In America, the NC-17 film rating carries a lot of baggage. Because of the nature
of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) – in all its absurd
censorship – if a film is rated NC-17, it is more or less dead theatrically.
The marketing for an NC-17 rated film is restricted both in print and digital
form. Major movie theater chains (like Regal and AMC) won’t screen NC-17 films,
many national stores (like Target and Wal-Mart) won’t sell them… so basically,
you have a shot at seeing them in an independent art house theater, or
searching for them on DVD.
But this list isn’t a bash against the MPAA, rather, a call
out of some truly great films that fought to see the light of day. Despite the
limitations set against them, these risqué flicks managed to push through.
Head over to Movie Mezzanine to view the full list
Very interesting list. Bad Lieutenant is definitely the one that sticks out to me the most on this list (despite my love for films like Killer Joe, Shame, and Crash - among others). I can't help but admire the way you speak of it because when I finally watched it, I was completely blown away by Keitel's performance but actually thinking the film itself wasn't up to par with him. I like the film enough, I just wish that it was as good as Keitel. I've had a hard time with Ferrara's films.
ReplyDeleteWell, actually, I pretty much completely agree with you. I do really enjoy Bad Lieut. but the movie as a whole certainly isn't better than Keitel's performance. That man is a fuckin' BEAST in that flick. He really went for broke there.
DeleteI too have a hard time with Ferrara's films. King of New York is damn fine.
Great list, I'd definitely include Shame, Killer Joe, Lust, Caution, and Last Tango in Paris on mine. And maybe Showgirls since they still hold the record for "most unintentionally hilarious sex scene" for me. I haven't seen the others. I think my favorite NC-17 would have to be Mysterious Skin. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's best performance in my opinion. I think I'd through L.I.E in there too. Hard to watch, but great performance by Paul Dano.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I originally had Mysterious Skin on here, but I remember when I saw that in the theater, it was technically unrated, so I didn't include it. IMDb says it's NC-17, so who knows. Either way, great, great film. As is L.I.E. - that's heavy stuff.
DeleteGreat choices. I figured Shame would top the list, but it would top mine as well. :) I'd also include Last Tango in Paris, Killer Joe, and Bad Lieutenant. Though, I still haven't seen a few of those titles.
ReplyDeleteThanks man, Shame reigns! Bad Lieut. is just nuts, isn't it?
DeleteSome great choices! I was astounded by how icky Killer Joe was. Man that film was nasty! I really need to give Showgirls a go one day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pete! It really was a nasty film, wasn't it? Friedkin did great work there.
DeleteJust watched Killer Joe last night. It's so great to see Billy Friedkin active again. That movie is so slimy, it reminds me a fair bit of the kind of life Harmony Korine likes to depict in his films. Irredeemable people acting irredeemably. Something about Emile Hirch with a moustache is very wrong and I loved how socially and emotionally removed the father was as played by the always strong Thomas Haden Church. And McConaughey! I actually liked his performance!
ReplyDeleteOff of that, great list, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is one of my all time fav schlock flicks. Although Verhoeven is the king of excess I would go out on a limb and say that Showgirls is a bit excessive haha.
I really hope it doesn't take Friedkin six years to make another film, I love the warped vision kick he's on. Killer Joe IS so perfectly slimy, isn't it?
DeleteShowgirls, excessive...? Yeah, I think that fits. Ha.
Well, your #1 pick was certainly no surprise. :-) Enjoyed the list. I loved what the writer of Killer Joe said, in a Q & A, about the K-Fry-C scene. When asked "How do you even think of something like that?" he said "I may not have been completely sober." Hah! I thought, "Thank you for saying that out loud." I wonder about that in relation to many things I read or see onscreen.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I love that he admitted he was a little buzzed when he thought of that idea. I wouldn't be surprised if that was a common theme among some of the craziest shit we've seen on screen.
DeleteExactly! :-)
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