Tag Archives: Paul Verhoeven

“The Greeks already understood that there was more interest in portraying an unusual character than a usual character – that is the purpose of films and theatre.” — Isabelle Huppert

It’s her birthday today. Nobody like her. She’s almost in her own category. Her work is mysterious. It feels like she gives the wheel over totally to her subconscious. You never feel the puppet-strings of the actress. She never even … Continue reading

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Total Recall was trending on Twitter yesterday …

… because of Tesla and that TRUCK, which looked like the car in Total Recall. Which reminds me, a year or so ago, I was a guest on Jessa Crispin’s podcast “Public Intellectual”, and she was doing a whole Paul … Continue reading

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Jessa Crispin and I discuss Paul Verhoeven’s Total Recall

This was so much fun. Jessa Crispin (the onetime “Book Slut”) has been doing a Paul Verhoeven discussion series on her super fun podcast, Public Intellectual, and she had me on to discuss Total Recall, a film I saw in … Continue reading

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January 2018 Viewing Diary

Supernatural, Season 7, episode 10 “Death’s Door” (2011; d. Robert Singer) What an extraordinary episode of television. It’s funny: I too block out what happened in that kitchen in Bobby’s childhood. I forget it almost every time. Those actors playing … Continue reading

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April 2017 Viewing Diary

I just dash these off. Superficial bullet-point analysis for the most part. It’s a good way to keep track of what I’ve seen, for year-end lists, of course, but also for future reference. I also always love the discussions on … Continue reading

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The Muriel Awards 2016: My Entry on Isabelle Huppert in Elle

Every year, the Muriel Awards – an alternate and online award – chooses folks to vote on the best of the year in film. Each voter fills in an extensive ballot. Ballots are tallied. It’s always a wonderful and somewhat … Continue reading

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I Hate Lists, But … The Best Movies of 2016

The Roger Ebert contributors each submitted our own individual Top 10 Lists for 2016 – compiled here. As mentioned in the introduction, the NUMBER of titles – all total – that show up on this list is a testament to … Continue reading

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November 2016 Viewing Diary

Elle (2016; d. Paul Verhoeven) I loved it. People HATE this movie. One lady on Twitter said that men should be banned from making films about rape. How you would enforce such a rule is beyond me. Also: No fucking … Continue reading

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Review: Elle (2016); d. Paul Verhoeven

Oh, Elle. Where have you been all my life? I’ve seen it twice (so far). It’s a rape-revenge thriller and it’s also … a comedy? As in … really really funny. Many people will despise it for that reason. Or … Continue reading

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October 2016 Viewing Diary

Roadies, Season 1, Pilot (2016; d. Cameron Crowe) My friend Allison forced me to watch this. I had no choice. We do this to one another. And neither of us are EVER sorry. I absolutely loved it. Have not had … Continue reading

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