Paul Verhoeven on Blu-ray

[latehong]

Originally Posted by El_Fez

So is Showgirls any good? I only know it by it's reputation (and that reputation is . . . not flattering). I love his other criminally maligned work Starship Troopers, so I'm hoping tha this is more of the same?

I've seen three kinds of people: people who sneer at Showgirls because it's such a mess and nothing more; people who rave at Showgirls because it's a messy campy bonkers fun; and people who seriously admire Showgirls because it's genuinely great. I'm in the third group but can totally understand the other two. It largely depends on how you think of a movie's tone, point of view, and reality.

My one theory (never proved, of course) is that if you're a person who believes Verhoeven's post-Hollywood works, especially Elle and Benedetta, represent the essence of his cinema better than his Hollywood productions, there's a good chance you'll appreciate Showgirls.

[Rockercub]

Originally Posted by El_Fez

So is Showgirls any good? I only know it by it's reputation (and that reputation is . . . not flattering). I love his other criminally maligned work Starship Troopers, so I'm hoping tha this is more of the same?

I don't know that I'd recommend a $40 blind buy, as it's fairly polarizing, but you absolutely have to see it.

Originally Posted by latehong

I've seen three kinds of people: people who sneer at Showgirls because it's such a mess and nothing more; people who rave at Showgirls because it's a messy campy bonkers fun; and people who seriously admire Showgirls because it's genuinely great. I'm in the third group but can totally understand the other two. It's largely depended on how you think of the tone, point of view, and reality of a movie.

I'm actually a bit of 2 and a bit of 3, but yeah, this pretty much hits the nail on the head.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by latehong

I've seen three kinds of people: people who sneer at Showgirls because it's such a mess and nothing more; people who rave at Showgirls because it's a messy campy bonkers fun; and people who seriously admire Showgirls because it's genuinely great. I'm in the third group but can totally understand the other two. It's largely depended on how you think of the tone, point of view, and reality of a movie.

I'm in the bolded camps, they're not mutually exclusive to me. It also encapsulates that 90s vibe as well.

[El_Fez]

Hmmm, I'm so torn on this. On the one hand, these Vinegar Syndrome Ultra releases seem to hold their value. So if I decide to flip it, I'm only out some time and effort on my part.

On the other hand, I did just have to buy a new battery for the car. So I'm 300 bucks down for the month.

So is sinking 40 on a blind buy wise? Am I going to pull the trigger? Oh, decisions, decisions. . . . .

[TheGoldenGunman]

Originally Posted by El_Fez

So is Showgirls any good? I only know it by it's reputation (and that reputation is . . . not flattering). I love his other criminally maligned work Starship Troopers, so I'm hoping tha this is more of the same?

In what way is Starship Troopers "criminally maligned"? It enjoyed generally positive reviews on release and as far as I am aware, that hasn't changed.

[El_Fez]

Every time I hear someone talking about the movie, they dunk on it. It's always "That movie sucks! It doesn't have power armor! The acting is wooden! It's not like the book! " and so on and so on.

[postmodel]

Yeah I always loved Starship Troopers but it definitely wasn’t taken kindly upon release. It has garnered quite the following ever since though.

[scififan73]

Originally Posted by El_Fez

Hmmm, I'm so torn on this. On the one hand, these Vinegar Syndrome Ultra releases seem to hold their value. So if I decide to flip it, I'm only out some time and effort on my part.

On the other hand, I did just have to buy a new battery for the car. So I'm 300 bucks down for the month.

So is sinking 40 on a blind buy wise? Am I going to pull the trigger? Oh, decisions, decisions. . . . .

Well, look at it this way. The tremendous critical drubbing this film received in 1995 basically put an end to Verhoven’s participation in Hollywood. It’s not a coincidence that he only does European productions now. This in itself makes it worth seeing. It’s also balls to the walls crazy in a lot of places, so I would say go for it!

[TheGoldenGunman]

Originally Posted by El_Fez

Every time I hear someone talking about the movie, they dunk on it. It's always "That movie sucks! It doesn't have power armor! The acting is wooden! It's not like the book! " and so on and so on.

I suspect this is your friend group (although the "Acting is wooden" and "Not like the book" are completely valid). Can anyone honestly argue that Richardson or Van Dien are anything but wooden here? It got tepidly positive reviews on release. Schickel and Ebert were luke warm (2 stars), but Entertainment Weekly, Variety, USA Today, the SF Chronicle and Examiner all had largely positive to very good reviews. I think the only really bad review it got was in the Washington Post. Yes, it seems to be more people genuinely like it now than did then, but I believe that has more to do with it being more seen now and the fact that it has aged extremely well (sadly). It didn't do well in the theaters for a variety of reasons, but poor reviews weren't a large part of that.

[TheGoldenGunman]

Originally Posted by scififan73

Well, look at it this way. The tremendous critical drubbing this film received in 1995 basically put an end to Verhoven’s participation in Hollywood.

It did? How did he get to make Starship Troopers (budget 100 Million) and Hollow Man (budget 95 Million) over the following five years then? Misinformation on this forum is starting to reach new heights. Hyperbola is fine, but don't dress it up as anything factual.

[Mikezilla3k]

Originally Posted by TheGoldenGunman

It did? How did he get to make Starship Troopers (budget 100 Million) and Hollow Man (budget 95 Million) over the following five years then? Misinformation on this forum is starting to reach new heights. Hyperbola is fine, but don't dress it up as anything factual.

I think Paul just got tired of Hollywood and had more freedom in international productions rather than US productions.

[Rockercub]

Originally Posted by El_Fez

Hmmm, I'm so torn on this. On the one hand, these Vinegar Syndrome Ultra releases seem to hold their value. So if I decide to flip it, I'm only out some time and effort on my part.

On the other hand, I did just have to buy a new battery for the car. So I'm 300 bucks down for the month.

So is sinking 40 on a blind buy wise? Am I going to pull the trigger? Oh, decisions, decisions. . . . .

I just had to replace my battery for $300 too! Weird coincidence. I splurged and got Showgirls though, as it's a favorite movie of mine. I'd never forgive myself if I missed it, and the sale price is too good.

As to whether you'll like the movie, it's kinda hard to predict. I'd say the two biggest faults are the script and the lead. I really think Verhoeven was trying to do a sexually progressive version of All About Eve in Vegas, but maybe the guy who wrote Basic Instinct isn't the best fit for that kind of movie. And Elizabeth Berkley's acting is really bad, but you have to give her credit for going for it. No fear. If you love movies like Mommie Dearest from a camp perspective, those faults just make the movie more enjoyable. And if you can't see them as anything but a fail, you at least have to admit that it fails amazingly. That's why I say you really need to see it -- your jaw's probably gonna drop either way.

[Mikezilla3k]

Mill Creek will be giving Hollow Man (Director's Cut) a steelbook release with a new featurette on Jerry Goldsmith's score: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hollow-Ma...ror/5144555482

[Mikezilla3k]

Updated the OP with Capelight's Flesh + Blood:

[Richard--W]

Is there an English--friendly edition of TRICKED
does anyone know ?

[Aunt Peg]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

Is there an English--friendly edition of TRICKED
does anyone know ?

Only on DVD that I am aware of.

[Mikezilla3k]

Basic Instinct is (finally) getting a 4K release in the US:

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Lionsgate Limited will be releasing Basic Instinct on 4K! Pre-orders officially go live on March 4th, but just leaked out early via the Shop app.