Plot
Sometimes films let you in right from the start. Sometimes they require you to warm up to them. Sometimes, as is the case here, they simply refuse to let you into their world because they keep referring to characters, relationships, and past events that they won’t show or explain to you.
Characters
Nicolas Cage was his usual crazy self. I mostly took off a point because I wasn’t given a reason to care about any of the characters.
Visuals
What is the deal with the show-stopping closeups of reptiles?
Product Placement
Not enough of anything to mention here.
Rewatchability
This one was in my DVD stack for a long time. Usually I end up regretting putting movies off for so long when that happens, but this time I mostly just regret watching the film in the first place.
Do try to see the original with Harvey Keitel, if you haven’t already seen it. The mystery is why a terrific movie got remade as a bad, bad movie.
I haven’t seen it. So this is a remake after all? I was wondering.
It’s from 1992 and worth seeking out as it’s one of Keitel’s most extraordinary performances. The woman who wrote the story is here in a small part. Really, it’s a very good movie and remaking it is a joke.
Ah so it’s based on a book.
I don’t think so although Werner Herzog wrote something in 2009. It’s a 1992 movie and worth seeking out for Keitel’s ultimate and magical film noir performance. Totally gripping.
Oh I got confused. I get it now.
“What is the deal with the show-stopping closeups of reptiles?”
Is this your first Werner Herzog film? I wasn’t a big fan of this one either, but he has his own wavelength. Port of Call is probably a bad place to start with him. You can only access its world by understanding Herzog’s world.
Also, yeah the original with Harvey Keitel, directed by Abel Ferrera, is a far superior film. The primary reason that it was remade is that Werner Herzog saw fit to remake it. Why he bothered, I can’t tell you.
Haha I think it is my first. Actually I’m not sure. I don’t know much about directors…or movies in general haha
I agree, I thought you were in my reader but I guess not??? I’m confused.
I moved TIWAM to a self hosted site. I still use my WordPress.com account to read / like / comment on other blogs in the Reader, but not to post reviews.
I know i mentioned it on reddit but def check out the original some great lines in by Keitel. I think i remember reading that the studio insisted on calling the remake the Bad Lieutenant over the objections of Herzog.
original is streaming on netflix.
Ah so that was you. Unfortunately, I don’t have Netflix, but I may have access to it this weekend. Maybe I’ll check it out!
I think they offer up a 30 day free trial, I know Red Box has that deal going on now as well
My Internet is too bad. It’d take 30 days to stream a TV episode haha
ouch I couldn’t handle that, I switched to all streaming and ditched my cable.