Early 90s Film Club

Mar 22

I was just watching the “making of” videos on YouTube this weekend.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfuQq0JsM0E

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkLk5z0d7Kg&feature=related

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OipM7JGwukg&feature=related

Coincidentally, I ordered the Jerry Goldsmith score online and should be getting it sometime this week.

the keystone

the keystone moment of this movie was when Gus looks right at the audience and says “I like that! Suspension of disbelief…”

without that line and look, i think the movie would have to collapse under itself.

Basic Instinct

Starring:

Michael Douglas
Sharon Stone

and

Every character actor you know

Hoberman/Oberman meaningless R

Apart from the ubiquitous reference to the Canadian nickel, I only remember that I thought this was a particularly bad movie, even though I was only about 22. Seemed like every two weeks a crappy “psychological thriller” set in San Francisco would come out, each with a more ridiculous surprise ending, which was never a surprise. OK, Shattered was kinda neat.

The only detail I really remember was Jean Tripplehorn’s name confusion — Lisa Oberman or Lisa Hoberman. What a complete waste of time. Here’s a hint for Mr. Verhoeven: If you can take ten minutes out of a movie and end up with exactly the same movie, take the ten minutes out. Every. Fucking. Time.

Bart Simpson Keychain

That most iconic of pop merchandise trinket, the Bart Simpson keychain, figures heavily into one of “Basic Instinct“‘s heavier-handed tropes.

I had one in 1991. The metal ring came out of Bart’s head, and instead of having a cow, I simply tied a thin rope in a noose around his neck to keep my keys attached. Weird kid.

The Bart Simpson Bendable Keychain (modeled here by Jeanne Tripplehorn) can be yours for only $5.99 at Amazon.

Mar 21

Tonight’s screening: “Basic Instinct” (1992) dir. Paul Verhoeven

JOIN IN! Acquire the movie by whatever means and submit your thoughts, stills, grabs, doodles, dreams, fanfic, shavings and impressions.

Raza and I will begin watching once drinks are mixed in about 20 minutes.

(Raza’s two cents: Richard Corliss or Richard Schickel—one of the Richards—once sniped that Jan de Bont shot the film as though he thought he were working on Lawrence of Arabia—to which all I have to say in response is: Why shouldn’t Sharon Stone’s terrible flower have been lit and photographed as if it were Peter O’Toole’s face?)

Feb 03

Wishlist

We’ll keep this post as a storeroom for your suggestions. If you’ve made a suggestion but it’s not on the list, it’s probably A) not from the early 90s or B) not a good movie. It’s important to make the distinction that Early 90s Film Club isn’t for the ironic appreciation of the awful. We want to watch good movies from a simpler era of movie history. The list:

“Sneakers” (1992) dir. Phil Alden Robinson, NOTE: We actually already screened this one, but would be happy to do it again. Such a good one. (Thx, lucas and bluishorange.)
“Last Action Hero” (1993) dir. John McTiernan, NOTE: Underappreciated. Shut up. (Thx, facemeltingaction.)
“Terminator 2: Judgement Day” (1991) dir. James Cameron (Thx, energyface.)
“Speed” (1994) dir. Jan de Bont
“Freejack” (1992) dir. Geoff Murphy
“Dave” (1993) dir. Ivan Reitman
“L.A. Story” (1991) dir. Mick Jackson
“Point Break” (1991) dir. Kathryn Bigelow
“Strange Days” (1995) dir. Kathryn Bigelow
“Soapdish” (1991) dir. Michael Hoffman
“To Die For” (1995) dir. Gus Van Sant (Thx, adamschoales.)
“Toy Soldiers” (1991) dir. Daniel Petrie Jr., NOTE: One of my all-time favorite movies. EXCELLENT SUGGESTION, samography.)
“True Lies” (1994) dir. James Cameron (Thx, ryanpeeler.)
“Gremlins 2: The New Batch” (1990) dir. Joe Dante (Thx, ryanpeeler.)
“The Last Boy Scout” (1991) dir. Tony Scott (OKAY THX, RYANPEELER. WE GET IT. JESUS. (But Judge Dredd is a terrible movie.).)
“Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992) dir. James Foley (Thx, Mike.)
“Wild at Heart” (1990) dir. David Lynch (Thx again, Mike.)
“Hackers” (1995) dir. Iain Softley (Thx, wenis. Haha.)
“Johnny Mnemonic” (1995) dir. Robert Longo (Thx, wenis. Hahaha.)
“Twelve Monkeys” (1995) dir. Terry Gilliam (Thx, wenis. BWAHAHA.)
“Heat” (1995) dir. Michael Mann (Thx, wenis. …)
“Defending Your Life” (1991) dir. Albert Brooks (Thx, hehewaitwhat. Thirty shrimp for you.)
“Benny & Joon” (1993) dir. Jeremiah Checkik (Thx, hehewaitwhat. OMG girl you don’t even know.)
“What About Bob?” (1991) dir. Frank Oz (Thx, hehewaitwhat.)
“My Blue Heaven” (1990) dir. Herbert Ross (Thx, hehewaithwhat.)
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992) dir. Fran Rubel Kuzui (Thx, hehewaitwhat.)
“Pump Up the Volume” (1990) dir. Allan Moyle (Thx, hehewaitwhat.)
“Higher Learning” (1995) dir. John Singleton
“Airborne” (1993) dir. Rob Bowman (Thx, drewfranklin. Vintage Seth Green.)
~~“Basic Instinct” (1992) dir. Paul Verhoeven (Thx, Mike.)~~
“Chungking Express” (1994) dir. Wong Kar Wai (Thx, Mike.)
“Safe” (1995) dir. Todd Haynes
“New Jack City” (1991) dir. Mario Van Peebles
“Knight Moves” (1992) dir. Carl Schenkel (Thx, Neven.)
“Virtuosity” (1995) dir. Brett Leonard (Thx, vfunk.)