I’ve watched a bunch of movies in the last few weeks that I haven’t had a chance to talk about. Here is a quick rundown of those movies that I likely will not have the time to dedicate a full post to:

Black Book (2006)

Directed by Paul Verhoeven (Robocop, Showgirls, Starship Troopers)

Synopsis: “In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance.”

Really good movie. Most of his previous filmography, as evidenced above, is cheesy and excessive (in either viloence, nudity, or both), but this historical drama is really great. I
actually watched this on the recommendation of my parents.

8/10

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman

The final film of one of the greatest directors ever. A fascinating film. At first glance it almost seemed cold and hollow, but the closer I looked, the more complex and layered the film revealed itself to be. Really brilliant.

9/10

Mission to Mars (2000)

Directed by Brian DePalma (Mission: Impossible, The Untouchables, Scarface, The Black Dhalia)

Starring Gary Sinese, Tim Robbins, Connie Nielsen, Don Cheadle

Synopsis: “When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors.”

Pretty terrible. I want to like Brian DePalma, but for every Mission: Impossible or Unotouchables, he has a Black Dhalia, Snake Eyes… or Mission to Mars, unfortunately.

5/10