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Have you seen it? Heard of it? Thoughts, comments, moral objections etc...fire away...

Watched it.

Got it on DVD.

Awesome film. Fun ending!

You just need to get yourself past the auto-fellatio scene during the opening credits. Or the part where there are 3 guys giving head to each other.

Hmmmm

Voyeurism is participation!

No moral problem with the movie. Fellatio scenes did not bother me. The only thing that bothered me was that the plot was non existent.

My sister and I had a lengthy discussion about it. I thought it was one of the best gay films I've ever seen, although she objected to calling it a gay film. It speaks about sexual freedom first and foremost and I felt that the inclusion of (and insistence on) non-censored sex-scenes achieved this purpose perfectly. Even though I'm gay, I have to admit I am (or was) a little conservative about sex so the opening punch in the face with the auto-fellatio scene took me by surprise...but once it was done, I felt kinda liberated. Like, now I've seen everything and nothing can shock me anymore.

I love the soundtrack (The hidden cameras are one of my favorite bands), I love the way it was filmed (as an acquaintance of mine rightfully noticed, New York was displayed in a wonderful positive light as some sort of idealized sex-heaven), it had some incredible, emotionally charged moments which mixed perfectly with the light comedy ones...and had a spectacular climax as the ending. Mitchell is one of the most innovative directors nowadays and keeps pushing the envelope with each new film.

It's one of the best films I've seen this year. I can't say I'm surprised to find only a few references to the film here, it's very provocative, not best suited for the more narrow minded people. It's a shame not many people are going to see it.

Nice thread!

I don't have the time right now, but I will be back to discuss the film later. Saw it the other day and liked it a lot... Thought it was original and artistic and actually groundbreaking and not just provocative (do you say "provocative"?).

Originally Posted by movielover (Post 372060)

No moral problem with the movie. Fellatio scenes did not bother me. The only thing that bothered me was that the plot was non existent.

Non-existent is a bit too far I think. I thought the plot wasn't too bad. Interesting film.

I thought it could have been more deep. I remember a scene that featured an old man and I think he was talking about his past and wishing he had done more to help people... that was kinda deep. The rest was just interesting to me. Sexy too. Very sexy. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, John Cameron Mitchell's first film, is better. I liked Hedwig and her song world accompanying tales of her screwed up love life and sex change. The psychologist's problems with trying to have her first orgasm weren't that powerful. She could have been cut. The dominatrix was interesting, but seemed to just serve a purpose as friend of the orgasmless woman. They should have focused more on the gay couple's voyeur who lived across the street. My biggest complaint is with the ending. The musical number. I think it makes it feel more plotless because it wasn't a very good wrapup. Hedwig was the same way. Mitchell really likes his song sequences.

Originally Posted by Sexy Celebrity (Post 372209)

I thought it could have been more deep. I remember a scene that featured an old man and I think he was talking about his past and wishing he had done more to help people... that was kinda deep.

Ok, first of all, I loved that scene, but I think it's rather silly to say something like that. What Mitchell wanted to put on screen, he put on screen. If he wanted to film a full blown, "serious", heart wrenching drama, he would have done that. This film is about sex. A side issue are relationships, and there is a very interesting subplot involving abuse and suicide. So, I wouldn't exactly say it has no plot...it has several highly interesting ones...

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, John Cameron Mitchell's first film, is better. I liked Hedwig and her song world accompanying tales of her screwed up love life and sex change.

I disagree...I own both films but found Shortbus to be superior. To me, Hedwig lacked a more catchy soundtrack to be considered a classic. I liked some of the songs (like the title track which kicked much ass), but the rest is just filler. He does have a wonderful sense for comedy and I loved how he incorporated animation into it.

My biggest complaint is with the ending. The musical number. I think it makes it feel more plotless because it wasn't a very good wrapup. Hedwig was the same way. Mitchell really likes his song sequences.

The ending was one of the most effective and wonderful closures I've ever seen, it gave me goosebumps...It was quite a cathartic experience, actually made me disregard the illogicalities in the psychiatrist's story

View Spoilers

WARNING: "Shortbus" spoilers below

(how did she manage to achieve that orgasm all of a sudden?)

. The gay couple was for me the main reason why I loved this film so much. Both actors did an incredible job, but Paul Dawson was just amazing. All the more astonishing because you wouldn't really expect such great interpretations from actors who are actually willing to do uncensored sex scenes.

6 inches long 5 inches back I've got an Angry Inch!

Yeah I have that film on DVD as well. I think I prefer Shortbus. I'm not sure though.

I will have to watch it again. I'd like to buy it. The hardcore gay sex scenes alone are worth it. I wasn't crazy about Hedwig when I first saw it in 2001. Finally had to purchase the DVD and give it a second chance, five years later.

"Hardcore" gay sex scenes?

Originally Posted by adidasss (Post 372270)

"Hardcore" gay sex scenes?

The threesome scene with the guys looked hardcore to me. At least in a mainstream film. Plus there was that guy who masturbated and ejaculated. Not softcore at all.

In the first few cedits the guy ejaculates on his own face.

Then there is a 3 some with clear cock to mouth penetration and analingus.

I think they are the only gay scenes.

I personally didn't like watching them, but I'm not gay. Still a decent film though.

I'll never stop being fascinated by the straight man's "aversion" to gay (male) sex. If you can watch straight porn (I believe there are some male body parts there), you should be able to watch man on man action without flinching.

That said, I think I have a different definition of "hard-core". And as the dvddude rightfully noticed, there are only two or three explicit (is the word I'd use) sex scenes in there....a friend of mine actually told me she expected much more sex...*shrug*

It made me flinch. I didnt expect him to ejaculate onto his face. Nor did I expect the close up gay BJ.

There's a difference between saying you "flinched" (because you didn't expect it) and saying you "didn't like watching them"....>.>

I haven't seen it but sounds like I should :yup:

Originally Posted by adidasss (Post 372307)

There's a difference between saying you "flinched" (because you didn't expect it) and saying you "didn't like watching them"....>.>

I flinched and didn't like watching them. Doesn't mean it shouldn't have been in the film. I just don't particularly enjoy watching 'hardcore' gay sex and auto-fellatio ejaculations.

Can't have bothered me too much as I got it on DVD -.-

I haven't seen this movie but to think that this more on sex nudity, its nothing heartbreaking or inspiring...lets say this film wants to emphasize about sex education and definitely no good moral lessons..

I own this movie but haven't watched it yet because I want to see Hedwig and the angry inch first.