You Don't Have A Lucky Crack Pipe?
May 27, 2009 12:41 PM Subscribe
Is it just me, or has Herzog been shooting on some kind of godawful b grade stock recently? everything I've seen of his since Invincible has looked simultaneously very clean but totally lifeless compared to his classics. I'm tempted to ask is he's shooting on video these days.
posted by shmegegge at 12:59 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by shmegegge at 12:59 PM on May 27, 2009
The love letter from Roger Ebert on the Herzog site is beautiful. Herzog may be the greatest director ever. Everyone else compromises, but Herzog - wait a minute, he has Nicolas Cage in his next movie? He sold out for the highest price. Exactly like a prostitute. There is no difference.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:07 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:07 PM on May 27, 2009
Herzong on Ferrara: I don't feel like doing an homage to Abel Ferrara because I don't know what he did — I've never seen a film by him. I have no idea who he is. Is he Italian? Is he French? Who is he?
Man, as much as I like Herzog, fuck him. Hollywood loves remakes, Herzog has bills to pay, he's gotta eat, doesn't mean he should be a dick while doing it.
posted by Science! at 1:10 PM on May 27, 2009
Man, as much as I like Herzog, fuck him. Hollywood loves remakes, Herzog has bills to pay, he's gotta eat, doesn't mean he should be a dick while doing it.
posted by Science! at 1:10 PM on May 27, 2009
Herzog has bills to pay
Really? Unless you're talking about his coke dealer's bills, once your name is broadly known in the film industry, you should be making enough money that this isn't a real excuse.
posted by fatbird at 1:12 PM on May 27, 2009
Really? Unless you're talking about his coke dealer's bills, once your name is broadly known in the film industry, you should be making enough money that this isn't a real excuse.
posted by fatbird at 1:12 PM on May 27, 2009
In the "remakes/doesn't remake" link, you will find precisely the sort of astute analysis of a film whose initial outing starred Harvey Keitel and whose new version will star Nicolas Cage that one might expect from the sort of film writer who can spell neither "Harvey Keitel" nor "Nicolas Cage."
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:18 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:18 PM on May 27, 2009
"We only hit women down south."
With one liners like these how can Herzog go wrong? Wait, he's Herzog and can do no wrong.
posted by Lokisbane at 1:18 PM on May 27, 2009
With one liners like these how can Herzog go wrong? Wait, he's Herzog and can do no wrong.
posted by Lokisbane at 1:18 PM on May 27, 2009
doesn't mean he should be a dick while doing it.
To be fair Ferrara did say, "I wish these people die in Hell. I hope they’re all in the same streetcar, and it blows up".
And, also...
once your name is broadly known in the film industry, you should be making enough money that this isn't a real excuse.
We are talking about the same Werner Herzog, yes? The guy who directed Even Dwarfs Started Small, Aguirre the Wrath of God, and Fitzcarraldo? Yeah, I don't think he really gives a shit about how much he brings in on opening weekend.
posted by lilnemo at 1:20 PM on May 27, 2009
To be fair Ferrara did say, "I wish these people die in Hell. I hope they’re all in the same streetcar, and it blows up".
And, also...
once your name is broadly known in the film industry, you should be making enough money that this isn't a real excuse.
We are talking about the same Werner Herzog, yes? The guy who directed Even Dwarfs Started Small, Aguirre the Wrath of God, and Fitzcarraldo? Yeah, I don't think he really gives a shit about how much he brings in on opening weekend.
posted by lilnemo at 1:20 PM on May 27, 2009
(since retitled: “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” because, well, just calling it “Bad Lieutenant” wasn’t long and simple enough, apparently)
I would like to point out that there is a bar in New Orleans called Port of Call where you can get a big, greasy cheeseburger and a drink called the Huma Huma, which is served in a fishbowl. That's all I have to add to this conversation.
posted by ColdChef at 1:25 PM on May 27, 2009
I would like to point out that there is a bar in New Orleans called Port of Call where you can get a big, greasy cheeseburger and a drink called the Huma Huma, which is served in a fishbowl. That's all I have to add to this conversation.
posted by ColdChef at 1:25 PM on May 27, 2009
ColdChef, I've been there. Best, most disgusting burger ever.
My favorite Herzog anecdote? Don't even know where to begin. Love that guy.
As for Ferrara, I had some friends who worked on "The Addiction," and word was, he asked the PA's on the set to tape his pants legs shut so the rats wouldn't crawl up and eat his penis.
posted by ghastlyfop at 1:57 PM on May 27, 2009
My favorite Herzog anecdote? Don't even know where to begin. Love that guy.
As for Ferrara, I had some friends who worked on "The Addiction," and word was, he asked the PA's on the set to tape his pants legs shut so the rats wouldn't crawl up and eat his penis.
posted by ghastlyfop at 1:57 PM on May 27, 2009
Coldchef - I've always wondered about that place, the name used to crack me up for some reason. Never went in, though.
posted by Benjamin Nushmutt at 2:01 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by Benjamin Nushmutt at 2:01 PM on May 27, 2009
It looks intriguing. Herzog's a good director, and we should be thankful that Nic Cage isn't pretending to be Indiana Jones/getting caught up in a STUPID conspiracy. If it's somewhere between Fear and Loathing in/Leaving Las Vegas I'll be happy.
posted by hnnrs at 2:29 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by hnnrs at 2:29 PM on May 27, 2009
Remakes / reconfigurations are nothing new in Hollywood or in movies.
The Maltese Falcon was done twice before John Huston made it a classic. His Girl Friday was a remake of Front Page...Oh the list goes on.
This is just Herzog's version of the film originally done by Ferrara. My guess is that Ferrara is mad because he hasn't had a hit [underground or otherwise] in a while.
BTW the orignal Bad Lieutenant is a terrific film.
posted by Rashomon at 2:36 PM on May 27, 2009
The Maltese Falcon was done twice before John Huston made it a classic. His Girl Friday was a remake of Front Page...Oh the list goes on.
This is just Herzog's version of the film originally done by Ferrara. My guess is that Ferrara is mad because he hasn't had a hit [underground or otherwise] in a while.
BTW the orignal Bad Lieutenant is a terrific film.
posted by Rashomon at 2:36 PM on May 27, 2009
I'm confident Herzog broke Nic Cage into a thousand little pieces and rebuilt him into something more profound.
posted by Donnie VandenBos at 2:37 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by Donnie VandenBos at 2:37 PM on May 27, 2009
I don't know where you've been these last few years Nic, But it's great to see back
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:47 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:47 PM on May 27, 2009
and word was, he asked the PA's on the set to tape his pants legs shut so the rats wouldn't crawl up and eat his penis.
To be fair, that sort of thing gets to be really aggravating the third or fourth time the rats get in.
posted by FatherDagon at 2:51 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
To be fair, that sort of thing gets to be really aggravating the third or fourth time the rats get in.
posted by FatherDagon at 2:51 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Nic Cage is a very good actor who just picks shitty roles for a dozen years or so because that's a good way to make money. Also he named his kid Kal El like superman's real name. Which is a terrible name but not really surprising considering he named himself Nic Cage.
posted by I Foody at 2:52 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by I Foody at 2:52 PM on May 27, 2009
Wow, Herzog, just, wow. What the?
And to the comment about Herzog being "broadly known in the industry" so he has "no problem paying bills" .. uh.. yeah, he's broadly known, but not in that Tim Whore Burton way. Lulz.
And shmegegge, "I'm tempted to ask is he's shooting on video these days.", fucking gold!
posted by cavalier at 3:25 PM on May 27, 2009
And to the comment about Herzog being "broadly known in the industry" so he has "no problem paying bills" .. uh.. yeah, he's broadly known, but not in that Tim Whore Burton way. Lulz.
And shmegegge, "I'm tempted to ask is he's shooting on video these days.", fucking gold!
posted by cavalier at 3:25 PM on May 27, 2009
If it's not a remake, then why did Nic Cage masturbate onto the side of my car? Well, it is true that I'm a 45-year-old man instead of a couple of teenage girls, and come to think of it, there were no movie cameras around, just Nic Cage asking me to make a blowjob face. Hmmm.
posted by Halloween Jack at 3:44 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 3:44 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
This entire enterprise is so inherently pointless, but simultaneously so brilliant, I wish The Bad Lieutenant could be remade every year with ever more unlikely director/actor combos. Off the top of my head I offer... John Landis/William Shatner.
posted by specialbrew at 3:54 PM on May 27, 2009 [8 favorites]
posted by specialbrew at 3:54 PM on May 27, 2009 [8 favorites]
Michael Haneke/Donny Most
posted by zerobyproxy at 4:17 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by zerobyproxy at 4:17 PM on May 27, 2009
Herzog is not the only director to go from Indie to Hollywood, but he's probably made the move in a more extreme manner (at both ends) than any other. Others go back and forth, which seems to make sense from artistic and monetary perspectives.
But Herzog? He's got the money and the genius to make another bizarre movie or two, doesn't he? Don't leave us now, Little Werner!
posted by kozad at 4:21 PM on May 27, 2009
But Herzog? He's got the money and the genius to make another bizarre movie or two, doesn't he? Don't leave us now, Little Werner!
posted by kozad at 4:21 PM on May 27, 2009
That ended with zerobyproxy's comment for a reason. There is no way to top zerobyproxy's combo. None.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:23 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by mr_roboto at 4:23 PM on May 27, 2009
And shmegegge, "I'm tempted to ask is he's shooting on video these days.", fucking gold!
Why, exactly? It has that kind of HD too-bright-but-too-flat stench to my eye too.
posted by drjimmy11 at 4:24 PM on May 27, 2009
Why, exactly? It has that kind of HD too-bright-but-too-flat stench to my eye too.
posted by drjimmy11 at 4:24 PM on May 27, 2009
David Lynch/Rue McClanahan.
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:33 PM on May 27, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:33 PM on May 27, 2009 [5 favorites]
He sold out for the highest price. Exactly like a prostitute. There is no difference.
I was at an event in San Francisco a few years back, for a screening of Wild Blue Yonder followed by a Q&A with Herzog. Someone asked him about the atrocity that was Incident at Loch Ness, and he responded very flatly (does he ever respond any other way?) that he had bills to pay. As has been pointed out above, his movies are not money-makers, and so his name and rep alone are not enough to guarantee him money.
I'm not saying that to excuse this film, though. This has a chance to be one of the biggest cinematic trainwrecks in recent memory. I'm simultaneously excited and horrified.
posted by ORthey at 4:44 PM on May 27, 2009
I was at an event in San Francisco a few years back, for a screening of Wild Blue Yonder followed by a Q&A with Herzog. Someone asked him about the atrocity that was Incident at Loch Ness, and he responded very flatly (does he ever respond any other way?) that he had bills to pay. As has been pointed out above, his movies are not money-makers, and so his name and rep alone are not enough to guarantee him money.
I'm not saying that to excuse this film, though. This has a chance to be one of the biggest cinematic trainwrecks in recent memory. I'm simultaneously excited and horrified.
posted by ORthey at 4:44 PM on May 27, 2009
Incident at Loch Ness is no masterpiece but to be fair it was directed by Zak Penn and any inherent problems with the movie should be blamed on him. I thought Herzog's portrayal of a caricature of himself showed that he has a sense of humor about himself. It's fun for what it is.
posted by Lokisbane at 5:10 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by Lokisbane at 5:10 PM on May 27, 2009
Penny Marshall/Paul Reubens
posted by Meatbomb at 5:29 PM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Meatbomb at 5:29 PM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
ORthey I was at that same screening! When I saw this trailer and confirmed that it really was Herzog doing it, I wondered if he'd incurred debts from his most recent projects or if he's going to finance his next film using the pay from this one.
posted by ooga_booga at 6:07 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by ooga_booga at 6:07 PM on May 27, 2009
Judd Apatow/Christopher Charles Mintz-Plasse
posted by thehuskybride at 6:12 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by thehuskybride at 6:12 PM on May 27, 2009
I absolutely hated the original. I mean c'mon. It opens with the rape of a nun. Subtle.
Though at a party I did watch it in fast-forward with Yakkity Sax playing in the back ground. It was transcendent.
posted by tkchrist at 7:13 PM on May 27, 2009
Though at a party I did watch it in fast-forward with Yakkity Sax playing in the back ground. It was transcendent.
posted by tkchrist at 7:13 PM on May 27, 2009
And good for Herzog. Fuck it. I hope it makes a trillion dollars so He can reanimate and clone Kinski's corpse and do a 3d sequel of Fitzcarraldo in space.
posted by tkchrist at 7:17 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by tkchrist at 7:17 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Not ever Warner Herzog could get me into a Nickolas Cage movie. Well maybe if he was eaten by a bear. For real.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:36 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:36 PM on May 27, 2009
Would you settle for Nicholas Cage being attacked by bees?
Also, what's wrong with Incident at Loch Ness? I thought it was hilarious.
posted by clockworkjoe at 8:20 PM on May 27, 2009
Also, what's wrong with Incident at Loch Ness? I thought it was hilarious.
posted by clockworkjoe at 8:20 PM on May 27, 2009
Harmony Korine/Stacey Keach
posted by gcbv at 8:55 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by gcbv at 8:55 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Eva Mendes as Cage's love interest? Alright then. I guess it's a little more believable than Jessica Biel.
posted by cj_ at 9:22 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by cj_ at 9:22 PM on May 27, 2009
Wow, Cage looks awful in that trailer. But the whole trailer looks awful.
I've loved Werner Herzog movies since accidentally seeing Fitzcarraldo as a teenager, whilst thinking that his macho heroic shtick, which he's used to the benefit of his persona before, is a little regrettable. But this shit looks truly regrettable. The notion of man v. nature is a continuing Herzog theme, so a movie to do with New Orleans post-Katrina makes some sense. And misguided heroism is another standard Herzog theme. But this? This can't be the best he can do. And yeah, I realize that he needs money.
posted by goofyfoot at 9:51 PM on May 27, 2009
I've loved Werner Herzog movies since accidentally seeing Fitzcarraldo as a teenager, whilst thinking that his macho heroic shtick, which he's used to the benefit of his persona before, is a little regrettable. But this shit looks truly regrettable. The notion of man v. nature is a continuing Herzog theme, so a movie to do with New Orleans post-Katrina makes some sense. And misguided heroism is another standard Herzog theme. But this? This can't be the best he can do. And yeah, I realize that he needs money.
posted by goofyfoot at 9:51 PM on May 27, 2009
We're forgetting, I think, that Herzog just re-made his old movie Little Dieter Needs to Fly into Rescue Dawn, a massive semi-Christian-Bale-star-vehicle. That was, arguably, 'selling out,' depending on your politics and whether or not you could possibly delude yourself into believing Herzog gives a shit about your politics. This? This is clearly utter insanity. But he's always been up front about being crazy; at least he's not being boring.
posted by Football Bat at 10:15 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by Football Bat at 10:15 PM on May 27, 2009
Was "Rescue Dawn" even selling out? Dieter Dengler's story mirrored Herzog's in so many ways - WW2 German children, who left home and engaged with the world and nature in ways they couldn't have imagined. I read the New Yorker piece about the funding for the fictionalization of "Rescue Dawn," too, and gathered the money aspect of it was a first for Herzog. But the subject matter was his (okay, it was Dengler's, but also his). And certainly the subject matter here is at least a somewhat his, as I said above. But then why this appropriation of the title? And why the hell would Herzog, who, as far as I can remember, has never shown much interest in the female of the species, put out a trailer with emphasis on a female ass, and pretty young women? It doesn't compute.
And yeah, of course Herzog can do whatever he wants. My notions of what kind of filmmaker he is are as malleable as the kind of filmmaker he is. It's just curious. And judging by the trailer, kinda awful.
posted by goofyfoot at 10:56 PM on May 27, 2009
And yeah, of course Herzog can do whatever he wants. My notions of what kind of filmmaker he is are as malleable as the kind of filmmaker he is. It's just curious. And judging by the trailer, kinda awful.
posted by goofyfoot at 10:56 PM on May 27, 2009
Sorry, I should have indicated that of course that it's not the director who decides on the trailer.
posted by goofyfoot at 11:02 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by goofyfoot at 11:02 PM on May 27, 2009
Rescue Dawn was a fucking awesome 'action' movie that should be the rule book for how all 'action' movies should be made for adults. I put action in quotes because it's not exactly Transformers but I don't know what other word to use for its genre - 'suspense'?
posted by spicynuts at 6:45 AM on May 28, 2009
posted by spicynuts at 6:45 AM on May 28, 2009
I am completely baffled by the existence of this film. A remake of a cult movie from 1992 that is now largely forgotten, starring the leads of Ghost Rider? The whole point of making a sellout movie is supposed to be selling tickets, yes?
posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:02 AM on May 28, 2009
posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:02 AM on May 28, 2009
And shmegegge, "I'm tempted to ask is he's shooting on video these days.", fucking gold!
Why, exactly? It has that kind of HD too-bright-but-too-flat stench to my eye too.
posted by drjimmy11 at 7:24 PM on May 27
yeah, I managed to find out (I think from herzog's official site) that Invincible, which looks the same way, was shot on 35 mm. color me surprised. It's further evidence to me that I need to learn more about shooting film so I can better understand why that looks so terrible.
posted by shmegegge at 9:12 AM on May 28, 2009
Why, exactly? It has that kind of HD too-bright-but-too-flat stench to my eye too.
posted by drjimmy11 at 7:24 PM on May 27
yeah, I managed to find out (I think from herzog's official site) that Invincible, which looks the same way, was shot on 35 mm. color me surprised. It's further evidence to me that I need to learn more about shooting film so I can better understand why that looks so terrible.
posted by shmegegge at 9:12 AM on May 28, 2009
oh also, the best herzog moment of all time: The harmony of overwhelming and collective murder.
It's so good cLOUDDEAD sampled it on their album Ten.
posted by shmegegge at 9:15 AM on May 28, 2009
It's so good cLOUDDEAD sampled it on their album Ten.
posted by shmegegge at 9:15 AM on May 28, 2009
Julie Taymor / Warwick Davis
posted by FatherDagon at 9:29 AM on May 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by FatherDagon at 9:29 AM on May 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, goodness me -- jimmy and shmegegge, I interpreted a zinger that apparently wasn't there. I took "ask if [sic] he's shooting on video these days" as an attempt to send him into the classic die-hard filmmaker rage that I'm certain Herzog would get into which is the purity of film and originating on film and how dare you say I use video I'll cut you with my bare hands. Not that he's totally against video (found footage, like the bear flic, etc), but I thought it was one of those film elitist jabs..
I'll go back to my cave filled with Super 16 and Steinbeck tables.
posted by cavalier at 11:50 AM on May 28, 2009
I'll go back to my cave filled with Super 16 and Steinbeck tables.
posted by cavalier at 11:50 AM on May 28, 2009
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posted by spicynuts at 12:56 PM on May 27, 2009