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Depp channels outlaw in ‘Enemies’

LONDON, England (CNN)

– He's been a homicidal singing barber in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" and a drunken swashbuckler in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

Depp is back as bank robber John Dillinger, revered in the Depression as a modern-day Robin Hood.

Now, Hollywood shape-shifter Johnny Depp is back as another unexpectedly charismatic outlaw: Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger, a character he says he's been drawn to since he was a boy.

"I sort of had a fascination with John Dillinger when I was about 10, 11 years old, for some reason," Depp told CNN. "I always kind of admired him, oddly."

Oddly, perhaps, because for a short but intense period between September 1933 and July 1934 Dillinger and his gang rampaged through the American Midwest, staging jail breaks, robbing banks, and killing 10 men and wounding seven along the way.

Dillinger's violent spree is the focus of gangster drama "Public Enemies," the latest offering from director Michael Mann, and also starring Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard.

Mann is known for his sympathetic portrayal of criminals, and Dillinger — whose acts on the wrong side of the law led him to become one of America's first celebrities — is the quintessential good hood.

In the 1930s, the United States was in the grips of the worst financial disaster in history — a time when many Americans watched their life savings disappear and became jobless and hungry.

Members of the public blamed banks for losing their money and politicians for failing to stop them. For many, Dillinger's exploits represented sticking it to the fat cats, and he was idolized as a modern-day Robin Hood.

J. Edgar Hoover, FBI director at the time, may have made Dillinger America's first Public Enemy No. 1, but the bandit was careful not to alienate the public.

There is a memorable moment where he drapes a coat over a female bank hostage during a raid to keep her warm. Also, it's said he never swore in front of women.

He was always courteous even as he tried to meet his target of robbing banks in under two minutes. Crucially, he never robbed the average guy, telling him to put his money away during robberies.

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It is this Dillinger that Depp captures: a captivating revolutionary with the gift of gab who lit the public's imagination, causing people to flock to cinemas to watch his exploits in weekly newsreels.

Review: Depp is great in 'Public Enemies'

Of course, the dark, violent side of Dillinger's psyche is unavoidable. Depp plumbed the depths of his own character to come up with those murkier elements.

That was something that took courage, according to Mann: "He had Dillinger in him; that's something I sensed. Deep in the core of Johnny there's a toughness."

Depp gained recognition throughout the 1990s for immersing himself in characters. He shook off an early reputation as a teen pin-up in movies like Tim Burton's 1991 Gothic tale "Edward Scissorhands."

He went on to cement his reputation for unusual film choices and quirky performances in films like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005) and "Finding Neverland" (2004).

In pictures: Johnny Depp's iconic roles »

The 46-year-old actor says he felt a close affinity to Dillinger: "I related to John Dillinger like he was a relative. I felt he was of the same blood. He reminded me of my stepdad and very much of my grandfather.

"He seemed to be one of those guys with absolutely no bull whatsoever, who lived at a time when a man was a man."

"Public Enemies" was adapted by Mann from a nonfiction book of the same name by Bryan Burrough.

Is it sozzled Captain. Jack Sparrow or smooth Donnie Brasco? Tell us your favorite Johnny Depp character in the SoundOff box below.

The "Last of the Mohicans" director is known for fastidious research and attention to detail, which in this case included collaborating closely with the FBI to check facts — although Mann subsequently chose to gloss over some elements for the sake of the story.

Mann filmed in many of the locations where Dillinger's story took place almost 80 years ago, including the Biograph Theater on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, where the bandit was finally shot dead by FBI agents as he came out of a Clark Gable movie.

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They also shot at Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters in the far north of Wisconsin, the site of one of Dillinger's most famous showdowns with the FBI.

Dillinger was hiding out there after a botched robbery. When the feds finally caught up with him, two men were killed in the vicious gunfight.

"We were able to shoot not just in the actual place where this happened, but in his actual room," says Mann.

"There's a certain kind of magic for Johnny Depp to be lying in the bed that John Dillinger was actually in."

A lot of Dillinger's success was down to superior guns and getaway cars. Depp, who has experience shooting guns from previous productions, had to learn a completely different technique for the heavy guns of the time.

Depp says shooting the Thompson submachine gun was one of the highlights of the production: "When you've got a beast like that strapped to you and you're emptying magazines, a 50-round drum, it's a good feeling."

The ride may have been thrilling for Depp but he also recognizes that the Depression-era setting has some extra significance these tight-belted times.

"You know," says Depp, "We're in the middle of a recession, teetering on a depression. It's time to view the banks and grown-ups for what they are."

Farrah Fawcett’s son freed to attend funeral

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN)

– Friends and family of actress Farrah Fawcett — including longtime partner Ryan O'Neal and their son Redmond, who was temporarily freed from jail for the service — gathered Tuesday to say goodbye.

Actress Farrah Fawcett, known for her blond mane and gleaming smile, died Thursday at age 62.

Fawcett, the blond-maned actress whose best-selling poster and "Charlie's Angels" stardom made her one of the most famous faces in the world, died Thursday. She was 62, and had suffered from anal cancer off and on for three years.

Tuesday's service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles was private and closed to the media. The family did not release details about who would deliver the eulogy or how many people had been invited.

Fawcett's beauty — her gleaming smile was printed on millions of posters — initially made her famous. But she later established herself as a serious actress. She starred as a battered wife in the 1984 TV movie "The Burning Bed," and appeared on stage as a woman who extracts vengeance from a would-be rapist in William Mastrosimone's play "Extremities," a performance she reprised on film in 1986.

Other Fawcett films include "Logan's Run" (1976), "Saturn 3" (1980), "The Cannonball Run" (1981), "The Apostle" (1997) and the Robert Altman-directed "Dr. T and the Women" (2000).

But to many,

Fawcett

will always be best known for her red-swimsuited image on the pinup poster, which sold a reputed 12 million copies after its release in 1976.

Redmond O'Neal

, 24, was arrested in September when deputies found methamphetamine during a probation search at the Malibu, California, home of his father,

Ryan O'Neal

. The younger O'Neal was on probation for a 2008 felony drug conviction involving heroine and methamphetamine.

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Monday's court order allowed Redmond O'Neal out of jail for up to three hours for the funeral. A sheriff's deputy was to accompany him at all times, according to the order, issued in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

O'Neal was allowed to wear civilian clothes for the funeral.

He is undergoing what the sheriff's department has called an "intense drug rehabilitation program" in the Los Angeles county jail.

Mexico’s coolest actors reunited in hit soccer movie

LONDON, England (CNN)

– Eight years ago, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna

became global pin-ups for the resurgence in Mexican filmmaking after their memorable breakthrough in coming-of-age road movie "Y tu Mama Tambien."

"Rudo y Cursi" reunites Luna and Bernal, who became pin-ups for the resurgence in Mexican filmmaking with "Y tu Mama Tambien" in 2001.

Today, Luna and Bernal's on-screen chemistry has once again grabbed the public's attention, this time in Mexico, where their latest film "Rudo y Cursi" made box-office history.

It became the fourth highest-grossing film in the country's history when it was released at the end of 2008.

"Rudo y Cursi," approximately translated as Tough and Corny, tells the story of two rural banana farmers who, after being 'spotted' by a crooked talent scout, gain instant celebrity in the Mexican soccer league playing for opposing teams.

But, mesmerized by women and fast cars and unable to defy their demons, they look on powerless as the dream disintegrates in front of them almost as suddenly as it arrived.

The movie touches on fame, poverty and corruption, but for its makers, it is ultimately a tale of brotherhood.

It was written written and directed by Carlos Cuaron, and is the first release from groundbreaking new production venture Cha Cha Cha films.

Cha Cha Cha was established by Mexico's three leading directors who are also renowned internationally — Carlos' brother Alfonso Cuaron ("Children of Men"), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu ("Babel") and Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth").

All three serve as producers on the film.

In pictures: Bernal and Garcia in "Rudo y Cursi" »

"Originally I wanted to make a fake documentary about a footballer from a humble background who made it big and then disappeared mysteriously," Carlos Cuaron told CNN.

"But I told this idea to Gael [Garcia Bernal] and Diego [Luna], and they both said they wanted to play the part. I had one part and two actors. So I made up another brother and forgot about the fake documentary."

Cuaron also cast Bernal and Luna — best friends since childhood in Mexico City who were so keen to do the film the signed up before they saw a script — against type and against their wishes.

Both had originally wanted to play the opposite character: Bernal the abrasive Rudo, and Luna the romantic Cursi. They were eventually dissuaded by Cuaron who said: "I don't want to make Y Tu Mama Tambien 2."

The idea behind Cha Cha Cha films was conceived by Cuaron senior, del Toro and Innaritu when the trio — a kind of all-stars of Mexican cinema — found themselves with a surprise 16 nominations and 4 awards at the 2007 Oscars.

The idea came out of a desire to pool their their rising bargaining power and maximize their clout in Hollywood — and, of course, out of friendship.

The company was "born out of friendship and sibling sympathies," del Toro told CNN. When Carlos was originally writing the script, his bother, Alfonso told him thought it was perfect for Cha Cha Cha.

The venture formalizes a working relationship del Toro, Innaritu and Alfonso Cuaron have had for years, but they freely admit they spend little time together. Rather it is a case of exchanging ideas and honing each other's writing over the phone and via email from all over the globe. Del Toro, for example, is currently in New Zealand directing Peter Jackson's follow-up to his wildly successful "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Hobbit."

It would appear that the Mexican trio have created an ideal creative environment for themselves, Cha Cha Cha has been criticized for forgetting their Mexican heritage in the rush to embrace Hollywood. It is not a criticism they take lightly.

Watch Cuaron, Bernal and Garcia talking about "Rudo y Cursi"

"I don't care about Mexican films, about indie films, about Hollywood films," says Alfonso. "Just good or bad movies.

"Yes, it's great that we have a common background as Mexican creators, but once you are a creator you have a common language with creators from all around the world."

For del Toro, the company will extend the influence of Mexican cinema not diminish it: "We want to give Mexican cinema, if you want to call it that, the credentials and right to exist in world cinema.

"People don't think twice when [Italian filmmaker] Bernardo Bertolucci is doing a movie about China called 'The Last Emperor.'

"But in your mind, Latin American filmmakers are only doing Latin American films. We're trying to show that it's important to have roots, but not borders."

The bittersweet drama has played to big laughs all over Mexico and the U.S., but for its makers, it is not simply a comedy.

"People talk about this film as if it's a comedy but I question that," says Alfonso. "The elements are very dramatic and actually very tragic, and the ending has a very bittersweet tone."

According to del Toro, the movie "says there's a way to be comfortable with failure, and finding you're emotionally more satisfied in failing."

Failure though, is not an issue overly burdening Cha Cha Cha's "three amigos," — their second film, "Biutiful," set in Barcelona, directed by Inarritu and starring Javier Bardem is currently being edited in Spain.

Alfonso told CNN his next movie would be shot in France and Scotland, and would be in French and English, though that too "will be a Cha Cha Cha film."

Carlos Cuaron is the only one who is unhappy, despite the unprecedented success of his directorial debut.

"For me it's difficult," he says. "Whenever I see the movie, I only see the flaws. Nobody else sees them."

"Not even your mother?" asks Bernal.

"No, not my mother," says the director. "She thinks I'm a genius."

Children of the Corn review

Kids are scary. Steven King knows that. His SHORT story about some kiddos who find religion and decide adults need to die just proves how twisted Mr. Sunshine can be. But who knew Children of the Corn (1984, 92 minutes) would sprout into one of the more prolific horror franchises around? Almost 10 years later there’s Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1993) with a whole new batch of murderous young’uns and a poor old biddy in a wheelchair who gets launched through a plate-glass window. Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1994) takes the show on the road to Chicago when a couple of country killers are adopted and shipped to the Windy City where they raise corn and hell. In Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996) the violence once again turns toward the medical community with a doctor who gets cut in half and a gal who gets crucified with hypodermic needles. It’s widely appreciated as the best of the iffy series. Next, nosey college students wander into town asking too many questions in Children Of The Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998). And finally, for the moment, John Franklin reprised his role from the first film in Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return (1999, also available on DVD). But word is that Mulder and Scully-types will track a serial killer to Cornville in the yet to materialize Children of the Corn 7: Resurrection.

The movie: One day after church the children of Gatlin, Nebraska decide they’re not going to EAT their vegetables anymore, they’re going to worship them. And for some reason that means everyone older than 18 must be sacrificed to He Who Walks Behind the Rows. Cornrows, to be precise. Three years later, a doctor named Burt (Peter Horton) and his girlfriend Vicky (Linda Hamilton) are flying along the Nebraska back roads when — WHAMO! — they pancake a kid who staggers onto the road clutching his slit throat. Burt stuffs the flattened pedestrian into the trunk and heads to nearby Gatlin for help. But the town’s deserted except for the dried-up cornstalks the children insist on having strewn around. Things continue getting stranger, and rather than high-tailing it out of there, the dim-witted couple keep snooping around until a gang of knife-wielding youths finally decides to welcome them to Gatlin — permanently. They’re greeted by the group’s leader Isaac (Franklin) a screeching boy-pastor and his blood-thirsty enforcer Malachai (Courtney Gains). But Horton and Hamilton are so horrible in the film that it’s EASY to root for the homicidal religious zealots. CineSchlockers who’d like to see the diversity of Gain’s talent should check out Hardbodies which he made the same year. Gains was the flap-hatted goofus ogling a jiggling bevy of bikini babes.

Notables: No breasts. 10 corpses. Creepy Crayola drawings. Meat-slicer defingering. One dead dog. Possessed corn. Multiple explosions. Excessive wind machine footage. One rat. Multiple shots of light glinting off blades. Tremors-like dirt demon.

Quotables: Are we SURE this Burt guy went to medical school? He isn’t that observant, “There’s something very strange about this town … It’s a little weird here, but it’s safe.”

Time codes: Ms. Hamilton sings (8:25). Isaac delivers a chilling sermon (37:00). A major shift in the cult’s balance of power (1:07:50). Perhaps the WORST special effects in a mainstream Hollywood picture (1:14:50). Cornstalks animate and try to strangle our inept hero (1:21:45).

Audio/Video: Hazy, poorly defined widescreen (1.66:1) print. Night scenes get chunky, but even during bright sunlight an overall fog persists. Few if any artifacts. The nicely mixed Dolby Digital 5.1 track is a welcome surprise.

Extras: A 16-page “collector’s booklet” with nine blurry stills and an essay. Animated menus with audio. Insert card features original movie poster. Theatrical trailer.

Final thought: King’s premise is great, but somehow THIS can’t be the best interpretation of it. Still, it has legs. There’s no denying that. Recommended.

Michael Jackson tributes appear all over U.S.

(CNN)

– U.S. fans of Michael Jackson are pouring out their grief through music and dance, impromptu shrines at symbolic locations and heartfelt remembrances online.

Valerie Rojas Pruitt, 12, lights a candle Friday at Michael Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was surrounded hours before dawn Friday by candles, flowers, posters and balloons. As the sun rose, a man crouched on the sidewalk and painted a portrait of the pop star, who died suddenly on Thursday.

"This is a very sad day here in Hollywood, California," sobbed Melissa Fazli, a CNN iReporter. "This is very, very sad. I can't believe it."

The

star

emblem had been covered until almost 3 a.m. by a red carpet for the premiere of the Sasha Baron Cohen film "Bruno" at Grauman's Chinese Theater, but fans started leaving mementos as soon as the carpet was removed. The film's producers reportedly cut a scene referencing Jackson, at least for the premiere.

Watch the Walk of Fame shrine grow »

"He was an innovator," a fan named Delores said outside the theater. "He's basically an icon in his own time — legendary. It's going to take years [to sink in] that he's gone, because he's always with me. … I'm just trying to assess it all right now. I'm still mourning, and at the same time missing him. It's a little bit much to bear."

See what celebrities had to say »

Fans gathered near the gates of the Los Angeles home where the King of Pop collapsed Thursday, and hundreds more assembled outside the UCLA Medical Center, where

Jackson

was pronounced dead.

People stopped in their tracks Thursday in New York's Times Square, staring up at the giant TV screens bearing news of Jackson's death. Some people set up lawn chairs in the evening.

Watch the reaction on Times Square »

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the

Motown

Historical Museum in Detroit, Michigan, a two-story house where the Jackson 5's recording career began in 1969, according to CNN affiliate WDIV-TV. Fans built a makeshift shrine to Jackson, whose hits could be heard booming from passing cars, the station reported.

View a timeline of Jackson's career »

Fans frequently broke into song and dance around Jackson's childhood home on Jackson Street, renamed in honor of the family, in

Gary, Indiana

, CNN affiliate WRTV-TV reported.

Watch fans gather at the home »

"I knew Michael. I only lived three blocks from him myself," Gary resident John Moore told WRTV-TV. "It's a really sad day. I'm very hurt and disappointed right now. He was a great guy."

CNN iReporter Egberto Willies of Kingwood, Texas, summed up the conflicting feelings Jackson engendered among his admirers:

"Michael Jackson was a complicated human being who was [denied] a childhood in order to provide us with great musical and dancing entertainment," Willies went on. "But with all his wealth and success he never seemed happy with himself. He never viewed himself as we viewed him: simply the best entertainer alive. May he rest in peace, his demons left behind."