my two obsessions this week


filmmaker magazine

thanks to Quark

and

Paul Verhoeven

Verhoeven is a Dutch director who's career spans the last 40 years. Though trained in the humanities, Verhoeven ended up in film. The intelligence behind his films are quite amazing. I've only seen two of his Dutch movies, The Fourth Man and Soldier of Orange. And behind each movie there is this feeling of intelligence.

Ever since he got to America, his movies have not been as deep, but are more fun. He directed Robocop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers and Basic Instinct. He also directed Showgirls and The Hollow Man. Which is why many could compare his career (and he sorta looks like) Joel Shumacher. But if you watch his earlier films, you can see where he is head and shoulders above Shumacher.

Director Twins

Spielberg and Lucas
Scorsese and Coppola
Lynch and Cronenberg
Verhoeven and Shumacher
Tony Scott and John Mctiernan(?)
Michael Bay and James Cameron(?)
Kevin Smith and Robert Rodriguez(?)
Wes Anderson and Darren Aronofsky(?)
Spike Jonze and John Moore(?)