Is it hot in this theatre, or is it just me?

[Ace]

Calgary Herald: Is it hot in this theatre, or is it just me?

Alexandra Burroughs

Friday, February 06, 2004


Let's talk about sex, shall we?

For years, mainstream Hollywood films have pushed the envelope in the lovemaking department.

There's more flesh -- many more times -- in more places. And although it's still a punishable offense during prime-time sporting events, as Janet Jackson proved Sunday at the Super Bowl, actors and actresses have been heating things up on-screen for decades.

Still, not all love scenes are created equal.

In Hollywood's 10 Hottest Love Scenes, presented by the W Network, the steamiest romances of the past two decades are up for review.

The list includes obvious picks such as the sexually charged Basic Instinct with Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas, as well as less overtly sexual flicks such as The Thomas Crown Affair.

Here, for your consideration, are some of our favourite -- and often informative -- love scenes in Hollywood film.

Best love scene for fugitives:

Thelma and Louise (1991)

OK, it's not a brilliant category, but we had to fit it in. When this movie came out, millions of women waited in their theatre seats to watch the credits roll.

"Who was that guy?" we demanded to know.

The steamy motel scene had then-newcomer Brad Pitt spending the night with Thelma (Geena Davis). She gets a quick lesson in liquor-store robbing and a master's course in lovemakin'.

The scene is brief, but memorable.

-Runner-up: The Getaway (1992), starring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger -- this woman is a category unto herself.

Best "Forbidden Love"

Love Scenes:

Unfaithful (2002)

It's a rare performance that motivates the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to offer up an Oscar nomination to an actress (Diane Lane) who plays a character who shamefully cheats on her husband (Richard Gere).

The best scene of forbidden lovemaking in this film -- and there are many -- comes when Connie (Lane) has a quick run-in with Paul (Olivier Martinez) in the restroom of a restaurant while her friends wait for her at lunch.

-Runners-up: The English Patient (1996), when Count Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) and Katharine Clifton (Kristin Scott Thomas) meet during a Christmas party as her unsuspecting husband plays Santa Claus nearby. Also, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo & Juliet (1996), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), Poison Ivy (1992) and Henry and June (1990), with Uma Thurman and Maria de Medeiros.

Love Scenes that

Made Us Hungry:

91/2 Weeks (1986)

This scene introduced the general public to the many uses of whipped cream. The erotic story pits an unassuming, but gorgeous, art gallery assistant, Elizabeth (Kim Basinger), against a strange, but sexy, John (Mickey Rourke). In this scene, Rourke blindfolds Basinger and tempts her with everything from sweet strawberries to super-hot peppers.

-Runner-up: When Harry Met Sally (1989). OK, so it's not actually a love scene. But we still want what she was having.

Best love scenes in tap water/rainwater/underwater:

A Walk on the Moon (1999)

Before he was the king of Middle Earth, Viggo Mortensen was Blouse Man, a fabric-wielding, free-love hippie in this romance co-starring Diane Lane (again). The duo team up for several lovemaking sessions in 1969 America, including one unforgettable romp beneath a waterfall.

-Runner-up: 91/2 Weeks. After a high-speed chase through an abandoned building during a thunderstorm, Elizabeth (Basinger) and John (Rourke) collapse onto one another on an outdoor staircase. Also, The English Patient (1996), when Count Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) and Katharine Clifton (Kristin Scott Thomas) enjoy the virtues of a bubble-free bath.

Best Mobile Love Scenes:

Risky Business (1983)

The setting: Chicago's El Train. The music: Phil Collins' In the Air Tonight. The couple: Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay. Whoa, it doesn't get more '80s luv than this. Joel Goodson (Cruise) is an 18-year-old high school graduate who learns his greatest lessons in entrepreneurship from a call girl, Lana (De Mornay). This scene is recognized by many Internet surfers as one of the "hottest love scenes in any movie."

-Runner-up: No Way Out (1987), starring Kevin Costner and Sean Young. When you mention No Way Out to anyone who has seen the movie, their first response is the limousine scene. Also, The Chase (1994), starring Charlie Sheen and Kristy Swanson.

Best "Good Cop, Bad Cop" Love Scene:

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

Catherine Banning (Rene Russo) is an expert thief-catcher who has a special interest in capturing the super-rich Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan). In this remake of the Steve McQueen/Faye Dunaway 1968 film, which is also uber-sexy, Russo and Brosnan make a great match. The 45-year-old Russo is gorgeous, playful and sharp. Brosnan is smart, sexy and stylish. The love scene is sealed on the dance floor when Brosnan asks: " Do you want to dance. Or do you want to dance?"

They dance.

- Runner-up: The Big Easy (1987). This must have been the film that caught Meg Ryan's attention. Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin are very sexy in this crime thriller, which sets most lovemaking amongst office furniture. Too bad he wasn't doing a remake when his wife was shooting Proof of Life (2000) with Russell Crowe.

Love Scenes We Could Have Done Without:

Wild Orchid (1990)

The plot, performances and exotic setting in this film have nothing to do with the attention it garnered. Rather, the real-life affair between Mickey Rourke and co-star Carre Otis captured box-office attendance when rumours flew about the offscreen couple's real, onscreen lovemaking. Rumours were never confirmed nor denied.

- Runner-up: Body of Evidence (1993), starring Madonna and Willem Dafoe.

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[Ace]

Maybe I should just make TCA in the news topic. I think there are a couple other TCA articles bumping around in Ephemera... here's another w/o making anew topic:

The Courier-Journal: Screen sizzle: Best date movies are revealed Lovers may find 'Reel Romance' quickens pulse

By JUDITH EGERTON • February 8, 2004
[e-mail]


"In some ways, selecting the right date movie is like selecting the right date. Will you rent it for a few days or buy it to last a lifetime?''

So writes Louisville native Leslie Halpern in her new book, "Reel Romance: The Lover's Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies.''

Halpern created the guide to help couples find romantic movies that would be mutually satisfying. Her goal was to recommend movies with enough romance to please women, enough action to hold the attention of men and enough good scenes, story development and dialogue to appeal to both.

After some polling and research, Halpern, now an entertainment writer in Orlando, Fla., chose 100 movies ranging from the Humphrey Bogart-Katharine Hepburn classic "The African Queen" to "Working Girl," in which Melanie Griffith has "a head for business and a bod for sin."

The soft-cover guide isn't a compilation of so-called "chick flicks." It includes gross-out comedies by the Farrelly Brothers ("There's Something About Mary" ), silly movies ("George of the Jungle" ), suspense ("Notorious" ) and action-adventure pictures ("The Mask of Zorro" ).

Halpern rates each movie's sexual explicitness and emotional intimacy on an Intimacy Comfort Level, which gives readers an idea of whether a movie is better for a first date, a going-steady relationship or a long-term one.

A signing

Leslie Halpern will sign her book, "Reel Romance: The Lover's Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies'' (Taylor Trade Publishing, 204 pp., $19.95), at 7 p.m. Friday at Borders Books and Music, Gardiner Lane Shopping Center, 3024 Bardstown Road.

The book also ranks each movie's sexual heat with a Make-Out Meter of one to five candles. One candle indicates a low wattage of passion; five candles means the movie blazes with passion. Most of the movies listed in the book are rated PG-13. There are a few R-rated movies but none rated NC-17 or X.

Halpern, 43, a graduate of Atherton High School (1978) and the University of Kentucky (1982), spent a year watching movies and writing the guide. Her husband, Steven, often watched with her, providing assistance with the Make-0ut Meter assessments.

We talked recently with Halpern about movies and romance.

Q: So, when was your last date?

Tuesday night with my husband. Every Tuesday is date night.

What did you do?

We went to the movies and saw "Miracle." It was a sneak preview of the ice hockey movie. It's a good movie but not a good date movie.

In my book, date movies had to meet three criteria: They must appeal to men and women; they must have romance as a main storyline or as a subplot in a genre film; and they must leave the audience feeling romantic. All date movies are romantic, but not all romantic films are date movies.

How did you get the idea for "Reel Romance"?

My husband and I like different movies. We always had to compromise on date nights. ... The book idea came about from wanting to find movies that both people can enjoy. ... My first book, "Dreams on Film," is an in-depth analysis of dream sequences in the movies and was written for film scholars, movie buffs and psychologists. This time, I wanted to do something completely different. It's not a book for film scholars — it's for lovers.

How many times did you watch the movies?

I watched every movie at least three times ... and some as many as 10 times to pick up more details.

Is the Make-Out Meter based on your personal experience?

I took the opinions of other people and my own opinion. I remember when I first saw "Dirty Dancing." My husband and I went together on Valentine's Day ... that was a memorable Valentine's.

What other movies get a five-candle Make-Out Meter rating in your book?

"Moonstruck," " Don Juan DeMarco," "The Thomas Crown Affair" (with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo) and "Pretty Woman" because they have a nice mix of romanticism, chemistry and sexuality.

What was the best thing about writing this book?

Spending a year getting paid to watch movies and write reviews.

The worst thing?

Listening to my friends complain that I didn't include their favorites.

Who is your favorite cinema star?

I like a lot of them. Oh, all right — Johnny Depp. I looove Johnny Depp. ... And I love the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean." It came out too late for my book, but I definitely would have put it in. It's a terrific date movie. It meets all my criteria.

If you could watch only one romantic movie, what would it be?

My favorite is "The Princess Bride." I have probably watched it with my husband about 50 times. We just love it. We've memorized the whole thing. We still cry at the sad parts and laugh at the funny parts.