I saw it this weekend and would give it ***/****.

Just saw this last night, and really enjoyed it. Some of the acting was a little spotty, but overall, it was very well done. I wonder what kind of STD testing they did before this, though? I was watching closely through the orgy and other scenes, and didn't notice any condoms.

1 Question:

Same method as porn actor/actress took, I believe.

Got the DVD and watched it last night. I loved everything about the movie except the James plotline. It was just too contrived. But the rest, especially Sophia, was excellent.

This movie did absolutely nothing for me.

I'm not homophobic, but I have no interest in watching gay sex either.
And there wasn't one hot chick in the whole film. Meh.

There were a few funny parts, but all in all not recommended. */*****

If you watch the DVD, it says all the people in the orgy are couples. So im sure they didn't need a STD test since they were with only they're partners they came with. So the couples stayed with each other. So it wasnt a "real" orgy were everyone was having sex with each other. Just couples together in the same room. Hope i made sense out of that.

I could have sworn they said that there was a test for STDs.

Was that in the commentary? I do remember hearing that the director got into the orgy and was eating out some girl, so technically they weren't ALL partners.

It just seems kind of weird to me, in this day and age, to showcase an orgy like that (even if it wasn't a real orgy) and have the participants having unsafe sex. yeah, I know there was a guy who was passing out condoms, but since no one was using them, it just sends a bad message that condoms somehow aren't "cool".

But damn, was I the only person wishing they could just jump into the movie and live there? not so much for all the sex, but it just seemed like such a neat place to hang out!

I saw it last night and really enjoyed it. I was quite surprised the scenes were so graphic even though I had heard about them but it was refreshing to see uncensored cinema sex.

Yeah it says the main cast got STD test, but i dont think the orgies people did since they were already couples.

The part were hes eating out the girl isnt part of the orgy but in one of the main areas. He is in the orgy room in one scene but is with a guy since hes gay. He says on the extras that was the first time going down on a girl. Its kinda funny when hes talking about it.

Yeah, I wondered about that, too. When James and Jamie had that moment of seeing each other through the window, The resolution of their story just didn't ring true to me. In fact, I could say that about most of the wrap-up of the movie. I'm nitpicking, because it really was a funny movie. That sensory deprivation tank scene was great, as well as the big "fight scene." The CGI scene transitions were wonderful. And now I finally understand Jackson Pollock. :)

What's the name of the girl in the orgy scene that is prominently featured?

I never went back but in the Pollock scene I remember the painting being at the foot of the bed but they show the guy spooging to the head of his bed.

Were there two paintings?

Well, that's true, but keep in mind

so I probably would have done the same thing!

I'd take the actor who played the Stalker boy over the other two.
What are people's thought on the male couple storyline and especially the three way?
That subject matter seems a bit more taboo for most people.

I don't remember her being called by name in the movie, but in the credits Shanti Carson and the guy are listed as "Leah & Nick, the Beautiful Couple."
There were at least two paintings, but they weren't actual Pollocks judging from the lack of an acknowledgement for his estate in the credits. I like the double faceted swipe at "action painting" - is it the organic stuff of life thrown directly onto a canvas, or is it just a guy jacking off?
Mitchell himself should have taken the Jamie role and given that guy the boot; he would have been more believable as a former child star anyway. PJ DeBoy was the worst actor in the film IMO and it detracted from the whole James/Jamie storyline. It didn't help that his character was shown as being so self-centered and clueless. His boyfriend is dealing with some major issues and he just seems so oblivious to it.
The three-way seemed kind of staged and mechanical; more like stunt-fucking than three people having spontaneous fun, though I guess that was the point. Ceth using the other guy's dick like a microphone was pretty funny. The "Star-Spangled Banner" bit was already spoiled a million times by the time I saw it, but I still put my hand over my heart like you're supposed to. :)
I didn't really feel like anything taboo was explored in Shortbus(not that the film needed to). I think the light tone of the film kept any of the happenings from seeming at all transgressive - as strange as that sounds when you're talking a bout a movie that features

where are you guys renting this from? I'm sure the answer will be Netflix; I haven't found it at Blockbuster Online or the B&M store. I kinda wanna watch porn but not feel as guilty about it -- isn't that why you all watched it? ;)

Netflix.

is it exclusive?

You know your in for something diffrent when the first thing you see after you put in the dvd in your player is the all models were 18 at the time of filming and the keeper of records is this person at this adresses which is what you always see at the begining of every porno ever made.

Me too.

Re: John Cameron Mitchell's 'Shortbus' trailer
 

I realise that this is a really old thread but I have jst finished my dissertation for my drama degree and the subject for it was Sex In Cinema.

In the UK both Shortbus and 9 Songs were released with an 18 rating as was Destricted (anyone else seen that one - tres arty!)

I do agree with some of the earlier posts saying that 9 Songs is best watched for the music not the sex. There really is very little in the way of story lines.

Shortbus however has well rounded characters, a great story and lets face it, great sex scenes!

if you haven't seen it... watch it ... NOW!

Re: John Cameron Mitchell's 'Shortbus' trailer
 

Having seen all three, I could safely say I'd rather just watch porn. 9 songs as a movie was really bad and the music was terrible. I know, I know I'm not a fan of those bands to begin with but still.. give me something to entertain me during awful sex scenes.

Shortbus was at least funny. Or, at least it made ME laugh. Destricted, on the other hand was weird and hilarious. The weird being Gasper Noe's "We Fuck Alone" and the hilarious being the 3 minute short of the 7 guys in the middle of a field fucking the grass.