PAUL VERHOEVEN’S TRICKED ***
“I Like the Unknown, because it forces you to be creative.”
Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, the genius mind behind notorious achievements such as “Robocop”, “Basic Instinct”, “Starship Troopers” and “Total Recall” fully comprehends the responsibility of a filmmaker in the search of innovations, bringing this daring and charming experimental project which was conceived to have the audience’s direct participation on how the story proceeds. It starts as a documentary shot during a press conference, where the director answers questions about his remarkable career and announces the project, followed by eye-witnessing the process of development with the screenwriters, artists, technicians and actors, and the initial shooting. Then, Verhoeven introduces the result as the film premieres in Amsterdam: a sexy gender-war comedy about a womanizer who’s caught in a rollercoaster of issues, a net of deceit and millionaire interests as he hosts his birthday party. The narrative explores the eccentricity of 8 characters, 4 men and 4 women, as they reveal their weakness for lust, money, luxury and booze, and their attempts to achieve their interests. The actors play the game just fine, especially Gaite Jansen as the brunette femme-fatale and the compulsively funny Carolien Spoor, as the alcoholic spoiled daughter of the birthday man. Paced with debauchery and the thrills of a continuous suspense within, Verhoeven tells a common story about marriage, loyalty and modern relationships told through different aesthetic, as he unveils the secrets of the dysfunctional clan with fresh humor and extreme affinity. (Opens Friday at Cinema Village, NYC)
SONGS MY BROTHERS TAUGHT ME ****
Set in a community of Native Americans in South Dakota Pine Ridge’s Indian Reservation, with a restricted alcohol ban, Chloé Zhao’s directorial debut is an outstanding portrait of the new generation and the anxiety for freedom and self awareness. Zhao demonstrates powerful sensibility with this beautifully constructed narrative, punctuated by immediate melancholy and dangerous lyricism. Her lenses captures the strong connection between young cowboy/gangster Johnnie and his sister, his devotion to family, as well as his relationship to several people in town, with an exhilarating sense of honesty and simplicity- the dialogs and interactions feel completely natural. This aspect creates a comfortable vulnerability towards the characters as we learn of Johnnie’s decision to buy a truck and move away to California with his girlfriend. Motivated by his ambition, he hustles alcohol to gather cash for the trip. With the recent death of his father and his older brother in jail, he is confronted by the ideas of preserving or abandoning the traditions, the spirit, the land, and his family. As Zhao studies these issues on Johnnie as told through himself, on the sister, the mother and everyone else, she creates a rich examination on the expectations of the new generation, on family bounds and on the strength of community. The chemistry she achieved between the acting, the images and the naturalism of storytelling, puts her on the big watch list. (Opens Wednesday at Film Forum, NYC)
ALSO SHOWING
Kevin Reynolds’ efficient and inspiring Christian adventure, “Risen” tells the amazing and miraculous journey of Jesus resurrection seen through the eyes of a non-believer, Clavius, a Roman military tribune played by Joseph Fiennes. The focus of the narrative is how the events shaped Clavius heart into the faith and hope for Eternal Life, making it a very successful source of evangelism. The Coen Brothers score again with the irreverent Hollywood satire “Hail Caesar!” setting on fire the chairman of a studio, as he’s challenged with a series of life-changing troubles, including trying to rescue a star who’s been kidnapped. It’s a deliriously funny eye-feast for moviegoers with refined dark humor, glamorous cinematic techniques, dazzling musical numbers and wise cynicism on vices, vanity and fame.
THIS WEEK’S DVD
ROOM is the incredible and disturbing story of a boy born and raised in such space, victim of abuse, who managed to escape and finally could face the world he had never seen before. Brie Larson is a sure bet for this Sunday’s Best Actress Oscar, as the Academy will certainly honor her remarkably intense performance as the mother enduring the tragic circumstances and the consequences of re-adaptation.
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