PUBLIC ENEMIES (C+)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup and Stephen Dorff (directed by Michael Mann)

Story: No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone—from his girlfriend Billie Frechette to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger's gang thrilled many, Hoover made Dillinger America's first Public Enemy Number One. (Universal Pictures)

Rated: R

Bottom line: This had masterpiece written all over it…but somewhere it went awry. Strong performances, beautiful cinematography - it’s like a work of art…but it’s often flat, there’s no sense of urgency and the whole thing felt more than a little uninvolving. PUBLIC ENEMIES is a big Hollywood production that practically demands you only pay matinee prices to see it…