City of Angels (1998)
Directed by Brad Silberling
When a guardian angel – who invisibly watches over the citizens of Los Angeles – becomes captivated by a strong-willed heart surgeon, he ponders trading in his pure, otherworldly existence for a mortal life with his beloved. The couple embarks on a tender but forbidden romance spanning heaven and Earth.
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What critics compared City of Angels to
Atmosphere wise, writer/director Dan Gilroy does two brilliant things with Nightcrawler: the first was to base this story in Los Angeles, the “City of Angels” where for every dream realised a dozen nightmares take place; The second was to set the film primarily at night, where its combination of bloodlust and the creatures who feed off it creates a different kind of vampire movie.
Director Brad Silberling's previous films -- "Casper," "City of Angels" and "Moonlight Mile" -- have all dealt with death as major themes; you may know that Silberling was dating actress Rebecca Schaeffer when she was killed by an obsessed fan in 1989, so it's understandable how his work would become flavored by thoughts of mortality.
Director Brad Silberling (City of Angels) finds a good tone for the picture, injecting enough humor to offset the subject matter while still dealing with the central theme, which is the resiliency of children.
Oh, it’s ambitious, and cinematographer John Toll captures several memorable images; star Mila Kunis is (particularly in the opening scenes) likably plucky, and her chemistry with co-star Channing Tatum is considerable (even when they’re mouthing some of the most inane romantic dialogue this side of City of Angels ).
Audiences will have a love/hate relationship with veteran cinematographer John Seale (“Poseidon,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “City of Angels,” “The Firm”) as his camera work teeters from true blockbuster skill to painfully amateur to watch.
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Reminiscent of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” or “Wings of Desire” that was remade in the US as “City of Angels,” “Bureau” is a movie that artfully tells a story that unfolds elegantly and understands the importance and power of finding that special someone in your life.
Lelise Bohem, who penned the action/horror The Darkest Hour, partners with City of Angels screenwriter Dana Stevens and the two seem to battle over if the film is a cute romance drama or a thriller.
And the restraint he and screenwriter Dana Stevens (“City of Angels”) display in letting cinematographer Terry Stacey (“50/50”) tell much of the story through pictures instead of words is admirable.