Those actors are best known for portraying violent thugs with machine guns. They were more likely to be seen killing each each other violently than kissing each other tenderly. The sex scenes in modern movies might have become more explicit but so have the scenes of violence. Why is the influence of watching a sex scenes considered so much more damaging than action scenes where people die? Sex is what most of us do naturally, and in movies it's usually shown the context of two people who have come to care for each other. It's better than being influenced by scenes in movies showing people involved in rape, shooting, stabbing, and being blown to bits. I think there is nothing shameful in a bit of nudity, which is what most people object to in sex scenes. I think it's worse to be constantly entertained by watching people being brutalized, tortured, beaten and maimed.
It is not the nudity that bothers me, Ruth, I just don't need to see it when I am watching an action or crime movie. I also agree with you about the "over the top" violence. It is not needed, but I guess it all sells and money is the name of the game.
I think part of the problem is laziness and greed. This worked in such and such movie, and that was a success, so let's do it again here, and it will be popular and make us lots of money. Those creating the movies and television shows have gotten lazy (many, not all), and viewers have also gotten used to seeing the same tired story lines and scenes again and again, with slight variations. I don't care about seeing nude bodies, it's the grittiness I don't like. There's nothing subtle in most of what is produced these days. If a couple is kissing, we have to hear smacking lips, tongues slurping, and grunting. It's very base, and I prefer a bit of refinement. I think that's why independent and foreign movies have become more popular. People are looking for something better than the trite drivel that's being put out by Hollywood.
I think that the subject of movies is not so much different than what movies used to be about. Mostly there are just several themes that we seem to be able to catagorize movies into. Comedy, action/adventure, romance, mystery, and war/fighting covers most of them. The thing that is different, and to me ---objectionable----is the realism and graphic illustration of just about everything that is portrayed in the movie. Some things are best left to the imagination, and many of the things they put in movies nowdays could be left out altogether. Why on earth would we ever need to see a guy go behind a tree and relieve himself ? Sure, it is realistic; but what on earth does it ADD to the movie ? This is just an example , there are lots of these kinds of things that they put in movies now that have no relevance to the movie, and do nothing to show anyone's acting ability either.
I find nothing wrong with using my imagination while watching a movie. I do the same when reading a novel!
I think your using your imagination to stage a sceen in a movie can be more graphic than what they show in the movie which will then be a disappointment or you saying to your self it would have been better if they had done it this way, the way your imagination played out the sceen.
Well, it's like I tell many Seniors, "we don't live back in the Lassie, Rin Tin Tin days anymore". Sex, drugs and the "F" word sells in today's movies........like it or not. Today's movies just aren't made for our Generation. We thought the movie, The Longest Ride (2015) was great, but there were sex scenes in it that we "forwarded" thru. We knew how the movie was rated and included in it, but we rented it anyway. I think the harshest movie we own, that has sex, drugs and bad language in it is To Paris With Love (John Travolta). Heck, we watched the movie, Ted, and even with it's sex/drugs in it, it was still pretty hilarious. A Teddy Bear doing all that crap, insane! And now we want to see Ted 2, which looks to be better that the first one. Even though we are Christians, we will still (occasionally) watch a movie that most Christians would say is bad. We just "forward" thru what we don't want to see.
A large part of the problem with graphic violence, and I suppose it is true of sex scenes as well, is that movie makers want to shock their audience. The more graphic these scenes get, the audience become acclimated to it, and are no longer shocked. Of course, this leads to even more extremes.
Morbidness sells and this why people in the entertainment industry abuse of sex scenes. It's not only in movies, but TV shows and even in cartoons, which is not so explicit but still teaching children to look at them with morbid interest. And, like Ken explains, when the audience become acclimated to watch sex scenes everywhere, they turn into a "natural thing" that leads to go beyond and beyond when it comes to depict a "sweet romance." Not long ago, I was watching a romance classic 1940s movie on retro TV, so it was even black and white. Can't remember the name, but it was so nice listening to the impeccable actors' English speaking and so tender watching the romantic scene of them kissing in the ways kisses used to be. No foul and sometimes understandable language, no bed scenes, not porn-like foreplay. Then later people is surprise to read the news about rape, violence and else.
I have to agree why is it necessary to be so graphic with the love scene. Why not let the audience use their imagination. Some of the films of the sixties and seventies did this. We knew something had happened but it was left to our imagination and some suggestive dialogue to tell us this. We didn't have to watch a whole drawn out scene of it happening. To me being able to use the imagination can be just as fun if not more so.
I can't say that I have a great problem with sex scenes. Perhaps it's all a bit pointless when it becomes gratuitous, but sex is a much more everyday act than blowing somebody's head off with a gun. Well, at least in the town where I live.
As long as it is not pornographic, sex scenes are okay with us. What's not okay are the unrealistic scenes that sometimes obviously seem to be the whims of the director. There was this local movie that has a sex scene done in a jeep. The girl was standing while the guy was sitting. Is that artistic? And who would make sex in a jeep in the open field? Maybe just the director with a depraved mind. Speaking of realism, what peeves me are drama scenes that have excessive crying and hugging. When the scene is sad, there is hugging. When the scene is happy, there is hugging. Is it natural for people to always hug?
Movies of the 1930's, '40's and '50's relied on good acting, sensible plots, clearly spoken dialog and well shot scenes and camera work. God, I miss that in today's movies.
My family was a "hands off" family. We didn't go in for hugging or kissing in public. Some of us wouldn't even shake hands. I don't even remember hearing an "I love you" from my parents or others while growing up, nor did I ever say it to them. Yet we all knew love was there. It was shown and felt in other ways.