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Seeing the orgy scene on the recently released unrated Blu-ray version of the film was an unexpected jaw-dropper. Finely balancing the levels of sensual and disturbing at the same time like only a master can, Kubrick leads Cruise through a mansion of desire where the only thing worn is a masquerade mask. Re-watching the scene in its theatrically released version where computer-generated objects cover some of the more obscene acts (Roger Ebert lashed out about this, calling it the “Austin Powers-version”), is still almost as effective since I doubt Kubrick’s intention was to shock, but to have the audience become absorbed.

The computer-generated objects were placed since without them, the film would have been slapped with the dreaded NC-17 rating, which would ban it from most theaters. Also, by contract, Kubrick was obliged to deliver an R-rating. Kubrick, no stranger to the ratings system after having crafted A Clockwork Orange, a masterful psychological discussion-starter, and Full Metal Jacket, the first Kubrick film I have seen and loved, watched the skin-filled Showgirls, Fatal Attraction, and Basic Instinct to know how to edit the sexual scenes and still get an R-rating (which he did with the help of CGI).

While still shocking, today one can see the same intense nudity and sex instantly on the Internet just one click away (it's not safe for work, but just go to Google Images and type in Eyes Wide Shut). Plus with cable TV, just turn on HBO and watch one of my favorite shows, the blood sucking and boiling True Blood, where skin and blood are as almost as important as plot and dialogue. So while the themes are still in play to some 110 million married people in America alone, I must admit that this film is not with us even though it should still be seen.

Opening strangely on a hot July 16th, 1999, a date that Kubrick hand-picked himself, instead of during the cold months of Oscar season, Eyes Wide Shut was seen by a fair number of eyes. With a large $21.7 million opening weekend, unusually steep drop-offs were in store, and it wound up with $55.7 million (or about $87 million adjusted). While this seemed like a great number for a darkly-themed movie, it was granted a blockbuster budget of $60 million. However, strong overseas numbers to the tune of $106.4 million resulted in probable profit. Eyes Wide Shut still ranks as the number six all-time grossing erotic thriller, a genre that saw brief success in the late-'80s and early-'90s, only getting knocked down a spot last year by the schlocky but sexy fun Obsessed.

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