Merchants of Cool...again.

As I was studying for the Mass Media exam I went back to the video of Merchants of Cool online to refresh my memory. When I referred back to the video I began to question the idea that they presented about sex. What is it that is so appealing to teens and even a lot of society about the sexual content presented in these movies and television shows? Most of us were familiar when we saw Dawson's Creek on the video and how they referred to this show as "a group of sex obsessed high school friends". Although, Dawson's Creek was not the only television show for teens that they mentioned, but also Beverly Hills 90210, MTV's Undressed, and the movie Cruel Intentions. Just from the clips that they showed on the video from these shows I was amazed at how much sexual content was actually present. At a younger age in my home I was not allowed to watch shows that contain this kind of behavior until I was older. After watching Merchants of Cool a friend and I actually went to rent the film Cruel Intentions. When they introduced this movie on the video I thought to myself who would ever want to watch a movie about step siblings who desired each other sexually? To me I thought that was just strange, inappropriate, and basically disturbing. I think it was the sick and uncomfortable story line that made this movie a "must see". Even though while I was watching the movie I still felt awkward and uncomfortable with what was going on. I must admit that it was addicting and entertaining. The movie kept the attention of all of us watching it and I do believe it was the story line of the two step siblings being sexually active with each other that made the movie interesting and held my attention because you always wanted to know what was going to happen next. Not only is this sexual content found on television, but also in our own lives. In the film when they introduce the "Midriff" and "Mook" everyone can either think of someone or maybe even themselves who present them self in the way of one of these labels. Its the "sexy" and "dangerous" styles that grab the attention of teen age girls turning them to the world of sex symbols. Boys are not far behind with their macho man lifestyle that they are trying to portray. I will say at first I did not believe that teens could be so interested in the idea of sexual behaviors and physical sex appeal, but after watching the weird and disturbing film of Cruel Intentions I will say that there is a way to grab your attention through this sexual content.