BASIC INSTINCT

1992 ***1/2 127 mins. (Director's Cut runs 128 mins.)

The first time I watched this film, I absolutely hated it. However, I think that was partially due to the fact that I saw a full screen version on a used VHS. After watching the film again on DVD in widescreen, I realized that it's actually pretty good. The performances are strong, the story flows pretty well, and this film does deliever what it sets out to deliver. The problems, for me, still are the fact that a lot of the facets of the detective side of the film aren't believable and realistic. Also, near the end, the sex scenes that build with the loud music and then . . . nothing . . . bother me. I can't exactly say why. I must commend Paul Verhoeven, though, on his use of the widescreen imaging. The basic plot line is: a murder of a rock star bears similarities to the most recent novel by a woman named Catherine Trammel (Sharon Stone). Michael Douglas's character goes in a little too deep in his investigation to find out the truth about the killer.
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, some drug content, language, and violence. Director's Cut is not rated.

• Original theatrical aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (Panavision)
• Original theatrical relase date: March 20, 1992
• The Director's Cut features 42 seconds of added footage, some sexual, some gory/violent.

• ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS: Best Film Editing (Frank J. Urioste) and Best Music, Original Score (Jerry Goldsmith)
• ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY & HORROR FILMS AWARDS NOMINATIONS: Best Actress (Sharon Stone), Best Director (Paul Verhoeven), Best Horror Film, Best Music (Jerry Goldsmith), and Best Writing (Joe Eszterhas)
• AWARDS OF THE JAPANESE ACADEMY NOMINATION: Best Foreign Film
• BMI FILM & TV AWARD: BMI Film Music Award (Jerry Goldsmith)
• CANNES FILM FESTIVAL NOMINATION: Golden Palm (Jerry Goldsmith)
• DVD EXCLUSIVE AWARDS NOMINATION: Best Original Retrospective Documentary (Jeffrey Schwarz for "Blonde Poison: The Making of Basic Instinct)
• GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD NOMINATIONS: Best Original Score - Motion Picture (Jerry Goldsmith) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama (Sharon Stone)
• GOLDEN SCREEN, GERMANY: Golden Screen
• MTV MOVIE AWARDS: Best Female Performance (Sharon Stone) and Most Desirable Female (Sharon Stone)
• MTV MOVIE AWARDS NOMINATIONS: Best Male Performance (Michael Douglas), Best Movie, and Best On-Screen Duo (Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone)
• NIKKAN SPORTS FILM AWARD: Best Foreign Film
• RAZZIE AWARDS NOMINATIONS: Worst Actor (Michael Douglas, also for Shining Through), Worst New Star ("Sharon Stone's 'Tribute to Theodore Cleaver'"), and Worst Supporting Actress (Jeanne Tripplehorn)

• 16.9 Newly Remastered Widescreen Feature (2.35:1)
• 5.1 Newly Remastered English Dolby Surround
• 2.0 English Dolby Digital Audio
• "Blonde Poison" - Documentary on the Making of the Film
• "Cleaning Up Basic Instinct" - A montage comparing the TV version to the theatrical version
• Commentary with Feminist Critic Camille Paglia
• Photo Gallery
• Storyboard Comparisons
• Theatrical Trailer
• Production Notes
• Cast and Crew Information
• English Subtitles
• French Subtitles
• Spanish Subtitles
• Closed Captioned for the hearing impaired

• The controversial footage cut from the theatrical release
• A candid conversation with director Paul Verhoeven about the film, the crime, sexuality, and its clues
• Interviews with stars Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone
• The theatrical trailer too hot to be shown in movie houses
• Widescreen Version (2.35:1)
• Dolby Surround
• Closed Captioned for the hearing impaired