2008 July 04 « Entertainment Today and Beyond

Remake of The Bad Lieutenant

The Bad Lieutenant

According to the trade Variety, Val Kilmer (The Doors) has joined the cast of director, Werner Herzog’s (Rescue Dawn), remake of the 1992 crime drama BAD LIEUTENANT. To me this is a real interesting project. Nicolas Cage is already aboard in the role of the immoral cop, reprising the very memorable performance of Harvey Keitel in the original. For those who remember the 1992 version, it was released NC-17 and deservedly so. Keitel’s nameless cop was a true degenerate; involved with drugs, gambling and deviant sexual practices who ultimately redeems himself while investigating the rape of a nun. I’m curious as to why Herzog and Cage are attracted to this material only 16 years after Ferrara’s version. Cage has certainly done dark material before in films like Leaving Las Vegas and the underrated 8MM but this is even stronger in content and not very bankable stuff for mainstream audiences. Still I see it as one of the more interesting projects in the current pipeline and I’m sort of looking forward to it. Watch the Trailer

July 4, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | Reviews | Abel Ferrara, Harvey Keitel, Nicolas Cage, The Bad Lieutenant, Val Kilmer, Werner Herzog | Leave a Comment

Remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still 2008

Here’s a look at the trailer to Fox’s remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. Keanu Reeves stars in the film, playing the part of the mysterious man from another world who warns earth’s population to curb its destructive ways or else. Jennifer Connelly and Kathy Bates also make up the cast. The original was a simple but effective story that worked well in its place in history. What spin director Scott Derrickson (Exorcism of Emily Rose) will put on the material is any one’s guess but he certainly should has enough interesting stuff within today’s crazy climate to interject into this version. I just hope he keeps the premise as thought provoking as the original. Unlike many a remake which just use the original as a stepping point for something totally new, I think this one stands a good chance of maintaining the solid concept of its source material. Let’s hope for the best! Take a look and tell me what you think. Watch the Trailer.