Full disclosure, I am a huge Michael Mann fan. I have no desire to be a unit photographer, but if Michael Mann asked if I wanted to spend time on set, I’d be packing my bags. Anyone who is a Michael Mann fan will be all too familiar with shows like Miami Vice and films like The Insider, Collateral, Thief and Last of the Mohicans. (My neighbor was in this last flick.)
But anyone who is familiar with Michael Mann will also know about what is considered by many to be his masterpiece; Heat. An LA-based crime drama with one of the most loaded casts in film history. Pacino, De Niro, Studi, Sizemore, Kilmer, Judd, Brenneman, Trejo, and more. Guys taking scores and the cops trying to stop them.
Heat 2 is a co-authored follow up and prequel to the movie.
Crafted and polished by both Mann and Meg Gardiner. If you know this movie and you love this movie then you will love this book. It’s that simple. I burned through this baby while wondering who would play these characters when Heat 2 goes into production. (Please you heartless bastards at the studios making nothing but stupid comic movies.) And by the way, when it DOES go into production, I’m volunteering to be the behind-the-scenes photographer with complete and total access to all aspects of production and filming. And the actors for that matter. I would kill this opportunity. (short lens, black and white.) Oh, and I could corner Michael Mann to get him to read my script about the border. (Was told by a friend who worked in Hollywood that my story is spot on but that the material would work better as an episodic than a feature.)
I would provide plot details for Heat 2, but if you were in on Heat I’m just preaching to the choir. One of the things I did love was the description of the locations ranging from S. America to the United States/ Mexico border. Made me want to get on a plane, or hop in the van and head south. Get it, read it.
Comments 15
Thanks for the heads up on this.
Paper books rule!
Author
I prefer them as well. Except when I’m traveling.
lol you’re always on heat.
Sounds great.
Author
Can’t wait for this flick.
Oh man I loved that movie! The scene where Pacino is screaming “Gimme all ya got!” I don’t know why Hollywood abandoned this type of movie in favor of super hero stuff. I was over super heroes when I turned about nine.
I’ll have to grab this book!
Author
“Say you do got me boxed in, and I have to put you down.” “Brother, I will not hesitate.”
Paul, Dan has frequently outlined the cultural reasons why the LCD attracts the marketing people: the volume of that demographic greatly outweighs that of other denominators; always has and always will.
Dumbing down puts more bums on seats than any other strategy.
On the other hand, one has to consider whether entertainment should be considered as a form of silent, subliminal education, or simply as a way of passing the time on the couch, dozing off, yet not losing the plot when the dozing ceases for a few minutes, and one rejoins the world to discover that the show is still running. Martial arts films are especially good for that. 🙂
Did the guy who played WayneGro ever work again? His dispicable performance was spot-on, the kind of thing that would type-cast a guy
Author
I’m sure he did. He’s a great bad guy.
Amazing news. According to British GQ: ”Based on Mann’s bestselling sequel novel, this new dive into the Heat universe could take us back — and forward — in time. Who steps in for De Niro? It’s looking like Adam Driver.” BTW have you ever watched the TV film version of Heat?
Author
What? A TV version? Never even heard of it. I just hope to hell they don’t cave to pop culture. I do think that kid who played Elvis would be a good Val Kilmer sub.
Not new, not a series. Mann made a “for TV” film several years before called LA Takedown which was the forerunner for Heat. That said, I hope they make a series – and one that doesn’t conform to pop culture.
Author
Wow, had no idea. Thank you.
Kapow! Another hook kick bulls eye from the Milnor literary review! Thanks Dan, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Author
Can’t wait for the movie..