That's Sexploitation!

When I put this film on, I was expecting it to be mildly entertained and I would just skip through a lot of the scenes.

It turned out to be great. Great history of Americana, presented in a very fun way, and in serious tone too.

The clips of the sex films throughout history were actually great. Lots of very relevant humor, and very odd as well. Really, placing your imagination into the past.

As far as just carnal, pleasure of watching this...I don't think there is much, but I was quite surprised as to some scenes how sexually appealing some of the women are, in the styles of the past.

Give this film a go...you can always, hit the stop button. Also, in full disclosure I am a general history buff, I felt very satisfied in that aspect as well!

That's Sexploitation! (2013)

*** (out of 4)

Director Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE) and exploitation master David F. Friedman narrates and hosts this look at sexploitation movies that were made from decade to decade. The film traces the history of sexploitation movies from the silent era through the 30s with films like SEX MADNESS and all the way up through the 70s when hardcore porn pretty much killed off the softcore picture.

Henenlotter's film is certainly worth seeing if you're a fan of these types of movies even though there were a few films released before this one that covers the same subject. This one here was produced by the great folks at Something Weird Video and more than anything else this here is a highlight reel for their movies. This thing clocks in at 136 minutes, which is a bit too long. Well, it's really too long but if you're a fan of these type of pictures you'll get several clips to various films that you'll want to take note of and track down.

The interview segments with Friendman were recorded at his home in Alabama shortly before his death. He's certainly an expert on the genre so it was fun getting to hear him talk about some of the early masters of the genre and we even get to hear about the likes of Edgar G. Ulmer getting involved in the skin business. Obviously there are hundreds of films shown and of course there's a ton of nudity. If you're familiar with Something Weird Video's catalog then many of the titles will be familiar to you. There's a lot of attention paid to the exploitation pictures of the 1930s as well as how the films got a bit darker after WWII.

THAT'S SEXPLOITATION! covers a lot of ground and I thought the format of going decade by decade was a wise choice. The film certainly runs way too long but it's a great way to get familiar with some of the titles offered up by Something Weird Video.

I gave this a 6 star only because it revealed/showed some content that I had not seen before (in a few of the much better made exposure fims of the sex genre that I have previously seen/watched). Its a poorly made and typical cheesy production of these types of films, which to me spoils the seriousness of the important historical content.

As a long time nude photography editor, and pinup model photographer and creator, I still found it worth watching. Unfortunately many of the old movie clips and photographs could have done with being digitally remastered; both for posteritys sake and future quality viewing on the new genrations of televisions etc. Its mainly just frolicking nudes and some Burlesque but, there are a couple of scenes showing simulated sex.

This is a documentary that does not always take itself and the topic of exploitation cinema very seriously. Still, it covers the highlights of the topic & its history for those unfamiliar. This is more an excuse to show film clips than to inform about exploitation history. Unfortunately, it stops about 1970 as if it was the end of sexploitation films when in fact many were also made in the 1970's & 1980's.

This begins with sex films in the silent era all the way to the advent of hardcore pornography. They get thru the progression of exploitation from silent sex to hygiene to nudie cuties to roughies all the way to hardcore sex films. Discussed are some of the films, the showing of the films in theaters & censorship. Instead of getting into the details they spend most of the time showing clips from films.

The most informative is when David F. Friedman speaks about the films and somewhat filmmaking. Director Frank Henenlotter was a bit hit or miss. Sometimes interesting. Sometimes trying & failing to entertain.

This is best suited for those that want a general overview of exploitation cinema. Other than some film clips I haven't seen before, I didn't learn much new.