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Blue Lagoon: The Awakening (Trailer
* The sex scene looks hot and heavy. Can't wait for unrated DVD release. Indiana is boobyiana.....
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Review: 'Sexual Chronicles Of A French Family' Deals Less With Wandering Minds and More With Wandering Hands The opening shot of “Sexual Chronicles Of A French Family” is handheld footage of a young girl in class, her eyes darting back and forth as we hear a teacher discuss the day’s lesson. She briefly looks into the shaking camera before slipping her hand underneath her skirt. She wears no undergarment, as we see her fingers passionately move up and down, the camera becomes still as she pleasures herself. If you’re looking for “Snow White And The Huntsman,” you may be in the wrong theater.
It’s this video that starts a chain reaction amongst an upper class French family, itself fraught with tension. With matters unspoken between Mom, Dad, Grandpa, their three handsome sons and one adopted daughter, it's implicit but unaddressed: their home has been invaded, conquered, taken over by sex, whether it be the bag full of condoms Dad constantly brings home, or the conspicuous motel visits of widower Grandpa.
This is killing the family’s youngest son, Romain, who sees the video that starts the film, part of an elaborate in-school challenge posed by members of the opposite sex. Film yourself masturbating, during class, and it’s the new millennial love letter. At eighteen, he feels that he should be sexually liberated, but he’s the only one in the family who isn’t receiving attention from the opposite sex. So when he unzips and begins recording himself, sloppy and obvious enough to be caught by a teacher, it’s more of an act of impotent self-expression.
The angered teacher brings his mother in to discuss this matter, but it only brings to life the fact that sex is such a tremendous part of everyone’s lives under her roof, yet unaddressed by all. Despite the educator’s ruffled feathers, she laughs. Romain deals with suspension, but his mother only smiles when she realizes he’s only pleasuring himself to pornography and flirting with a girl who has seen the video. Creation is important to this young man, so much so that once he reunites with his mother following the news of the suspension, he immediately requests the phone back. She complies, understanding the New Privacy: modesty is now a dependent on context. Later Romain will drop his pants for one of the video’s viewers, but immediately hide his member.
It’s Romain’s mother who is spurred to curiosity by this video. Taking another son to dinner, she asks directly about his sex life. She has a heart-to-heart with Grandpa, revealing his dalliances with a working girl. And, more importantly, she opens up to her husband again. When he is confused by her newfound sensuality, she immediately invents an affair she’s been having, clearly indulging in the erotic power play she’s engaged with, describing every minute detail to provoke extreme jealousy in her husband. He cannot resist.
In case you were wondering, “Sexual Chronicles of A French Family” is an extremely explicit affair. Directors Jean-Marc Barr and Pascal Arnold mostly (probably?) shoot simulated sex sequences, but the clever camera angles and obscured sexual organs only highlights the intensity of sexual encounters. It’s a film with several bared breasts and buttocks, but the majority of the heat is generated by fingernails on bare backs, curled toes in the air, intense, interlocked eyes. They’ve also, transparently, hired an extremely attractive cast, but they don’t shy away from the inelegant details of sex, the crumpled up tighty-whities between a man’s ankles, the taboo suggestions at inopportune moments, and most specifically, the sexuality implicit in the clumsy, very non-sexual act of changing clothes in front of a lover.
This is a pretty smart way to deflect from the fact that there isn’t much of a thought in this film’s head. Running a scant seventy-nine minutes, the majority of the film's runtime is devoted to hot and heavy lovemaking of a fairly photogenic nature. Ideal viewing for couples who enjoy subtitles (there should be no others), but without the nutritional value to examine what all this sex means within the context of their society. Within the characters' spacious, multi-layered home, they seem distant from the inner city where Romain attends school. Despite one taking on a decidedly working-class lover, the tension fraught in such a relationship never becomes an issue.
There’s a moment late in the film where one character announces to the rest of the family that they are bisexual. It’s a squandered moment as far as dramatic potential, as the film seems squeamish on the issue of same-sex dalliances despite a few moments of brief flirtation. But the response from the family is, essentially, “So?” It’s a sweet, understated reminder of how sex is ultimately a sign of self-expression, whether it be on camera, with multiple partners, isolated in a parking lot, or simply discussed. [B-]
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NSFW: Girl Leaves Laptop In Library, Porn Plays At Full Volume, Mortification Ensues
We all watch porn. We all like porn. We don’t all need to watch the porn we like in the library. In fact, we should never, ever, not ever try to — not even with headphones and in a distant corner of the stacks — because inevitably your cans will come unplugged and all of a sudden it’s Ooooh! OH! Unnng Unng… YES! and you’re mortified to the point of physical and emotional paralysis.
And you’re slamming your laptop to pieces just to get it to shut up and stop playing your fave [insert fetish of choice here] clip.
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I’ve No Respect For Artistes Who Pose Nude – Istifanus
Just like her name, Beauty Istifanus, packs a combination of beauty and brains. Since she won the Miss UniJos and Face of Plateau beauty pageant in 2007, modelling has been a stellar for the Kaduna State born, six-foot- tall, fast rising model, who just landed a plum contract with the prestigious Talent Models in the UK. In this exclusive interview, she spoke with SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH about herself, the industry and sundry issues in the entertainment industry.When did you first know you wanted to model?
When I was growing up, I saw my mother’s old pictures as a model, so I picked interest in modelling, partly because she was my role model and because I am her carbon copy. I also participated in a lot of modelling jobs. In the year 2007, I successfully won the crown of Miss Unijos and Face of Plateau. I have also taken part in lots of fashion shows.
What was the Miss Unijos and Face of Plateau contest about?
It was during my first year in school that the contest came up. A lot of people I knew encouraged me to enter the contest. A very good friend of mine actually got me the form. So, I finally agreed to it and I won Miss Unijos two years in a row.
I came first among 28 contestants and that same year, the organisers of ‘Face of Plateau’ asked me to participate even as they applauded as a combination of beauty and brains. That same year, I won the “Face of Plateau”.
You also mentioned fashion shows?
I participated in different fashion shows for Exclusive Concept, a fashion designing company in Abuja. I have also modelled for World Photo in the UK as their Face of Studio. The latest is my new contract with Talent Model UK. I am keeping that under wraps for now.
So, how has the journey into stardom been so far?
It has not been easy really, but all thanks to God. It is like a new world entirely, where you have to work on yourself daily.
Who is your role model in the industry?
Internationally, my role model is Tyra Banks and here in Nigeria, Agbani Darego because I am looking forward to being Miss World some day.
What is your take on the modelling industry generally?
One of my observations is the embarrassing level of desperation of some models, who would do just about anything to get popular, including posing nude. Posing nude is not good modelling and a model is an ambassador.
One of my observations is the embarrassing level of desperation of some models, who would do just about anything to get popular, including posing nude. Posing nude is not good modelling and a model is an ambassador.
So, she or he should be able to pass on good morals to the younger generation and the general public at large. Personally, I feel we should not be lost in the world of modelling, especially, because we are Africans. Our culture as Africans encourages decency.
Do you think the industry is favourable enough for young and upcoming models?Of course it does. It all depends on one’s target, aspiration and determination.
Do you think there is favouritism in the industry, that is, client and managers giving preferential treatment to their family members and friends?
In every organisation, you find such problems, but that should not stop anyone. God is the ultimate.
Tell us about your management/agency?
I am signed with Virtual Modelling Agency. It is a very professional agency, which is fun to work with. I see them as the best modelling agency in Nigeria. They are free and fair.
Virtual Modelling Agency is owned by Mcjones Fancyb who’s a genius in the industry. Although he is a young man, his work speaks for him; his models are well groomed for the best.
Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
I see myself wearing the Miss World crown in five years time.
What has been your challenge since you started modelling and at what age did you start?
My biggest challenge is going to strange places and meeting new people but it could be fun as well.
How do you relax?
Most times, I relax when I don’t have a contract to do in the country or outside the country. I just get away to any destination of my choice to cool off.
What is your strongest point as a model?
Everything about me; my beauty, my catwalk, my figure, my height; the totality of me.
Describe yourself in two sentences.
I am beautiful, gorgeous, and flexible. I love making people happy.
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Merde! - fashion photography (Maggie Grace)
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Consumers Poised To Pay More For Web-Delivered Video Than For Discs: Report
Spending for DVDs and Blu-ray discs is falling so fast that 2012 likely will be first year when consumers will pay more to buy and rent movies via the Internet, according to a report today from IHS Screen Digest Video Intelligence Service. The research firm says that the average household will spend $123.50 to buy and rent discs this year — down from $133.21 last year and $149.53 in 2010. The average home spent $206.78 in 2006, when Blu-ray discs were introduced. Looked at another way, people spent $8.8B last year to buy packaged videos, down 12% vs 2010. That will keep falling to $5.4B in 2016 — which IHS notes is “the level in 1997 when DVDs were first launched.” Meanwhile, consumers paid $5.7B to rent discs last year, down 7.3%. Much of that drop was due to the cut backs at Blockbuster, as well as the snafus at Netflix’ DVD rental business. With that largely behind us, and rental kiosks becoming more popular, disc rentals will increase slightly to $6B in 2016. IHS says that kiosks accounted for 34% of disc rental spending last year, and will grow to 41% this year, and hit 52% in 2015. The silver lining for studios is that the online business is growing. “If revenue were to be added from other viewing options such as video-on-demand, Internet-based sales and rentals, and subscription streaming from providers like Netflix and Hulu Plus…consumer spending across all outlets of home video would amount to nearly $17.2B,” says IHS senior analyst for U.S. video Michael Arrington. In a separate report, IHS said that spending for online movies more than doubled to $992M last year, mostly due to the growth of Netflix’s streaming service — which passed Apple to be the No. 1 online movie provider. Web spending is expected to double again this year but then slow, the company says, unless a company such as HBO offers a standalone streaming service or someone offers a Web-based replacement for pay TV._______________________________________________
Documentary Twilight of the Porn Stars: Louis Theroux Looks at Porn 15 Years Later
It’s been 15 years since Louis Theroux spent one of his Weird Weekends exploring the world of porn, and things have changed rather radically in the interim. Louis has shaved off his sideburns for one thing.
But more importantly, the once-booming adult industry is now in decline, there are far fewer freaky, extreme movies being made and newbie performers are these days advised to think of porn as a part-time job rather than a fully-fledged career.
In keeping with Louis’ more recent films, many of which have tackled serious social issues, this was a far more sensitive programme than the documentary he made in 1997, and in Twilight of the Porn Stars, Theroux manages to shed light on both the reasons for the industry’s decline and the psychological impact of porn on new and experienced performers alike.
So, why is porn currently in the doldrums?
Well, like the music business’s much-publicised woes, the answer lies with the internet and its seemingly limitless supply of on-demand pornography. Indeed, one veteran porn director interviewed late on in the film flat-out accuses free-to-access YouTube-style free porn sites of “killing” the industry.
In response to porn's increased accesibility and consumption online, producers have reduced the volume of their output and are nowadays making lavish films targeted at couples instead of pumping out zero-budget gonzo movies by the dozen.
As director Rob Black says (appearing to have mellowed somewhat after enthusing about "rape films" in Louis’ 1997 documentary): "It's acceptable to watch porn; it's acceptable to sit down with your girlfriend or your wife and introduce them to pornography."
Another change to the industry since Louis’ last visit is in the widespread use of drugs to do away with the awkward business of porn actors “finding wood,” which so greatly fascinated Theroux in 1997. Nowadays performers just pop a Cialis or Viagra before a scene and no longer have to worry about rising to the occasion.
That’s not to say overcoming this one particular source of anxiety has made porn stars any happier. Meeting up with JJ Michaels, who talked about having a “death wish” in Louis’ first porn documentary, Theroux discovers that family tragedy was the reason for Michaels' choice of career and his later decision to quit.
Similar stories are voiced by many of the performers interviewed in Twilight of the Porn Stars, with this undercurrent of misery most poignantly underscored by the suicide of one of Louis’ former interviewees, whose death is investigated as a through-line for the documentary.
The strain that porn places on performers’ emotional well-being is dissected in some detail too, and Louis learns that many porn stars have difficulties leading ‘normal’ lives while working in the industry.
Of his inability to form meaningful romantic relationships, 40-year-old porn star Tommy Gunn (pictured with Theroux, left) says: "It's not normal to leave somebody you love to go and have sex with somebody you don't."
Indeed, one thing made abundantly clear throughout the programme is that porn stars need interests outside the porn world in order to retain some element of normality in their lives.
Many of the interviewees tellingly describe themselves as aspiring musicians, film-makers, academics or TV personalities rather than porn stars, suggesting their yearning for acceptance from the regular, non-porn world.
And if they haven't anything else to focus on besides porn?
Well, one interviewee openly discusses their former “fast life” of “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll,” vividly describing the hell of drug addiction and the dire consequences of self-medicating to ease psychological pain.
While the documentary isn’t entirely without hope, and indeed showcases some apparently well-adjusted people making friends and having a good time in an industry where they feel accepted, the film carries with it a pervasive sense of gloom. But, make no mistake, this is a fascinating documentary exploring what is still, to many, a taboo.
Adroitly handled by Theroux and his production team, Twilight of the Porn Stars is probably the best and most interesting programme he’s made since Miami Mega Jail.
[It’s on BBC2 on Sunday 10 June, and anyone with an interest in either the porn industry or the real lives of its performers would be well advised to tune in.]
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Mapping Stereotypes – The Geography of Prejudice
Yanko Tsvetkov made an extraordinary job with his brilliant idea of mapping stereotypes with the geography of prejudice. His project is one of the best I seen in the last years. He was born in a small town in communist Bulgaria. He had a great childhood with plenty of fresh air and a lot of sun. During his teenage years he studied in a German school, followed by a year and a half service in the Bulgarian Navy.
After that he went to university at the beginning of the century to study movie directing and later graduated as a director of photography. In the meantime he became a web and graphic designer and gradually added illustration to the whole mess.
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Top 5 Best Jennifer Lawrence GIFs on the Internet
Jennifer Lawrence says the darndest things, doesn't she? But the crazy sh** that comes out of her mouth would be meaningless without her myriad of ridiculous facial expressions and awkward hand gestures.
As an homage to Jennifer's most bizarre faces and mannerisms, check out her Top 5 GIFs! Keep it classy, girl.
1. Face while watching The Hunger Games
As an homage to Jennifer's most bizarre faces and mannerisms, check out her Top 5 GIFs! Keep it classy, girl.
1. Face while watching The Hunger Games