Image Credit: Melissa MoseleyAnchorman? The Notebook? Uh, Shrek? Which movie gets people in the mood? Well, according to a recent study conducted by LA Weekly [link contains NSFW language], UCLA students have gender-specific and frequently baffling taste in what movies to watch before getting frisky: 21 percent of women said The Notebook was the best movie to watch “before having sex,” while 35 percent of men said Star Wars was. Oh, America.
Other nominees from the respective sexes: 8 percent of the ladyfolk thought Titanic was ideal pre-coitus fare; 5 percent of fellas thought American Pie was. Other suggestions from women included Cruel Intentions, Boogie Nights, American Psycho, “hard-core porn,” and Shrek. The gentlemen thought 300, Saw, Anchorman, Boogie Nights, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit were also worthy contenders. Shrek, ladies? Shrek? When did everyone turn into Erin from The Office?
The amount of overlap between the best-list and the worst-list makes me think there are some very lonely people at UCLA. The worst movies to watch before sex, according to the ladies, are Schindler’s List, followed by American Pie, Jackass, The Notebook, Saw, Oh, God and March of the Penguins. I’m guessing one person each wrote down those last two, and all I can say is: You two are national treasures. On the male side, Jackass was deemed the least sexy, followed by Schindler’s List, Brokeback Mountain, My Sister’s Keeper, Anchorman, Precious, and The Crying Game. So if someone invites you over to watch The Notebook or Anchorman, it could go either way! Enjoy the enigma that is romance, I guess.
The worst list could go on and on — Hotel Rwanda and The Pianist seem like glaring omissions to me — but the best-list seems a little harder to compile. Does a sexy movie necessarily make for good date fodder, or does it seem a little on-the-nose? Doesn’t a steamy romance just seem kind of corny?
Don’t let these surveyed college kids have the last word, PopWatchers: What’s the best movie to watch to set the mood? And what’s the worst?
One word: Porn
Great answer Rolo.
Stealing Beauty
Um yeah, I’m going to have to go with Rolo on this one. If I want to watch something to get me in the mood it’s going to be porn. Who watches The Notebook?!? That movie is depressing. Women, you disappoint me.
The Notebook is a great cure for insomnia.
I can’t believe I am putting this down, but, per personal experience, I will say Eurotrip. Lots of humor (sorry, but not in the mood after crying for the notebook or titanic) and both male and female nudity. If going for romantic, then at least pick one with a happy ending like Sweet Home Alabama.
Best: (Besides porn, obviously) “Body Heat” and, strangely enough “Mulholland Drive.”
Worst: “A Clockwork Orange.”
YES on Body Heat. And Mulholland Drive IS porn, isn’t it?
The Best for me is The Last of the Mohicans: music, lush scenery, and DDL running in the woods. I also think Sin City is very sexy. The worst I have to agree is Schindler’s List and definitely The Passion of the Christ. I am too traumatized to even think about anything except going to sleep.
I was thinking “Schindler’s List” too, but then I remembered that Jerry and his girlfriend making out during the movie on “Seinfeld”, so I suppose it works for at least one couple. (I realize they hadn’t seen each other in a while and weren’t actually turned on by the movie…but it didn’t exactly stop them either.)
Anyone ever seen “9 Songs?” It’s totally arty porn… and quite sexy. How can you go wrong with performances by great bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Von Bondies mixed in with two hot people getting it on? Oh wait. You can’t.
agree.
Body Heat
Strangley enough Tombstone…Doc and Big Nose Kate…yep, that is what everyone calls my husband and I.
It’s not a movie, but the mini series of Lady Chatterley starring Sean Bean.
hell, ANYTHING starring Sean Bean
So so so true.
Hmmmm! I agree anything with SB.
Hell yeah-Both Sean and Joely Richardson are wild
In all honesty I think a heavy romance is bad for setting the mood. Action or thrillers are great.
Yeah, weepy romances really don’t work. Action flicks, thought, have a surprisingly high success rate with my husband and I.
For some reason, watching Jean-Pierre Melville movies does it for me. I have no idea why. Worst choice for me is probably Seven, or anything else rape-y.
Ooh, good pick with Se7en. Like, that very well may be the best worst pick. Hands dow.
Best: Dirty Dancing
Worst: Agree with Schindler’s List
Totally agree with Dirty Dancing!
I hate chick flicks. Anything that’s romantic or weepy, I find totally cheesy. I have certain friends that I can pretty much guarantee if they like it, I won’t. So I prettymuch put the whole genre on my worst list. I can’t believe Twilight wasn’t included though, on either side. I hate it, so itwould be on my worst list, but how many women out there cream their pants over that damn sparkly vampire because he’s soooooo romantic?
i will go with The Hunger-a far better Vampire film and really all about sexuality/sensuality
Hm, as a gay guy I was going to disagree with the inclusion of Brokeback Mountain on the worst list…but then I remembered I was blubbering like a baby at the end of it. Definitely agree with those saying action/thrillers and lots of buff shirtless men (300, Troy, anything starring Ryan Reynolds…).
Out of Sight. Only Jennifer Lopez movie I’ve ever enjoyed. It’s pretty sexy.
Can’t remember the actual story too well, but I do remember Jennifer Lopez in U Turn being smokin’ hot.
Out of Sight definitely! The scene with George Clooney & Jennifer Lopez in the restaurant/hotel room is H-O-T!!!