“Cut Throat City” (** out of four) was an ambitious but limited melodrama set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in which four boyhood pals (led by T.I.) run out of options and soon find themselves in real desperation and plot out a dangerous heist; meanwhile, a hard-nosed cop (Eiza Gonzalez) investigates and soon realizes this may have ties all the way up to a wealthy city counselman (Ethan Hawke) and others (Wesley Snipes, Terrence Howard, Isaiah Washington in the city). Gritty story of childhood ties, the lure and dangers of the street, and corruption has unfortunately been told many times before and loses its thrust at over two hours. Gonzalez is good as the cop but much of the supporting cast is wasted.