Archive for October, 2008

This is not movie related but you could certainly fit in a sensual movie too! There is a great article in More Magazine, Novermber 2008, about eating and shopping your way through Manhattan–Jane Rosenthal (producer, Meet the Parents, Wag the Dog) plans the perfect girlfriends’ getaway! It’s a fun read, good fantasy material, and, hey, if you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple some time soon…!

Has anyone read “The X List: The National Society of Film Critics’ Guide to the Movies that Turn Us On?” I just found a reference to this on line and thought it sounds like it might be another resource for women who like sensual or romantic film. From the write up, it  sounds like some of the sensual films listed on Barefoot Aphrodite are also listed in this guide (”The Secretary” and “Belle du Jour,” for example). But from some of the choices (”Basic Instinct” and “Klute,” for example) demonstrate that many of the “film critics” are not women! Very few films that are violent, especially violence directed at women, are sensual to women.

Food, glorious food! At Barefoot Aphrodite we have suggested a sensual movie club in contrast to the ubiquitous (and getting old) book clubs for women. We have even tried the idea out ourselves, having a great Swedish night and viewing “Under the Sun” with women friends. Another idea is to bring the sensual to a film by pairing a sensual meal with a film that deals with the wonderful sensual experience of preparing food and sharing a meal with people. The Splendid Table starts the task for you by mentioning several films that focus on food–why not complete the picture by preparing a meal that relates to the film, invite your favorite movie buffs and enjoying an evening of film and food! To the list provided by The Splendid Table (and I have to say, some of the films they recommend are a little tough on the digestive tract), I would add “Mostly Martha” and “Like Water For Chocolate.” Come up with your own combinations and send us the details–we’ll be happy to feature them on the site!

Nights in Rodanthe–so much potential, so little substance…Richard Gere and Diane Lane–so much chemistry in Unfaithful , so dull and lackluster. Don’t get me wrong–this film had its moments and my friend sitting next to me at the movie theater was totally satisfied with the “fluff” factor and Richard Gere looking mighty fine at 59. But, come on folks, these two actors deserve a better script than one with lines like “We all make choices, Adrienne. You chose that life, you chose that man. Do you even remember who you really are anymore?”–response? “Just stop it.” There’s incredible scenery on the beaches of Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, there’s an incredible house where the romantic couple are trapped during a hurricane–in fact, there’s incredible potential everywhere and the preview had my girlfriends sighing over the romance but a lame script and choppy direction make this film nothing much more than a collection of Hallmark moments intermixed with forced drama. Not sensual in the least.

One job of a Barefoot Aphrodite reviewer is to watch lots and lots of movies to find those that really qualify as sensual overall. Sensual scenes abound but to find a movie that is sensual from beginning to end can be tough. So, in pursuing this task, I watched “The Big Easy” last night.

Wow! Unfortunately, for me it doesn’t quite qualify as sensual overall (although I may have to revisit this or see if there is a Barefoot Aphrodite out there who disagrees–I’d be happy to watch it again to see). It’s a shame that the director focuses on the couple played by Dennis Quaid (VERY easy on the eyes especially with his shirt off) and Ellen Barkin so intensely that he misses an opportunity to capture a place that draws up images of lots of sensuals just in its name. Whether “the big easy,” “cajun country,” “down by the bayou,” or just plain Louisianna, one can almost hear the music, taste the food and see the people big in character. No, outside of one party scene with a cajun band, maybe a bar scene, there is not a lot of focus on “The Big Easy” sensuals besides the great words and accents.

All that said, there are DEFINITELY two very sensual scenes. One is when the Ellen Barkin character, Anne, is “kidnapped” and dropped off at a party for the Dennis Quaid character, Det Remy McSwain. He picks up a guitar and joins the band to sing a song of apology and love to Ellen. Then they dance together. A hard one to pull off but it works and is very, VERY sensual. And then, of course, there is the famous lovemaking scene. I have to confess, I had to go back and watch this one several times–yowza! I think this is the ONLY mainstream movie where I have seen a man give pleasure to a woman. Also one of the few American movies where there is absolutely no female nudity but a small amount of male nudity. Amazing. I had to check and be sure the movie was directed by a man. Jim McBride–guess so–well done, Jim!

So I highly recommend this movie as sexy and somewhat sensual…and maybe sensual overall because the chemistry of Quaid and Barkin just burns up the screen any time they are together!