Archive for the 'Movies' Category

Not surprisingly, many of the films in our archive of sensual films for women are foreign. Looking for a special gift for that sensual someone in your life or even your own sensual self? Try a foreign-film subscription–it buys you one award-winning foreign film per month plus discounts on additional DVDs. Check it out on http://www.filmmovement.com/ ! Have a sensual New Year!

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!

I was very sad to hear of Paul Newman’s death. He had a full, long life and gave to so many people through his films and his incredible charity work. But still, it is like a light has gone out. I was struck by how many women seemed touched by him and his death–from a teenage clerk at a store (who had been to the video store but all the Newman movies were out), to my mother-in-law in her seventies–age was not a factor.

 And he was truly a sensual man. When friends were moved to think about their favorite Newman movies, “The Sting” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” where the first to come up. But for me, the first film that comes to mind as my favorite is “Hud.” Newman creates a memorable electric magnetism in every scene he is in and the chemistry between him and Patricia Neal is palpable. I can think of more but that film has always stuck with me. We have so many film memories of Paul Newman but his joy for life and the ability to give that to others will be missed!

Sensual Film ClubMovie Feature : Y Tu Mama Tambien

Start your own sensual film club! Here’s a suggestion for your first meeting. Rent “Y Tu Mama Tambien”—a Barefoot Aphrodite reviewers’ favorite. Invite a few friends, enough to be seated comfortably in front of your TV but not so many that the movie party isn’t cozy.
·       PREPARATION
        The right sensual setting will get your club off to a great start. The table could be decorated with red, white, and green napkins. Borrowing cactus plants from your friends if you don’t have any cacti of your own would also add to the fun. Mexican flags (paper from the internet) could be hung over the table. There are more fun ideas–create the atmosphere that suits your style.
·       MUSIC
    Mana Unplugged
·       APPETIZERS
    Margaritas and chipotle black bean dip and taco chips.
·       ICEBREAKER
        Mexicans seem to love to play dominoes, so it might be fun to have people bring whatever dominoes they have around and make a domino “train.” It could be knocked over just before the movie starts.
 
·       THE MOVIE
    Get everyone comfortable with margarita in hand, dim the
    lights or set the mood with candlelight and fire up the movie.

·       POST-MOVIE DINNER
    A possible post movie dinner menu could be Adobado Pork Tenderloin with salsa and corn tortillas followed by either a flan or churros.  Both recipes follow.  Discuss the film and enjoy Mexican food while you talk!
·       THE GRAND FINALE
    The Mexican version of hot chocolate with the final movie discussion would send everyone home feeling sensual and probably completely mellow.
 

            HAVE A GREAT SENSUAL MEXICAN MOVIE PARTY!!!!
                           

We are so used to viewing films that we sometimes forget what a magical experience it can be. A truly sensual film transports you into its world and lets you sense it as if you were there taking part. When you sit down to a movie from our Barefoot Aphrodite list of sensual films for women, keep that in mind. Don’t just sit down to be entertained; stay in touch with yourself and truly experience the film.

The authors of “Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Sex” note the following which may help you get the most out of your movie viewing:

“Many women are able to easily access many senses. If you are interested, you can learn to notice the senses you may have been ignoring. If you tend to ignore tastes, you can focus on the way a piece of toast sweetens in your mouth as it becomes moist, or the crispness of a fresh apple, or the taste of a kiss. If you have no difficulty noticing the smell of pine needles, you can focus on the texture of the tree bark to broaden your sensory repertoire. When you are with your partner, notice the senses that you enjoy and experiment with others. Remember that your sensory preferences are your own unique composite and will vary from time to time.”

In this vein, notice what you normally pay attention to in a movie and experiment with tuning into a different aspect of the film. If you are always drawn into the storyline, listen to the soundtrack (Under the Sun, Out of Sight, for example) instead or pay attention to the colors the director uses (Talk to Her). Or focus on the clothes the characters wear (Harold and Maude or Belle du Jour) and how they change throughout the movie. Imagine sitting down to the table in scenes with meals (Under the Tuscan Sun or Japanese Story) and how the food might taste. Or imagine what it feels like to roll gnocchi with the help of a man’s strong hand on yours (a beautiful sensual scene in Godfather III regardless of what you think of the rest of the film)…

While Barefoot Aphrodite is basically a film review site, the intention is to get women in touch with their senses and encourage them to develope their sensory awareness–first through film and then areas that films may suggest. On this site, I mention a book which supports the philosophy behind this site–that sensory awareness promotes sexual awareness and enjoyment: Ordinary Women Extraordinary Sex. Here is a small excerpt on how watching a film encourages sensual development:

“You may notice while watching an especially compelling movie that you enter the storyline and may even become a character, replete with emotion. If you have been moved to tears or laughter by a movie, no doubt you have experienced absorptioin….Absorption is the key which allows you to enjoy the sensory richness and imagery all around and within you. By absorbing yourself in your images with the vividness and clarity you are capable of, you will awaken your potential to enjoy a surprising palette of intensity and passion which may have gone unnoticed.”

So if you sit down to a sensual film selected from Barefoot Aphrodite, don’t just sit on the couch with the remote–try to make it an interactive experience. Create the setting with a comfortable place to sit, soft lighting, pleasant scents and some enjoyable drink or food. Invite someone you want to share the film with to watch it with you. As you watch, really try and sense the setting of the film–the location, the smells, sounds and colors. Think about being involved with the characters or being one of them. Film has so much potential! Really enjoy it! If you find your own ways to extend the sensuals, let us know–we would love to hear from you!

Barbara’s Equation:

chemistry (!) + rich in detail = sensual film for women

 Nancy’s Equation:

light-hearted romance + escape from reality + inspiration = sensual film for women

Please send us your own equation (and movie selection) for what makes a movie sensual for you!