Shortbus (Unrated Edition)
|
Our Price: $139.98 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $44.95 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Shortbus (Unrated Edition)
Movie Review: A Great follow-up to Hedwig
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed John Cameron Mitchell's "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (2001) and was eager to see what he would follow that up with. "Shortbus" (2006) differs from "Hedwig" greatly in a number of ways. Unlike "Hedwig," "Shortbus" shows the perspective of numerous people instead of one major character, it is less campy and it isn't a musical. However, in some ways "Hedwig" and "Shortbus" are cut from the same cloth in that both are films about self-discovery, unrequited love and sexuality.
The film tells the story of several unfulfilled people--Sofia (a couple's therapist) who can't reach orgasm with her husband Rob, James and Jamie, (a gay couple who's relationship has stagnated) their new lover Ceth, Celab, a voyeur of James and Jamie, Sofia's new dominatrix friend Severin and the drag queen host of the club Shortbus, where the characters congregate.
Throughout the course of the film we see the lives of these characters unfold and cross paths, as they look into their lives and ask why they are unhappy and what they can do to find fulfillment. Although there is a lot of graphic sex depicted in this film, it's not really pornography, as its purpose is not to sexually arouse the audience. I think film critic Roger Ebert best articulated the point of the film by noting that it is "not about sex, but about sexuality, not about scoring, but about living."
I really, really enjoyed this film. All of the characters were sympathetic and intriguing. And just when you thought that you had someone figured out, they would do or say something that you didn't quite expect, taking the viewer for a ride and throwing some curve-balls. "Shortbus" may shock you a little, but more importantly it will make you think, as well as laugh and smile a little along the way.
Movie Review: Most original film of 2006
Summary: 5 Stars
Years from now, Shortbus will go down as the film that had the guts to do what no ever film ever did before. At first glance, one might equate this movie with [...]. The sex scenes are the real thing, not simulated. While graphic and unapologetic, they serve not to arouse but to reveal the high emotionality depicted within the characters this film. What makes Shortbus one of the best films of 2006 is the way it depicts the intensity of emotions associated with sexual crisis.
Director John Cameron Mitchell worked with the actors to create the multi-dimensional and complex characters portrayed. Among them are Sophia, a sex therapist who has never experienced an orgasm; [...] couple James and Jamie whose introduction of additional partners into their sex life is masking a deep internal conflict, and dominatrix Severin who struggles to have a meaningful connection with somebody. It is hard to not feel the pain of these characters as we see it on screen. Each struggles to resolve their crisis with the help of an underground salon called "Shortbus" where polysexual expression fills the rooms.
The film makes excellent symbolic use of electrical blackouts. As somebody who lived in New York City during the famous 2003 all-city blackout, it was interesting to learn that that event was a source of inspiration for Mitchell and the other creative individuals involved in this movie. Don't expect this movie to be one that you watch once, feel you have all the answers, and never see again. This one begs repeat viewing!
Movie Review: If You Make It To This Review...Please Continue To Read.
Summary: 5 Stars
Hey, I'm glad you made it...
This movie for me was and still is so very amazing in my eyes. I can't seem to stop watching it. I suggest a person that ISN'T too open not to watch this movie. Then again, it might be just the thing for you!
Shortbus packs HIGHLY INTENSE emotion in it. Combined with HIGHLY INTENSE love scenes and sex scenes. What was so amazing about this DVD was the making of feature. John Cameron Mitchell, in 2003, had a website called "The Sex Project". It asked for people to send in audition tapes and so forth. From there, they (Film Crew) narrowed it down bit by bit until they reached 9 (I believe it was) People/auditions. They informed those people and brought them in and worked on developing the story and cast members (Personalities of the Actors and Actress's)and Script for three years, than they began filming. John Cameron Mitchell informed the cast that they will be having sex with these people and on camera.
This Film won Two Film Festivals and A Nomination for Best Cast Ensemble.
Genius Film I think! If you love Drama and Love. This movie is right up your alley.
If you have problems in finding love or completeness...You're not the only one. This movie will help you coop a lot. Don't look at this like a movie look at it like this is what you need after you and your first love just broke up...
If you also have a Immense Grudge for the MPAA, this for you. Enjoy!
Movie Review: The magic "bus"
Summary: 5 Stars
This term is so cliched, but to this film, it really applies: I've never seen anything quite like this movie.
"Shortbus" is a unique film that is about sex, yet more about everything else in our lives which connects to it. Writer-director John Cameron Mitchell did a beautiful job of guiding this tapestry of sexual pathos. Like porn, you see people engaging in sex; yet, it is more "humanly" tangible because we feel the genuine emotions coming from each sex act, not just "acting" or rather, mechanical sex.
How this film was assmbled is almost as interesting as the film itself: Actors helped craft the script as well as their own characters with Mitchell.
"Shortbus" is a sex club in New York; sort of a bohemian-like atmosphere in which, as one character describes, "people come here to use 'the motherboard of life' in order to find the right connections". Here, people from all walks of life gather to find something---whether through sex or deep conversation.
As the film progresses, we watch these characters intersect with one another, and help, solve, or simply listen to each other's life dysfunctions. Whether the characters are straight, gay, bi-sexual or transgendered, the labels do not matter---they are just people trying to relate to one another through the wonders of sex and love.
If you feel you'll be overwhelmed by the frank content, then don't watch. But I think you'll be compelled to by the sadness, honesty & compassion of the interweaving plots.
Movie Review: An entertaining, endearing, and bold movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
Most people will have a knee-jerk reaction to Shortbus within about a minute of hitting 'play'. There are scenes of unsimulated sex & similarly awkward references to homosexuality, drugs, etc. that a lot of people just aren't really comfortable with.
However, if you can overcome that (and hopefully, as adults, most people can) and appreciate the movie for what it is, you'll find that Shortbus is, at its core, a funny, endearing, clever, entertaining, and innovative movie. It's definitely not for the kids, but neither are most action or adult comedy movies.
I felt a little uncomfortable watching this movie in the living room while my male roommates could hear and see some of what was going on, and wasn't sure how I felt about the movie. As I re-watched it though I realized that what I'd bought was really worth the money -- a unique and truly entertaining movie ripe with all the elements you'd look for in any other good film.
There is a lot of sex, and it's supposed to be unsimulated, but it's not ALL sex, and it's not porn. The comedy, drama, and philosophy are somehow interwoven into those scenes just as they are with the others, and after a viewing or two you'll be able to watch the movie from end to end without flinching, 'cos you'll understand what the movie is really about.
If you can get past seeing some naked people and aren't a gay-hater, then give this movie a shot, because it really is worth seeing.