James' re-butt: More Thoughts on Nudity in film

- I find it interesting that nudity, in regards to the film industry is such a taboo, whereas gratuitous violence to the point there is a sub-genre of horror called "torture porn", is thought of as "ok".
- I think that I prefer the European attitude towards nudity in film.  Their thought process seems to reflect the idea that if "real people" would be nude in this circumstance, then their actors should be, too.  I do not believe they put people on display, but are more just matter-of-fact about it.  For example: the character is on his/her way to the shower.  They undress.  That's it.
- I will not watch a movie purely because I know there is nudity in it.  The flip side to that coin is that if I am watching movies within certain genres, I have almost now come to expect nudity in some form or another.  For examples: sex/screwball type comedies, such as Porky's; erotic thrillers; and many of the horror genres (slasher, monster, supernatural, etc..).  Isn't the "rule" of horror films if you get naked/ have sex, you get killed?  Ironic that nudity gets tied to the violence in that way.  Taking this a step further in an almost philosophical direction, I see movies, much like reading books, or playing video games as a form of escapism, as well as entertainment.
- If you want to see how taboo nudity still is within Hollywood circles, pick your favorite film that has a nude scene and look up the "fun facts" about it (IMDb is good for this). See how many other actors turned down the parts of the characters who were nude, because of that fact, alone.  It's staggering.  What I cannot figure out is it the specific actors' values or beliefs that say "don't do a nude scene", or is it their belief that perceptions will change about them in Hollywood for doing a nude scene?  Something to reflect on.           
- I do not think the MPAA ratings are appropriate any longer.  They do not reflect the content of the movie nor  do they reflect the intent of it.  I think that the MPAA is a microcosm of an older, puritan, conservative America.  If "the people" want a new rating system to accurately reflect the content of the movies whether that be violence, language, sexual content, nudity, or subject matter, then bombard them with emails, communications and suggestions.


Some of my favoritie movies that also have nudity:
American Pie
Halloween (1978)
Basic Instinct
Kids
Revenge of the Nerds