I have chosen the films that are reviewed.
So, for better or worse, these films meet my personal standard of quality. I am
always open to others’ opinion and always open for others to send me reviews to
post. Send your reviews and comments to [email protected]
This blog is about sex and eroticism
through film. Besides pleasure, sex is a window to the soul that can reveal
both our insecurities and joys. Film can capture both the pleasure of sex and its
ability to expose our character. I have tried to review quality films that can
do both.
Film can also be used as
a tool in couples’s treatment both to enhance intimacy, desire, arousal and for
sexual health education. They are frequently used in educational settings to
improve sex education or sexual tolerance. It is important to not offer films
to people whose religious or cultural background would be offended by their
content. This is true for either explicit or non-explicit films. However, if
screened for cultural/religious offence, and if offered as education from a
health provide or teacher, viewers of quality film can improve sexual health
and sexual literacy. Films can provoke discussion and improve communications
with a partner or health care providers. The advantages of using films with
quality sexual content in an educational or counseling setting are:
1)Viewing of film at
home can overcome both providers and viewers’ reluctance to discuss sexual
issues
2)Self-instructive
home based private education can be helpful for both individual and/or couple
viewing
3)Basic sexual education,
explicit but not graphic, is a time efficient tool for brief physician visits
4)Film can be an
overview or introduction to open the discussion to sexual health and/or link
for referrals
5)Film can introduce
the four most important interventions towards sexual health including; a)
Mindfulness or cognitive focus on sensual/sexual enjoyment, b) Sensual massage
or sensate-focus exercises, c) Appropriate use of certain medications and, d)
Appropriate use of sexual aids such as vibrators and lubrication.
6)Film is the most common
tool for couples and individual’s sexual enhancement
7)Films with sexual
content are very inexpensive and easily available with assured confidentiality
8)Quality commercial
films, as opposed to pornographic films, present the complexity of sex within
relationships and often are beautifully photographed in the context of an engaging
story
Coming
of Age:
These films deal with adolescents and young people’s early or first sexual
experience, or young people’s experimentation with sex. The stories exemplify
positive and negative sex education. Suggested use: parents/adolescents
adjusting to change, college sex education classes, challenges for sexual
discussions, setting the mood for eroticism
Kissing on the Mouth (2005)- UR
YPF (2007)- UR
Shortbus (2006)- UR
Private Lesions (1981)- R
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) – UR “And Your Mama Too”
Pretty Baby (1978)-R
The Man in the Moon (1991)- PG13
Cross Generation Sex: These films deal with sexual relations
between an adult and younger person. Some of these films deal with criminal
child abuse. The stories, sometimes erotic and often painful, illustrate
imbalance of power. Suggested use: sexual abuse, restoring partner intimacy,
sexual obsession.
The Lover (1992) – R
Notes on a Scandal (2006)- R
The Reader (2008)- R
The Woodsman (2004)- R
Malena (2000)-R
Steamy Romance: These films deal with loving and erotic relationship.
The films often include nudity and erotic stories. Suggested use: restoring
partner intimacy, setting the mood for eroticism.
Sea of Love (1989)- R
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)- R
Body Heat (1981) – R
Lady Chatterley (2006)- NR
Better Than Sex (2002)- R
Seventh Sense (1999)- NR
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1997)- R
Red Shoe Diary: The Movie: Special Edition (1992)- R
Lady Chatterley's Lover (1981)- R
Before Sunrise -R (1995) and Before Sunset -R (2004)
Emmanuelle (1974)-NR
Sound of the Sea- (2001)-R
Steamy Drama: These films deal with life situation or love
relationships with conflict and tension. The films often include explicit
sexuality and eroticism. However, the films also include human drama that is
provoked by the sexuality. Suggested use: restoring partner intimacy, setting
the mood for eroticism, demonstrating conflict, Understanding the complexity of
sexuality, sexual healing
Damage (1992)- R
Basic
Instincts (1992)- R
Lake Consequence (1993) –R
En La Cama (2005)- NR
Something About Sex (1998)- R
Secret Things (2002)- NR
Sex and Lucia (2002)- R
Confusions of An Unmarried Couple (2006) –UR
Lie With Me (2005)- NR
Brown Bunny (2004) UR
The Door in the Floor (2004) R
Anatomy of Hell (2004) – UR
9 Songs (2004)-NR
The Piano (1993)-R
Bride of the Wind (2001)-R
I, A Woman (1966)- UR
The Mother (2003) -R
Steamy Comedy: These films deal with life situation or love
relationships with humor. The films often include explicit sexuality and
eroticism. However, the films also include human comedy that is provoked by the
sexuality. Suggested use: restoring partner intimacy, setting the mood for
eroticism, demonstrating conflict. Understanding the complexity of sexuality,
sexual healing
The Wedding Banquet (1993)- R
Sirens (1994)- R
Better than Chocolate (1999)- R
Romance: These films deal with love and relationship. Some of
the films are comedies and others are drama. These are usually considered
“chick flicks,” but men love them too. Suggested use: restoring partner
intimacy, setting the mood for eroticism.
Notebook (2004)- PG123
It's Complicated (2009)- R
The Duchess (2008, PG-13)
Sex and Religion: These films deal with the crossing of
religious traditions and sexuality. Frequently, this meeting is one of conflict
and struggle. Suggested use: religious conflict, religious guilt, culture
education, understanding sex in the context of religion.
Trembling Before G_D (2001)- UR
The Holy Land (2003)-R
Affairs and Infidelity: These films deal with affairs and sex
with partners outside the relationship. Suggested use: dealing with affairs,
setting the mood for eroticism, demonstrating conflict.
The End of an Affair (1999)- R
A Walk on the Moon (1999)-R
All The Ladies Do It (1992)- NR
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)- R
Sex Therapy and Documentary: These films deal with improving
the quality of sex within a relationship, sexual healing and understanding of
sexuality. They also record the history of sexuality. These films are
frequently educational with instruction. Suggested use: improving the quality
of erotic play, setting the mood for eroticism, understanding sexual problems,
examples of sexual healing, history of sexual studies
Private Practices: The Story of a Sex Surrogate (1985)- NR
Cathouse: The Series (2005)- NR
Bliss (1997)-R
Kinsey (2004)- R
Loving Sex- Ultimate Massage (1998) – Educational
Friends & Lovers, Sex and Interviews with Real Couples (2005)- X
The Joys of Erotic Massage (Educational)
Xana & Dax: When Opposites Attract (2005)-X
Inside Deep Throat (2005)- NC-17
Polyamous and Swinging Lifestyle: These films deal with sexual
relation with more than one person or couples, OR with couples agreeing that
their partners can have sex with other people. All participants are
knowledgeable and consenting. Suggested use: improving the quality of erotic
play, setting the mood for eroticism, understanding variations of sexual
relationships.
Kissing The Sky (1998)- R
"Swinging: From Fantasy to Reality" (2004)- Educational
Delta of Venus (1995) NC-17
One Night Stand (1997)- R
The Lifestyle: Swinging in America (2000)- Documentary
Head in the Clouds (2004)-R
My Best Friend's Wife (2001)-R
Sexual Fetish: These films deal with the sexual eroticism that
people attach to certain object or certain behaviors. Suggested use: improving
the quality of erotic play, setting the mood for eroticism, understanding
sexual problems, examples of sexual healing, history of sexual studies
Frivolous Lola (1998)- NR
Romance- Director’s Cut (1999)- NR
Secretary (2002)-R
9 1/2 weeks (1986) - NR
Gay and Lesbian Sexuality: These films deal with sexual
relations with the same sex. Some of the films are erotic and many are studies
of coming out in a predominately heterosexual world. Suggested use: improving
the quality of erotic play, setting the mood for eroticism, understanding
sexual problems, examples of sexual healing, history of sexual studies,
understanding alternative sexual lifestyles, talking to others about their
sexual lifestyle
Brokeback Mountain (2005)- R
Girl’s Play (2004) NR
Watching You (2003)-NR
Tipping The Velvet (2002)- NR
Therese and Isabelle (1968)- UR
Amour de Famme: A Woman’s Love (2004)- R
About the Author
Paul Bray is the Primary Investigator of a health disparities research project,
"Redesigning Diabetes Care in Rural Fee-for-Service Practices." He supports wellness, chronic disease care and sexual health. Paul Bray
interested in documenting ways people improve their care of chronic conditions,
their desire for sex, their sense of arousal and finally improve their physical
pleasure. He has been impressed with the work of Rosemary Basson in Vancouver
regarding the complexity of desire and physical pleasure. I am also impressed
with how people solve their own wellness issues. He has published three papers
on the subjects of chronic disease care. He is a professionally trained Marriage
and Family Therapist. Mr. Bray is licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in North
Carolina. He is also a member of American Association of Sexual Educators, Counselors
and Therapists (AASECT). He is on the faculty at East Carolina University and works
with chronic disease care. Opinions expressed in these publications are solely
mine and do not represent the views of East Carolina University, affiliates or
funders.
