With Oscar time coming up, I thought I'd lighten the atmosphere here and have a little talk about my personal Top Ten Hottest Movie Stars of All Time. Now, what do I mean by hot? I'm not just talking about a drool-worthy body that looks good in a bikini, I'm talking also about that certain "something" in the eyes, and in maybe the smile or facial expression that says "dammit, I'm hot". And I'm not limiting myself to a particular decade or time period, I'm talking about ALL Time. These ten I have listed are/were not only very hot, they were superb actresses. There are quite a few nominations and oscars between them. I know I've missed quite a few stars, both from today and yesterday, but these are my picks and I'm sticking to them.
And away we go...
First, some of my Honorable mentions: Greer Garson, Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Elizabeth Taylor, Meryl Streep, Marilyn Monroe, Hilary Swank, Helen Hunt, Laura Dern, Rachel Weisz, Kiera Knightly, Jennifer Connoly, Kate Beckinsale, Megan Fox, Helena Bonham Carter.
Stars of the future: Emma Watson, Dakota Fanning, Natalie Portman.
- Angela Lansbury. Say WHAAAAAT??? You heard right. Before she was everyon'e favorite senior citizen mystery writer/detective, even before she was on "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", she was one VERY hot actress. You'll agree when you see the following pictures..."who knew?"
- Cate Blanchett/Gwyneth Paltrow. These two willowy beauties bring a different sort of presence to the screen. It's a more subtle, understated grace that's remeniscent of the glory days of movies.
- Lauren Bacall. Whenever I think of Bacall, I think of a noir style half lit movie, or something like the Maltese Falcon, with her as that slightly dangerous woman...you never know what she will do.
- Drew Barrymore. She's just got that little smile that says "impish". She'll have a beer with you one moment and be totally glamorous and hot the next.
- Salma Hayek. I loved her in "Dogma" as she played her part very well. Her accent alone puts her in the top ten.
- Hedy Lamarr. Harvey Korman made fun of her in "Blazing Saddles", but to me she's the classic noir seductress, steaming up the screen.
- Halle Berry. People who have met her say she's even more beautiful in person. I don't know about that, but her beauty is classic, and she also looks great walking out of the ocean in a bikini.
- Scarlett Johannson. I first remember her as a somewhat gawky looking person in "Lost In Translation". I am now seeing why all the guys are starting to drool over her.
- Angelina Jolie. 'Nuff Said.
And my Number One Hottest Movie Star of All Time is..........
- Bette Davis. Yes, that's right. In her youth she was a stunning beauty. She may not have had a beauty like Halle, or a body like Angelina or Scarlett or Drew, but she was captivating and arresting. She could seduce or slay a man just by the way she looked at him. If you see clips of her movies, many times she doesn't have to speak to convey her part, it all in her eyes...
UPDATE: there have been LOTS of suggestions in the comments, and I thank you for them and keep this talk going. I might do a top ten of male actors before Sunday if I find the time...stay tuned. And of course, I expect plenty of discussion of that one as well.