RedCarpetVictim » TV & Movies

Boys of Summer: 12 Sexiest Summer Movie Stars

Rachel Sawyer — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:29:22 +0000

The return of sun dresses and sandals signals the return of the summer blockbuster. The summer blockbuster was officially born with the release of Jaws in 1975. Over the years, blockbusters came to mean special effects, violence and a lot of cool stunts. Guy films. But the thing about guy films is, they usually have guys in them. Sexy guys with muscles who may or may not also banter with and rescue a damsel in distress. And guys aren’t the only people to appreciate such a character. Here’s a look at an alltime list of summer sex symbols.

Errol Flynn

He wore green tights and a little hat, swung from trees, tossed his head back for bellowing laughs, and made grand speeches, and did it all without looking silly or effeminate.

Strictly speaking the summer blockbuster was born in 1975 with the release of Jaws. But The Adventures of Robin Hood which opened in May 1938–the beginning of the modern day summer movie season–fits the formula: It was the studio’s first foray into “glorious technicolor” and at a cost of $2 million, was the most expensive movie in the history of Warner Brothers. Originally the part of Robin was supposed to go to Jimmy Cagney, but Cagney was in the middle of a contract dispute and walked off the set. Producer Hal Wallis decided the sets, scenery and story would draw audiences no matter who played the hero so he decided to cast newcomer Errol Flynn.

The original man in tights, Errol Flynn became the king of the swashbuckler and the prototype for the action hero of today. When Flynn had his first star turn, in the 1935 movie Captain Blood, the reviewer for the New York Times noted that the actor playing the hero was “criminally good-looking” and praised his audacious performance. Flynn’s portrayal of Sir Robin of Locksley cemented his status as a superstar.

Handsome, athletic and charming, Flynn was beloved by men, women and children, which is really the prerequisite for a classic man of summer. Men want to hang out with him, women want to be with him and children want to be like him.

Roger Ebert nails down Flynn’s appeal.

He was improbably handsome, but that wasn’t really the point: What made him a star was his lighthearted exuberance, the good cheer with which he embodies a role like Robin Hood. When George C. Scott was asked what he looked for in an actor, he mentioned “joy of performance,” and Flynn embodies that with a careless rapture. Watch his swagger as he enters John’s banquet hall and throws a deer down before the prince, full knowing that the punishment for poaching a deer is death. Surrounded by his enemies, he fearlessly accuses John of treason against his brother Richard the Lionhearted, and then fights his way out of the castle again. Another actor might have wanted to project a sense of uncertainty, or resolve, or danger; Flynn shows us a Robin Hood so supremely alive that the whole adventure is a lark. Yes, his eyes shift to note that the exit is being barred and guards are readying their swords, but he observes not in fear but in anticipation.

Before car chases, computer animation or light sabers, the sword fight was the action hero’s forte and Flynn performed some of the silver screen’s finest duels. Although he occasionally used a stunt double, much of the swordplay was performed by Flynn, who studied fencing in earnest to prepare for the role. Here’s Robin Hood dueling with Sir Guy of Guisbourne, played by Basil Rathbone. The scene was said to be the inspiration for the light saber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.

Rathbone and Flynn went on to face off against each other in a string of movies with similar plots. sort of like the sequels that are inevitable when a summer action flick becomes a true blockbuster.

Johnny Depp

While Errol Flynn played his pirates straight, Johnny Depp makes the list for his portrayal of a postmodern pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow. Not your typical action hero, Depp is known more for his oddball roles like Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack is similarly eccentric.

Depp based the character on Keith Richards, based on his belief that pirates were the 18th Century’s rock stars. Another inspiration was reportedly Pepe LePew, the amorous cartoon skunk. Somehow, it works. I don’t usually go for men in eyeliner, but I’d make an exception for Captain Jack.

Captain Jack was supposed to be a supporting character with Orlando Bloom as the lead, but Depp stole the show. Critics panned the film, which is kind of long and based–after all–on an amusement park ride, but praised Depp’s performance. And audiences clamored for more, leading to two sequels.

Harrison Ford

Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan. Has any actor starred in more summer blockbusters than Harrison Ford? He’s quite simply the best President, secret agent, smuggler/pilot, Nazi-fighting archaeologist of the silver screen.

Ford swaggered as the young and brash Han Solo. As Indiana Jones, he was more restrained–a hero in the Gary Cooper mold, but with a sense of humor and a fear of snakes. Ford’s rugged good looks make him a natural action hero, but his sexiest attribute is his voice, very masculine and gravelly. Oh, and his way with a whip.

Ford as Indy makes a comeback on May 22 in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This fourth installment in the series has people wondering: Can a 64-year-old man be a convincing action hero? Judging by the photo above, he looks pretty good. Ford reportedly worked out three hours a day and followed a high protein diet to prepare for the movie. Time will tell whether his strict regimen worked.

Steve McQueen

No one drives better than Steve McQueen whether he’s piloting a car through San Francisco in Bullitt or leaping in a motorcycle over barbed wire fences in The Great Escape. The final jump in the latter scene was actually performed by a stunt double–a fact which miffed McQueen for the rest of his life. But McQueen did most of the ride himself, and he even played some of his Nazi pursuers.

A former Marine who spent 41 days in the brig for being AWOL, McQueen’s life story was not unlike the lives of the characters he played: Rebels who lived by their own moral code. He was the sort of guy who could beat someone senseless without losing his cool.

McQueen’s got a boyish look that’s very appealing and very American. You can see it in the unselfconscious way her wears clothes. He was comfortable whether dressed like a millionaire playboy in The Thomas Crown Affair or wearing western gear in The Magnificent Seven. And nobody filled out a pair of chinos better than McQueen.

McQueen was the first choice for the role of John Rambo in First Blood, but illness–he died in 1980–prevented him from taking the part.

Russell Crowe

What did women do before Russell Crowe?

—Miranda Hobbes, “Sex and the City”

Strong. Steely. Sexy. Russell Crowe isn’t the handsomest leading man in Hollywood’s firmament, but damn he’s manly. Neither a musclebound clod like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sly Stallone, or a pretty boy like Brad Pitt, Crowe’s a throwback to guys like John Wayne.

And women love him. Here’s film critic Kim Morgan’s take:

No wonder Bud White (Russell Crowe) was such a tremendous turn-on in 1997′s “L.A. Confidential.” Director Curtis Hanson made him meat up in the 1950s way; Crowe ate a lot of steak and watched Aldo Ray and Sterling Hayden movies. He didn’t train with a kickboxer or get a “body by Jake” — he porked out and studied how Hayden or Ray would walk through a door (doorknobs serve no purpose; you just shove it open). Consequently, he allowed women (and men) the pleasure of watching one of the most insanely sexy performances in cinematic history. You had to gasp when Bud grabbed Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger) and with no questions, no playing around, just kissed her. He confused many women who think they are supposed to be in love with that dumbshit from the gym or that spindly-legged bicycle messenger/musician/poet. Fuck those guys. Crowe’s broad-chested lug had more passion oozing from his uptight white cop shirt than any young, sensitive guy who pretends to understand his boundaries with women.

And that goes double for Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator, which garnered an Oscar for his performance. Crowe simmers as the Roman general turned slave.

Mel Gibson

Before The Passion of the Christ, before the infamous “sugar tits” episode, there was Mad Max Rockatansky avenging the murders of his partner, wife and child. And Sgt. Martin Riggs, spiraling out of control after the death of his wife. And William Wallace fighting for freedom from the British after–you guessed it–the murder of his wife.

In his early films, Mel Gibson was almost too good looking. No one would accuse him of that now. It’s too bad the kinetic character with the slightly maniacal gleam in his dazzling blue eyes has devolved into a drunken anti-Semite with a penchant for making movies in dead languages.

Tom Cruise

Another star who’s been his own worst enemy of late, let’s hope let’s hope history remembers Tom Cruise for his smile rather than his Scientology. And it is a dazzler, one of cinema’s best.

Whatever you may think of him, when Cruise is on screen it’s hard to focus on anyone else. The little guy has a large presence. Tom Rosten in Premiere:

Tom Cruise is intense. And he doesn

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How to Dress like Indiana Jones

Kristin — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:30:10 +0000

Indiana Jones in his trademark getup.

This time the style of the day is one for the guys in the audience. There’s no one quite like Indiana Jones, even an aged Indiana, so get the look and create your own legend.
The basics first. The pants are cuffless, pocket flap khakis, something that can easily be picked up at the Gap or almost anywhere. The shirt is also easy to replicate. You can get a Safari Shirt from Cabelas, which is pretty similar to Indy’s shirt.

Indy’s shoes are actually boots and pretty practical for casual wear and running from danger. The original shoes were called the Alden boot and can be purchased for $320 from Alden Shop.

But if that seems a little too pricey for your wallet, how about the selection at Sketchers,the Zenith seems like a reasonable facsimile and may actually come in handy when you’re not playing archaeologist.

Now, onto the special pieces. First, the leather jacket. Being a period series of films, the jacket is based on the famous leather bomber jackets worn by military men of the time. Indy’s jacket was made by Peter Botwright and the owner of Wested Leather claims that he has the original pattern for the jacket and will be happy to sell you your very own replica. This jacket comes with a certificate of authenticity and is a must have for true collectors. Note that the jacket comes to you new so you’ll have to add your own wear and scuff marks. If you’re not entirely concerned about the authenticity, try U.S. Wings or go cheap and check out your local Good Will store or Military Surplus outlet.

The bull whip can be found at a local cayuse shop, but if you don’t live in an agricultural area you’ll probably have to hit the internet. Try Aussie Whip Maker for a professional whip, which ranges in price from around $70 to several hundred.

The hat is the most recognized item of the entire outfit and is actually just a basic fedora. The original hat was discovered at the Herbert Johnson shop in London but you can find a fedora at just about any men’s shop. Again, it will come new so you’ll have to do a little work to give it that weathered look.

Project Runway: Finale Part 2

Kristin — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:22:27 +0000

Well, it all comes down to this. Three designers are left (Jillian, Rami, and Christian) and they

Project Runway: Finale Part 1

Kristin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:15:22 +0000

Project Runway: Reunion

Kristin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:25:21 +0000

The reunion show is never as interesting as one would hope. It

Project Runway: The Art of Fashion

Kristin — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:29:41 +0000

This is the penultimate challenge and the winners of this round will get to go home and design their collections for the big Bryant Park show. The problem is there are too many designers left. In the past only three of them have shown in Bryant Park, so will two go home this week or will four get to move on?

After one of the models is sent home (who are they again?) the designers head out to meet Tim Gunn on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tim explains how art has been key to fashion and the designers are to choose a piece of art to inspire them in their very own creation. Finally, no more silly inspirations, but a real artistic effort that will show the designer

Mario on Dancing With The Stars Season 6

Sultry Diva — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:13:32 +0000

Mario on Season 6 of Dancing With the Stars

Mario, apopular R&B singer is one of the contestants on Season 6 of Dancing With The Stars.

Adam Carolla on Dancing With The Stars Season 6

Sultry Diva — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:06:33 +0000

Adam Carolla on Season 6 of Dancing With the Stars

Adam Carolla is one of the contestants on Season 6 of Dancing With The Stars.

Adam Corolla I mean really he’s almost as bad Steve Guttenberg! I mean OK he’s funny but even iff Jimmy Kimmel puls some massive online voting push it’s not going to work. Marc Cuban tried it last year and failed, so I predict Adam will be another early casualty.

Steve Guttenberg on Dancing With The Stars Season 6

Sultry Diva — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:46:50 +0000

Steve Guttenberg on Season 6 of Dancing With the Stars

Steve Guttenberg is one of the contestants on Season 6 of Dancing With The Stars.

Stever Guttenberg … no really Steve Guttenberg? Did they find him at Starbucks … not waiting on line on the other side of the counter I mean. Like he was almost cool when he was in three men and a baby, but Johhny 5 killed any chance he had at being a respected actor.

Monica Seles on Dancing With The Stars Season 6

Sultry Diva — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:32:52 +0000

Monica Seles on Season 6 of Dancing With the Stars

Monica Seles, a retired Tennis Pro, is one of the contestants on Season 6 of Dancing With The Stars.