I know — it’s so easy to pick on Sharon Stone.
In the run-up to next Friday’s release of Basic Instinct 2, everyone from Defamer to Newsweek has had a few chuckles at her expense, giggling at her outspokenness and marveling at her exhibitionism. But let’s remember a couple of things:
First, she’s pretty much the only old-fashioned Hollywood movie goddess we have left, and by that, I mean a star who realizes it’s her job to be larger than life all the time, whether in her fashion choices, public statements, or film performances.
Second, sometimes that fearlessness (shamelessness) has paid off on screen in an unforgettable way; not just in the first Basic Instinct, but also in Casino, The Muse, Broken Flowers (a movie not worth seeing except for her brief turn in it), Total Recall, Cold Creek Manor, and Irreconcilable Differences. No doubt her performance in Basic Instinct 2, whether the film is good or bad, will be similarly memorable.
Besides, if you really want wacky, check out Liza Minnelli in her recent appearance on Larry King Live. Zany with a Z.
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Basic Instinct and The Muse are my two favorites. Anyone see her auction off her jewelry to an audience member on Ellen? What other millionaire celebrity can hustle an average joe for over a thousand dollars – in a serious and determined way! – and still remain likable?!
Broken Flowers was a great movie! Why say it was only worth Sharon Stone’s presence?
I love Sharon Stone, sure she made some bad choices in leading roles, but that’s nothing unusual in Hollywood. She’s a very good actress, and I don’t mind defending her, but I won’t try to defend Cold Creek Manor, that was a terrible movie, but not because of her.
Bless the loonies! Thank goodness not every celeb has become a puppet to the personality-diluting and dishonest PR syndrome. I’ll take the silly or controversial (awesome when it’s both simultaneously!!)over the deny,deny,deny until we’re busted types anyday! I actually think the lying-in-the-name-of-privacy types are fueling the gross paparazzi antics. Besides,it’s going to be the clips of those that dared to be charismatic that are going to be played & quoted in twenty years. There are reasons that we still talk about Cher, Dolly Parton, Liza, Liz, etc.
I think Sharon Stone is the shizzle dizzle for rizzle. She was the money in Casino, and that almost makes up for “the Professional” or her turn as “Cameltoe, the evil old lady” in “catwoman”.
Word up. Truly loony celebrities are a rare breed nowadays. This article really hit it right on the nose. Sharon Stone writes katrina songs, sleeps with M&M’s, kisses everybody in the world, and provides MONTHS of material for Amy Poehler to hilariously impersonate. Bless the loonies is right.
I’m with Chris on Broken Flowers. Yes, Sharon was great, but so was Bill Murray, Tilda Swindon, Geoffrey Wright and all the rest. Maybe Jim Jarmusch films are a little too cerebral for Mr. Susman.
I can’t believe you tried to slip Irreconcilable Differences in there.
I love Broken Flowers. I own it and if I need a smile, I watch a little of it. The out-take of the girls on the bus is a riot!!
OMG, that Liza video was so hilariously bad, it hurt! What a kook. And I agree – Broken Flowers was wonderful! You’d better watch it Susman!
The most memorable performance of Sharon Stone’s career was her kick-butt performance in Total Recall when she smacked down Gov Arnold’s girl and got in a few shots on the Terminator himself! Anybody else recall that scene of her playing that future game of Tennis in that flick?!?
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought “Broken Flowers” was overrated.
Sharon Stone is a DOUC HE bag
Aristocrats was also a bad movie
I hope Sharon poses for Playboy again – she’s hot.
I absolutely agree…Sharon Stone is the last of a dying breed (Faye Dunaway is in the same club, but didn’t know when to hang it up) Sharon Stone knows she ahs to give us Sharon Stone and she does. Along the way she also gives us Ginger in Casino (her hands down best performance) The Muse…I alos love two of her airlier performances Irreconciable Differences (she steals the film from everyone involved) and Total Recall…all four of these are completely different roles…Oh and I’m not really a huge fan…I just recognize talent and committmet when I see it.