Some Nudity Required

Some Nudity Required (1998)

*** (out of 4)

Odette Springer was the mind behind this documentary that takes a look at "B" movies and the certain requirements that are expected out of women. Springer got her start working for Roger Corman but she soon realized that those type of "B" movies required the women to appear naked. The documentary features interviews with the likes of Julie Strain, Jim Wynorski, Roger Corman, Fred Olen Ray, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Andy and Arlene Sidaris and Brinke Stevens.

SOME NUDITY REQUIRED is a pretty strong documentary that questions some of the things that are required out of women. There's no question that the movie wants to attack the fact that women are expecting to look a certain way and the documentary wants the viewer to question why they watch these types of movies. At the same time, you've got directors like Wynorski on hand here offering up rather truthful comments including him saying that the majority of the people renting these movies aren't housewives but instead men who want to see beautiful women naked.

The documentary tackles various subjects and it remains extremely entertaining throughout. Obviously, the film puts down the fact that nudity is required yet there's plenty of nudity throughout the running time including getting some behind-the-scenes footage. If you're a fan of these types of "B" movies then this documentary really does a great job at taking you into the pre-production of these films and what decisions are made before the cameras started rolling.

Hack directors/producers like Jim Wynorski, Dave DeCoteau, and Fred Olen Ray have long been guilty of substituting bare breasts for skilled or even competent filmmaking. And the women who own these breasts, either naturally or through silicone enhancement, are no less guilty. Are these women exploited? Yes, probably, but so are the male viewers who waste their money and their Friday nights watching this crap rather than developing relationships with real women. And while Wynorski, Olen Ray et. al. may be laughing all the way to the bank, they're no more likely to win an Academy Award than actresses like Maria Ford. They're equally trapped in a soul-less industry that exploits their dubious talents. But while this documentary preaches about the exploitation of women it nevertheless contains rampant female nudity and appeals to the sort of male viewer who will watch it with the sound down and/or one hand on the fast forward button. It is truly a sad state of affairs that low-budget filmmaking today has become almost completely synonymous with softcore porn, but this hypocritical doc. does little to remedy that situation. I was particularly offended with the way the documentary (or at least some of the interviewees)seems to equate horror/exploitation movies with snuff and sexual sadism. The truth is the"erotic thriller" is the domain of people who don't have the talent to make horror movies yet are a tad too respectable for hardcore "adult" industry. And the less said of the co-director's tastelessly self-indulgent revelations of child sexual abuse the better. Why can't all these self-loathing industry types just find another line of work?

I caught this documentary by chance, and it was an eyeopener into the world of B-Movies. This genre being nothing more than filmsy scripts, mediocre acting, and of course the all important sex(nudity,and all that encompasses) and violence. Some may say that how is that different from a Hollywood movie. I would argue mainly that it is the budget that is different. But apart from that this documentary looks at how hard it is for women particularly to move from the world of showing their body to actual decent to good acting in the mainstream cinema. Anyone who sees it, will think twice when viewing these movies.

The documentary offers an inside view at the making of low grade sexploitation and slasher films. It features many clips of films in the genre and as well as interviews with stars and directors. The Director of this film is a sound worker who has done a number of the actual films. She is a victim of sexual abuse as a child and weaves her tale lightly into the movie. The film has a feminist "awareness" but is not a feminist indictment of the genre because it is too honest the director herself uses MANY graphic film clips so much that this documentary becomes a part of genre that she wishes to criticize! In fact this was probably done on purpose because as the interviews reveal T & A and violence sell. The interviews with directors and stars (including Roger Corman) are light, Frank and very honest. Some of the clips show the directors working styles and are interesting and sometimes hilarious. Topics include Objectification and film, The hollywood system and the pressure on the actors to go along with the B movie Directors whims, The directors thoughts on the films, psychological links between Fear, sex and violence, Sexual abuse and sexual ambivalence, and more. The film is a "must see" for B Movie fans with an interest in the film industry, film students, and Feminists. Overall it is a highly enjoyable (but Graphic) informative piece of work.

I think this documentary only focuses on the negative side of the b-movie industry.I don't think there is anything wrong with these movies but I know some people with disagree with that. I collect alot of B-movies/exploitation movies from the 70's to the present that's why I rented this documentary. I won't lie I did feel a bit guilty after viewing this because it seemed like it was targeting men in general, because guys like me rent or buy this kind of thing.How am I different than any other guy? How many guys don't like to look at beautiful women? Believe it or not I do respect these women who act in these kind of movies.I have met Brinke Stevens and a few other scream queens in person. I thought they were very nice people as well as being beautiful women. I have nothing against Odette Springer or Maria Ford,if they want out of the business good for them. In alot of ways I don't think mainstream hollywood is any better,sex is a commodity no matter where you go. I happen to like Fred Olen Ray's & Jim Wynorski's movies,does that make me a bad guy? It shouldn't but there are alot of closed minded people out there who only understand what the hell is really going on in the world.If you like b-movies like so many people do ,you may want to see this just for your own piece of mind. I wouldn't let it influence your opinion of these movies. All I can say is see this documentary and decide for yourself.Remember one thing sex & violence will not disappear in our society it hasn't yet. You can't blame movies for the worlds problems, you have a brain use it.To all the b-movie director/producers out there,Keep Up The Good Work!!