Sexy Sex Newsy News
The Buzz on Sex in the News with Dr. Carol Queen
Good Vibrations Staff Sexologist
Week of October 3-9, 2013
50 Shades of Hollywood Hunks
… are back in the news since the 50 Shades of Grey flick’s eponymous billionaire dominant Christian Grey, who was to be played by Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam opposite legacy actress Dakota Johnson, very publicly became UNcast this week. Several theories and/or excuses are bandied about: The Sons of Anarchy shoot schedule conflicted with the movie; Hunnam wasn’t going to get as much creative flexibility as he wanted (reportedly he had begin re-writing scenes, which just goes to show that with global blockbuster Twilight fanfic, it takes a freakin’ village); and he was getting hardly any dough to do this film, so perhaps he took his ball and went home. No matter! It’s raining men over at the casting company.
USA Today reports that Britney Spears and I have the same taste in Christian Greys; we would both be very happy to see James Franco (and his penis!) tackle this role, and Anastasia too. Or would I prefer that True Blood‘s Nordic vampire hunk Alexander Skarsgård play the role? He’s another contender. Most of the other guys are, I am sure, hellaciously handsome, but I don’t watch the right TV to know who they are. In any event, this movie will fly or fail on the strength of the star couple’s chemistry and charisma.
I kept up on the de-Hunnamfication of the movie via Vulture.com, EOnline, the Daily Beast, and People, among other sources.
In Other Film News…
We learn via Hollywood Reporter that a film in which Good Vibes and I have a role has been picked up for distribution; Unhung Hero, a documentary tale about a guy whose penis is too small (to suit his ex-fiancee, anyhow), premiered at South By Southwest last spring, and it’s to be made available by Breaking Glass Pictures. I, of course, showed him tons of sex toys during the shoot, and talked about the range of penis size and size preferences.
And Heterosexual Jill is on its way to screens, looking at sexual orientation issues and female sexual fluidity (and lots more); thanks to Huffington Post for the update. And movie posters for Lars von Trier’s latest, Nymphomaniac, have been released, featuring Shia Labeouf, Uma Thurman, and Christian Slater wearing their best orgasmic game faces; this news courtesy of EOnline.
This Week in Controversial American Apparel Garments…
… we have a must-wear fashion item: a t-shirt sporting a drawing of a menstruating vulva/vagina — with bonus finger masturbation! And pubic hair! Why is American Apparel, as reported by Medical Daily, making shirts that look very much like the brainchild of Berkeley feminists? (And you know I mean that in a good way.) Apparently AA has decided to help humankind via addressing female sexual taboos. Well, we’re glad to have the help, folks! It’s a big job!
And on the off-chance you’re not buyin’ what they’re sellin’ — you might want to know that the artist, Petra Collins, worked at AA when she was a teen, and partial proceeds go to her art collective, The Ardorous.
Daniel Radcliffe Unclear on Certain Sexual Concepts
Thanks to my friend Elinor Predota, who tagged me on Facebook to call this Pinkbook.co.uk story to my attention: Evidently Daniel Radcliffe is well and truly into his Adulthood Phase, because not only has he starred in Equus, he has also taken the part of Allen Ginsberg in the new film Kill Your Darling, directed by John Krokidas. Apparently this insight comes from the on-screen coaching provided by the director, who wants Ginsberg’s loss of anal virginity to have a realism most film virginity-loss does not: “Gay sex is really fucking painful,” especially the first time, Radcliffe told Flaunt.
Two things, Daniel. Um, lube? And “gay sex” is whatever two gay people, or two men, or two same-sex partners, etc., decide to have. You are talking about anal sex, which is really fucking painful, but only when done wrong. Now I feel I know more than perhaps I ought to about the history of director Krokidas, if not Radcliffe himself. Should Good Vibrations send a care package of anal sex info (I’m thinking Bend Over Boyfriend, a Tristan Taormino movie, and Jack Morin’s Anal Pleasure and Health), lube, and a dildo to Mr. Radcliffe (who, to be fair, said some sensible things in the interview as well as the shriek-worthy bit about fucking painful gay sex) or to Mr. Krokidas?
I do feel somehow, though, that Miley Cyrus could clear up all this confusion for poor DanRad.
Following Up on Past Sexy Newsy Stories
Thoughtful reportage on campus rape culture can be found at WOUB.org, an Ohio site affiliated with NPR.
NJ.com reports that senate candidate Steve Lonegan’s campaign advisor Rick Shaftan was canned for finally going too far in discussing Cory Booker’s sexual orientation. And This Just In: Congratulations are due to Mr. Booker for winning that race today. First African-American to represent the great state of New Jersey in the US Senate–huzzah!
Oh, and did anyone mention Miley? Why, yes!! I read interesting follow-ups to the Miley Cyrus World Takeover at the Toronto Sun, the Daily Beast, CNN, and an especially interesting riff at The Fader which leads from Miley and Sinéad to FKA Twigs’ sexually envelope-pushing music and videos. (Splendid bonus embedded FKA Twigs video, in case you’re not familiar with her; and you can catch up on the elegant Jamaican-Brit trip-hop artist’s backstory via a Pitchfork feature from early August.)
