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List Price: $39.98 | | Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Salesrank: 12307
Released: July 27, 2004 |
| Our Price: $9.99 |
| Used Price: $9.98 |
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MPAA Rating: NC-17
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Seduction, passion and power struggles unfold when the creators of Basic Instinct, director Paul Verhoeven (Starship Troopers) and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas (Original Sin) blow the lid off the seemingly glamorous world of Las Vegas showdancing to create one of the most controversialand shockingfilms of all time. Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) has what it takes to make it as a Las Vegas showgirlwhat she doesn't have is a way in. To survive, she accepts the only job available: lap dancing at a seedy club. And when she meets Cristal (Gina Gershon), Vegas'reigning showgirl, Nomi wants everything she hasincluding her boyfriend (Kyle MacLachlan). And as Nomi dives deeper into the world she so desperately desires, a rivalry between the two women heatsup. The battle for the spotlight becomes so fiercely competitive that it drives Nomi to desperate lengthsand devious heightsfor fame in Sin City.
Description of Showgirls (VIP Limited Edition):
When Goldie Hawn recommended Elizabeth Berkley for a small role in First Wives Club, she publicly stated that Berkley deserved the opportunity to redeem herself after starring in the ridiculous Showgirls. That says it all: this sleazy, stupid movie, which mixes soft pornography with the clichés of backstage dramas, is the kind of project an aspiring actress would have to put well behind her to keep a career going (though costar Gina Gershon certainly benefited from her, uh, exposure in the film). Berkley plays a drifter who hitches a ride to Las Vegas, becomes a lap dancer and then a performer, and discovers--gasp!--there's a whole world of sex and violence involved with these things. Gershon is probably the best element in the film, playing Berkley's bisexual rival for the big spotlight on stage. Joe Eszterhas was well overpaid for writing this howler, and director Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct) should have known better than to take it seriously. --Tom Keogh
Showgirls (VIP Limited Edition) Reviews:
Bad Movie, But Great Trash 
2009-12-22 - It's hard to believe that Dutch director Paul Verhoeven actually had serious intentions when making this film. I can only guess that the Duch must have a very different sense of humor to not "get" the joke with this film. Or Verhoven just simply blindly accepted whatever screenwriter Joe Eszterhas threw at him in light of the success they both had with Basic Instinct. No matter, if you love "so bad, they're good" films, you'll love this. With it's over-emphasis on sex and nudity along with some of the most enept and over-the-top dialogue you've ever heard, you can't help but be entertained.
The story is simple, out-of-town girl (Berkley) comes to Las Vegas to try and get in as a big league showgirl dancer. Only she ends up finding out that the backstage politics are a little more than what she was prepared for. She encounters the pressures to sell herself, backstab and suck-up (almost literally) to get ahead. As stupid and ridiculous as the plot is, it's really not that far off from reality. Back in the 80's, I dated a girl in San Diego that once worked as a showgirl in Vegas and she told me some pretty hairaising stories much like what you see here.
The acting is about as bad as the dialogue, campy, over-the-top and I love it! We see Berkley taking her frustrations out by violently squirting ketchup on her french-fries! I didn't think that was possible, but she can do it! About the only casting that's smart here is Gina Gershon who plays the illustrious and egocentric bisexual Cristal Connors, the "star" of the show, who considers all the other dancers as merely hand-maidens. She plays it like some evil intergalactic queen in a bad sci-fi movie. Of course Gershon is a natural at playing Wicked Wandas with those glaring eyes and crooked diabolical grin. Somehow I think she knew exactly what kind of film this was going to end up being, because she plays it to the hilt.
The film is without a doubt destined to be a cult classic along with Rocky Horror and Beyond the Vally of the Dolls. The DVD here is pretty much the same that came out earlier only without the shot glasses, the "pin the pasties on the showgirl" game etc. An audio commentary with Showgirls fan and documentarian David Schmader is included. Only beef is no deleted scenes, and we know they exist. Calling Criterion please!
So go out and pick this up, watch it and stick it in the movie shelf next to The Defilers, Rocky Horror, Linda Lovelace for President and whatever "good trash" cinema you have have!
Showgirls...Schmowgirls!! 
2009-09-18 - I first saw this film at the Theatre about 14 years ago. It has lost none of its "appeal" over time. Kyle Maclaghlin gives a particularly "wooden" performance, following his success in "Twin Peaks"!! ... and before "Desperate Housewives"??!!
Five Stars for a Steaming Plate of Hot Mess!
2009-09-13 - I am completely biased. I love bad "B" movies, and if they manage to be even worse, so much the better. This movie - to put it mildly - MUST be shown to every film student under the lecture line - "Please do not let this happen to you." The acting is over-the-top God awful (except, oddly, for Gina Gershon, who manages to give her bisexual vixen some heart and pizzazz), the script makes no sense, and the characters, save Gershon's, are not even developed. The subplots (?) are never explored, and it must be said that there is an appallingly brutal and utterly gratuitous rape scene that should have gotten the writer and director up on morals charges. It is, simply put, one of the absolute trashiest and most ridiculous movies I have ever seen. Ed Wood would have been proud.
I do have to say this though. The dance sequences were well-choreographed and highly entertaining to watch. It is a pity that the whole movie could not be developed around those. The costuming for the dance sequences was also exceedingly well-done.
So, five stars for sheer horrendous writing and film-making. So if you want to shut off your brain and have a hearty laugh at watching this train-wreck unfold, "Showgirls" is for you!
One Of The Best Comedies I've Ever Seen!
2009-07-30 - Okay, so I just saw this movie again tonight for the first time in many years, inspiring this review. I have never laughed so hard in my life. What's interesting is I don't believe this film was supposed to be a comedy, but it sure turned out that way.
First of all Elizabeth Berkley's performance is classic, timeless, and will go down in history as one of the worst ever committed to the big screen. She is anything but pretty, tall and lanky with a horse face to boot. In every single scene she is angry and storming out of someplace. I have never seen a character as consistently mad in a movie as this one. I'm not talking a little mad, I'm talking swearing like a sailor (actually she would make a sailor blush), punching and pushing people around, and causing a scene! You want to see what a typical neurotic, crazy American woman is like, this is your movie! She is so whacked out her issues have issues.
Some of my favorite moments:
1. Her lap dance scene with Kyle MacLachlan, it's the stuff of nightmares, and humor.
2. Her pool sex scene is butt gusting funny as you watch this woman flop around as though she's having an epileptic seizure. Even the guy she is with (again Kyle MacLachlan) seems genuinely concerned and confused watching her.
3. Her dance scene with a character named James is also the stuff of nightmares, but also funny.
4. Any scene where she is shoving a hamburger down her throat, and there are many of these. Stripper with a heart of gold who loves fast food burgers!
5. Basically any scene where she is dancing will induce side splitting laughter. Watching this woman pout her horseface trying to act sexy while thrusting her pelvis with such force you think she's going to throw her hip out, is a sight to see!
6. The scene with her and Gina Gershon's character having lunch together discussing how much they like dog food and which brand they like. The scene started out with Gina Gershon's character questioning whether Nomi likes brown rice and vegetables and then moves on to a discussion about dog food.
If you've avoided this film because of all the negative reviews you owe it to yourself to watch it at least one time. It's the perfect film to watch if you're down and out, or depressed, because you will find yourself laughing so hard that by the end of the movie you'll feel much better. Elizabeth Berkley was in some 80's sitcom that I never watched, but I'm thinking if she was as funny (unintentionally that is) in those I need to seem them! Saved By The Bell I believe. This movie destroyed whatever career she might have had. I will give Elizabeth Berkley credit, because if it were me in that lead role I would have committed suicide out of shame.
One of the greatest movies ever
2009-07-07 - I was at the VHS section of Hollywood Video and saw this movie covered in dust, along with all the other VHS tapes. I thought it was weird because VHS tapes are the latest technology! Anyway, I didn't hesitate to rent this because it was very critically acclaimed and is generally considered one of the greatest films of all-time. The dude at the cash register laughed and said, "This is one of the worst movies ever!" and suggested me some Godfather crap. I told him that I liked movies like SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2, Disaster Movie and From Justin To Kelly. He stopped laughing for some reason. So I get home and pop Showgirls into my VHS player and I'm blown away! The unpredictable plot, tasteful use of nudity and good acting really made me wonder why this movie hasn't won Oscars! Recommended for all.
