Reviews Written by KEVIN LUCERO LESS
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April 13, 2005
HEAT MISER
Pros: WRITER, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR MICHAEL MANN
Cons: THE ACADEMYS NEVER ENDING BLIND NATURE TO THE BRILLIANCE OF MANN
Kevin Lucero Less - Professor of Cinema, Art of The Cinema, Tucson Museum of Art, Art School. As with every Michael Mann film, his style and understanding of story, mise en scene, editing, sound and casting renders most other film makers nil. Heat is a complex montage of characters moving down a path of destruction to the emotional backdrops of Los Angeles. Mann will always be taken down a road of nostalgia, with his contemporary works being compared to his Miami Vice creation, however as with Vice, Ali, The Insider or any other Mann production there is nothing to remark on, other than his brilliance as a film-maker and the question, why has he never been given the Oscar he has earned? ...
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Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut (2004)
by Richard Kelly | VideoPrice: $8.04 to $17.99 Compare PricesApril 11, 2005
BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: STORY AND DIRECTING
Cons: THE DIRECTORS CUT
It is so rare to see a film that captures the true essence of the teen loner. We can look to "Rebel Without A Cause" 1955 and films like this, to give us an oculus to the path walked alone by the ones who give their lives for the one they love. Donnie Darko is not a Horror story, as advertised, but rather a love story of a boy who happens to know more than the others around him. This tale could be a metaphore for anyone who has taken the stand for love and truth, against the apathy of the society of the weak. Director Richard Kelly is spot on with his camera. In the Mise En Scene we see the use of Oblique Angles (change), High Angle (loss of power) and a communion of narrative montage editing that connects concepts with cinematic awe. Thematic Montage editing with 1988 music selections only help to connect the audience with this fantastic film.
Kevin Lucero Less - Professor of Cinema, Tucson Museum of Art, Art School. ... -
February 1, 2005
MANN WITH A PLAN
Pros: DIRECTOR MICHAEL MANN
Cons: MANN DID NOT WRITE THE SCREENPLAY
AS WITH EVERY MICHAEL MANN FILM THE MISE EN SCENE HOLDS YOU SPELLBOUND IN THE DARK. BALANCE AND COMPOSITION, MIXED WITH COLOR OF NIGHT CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPHY, CREATE A FILM EXPERIENCE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS.
KEVIN LUCERO LESS - PROFESSOR OF CINEMA, ART OF THE CINEMA TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART ART SCHOOL. ... -
December 9, 2004
The KEEP
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Director of Photography
Cons: Not Available for Purchase
Kevin Lucero Less teaches a cinema class at the Tucson Musem of Art, Art School. He used the cinema of Michael Mann to demonstrate the power of image and music. The KEEP, like all of Mr. Mann's work, is mise en scene at it's finest. Mann always seems to capture the essence of a location, while keeping his auidences in awe.
- Jason Killman, Tucson Az. ...
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LONG BEFORE IT WAS HIP TO BE LECTER
Pros: DIRECTOR MICHAEL MANN
Cons: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
KEVIN LUCERO LESS - PROFESSOR OF CINEMA, TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART SCHOOL. MICHAEL MANN, BRIAN COX AND WILLIAM L PETERSEN HAD IT DOWN LONG BEFORE IT WAS HIP TO BE LECTER. "MANHUNTER" IS ONE OF THE BEST FILMS FROM THE MID 80'S AND STILL HOLDS THE KEY TO THE XEROX STYLE CRIME DRAMA. IN "SILENCE OF THE LAMBS" THE TONE IS DARK AND COLD AND IS THE ONLY CINEMATIC ELEMENT THAT PULLS THE VIEWER INTO FEAR. THIS "STIMMUNG" IS NOT USED IN MANN'S "MANHUNTER" BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS, MUCH LIKE HITCHCOCK IN PSYCHO, THAT A BRIGHT WHITE CLEAN ROOM CAN BE MUCH MORE SCARY THAN A DARK MOLDY ONE, BECAUSE THE SUPRISE IS IN THE ACTIONS OF THE MONSTER INSIDE THE ROOM. BRIAN COX ALSO PLAYS LECTER WITH MORE TRUTH AND SKIPS THE GLASS LICKING CLICHE OF THE PSYCHO KILLER IN "SILENCE OF THE LAMBS". WILLIAM L PETERSEN IS NOW WELL KNOWN FOR HIS CSI CHARACTER, HOWEVER HE WOULD PLAY THIS ROLE ALMOST 20 YEARS EARLYER IN "MANHUNTER" AND IT MAKES ONE WONDER WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR HIM TO BE CREDITED FOR HIS ACTING. MICHAEL MANN'S MANHUNTER IS THE BEST OF THE LECTER SERIES AND GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW FAR THESE "SILENCE OF THE LAMBS" CLOWNS CAN GO, STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS. ...