I feel the same way about monsters in film as I do about nudity; that is, I believe that there is more thrill attached to the notion of it than if it is fully revealed all at once, especially in the beginning.
Just like how in Jaws, the audience would jump when they saw the barrels floating near the boat, I feel that a naked shoulder or an exposed hip can stir up more for the human imagination and libido than obscene sex scenes or blatant phallic images.
Although on occasion I am offended by sex scenes and vulgar onscreen images as a christian, I think that more so, I am offended as an audience member. I get it. I've had the talk, I went to public school. What does this scene tell me about the characters or their relationship or the continuation of the plot? Because if it is just a cheap tool to get someone off, then it's worthless.
But is it worthless to show a love scene between a lover and his beloved? Or a scene that shows a character's past that adds to who they are and explains their psyche? No, I don't think so. The main thing I want to stress is discretion. No sex scene should exist for its own sake alone, because that only desensitizes the audience from the sensual aspects that matter to the story.
Just like portion of a monster in the periphery instills fear effectively, sexuality can be better presented in small lingering glimpses that leave the details to the imagination.
Something as terrible and great as a monster or intimacy should be portrayed with respect and mystery, just like a noble beast who if fully revealed will rip off the head of the discoverer. Nothing is scarier than the unknown and nothing is sexier than mystery.
Plus, let’s be honest, there’s a reason that bathing suits cover up what they do. Boobs are okay, but the penis looks like something that grew on the ocean floor next to a sulphur jet and the vagina in just frightening.
That was an interesting last sentence. I had a double take there =) There is something interesting I thought of while I was watching Last of the Mohicans the other day. That movie has a scene where the lead characters kiss and you feel instant passion and love flare up. As the scene shifts it doesn't show them falling into bed (the route a typical film would take) it shows them holding each other while watching the sun in the distant horizon. I was sitting there going "Wow, that had NO nudity and NO sexual tryst and yet it showed more passion then any sex scene a movie can produce." It was spectacular! There are definitely ways of creating love in a film without showing EVERYTHING. Yeah, thats all I've got.
ReplyDelete"I feel that a naked shoulder or an exposed hip can stir up more for the human imagination and libido than obscene sex scenes or blatant phallic images."
ReplyDeleteWell put Lindsey.
Good blog Lindsey! I like what you said about "nothing is sexier than mystery!" haha!! You and Kyle both have good points! Sometimes the littlest stuff, like playing with the idea that there is a monster instead of just throwing it right out there makes it even more powerful or scary.
ReplyDeleteBecause once its on the screen its on the screen. And it could be hard to add that once its exposed, ya know?