Werner Herzog's sequel to an Abel Ferrara film starring Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes belongs to the genre of drug fueled fantasies like “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas:” the imagery is just laugh out loud. We've never seen Cage like this, at times channeling James Stewart, which, when you consider the plot of solving a multiple murder in the heroin/cocaine trafficking districts of post-Katrina New Orleans, is a hilarious thought. While the material, reminiscent too of James Lee Burke's detective novels featuring Dave Robicheux, can be dark and violent, it most often plays like a spoof with standout performances by Jennifer Coolidge (her character's medium of choice is beer) and Denzel Whitaker as a sharp teen who happens to be a witness sheltered by his grandmother, an aide to an elderly rich lady. A new Oscar category for iguanas and alligators may have to be created. Eva Mendes, a vulnerable call girl with a heart of, well, white powder is sexy and fine as Cage's love interest. An underused Val Kilmer plays the straight-laced sidekick. Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner, Fairuza Balk, and Shawn Hatosy round out a cast of criminals. How bad is this bad lieutenant? He gets off on following couples from a club called Gator's Retreat making out in a parking lot. Frisking them, he might get lucky and find candy in the girl's purse, and he just might get lucky with the girl. Redemption for this rogue seems beside the point. Nicolas Cage could not attend the New York premiere on Sunday night, as his father had just died, leaving the able, beautiful Eva Mendes to handle publicity on her own. Producer Ed Pressman introduced his co-producers Alan and Gabe Polsky who praised Mendes as the next Marilyn Monroe. The crowd, including Susan Sarandon, Sylvia Miles, James Toback, could see her wince at the extravagant, or perhaps tragic, comparison. The party moved on from the Visual Arts Theater to Avenue where Skyy vodka flowed, the substance of choice.

Regina Weinreich

Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura