In the past few weeks, I’ve seen slit throats in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, hostages held by spooky ghosts in The Watched, and a man with his nipples ripped out in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
But did I see a single second of a couple in love rolling around on the bed together, or even a passionate kiss? Not.
9
In the Oscar-winning Les Misérables, Emma Stone’s character Bella Baxter ran relentlessly to achieve multiple orgasmsCredit: Alamy
Hollywood seems to have now decided that sex just doesn’t exist – or rather, China does.
China’s ticket sales now exceed those of the US, making the communist country the world’s number one box office market — and it has turned film studios into simpletons in an attempt not to offend them.
Figures show that half of the 250 highest-grossing films of the past year did not feature any sexual contact – and the figure has fallen by 70 per cent since 2000.
Gone are the days when we could enjoy watching the most natural — and entertaining — human works recreated on the big screen.
And I feel a certain sadness knowing that teenage sexual awakening isn’t going to happen by watching the modern equivalent of pawing at a steamed-up window in Titanic or crazy Patrick Swayze doing some extraordinary moves on Baby in his staff quarters in Dirty Dancing (a scene I’ve rewound so many times in my formative years that the VHS tape broke).
So what is shaping today’s young minds when it comes to their idea of a love life? Asexual Marvel characters or CGI monsters running rampant over most of the Earth?
Apparently they’re just fine with that.
A recent study of 1,500 people under the age of 24 showed that they prefer to watch stories about platonic friendships rather than romance, and 47.5 percent think that sex is unnecessary on film or television. Good God.
These kids obviously didn’t have to read a copy of Judy Blume’s Forever (for the sadly uninitiated, a tale of teenage sexuality) under the covers to play.
If they get any at all, that is. As research has shown, Generation Z is having much less sex, which is to blame for social media and online pornography.
And it might be a good thing they didn’t, since China’s censorship guidelines read like the rules of a party even a nun wouldn’t want to be at. These include the prohibition of obscene and vulgar content, scenes of promiscuity, sexual acts, perversions, private parts of the body, dirty and vulgar dialogues, songs, background music and sound effects.
Now, that’s a movie I really don’t want to see. La La Land has seen pushback, with actor Richard Gere appearing before the US Senate four years ago to warn of the dangers of allowing China to control the content of films.
He said: “The combination of Chinese censorship, coupled with the desire of American film studios to tap into the Chinese market, may lead to self-censorship and the overlooking of social issues once addressed by major American films.”
It’s as if Hollywood has returned to the strict Hays Code of the 1930s, which even forbade dances in which there is “movement of the breasts (or) excessive movement of the body while the feet are stationary”.
Movie studios finally ditched the uptight guide in 1968 and then had a lot of fun portraying the mayhem on the big screen. But now they turn off the lights and pull the duvet back up to their chins in an attempt not to flash their bodies or even show a kiss.
Meanwhile, the levels of drinking, drugs, violence and profanity on screen have not changed at all over the decades.
Actors line up to secure their chastity belts – although they’re happy to play a character who fires an AK47 or calls everyone on c.
9
Barry Keoghan strips down at Saltburn Credit: Alamy
9
A man’s nipples were ripped off in Furiosa: A Mad Max SagaCredit: PA
Last year, actor Penn Badgley made the incredibly ironic move of demanding fewer sex scenes out of “respect for his marriage” – while playing a psychopath who kidnaps and kills the women he stalks in Netflix’s psychological thriller You. Sounds like immediate grounds for divorce to me.
Even creepier was last year’s romantic and unfunny rom-com You People, which used CGI to fake a pivotal kiss between Jonah Hill and Lauren London.
The #MeToo era, of course, has changed much of the disgusting culture of acting couches and has meant that there is more safety for those appearing in sex scenes, especially women.
There are a few controversial recent rebel women who have stripped down and opted for it.
In the Oscar-winning Les Misérables, Emma Stone’s character Bella Baxter ran relentlessly to achieve multiple orgasms.
While the scenes were bold in the current climate, they also needed to show a woman who was a science project and had the brain of a child.
And there was much furore over the brilliant Saltburn, which featured Barry Keoghan’s flaccid penis, a man humping his grave and swallowing some dirty bathwater.
All dirty fun stuff. But how about seeing a couple in a voluntary relationship on screen kissing adorably?
Dirty fun
Even in The Bikeriders, which premiered last night, handsome leading man Austin Butler plays a motorcycle gang leader so wildly sexy that women and men alike can’t help but follow him.
However, his relationship with the beautiful Jodie Comer, whom he persuaded to marry within days, consists of little more than a lip poke.
Hollywood needs to take some blue pills, reboot its libido and remember that sex is like money – only too much is enough.
Below, Sun Sexpert Georgette Culley looks back at some of the most iconic movie moments that might inspire current filmmakers to re-shoot sensual scenes.
Don’t Look Now (1973)
9
The sex scene in the movie starts with a small touch from Julie and then builds up
GRIEVING couple Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie are working to restore church buildings in Venice as they mourn the tragic drowning of their daughter.
Sutherland’s character, John, experiences visions of his daughter’s childlike figure in a red coat, while Laura, played by Christie, befriends a blind medium.
The film’s sex scene begins with a small touch from Julie and then builds, interspersed with shots of the couple dressing for dinner.
The lingering question: did Sutherland and Christie really have sex in that infamous scene?
Producer Peter Bart reignited the rumors in 2011, claiming that the couple really were.
Blue is the hottest color (2013)
9
Blue is the Warmest Color depicts a couple’s love affair over the years Credit: Brochure
The French romantic drama features a pulse-pounding six-minute no-holds-barred sex scene between Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) and Emma (Léa Seydoux).
Depicting the couple’s love affair over the years, the film was praised for its portrayal of lesbian sexuality.
The raw performance of the two actresses caused controversy but conveyed the complexity of their characters’ relationship.
Basic Instinct (1992)
9
Sharon Stone’s performance in Basic Instinct is still famous after nearly three decadesCredit: Bridgeman Images
Sharon Stone’s seductive performance as prime suspect Catherine Tramell certainly made an impression on moviegoers – especially when she spread her legs during a police interrogation to reveal she was wearing no underwear.
But that’s not the only stormy scene in the film. When detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) finally succumbs to Catherine, their passionate and risky encounter is worth the wait.
The sex is animalistic, and their chemistry is palpable.
Afterwards, Nick says, “It was the freaking trip of the century.”
Titanic (1997)
9
Quite simply, Titanic has one of the hottest sex scenes in film history Credit: Alamy
The steamy handprint scene between Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) is unforgettable. Set against the backdrop of an ill-fated ship, their risky encounter in a car captures the intensity of first love and desire.
The fact that they could be caught at any moment only adds to the excitement.
It’s simply one of the hottest sex scenes in movie history.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
9
The Cruel Intentions sex scene is tender and intimate without explicit nudity
The sex scene between Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe) and Annette (Reese Witherspoon) is tender and intimate.
It’s Annette’s first time and the dynamic between them is a mixture of nervousness and desire. The scene shows their emotional connection and vulnerability as they explore each other.
Despite the fact that no explicit nudity is shown – just their faces and Sebastian’s pushing – it’s an iconic cinematic moment that takes us back to our first time.
9½ Weeks (1986)
9
In the most memorable scene, the couple engage in a sensual encounter involving various food items Credit: MGM
THIS erotic drama about the highly sexual relationship between Wall Street trader John Gray (Mickey Rourke) and art gallery assistant Elizabeth McGraw (Kim Basinger) delivers some unforgettable moments.
In the most memorable scene, the couple engages in a sensual encounter involving various food items, creating a visually stunning and highly sensual atmosphere.
There is also an element of dominance and submission, which contributes to the erotic tension of the scene.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education