Stone struggles to outdo herself in erotic-thriller sequel that’s even worse than the original
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| FEMME FATALE: Sharon Stone reprises her role as icepick-wielding, underpants-free crime novelist Catherine Tramell. |
Sharon Stone’s star-making performance as Catherine Tramell was the only good thing about 1992’s “Basic Instinct.” As she strains to top herself despite even worse writing and direction, if that’s possible Stone still looks good. But now that’s attributable more to science than nature.
Catherine is still a bisexual novelist who may also be a murderer, and once again she spiders a relatively innocent male into her web. He’s Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey), a psychiatrist asked by Scotland Yard to evaluate Catherine after she escapes from a submerged car and her jock boyfriend doesn’t.
She persuades Michael to take her on as a patient so she can flirt with him daily. She’s also apparently sleeping with everyone else in the movie, male and female, although the sex scenes are all hetero. The bodies pile up as the terrible mystery plot unfolds but Michael can’t quit Catherine. An ending designed to leave you guessing follows the clever climactic scene.
Fans of the first movie are teased by a gratuitous shot of an icepick and a lot of crossing and uncrossing of legs, but you’ll have to wait for the hot tub scene to see Stone flash that beaver.
JACK + ENNIS FOREVER
“‘BROKEBACK’ RIDES ONTO DVD TUESDAY
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As one of the most talked about movies of the year, one frequent question was “How many times have you seen “Brokeback Mountain?”
On Tuesday, you can watch the film on an endless loop.
The puzzling best picture loss at the Academy Awards hasn’t prevented “Brokeback” from being rushed out on DVD. The film about two sheepherders in love, starring Oscar nominees Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams, is scheduled for release April 4 (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, $29.98)
The film grossed $82 million, was nominated for eight Oscars and won three: best director, best adapted screenplay and best original score.
The DVD’s bonuses include, a making-of feature, a profile of director Ang Lee and interviews with screenwriters Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal also discuss the rodeo and wrangling training they had to prepare for their roles.
Daniel A. Kusner
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, March 31, 2006.
