BASIC INSTINCT

I saw today was the 26th anniversary of BASIC INSTINCT’s theatrical debut, and what the hell, right? Man, do I miss ’90s Hollywood blockbusters.

I miss genuine movie stars like Michael Douglas carrying a picture, slick camerawork, and lighting; original soundtracks instead of tweaked temp tracks. I miss exploitative, adult, rated-R material and a time when a high concept spec script could still win the weekend box-office. A while ago, it seemed like Joe Eszterhas and his neo-noir erotic thrillers were a punch-line. Now they’re the stuff of nostalgia.

BTW, if you’re going to revisit BASIC INSTINCT, go with the director’s cut: Sharon Stone + Jan de Bont lighting/angles + Rob Botin’s cut icepick through the eye gag = a lot of conflicting feelings.