MTV's Skins = Child Porn?

This week, MTV premiered its show "Skins," which happens to be a (horrible?) remake of the hit UK series.

Now, I really wasn't drawn to the MTV version.. hence why I did not see it. But after reading all the controversial issues, I decided I have to watch it now. Most intriguing to me, MTV's skins is being blatantly labeled as child porn. This idea coming from the fact that they have actual 15/16/17 year olds in incredibly explicit sexual encounters and rampant drug use, and the filmed footage (even if not aired) of these kids. Now MTV is editing the show down to avoid legal battles.

The reason I hear that the US version fails, is because the UK version honestly portrays their youth.. where teens legally drink at 18, sex isn't as censored, and the societal status/classes are different. And the US version doesn't. Not to mention, copying the UK version with amateur actors and young writers seems to hinder the US version, as I've heard these US teen actors really suck.





Now, many parents are criticizing the show because the teens don't seem to have any negative consequences for their crazy antics. Others are criticizing the show for being too unrealistic. My opinion: I am all for this show, even if it was produced poorly. I am glad MTV took the risk to make a show about underage teens in what I think are realistic situations.

Maybe I am just in the small percent of people who had a crazy life like this, because it does not seem unrealistic at all. When I was a teen, I was surrounded by parties, drugs, sex, wreckless driving.. I had friends do porn, overdose, die... I guess most people just aren't ready to accept that there are teens like this. I happened to be one of them.

I will check out the MTV version.. but I think I'll just start watching the UK version, as I hear it is great. And who doesn't love British accents?

Kaboom

I just discovered that one of my favorite directors has a new indie comedy. That amazing director being Gregg Araki... and his newest film is Kaboom.

His new film seems promising to me. He says it goes back to his 90s style of film, which includes ridiculous WTF sci-fi end-of-the-world plotlines, pop-art color values, offensively witty dialogue, and of course sex and drugs. Let's just say I am more than excited. It premiered at Cannes Film Festival last year and will be shown at Sundance. If you happen to live in NY or LA there will be one screening in each at the end of January. Without further ado, i present the trailer for Kaboom:





And now a little background about why I love Gregg Araki. He is probably most known for his drama "Mysterious Skin," starring awesome Joseph-Gordon Levitt. Surprisingly, that was not one of my favorite films of his. He also did the stoner comedy "Smiley Face" with the talented Anna Faris, which also did not make my Araki favorites. I tend to like his older, 90s flicks... which is why I am so incredibly excited for Kaboom.

I first discovered his "Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy" when I was in high school... I think I found his film "Nowhere (1997)" as a discount VHS and it seemed compelling enough to buy. I am so glad I did. Its cast included the soon-to-be stars: Heather Graham, Ryan Phillippe, Scott Caan, Mena Suvari as well as Beverly D'Angelo, Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan, John Ritter, and Christina Applegate. Araki described the film as "A Beverly Hills, 90210 episode on acid," and I agree. After the film, I could only think WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! After some research I discovered that was the third film in the trilogy, so I was on a quest to find the others.

Yes, that's an alien

Indie films are so hard to find. But after special ordering online, I found the second film, "The Doom Generation (1995)," starring Rose McGowan, with cameos by Parker Posey and Margaret Cho. This black comedy also had an erotically violent WTF ending. I decided I HAD TO FIND THE FIRST FILM.

After years of searching, I finally found a copy this week. "Totally Fucked Up (1993)" is currently on my computer and I am waiting to watch it. Not sure how I feel about having seen these films in backwards order, but even though the films seem like they don't make sense, artistically they have so much depth and interpretation. After reading interviews with Araki, he has so many layers and reasons for why he wrote/directed as he did. It is so amazing to watch something over and over and interpret it differently each time.

So, if you are down for some offensively-weird sci-fi candy-colored sex-filled drug-sprinkled entertainment... check out his stuff. if you can find it.

Miley Cyrus Trips Out On Salvia?

Miley Cyrus used to annoy me. Maybe I am just old and don't have kids, so I hate on all these goody-two shoes Disney kids. But then I get a minor thrill when I find out they aren't as innocent as they are paid to be.

For example, it made me smile to know that someone I know has given ecstasy to a High School Musical star. Then there is Miley Cyrus, who had some rather interesting videos of her grinding with her producer. Granted, he is gay so I don't find it offensive, but still the public went a lil crazy.

Today, Miley upped the ante as a new video appeared of her taking a bong hit after her 18th birthday. But no, this was not a bong hit of weed. This was Salvia! Or so they claim... Apparently there is controversy that they are only saying that because salvia is legal and she can't get in trouble for it. So weed or salvia?



Now, salvia is so strange to me. You can go to your local head shop, or anywhere along venice beach, and purchase it legally in California. When I tried it, I took a hit of the 15x strength. They have anywhere from 1x to 50x+. All you need to do is take one hit and boom, you are stretched through reality. Personally, I just felt like my body was being stretched, and I couldn't stop laughing. Colors seemed brighter. It made me incapable of thinking clearly or understanding things, which I remember just saying "I feel retarded," over and over again.

It is beyond me why Salvia is legal here, but weed is not (not that I enjoy either). Even Harvard University has done studies that show salvia can help treat addiction and schizophrenia. Still, I don't like salvia, but it is such an interesting sensation... I'm glad I tried it. I do not see how it is enjoyable though, or why you would do it all the time like while gardening. I can only describe it as interesting.

Back to my point though, I take guilty pleasure in watching Disney child stars grow up. I just hope they stop before they reach the insanity that is Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan (although I still want to party with Lindsay, as I have friends who have told me stories about when they went to her shindigs and boy am I jealous). But I have hope for Miley that she parties responsibly and I like her more now.