Saturday, April 27, 2019

Basic Instinct (1992): Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone


     Although infamous for it's explicit scenes, Basic Instinct (1992) has other powerful aspects that carry the film far above and beyond the hype. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas, the film has many ties to film noir, the most obvious being the flawed detective and the seductive femme fatale. It is a memorable film and still seems current 20 years later.
     A retired Rock and Roll star is found murdered, stabbed with an ice pick during sex. Detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) and his partner are on the case. The Rocker's girlfriend is the natural suspect, having been the last one seen with him. Following the address, Nick finds Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), a wealthy heiress and author... 

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

     Tramell's last novel being about a retired Rock and Roll star being murdered with an ice pick in bed further implicates her, but also creates an alibi. Confusion as to whether  or not she committed the crime ensues... 

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

     Meanwhile she is writing a new book about a detective and begins playing mind games with Nick...

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

      Forced to play along and concede to her seductions and advances, Nick engages in a wild affair with Catherine, despite the fact that people around him are turning up dead...

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

     Catherine challenges him emotionally, physically and professionally... Is Catherine a murderer? Or just a sex-crazed woman out to mess with men's heads?

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone


Friday, April 26, 2019

The Good German (2006): George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire and WWII


     Directed by Steven Soderbergh, based on the novel by Joseph Kanon, The Good German (2006) is a uniquely stylish homage to Film Noir with visual elements (including the film poster) borrowed from Casablanca (1942). The story concerns a war correspondent in post-war Berlin, who gets dragged into a dangerous mystery after his driver is murdered. The black and white cinematography and Noir style are superb, with great attention to detail... including presenting the film in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio (which was the common format in the 1940's). The whole cast is wonderful, including George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire and Beau Bridges.

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney

The Good German. 2006: Tobey Maguire

The Good German. 2006: Cate Blanchett

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney and Cate Blanchett

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney

The Good German. 2006: Cate Blanchett

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney and Cate Blanchett

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney and Cate Blanchett

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney and Cate Blanchett

The Good German. 2006: George Clooney

"The Good German"- movie trailer

Baron James Mayer de Rothschild. Financier and Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Baron James Mayer de Rothschild. Financier and Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

 Portrait Sketch of
 Baron James Mayer de Rothschild
( 1792 - 1868 )
Banker / Financier
Founder of the French branch
of the Rothschild family
Advisor to two Kings of France
Consul-General of the Austrian Empire
Awarded the French Legion of Honor
Freemason
Initiated in 1802, Member of
Emulation Lodge No. 12 in London, England
33rd Degree, French Supreme Council

by Travis Simpkins

The Rothschild Family


For more info, please visit:


Baron James Mayer de Rothschild. Banker and Freemason. by Travis Simpkins