Travis Simpkins

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Basic Instinct 2 (2006): Sharon Stone

Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction (2006) is a sequel to the smash erotic Neo-Noir 1992 hit, Basic Instinct. The story, which has Sharon Stone reprising her character as Catherine Tramell in a sex-crazed and murderous London romp, went through many difficult changes and developments over the years before finally coming to fruition. The film is more tame than it's 1992 predecessor. Sharon Stone, who was 48 at the time of filming, still looks ravishingly good. The supporting cast is good as well, including David Morrissey, David Thewlis, Flora Montgomery and Charlotte Rampling.

Basic Instinct 2. 2006: Sharon Stone

"Basic Instinct 2"- movie trailer

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

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: 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.