Fangs for the memories: Interview With The Vampire
New New Orleans Media
Post-lockdown, our fair city has been the location for an exciting new wave of entertainment. New Orleans is enjoying a prominent role on TV and in cinema, but portrayals differ - sometimes authentic, sometimes cringe-inducing, sometimes drenched in vampiric blood. Here’s a snapshot of locally-filmed media for your perusing pleasure.
Interview With The Vampire (TV)
Starring: Jacob Anderson, Bailey Bass, Sam Reid
What is it? Supremely melodramatic TV reworking of the camp classic Interview With The Vampire. Gloriously evocative sets of the French Quarter throughout history and S1 was a very fun and gory ride.
NOLA credentials: The source material is, of course, Ann Rice, and does it get much more NOLA than that? Here’s a woman who took on Al Copeland for Torres’ sake! The expensive-looking soundstage delivers a convincing facsimile of the Quarter and there are scenes at the real Beauregard-Keyes House (1113 Chartres St.)
Typical line: "So, Mr. du Lac, How Long Have You Been Dead?"
Rating: Riveting! Give that vampire the job!
Your Honor Season II (TV)
Starring: Brian Cranston, Lilli Kay, Hope Davis, Michael Stuhlbarg, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Beloved Character Actress Margot Martindale, Mark O’Brien
What is it? A second run out for Bryan Cranston’s increasingly troubled judge. It’s like Breaking Bad but he’s dealing unadulterted judicial corruption! He’s up against a wonderfully dramatic Michael Stuhlbarg as a local mafia boss and Andrene Ward-Hammond as Big Mo, a badass gang leader, sorry, legitimate local businesswoman. Chaotic and unbelievable, but compelling.
NOLA credentials: Scenes all over the city, with Big Mo and her cohorts practically living in Buffas.
Typical line: “I want to build a theater big enough to host Jazz Fest!”
Rating: Objections to the first season overruled! S2 is increasingly silly in the best way. Points deducted because Isiah Whitlock Jr does NOT say his catchphrase.
Causeway (Movie)
Starring: Bryan Tyree Henry, Jennifer Lawrence
What is it? Slow-moving character study of a veteran (Lawrence) coming home to deal with physical and mental illnesses. She befriends a charming, generous local (Henry), and…that’s about it. It’s kind of gentle, and low stakes, but the charisma between the leads carries it through and Bryan Tyree Henry is always a treat to watch.
NOLA credentials: All looks to be filmed on location around town. Jennifer Lawrence even gets on a bus!
Typical line: “I don’t want another sno-ball, I want to not f*cking drop sh*t.”
Rating: Like the actual Causeway, it’s kind of a long journey without much to look at.
The Premise (TV)
Starring: Ayo Edibiri, Lucas Hedges, Jon Bernthal, Eric Lange, Daniel Dae Kim, Lola Kirke, Bryan Batt, Jeff DeRouen
What is it? BJ Novak’s anthology of provocative social situations that address issues such as gun control and parasocial relationships on social media and butt plugs.
NOLA credentials: Filmed here but the city is really just a backdrop. You can occasionally spot locations but it’s not really featured too prominently.
Typical line: “I’ll tell you exactly what you can do with your butt plug. You can shove it up your ass.”
Rating: Up and down.
Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (Movie)
Starring: Jeon Jong-seo, Kate Hudson, Craig Robinson, Zac Efron
What is it? Fantasy thriller that’s kind of all over the place but with some amusing set pieces. It almost commits to being incredibly ridiculous and outrageous, but in the end it pulls what should have been the killer punch.
NOLA credentials: Some chases around town and extended scenes on the corner of Esplanade and Villere.
Typical line: “You like people and you don't know why? Maybe you don't really like them. Because people are not so easy to like.”
Rating: This Mona Lisa is not a masterpiece, but you might crack a wry smile.
Blue Bayou (Movie)
Starring: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Sydney Kowalske, Linh Dan Pham, Mark O’Brien
What is it? Immigration-themed drama as a Korean man tries to defend his family and his status in the country. It’s a very straightforward plot without much subtext and the production values dip occasionally, but it’s compelling overall.
NOLA credentials: Focus on the West Bank more than Bourbon Street, with some nice rural locations out of town, too.
Typical line: “I’m not leaving my family!”
Rating: Real life issues given a stark airing.
Where the Crawdads Sing (Movie)
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith
What is it? Semi-coherent murder mystery drama based on the 2018 novel of the same astonishing name. Small-town murder, naturism and, well, crawdads. DADS. Not fish. Dads.
NOLA credentials: Not much in the city, but lots in the New Orleans North Shore marshlands and the city of Houma.
Typical line: “People forget about the creatures who live in shells.”
Rating: No singing crawdads, or even jazz dads. Very disappointing.
Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets (Movie) (yes this came out pre-pandemic in 2020 AND is actually set in Vegas BUT it is filmed in bar in New Orleans and if this isn’t a cinematic version of a night out in New Orleans then I don’t know what is, go ahead and sue me)
Starring: Michael Martin, Cheryl Fink, Lowell Landes, Kamari Stevens, David S Lewis
What is it? Ross brothers-directed docu-drama about a group of patrons and staff, together to celebrate their last night at a soon to close dive bar. It’s boozy, woozy and the originality of the format (and especially the sound design) makes it something of a cinematic doozie. The late, great Michael Martin shines.
NOLA credentials: Filmed in three days in a bar in Terrytown, and again, this is as close to a real night out in New Orleans as cinema has ever gotten.
Typical line: “There is nothing more boring than a guy who used to do stuff, who doesn't do stuff no more because he's in a bar.”
Rating: Empty all of your pockets to rent or buy this film.
Welcome to the Rileys (Movie) (this came out in 2010 but I only just became aware of it and watched it, so let’s all just cool our jets)
Starring: Kristen Stewart, James Gandolfini, Melissa Leo, Tiffany Coty
What is it? Half drama, half caper of sorts as a businessman (Gandolfini) tries to escape grief and his wife (Leo) by staying in New Orleans after a conference and semi-adopting a chaotic sex worker (Stewart) in a paternal way. What? It could happen.
NOLA credentials: Lots of scenes in the Quarter as Gandolfini chases down Stewart through various clubs and bars.
Typical line: “All you want for your birthday is a spinach salad?! When you can have a trip to New Orleans?!”
Rating: Woke up this morning, got myself a new daughter.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE REPRESENTATION OF NEW ORLEANS IN MEDIA? DROP US A LINE AT [email protected] AND WE'LL RUN A SUPPLEMENTAL FEATURE NEXT WEEK. BAG OF SWAG FOR ONE RANDOM PERSON MAKING A SUGGESTION
Post-lockdown, our fair city has been the location for an exciting new wave of entertainment. New Orleans is enjoying a prominent role on TV and in cinema, but portrayals differ - sometimes authentic, sometimes cringe-inducing, sometimes drenched in vampiric blood. Here’s a snapshot of locally-filmed media for your perusing pleasure.
Interview With The Vampire (TV)
Starring: Jacob Anderson, Bailey Bass, Sam Reid
What is it? Supremely melodramatic TV reworking of the camp classic Interview With The Vampire. Gloriously evocative sets of the French Quarter throughout history and S1 was a very fun and gory ride.
NOLA credentials: The source material is, of course, Ann Rice, and does it get much more NOLA than that? Here’s a woman who took on Al Copeland for Torres’ sake! The expensive-looking soundstage delivers a convincing facsimile of the Quarter and there are scenes at the real Beauregard-Keyes House (1113 Chartres St.)
Typical line: "So, Mr. du Lac, How Long Have You Been Dead?"
Rating: Riveting! Give that vampire the job!
Your Honor Season II (TV)
Starring: Brian Cranston, Lilli Kay, Hope Davis, Michael Stuhlbarg, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Beloved Character Actress Margot Martindale, Mark O’Brien
What is it? A second run out for Bryan Cranston’s increasingly troubled judge. It’s like Breaking Bad but he’s dealing unadulterted judicial corruption! He’s up against a wonderfully dramatic Michael Stuhlbarg as a local mafia boss and Andrene Ward-Hammond as Big Mo, a badass gang leader, sorry, legitimate local businesswoman. Chaotic and unbelievable, but compelling.
NOLA credentials: Scenes all over the city, with Big Mo and her cohorts practically living in Buffas.
Typical line: “I want to build a theater big enough to host Jazz Fest!”
Rating: Objections to the first season overruled! S2 is increasingly silly in the best way. Points deducted because Isiah Whitlock Jr does NOT say his catchphrase.
Causeway (Movie)
Starring: Bryan Tyree Henry, Jennifer Lawrence
What is it? Slow-moving character study of a veteran (Lawrence) coming home to deal with physical and mental illnesses. She befriends a charming, generous local (Henry), and…that’s about it. It’s kind of gentle, and low stakes, but the charisma between the leads carries it through and Bryan Tyree Henry is always a treat to watch.
NOLA credentials: All looks to be filmed on location around town. Jennifer Lawrence even gets on a bus!
Typical line: “I don’t want another sno-ball, I want to not f*cking drop sh*t.”
Rating: Like the actual Causeway, it’s kind of a long journey without much to look at.
The Premise (TV)
Starring: Ayo Edibiri, Lucas Hedges, Jon Bernthal, Eric Lange, Daniel Dae Kim, Lola Kirke, Bryan Batt, Jeff DeRouen
What is it? BJ Novak’s anthology of provocative social situations that address issues such as gun control and parasocial relationships on social media and butt plugs.
NOLA credentials: Filmed here but the city is really just a backdrop. You can occasionally spot locations but it’s not really featured too prominently.
Typical line: “I’ll tell you exactly what you can do with your butt plug. You can shove it up your ass.”
Rating: Up and down.
Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (Movie)
Starring: Jeon Jong-seo, Kate Hudson, Craig Robinson, Zac Efron
What is it? Fantasy thriller that’s kind of all over the place but with some amusing set pieces. It almost commits to being incredibly ridiculous and outrageous, but in the end it pulls what should have been the killer punch.
NOLA credentials: Some chases around town and extended scenes on the corner of Esplanade and Villere.
Typical line: “You like people and you don't know why? Maybe you don't really like them. Because people are not so easy to like.”
Rating: This Mona Lisa is not a masterpiece, but you might crack a wry smile.
Blue Bayou (Movie)
Starring: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Sydney Kowalske, Linh Dan Pham, Mark O’Brien
What is it? Immigration-themed drama as a Korean man tries to defend his family and his status in the country. It’s a very straightforward plot without much subtext and the production values dip occasionally, but it’s compelling overall.
NOLA credentials: Focus on the West Bank more than Bourbon Street, with some nice rural locations out of town, too.
Typical line: “I’m not leaving my family!”
Rating: Real life issues given a stark airing.
Where the Crawdads Sing (Movie)
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith
What is it? Semi-coherent murder mystery drama based on the 2018 novel of the same astonishing name. Small-town murder, naturism and, well, crawdads. DADS. Not fish. Dads.
NOLA credentials: Not much in the city, but lots in the New Orleans North Shore marshlands and the city of Houma.
Typical line: “People forget about the creatures who live in shells.”
Rating: No singing crawdads, or even jazz dads. Very disappointing.
Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets (Movie) (yes this came out pre-pandemic in 2020 AND is actually set in Vegas BUT it is filmed in bar in New Orleans and if this isn’t a cinematic version of a night out in New Orleans then I don’t know what is, go ahead and sue me)
Starring: Michael Martin, Cheryl Fink, Lowell Landes, Kamari Stevens, David S Lewis
What is it? Ross brothers-directed docu-drama about a group of patrons and staff, together to celebrate their last night at a soon to close dive bar. It’s boozy, woozy and the originality of the format (and especially the sound design) makes it something of a cinematic doozie. The late, great Michael Martin shines.
NOLA credentials: Filmed in three days in a bar in Terrytown, and again, this is as close to a real night out in New Orleans as cinema has ever gotten.
Typical line: “There is nothing more boring than a guy who used to do stuff, who doesn't do stuff no more because he's in a bar.”
Rating: Empty all of your pockets to rent or buy this film.
Welcome to the Rileys (Movie) (this came out in 2010 but I only just became aware of it and watched it, so let’s all just cool our jets)
Starring: Kristen Stewart, James Gandolfini, Melissa Leo, Tiffany Coty
What is it? Half drama, half caper of sorts as a businessman (Gandolfini) tries to escape grief and his wife (Leo) by staying in New Orleans after a conference and semi-adopting a chaotic sex worker (Stewart) in a paternal way. What? It could happen.
NOLA credentials: Lots of scenes in the Quarter as Gandolfini chases down Stewart through various clubs and bars.
Typical line: “All you want for your birthday is a spinach salad?! When you can have a trip to New Orleans?!”
Rating: Woke up this morning, got myself a new daughter.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE REPRESENTATION OF NEW ORLEANS IN MEDIA? DROP US A LINE AT [email protected] AND WE'LL RUN A SUPPLEMENTAL FEATURE NEXT WEEK. BAG OF SWAG FOR ONE RANDOM PERSON MAKING A SUGGESTION