At the Movies – January 2015 – Part 3: Most Anticipated Films

Must-See of the Month:

Blackhat – Mystery Thriller – Jan 16

Plot Summary: Hacker Nicholas Hathaway is released from prison to help American and Chinese officials track down a dangerous and mysterious cybercriminal. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director Michael Mann, composer Atticus Ross and cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh. Actors Involved: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang, William Mapother, John Ortiz, Ritchie Coster, and Yorick van Wageningen. Quality Potential: Medium. Michael Mann is one of our great working auteurs, specializing in grand crime dramas and intense, realistic action with films like: Thief, Heat, Collateral, Miami Vice, and Public Enemies (his French-Indian War film The Last of the Mohicans and his drama The Insider are also both very good). Blackhat looks to be yet another good thriller from him; however, the mere fact that it is coming out in January makes me a little concerned. Generally, nothing good comes out in January (outside of prestige films expanding wider). Also, Mann’s last two films Miami Vice and Public Enemies were not as well received critically as most of his past work (though, I think there are both very good films). Blackhat does look good; but based on its release date, it may not be among Mann’s best – although, it will likely be the best of the month. Trailer: Here.