Vivian on 5/7/2008 at 09:17
You thought that the film was a subtle critique of war? Holy shit. It was about as subtle as Hot Shots 2.
Anyway, finished the official translation of roadside picnic, it is an incredible book (although the fan-tran I read made more sense in some bits - 'Gnat Bald-Spot' rather than 'Mosquito Mange' is easier to understand, i.e. a spot on the ground where there is no midges or other flying insects, because they've all been pancaked). I am certain the hollywood will get as far as 'Aliens land, romantic scallywags get into scrapes with overly beaurocratic police' and cover the rest in a dung-heap of explosions and machinegun fire. And also that Monkey is replaced with a blond american little girl.
JohnnyTheWolf on 5/7/2008 at 17:33
Quote Posted by Vivian
You thought that the film was a
subtle critique of war? Holy shit. It was about as subtle as Hot Shots 2.
That was intended. Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers is actually a satire of both Heinlein's book (which the director reportedly hated) and pompous propaganda movies (e.g. Triumph of Will) and corny war movies of the 40-50s.
But you can also see it as a futuristic "300" with a strong political subtext.
Rogue Keeper on 7/7/2008 at 07:31
Verhoeven sucks in subtle critique. He sucks in film humor for that matter. No, I mean he sucks in moviemaking completely but has incredible talent to turn his B flicks into cults, which seem to be more than they are, but in reality they aren't.
That said, I confess I enjoyed Starship Troopers like afternoon tea, but it has no place in my collection.
mothra on 7/7/2008 at 11:27
did you see turkish delights ?
that's a true good movie and gem. robocop is awesome as well.
starship troopers only recycled those and was a little too "safe" to be really a good satire but I enjoyed it pretty much.
Rogue Keeper on 7/7/2008 at 11:40
I acknowledge his beginning in Netherlands was notable, but once he hit Hollywood, he became what he became. Having a Raspberry isn't really flattering, but then perhaps it's his cooperation with Esterhaz what was dragging him down.
JohnnyTheWolf on 20/7/2008 at 00:33
Quote Posted by BR796164
Verhoeven sucks in subtle critique. He sucks in film humor for that matter. No, I mean he sucks in moviemaking completely but has incredible talent to turn his B flicks into cults, which seem to be more than they are, but in reality they aren't.
A satire is not subtle to start with.
And Verhoeven, sucking at moviemaking? Please...
Rogue Keeper on 21/7/2008 at 10:58
That's it, only a refined artists can do subtle critique. It's easy to make obvious satire. But he's got a Raspberry and he deserved it.
JohnnyTheWolf on 21/7/2008 at 12:08
Subtle critique, subtle critique, subtle critique... what are you, a broken record?
Once again, Verhoeven got a Raspberry only for Showgirls. Get the fuck over it. Even Verhoeven did (he gladly accepted his Razzie).
Seriously, you must really suck at moviewatching to bash the satire genre. Even "refined artists" make satires for comedic purposes and no one complains about the lack of subtle critique!
Heck, even Kubrick did Doctor Strangelove, a HUGE satire of the Cold War with enough sexual innuendo to make you lose interest in sex for ten years. Oh, but wait! Lemme guess... this movie sucks as well, because it's not a subtle critique and Kubrick is not refined enough as an artist!
*Sigh*
Rogue Keeper on 22/7/2008 at 12:10
I like Kubrick but I take Dr. Strangelove as one of his weaker works.
But some Verhoeven fans suck even more than Strangelove.
mothra on 22/7/2008 at 12:57
that's funny, i like him as well (but nowhere near a master) and found Dr.Strangelove his most accomplished work while the usual suspects like clockwork Orange, Full Metal J, Shining or EyesWS pretty bland and overrated.
verhoeven's work of late is pretty bad, his movies neaver reached the high bar in entertainment and intelligence he set with his first features.
but in comparison to Kubrick he's still in kindergarten
