{"id":452424,"date":"2026-04-25T00:21:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T00:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/452424\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T00:21:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T00:21:22","slug":"starship-troopers-deserves-another-look-plus-the-weeks-best-films-in-l-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/452424\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Starship Troopers’ deserves another look, plus the week’s best films in L.A."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hello! I\u2019m Mark Olsen<\/a>. Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get right to the best rep-house screenings around Los Angeles this week.<\/p>\n

\u2018Ordinary People\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton in the movie \u201cOrdinary People.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Academy Museum)<\/p>\n

The Academy Museum<\/a> will screen a new 35mm print of 1980\u2019s \u201cOrdinary People\u201d<\/a> on Sunday. The feature directing debut of Robert Redford, the film won four Oscars, including best picture and director. An intense drama about a family torn apart by grief, the film\u2019s austere restraint makes it a haunting experience with powerful performances, in particular from Mary Tyler Moore, who turns her sunny star persona inside out.<\/p>\n

In his original review, Charles Champlin lauded Redford for making the film, noting, \u201cAs an intimate and demanding family drama (demanding on the creator and on the audience), it was both a brave choice and a wise one. \u2026 It was also an admirable choice, using the power and prerequisites of Redford\u2019s stardom to bring into being the kind of film that might well have had hard going under other auspices.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018The Seduction of Mimi\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato in the movie \u201cThe Seduction of Mimi.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Kino Lorber)<\/p>\n

A new 4K restoration of Italian filmmaker Lina Wertm\u00fcller\u2019s 1972 \u201cThe Seduction of Mimi,\u201d<\/a> a raucous satire that intertwines sex and politics, will have a limited run at the American Cinematheque\u2019s Los Feliz Theatre<\/a> on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. In an antic portrait of male frustration and thwarted ambition, Giancarlo Giannini stars as Mimi, a laborer who loses everything when he refuses to vote for the Mafia\u2019s candidate in a local election. Having worked hard to rebuild his life, he finds himself again afoul of the powers that be.<\/p>\n

Just a few years later, Wertm\u00fcller would become the first woman nominated for the Oscar for directing, for her movie \u201cSeven Beauties.\u201d In a 1975 interview with The Times, she said, \u201cMy purpose in making films is not primarily political. I wish to agitate, not convert. \u2026 My aim is to tell stories with joy, to make people laugh, to make them cry, to make movies which show a regard for what it means to be a human being and what it means to be a member of society.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Starship Troopers\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n

Tonight there will be a 35mm screening of Paul Verhoeven\u2019s 1997 \u201cStarship Troopers\u201d<\/a> at Brain Dead Studios<\/a>. Part of an astonishing run of films from Verhoeven that included \u201cBasic Instinct\u201d and \u201cShowgirls,\u201d \u201cStarship Troopers\u201d is a blistering satire of militarism that was misread by many at the time as being an endorsement of fascism for its gleeful depictions of violent warfare. (All the more reason to give it another look today \u2014 it\u2019s grappling with themes that are still painfully relevant.)<\/p>\n

In his original review<\/a>, Kenneth Turan declared the movie \u201can improbable and delirious combination of \u2018Weird Science,\u2019 \u2018Betty and Veronica\u2019 and \u2018Sgt. Rock and His Howling Commandos,\u2019\u201d while adding, \u201cPut together by Paul Verhoeven, a director for whom excess is never enough, \u2018Troopers\u2019 does not fit any reasonable definition of a quality motion picture. But it certainly is a jaw-dropping experience, so rigorously one-dimensional and free from even the pretense of intelligence it\u2019s hard not to be astonished and even mesmerized by what is on the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018The Battle of Algiers\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Revolutionaries <\/p>\n

A scene from the 1966 movie \u201cThe Battle of Algiers.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Criterion Collection)<\/p>\n

On Saturday night, the American Cinematheque<\/a> at the Aero Theatre will have a 60th anniversary screening of Gillo Pontecorvo\u2019s \u201cThe Battle of Algiers\u201d<\/a> in 35mm. Shot in a documentary style, the film chronicles \u2014 in vivid, up-close terms \u2014 the struggle for Algerian independence from the colonial French in the 1950s. (In Paul Thomas Anderson\u2019s \u201cOne Battle After Another,\u201d Leonardo\u2019s DiCaprio\u2019s burned-out former radical activist settles in for an evening at home by turning on \u201cBattle of Algiers.\u201d)<\/p>\n

Writing about the film in 1968, Kevin Thomas said, \u201cMore than anything else, this remarkable movie drives home the truth that the more people are repressed, the more unquenchable their thirst for freedom becomes. Consequently, at this time \u2018The Battle of Algiers\u2019 offers both an inspiration and a warning to American audiences \u2014 an assurance for the victims of injustice that through unity they indeed shall overcome; a reminder that the response to massive retaliation for rioters can be all-out guerrilla warfare on their part, resulting in needless agony for one and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

TCM Classic Film Festival and Paul Williams tribute \"A <\/p>\n

Peter Finch in the 1976 movie \u201cNetwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

(TCM)<\/p>\n

The TCM Classic Film Festival<\/a> will launch next Thursday, with the opening night gala of a world premiere restoration of 1967\u2019s \u201cBarefoot in the Park.\u201d Jane Fonda is scheduled to attend to pay tribute to her co-star Robert Redford<\/a>. The two would go on to appear in a total of four films together.<\/p>\n

An air of uncertainty hangs over the fate of both the TCM Channel and the festival as a whole, puzzle pieces in the impending merger<\/a> between Paramount and Warner Bros., so this year in particular it feels vital to appreciate this truly special event, which has been pivotal in expanding our definitions of what a classic film is. Enjoy it while you can.<\/p>\n

Other highlights include the world premiere restoration of 1932\u2019s \u201cLetty Lynton\u201d starring Joan Crawford \u2014 a movie that, due to legal complications, has been largely unseen for more than 90 years. There will also be a nitrate screening of 1947\u2019s \u201cThe Farmer\u2019s Daughter,\u201d for which Loretta Young won an Oscar.<\/p>\n

A world premiere restoration for the 30th anniversary of Alexander Payne\u2019s feature debut \u201cCitizen Ruth\u201d starring Laura Dern<\/a> will include appearances by both the filmmaker and actor. Both \u201cAll the President\u2019s Men\u201d and \u201cNetwork\u201d<\/a> will have world premiere restorations to celebrate their 50th anniversaries, while a screening of 1976\u2019s \u201cThe Bad News Bears\u201d will spotlight many of the actors who played the young ball club.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Kermit the Frog sings in 1979\u2019s \u201cThe Muppet Movie.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Michael Ochs Archives \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Receiving a special tribute at the festival, actor and songwriter Paul Williams will appear for an in-depth conversation about his storied career, which includes appearing in such films as \u201cPhantom of the Paradise\u201d and \u201cSmokey and the Bandit\u201d and writing songs for \u201cA Star Is Born,\u201d for which he won an Academy Award. The festival will screen two titles to which Williams contributed songs, 1979\u2019s \u201cThe Muppet Movie\u201d and 1987\u2019s \u201cIshtar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams, 85, got on a video call this week from his home in Huntington Beach to talk about these pivotal projects. In particular, he recalled writing \u201cThe Rainbow Connection\u201d with Kenneth Ascher for \u201cThe Muppet Movie\u201d and how this now-revered song came to be.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Paul Williams at Nashville\u2019s 61st ASCAP Country Music Awards in 2025<\/p>\n

(Tibrina Hobson \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe asked Jim [Henson], \u2018Where do we see Kermit?\u2019\u201d Williams remembered. \u201cAnd he says, \u2018Kermit\u2019s sitting in a swamp on a lily pad.\u2019 And I said, \u2018What\u2019s he doing?\u2019\u2019 He said, \u2018Playing the banjo.\u2019 And that kind of sets a tone. A banjo can be frivolous and racy and crazy, but it can also be kind of melancholy played in a certain way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams received a much different brief when writing songs for Elaine May\u2019s \u201cIshtar,\u201d which starred Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty as two aspiring songwriters who become inadvertently embroiled in the CIA\u2019s intervention in a small country in the Middle East. Aside from the song \u201cDangerous Business,\u201d Williams contributed a whole slew of preposterous numbers with titles such as \u201cThat a Lawnmower Can Do All That\u201d and \u201cWardrobe of Love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Two <\/p>\n

Dustin Hoffman, left, and Warren Beatty in the movie \u201cIshtar.\u201d<\/p>\n

(TCM)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the most interesting challenge I\u2019ve ever had as a songwriter to write believably bad songs,\u201d said Williams. \u201cI looked at it like an actor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Singing the first few lines to \u201cDangerous Business,\u201d Wiliams added, \u201c\u2018Telling the truth can be dangerous business\/ honest and popular don\u2019t go hand in hand.\u2019 Boy, I\u2019d put my name on that. That sounds great. \u2018If you admit that you can play the accordion, no one will hire you in a rock and roll band.\u2019 OK, guys, you just went off the rails a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking of \u201cIshtar\u2019s\u201d director Elaine May, Williams said, \u201cElaine does not guide you. Elaine gives you a little freedom that is totally frustrating. She\u2019d do that with the actors and the takes. Dustin and Warren would be like, \u2018What are you looking for?\u2019 And I would be crawling over to the couch and go, \u2018Elaine, what are you looking for?\u2019 And she would say, \u2018I\u2019ll know when I hear it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

New this week<\/p>\n

\u2018Blue Heron\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Eylul Guven in the movie \u201cBlue Heron.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Janus Films)<\/p>\n

The most exciting new release in L.A. this week is Canadian filmmaker Sophy Romvari\u2019s debut \u201cBlue Heron,\u201d which has emerged as one of the critical faves of the year so far. Rooted in Romvari\u2019s own experience, with an emotionally complex and bifurcated structure that is handled with delicate care, the film tells the story of a family grappling with a troubled teenage boy. It\u2019s all told through the eyes of his younger sister, both as memory and in the present.<\/p>\n

Another worthwhile Canadian film in theaters now is Chandler Levack\u2019s \u201cMile End Kicks,\u201d which stars Barbie Ferreira (also in \u201cFaces of Death\u201d<\/a>) as an aspiring music journalist in early 2010s Montreal. Something of a female-focused parallel to \u201cAlmost Famous\u201d or \u201cHigh Fidelity,\u201d the film really captures the sense of being part of a scene as it is popping off and trying to find a space for oneself amid the hubbub.<\/p>\n

And finally…<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Videocassettes <\/p>\n

Shelves of videocassettes await at Video Hero VHS in Chatsworth.<\/p>\n

(Brian Feinzimer \/ For The Times)<\/p>\n

Carlos Aguilar took a really fun and informative look at the VHS revival<\/a> as told through the eyes of his roommate Conor Holt, who has a collection of about 1,100 tapes. Filmmakers Jane Schoenbrun, whose \u201cI Saw the TV Glow\u201d evokes the VHS era, Alex Ross Perry, a dedicated collector who made the documentary \u201cVideoheaven,\u201d and David Cronenberg, whose \u201cA History of Violence\u201d was the last mass-produced title on videocassette, also contribute their thoughts.<\/p>\n

As someone who cherishes his tape of the Run-D.M.C. film \u201cTougher Than Leather,\u201d I found this story pretty much written for me. As Cronenberg says in the piece, \u201cMy father was a stamp collector so I certainly understand the idea of collecting a rare object. Humans are strange. What can I say?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hello! I\u2019m Mark Olsen. Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":452425,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[263],"tags":[27614,199405,20209,26521,19703,18,117,5592,199406,19,17,54930,18985,199404,1382,327,24868,104652,22405,65],"class_list":["post-452424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-movies","tag-angelina-jolie","tag-barry-jenkins","tag-david","tag-dead","tag-drama","tag-eire","tag-entertainment","tag-evil","tag-good-work","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-killing","tag-los-angeles-times","tag-lovers","tag-movie","tag-movies","tag-series","tag-short-film","tag-times","tag-world"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116462491313760054","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/452424","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=452424"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/452424\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/452425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=452424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=452424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=452424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}