Basic Instinct (1992)

Stardust Memories (1980)

While attending a retrospective of his work, a filmmaker recalls his life and his loves: the inspirations for his films.

From memory: Highly accomplished study with great b/w cinematography and the director's good sense of humor; the result, however, is an exercise in self-adulation. 

Halliwell*: "A plainly autobiographical work which, while amusing and moving in spots, makes it doubtful that the writer/director/star can even now shake off his obsessions."

Maltin***: ""Pointed, seriocomic look at fame and success - though many viewers found it simply narcissistic.

The Disaster Artist (2017)

When Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.

A humorous, but sympathetic homage to the making of the allegedly worst movie ever made and its enigmatic creator Tommy Wiseau manages to turn it into a success story, while simultaneously retaining its mystery.

Calendar Girl Murders (1984) (TV)

Basic Instinct (1992)

A violent, suspended police detective investigates a brutal murder, in which a manipulative and seductive woman could be involved.

Over-the-top  sex & crime thriller effectively makes you forget the nonsensical plot and creates an overcharged lurid atmosphere, a bit like Vertigo on acid.

Halliwell*: "Overheated, overlong melodramatic thriller with an implausible plot that requires its audience to accept that Michael Douglas is irresistibly attractive to bisexual women. But the skill and pace of the direction makes one regret that they were not exercised on better material."

Maltin***: "In-your-face sex thriller...Audacious, erotic, and larger-than-life - with an ending that falls short of real satisfaction."

Lovelace (2013)

The story of Linda Lovelace, who is used and abused by the porn industry at the behest of her coercive husband, before taking control of her life.

Despite good production and some excellent performances this attempt of depicting the actual tragedy falls short on offering any depth to the story.

Maltin***: "Absorbing biopic...Evocative performances and first-rate period atmosphere help make this credible - except, perhaps, for a brief, artificial portrayal of Hugh Hefner by Franco."

Diabolique (1996)

The wife and mistress of the sadistic dean of an exclusive prep school conspire to murder him.

Superfluous remake of Henri-Georges Clouzot's classic which proves that a star cast and adequate production don't necessarily result into a great movie.

Halliwell (no star): "An appalling remake of  Henri-Georges Clouzot's masterly Les Diaboliques; it is boring, badly made and miserably acted."

Maltin*1/2: "Top-notch cast founders in this amazingly monotonous (not to mention crude and embarassing) redo of the 1955 classic...This dreary film thoroughly trashes the memory of the original - and even the made-for-TV remakes!"