tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post5423612062775110055..comments2023-11-05T07:45:02.082-05:00Comments on Mystery Man on Film: Sex with Mystery Man!Mystery Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486331815227364944noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-29046922452588454842008-09-04T08:42:00.000-04:002008-09-04T08:42:00.000-04:00Christian M. Howell, sounds like you have some dee...Christian M. Howell, sounds like you have some deep sex issues to work out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-86962404076938300472008-08-29T10:20:00.000-04:002008-08-29T10:20:00.000-04:00i prefer sensuality over sex in movies.i prefer sensuality over sex in movies.Sabina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14679639206346030919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-78353191767436835722008-08-25T22:12:00.000-04:002008-08-25T22:12:00.000-04:00Great comments, I love it! I can't address them a...Great comments, I love it! I can't address them all, but I've read every single one.<BR/><BR/>I finished the article - a 2-part series, almost 6,000 words. It's never been done before. I think it'll be popular. Will give more details in a few.<BR/><BR/>I have a section at the end of part two where I thank everyone who left comments on this article, but the names only went up to Aug 12 or 13 or so. If you're not mentioned, please don't think I've forgotten you or didn't appreciate your thoughts, because I truly do appreciate them.<BR/><BR/>-MMMystery Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17486331815227364944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-41843979666009523242008-08-25T19:18:00.000-04:002008-08-25T19:18:00.000-04:001) Sexy seems to sell more then sex. I think the b...1) Sexy seems to sell more then sex. I think the best example is the way hollywood builds up these "Celebrity Relationships" to sell the movies like Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The hook for the audience is finding out if Pitt and Jolie have reall on-screen chemistry, and the studios have an easier time selling the products (celebrities) then the story. <BR/><BR/>2) I can think of just a few recent movies where sex was crucial to the store, but they are indies and European. Perhaps sex sells more to the indie crowd then the mainstream.<BR/>Etu Mama tamdian, Brokeback Mountain, Marie Antoinette (interesting because it was the lack of sex in the sex scene that made it crucial) Sex and Lucia, and Secretary (as mentioned above)<BR/><BR/>3) Michael Pitt's character in Funny Games<BR/><BR/>Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood<BR/><BR/>Seems Wes Anderson creates many characters who are at least indifferent to sexuality if not asexual. His films are especially interesting, because sex is often overt or overtly missing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-77245984930419511602008-08-25T19:02:00.000-04:002008-08-25T19:02:00.000-04:00I would say that Spielberg and Lucas both are grea...I would say that Spielberg and Lucas both are great fans of asexual characters. Take Darth Vader, the Emperor, Luke Skywaker (to a point) Chewie etc etcDaniel Larssonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12637644206343765794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-2165804243166207632008-08-17T16:59:00.000-04:002008-08-17T16:59:00.000-04:001). Sex may not sell a movie ticket, but it is suc...1). Sex may not sell a movie ticket, but it is such an important part of what it means to be a human that it will always have a place in human stories. Each writer/filmmaker will choose to use it in their own way, it can be gratuitous or poetic, just like in real life.<BR/><BR/>2). "Coming Home". Jon Voight and Jane Fonda. Absoloutely crucial moment.<BR/><BR/>3). What about Bishop from the Alien stories, so wonderfully portrayed by Lance Henrickson. Sure, he was an artificial unit but perhaps, for that very reason, he is representative of the ultimate in asexual human beings?Carl Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07145297032733680067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-3517121329371826232008-08-12T12:24:00.000-04:002008-08-12T12:24:00.000-04:00I've been offline for a few days - yoicks! it's li...I've been offline for a few days - yoicks! it's like not having electricity - but still had some final thoughts to post even though this is pretty much dead.<BR/><BR/>As for the original assertion about ready access to porn killing off the rationale for explicit nudity and sex in movies, I'm not so sure. Bad porn might even make us appreciate sex in good movies even more.<BR/><BR/>If there is a 'satisfaction' hierarchy for visual arousal tools, porn videos have to come pretty much bottom of the heap: just tits, cocks, orifices and rubbing. No role for the imagination (other than imagining it's your cock), ergo a pretty empty experience.<BR/><BR/>Good old fashioned print-porn offers a better experience, because all it does is provide a jumping off point for the imagination.<BR/><BR/>But some people's imaginations are better than other's, which is one of the reasons we go and see movies. A well done explicit scene that has been arrived at as part of a good flirtatious story might provide the ulimate in arousal - especially if the illicit nature of watching it in a public venue and being unable to do anything about it (never mind the guy in the row behind in the rain mac) adds to the frisson.<BR/><BR/>Assuming people have any appetite for on-screen sex at all (and clearly lots do), the difference between video porn and [well done] sex within movies is probably a bit like the difference between sex with a hooker and sex with your loved one (I imagine).<BR/><BR/>It's all about character and our depth of engagement with the people on the screen...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-59049024157846867162008-08-12T06:59:00.000-04:002008-08-12T06:59:00.000-04:00Although slightly off the path of discussion here,...Although slightly off the path of discussion here, there is the interesting element of 'sex sells'. 'Basic Instinct' came out in 1992 after a fairly repressive Reagan presidency of the 1980's(all that talk of decency - even Jimmy Stewart talked out against the sex and violence in film).<BR/><BR/>Since 'Basic Instinct' came out, cable television and the internet have opened up to much more nudity and sexuality (and easy hardcore porn access on the internet). That sexual tension we got from 'Basic Instinct' is much less potent now as we have so many avenues for titillation. <BR/><BR/>Which then brings me back to your point. Is the sex scene nescessary in the film? Is it for exploitation (which is much harder now given what is available outside of the cinema) or is it an essential element of the film (to be viewed). Can sex sell a film in this time of desensitivity?Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213866618922724603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-76530838746438368942008-08-10T10:47:00.000-04:002008-08-10T10:47:00.000-04:00Christian, I am sometimes aroused by explicit scen...<I>Christian, I am sometimes aroused by explicit scenes in films, but when they are integral to the story, I don't find my arousal distracts me from the story.</I><BR/><BR/>Sorry, you'll never convince me. I have never seen a movie that has a sex scene that does anything to forward the story or raise the stakes.<BR/><BR/>I actually shy away from movies that are said to be "explicit" as I don't want to see sex on screen.<BR/><BR/>Now don't think as a screenwriter I haven't added sexuality and sensuality to movies, but that isn't explicit sex.<BR/><BR/>SOmeone made an example of American Beauty. Answer me this, did you get more of her frustration as she hollared "Oh yes your majesty fuck me" or "I really needed that?" and the singing of the song in the car?<BR/><BR/>That scene could have worked with the camera outside the room panning up from the car, with the headboard noise in the background intermingled with light moans every few seconds.<BR/><BR/>Then a transition could be made from her "singing" to her "singing."Christian H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16847810167041864292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-13983999232721789562008-08-10T04:42:00.000-04:002008-08-10T04:42:00.000-04:001. I do think sex has an important effect in films...1. I do think sex has an important effect in films like Body Heat, Fatal Attraction, Bull Durham, White Palace, Unfaithful, Henry and June, Dangerous Liasons, and even 9 & 1/2 Weeks. In many other films it's just a rubbish tack on, but sexual relationships are central to the above films because the hero often acts without control, consumed by passion. Perhaps this story form is derived from Lady Chatterley's Lover.<BR/>Also making significant use of sex are Russ Meyer films, where sex causes chaos, drama, violence, and much laughter.<BR/><BR/>2. Hard to recall asexual beings in films, but I reckon Johnny Depp is asexual by definition. He's an object of beauty rather than of sexual power. Weird, but Willy Wonka and Edward Scissorhands are two examples that have been mentioned, and even his Ed Wood comes across as interested in nothing but touching cashmere sweaters. Even his cross dressing is strangely asexual.<BR/>Keanu Reeves is sort of asexual in a similar way, like a pretty stone statue.Cody McCormackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06499614944722146960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-23856827943636403332008-08-09T16:45:00.000-04:002008-08-09T16:45:00.000-04:00This is cinematic sex.http://www.youtube.com/watch...This is cinematic sex.<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJmKHe3BrGY&feature=related<BR/><BR/>This is why Ghost made 500 Mio Dollars. Ok, part of that scene goes to Unchained Melody, which is the best.<BR/><BR/>One more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d24qtRqOKks<BR/><BR/>This works again because of the music and cinematography. The love scene was reshot.<BR/><BR/>Now, you can do all of this, shoot frame by frame the same way. It won't work. Because sex in movies is about creating the context of the character's goal.<BR/><BR/>Would Ghost be as powerful as a movie if that scene was missed? Would the end of TopGun worked without that scene?<BR/><BR/>At the end of Basic Instinct there's even suspense in the sex scene. Will she stab him or not?<BR/><BR/>Hitchcock used sex a lot. That close up in Rear Window with Grace Kelly entering the scene for the first time kissing James Stewart and asking questions like: "how's your love life".<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhynlS1-o_c<BR/><BR/><BR/>Asking if sex is still needed in cinema is like asking if violence is still needed in cinema. Or briefcases or men in black suites. It's all about what suites the purpose of the characters and the movie. If it is just exploitative than we can dismiss it as amateurish unless it has in itself a point.Thomas Ruferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06508054737071594938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-26121503181516316802008-08-09T12:29:00.000-04:002008-08-09T12:29:00.000-04:00Christian, I am sometimes aroused by explicit scen...Christian, I am sometimes aroused by explicit scenes in films, but when they are integral to the story, I don't find my arousal distracts me from the story. <BR/><BR/>I think the films I mentioned in my example would not have been as good, or would have failed completely, if the sex scenes were not shown. (Especially Lust, Caution - I really can't think of another way to show what was communicated there)Laura Deerfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06481017193764065233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-4835389479144722562008-08-09T11:06:00.000-04:002008-08-09T11:06:00.000-04:00Christian, the answer to all of your questions is ...<I>Christian, the answer to all of your questions is your comfort level. Sex on screen clearly makes you uncomfortable.</I><BR/><BR/>No, it makes my D*&K hard. I hate that. It takes me out of the movie. The more explicit, the more aroused I can become, the less I care about the plot or characters.<BR/><BR/>Whip out more tits at that point is all that matters. It may as well be porn.<BR/><BR/>Excuse my bluntness. I've had sex outdoors, in public staircases. Once almost in a club. I'm very comfortable about sexuality. I just don't think it has a place in cinema - at least serious cinema.<BR/><BR/>Comedy is the only place it really works as comedies don't really have a great narrative, just jokes and set pieces.Christian H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16847810167041864292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-672225378367580442008-08-09T01:05:00.000-04:002008-08-09T01:05:00.000-04:00I just watched "The Wackness" and it seemed to hav...I just watched "The Wackness" and it seemed to have that vital need of the kid finally have sex...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-6912472045275028232008-08-08T19:27:00.000-04:002008-08-08T19:27:00.000-04:00Shit, I finally have a cool one...SPECIES! And cha...Shit, I finally have a cool one...<BR/><BR/>SPECIES! <BR/><BR/>And channeling my inner Ovaltine...<BR/><BR/><I>More Natasha Henstridge, please!</I><BR/><BR/>-- David AlanDavid Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00954618022277834648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-10201171362805886532008-08-08T18:46:00.000-04:002008-08-08T18:46:00.000-04:00KIDS.And I think both Clarice Starling and Hanniba...KIDS.<BR/><BR/>And I think both Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter are asexual.<BR/><BR/>UnkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-91435804282836261632008-08-08T13:08:00.000-04:002008-08-08T13:08:00.000-04:00I love it! I just LOVE IT!On asexuals - I guest i...I love it! I just LOVE IT!<BR/><BR/>On asexuals - I guest it'd be safe to say that while there have been times that asexuals were prominent in films, there hasn't been a case yet where a character's asexuality was an issue, as in a romantic conflict - am I wrong?<BR/><BR/>When I first started research on this article, I wanted that question answered - "what's the point?" It was definitely answered in spades, and I have many examples. <I>Knocked Up</I> is a good. I hadn't thought of that. <I>Woodsman</I> with Kevin Bacon comes to my mind. Here was a pedophile experiencing "normal" sex for the first time, so you can see a slight transformation of his character in the sex, which was with Kyra Sedgwick. Ya know, I'll bet sex with Kyra would cure any man! Hehehe...<BR/><BR/>Thank you, EVERYONE! I love these lists! If I use something here, I WILL give you a shout-out in the article. It's a two-part series. (It'll be difficult to trim the material to only two parts.) A book could easily be written, although Pennington's "History of Sex in American Film" is the best I've read so far. Part One will be in the magazine and Part Two will be on (what will be) their newly redesigned website. I'll offer my personal thanks to everyone at the end.<BR/><BR/>-MMMystery Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17486331815227364944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-66280663410885544532008-08-08T11:10:00.000-04:002008-08-08T11:10:00.000-04:00Christian, the answer to all of your questions is ...Christian, the answer to all of your questions is your comfort level. Sex on screen clearly makes you uncomfortable. The purpose of a good sex scene is the same as the purpose of a good fight scene. To move the story forward while offering something exciting to watch.<BR/><BR/>And if you couldn't get into Shoot 'Em Up, you really would hate everything I ever write.<BR/><BR/>It's simply a taste issue. You don't like sex in your movies. Lots of people do.<BR/><BR/>I can't stand sappy stories about somebody's autistic grandma learning to love, but lots of people do.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-72242114563189236612008-08-08T09:16:00.000-04:002008-08-08T09:16:00.000-04:00Emily, we'll never agree on this. In Titanic, the ...Emily, we'll never agree on this. In Titanic, the THOUGHT of sex would have been because she was unhappy in her relationship. <BR/><BR/>I actually couldn't watch that far into Shoot Em Up. But those are the worse sex scenes. Ones that happen in the midst of a life or death struggle with armed gunmen are pure fluff.<BR/><BR/>But if you could answer the questions I posed, maybe I could understand your point.Christian H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16847810167041864292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-49357348312886456692008-08-08T08:26:00.000-04:002008-08-08T08:26:00.000-04:00Whew. I've really enjoyed this. Can I offer you ...Whew. I've really enjoyed this. Can I offer you a cigarette, Mystery Man?Mimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11590214841424958129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-42814842855083829382008-08-08T03:21:00.000-04:002008-08-08T03:21:00.000-04:00One film which I felt the sex scenes were crucial ...One film which I felt the sex scenes were crucial to the story was Ang Lee's 'Lust Caution'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-17875543479599693172008-08-08T02:29:00.000-04:002008-08-08T02:29:00.000-04:002) I'm pretty sure the sex scene in Knocked Up was...2) I'm pretty sure the sex scene in <I>Knocked Up</I> was necessary. :)<BR/><BR/>By the way, you've been awarded a Brilliante Weblog Premio by... <A HREF="http://anonymousassistant.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/congratulate-me/" REL="nofollow">me</A>. Enjoy, and pass it on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-87590001338750919152008-08-08T01:18:00.000-04:002008-08-08T01:18:00.000-04:00A movie were the sex scene was necessary and integ...A movie were the sex scene was necessary and integral to the plot: <BR/><BR/>Nearest To Heaven <BR/><BR/>Catherine Deneuve and William Hurt <BR/><BR/>They were both fully clothed...a little hand under her skirt during a bar scene...but the topper is Hurt's dialogue during the act. He's basically telling her to shed her fears and do what feels right...while at the same time he's showing that he doesn't have the same fears by slipping her the hand in a public place and doing what feels right to him...it's the act that finally makes her open to the possibility that she's falling for him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-55550484699675474212008-08-07T22:25:00.000-04:002008-08-07T22:25:00.000-04:00Christian, just like a fight scene, the kind of se...Christian, just like a fight scene, the kind of sex a couple has tells a whole lot about their relationship. Imagine the sex scene in Titanic if he had plowed her from behind while she screamed his name? Not the same effect at all.<BR/><BR/>Now imagine if during the sex scene in Shoot 'Em Up Clive Owen had been gently whispering romantic nothings in that chick's ear while slowly making love to her when the bad guys burst in? Not the same effect there either.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30413383.post-16300422613797684452008-08-07T20:43:00.000-04:002008-08-07T20:43:00.000-04:00For 3, pick any Pixar movie: from Toy Story to WAL...For 3, pick any Pixar movie: from Toy Story to WALL•E, all the protagonists are asexual.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com