With Hollywood slowing down as the Fourth of July approaches, one piece of news has lit up the film community: Michael Mann has joined Letterboxd. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship in films like “Heat” and “The Insider,” Mann's entrance into the Letterboxd community is nothing short of exciting. His follower count is rapidly growing, reflecting the eagerness of fans to engage with his film tastes and insights.
In a move that has delighted cinephiles, Mann has shared a list of his 14 favorite films. These selections offer a fascinating glimpse into the influences and preferences of one of cinema's greats. Here's the list:
- Battleship Potemkin (Eisenstein)
- Dr. Strangelove (Kubrick)
- Biutiful (Iñárritu)
- Raging Bull (Scorsese)
- Incendies (Villeneuve)
- Pale Flower (Shinoda)
- L'Atalante (Vigo)
- The Asphalt Jungle (Huston)
- Poor Things (Lanthimos)
- Apocalypse Now (Coppola)
- The Sweet Smell of Success (Mackendrick)
- The Hurt Locker (Bigelow)
- Out of the Past (Tourneur)
- Pan's Labyrinth (del Toro)
Interestingly, this list marks a departure from Mann's 2012 Sight and Sound top 10 ballot, which included James Cameron's “Avatar.” Despite Mann calling “Avatar” “one of the best films ever made” in a 2023 interview with Letterboxd, it didn't make the cut this time. Other notable omissions include “Citizen Kane” by Welles and Dreyer's “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” replaced by more recent masterpieces like Yorgos Lanthimos' “Poor Things,” Denis Villeneuve's “Incendies,” and Kathryn Bigelow's “The Hurt Locker.”
For those who relish diving into the favorite films of renowned directors, Mann's list offers a treasure trove of cinematic gems. From Sergei Eisenstein's groundbreaking silent film “Battleship Potemkin” to Guillermo del Toro's dark fairy tale “Pan's Labyrinth,” Mann's choices span a wide range of genres and eras, showcasing his diverse cinematic influences.
If you're eager for more insights from famous directors, Letterboxd has compiled top 10 lists from over 100 filmmakers, each revealing their unique tastes. For instance, Kenneth Branagh's list includes eclectic picks like “Cloud Atlas” and “Lady Bird,” while Justin Kurzel features the comedy “Step Brothers” in his top 10.
Michael Mann's curated list on Letterboxd is a must-see for film enthusiasts eager to explore the movies that have shaped the vision of one of Hollywood's most influential directors.
