and his looks are sublime, kind of reminds me of Leonardo Di Caprio, but mellower. He gave a riveting performance in Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild”, a true story based on Chris McCandless, a university graduate who forsakes the material world to find solace in Alaska. In Alpha Dog he took on the role of real life drug-dealer Jesse James. He most recently appeared in Milk (another Sean Penn association) as a gay rights activist. Next up? A vietnam vet in the movie Woodstock. There’s great potential here and he seems to already be setting himself apart from other pretty faces. Given the right material, Emile will surely emerge with something quite memorable.

10. Ethan Hawke

My favorite professor at McGill once invited Ethan Hawke as a special guest for a class session to discuss his novel Ash Wednesday.  Sadly, I was not enrolled in the course at that time. Legend has it Hawke was eloquent, humble and genuinely engaging. I immediately went on to rent Reality Bites to make up for the lost years. Haven’t seen him since “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” (which he was great in) but I look forward to seeing more from him in the near future.

11. Leonardo DiCaprio

It’s safe to say his heart-throb status has peaked, (Romeo and Juliet, Titanic) but his skills seem to be on a continual incline. I never quite boarded the crazy fanatic bandwagon, but I always admired him as an actor, even more so in his later years, especially in the Departed. I consider it his come-back film, an indication of his maturation and dedication to his craft. He’s an intensely talented actor, especially when you consider his earlier, less commercial successes (ie: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, This Boy’s Life).

12. Jonah Hill

I’m a big fan of the Judd Apatow crew, and one of the main reasons is Jonah Hill. He was superb in Superbad, and despite a smaller role he was even more memorable in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I’m not a huge fan of over the top, slap-stick comedy, so I appreciate Jonah’s more subtle but distinguishable brand of humour. He’s the right mixture of crude and cute, and I really hope he doesn’t change (ie: I hope he doesn’t undergo the Jason Biggs weight-loss transformation and become boring). He’s featured next in another Apatow production, “Funny People” starring fellow alum Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler.

13. Katt Williams

If Katt Williams is in a film, I am definitely in. Though he’s usually relegated to peripheral roles he manages to somehow steal the show. Most memorable moment? Money Mike in Friday After Next. And though First Sunday was a total tanker, his minor role provided enough comic relief. Okay, maybe not enough, because I feel he never gets the screen time he deserves and that’s a shame because Kat is a true comedian.  Being one of my favorite stand up guys,  I feel that he can do no wrong.  With the exception of “Internet Dating” (which thankfully I did not pay to see) Katt is always a laugh and a half.

14. Keanu Reeves

Okay, so he’s not exceedingly talented. But there’s something about Keanu that keeps reeling me in. I can overlook the embarassingly robotic line recitals, the lack of emotion and the feeling that he doesn’t seem to really try…because despite all of that, it’s Keanu Reeves. If I were a Hollywood celeb, he’s the man I’d like to have on my arm at premieres and red carpet events. As corny as it sounds, he captivated me in the Lake House (yes, I actually liked this movie) and he’s been on my radar ever since. Maybe they should try casting him in a non-speaking role, where the only requirements would be to smile and stare longingly…at the camera. Yeah, that would be box office gold!

15. Johnny Depp

Here’s a classic actor who’s always full of surprises and rarely disappoints. Who doesn’t like Johnny Depp? He entertains, he intrigues, and sure is visually pleasing. Even though I’m not a huge Depp-devotee, I can’t deny him the Hollywood top dog distinction, at least when it comes to depicting eccentric characters. From the endearingly bizaare Edward Scissorhands, to the comically mischievious Jack Sparrow, Depp is a master of his craft. The question is, when will the Oscars recognize this and reward him accordingly?

16. Elijah Wood

Elijah paid his dues way before donning the Hobbit suit. And boy, did I ever love that little hobbit. Now 28, Elijah was already garnering critical praise in his early teens. I don’t know why, but he’s another one I’d like to be friends with in real life…dude seems so nice! I’ll admit his cannabilistic turn in Sin City creeped me out, but that’s just a testament to his talent and his acting range. Although I hope he never does anything like that again. Fortunately for me, he totally made up for it by providing the voice of  Mumble, the main penguin in the Oscar-nominated animated Happy Feet – I mean how cute was that? But yeah, Mr. Wood’s got the goods and I think it’s only a matter of time ’til he goes for gold at the Academies.

17. Brad Pitt

I  was debating whether or not to include Brad in the list, because whenever I mention him, people automatically assume I’m doing so for his looks. No, that’s what Keanu Reeves is for. Brad is different. I imbue a certain amount of respect in the films he does, and he’s done some great work in the past. But Brad has become so ubiquitous, he’s no longer a novelty. He’s Brad Pitt. The quintessential GQ-cover-model-married-to-Angelina-Jolie Brad Pitt. Of course, this doesn’t mean his talents have no merit, for they surely do. He’s been nominated for several awards, most recently an Oscar for his work in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which reaffirmed my appreciation for two reasons: his impeccable acting; his eternal good-looks.

18. Denzel Washington

He is fierce. A major force in the film industry, his name alone commands attention and respect. And with multiple award-winning performances, he’s one of Hollywoods’ most renowned actors. This might sound lame, but one of my favorite Denzel films is “Remember the Titans”, even though his Oscar win was for Malcolm X, widely received as one of the best films of the 90′s. I don’t think there’s a cooler name than “Denzel”. I’ll probably name my kid Denzel as well.

19. John Cho

An asian actor who’s not a martial arts master – I love it! I tend to fancy the funny guys and Mr. Cho’s got some serious jokes, most notably with his work in the Harold and Kumar series. Granted, his character was the more sensible of the two, but he’s been known to wild out in other roles, particularly for a small cameo in Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. That was pretty awesome. Now I know what you’re thinking – how could I include John Cho and not Kal Penn, right? I know, I know…trust me, I debated over this for a while. I mean, they’re both cool and there is no Harold without Kumar, and no doubt Kal Penn is extremely funny as well. Twenty-five is an arbitrary number, but that’s the limit I’ve placed on myself. So, after thinking it through, I’ve settled on the one defining factor that places John Cho on this list: His character in American Pie was the first to use the term MILF. Yup!

20. Jack Black

I like comedians, I think that’s pretty evident by now. And Jack Black is a class act! I know he can be a little over the top sometimes, and even a bit annoying and some might even say over-rated. But he always makes me laugh. I think it’s his facial expressions, those goofy exaggerated smiles and eye-brow furls that are so trademark Jack. I also have to mention that Kung Fu Panda is one of my favorite animated movies of all time.

21. Benicio Del Toro

Ok, full disclosure, the only film of his I’ve seen is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. So why am I including him on this list? Other than to make myself look cooler, I hear he’s quite flawless in the movie Che (playing the revolutionary Che Guevara of course) – and I hope to see that very soon. There, a little honesty never hurt nobody!

22. Santiago Cabrera

I loved him in Heroes. Isaac Mendez was my favorite character, even though his ability was among the least desirable (an artist whose heroin-induced paintings foretold the future) but he was so cool, with his Lower Manhattan loft and his artsy detachment. But because Isaac was so mercilessly killed off from the show with no sign of resurgence despite Hiro Nakamura’s time-travelling abilities, I wasn’t sure when Santiago would ever have any small screen presence again. Well, thanks to that little four-hour film called “Che”, he’s gracing the big screen, and I’m certainly cool with that. With his hot Chilean features, how could anyone deny this man a leading role, or even a supporting role. Heck, I’d watch him if he were just an extra.

23. Zachary Quinto

Well, since we’re on the subject of Heroes, I may as well throw in another alum. As much as he freaks me out, I like Sylar, because Zachary Quinto does such a great job of being so terrifying. I’ve never ever seen any Star Trek in my life, but seeing him play the young Spock gives me enough incentive to check out the movie.

24. James Franco

He’s hot, but not too hot. Seductive yet seemingly approachable. He can simultaneously be the guy next door and the man of your dreams. He can play a romantic Tristan or a rebel James Dean. But most importantly he can even be your stoner homie, replete with all the bromance sensitivity (as seen in the crappily amusing “Pineapple Express”). I first took notice of him in Spiderman, where the attraction was immediate. But it was his cameo in Knocked Up that made me see he was more than just another hot guy – he was actually funny. That’s a killer combo!

25. Heath Ledger

I know, having Heath Ledger on this list doesn’t make any sense…there’s no point.  But to put it cheesily: “Movie tickets: 10$…seeing Heath Ledger perform another cinematic feat: priceless”. What can I say? I was teary-eyed when he won for best supporting actor. It was well-deserved. I think Kevin Kline summed it up best at this year’s Oscars:

“Menacing, mercurial, droll and diabolical, Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight kept us all on edge, anxious to see what act of appalling mischief he might commit next… With this … performance, as well as with a wide range of other roles to which he put his unique signature, Heath Ledger has left us an original and enduring legacy.”

So that does it, there’s my list. Anyone in particular I miss?

Thanks for reading!

Anyhoo, anyhoo…so I’m just gonna go ahead and post the Terminator trailer here.

What, was this whole tirade supposed to lead to a Bale-fest boycott?? Heck no! I still intend to watch this movie. Yes, the legit way. Love you CB – hate your misery!

It conjures up residual memories of Batman fleeing from those ferocious hounds like a shadowy vigilante escaping his fate, vanishing into the darkness. The orchestra wails a commanding masterpiece, like a roaring gust of wind ascending from beneath his cape, lifting him from the murky depths of a dark, despondent city only to have him diminish into the shadows – banished into an oblivion, a fate unfitting for a hero. Because he is, as the narration goes, ” the hero that Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now”, and the music thunders on, tumbling like the stony hedges off a rocky mountain. “And so we’ll hunt him, because he can take it”, the symphony escalates, suspending my heart like a pendulum swaying slowly, heavily to the haunting ambient. “He’s not a hero”, the vibrational forces now pulling me into a gripping entanglement of awe, anticipation and calm excitement, “He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector… A DARK KNIGHT”. (Oohhh! In your face, Spiderman!) An epic ending befitting a grand tale of destruction and salvation, of a protagonist waging an internal battle between good and evil, condemned to endure in solitude the haunting echoes of a city consumed by crime, continually caught in the crossfires of fear and chaos.

Wow. Quite an extraordinary movie indeed, bolstered by an astounding soundtrack.  And as the last scene demonstrates, the music really is the element that makes it all happen.

According to various sources such as variety.com, the two are set to star in the onscreen adaptation of Brian Burrough’s “Public Enemies”, about the downfall of the notorious depression-era delinquents John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.  Johnny Depp is slated to play John Dillinger, with Christian Bale on his trail as FBI agent Melvin Purvis.  I’m going to go on record right now and proclaim this the greatest cinematic pairing in Hollywood history. This is to movies what the Moonwalk is to music; it’s history-defining.

Of course, it only begs the question, “Why hadn’t anyone thought of this earlier?” There’s never been a more logical on-screen combination. Both actors are arguably among the more revered of Tinsel-town’s leading men. Both consistently deliver praise-worthy performances, often in edgier, complicated roles; both exude a subdued superstar quality combining cult-hero cool with mainstream magnetism. And both, in their own undefinable manner are just downright desirable. (Although I’m leaning more towards Christian Bale on this one!)

I honestly don’t think it can get any better than this. I mean, this duo alone outdoes the entire Ocean’s ensemble. (Hey, I don’t mind seeing Brad, George et. al onscreen, but that’s been done three times already!) Not to mention, the supporting cast for ‘Enemies’ includes Stephen Dorff (over whom I swooned during the Aerosmith-era), Giovanni Ribisi, Channing Tatum, Jason Clark and the the beautiful best actress Oscar winner, Marion Cotillard to smooth out the ruggedly resplendent roster.

The fate of the film lies at the helm of director Michael Mann, but with such immense talent at his disposal, this ingenius idea is guaranteed to be virtually fail-proof. However, if that doesn’t work, there’s always the batman/scissorhands storyline!