The B-Sides of Michael Mann featuring Blake Howard

      Welcome to The B-Side! Here, we focus on film directors—not the movies that brought them fame or kept it alive, but rather the projects they created in between.

      Today, we are highlighting the remarkable Michael Mann! Our B-Sides include The Keep, Public Enemies, Blackhat, and Ferrari. Joining us is the legendary Blake Howard from One Heat Minute Productions.

      We delve into the challenging production of The Keep, along with that stunning score by Tangerine Dream. The classic Twilight Zone episode “The Howling Man” is also discussed. We touch on the surprisingly few films made about the French-Indian War (spoiler alert: not many).

      Blake, Conor, and I reflect on Mann's legacy and his recent string of underappreciated films. Why do Michael Mann’s movies tend to perform less successfully upon release compared to their eventual reputations?

      We celebrate Mann's continuously evolving digital aesthetic, discuss the complex star-director dynamic during the making of Public Enemies, and examine his rigorous, precise instincts. As the esteemed producer Amy Pascal once expressed regarding her work with the director: “You forget the pain of childbirth too. Regardless of the challenges, you still want to have another baby. It’s similar with Michael.”

      Tune in below and subscribe here. Don’t forget to follow us on Bluesky at @tfsbside.bsky.social. Enjoy!