Ok friends, I love you so I’m going to spill the treasure chest of movies I’ve painstakingly assembled. Consider it my Valentine’s gift to you, dear reader.
I love these films because they show us the delicious intricacies of the human heart. We have conversations and fights with our lovers that we would never have with anyone else, and they reveal what’s hiding in the shadows of our psyche. For me, that’s a deep dark slice of chocolate cake. I live to dive into the alchemy of two souls.
A good movie is like a good dream. They both let me have that experience without actually needing to have it. You can have a full-on catharsis as if you went through that without living the thing yourself. That’s some powerful stuff when done well.
There’s been a lot of trial and error to find the movies I’m looking for. Oh goddess in heaven… WHY are so many sexy movies either 1. shockingly dark or 2. depressingly depressing or 3. just so damn dramatic? It takes all the enjoyment out of it for me. But have no fear! These seven are rare gems that portray the yummy depths and heights of love.
Call Me By Your Name – If you discovered Timothee Chalmet in Dune, you’ll be pleased to know he’s made other wonderful things. Do you want to see him fall in love? I do. Just to smear some extra sweet icing, it’s set in gorgeous Italy. I cried and cried at the end. A+. You can watch it on Netflix.
Becoming Bond – It amazes me this story is true. This isn’t a fictional movie, it’s the real tale of the 2nd actor to play James Bond, George Lazenby. Do you have any idea the balls it takes for an Aussie who doesn’t have a British accent and has *never* acted a day in his life to walk away with Sean Connery’s signature role? Available on Hulu.
Magic Mike XXL – This is a audio clip of me laughing for just about three minutes straight after my first viewing of this. It might actually be my favorite movie ever. There’s more substance than you would expect, and the dancing in here is on FIRE. I did not know any human could move like Mike. It’s on HBO Max.
Queer as Folk – So this is a TV show, not a movie, but that’s great news because you get a bunch of seasons to binge through. It’s set during the AIDS epidemic which I pretty much missed the subtleties of since I was just a kid when it was happening. Somehow they manage even with such a serious backdrop to make a funny and juicy show. Available on Hulu.
for real nekkid
And now we arrive to some NC-17 films that show actual nakedness. All of these movies below have explicit sex, just so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
They’re hard to find. There are very few made and, most of them are too creepy and dark for me. (I’m looking at you, Nymphomaniac.) Fewer still are available on streaming services… basically zero.
Henry and June – This twin flame love triangle has lasted for the ages. Henry Miller, author of the groundbreaking Tropic of Cancer, fell in love with Anais Nin while he was still married. His wife, June, is played by Uma Thurman before she was a big star. Watch it here.
Gaspar Noe’s Love – I almost don’t include this one because it is quite dark, but watching left me strangely lighter afterward. It is beautiful in its brutal honesty.
Shortbus – Saving one of the best for last is Shortbus. It’s by the same director as Hedwig and the Angry Inch, John Cameron Mitchell. It’s a romp, a hoot, a hootenanny of queer and straight sexuality. It takes what’s so often seen as ultra-serious stuff and shows the goofy humanness of it all. Hey, femdoms have feelings too.
These last two movies are only available by download. Send me an email, and I’ll pop the magic link over your way. <3
Happy V-Day, cheezits,
Cris and Team Dragon
thanks for recommending Shortbus -- watched it last night & it hit just the exact spot of movie mood that I needed :)