Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

[Watashi]

Nicolas Cage will star in an updated version of 1992's The Bad Lieutenant with Werner Herzog directing, Edward R. Pressman producing and Avi Lerner's Nu Image/Millenium Films financing, reports Variety.

The original film, also produced by Pressman, starred Harvey Keitel and was directed by Abel Ferrara from a screenplay by Ferrara and Zoe Lund. That film received an NC-17 rating with the depraved title character heavily involved in drugs, gambling, sex and stealing while a New York police officer.

The new script's written by Billy Finkelstein, a TV writer with credits on "Murder One," "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue."

Production will start in late summer.

Um, woah.

[Lasse]

Where did I just land? Bizarre world?

[Stay Puft]

What the fuck.

[Russ]

I would have preferred Crispin Glover as the Bad Lieutenant.

[Qrazy]

Bladzek?

[origami_mustache]

weird...I wish they'd stop remaking films that aren't even 20 years old.

[Grouchy]

I hope he points a loaded gun at Nicolas Cage. And insist that he really do a lot of drugs because of the voodoo of location.

[number8]

Nic Cage + Herzog alone is WTF worthy. But a remake of Bad Lieutenant?

Uh.

[megladon8]

What ever happened to that Nicolas Cage fuelled Oldboy remake?

[number8]

What ever happened to that Nicolas Cage fuelled Oldboy remake?


This is half a year ago. (http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/justin-lin-talks-fast--furious-4-gig-and-oldboy-departure/)

[Spinal]

It sounds like Abel Ferrara isn't too keen on the idea. (http://blog.spout.com/2008/05/23/bad-lieutenant-remake-abel-ferrara-says-dont-count-on-it/)

[Russ]

It sounds like Abel Ferrara isn't too keen on the idea. (http://blog.spout.com/2008/05/23/bad-lieutenant-remake-abel-ferrara-says-dont-count-on-it/)


"I wish these people die in Hell. I hope they’re all in the same streetcar, and it blows up.”
Understatement!

[Qrazy]

Herzog really shouldn't be doing remakes. He should have more respect for himself. While Rescue Dawn was OK, I'm not too keen on this new 'Hollywood period' of his.

[Grouchy]

It sounds like Abel Ferrara isn't too keen on the idea. (http://blog.spout.com/2008/05/23/bad-lieutenant-remake-abel-ferrara-says-dont-count-on-it/)
I love Ferrara. At the Mar del Plata Film Festival last year he was drunk out of his fucking mind at the press conference, and called Harvey Weinstein a lot of names. Those snippets are great.

And yeah, I gotta admit, even if it's Werner fucking Herzog, I don't really like the idea. I'm just curious because it's so strange. What's with Nic Cage and unnecessary remakes?

[MadMan]

I guess its time for me to see the original. As for Nic Cage, the only role I really want to see him in nowadays is Fu Machu in the Werewolf Women of the SS flick that supposedly will be made.

[Sycophant]

I guess its time for me to see the original. As for Nic Cage, the only role I really want to see him in nowadays is Fu Machu in the Werewolf Women of the SS flick that supposedly will be made.That's not still being rumored, is it? I hope not.

[Ezee E]

I guess its time for me to see the original. As for Nic Cage, the only role I really want to see him in nowadays is Fu Machu in the Werewolf Women of the SS flick that supposedly will be made.
I wouldn't count on it.

[Grouchy]

That's not still being rumored, is it? I hope not.
If Rob Zombie directs, why not?

[Winston*]

If Rob Zombie directs, why not?
Because even as a short, it was quite lame (Cage aside).

[Grouchy]

Because even as a short, it was quite lame (Cage aside).
Huh.

Werewolf. Women. Of the SS. What the hell's wrong with that?

[Russ]

Ah...hahahahahahahahahahahahah ahaha

Werner Herzog addresses the controversy (http://defamer.com/395038/defiant-werner-herzog-to-defamer-who-is-abel-ferrara).

I love this man so much, I want to have his babies.


I guess that makes me Brad Bird's Watashi.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Ah...hahahahahahahahahahahahah ahaha

Werner Herzog addresses the controversy (http://defamer.com/395038/defiant-werner-herzog-to-defamer-who-is-abel-ferrara).

I love this man so much, I want to have his babies.


I guess that makes me Brad Bird's Watashi.
Honestly so would I. Herzog is just... Herzog.

[Watashi]

I guess that makes me Brad Bird's Watashi.

I really don't know what this means, but it sounds sexual. I like it.

[Sycophant]

Watashi:Brad Bird::Russ,Philosophe_rouge,io sos(spec.):Werner Herzog

[MadMan]

I wouldn't count on it.I'm still hoping against hope. I think it would be awesome. As for Rob Zombie, I'm interested in seeing his other films after liking his Halloween remake.

[Spinal]

"I don't feel like doing an homage to Abel Ferrara because I don't know what he did ..."

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Qrazy]

Ah...hahahahahahahahahahahahah ahaha

Werner Herzog addresses the controversy (http://defamer.com/395038/defiant-werner-herzog-to-defamer-who-is-abel-ferrara).

I love this man so much, I want to have his babies.


I guess that makes me Brad Bird's Watashi.

Seems to me like he's being a dick frankly.

[Acapelli]

Seems to me like he's being a dick frankly.
well i think it's an appropriate reaction especially after able ferrara said everyone involved should burn in hell

[Qrazy]

well i think it's an appropriate reaction especially after able ferrara said everyone involved should burn in hell

Ferrara's being an even larger dick, but you know it's his movie they're impinging on (whether or not it's a remake) so he has a right to be at least annoyed while Herzog is just being condescending to F's status as an interesting filmmaker without even seeing one of his films. All I"m saying is two wrongs don't make a right basically and I'd have more respect for him if Herzog had shown some humility... said it's loosely based on his concept and we're going ahead with it, I"m sorry he feels that way... rather than making it into a passive aggressive pissing contest.

[Spinal]

Oh God, yes, let's strip Werner Herzog of his personality. "I humbly defer to the artistry of Abel Ferrara." Boring! It's a hilarious response. Perhaps not as funny if you have respect for Abel Ferrara, but fortunately for me, I don't.

[Qrazy]

Oh God, yes, let's strip Werner Herzog of his personality. "I humbly defer to the artistry of Abel Ferrara." Boring! It's a hilarious response. Perhaps not as funny if you have respect for Abel Ferrara, but fortunately for me, I don't.

Whatever, he can do what he wants but I'm not going to praise him for it.

[Sven]

Oh God, yes, let's strip Werner Herzog of his personality. "I humbly defer to the artistry of Abel Ferrara." Boring! It's a hilarious response. Perhaps not as funny if you have respect for Abel Ferrara, but fortunately for me, I don't.

Yeah, this, pretty much. I can't speak as someone with respect for Ferrara, but I think that even with one who does, Herzog's response should be read as open and candid and whimsical in that particular Herzogian vein. I guess there comes a point where I don't think movies should be taken as so direly important as all that, and if you can't have a sense of humor about it, you probably shouldn't bother.

[Skitch]

God, I do not want to see Nic Cage's wang.

Did I mention I love Bad Lieutenant?

[Raiders]

I love Ferrara as a director, but when it comes to wit, he ain't got nothing on Herzog.

[Boner M]

I love Ferrara as a director, but when it comes to wit, he ain't got nothing on Herzog.
That's cos he's coked out to high heaven.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, this, pretty much. I can't speak as someone with respect for Ferrara, but I think that even with one who does, Herzog's response should be read as open and candid and whimsical in that particular Herzogian vein. I guess there comes a point where I don't think movies should be taken as so direly important as all that, and if you can't have a sense of humor about it, you probably shouldn't bother.

This has nothing to do with being open and fun loving about movies, what are you even talking about. It has to do with having respect for other people's artistic property, even if it's just based in the same universe they still owe Ferrara a little respect just as you'd respect Ian Fleming if you were making a Bond movie. Just as Peter Jackson didn't say well I don't care about the Tolkien estate I do what I feel like, I've never read that guy's books anyway. Even with Ferrara against it making the film is reasonable, but responding as Herzog did is not being the better man it's just responding in kind and fueling ill will between them.

Which again is fine if that's what he wants to do but I don't see that he merits any praise for it.

[Spinal]

Of course it is being the better man. That's why it is funny. He takes Ferrara's ill-will and anger in good humor and has the sense of self to understand that it has nothing to do with him and what he wants to do with his new picture. Ferrara is the one being petty. Ooo, a bad cop who abuses the law. What an original concept! Yeah, that's worth hurling verbal abuse over. Herzog, as always, has perspective that others lack and deftly takes the air out of Ferrara's bluster. To chastise Herzog for not being more respectful strikes me as an awfully Victorian approach to the whole thing.

[Qrazy]

Of course it is being the better man. That's why it is funny. He takes Ferrara's ill-will and anger in good humor and has the sense of self to understand that it has nothing to do with him and what he wants to do with his new picture. Ferrara is the one being petty. Ooo, a bad cop who abuses the law. What an original concept! Yeah, that's worth hurling verbal abuse over. Herzog, as always, has perspective that others lack and deftly takes the air out of Ferrara's bluster. To chastise Herzog for not being more respectful strikes me as an awfully Victorian approach to the whole thing.

I acknowledge that Ferrara is being the bigger dick. Whatever I maintain my position but I don't care enough about it to have an argument.

[DavidSeven]

Why don't they just rename the movie? The storyline is completely different, and it's not like a cult Abel Ferrara movie is going to give them any marketing value. Does that make too much sense?

[Grouchy]

I have a lot of respect for Ferrara, but Herzog's answer is completely spot-on and hilarious. Plus, I bet it's honest. I believe him when he says he doesn't know what Ferrara's movies are like.

In fact, Werner has convinced me. I now fully endorse his movie. Like he gives a fuck.

[Ezee E]

Watch Abel Ferrera decide to make a movie that just happens to be called: Aguirre, where the Invisible Green Ants Dream, Starting Small.

[Grouchy]

Watch Abel Ferrera decide to make a movie that just happens to be called: Aguirre, where the Invisible Green Ants Dream, Starting Small.
"I don't know who this Herzog is! Seriously! Is he Russian? If I knew who he is, I'd sell him some drugs!"

*drinks beer*

[Sven]

This has nothing to do with being open and fun loving about movies, what are you even talking about. It has to do with having respect for other people's artistic property....

Let's not drag this out, but since you asked what I was talking about, I feel compelled to mention that it's more or less a matter of my opinion against the necessity of "respect" of artistic property, both others as well as your own. When it comes down to wishing that somebody dies in a street explosion for simply wanting to remake your stuff, I think it's clear that you are taking your property a little too seriously. The movie is going to do nothing but fuel interest in the original, as well as make Ferrara money, which is not to mention that Herzog is an established, accomplished, and credible creator in his own right, which ensures (as much as credentials can ensure) that it won't be a hack job. I don't get why Herzog needs to do anything but acknowledge Ferrara in the way Herzog would. Which is to say, with witty perspective.

And I'm sure that Herzog bears no ill will towards Ferrara, so I doubt his comments succeed in that regard, as you suggest they do.

[number8]

Herzog was on Conan the other night. Weird.

[Ezee E]

Herzog was on Conan the other night. Weird.
His Antarctica documentary is coming out I think.

Damn, I wish I saw that interview.

[Yxklyx]

From Herzog's description it doesn't sound much like Bad Lieutenant at all. Different story, different locale, etc... It's a movie about a bad cop (there have been others). The producer is the same so that's where the connection is.

[Qrazy]

From Herzog's description it doesn't sound much like Bad Lieutenant at all. Different story, different locale, etc... It's a movie about a bad cop (there have been others). The producer is the same so that's where the connection is.

Perhaps it's also a reporting issue, trying to stir shit up as reporters are wont to do.

[Bosco B Thug]

Ferrara seems to have a strong personality, too (a rather dickish one, yes...), and I don't really think we should take his "streetcar" comment at face value.

He seems like a rather intimidating personality, in fact, but I'm glad he probably has a tough skin, because personally, I'd be rather hurt if I were him (a filmmaker with a serious reputation and artistic cred) and Werner Herzog, a colleague and fellow figurehead in the art, said he had no idea who I was or what value my work was of. :sad:

[Derek]

He seems like a rather intimidating personality, in fact, but I'm glad he probably has a tough skin, because personally, I'd be rather hurt if I were him (a filmmaker with a serious reputation and artistic cred) and Werner Herzog, a colleague and fellow figurehead in the art, said he had no idea who I was or what value my work was of. :sad:

You'd be hurt if you wished death upon a fellow artist and his crew and he responded by saying he hasn't heard of you?

[Qrazy]

You'd be hurt if you wished death upon a fellow artist and his crew and he responded by saying he hasn't heard of you?

Yes.

[megladon8]

Ferrara should get his teeth fixed.

[MadMan]

His Antarctica documentary is coming out I think.

Damn, I wish I saw that interview.So do I. I should watch Conan more often.

[Russ]

Val Kilmer and Xzibit (http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0255688/) have joined the cast.


The film stars Nicolas Cage and Kilmer as tough cops, with Xzibit playing a crime kingpin.

:eek:

I sure hope someone films a behind-the-scenes making of documentary.

[number8]

Trailer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxB0yXfpQZ8)

:lol:

[EvilShoe]

Trailer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxB0yXfpQZ8)

:lol:
I did not expect that.

[eternity]

...what was that.

[Stay Puft]

What the fuck.

[Watashi]

That is the single greatest thing ever.

[Russ]

Oh, sweet Jesus, yes.

[Watashi]

"His soul is still dancing"

[Skitch]

:eek:


:lol:


That may actually be amusing...

[Grouchy]

Hahahahahahahah!

Greatest crime story ever told, right there.

[Russ]

I hope he points a loaded gun at Nicolas Cage. And insist that he really do a lot of drugs because of the voodoo of location.

Wow. Were you on the set?

[Boner M]

0:40 in... :lol:

Lovin' the iguana.

[Saya]

Oh my...

[Winston*]

OMG. Can't wait.

[Russ]

You see, Abel? You see? You see what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass?

[Raiders]

No thanks. The name 'Werner Herzog' at the end does not redeem the awfulness of the preceding two minutes. I'm sure I'll still watch it at some point, but I really am not fond of subjecting myself to that level of Nicolas Cage for any extended period of time.

[Russ]

No thanks. The name 'Werner Herzog' at the end does not redeem the awfulness of the preceding two minutes. I'm sure I'll still watch it at some point, but I really am not fond of subjecting myself to that level of Nicolas Cage for any extended period of time.

Really? You didn't even like Cage channeling Kinski at the :40 mark?

[Robby P]

That looks absolutely terrible.

[Boner M]

"Can't stop the dancing soul"

[Sven]

No thanks. The name 'Werner Herzog' at the end does not redeem the awfulness of the preceding two minutes. I'm sure I'll still watch it at some point, but I really am not fond of subjecting myself to that level of Nicolas Cage for any extended period of time.

What the heck is wrong with you?

Trailer was astonishing. Can. Not. Wait.

[Boner M]

Yeah, this could be a gonzo masterpiece, in the vein of... well, Abel Ferrara.

[Sven]

Yeah, this could be a gonzo masterpiece, in the vein of... well, Abel Ferrara.

This looks soooo much better than anything Ferrara could ever do.

[Boner M]

This looks soooo much better than anything Ferrara could ever do.
A few years ago I would've agreed, but I've come around to Ferrara recently. Ms. 45 is probably the most potent meshing of exploitation and art film sensibilities I've can think of, and Nicole Brenez's recent book on him has convinced me that many of his films deserve reassessment.

[Sycophant]

Trailer was astonishing. Can. Not. Wait.

Yeah, this.


I should check out this Abel Ferrera cat.

[Grouchy]

I cannot comprehend people watching that trailer and not wishing to snort the movie up their noses.

[jamaul]

I have no idea who Abel Ferrera is.

[Spinal]

So sick of Cage. This looks horrible.

[Sycophant]

I have no idea who Abel Ferrera is.

Congrats, dude. :cool:

[Boner M]

Mostly I just like the idea that a dancing soul doesn't just dance; it BREAKDANCES.

[number8]

I have no idea who Abel Ferrera is.

Then you have something in common with Herzog.

[trotchky]

This looks fantastic, which I'm sure has a lot to do with it looking nothing like Ferrara's movie.

Just to clarify this isn't to dis Ferrara; his Bad Lieutenant is a masterpiece, so it's great that Herzog is going his own way here.

[DavidSeven]

"That's my lucky crack pipe." - Nic Cage.

That about sums it up.

[Ezee E]

Then you have something in common with Herzog.
About to post the same thing.

[Spinal]

The only redeemable thing about this for me is imagining how irritated Ferrera is going to be.

[number8]

The only redeemable thing about this for me is imagining how irritated Ferrera is going to be.

He already said he hopes Herzog and Cage end up on the same streetcar and want it to blow up so they can die and rot in hell. How much more irritated do you want him to be?

[Spinal]

He already said he hopes Herzog and Cage end up on the same streetcar and want it to blow up so they can die and rot in hell. How much more irritated do you want him to be?

You've got a point. That's pretty damn irritated.

[Bosco B Thug]

You've got a point. That's pretty damn irritated.
I still think Herzog was the bigger biznatch.

This could be good. As long as Herzog isn't just having a complete lark, as it does sometimes come off as in the trailer. In any case, we'll get contemporary New Orleans through Herzog's eyes, which should be interesting.

[chrisnu]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b344/chrisnu/smilies/lmao.gif

I won't see it in theaters, but I'll definitely check it out on video.

[Sxottlan]

Looks fantastic.

"Shoot him again. His soul is still dancing."

[trotchky]

What are these fucking iguanas doing on my coffee table?

[jamaul]

Then you have something in common with Herzog.


I guess I should have used quotation marks or made a Quixote reference. Ferrera is alright, I guess. I've only seen two of his films, and I thought they were kinda unremarkable.

[Pop Trash]

I don't know...I still love the original Bad Lieutenant and it's pretty irritating to me that people will defend this simply cuz it says "Herzog" at the end. If it was most anyone else people would rip in to this for being more Nick Cage tripe.

[Sven]

simply cuz it says "Herzog" at the end.

How 'bout we like it cuz it looks awesome?

[Pop Trash]

How 'bout we like it cuz it looks awesome?
Come on Sven...I know who directed your favorite movies of all time.

[Sycophant]

I'm not nearly the Herzog fan some people (like Sven) here are, but I thought this trailer looked awesome. Like really, genuinely, I thought it made the film look interesting and entertaining. Of course, I'm not as exhausted with Cage as a lot of people. Still!

[Sven]

Come on Sven...I know who directed your favorite movies of all time.

Of course I love the guy, but I know bad from bad. That trailer, my friend, was very, very good. Syco says it best.

[jamaul]

I don't know...I still love the original Bad Lieutenant and it's pretty irritating to me that people will defend this simply cuz it says "Herzog" at the end. If it was most anyone else people would rip in to this for being more Nick Cage tripe.


There's no 'K' in Nicolas Cage's name. Juz sayin'.

Also: the trailer makes this look like one off-beat, star-driven affair. I'd be interested, but probably not enough to see it, buuuuut - yer right: Herzog's involvement = instant interest. It looks like it has a lot of the quirks and staples that make Herzog's films continually interesting, even if he's working in subpar material.

[Dukefrukem]

X ta the Z!

[Grouchy]

I just watched that again and yep, it's the cat's fucking pyjamas, no matter who directed it.

Would it even be possible to do a green-band trailer of this movie? Including dialogue, I mean.

[Ezee E]

Hmm... I don't know people. I watched the trailer, and it seems like something that would be a skit on the Oscars or MTV Awards. Not legit.

This will make it watchable, but I don't know if it'll work for 90+ minutes.

[[ETM]]

What's next - Bad Lieutenant: Miami, starring Cooba Gooding Jr. and directed by Jim Jarmusch?

[transmogrifier]

Of course I love the guy, but I know bad from bad. That trailer, my friend, was very, very good. Syco says it best.

Syco is wrong. It's not. At all. It looks absolutely terrible.

GI Joe trailer > this trailer

[Pop Trash]

;167751']What's next - Bad Lieutenant: Miami, starring Cooba Gooding Jr. and directed by Jim Jarmusch?

:):P:):P Rep!

[D_Davis]

He already said he hopes Herzog and Cage end up on the same streetcar and want it to blow up so they can die and rot in hell. How much more irritated do you want him to be?

That sounds exactly like how I would imagine the director of the original Bad Lt. to sound - like a douchey jerkwad.

[ledfloyd]

i'm a herzog fan and this looks like shit.

[Russ]

i'm a herzog fan and this looks like shit.
Yes, but it is a significant shit.

[Sycophant]

Most divisive trailer Match Cut has seen to date?

[Sven]

What's the point of hating on this? I cannot fathom...

I need a definitive list of things that are wrong with it.

[Spinal]

I'm equally mystified that so many of you think this looks worthwhile. It's looks like Herzog doing "it's funny because it's dumb" which seems to me to be a colossal waste of his talents and my time.

[Russ]

I'm equally mystified that so many of you think this looks worthwhile. It's looks like Herzog doing "it's funny because it's dumb" which seems to me to be a colossal waste of his talents and my time.
Track record alone has me giving Herzog the benefit of the doubt until viewing the entire film. Yes, it's an admittedly amusing/baffling trailer. It wouldn't be the first time the content of a film's trailer wasn't really representative of the film it promotes. But I pray it is. I, too, am equally mystified that so many of you cannot smell the awesome sauce. Rest assured that if Herzog is doing "it's funny because it's dumb", it will be totally unlike anyone else's attempts at the same theme. I've got a feeling that Herzog is going to make an extensive examination of post-Katrina conditions in New Orleans, which, if true, certainly wouldn't have been conveyed within the limits of a two-and-half minute trailer.

I haven't looked forward to a film as much as this in a long time.

[Milky Joe]

This thread makes me wonder why we even bother having discussions at all.

This looks AWESOME. End of story.

[Acapelli]

http://vimeo.com/1894646

bill hader is MEAN

[Melville]

Herzog calls it the darkest film imaginable, but also a comedy:
http://vimeo.com/5824280

[D_Davis]

Yes, but it is a significant shit.

Better than an insignificant bullet.

[Qrazy]

Looks terrible, not saying it will be, but it looks it.

[Spinal]

Looks terrible, not saying it will be, but it looks it.

This is where I'm at. Very skeptical about this one.

[Qrazy]

This is where I'm at. Very skeptical about this one.

For one thing it looks like a bad Cage performance to me which is too bad because for the most part when he works with good directors he'll give a good performance.

[Grouchy]

Like iosos said, why don't you guys make a list of objectively bad things you see on that trailer?

Because I think it looks like the movie I wish I'd be watching right now.

[Qrazy]

I don't think one can make an objective list. Aside from the fact that the trailer is poorly paced here's what subjectively concerns me about the footage we're shown.

1. Bad drama
2. Unappealing aesthetic
3. Unfunny humor
4. Undramatic drama
5. Hammy Cage

[Amnesiac]

I FREAKING LOVE THIS BUT IT'S JUST BECAUSE HERZOG'S NAME IS AT THE END.

/candid confession

[Grouchy]

1. Bad drama - I don't see any drama. The tone doesn't seem very dramatic, more like black comedy.

2. Unappealing aesthetic - To you, maybe. It seems like Herzog's usual reality-capturing long takes, only in a totally different, more staged setting.

3. Unfunny humor - Come on. What are those fucking iguanas doing on my coffee table.

4. Undramatic drama - Like I said, I see very little drama.

5. Hammy Cage - I consider this a good thing.

[Ivan Drago]

I guess its time for me to see the original. As for Nic Cage, the only role I really want to see him in nowadays is Fu Machu in the Werewolf Women of the SS flick that supposedly will be made.

:eek:

My first venture into this thread and I find out about this?

Back on-topic: Need to see the trailer for this....and I need to see the original Bad Lieutenant...and 1+ Herzog film.

[B-side]

"Werner Herzog's devil-may-care insouciance has paid off brilliantly in this mesmerising thriller." (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/sep/07/wernerherzog-nicolascage)

"A chaotic clash of art-house sensibilities and cop movie clichés." (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/first-night-bad-lieutenant-port-of-call-new-orleans-venice-film-festival-1782095.html)

"But there's also a sort of deadpan zaniness, stemming from a steadfast conviction in its own absurdity, that gives "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" a strange distinction all its own. Not at all an art film, the picture lacks sufficient action to sate the appetites of sensation seekers..." (http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940931.html?categoryid=3 716&cs=1)

"Let me be frank - I underestimated Herzog, as I was expecting this to be utter trash, but it was almost the complete opposite. It was impressively well-made and actually quite amusing to watch, thanks to Nicolas Cage's fully overboard and wacko performance." (http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/09/07/telluride-2009-review-werner-herzogs-bad-lieutenant/)

"Bottom Line: Original, offbeat and rewarding cop story with Nicolas Cage in great form." (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/bad-lieutenant-film-review-1004009547.story)

"But what makes this film truly different is the unique tone introduced by director Werner Herzog – so instead of Ferrara’s hard-edged portrait of self-destruction, here we have absurdist humour, surrealist touches and an almost sweetly optimistic outlook amid the amorality and squalor." (http://www.screendaily.com/festivals/venice/competition/bad-lieutenant-port-of-call-new-orleans/5005276.article)

"Herzog’s film, by contrast, is about nothing but its own strangeness. There’s certainly little narrative to speak of: a running murder investigation and Cage’s sketchy romance with a heart-of-gold hooker (Eva Mendes, far better than the role demands) form the softest of spines – though the absurdly perfunctory resolution, which also dispenses with the few stylistic flourishes this muddy-looking film already possessed, suggests Herzog has lost interest in the material altogether." (http://incontention.com/?p=13035)

"There are loads of things wrong if you choose to dwell on them – no police department in its right mind wouldn't comment on a usually earnest officer hallucinating on the job, or turning up to work on heroin – but this is, after, a work of fiction and not a documentary. And it's easy to forget too just how competent a director Herzog is when he's working in the mainstream; aside from a few wilfully bizarre shots of reptiles, The Bad Lieutenant is a very slick, very superior slice of pulp." (http://www.empireonline.com/features/damonwise/Post.asp?id=671)

[Ezee E]

All different tastes of film are liking this movie from Telluride a great deal. "Till the break of dawn" is being shouted out all over town.

Also went on a gondola ride with the producer. Weird guy, but very excited about the word of mouth from this movie. He says it won't just be a NY/LA opening, but possibly a decent sized release now.

[Sxottlan]

Urge to see...rising.

[Qrazy]

1. Bad drama - I don't see any drama. The tone doesn't seem very dramatic, more like black comedy.

2. Unappealing aesthetic - To you, maybe. It seems like Herzog's usual reality-capturing long takes, only in a totally different, more staged setting.

3. Unfunny humor - Come on. What are those fucking iguanas doing on my coffee table.

4. Undramatic drama - Like I said, I see very little drama.

5. Hammy Cage - I consider this a good thing.

For four you are responding to what I mean by drama but for the first one I just mean the general acting/and direction of that acting.

[Boner M]

Those reviews confirm everything I've wanted form this project.

[B-side]

Those reviews confirm everything I've wanted form this project.

Pretty much. They're about as mixed as I expected and describing exactly what I wanted.

[Adam]

Yes, I'm also pretty well jazzed out of my mind for this, but can I just take a slight detour here and talk about "hammy Cage" for a sec? Cage in full on ham mode is my favorite actor, hands down. And really, even in his most critically-approved performances (probably Adaptation & Leaving Las Vegas, right?), all he's doing is hamming it up to much better material. Anyways, these are my five favorite whacked-out Nic Cage performances and I'd say they need to be seen by everyone...

http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss47/adamstone20/VK5.jpg

Vampires Kiss - lot of people seem to have missed out on this one, but for my money, it's the funniest performance I've ever seen. It's essentially Christian Bale in American Psycho times a million. Nicolas Cage eats a live cockroach in this film and he didn't even have to

Raising Arizona - this has become a standard over the years and i don't think anyone's overlooking it too much, but sometimes lost in all the crazy sonnenfeld zooms and yodeling and whatnot is the sheer hamosity of Cage here. Remains my favorite voice-over narraration and boy is that hammy, too

Leaving Las Vegas - again, maybe you wouldn't immediately jump and call this a hammy performance, but no matter how much of a bummer this movie may be, it's still Nicolas Cage playing drunk for two hours. And, man, you better believe that as hard as it is to rein him in when he's sober you can only imagine what it's like when he's pissed

Bad Lieutenant, Port of Call: New Orleans - in the interest of full disclosure, no, I have not seen this movie yet, but I mean I do like to make ridiculous judgments on things based on two minute clips and so forth and in this movie he apparently says the line "shoot him again - his soul's still dancing." So this had to make the list

Peggy Sue Got Married - seriously this may be the most love it or hate it performance on my list, but if you're anything like me, his voice here and the scene towards the end in the green house will simultaneously be the sweetest and hammiest thing you're likely to see

honorable mention goes out to all those bad action movies he made in the mid '90s, Wild At Heart, Adaptation, Moonstruck, Zandalee and Red Rock West

[Ezee E]

YES for Vampire's Kiss. Nic Cage has never been able to get to that level again, and its worth watching for that reason.

Nic Cage actually holds that movie in pretty high esteem for himself. He got to channel his idol, Lon Cheney, and he has never forgotten that.

[Grouchy]

What's a sonnenfeld zoom?
A zoom performed by Barry Sonnenfeld.

I also love hammy Nicolas Cage.

[Adam]

What's a sonnenfeld zoom?

Yeah, i was just referring to all the bizarre zooms and fisheye lenses and whatnot Sonnenfeld used there. His camerawork is all over the place in that movie (in a good way) and I wish could find a screenshot of this one particular close-up of Cage as the lone biker is pulling him out from underneath a car, but I can't

[Qrazy]

Yes, I'm also pretty well jazzed out of my mind for this, but can I just take a slight detour here and talk about "hammy Cage" for a sec? Cage in full on ham mode is my favorite actor, hands down. And really, even in his most critically-approved performances (probably Adaptation & Leaving Las Vegas, right?), all he's doing is hamming it up to much better material. Anyways, these are my five favorite whacked-out Nic Cage performances and I'd say they need to be seen by everyone...

http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss47/adamstone20/VK5.jpg

Vampires Kiss - lot of people seem to have missed out on this one, but for my money, it's the funniest performance I've ever seen. It's essentially Christian Bale in American Psycho times a million. Nicolas Cage eats a live cockroach in this film and he didn't even have to

Raising Arizona - this has become a standard over the years and i don't think anyone's overlooking it too much, but sometimes lost in all the crazy sonnenfeld zooms and yodeling and whatnot is the sheer hamosity of Cage here. Remains my favorite voice-over narraration and boy is that hammy, too

Leaving Las Vegas - again, maybe you wouldn't immediately jump and call this a hammy performance, but no matter how much of a bummer this movie may be, it's still Nicolas Cage playing drunk for two hours. And, man, you better believe that as hard as it is to rein him in when he's sober you can only imagine what it's like when he's pissed


Good Cage (minor elements of ham with a focus on nuanced characterizations): Adaptation, Leaving Las Vegas, Matchstick Men, Moonstruck and Bringing out the Dead.

Acceptably Hammy Cage: Raising Arizona, The Rock, Face/Off

Awful Hammy or just Plain Awful Cage: Ghost Rider, Wicker Man, Gone in 60 Seconds, Bangkok Dangerous, Con Air, Next, Snake Eyes

[Boner M]

minor elements of ham
This brought some seriously inexplicable lulz. *sigged*

[Watashi]

This brought some seriously inexplicable lulz. *sigged*
But... but... my quote!

[Qrazy]

This brought some seriously inexplicable lulz. *sigged*

w00t two sigs and counting... I must continue upon my quest to conquer the Match-cut sig spectrum!

[Russ]

Yes, I'm also pretty well jazzed out of my mind for this, but can I just take a slight detour here and talk about "hammy Cage" for a sec? Cage in full on ham mode is my favorite actor, hands down. And really, even in his most critically-approved performances (probably Adaptation & Leaving Las Vegas, right?), all he's doing is hamming it up to much better material. Anyways, these are my five favorite whacked-out Nic Cage performances and I'd say they need to be seen by everyone...

http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss47/adamstone20/VK5.jpg

Vampires Kiss - lot of people seem to have missed out on this one, but for my money, it's the funniest performance I've ever seen. It's essentially Christian Bale in American Psycho times a million. Nicolas Cage eats a live cockroach in this film and he didn't even have to

Raising Arizona - this has become a standard over the years and i don't think anyone's overlooking it too much, but sometimes lost in all the crazy sonnenfeld zooms and yodeling and whatnot is the sheer hamosity of Cage here. Remains my favorite voice-over narraration and boy is that hammy, too

Leaving Las Vegas - again, maybe you wouldn't immediately jump and call this a hammy performance, but no matter how much of a bummer this movie may be, it's still Nicolas Cage playing drunk for two hours. And, man, you better believe that as hard as it is to rein him in when he's sober you can only imagine what it's like when he's pissed

Bad Lieutenant, Port of Call: New Orleans - in the interest of full disclosure, no, I have not seen this movie yet, but I mean I do like to make ridiculous judgments on things based on two minute clips and so forth and in this movie he apparently says the line "shoot him again - his soul's still dancing." So this had to make the list

Peggy Sue Got Married - seriously this may be the most love it or hate it performance on my list, but if you're anything like me, his voice here and the scene towards the end in the green house will simultaneously be the sweetest and hammiest thing you're likely to see

honorable mention goes out to all those bad action movies he made in the mid '90s, Wild At Heart, Adaptation, Moonstruck, Zandalee and Red Rock West

Deadfall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1fEnhawu_k&feature=player_embedded#t=189)

[Ezee E]

"TILL THE BREAK OF DAWN!"

This is going to be the next big Nic Cage quote when people have seen this movie. Apparently it comes out of nowhere when Cage and Xzibit are in a cop car together.

[Dukefrukem]

Apple trailer and clip! (http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/badlieutenantportofcallneworle ans/)

[Bosco B Thug]

The film is pretty silly (albeit self-consciously so - that doesn't excuse it, though) and, despite a moment every now and then, is pretty flat by Herzog's standards. Not much consistent transcendence in the filmmaking, and the goofy amphibian trip sequences only distract from that occasional almost-there moment of oddball beauty. It's a clever piece of absurdity, intentionally light as a feather and tonally aimed to shoot some arrows through the criminal world and the police world. Cage is... hammy, but not disastrously so, as a bad lieutenant who accepts his weaknesses with pragmatism and a refreshing lack of principles, rather than tormentedness or rage or ego. The film makes a smart statement on how the "bad" and the "good" can get along, coexist, as long as the need to exploit and victimize is subverted by our realizing the simple advantages of just playing your cards right for the humble, pleasure-seeking comfort of all (and that includes stepping back and watching your own girlfriend prostitute herself when the time calls for it). It is a karmic, non-deluded amorality and principle of the Pleasure Dome (Pleasure is for all, and can be found communally) Herzog promotes as a possible alternative to conventional business and conventional morality, which are vindictive, self-aggrandizing, out-to-destroy, out to make the more people sad rather than the most people happy - which Herzog's protagonist does in his unthinking way, rolling with the punches and accepting of all possible outcomes. Herzog reenvisions a contemporary Sodom and Gomorrah as a place that can be a Good, that can worship the graven idols of money and drugs but still be generous, that can in fact be giving as long as it is not built on the pure drive of the Alpha impulse, and instead built on the tearing down of that impulse, which causes such grievances as a family being massacred and an uptight police officer refusing to do our mild-mannered protagonist a solid and excuse some traffic tickets. The film oozes the mantra: just take it easy and things will turn out all right. If everyone can leave happy and with the capability of finding contentedness, who cares what must and has been done? And one can't be content under the grip of hardasses.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It looks as uninteresting as your review implies. I'll be skipping this.

[Stay Puft]

Yeearrrrrgh noooo. This movie is awesome.

It's unquestionably a comedy, and unapologetically Herzog. I can't remember if the comments were about this film or My Son, My Son (maybe both?) but some critics were saying people wouldn't give the film the time of day if it didn't have Herzog's name at the beginning and end. Wrong, wrong, wrong. That Herzog may have taken aim in yet another direction does not mean he hasn't hit his target (I think it's actually more successful than something like Rescue Dawn, for example). It's as well crafted as anything he has done this decade, and the presence of Peter Zeitlinger is certainly evident on the screen. The film's visuals are of the same stuff Herzog and Zeitlinger have been doing together for over a decade. You can't mistake that camera for anything else.

I'm not about to call it top tier Herzog. It's true that it's an intentionally light and silly film, but it's successfully light and silly as far as that goes. The material is basically Hollywood-lite entertainment, and Herzog runs with it in his own peculiar fashion, building to the most appropriate ending possible. I've always loved Herzog for his ability to end a movie, hitting the perfect tone, image, etc. The endings in both this film and My Son, My Son are perfect for the given material, probably his best endings since My Best Fiend (or maybe Invincible, I always liked that one, too). I had felt Herzog had been getting a bit soft with his endings lately, but that's not the case here. I'm not going to remember Herzog as a filmmaker for this film in particular, of course, but it's a well executed piece of comedy and entertainment. It is not to be so readily dismissed.

[Bosco B Thug]

Yeah, my blurb comes off as more negative than it should be. I think it's a very worthwhile picture. But also, yeah, I don't think people who are turned off by the trailer are going to be very into it or be won over at all. It doesn't do enough with the material.

[Ezee E]

I loved the hell out of this.

[angrycinephile]

Ebert's review (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091118/REVIEWS/911189997)

Yeah, I'm looking forward to this a lot.

[Ezee E]

The performance of Nic Cage, while ridiculously over the top, is something so entertaining, that you only get it maybe once every several years.

Best moment for me? Whenever he hears "G" or the laugh he makes when he says that Xzibit could either smoke or take jail for 70 years.

[Stay Puft]

But also, yeah, I don't think people who are turned off by the trailer are going to be very into it or be won over at all. It doesn't do enough with the material.

Yes, I'm afraid that could be true. My last line of that post was intended as a reaction to exactly those early, blatant dismissals. I would hope people would give it a chance, you know, because they may find a surprisingly entertaining film. But, I must admit, it may only be entertaining insofar as someone like myself is already a huge fan of Herzog and loves that he made this film in the first place. It doesn't do enough with the material, I agree.

Ebert's quote in his review here is perfect:


"Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call, New Orleans" is not about plot, but about seasoning.

Still, I was bolstered with the knowledge of the film's great success at festivals so far. E said it was well received at Telluride, and I know the reaction in Toronto was exceedingly positive. People are getting a kick out of it. No idea how it would play in a theatrical run, but again, I have a bit of hope that it could find a larger audience outside of diehard Herzog fans.

[Stay Puft]

Also, Herzog actually did not want the film to be called Bad Lieutenant at all. He thought it was a lousy title (and, as he has said in interviews already, hasn't seen the original film or heard of its director, so doesn't feel any connection there). The producer insisted on the title, and Herzog fought him at first (he simply wanted the New Orleans part of the title, I think), but decided to compromise with the full title as given now. He decided he didn't care, because it's just the damn title, so let the producers call it whatever. He was just happy to make the film.

This according to the Q&A I attended with Herzog and Cage. (Just an aside prompted as a response to the end of Ebert's review.)

[number8]

"Did they molllllllleeessssssssst you, huh?"

[Sven]

This movie is amazing in the most sincere form of the word. Unintentionally hilarious whuzzuhhuh? I will be surprised if I see a better movie this year.

[number8]

Aye.

[Ezee E]

This movie is amazing in the most sincere form of the word. Unintentionally hilarious whuzzuhhuh? I will be surprised if I see a better movie this year.
Nice!

[Ivan Drago]

This movie is amazing in the most sincere form of the word. Unintentionally hilarious whuzzuhhuh? I will be surprised if I see a better movie this year.

Even with Nicolas Cage it's still amazing?

[origami_mustache]

Hilarious satire of American cinema.

[ledfloyd]

to the break of dawn!

[soitgoes...]

This year is turning out some absolutely great films. I would really like to see Nicolas Cage get nominated for an Oscar, but he won't. I don't think there will be 5 performances better than the one he gave.

[Eleven]

The only movie I can think of where the most emotional moment occurs when giving a spoon. This was so absurdly fun.

[baby doll]

Unintentionally hilarious whuzzuhhuh?Yeah, this is definitely supposed to be funny.

"Shoot him again. His soul is still dancing."

[baby doll]

to the break of dawn!What does he say right before that again?

[soitgoes...]

What does he say right before that again?
"I'm gonna kill all of you... to the break of dawn."

[number8]

I couldn't stop laughing when he was at the precinct and the good news came pouring all at once.

The captain popping into frame grinning... "Great news!"

[baby doll]

I couldn't stop laughing when he was at the precinct and the good news came pouring all at once.

The captain popping into frame grinning... "Great news!"That was pretty awesome, especially how he manages to make an honest woman of his prostitute girlfriend.

[number8]

Best interrogation scene of all time.

"YOU'RE THE REASON THIS COUNTRY IS SO FUCKED UP!"

[baby doll]

Best interrogation scene of all time.

"YOU'RE THE REASON THIS COUNTRY IS SO FUCKED UP!"Scene of the year.

[ledfloyd]

the more i think about this the more i think this might be one of my absolute favorites of the year.

[B-side]

http://www.itchypixel.net/photos/iguanas.jpg

http://www.furniturespot.co.uk/images/tables/oa003-brooklyn-oak-coffee-table.jpg

[Pop Trash]

This actually reminded me a bit of Gran Torino, where you realize about a half an hour in "wait a minute, this is supposed to be funny." Both this and GT managed to be one of the funniest movies of their respective years without actually being a "comedy." The breakdancing soul was awesome.

I do have to say that the movie looks like crap most of the time and the Iguana-cam was pretty silly. It also felt like some B-grade early 90s cop movie that you catch on Showtime at two in the morning, but remade by Herzog so that you get this strange fever dream feeling from it all.

[Adam]

I do have to say that the movie looks like crap most of the time and the Iguana-cam was pretty silly. It also felt like some B-grade early 90s cop movie that you catch on Showtime at two in the morning, but remade by Herzog so that you get this strange fever dream feeling from it all.

Yeah, I don't think I've seen a review where this kind of thing wasn't mentioned, but I was actually pretty surprised by how slick this ruckus was at times

[Pop Trash]

Oh and Ferrara's Bad Lieutenant is still tops.

[Milky Joe]

'SUP? 'SUP?

Maybe one of my favorite final shots of all time.

[Derek]

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2176/badltfyc.jpg

[Melville]

One star for Up in the Air? Did you post thoughts anywhere?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yeah, fuck university. I want to be a bad lieutenant when I grow up.

[Melville]

This movie was glorious. Absolutely hilarious. A B-movie crime drama gone wild. Packed with moments of beautiful absurdity: the iguanas, the breakdancing soul, the story of the spoon, the rant about the old woman ruining America. Cage's performance was a golden thing of hunchbacked, nasal-voiced, bizarro intensity.

[B-side]

This movie was glorious. Absolutely hilarious. A B-movie crime drama gone wild. Packed with moments of beautiful absurdity: the iguanas, the breakdancing soul, the story of the spoon, the rant about the old woman ruining America. Cage's performance was a golden thing of hunchbacked, nasal-voiced, bizarro intensity.

:pritch:

[Grouchy]

This was amazing. Cage should have won the Oscar in all of the categories. I would even have given him the Best Short Documentary award.

[Boner M]

The final shot. That goddamn final shot. *weeps*

Pretty much thoroughly entertaining and with some moments of weird transcendence, but somehow the overall concoction didn't quite sit as well with me as I'd hoped. Still, I expect moments to stick in my craw for the rest of the week.

[megladon8]

I got a used copy of this. Arrived in the mail today.

Hope to watch it tonight!

[megladon8]

So are the rumors true that, originally, this film had absolutely nothing to do with Bad Lieutenant, and that was simply thrown into the title to try to make it more recognizable and therefore more marketable?

[number8]

No. They bought the rights and then hired Finkelstein to write it.

[megladon8]

Yeah, that was pretty awesome.

Why was Cage not (at least) nominated for an Oscar? Easily the best performance I've seen so far from 2009.

Beautifully styled. The way both Cage and the film itself slowly deteriorate into this pathetic, drug-addled fantasy was very well done. Cage's voice changing over time was impressive stuff, as was his believable physical performance.

Very good.

[megladon8]

Break-dancing soul = brilliance.

[megladon8]

God, I love this movie. Jen didn't dig it at all, though.

I find the comparison to American Psycho pretty solid.

[transmogrifier]

A mess, moderately entertaining at times, but a desperate, huckster-type of entertainment born of a loose arrangement of self-conciously "look and listen to the shit we're doing now!" variety.

At heart it's a typical police actioner that thinks that it is better than that by being knowing in its scuzziness, but it totally fails to achieve any type of emotional or narrative weight. It is dead on the inside, but enjoys the shit-kicking all the same.

I'm now prepared to state Werner Herzog = most overrated director of all time. At least until another Spielberg movie turns up :)

[Sven]

Have you seen much of his earlier stuff, trans? I'd hate for you to think he was overrated if you haven't seen much of his bona fide stuff. You talk as though Bad Lieutenant was unanimously hailed.

[dmk]

Yeah, but seriously, it took me like eight films to realise Herzog was the goods, and then five films later to get really addicted. And now 24 films later, and you’ve got me saying things like “Herzog, the greatest of all men” and “I need my Herzog fix”. I can’t get enough, there isn’t much that’s as satisfying on an instinctual level. I want to watch one now, but I'll control myself and watch Mandingo or Big Fan or something.

I didn't do it this way, and I'm sure no one else did either, but if I did it all again, I'd watch Herzog's docos before I went onto the fiction. That would have made the process all the more quicker.

[megladon8]

I for one thought this was one of the best movies of the year.

[Bosco B Thug]

A mess, moderately entertaining at times, but a desperate, huckster-type of entertainment born of a loose arrangement of self-conciously "look and listen to the shit we're doing now!" variety.

At heart it's a typical police actioner that thinks that it is better than that by being knowing in its scuzziness, but it totally fails to achieve any type of emotional or narrative weight. It is dead on the inside, but enjoys the shit-kicking all the same. I agree with a lot of this. I thought it was more rewarding than you did - it wasn't much of a police actioner - but yes, the rhetorical points I got from it were more achieved through Herzog's general rhetorical pointedness than to the strained, "huckster"-ish irony or any genuine visual inspiration.

[transmogrifier]

Have you seen much of his earlier stuff, trans? I'd hate for you to think he was overrated if you haven't seen much of his bona fide stuff. You talk as though Bad Lieutenant was unanimously hailed.

I haven't seen that much.

Fitzcarraldo
The Wild Blue Yonder
Rescue Dawn
The Bad Lieutenant
Grizzly Man

But I've seen many a person wax lyrical over each of these movies, and I just can't see it. His direction in all those movies seems so clunky.

[transmogrifier]

Yeah, but seriously, it took me like eight films to realise Herzog was the goods, and then five films later to get really addicted. And now 24 films later, and you’ve got me saying things like “Herzog, the greatest of all men” and “I need my Herzog fix”. I can’t get enough, there isn’t much that’s as satisfying on an instinctual level. I want to watch one now, but I'll control myself and watch Mandingo or Big Fan or something.

I didn't do it this way, and I'm sure no one else did either, but if I did it all again, I'd watch Herzog's docos before I went onto the fiction. That would have made the process all the more quicker.

I despised The Wild Blue Yonder, so I'm not sure that will help me.

[megladon8]

trans, maybe check out his version of Nosferatu?

It's quite beautifully directed.

[Grouchy]

His direction in all those movies seems so clunky.
Hah, that just about proves that you couldn't tell good direction if it bit you on the ear.

[Boner M]

I haven't seen that much.

Fitzcarraldo
The Wild Blue Yonder
Rescue Dawn
The Bad Lieutenant
Grizzly Man

I'm now prepared to state Werner Herzog = most overrated director of all time.
It's probably worth exploring more beyond the last 5 years of his prolific, close-to-50-year career before you play match-cut's court jester in this case.

[transmogrifier]

Hah, that just about proves that you couldn't tell good direction if it bit you on the ear.

Good to know.

[transmogrifier]

It's probably worth exploring more beyond the last 5 years of his prolific, close-to-50-year career before you play match-cut's court jester in this case.

So, he's much better than his last five years suggest?

[transmogrifier]

trans, maybe check out his version of Nosferatu?

It's quite beautifully directed.

I've tried to work up the enthusiasm to watch that, but....haven't quite got there yet.

[Milky Joe]

I'm not sure someone who feels the need to rank the films of James Cameron in his signature needs to bother with Herzog (especially when that list doesn't include The Abyss!). Your avatar is perfectly suited to you, btw.

[MacGuffin]

Ouch. People sure do love their Herzog around here.

[Grouchy]

I've tried to work up the enthusiasm to watch that, but....haven't quite got there yet.
That enthusiasm sure is hard to work up.

I recommend some cinematic Viagra.

[transmogrifier]

Wow, that enthusiasm sure is hard to work up.

I recommend some cinematic Viagra.

Good to know.

[transmogrifier]

I'm not sure someone who feels the need to rank the films of James Cameron in his signature needs to bother with Herzog (especially when that list doesn't include The Abyss!). Your avatar is perfectly suited to you, btw.


http://zef.me/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/funny-cat.jpg

[megladon8]

Ouch. People sure do love their Herzog around here.


You're not a fan?

[MacGuffin]

You're not a fan?

I couldn't say at this time.

[soitgoes...]

To be fair, if I had seen 5 films from a director and saw nothing compelling in any of them, why would I continue to seek out more of his work? People have differing opinions on what makes film great, that's what is so great about the history of film. There's many other avenues to explore without ever any fear of exhausting them all. There's no need to attack someone because their opinions don't jive with yours or the majority.

[Winston*]

If he's seen Fitzcarraldo and still thinks it's Herzog's no good, I don't think his minds going to be changed with much. Maybe with one of the Bruno S. movies.

[transmogrifier]

I have Even Dwarfs Started Small and Stroszek available to view, and plan to do so.....eventually

[Rowland]

trans, maybe check out his version of Nosferatu?

It's quite beautifully directed.I actually disagree. I've only seen about half a dozen Herzogs, but of those, it probably ranks with Rescue Dawn as my least favorite. It was still solid, but Murnau's Nosferatu is far better directed to my eyes. I don't imagine trans caring for it all that much. If anything, Rescue Dawn and Bad Lieutenant are more polished in the directorial sense trans seems to be referring to.

[transmogrifier]

I actually disagree. I've only seen about half a dozen Herzogs, but of those, it probably ranks with Rescue Dawn as my least favorite. It was still solid, but Murnau's Nosferatu is far better directed to my eyes. I don't imagine trans caring for it all that much. If anything, Rescue Dawn and Bad Lieutenant are more polished in the directorial sense trans seems to be referring to.

I don't judge directors on how much their films look like Fincher or Park Chan-Wook (much :)). I don't care if a film LOOKS grainy, or if its hand-held, or if it could be TV - when I said Herzog's direction seems clunky (was that the word I used? I think so...), I meant that there doesn't seem to be much of a flow between the individual shots or scenes, and certainly no accumulation of emotion or atmosphere. There are the odd scenes that certainly stand out (in BLPOCNO, when he finds the fish in the glass, I thought the film was going to take off), but I find his films, as a whole, less than the sum of its parts. It's loose and obviously passionately felt behind the camera, but it is shapeless as a viewing experience.

[Winston*]

I have Even Dwarfs Started Small and Stroszek available to view, and plan to do so.....eventually

Pretty sure you will hate Even Dwarfs Started Small (it's very hateable).

[Boner M]

To be fair, if I had seen 5 films from a director and saw nothing compelling in any of them, why would I continue to seek out more of his work? People have differing opinions on what makes film great, that's what is so great about the history of film. There's many other avenues to explore without ever any fear of exhausting them all. There's no need to attack someone because their opinions don't jive with yours or the majority.
I'm fine with trans not seeking out more of his work based on his negative impressions, it's just him jumping at the chance to call Herzog the most overrated director of all time based on 5 films of (only 2 of which are counted among his best) that reeks of contrarianism.

Still luv ya trans :pritch: But at least check out Lessons of Darkness, Aguirre, Stroszek and Kaspar Hausar for yourself before ya wreck yourself.

[transmogrifier]

I'm all contrarian. Just wait till the next Kubrick thread pops up!

Though, to be fair, if my first five Altman films (best director of all time, bee-yatches) had been:

Pret a Porter
Dr. T and the Women
Beyond Therapy
..........

Oh, I can't think of two more bad ones. Anyway, if they had been my first three, I could have been tricked into thinking he was a bad director too. Only difference is, NO-ONE* likes those Altman movies, whereas there are still passionate defenders of all five of the Herzog's I have seen.

So in other words, Herzog is still a candidate for most overrated director of all time, but I'll hold fire for now. Just for boner.

* may not be literally no-one

[Rowland]

in BLPOCNO, when he finds the fish in the glass, I thought the film was going to take offThis reminds me of how much Mark Isham's score adds to the film. Most of the main cues are mashed together here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15yo_9aj448).

[monolith94]

I'm all contrarian. Just wait till the next Kubrick thread pops up!

Though, to be fair, if my first five Altman films (best director of all time, bee-yatches) had been:

Pret a Porter
Dr. T and the Women
Beyond Therapy
..........

Oh, I can't think of two more bad ones. Anyway, if they had been my first three, I could have been tricked into thinking he was a bad director too. Only difference is, NO-ONE* likes those Altman movies, whereas there are still passionate defenders of all five of the Herzog's I have seen.

So in other words, Herzog is still a candidate for most overrated director of all time, but I'll hold fire for now. Just for boner.

* may not be literally no-one
The Company? Gosford Park? I couldn't even watch more than ten minutes of The Company it was so bad.

[number8]

To this day, I still don't believe that Altman directed Dr. T and the Women.

[Sven]

To this day, I still don't believe that Altman directed Dr. T and the Women.

I don't get it. Fantastic film. Very, very Altman.

[number8]

I don't get it. Fantastic film. Very, very Altman.

No. NO. Back in the shed, you.

[MacGuffin]

No. NO. Back in the shed, you.

I haven't seen Dr. T and the Women, but I'm curious as to what you guys think of Richard Gere. Good actor who made a poor career decision in choosing to act alongside Julia Roberts?

[kopello]

The Wild Blue Yonder


I haven't seen this myself but I think this is considered one of his worst. Just looking at the Netflix page it's filled with one star reviews. Not that this is going to change your mind or anything but I thought I'd point it out.

[Grouchy]

I haven't seen Dr. T and the Women, but I'm curious as to what you guys think of Richard Gere. Good actor who made a poor career decision in choosing to act alongside Julia Roberts?
Lame actor with undeserved icon status.

And a few good movies.

[MacGuffin]

Lame actor with undeserved icon status.

And a few good movies.

Maybe so, but I thought he was pretty good in I'm Not There, but of course, it's often difficult to tell when you have a talented director like Todd Haynes working with suspicious actors like Gere. Another film that works similarly (and the same could probably be said of his whole career) is De Palma's Femme Fatale. De Palma and Abel Ferrara always seems to do just fine with otherwise questionable actors. I guess you could say the same thing about Altman considering some of the people he's directed.

[Grouchy]

It's film. Anyone can act provided he has presence, good direction and the character that best exploits him/her.

[MacGuffin]

It's film. Anyone can act provided he has presence, good direction and the character that best exploits him/her.

Yeah, I was just making note. Not all movies feature questionable actors under the guidance of a talented director. ;)

[megladon8]

It's film. Anyone can act provided he has presence, good direction and the character that best exploits him/her.


I don't think this is true. There is a lot to acting, and it's as much an art as any other element of the filmmaking process.

[MacGuffin]

I don't think this is true. There is a lot to acting, and it's as much an art as any other element of the filmmaking process.

To Grouchy's fairness, I think he was more or less referring to great films being able to work with B-grade film performances because the director is flexibly capable of filming in such a way. I don't think he meant to criticize acting as a whole component.

[Grouchy]

No, of course I'm not trying to disregard acting or minimize the enormous influence they can have on a movie.

I'm just saying, in cinema the editing can build a performance for the screen that wouldn't support itself on the stage. For example, I find Charles Bronson incredibly powerful in Once Upon a Time in the West (and, to be fair, in most movies he's in), but I don't think that's because of his acting. He has great physical presence, sure, but he's not a very good actor.

[MacGuffin]

I almost want to say Vincent Price is the same way simply because he's so silly, but he has a fantastic onscreen presence and is really one of my favorite actors.

[Grouchy]

Hahah one of mine too, but good call - he really does ham it up.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7UHICy8Etfo/SqIdP3iLHTI/AAAAAAAAGJU/FJkARQyUQ3I/s400/Vincent+Price.jpg

[DavidSeven]

Hilarious and full of truth, I thought. Wacked out as it is, the portrayal of drug abuse here felt more honest than the traditionally overdone trippiness and despair we're used to. I think I still prefer Ferrara's version on purely cinematic terms, but this gave me the type of humor that I always respond to. Gotta love Cage shaving for no reason.

You have to wonder if Herzog signed onto this unsellable remake just to frame Cage while he's doing his batshit act with no restraints. Sounds like a good time to me.

[Morris Schæffer]

Lame actor with undeserved icon status.

And a few good movies.

He was very nearly John McClane!

edit: Richard Gere

[Raiders]

You have to wonder if Herzog signed onto this unsellable remake just to frame Cage while he's doing his batshit act with no restraints. Sounds like a good time to me.

Yeah, that sounds about right. I never wrote anything on this film and it's likely because I didn't take that much away from it. As you mention, I think if using the comparison to Ferrara's (unconnected and different) film, there Ferrara creates a much greater sense of place and community and as a stylized piece of cinema, I definitely prefer it. Herzog's film kind of drifted for me and despite what I assume was Herzog's intention to really sketch the city and community of New Orleans around the port of call, I think the film became eventually simply purely a character study of Cage. It is very successful in that area though. I found it particularly resonant when considered alongside Herzog's nature documentaries and the way he stares and frames the landscapes coupled with his florid and abstract narrations, and here the way he studies and just stares at Cage and lets the actor really just run with the material as far as he can go, allowing the camera's unflinching gaze be its own commentary.

I very much want to watch it again because despite the expectations, I wasn't quite prepared for the direction the film took and perhaps a second viewing could unlock it all a bit more.

[Spun Lepton]

It's film. Anyone can act provided he has presence, good direction and the character that best exploits him/her.

This is so wrong, you have no idea.

[Yxklyx]

This is so wrong, you have no idea.

Nope - I'll back Grouchy.

[Spun Lepton]

Nope - I'll back Grouchy.

And you'd be wrong, too. :P

There are numerous people in the world unable to act even the slightest. Period. No director will change that.

[Grouchy]

And you'd be wrong, too. :P

There are numerous people in the world unable to act even the slightest. Period. No director will change that.
Well, ok. "Almost anyone can act". Good enough?

[Spun Lepton]

Well, ok. "Almost anyone can act". Good enough?

:D:pritch:

[megladon8]

I'm on Spun's side.

The idea that "anyone" (or even "almost anyone") can act is ludicrous.

[Henry Gale]

Finally got around to watching this, and it more than delivered on the ridiculousness I had slowly started to expect from it as time went on and nothing but praise for Cage and what the film does with him seemed to build up.

Having gone on an unintentional mini-marathon of his more recent stuff (Drive Angry, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Knowing) I'd been losing hope that Cage still had the sort of drive or ability in him to craft the sort of capably offbeat performances that made him awesome in so many movies before the last few years. He clearly still had the energy to take on a ton of roles, whether they were as over-the-top as bear costumes and bees or more subdued with supernatural visions of impending apocalypses, and movies about arms dealers and warlocks somewhere in between. But here, it's everything I could ever want to see him do to justify his position as one of the most utilized actors in the industry today, despite the fact that it's a movie that sadly only ended up being seen by a fraction of the people that paid for some of his bigger, less worthwhile work of recent. It's some of his best and most unpredictable work, with a controlled range of lunacy, sometimes shown entirely within single scenes.

Herzog's movie here is a perfect blending of what makes so many modern cop plotlines boring, and almost using that to lower the expectations early to take scenes seemingly rote elements, and then using that to blind-side you with hilarious insanity from the point of view of a main character whose narration may be more questionable than I feel many may even consider.

I'm not sure if I just missed these sort of discussions for the film, since it's been a while since it came out and now don't see too much of it in this thread, but is it too out there to think the structure and resolution of the story leaves enough evidence to suggest that everything we see after a certain point is some sort of fever dream or final coma-like resolution of life for Terrence? The way we get so few details about what exactly went on after the opening scene, how the immediate continuation of that is the beginning of his spiral downwards into more and more drugs and trouble, with at a certain point, all roads leading side by side to resolve themselves perfectly. Only to then have him rejoin Chavez, the man he saved in the water, leaving the film having them sit in relative silence in the middle of a huge tank of water once more, pondering whether or not fish have dreams. Or would that be too far, even for a script like this?

I also thought it was really interesting and funny that in the one special feature I watched, Cage and Herzog separately talk about how much of the movie came from them instead of the original script. Something like Cage's whole "You're what's wrong with this country" rant was written and improvised on the day of filming, and all of the dancing, iguanas, some of the third act resolutions and even the beginning and end were revisions and additions by Herzog that the screenwriter was completely fine with.

I really think that this is a movie that deserves more attention, and hopefully over time it gets it. It's one of the more original takes on the cop genre, and its sub-genre of "cops on drugs", I can think of from recent years, even if a lot of the goods come later on in just how unexpectedly it decides to surprise within its (mostly) intentional mess of ideas. It sets out a lot for itself, and where the performances, storylines, visual gags all collide, it finds some incredible, and sometimes amazingly funny results.

[Mysterious Dude]

I feel like I should hate it, but I love the scene where he threatens those two old women. It's hilarious.

[MadMan]

I feel like I should hate it, but I love the scene where he threatens those two old women. It's hilarious.Since its Cage going batshit crazy, it comes off as hilarious, if only also because he completely sells the scene and doesn't try to be ironical or not sincere. And yes, I laughed at that part, too. Its absurd comedy at its finest.

[Yxklyx]

In case someone hasn't seen:

Nicolas Cage Losing His Shit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP1-oquwoL8)