Pretty sure a few are already familiar with this one. If not, it's basically about Nicholas Cage as a gambling, drug addicted, authority abusing police lieutenant in what may or may not be, could be but probably isn't a remake of Abel Ferrera's 1992 film of the same name. This one is directed by Werner Herzog, respectively.

Not going to get into comparisons between the two films as there's a very good chance they're unrelated, aside from similarities between the protagonists and the directors themselves (Ferrera and Herzog are both nuts!). I'll just talk about the film itself. At first glance, Bad Lieutenant feels like a pretty standard cop drama with a few idiosyncrasies scattered throughout. Upon closer observation, I think it's safe to say that this one's more self-aware them most. It wears its cliches on its sleeve and seems to have a subtle undercurrent of humor running through. None of it feels overly complex so I think one would be able to read it both ways.

But what really seems to make the film, for critics and fans alike, is Nicholas Cage. Both his character and his performance. The character is great because his "badness" is never justified, condemned or even explained, for that matter. You never know what he's about. He's just "bad." Get used to it. Enjoy the ride. That's not to say none of it matters. Cage's actions outside the law are indeed what keep things moving.

People have been raving about Cage's performance for some time now. Herzog said it was Cage's best performance ever. This being the same guy who threatened to kill actor Klaus Kinsky and subsequently himself on the set of Aguirre: Wrath of God. You sort of have to take his word for it. The guy knows crazy. So needless to say, I was looking forward to this. I've never been a Nicholas Cage fan and think he is one of the most overrated actors of all time.

So what did I think of him in this film? Well, I wasn't blown away. I have a feeling I'm just never going to get into the guy. However I was impressed. As a performance in and of itself, it was well above average and as a performance for Cage, he was considerably more lively and on his game than any other film I've seen him in. At the very least, he was fun to watch and he was definitely convincing as a drug addict. His behavior changed significantly based on what drugs he was taking (or not taking) at the time. I wouldn't say it's easy to make those transitions.

What I loved the most about the film was that while, for the most part, it was pretty grounded and straight-forward narratively, every once and a while, it would veer off into something completely wacky and unexpected. The iguana is already infamous. There's also an insane interrogation scene between Cage, a wheelchair bound senior and her nurse which is both shocking and hilarious at the same time. The coolest is what may be one of the greatest shootout scenes of all time toward the end of the film. It certainly was to me. Not because its action-packed but because it's completely bizarre, unexpected and hilarious. You can't help but go WTF.

Overall, not a bad flick. I'm not a big fan of cop dramas. I think they're boring. But if I had to pick one, it might be this one.

"Shoot him again."

"What for?"

"His soul is still dancing."

Yes, the soul dancing, I think, was the best part of the movie. Admittedly, I didn't go into it expecting much, and I got what I expected. Nic Cage was doing his best (worst?) acting since The Wicker Man but I'm glad you named my favorite part of the movie. Something about that just made me laugh. And, yes, I think it's related to Bad Lieutenant in name only. Although, Nic Cage does a few of the exact same things Harvey Keitel did in the original, so who knows?

Quoted from James McClung The iguana is already infamous.

In an interview Herzog said that this was a last minute decision he made on the day they were shooting.

Quoted from James McClung Pretty sure a few are already familiar with this one. If not, it's basically about Nicholas Cage as a gambling, drug addicted, authority abusing police lieutenant in what may or may not be, could be but probably isn't a remake of Abel Ferrera's 1992 film of the same name. This one is directed by Werner Herzog, respectively. Not going to get into comparisons between the two films as there's a very good chance they're unrelated, aside from similarities between the protagonists and the directors themselves (Ferrera and Herzog are both nuts!).

As far as I know it’s an "unofficial" remake without the blessing of Ferrara. In fact, he publically stated that he hoped everybody involved in the film died of [insert lethal affliction here] While Herzog, in typical fashion, repeatedly said in an interview when asked about the original that he didn't even know who Ferrara was, feigning complete ignorance to the 1992 film and its director. What a crazy basta?d.

Personally, this is probably my most anticipated film hitting cinemas at the moment. Looking forward to see Nic Cage give one of those wild performances of his that we know he's capable of - See Raising Arizona, Wild At heart, Leaving Las Vegas (in particular) and Adaptation. for proof. Unfortunately these occasional moments of brilliance are all too rare amongst the dross he frequently stars in. Fingers crossed.

Quoted from Colkurtz8 As far as I know it’s an "unofficial" remake without the blessing of Ferrara. In fact, he publically stated that he hoped everybody involved in the film died of [insert lethal affliction here] While Herzog, in typical fashion, repeatedly said in an interview when asked about the original that he didn't even know who Ferrara was, feigning complete ignorance to the 1992 film and its director. What a crazy basta?d.

I've read up on the history as well. In fact, Ferrera said he hoped everyone involved would be "on the same street car when it blows up." I suppose Herzog feigning ignorance is very much within his character. This is the same guy who threatened to kill actor Klaus Kinsky and subsequently himself on the set of Aguirre: Wrath of God. He's as crazy as Ferrera.

Still, apparently the title Bad Lieutenant was added later and in the behind-the-scenes, Herzog mentioned during shooting that he expected the title to be changed. Who knows? I just love the characters of these two guys. Real directors threaten to commit murder-suicide and wish death upon their contemporaries.

Quoted from Colkurtz8 Personally, this is probably my most anticipated film hitting cinemas at the moment. Looking forward to see Nic Cage give one of those wild performances of his that we know he's capable of - See Raising Arizona, Wild At heart, Leaving Las Vegas (in particular) and Adaptation. for proof. Unfortunately these occasional moments of brilliance are all too rare amongst the dross he frequently stars in. Fingers crossed.

I still have to see the first three. I saw Adaptation and thought it was great. But not because of Nicholas Cage. I've also seen Lord of War which is a favorite amongst Cage fans. Again, great. But not because of Cage. Here, he's much more of an asset but I still think it's strange that Cage always looks and acts like he's on tranquilizers and yet is hailed as a cinematic madman.

Coincidentally, I've seen some clips from Vampire's Kiss. Here, he does strike me as totally nuts. I'm still open to being convinced of his greatness but as of now, I just don't see it so much.

Quoted from James McClung I've read up on the history as well. In fact, Ferrera said he hoped everyone involved would be "on the same street car when it blows up." I suppose Herzog feigning ignorance is very much within his character. This is the same guy who threatened to kill actor Klaus Kinsky and subsequently himself on the set of Aguirre: Wrath of God. He's as crazy as Ferrera. Still, apparently the title Bad Lieutenant was added later and in the behind-the-scenes, Herzog mentioned during shooting that he expected the title to be changed. Who knows? I just love the characters of these two guys. Real directors threaten to commit murder-suicide and wish death upon their contemporaries.

Not to mention his "I'll eat my own shoe" statement in regards Errol Morris making the Pet Cemetery doc which led to Herzog's subsequent short film "Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe". A lunatic for sure but a glorious one.

Quoted from James McClung I still have to see the first three. I saw Adaptation and thought it was great. But not because of Nicholas Cage. I've also seen Lord of War which is a favorite amongst Cage fans. Again, great. But not because of Cage. Here, he's much more of an asset but I still think it's strange that Cage always looks and acts like he's on tranquilizers and yet is hailed as a cinematic madman. Coincidentally, I've seen some clips from Vampire's Kiss. Here, he does strike me as totally nuts. I'm still open to being convinced of his greatness but as of now, I just don't see it so much.

I was going to include "Vampire's Kiss" in the list but its been so long since I seen it I'm afraid what I once held as an effectively twisted, OTT performance may have waned over time, I'll need to watch it again. I do stand by the others though including Adaptation. fantastic film and, in my opinion, a remarkable double performance by him. Other honourable mentions I'd include in the "Good" category are Matchstick Men, Bringing Out The Dead, Red Rock West and his small roles in Rumble Fish and The Cotton Club.

Funnily enough, I fu?king despise Lord of War and everything about it including Cage, one of the most, phoney, confused, morally misguided films I've seen in recent memory which I was surprised since Niccol is responsible for Gattaca and The Truman Show.  

I may add too that overall I'm not a huge Cage fan since he lets himself down so often doing crap, you kinda lose patience. Like I said in my original post, there are a few gleaming diamonds amid his wide expanse of rough which make me think he's alright but For Leaving Las Vegas alone I'll always have huge respect for him no matter what. For me, its a case of when he's great, he's amazing but when he's Ghost Rider/Wicker Man/Captain Corelli's Mandolin bad...oh dear.

Oh, come on, Kurtz. You're telling me you don't just kick back and laugh at The Wicker Man from time to time? Don't lie. You know you do.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Oh, come on, Kurtz. You're telling me you don't just kick back and laugh at The Wicker Man from time to time? Don't lie. You know you do.

I don't know, man, the whole "so bad its funny" thing can wear thin pretty quickly, especially since I loved the original so much. With the recent travesty that was "Death At A Funeral" (another puke inducing remake) LaBute really needs to get his shit together and go back directing his own original scripts, in my humble...

Well, I can agree on that. But, yes, it has to be "So bad it's funny" otherwise, it just sucks and where's the fun in that?

I did a marathon like that before. It was the "'Bad or How I Learned to Kick Back and Enjoy '80s-ish Movies" set.

Commando.
Rocky IV.
Tango & Cash.
Sudden Death.
Virtuosity.
Cobra.

It was a good day. Lol. You ever try bad movie marathons?

P.S. It's not like watching those straight to SciFi movies, either. They're good to watch, but only one at a time.

He He, I hear ya, don't get me wrong, Blonde, I enjoy the occasional leave-your-brain-at-the-reception film as much as the next man. School of Rock proudly held its place at number 20 on my films of the decade me and mates drew up a few months back.

Watched Role Models recently and found it to be surprisingly decent within the realm of its genre. I can't deny getting a kick out of stuff like Cliffhanger, Black Rain, The Foot Fist Way, Dewey Cox, I consider Dumb and Dumber a classic in its own right hell I even cracked a smile watching Drillbit Taylor (when no one was looking) . The original Inglorious Basta?ds is hilarious for the very reasons you mentioned above too, we're all susceptible to those guilty pleasures now and again.

As for a marathon of this stuff? Its an ever constant temptation, I must check my schedule.

Cliffhanger was a movie which was better than it deserved to be. Written by Sly and directed by Renny Harlin, the director behind such classics as MindHunters, Nightmare on Elm St. 4 and Driven.

But, yes, if you have a few hours to waste, I'd recommend one of those sessions. =)

Just saw this last night.  Cage's performance is everything they said it was.  From his lopsided posture to the buckets of drugs and that weird, I don't know, jimmy Stewart sort of accent he does.  This is some piece of work.  Cage was perfect for this role, because he's always seemed on the edge himself.

That old lady interrogation...wow.  I'll remember that for awhile.  I love how he's shaving with the electric razor behind the door.  WTF?

On the ending, it was kind of strange.  How everything suddenly worked out perfectly for him.  Maybe too perfectly.  I went on IMDB and it looks like some people thought that maybe Cage od'd while watching that football game and doing that ultra-pure coke.  Myself, I'm really not sure.  Anyway, I thought Cage's insane performance carried this movie.

Decided to move this up my Netflix que and watched it last night.

Hmmm, not sure where to begin or even how to approach this.  This is a bizarre movie to say the least.  I mean bizarre in every way.

Warner Herzog - not real familiar with him other than by name but I did some searching and see he's a real nut.

The writer is a TV show writer and this is his first time on the big screen.

Nic Cage - Certified wackjob, who seems to have trouble choosing his projects wisely.

Eva Mendez - WTF is she doing in here?

Val Kilmer - WTF happened to him?  He looks absolutely terrible and has been showing up in DTV's like crazy lately...sad...very sad.

OK, so I had a bad feeling early on, as things looked really cheap and poorly set up.

I was very surprised to find out they spent $25 Million and had a 40+ day shoot.  It grossed $10.5 Million, and $8.8 Million of that was from overseas, so let's call this an abysmal flop for all involved, even though Nic definitely shows up and gives one of his wackiest performances ever.

While watching, I have to say I was entertained, but I also felt that EVERYTHING seemed ridiculous, far fetched, completely unrealistic, downright stupid at times.  Near the end, I commented to my girlfriend that I was actually wondering whether or not this was actually meant to be taken as a comedy.  In reading on IMDB, I think that's a good possibility, but it's a missfire, cause it walks the line between gritty cop drama and comedy, but doesn't really deliver on either side.

Just for watching Nic do his stuff, is worth the price of admission for me, but this is not a good movie, and once again, I'm left scratching my head, wondering why in the fuck people put up $25 Million for something like this, knowing damn well it would never have a chance of making that money back.

Great, great film from a great Director with two all time classic scenes.

Loved it.

W...T...F???????????