Category Archives: Nudity

2011, Complicated, Computer geeks, Could Be Hard To Watch, Detective, Explicit sex, Nudity, Occasional gore, Rape, Religious Theme, Sadism, Serial Killer, Suspense, Torture, Violent

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

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From NetFlix:

When a young computer hacker is tasked with investigating a prying journalist, their separate missions become entangled amid a decades-old conspiracy. David Fincher directs this English adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s novel.

By now you have probably read Stieg Larsson’s book (or maybe the entire Millenium trilogy). Because I have done so, I was a little disappointed in some few plot changes. But for the most part the film follows the book.

All the characters are well chosen. Daniel Craig correctly plays an understated Mikael Blomkvist. Blomkvist was equally a calm and quiet character in the Swedish film version. For my tastes Christopher Plummer looked too healthy as Henrik Vanger at the start of the film. But after his heart attack he looked like a tired, sick old man. Yorick van Wageningen is a wonderfully sleazy lawyer who rapes Lisbeth and gets paid back in spades. Stellan Skarsgård is excellently creepy as Martin Vanger.

But in the end the film captures the book well. Enjoy!

2009, Basically Sad, Crime, Detective, Imperfect, Italian, Love Story, Nudity, Plot Twist, Quiet, Sex Scenes

The Double Hour (2009)

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From NetFlix:

In the wrong place at the wrong time, Sonia takes a bullet to the head during an art robbery. She survives, but later finds herself haunted by visions. Her mysterious past, meanwhile, comes to light under the watchful eye of a suspicious policeman.

Unfortunately the plot of this Italian film (with non-optional subtitles) is somewhat flawed. Sonia’s double life does not really work or even matter to the film except in some trivial details. For the following reasons this film might be worth viewing:

  • There are some surprise plot twists.
  • All the actors do a good job at their craft.
  • Ambivalence and an underlying sadness lend some urgency to the plot.
  • Listening to an easy Italian is fun.

Nothing special, but I enjoyed the film.

2011, Drama, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, French, Italian, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Unusual, Violent

Unforgivable (2011)

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From NetFlix:

This moody drama follows the increasingly chaotic life of Francis, a crime novelist who moves to Venice to write his next book. After starting an affair with a young beauty, Francis suspects her of cheating — even as his own daughter goes missing.

“Unforgivable” is spoken in French and Italian with subtitles. Its other name is “Impardonnables”.

What a crazy mixed-up bunch of dysfunctional people! Not a single character would classify in my book as “normal”, whatever that means.

Nor are all the subplots entirely believable. We start with Francis who was a womanizer that left each woman if she confronted him about his multiple affairs. At this point he is probably in his sixties. He is in Venice and visits a rental agency looking for an apartment to rent. Lo and behold the rental agent, Judith, is the former Chanel model Carole Bouquet who just happens to be “drop dead beautiful”. You may not believe it, but during the filming she was 54 years old. At any rate she shows Francis a house on one of the Venetian islands and during that house inspection he asks her to live with him in this island house and she, of course, accepts. For me, seeing an older man having sex with a younger beauty was a first. Needless to say Judith is bi-sexual.

And the plot continues on its bizarre path. We get to meet fatherless sons finishing prison terms for violent tendencies, Judith’s former (woman) lover who is dying of cancer, Francis’ married daughter who is currently on leave from her husband in order to pursue a young Italian drug dealer, etc.

You probably get the idea by now. Not that the film was boring, just weird. Good luck!

2011, Acceptable Trash, Documentary, Motorcycles, Nudity, True Story

Corman’s World (2011)

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From NetFlix:

B-movie maestro Roger Corman is celebrated in this star-packed documentary. While trafficking in movies featuring lots of blood, violence and nudity, Corman nonetheless managed to tackle issues like race and sexism with his independent features. Luminaries including Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Robert De Niro and Jonathan Demme offer their reflections on the legacy of this purveyor of thrills and chills.

Roger Corman managed to make about 300 films, most of which were horrible schlockfests. But that is the beauty of camp films, they are so horrible that they are just plan fun. In one film the monster from outer space is a great big paper bag with a painted face and an open mouth through which someone now and then squirts red juice.

Real film history is involved here. We think of Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and William Shatner as established stars. But they got their start and continued help from Roger Corman.

Corman did make some notable films: “Easy Rider” and “Jaws” to name just two.

Part of the film is a tribute to Corman, who somehow never got the respect he deserved.

At one point Corman was making a film a month. He had no money and made these movies as cheaply as possible. But he made money on all his films except for one: he naively went down south when desegregation was just starting and made a film about a lynching.

If for no other reason, you can watch this documentary just to see the outrageously stupid and funny clips from his films.

2011, Dark, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Kidnapping, Medical Theme, Mostly About Sex, Not Recommended, Nudity, Plot Twist, Rape, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Spanish, Unusual, Violent

The Skin I Live In (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Brilliant plastic surgeon Robert Ledgard seeks to overcome the grief of his late wife’s disfigurement in a fiery car crash by inventing skin that’s impervious to injury. But his experiments on a living woman hasten his descent into madness.

Only Almodóvar could dream up such a weird film. Of course, sexual ambiguity is his specialty. An aging Antonio Banderas plays a somewhat expressionless jack-of-all-trades surgeon who does creepy things with his scalpel. Half way through the story there is a plot twist that I did not expect. This twist (a bit tough to experience) changes whatever you thought you understood. For me the ending was like a METRO bus that just came to the end of the line, i.e. it just stopped.

Expect to see two rapes, much nudity, and a story that is not for everyone.

2011, Drama, Drugs, Grim, Not Recommended, Nudity, Psychological Drama, Suspense, Violent, Vulgar

I Melt With You (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Old college buddies Richard (Thomas Jane), Ron (Jeremy Piven), Tim (Christian McKay) and Jonathan (Rob Lowe) get together one weekend to reminisce about their glory days. As they leave their adult responsibilities behind, they lose control, lured into a getaway of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Picking up the pieces, the men begin to question the wisdom of the choices they’ve made. Carla Gugino co-stars.

What follows is a list of the reasons why you should NOT see this really depressing film:

  • Watching 4 adult men act like drug-crazed teenagers is not a positive experience.
  • Listening to their sometimes crude talk is similarly unattractive.
  • Self-destruction is never fun to watch.
  • Finally, the secret premise underlying the story is too unrealistic to believe.

So why watch the film at all ?

  • All 4 actors do a good job. Each portrays his own personal failures quite well (and what a desperate scene it is).
  • Once the first character reaches his sad end you begin to suspect a pattern and can easily become hooked on seeing each story play out.

Do you really want to watch a depressing film ?

2010, Based on true facts, Could Be Hard To Watch, Cynical, Disturbing Image, Grim, Nudity, Police Story, Rape, Suspense, Violent

The Whistleblower (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Sent to Bosnia to train cops in the aftermath of that country’s brutal civil war, American policewoman Kathryn Bolkovac (Rachel Weisz) uncovers evidence that U.N. peacekeepers are complicit in a flourishing sex-trafficking trade. But when she brings her allegations to light, she discovers that her foes are more powerful than the law. Based on a true story, this thriller from director Larysa Kondracki co-stars Monica Bellucci and David Strathairn.

Probably one of the harshest films I have watched recently, I was tempted to stop watching several times. But the cynical engagement in sex trafficking sponsored by UN peace keepers was so unnerving that I had to see some resolution at least in the case of Kathryn Bolkovac. Although Bolkovac got some satisfaction for her heroic efforts, no one would ever hire her again and the practice of sex trafficking still flourishes (and probably always will).

Be prepared for some brutal treatment by the peacekeepers of these women (rape, murder, etc).

As an artistic endeavor the film is so-so. But the events are riveting.

2011, Acceptable Trash, Bullying, Comedy, Explicit sexual discussion, Mediocre, Nudity, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Vulgar

Horrible Bosses (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Disgruntled buddies Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) can’t leave their miserable jobs, so they cook up a creative strategy for eliminating each other’s micromanaging and maniacal employers (Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey) instead in this crackpot comedy. Peculiar advice from con artist Motherf**ker Jones (Jamie Foxx) gets the scheme in motion, but the pals can’t keep the wheels from flying off.

While I was busy shredding various pieces of paper it was appropriate to also watch this barely acceptable C-film. Every now and then mixed in with all the crude language were some really good laughs. Revenge films always get to me because I want to see the villains get what is coming to them.

Kevin Spacey reminds me of Anthony Hopkins in one respect: both men have done some fine acting, but some reason (money ?) they have also appeared in some really stupid films that would seem beneath their level of ability. Best to watch Kevin Spacey in Margin Call (2011). Best to watch Anthony Hopkins in “Remains of the Day” instead of, groan, “Zorro”. Probably I should say the same for Colin Farrell, whom I did not even recognize as the coke-head. Best to watch him in In Bruges (2008).

On the other hand Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development”), Jason Sudeikis (“The Bounty Hunter”), Charlie Day (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), and Jennifer Aniston (“The Bounty Hunter”) are just where they belong.

Need to zone out and avoid any thought whatsoever ? Try this funny-in-parts film.

2011, Based on true facts, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Drugs, Lawyers, Medical Theme, Nudity, True Story

Puncture (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Drug-addicted attorney Mike and his business partner Paul take on a case involving an emergency room nurse who has been pricked by an infected needle. Uncovering a web of corporate conspiracies, Mike and Paul quickly find themselves outmatched.

According to the Wikipedia review of this film:

——————— START OF QUOTE ———————————-

The story is based on two young lawyers and a syringe manufacturer who had invented a safety syringe that he was unable to sell. The safety syringe manufacturer filed an antitrust lawsuit against the two largest hospital group purchasing organizations and a large syringe manufacturer claiming he was being shut out of the market.[3] The case was settled before trial for $150 million dollars.[4]

In addition the film brings to light several issues affecting American health care:
1. Accidental needle sticks cause thousands of US nurses to be infected by HIV, Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases every year. [5]
2. Needle reuse in Africa and Asia directly cause 1.3 million deaths annually, 23 million hepatitis infections annually and 260,000 HIV/AIDS infections annually. [6]

A passing reference in the movie also touches on whether AIDS in Africa is spread by sex or needle reuse. Research has found needle reuse, rather than sex, may have been the main cause of the rapid spread of AIDS in Africa. [7] Fearing that if this comes to light Africans will refuse needle immunization and other important treatments, some health care professionals allege that the UN and WHO have moved to suppress this information. [8].

———————– END OF QUOTE ———————————-

Footnote 3 leads to an article in the New York Times that identifies the guilty medical supply companies as Premier and Novation.

Mark Weiss was indeed a young lawyer fairly out of control. Possibly for titillation purposes we see him engaging in drug use often, at times nude next to a nude woman also using the drugs. But do not let that dissuade you from continuing with this worthwhile and engaging film. In fact Mark Weiss dies of a drug overdose at the age of 32. His partner continued the good fight.

Be sure to watch the final credits because they tell us a bit of what follows the end of the film.

Four of the actors are principal:

  • Chris Evans (age 30) who plays Mark Weiss was Captain America.
  • Mark Kassen is a very young looking 40 year old who does not have many screen credits to his name. He plays Mark’s lawyer partner.
  • Marshall Bell (age 69) plays the inventor. He has taken many supporting roles, for example in the “Rum Diary”.
  • Brett Cullen (age 55) plays the opposing lawyer who has sold out for money. He plays Captain Perkins in the TV series “Body of Proof”

Better than the usual big bad guys versus honest lawyers. DO NOT MISS!

2006, Could Be Hard To Watch, Dark, Disturbing Image, Explicit sex, German, Grim, Love Story, Mostly About Sex, Nudity, Psychological Drama, Rape, Unusual, Violent

The Free Will (2006)

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From NetFlix:

When a convicted rapist (Jürgen Vogel) takes a job at a German print shop, he befriends the owner’s daughter (Sabine Timoteo), a young woman who’s been sexually abused by her father, and an intense but complicated bond forms between them. Matthias Glasner directs this Tribeca Film Festival selection that explores the boundaries of an unconventional romance between a former victimizer and one who’s been victimized.

At 2 hours and 44 minutes, this German film with optional English subtitles is a tough watch about which I shall now try to warn you. In what follows “he” is the rapist and “she” is the woman victimized by her father. You might NOT want to see this film because:

  • At the beginning you see an ugly rape scene. You can easily skip over this part and begin with his being released from prison.
  • Unfortunately he later relapses and there occurs a rape scene that is nowhere near as bad as that first scene but still ugly.
  • The film is very slow moving.
  • Fortunately we only get a hint of the father’s abuse. In fact we never really know if his abuse was sexual. At the very least he made his daughter a substitute in some ways for his deceased wife and prevented the daughter from being independent.
  • Intense loneliness is a constant presence.
  • Sadly the story does not end well.

So why on earth did I stick with this film? First of all I like independent films and this film has just that flavor. Also the film takes its time with the two characters. You can feel the sad conflicts with with they struggle, especially the self-hating rapist. Throughout the film, alas, I was rooting for them as a couple. Recidivism is all too real and there is nothing idealistic in filming the struggles of each of the characters.

Hopefully I have discouraged you from watching an unusual film which for me was fascinating.