Category Archives: Nudity

2003, Based on true facts, British Mystery Series, Conspiracy, Drama, Gay theme, Made For TV, Nudity, Political statement, Sex Scenes, Spy Theme, Wonderful acting

Cambridge Spies (2003)

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From NetFlix:

In 1934, four brilliant Cambridge men are recruited to spy for Russia. Fueled by youthful idealism, a passion for social justice and a talent for lying, they take huge personal risks to pass Britain’s biggest secrets to Moscow.

At the start of the film there is a disclaimer that some of the details are fictional. Let us hope that at least we get some insight into why these four men decided to spy for Russia. If nothing else, the acting is superb and the scenes both in England and in Germany ring true. Sex, both straight and gay, seems to pervade the atmosphere.

Cambridge’s four young spies are as follows:

Give this British production a strong recommendation.

2011, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, Corny, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Slapstick, Vulgar

Cedar Rapids (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Terrified of leaving his tiny town for the first time, sheltered insurance salesman Tim (Ed Helms) nervously sets out for the bright lights of bustling Cedar Rapids, where he attends a chaotic insurance convention and learns how to survive in the real world. Miguel Arteta directs this delightful fish-out-of-water comedy that also features Sigourney Weaver, Rob Corddry, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche.

Lebanon, PA (2010) and “Cedar Rapids” are two films about small-town USA that could not be more different. Whereas the former touches sensitively on contemporary problems, the latter is a vulgar romp at an insurance convention.

Which is not to say this B-movie doesn’t offer at least something worth saying. As luck would have it I convinced my wife Kathy that we could watch this film together. As far as I know, Kathy has forgiven me. In fact we both learned some really crass and original sexual remarks that were a revelation. John C. Reilly expertly paints himself as a gross, aging, alcoholic adolescent who eventually grew on me (is that a good sign ?).

Underneath this layer of prurience there is a story. Ed Helms (Stu in the “Hangover” films , is there a pattern here ?) plays in somewhat an exaggerated and at time embarrassing manner the role of a timid, naive, and very honest insurance salesman Tim whose experiences at this convention sadly teach him the not-so-honest ways of this world. You just have to accept that such a person could possibly exist and would triumph unbelievably in the end.

Meanwhile just sit back, learn some really colorful language, and watch (or cringe at) the fun.

2009, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Melodrama, Mostly About Sex, Nudity, Sex Scenes, TV Series

Hung (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Desperate for money after his house burns down, high school basketball coach Ray Drecker (Thomas Jane) makes a drastic decision: He becomes a male escort. With his old flame Tanya (Jane Adams) marketing his “winning tool,” Ray begins servicing the women of Detroit. Meanwhile, he deals with his difficult ex-wife, Jessica (Anne Heche), and her new husband, Ronnie (Eddie Jemison), while trying to help his offbeat teenage kids with their problems.

Ignore the tired joke. This TV series is NOT pornography. In fact there is very little actual sexual activity shown. This series is more a comic soap opera in which a very diverse cast of characters interact. In some ways “Hung” is the Breaking Bad (2008) of the sex world. We are supposed to rationalize Ray Drecker’s new career choice because he has money problems just as we were supposed to justify Walter White’s crystal meth lab because he also has money problems. Just ignore this form of moral retardation and enjoy the fun (in both TV series).

Thomas Jane (Ray Drecker) was 40 when he acted in season 1. Since he was born in Baltimore he MUST be a good actor although I have not yet seen him in anything else.

Jane Adams was Sheila in Little Children (2006). Here she plays Tanya Skagle who is Ray Drecker’s “pimp”. (This is NOT as sordid as it may sound.)

Anne Heche is perfect as Ray’s annoying and neurotic ex-wife Jessica. If I were one of her children, I wouldn’t like her either.

Only one objection comes to mind: Ray and Jessica are physically attractive. So how is it possible that their twin children Damon and Darby are so physically unappealing (to say the least) ? Damon is a Goth who paints his nails black.

2010, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, Love Story, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Barney’s Version (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.

Paul Giamatti has made many wonderful films but I suspect he will be remembered best for this masterful portrayal of a contemporary scum-bag. Even while he is betraying wives or murdering his best friend, he does it with such panache that it is just plain fun to watch.

And what is it about this physically unattractive rogue that captivates three such women ? Rachelle Lefevre (Dr. Ryan Clark in the TV series “Off the Map”) is gorgeous. Minnie Driver is a perfect Jewish American Princess. Finally Rosamund Pike (one of the Bennet sisters, Jane, in the 2005 “Pride and Prejudice”) is amazing as a beautiful, warm, mature woman.

Giamatti’s facial expressions are fascinating. Do not miss his wicked smile at the precise moment in which he realizes that his best friend (Scott Speedman, Spencer in “Good Neighbors”) has just had sex with wife number two, thereby giving him ammunition to divorce said wife.

In 2010 Dustin Hoffman was 73 years old while Giamatti was 43. Dustin Hoffman doesn’t look that old to me. In any case the father-son relation was touching. Giamatti laughs when he father dies for a reason that escaped me. Under what circumstances did the father die ?

My no-spoiler policy precludes me from discussing the end of the story. But be prepared for a surprising denouement.

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

2009, Drama, Fantasy, Francis Ford Coppola, Imperfect, Nudity, Plot Twist, Psychological Drama, Sex Scenes, Unusual

Tetro (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Francis Ford Coppola writes, directs and produces this captivating drama that centers on the relationship between Bennie (Alden Ehrenreich) and Tetro (Vincent Gallo), two brothers who reunite in Buenos Aires after a 10-year estrangement. Maribel Verdu, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Carmen Maura and Rodrigo de la Serna also star in this moving tale loosely inspired by Coppola’s own experiences growing up in a creative Argentine-Italian family.

Wikipedia tells us that in February 2007, director Francis Ford Coppola announced that he would produce and direct the film Tetro, based on a script that he had written while editing Youth Without Youth. There is no mention of whether the plot has anything at all to do with events in the life of the director.

While at times a bit “artsy-fartsy”, the story is compelling and includes some plot surprises. Filming is in black and white except when a character (almost always Tetro) is having a flashback or when some unusual entertainment is happening. Those colored episodes are theatrical, often strange, and involve opera or ballet acting out fantasies or flashbacks.

None of the actors were familiar to me. Alden Ehrenreich was 20 when he made the film. As a smiling, naive, virginal young man he is appealing. After the plot twist he does not seem to carry his part well. In fact for me the last part of the film somewhat fell apart.

At the very least I do not regret having seen the film.

1975, Car Chase, Conspiracy, Crime, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, Gangs, Mayhem, Nudity, Redemption, Sam Peckinpah, Suspense, Violent

Killer Elite (1975)

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From NetFlix:

One of the least well-known films from legendary director Sam Peckinpah, this action-thriller reunites Godfather co-stars James Caan and Robert Duvall. After Mike Locken (Caan) is left crippled by George Hansen (Duvall), his traitorous best friend, Locken quits the CIA. However, he returns to the shadowy spy life as the bodyguard for Chung (Mako), an Eastern diplomat targeted for assassination by Hansen and his hit squad.

Somewhat dated but, if modernized just a bit, this film would be no different from today’s hired killer stories. There are even scenes featuring Kung-Fu in one form or another.

What would probably NOT be in a film today was following in much detail James Caan’s physical rehabilitation after being purposely crippled by Robert Duvall at the very start of the film. We get to watch the removal of plaster casts, stitches, etc. All this rehabilitation serves to show Caan’s determination to get back in action. Considering the damage done to his knee and elbow you have to suspend disbelief to think that he could actually overcome many Kung-Fu style attacks.

Arthur Hill plays the double-dealing Cap Collis. You may remember him as Marcus Welby in the like-named TV series.

Burt Young (Mac) played Paulie in all the “Rocky 1,2,3,4,…” films.

1990, Comedy, Cooking and food, Detective, Mayhem, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Violent

Miami Blues (1990)

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From NetFlix:

Veteran criminal Junior (Alec Baldwin), just out of prison, moves to Miami to get a fresh start; right after landing at the airport, though, he inadvertently causes the death of a Hare Krishna, sending a weather-beaten Miami detective (Fred Ward) after him. Stealing the cop’s gun, badge and false teeth, Junior embarks on a crime spree and moves in with a former hooker (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who longs to settle down. But can they outrun the law?

Alec Baldwin is probably the best known of the four Baldwin brothers (the others being Stephen, William, and Daniel). In this film Alec is a mere child of 32 years. Currently he is best known for his role in “30 Rock” at the tender age of 53. His appearance has changed somewhat over those 21 years, to say the least.

This crazy, funny, unpredictable, and violent film predates “Pulp Fiction” by four years and could easily have been the inspiration for John Travolta’s film. Junior (Alec Baldwin) is an intelligent, clever, charming, and resourceful thief, liar, and cold-blooded killer. If you can ignore the violence, you might really enjoy watching Junior slip out of one bad situation after the other. There are enough sight gags, sudden twists, and comic understatements to keep anyone interested.

Immediately after getting out of one of his many stays in prison he hooks up with Jennifer Jason Leigh (who is 28 years old in the film). She played Pauline in “Margot at the Wedding”. Her character Susie Waggoner is a sweet, naive hooker (and college student) who really wants to be a homemaker and who thinks she has found a wonderful life partner. Stick around!

Fred Ward, who has nearly 70 performances under his belt, lends comic relief especially as concerns his false teeth. His role as the stereotypical lonely, dedicated detective whose personal life is a shambles is pitch perfect.

Another reviewer of this film said “There’s also a good soundtrack, capped off at the end by Norman Greenbaum’s classic ‘Spirit In The Sky’ .”

2009, Drama, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Latino Culture, Nudity, Religious Theme, Spanish

Undertow (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Writer-director Javier Fuentes-León sets this offbeat romantic ghost story on the rough-hewn but gorgeous Peruvian coast, where a married fisherman must come to terms with his love for another man, despite the strict moral codes of his homeland. This winner of the World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic at Sundance is a vivid examination of the ways in which affairs of the heart supersede social strictures and all other forms of logic.

NetFlix’s summary more or less says it all. What make this film (in Spanish with subtitles) worthwhile are its authenticity, good-acting, realistic personal dilemma, and beautiful surroundings.

In theory the village is conservative Catholic. Some cultural practices are at odds with Catholicism. For example, the villagers believe that if the enshrouded corpse is not carried in procession to the ocean and then dumped from a boat and thus buried in the water, then that soul cannot rest in peace. It is this practice that causes trouble for the husband Miguel.

And yes, it is the first gay ghost film I have ever seen. In this respect it reminds me of the Brazilian film “Dona Flor and her Two Husbands” (one of whom was a ghost).

Expect some gay and straight explicit sex scenes.

2006, Based on true facts, Nudity, Revenge, Suspense, True Story, Violent

End of the Spear (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Many years after his missionary father was speared to death at the hands of Waodani tribesmen, a young man (Chad Allen) returns to the Ecuadorian jungle to meet the native (Louie Leonardo) who murdered his father and learn the truth about his family’s legacy. The result, in this film based on a true story, is a life-altering experience that brings him closer to the kin of his father’s killer and impacts both of their lives forever.

When I was in Catholic parochial school (grades 1-8) we used to donate money to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in order to convert pagan babies. Although I now have mixed feelings about missionaries in general, I have to admit that this film shows that the efforts of this particular set of missionaries led to a practical result: the tribe of Waodani still exists. Because the Waodani culture was so violent and based on a code of lethal revenge, the tribe was headed for extinction.

There is a book “Through Gates of Splendor” that tells the true story.

Towards the end of the film there is a bit of supernatural flim-flam that turned me off. However, just watching the film and taking the story as it comes was for me a pleasurable experience. You can just ignore the religious bias, the story in itself is interesting. For whatever motivation, those missionaries were brave and devoted people that did their best to help the Waodani. But you must be prepared for much violence (lots of spearing to death).

Stick around after the film seems to have ended. There is an epilogue in which you get to see two of the real living characters, including a tribesman.

2004, Complicated, Could be boring, Love Story, Nudity, Vampire

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

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From NetFlix:

After learning that his mercurial ex-girlfriend, Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet), has undergone an experimental medical process to purge all memories of him, mild-mannered Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) opts for the same procedure. But during the operation, he decides he doesn’t want to lose what’s left of their relationship and tries to conceal her image in his memory cells. This quirky romantic comedy won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Once again a film that probably only Jim Carrey could, or even would want to, carry out. Belonging to the tradition of “figure this out if you are able”, most of the film features Carrey and Winslet wandering frantically from memory to memory while he tries to preserve his memory of her even while he lies asleep with his head in a helmet that is erasing such memories.

Don’t say I did not warn you!