Director of the week: Paul Verhoeven

Paul Verhoeven is an amusing director. Weeks ago, I got very angry when I found out that his version of "Total Recall" is being developed for a remake, and getting its watered down PG-13 treatment. Paul Verhoeven films are usually targeted by the MPAA, due to his signature content of strong sex and ultraviolence. Despite the strong sex and violence prevalescent in all of his movies, he is efficient at exploring his characters charefully and making us care for such.

Verhoeven is dutch, and he began his career in the early 1960's while he attended the Netherlands Film Academy. When he joined the Dutch Navy, he filmed a documentary about such military institution. In the 1970's he made "Turkish Delight" a dark marital drama that earned him an Academy Award nomination for best Foreign Language Film in 1973. He followed with a gritty soap opera style period drama called "Kitji Tippel". He also earned a golden globe nomitation for "Soldier of Orange", about a young man who joins the Dutch resistance. He also made"Speetters", a teenage ensemble drama about teenage dirt bikers and their sexual complications, and a black comedy, named "The Fourth Man", where a bisexual man is targeted for murder. He captivated audiences and Hollywood colleagues with "Flesh and Blood". His greatest hits "RoboCop", Total Recall" and "Basic Insticts" would soon follow.

His style is violent, gritty, and very erotic. He is the Marilyn Manson of film makers, as his films seek to bring controversial themes. He is considered by many as one of the best action directors alongside James Cameron, Spielberg and John McTiernan. To me Verhoeven brings the style and bluntness of Kubrick, the controversiality of Oliver Stone and the style and epic sense of wonder of Spielberg.

I admit that I have not seen 100% of his films. I've only seen three of his earliest films, plus all of his American and most recent work.

My favorite Verhoeven films so far are:

-Starship Troopers: A space war epic with cliche challenging concepts such as having non American main characters and a full operational New World Order regime where a black woman is the president. A great film that will take you away from the day to day for two hours.

-Soldier of Orange: One of the most interesting WWII films I've seen. The story opens as three friends (two guys and a girl) in a love triangle are in college. The Nazis invade Holland, and soon the life of these three characters will take different turns. The protagonist (played by a young Rutger Hueuer) joins the Dutch resistance, his jewish girlfriend is tossed in a ghetto, and the jealous best friend joins the Nazis. Based on a true story of a Dutch war hero.

-Basic Instinct: American critics hated this film and so the MPAA. Features an awsome mix of sex and tension, with a realistic non hollywod ending. Features Michael Douglas' best work since "Wall Street". His performance as the drug adict troubled cop was largely overlooked.

-RoboCop: Kick ass action, along with awsome stpecial effects and futuristic style.

-Total Recall: Classic Sci Fi film. Better than the Matrix Triology. The film subliminally critizices American capitalism, while giving us an exhilirating ride, as we see Schwarzzenegger's character being chased as he searches for his true identity on Mars. Expect gut ripping violence, ugly mars dwelling mutants and a tripple breasted prostitute.

-The Black Book: The spiritual brother of "Soldier of Orange", as its Verhoeven's first Dutch language film in many years. The movie follows a young jewish girl during WWII who seeks justice, after her parents are ambushed and killed by Nazis while escaping Holland. The shocking twist to the movie is that the romantic lead and hero is a top ranking Nazi officer who supervises the SS in The Hague, wher the events take place. Excellent performances by Dutch actress Carice Van Houten and German actor Sebastian Koch. This film was snubed the Academy Award nomination for best foreign language film in 2006.

Verhoeven is working on a period mystery thriller with Milla Jovovich, the sequel to The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan and a film about the life of Jesus Christ.

Curious facts:

Verhoeven was supossed to direct a medieval epic called "Crusade" with Arnold Schwarzzenegger.

He turned down Basic Instinct II.

In the mid 1990's he was to direct a pirate film with Michelle Pfiefer and Geena Davis. They both withdrew after Verhoeven demanded they show considerable skin for the film.

He has never done a sequel.

He removed his name from "Showgirls" billing.

Check out Paul Verhoeven's films with caution and an open mind. He should do more sci-fi action or historical fiction fares in the vein of "Braveheart" and "Gladiator".