This month is devoted – shamelessly – to sin on Rialto Channel, so I’m kicking off my part in the whole thing shebang with a top ten of the most sinfully sexy movies I’ve been lucky enough to see. Romance is not what I’m is not what I am counting down here either – it’s pure filth all round, so if that’s not what you’re after then please close the curtains.
This list is about hot, saucy, sassy and at times a little-too-real celluloid sexiness, and yep, at times it makes even me blush. Theses are the moments that make you feel strange if you watch them with your parents or new friends (a big thank you to Mulholland Drive for that awkward few minutes), scenes you don't want to witness on a first date, and the chemistry that makes a movie memorable and at times, a little uncomfortable to watch.
This month is devoted – shamelessly – to sin on Rialto Channel, so I’m kicking off my part in the whole thing shebang with a top ten of the most sinfully sexy movies I’ve been lucky enough to see. Romance is not what I’m is not what I am counting down here either – it’s pure filth all round, so if that’s not what you’re after then please close the curtains.
This list is about hot, saucy, sassy and at times a little-too-real celluloid sexiness, and yep, at times it makes even me blush. Theses are the moments that make you feel strange if you watch them with your parents or new friends (a big thank you to Mulholland Drive for that awkward few minutes), scenes you don't want to witness on a first date, and the chemistry that makes a movie memorable and at times, a little uncomfortable to watch.
Over the many years of filmmaking, the gradual acceptance of actual sex on film has got to the point where rumours of actors actually having sex on film in mainstream cinema swirl around some of the hottest – and ‘real’ – scenes every year. Did they or didn’t they? Only they know, but I’ll begin with kicking off with one of the most talked about out there…
1. 9 Songs
Michael Winterbottom is a superstar of the indie film world for many reasons, and 9 Songs was no exception. With few to no major stars, the film received critical acclaim from a few smaller film festivals, but plenty of hype all round. The performances are raw and real, and this makes the sexual scenes in the film resonate with the same authenticity. It is almost too ‘real’ for those more attuned to the average porno, but you’ll have to check it out for yourself.
2. Nymphomaniac
Soon to be seen right here on Rialto in all its glory, Nymphomaniac is Lars von Trier's latest and features an all-star cast in a film that explores the nature of sex. Prior to its release rumours swirled that a wide range of body doubles were used, as well as various 'props' to mask the actual rude bits of cast-members. Whatever the case, it’s an intriguing and sometimes uncomfortable watch and again, you’ll have to make your own mind up about its hotness.
3. American Psycho
One of my all time favourite movies and an early glimpse into how far Christian Bale will go to physically nail a role, American Psycho has one of the most sinful, self-loving scenes out there in the form of the infamous ‘workout’ scene. “My name is Patrick Bateman. I'm 27 years old. I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I'll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now…”
4. Last Tango In Paris
The brutal hotness that was Marlon Brando in his latter-prime was never more evident than in was Bernardo Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris. It was undoubtedly one of the most controversial films of the last century and starred Brando, then aged 48 and all aggressive masculinity, and Maria Schneider, a 19-year-old French unknown. Denounced as obscene, the film was banned in many countries, and scandalised the remaining moviegoers who actually got to see it.
5. Basic Instinct
How do you explain to kids these days that there was a time when you had to sneak into movies to actually see a nude body? These days, you're one click away from everything you could dream of. Yet, when Sharon Stone emerged in Paul Verhoeven's controversial film of 1992, men and boys across the world were in awe of her infamous leg crossing – and plenty more besides.
6. Y Tu Mamá También
Pretty much the whole of this movie is sinfully hot. The tension between Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna is at its heartiest when it comes to their mutual attraction to the effortlessly sexy Maribel Verdú, unleashing unbridled lust all round.
7. 9 ½ Weeks
They don’t get much sexier for many than 1980s Kim Basinger, especially in pretty much every scene from this infamous film by erotic director Adrian Lyne. It shook the film world and became a staple in nearly everyone's VHS collection for years to come, and the chemistry between Basinger and a still-exceptionally-hot Mickey Rourke was unlike anything we had seen in a loooooong time. A true classic and you will never look at a jar of honey quite the same way again.
8. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Sure it gets cheesy as all hell at times, but the best onscreen chemistry can't be faked, and the spark between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie was a scorcher from the film’s first five minutes. Poor Jen is all I can say, girlfriend didn’t stand a chance.
9. Mulholland Drive
Okay back to that scene in Mulholland Drive. Leave it up to David Lynch to create something this intense, a lesbian sex trailblazer that has been called “one of the greatest love scenes ever made”. Naomi Watts and Laura Harring are fair sizzling but as I said before, avoid watching with your parents.
10. Barbarella
So Swinging Sixties that it almost brings the giggles at times, Barbarella is Roger Vadim’s ode to Jane Fonda’s hotness and I love it. Watch her frolic gaily in various sexy space-age outfits - and even nude - on her mission to stop the evil Duran Duran… think playful, sexploitative and pure eye candy.
A MONTH OF SIN