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The Michael Mann film Collateral stars Tom Cruise as a hitman in downtown L.A. at night, so it was fitting perhaps that the premiere Monday was held at the old Orpheum on Broadway. Big movies stopped debuting in the opulent downtown movie palaces soon after theaters began to light up Hollywood Boulevard and the opening of the very artsy Carthay Circle, where the Herman Miller offices now stand at San Vicente and Carrillo near Beverly Hills. Steven Rosen chronicled the return to downtown in Monday's Variety. Meanwhile, Cruise and John Travolta are talking more openly to reporters about Scientology these days, writes Emmanuelle Richard — who speculates that the church may be trying to fend off competition for the celebrity mind from Kabbalah.
A movie with Cruise as a villan won't fly.
Posted by: R at August 3, 2004 04:31 PMDon't be so quick, there, R. Michael Mann has an overwhelming visual style -- particularly when L.A. is his venue as in "Heat" -- that often manages to overcome other weaknesses in his films, such as Tom Cruise as the lead player.
Posted by: Rodger Jacobs at August 3, 2004 07:25 PMI'm curious to read what you think Rodger, but I enjoy the film very much. Collateral could do without the ridiculous last 3 minutes, otherwise, it's fantastic.
Posted by: Emmanuelle at August 3, 2004 08:12 PM"Odd" as in doesn't happen very often, that's all.
Posted by: Kevin Roderick at August 3, 2004 09:28 PMEmm, I've heard the ending is preposterous but I'm still anxious to see the film. I'm one of the slim handful who believes Mann's "Heat" was a masterpiece.
Posted by: Rodger Jacobs at August 3, 2004 10:41 PMI agree, Heat and Manhunter. Too bad that the music doesn't age so well, especially on ManHunter.
Posted by: Emmanuelle at August 4, 2004 12:16 PM
of LA Observed
The Orpheum is a great place to host a premiere, if you had seen it during Last Remaining Seats you'd know what we mean. Anything that starts to bring activity to the long-neglected corridor, and the efforts of the L.A. Conservancy, should be welcomed with open arms.
Posted by: Kurt at August 3, 2004 10:06 AM