5 NC-17 Movies Worth Seeing

Is NC-17 really the kiss of death? Will the merest flash of naked flesh or the softest moan from hot, sweaty bods doom a film to celluloid purgatory? Granted, only one movie with the adults-only marker (no one under 17 admitted) has become a box-office hit ("Showgirls"), some have won critical acclaim. "Midnight Cowboy," released before NC-17 with an X rating, even won a best picture Academy Award. With director Steve McQueen's hotly ... more 

Is NC-17 really the kiss of death? Will the merest flash of naked flesh or the softest moan from hot, sweaty bods doom a film to celluloid purgatory? Granted, only one movie with the adults-only marker (no one under 17 admitted) has become a box-office hit ("Showgirls"), some have won critical acclaim. "Midnight Cowboy," released before NC-17 with an X rating, even won a best picture Academy Award. With director Steve McQueen's hotly anticipated "Shame" opening this weekend with an NC-17 rating and Oscar buzz, I thought it the perfect opportunity to take a look at other NC-17 movies that are worth seeing. Believe it or not, there are more than you may think. In chronological order: less