Blow-Up (1966)

Before Brian De Palma released his thriller Blow Out (1981), Michelangelo Antonioni thrilled film fans with his thriller Blow-Up (1966). In fact, this stylistic flick from the Swinging Sixties was heralded as a mod masterpiece. Granted, the film’s innovative storytelling (which lacked a plot resolution) had as much to do with running out of funds to shoot explanatory scenes as it did with a risky decision to break cinematic rules. Nevertheless, the movie won the hearts of critics and the hard-ons of audience members. No doubt, it was popular due to its trendy starlets (Jane Birkin, Melanie Hampshire and Veruschka von Lehndorff) who weren’t afraid to shed their chic threads for their art. Of course, we’re more impressed with the sleek physique on Thomas (David Hemmings). He’s a hip London fashion photographer who may have witnessed foul play while taking pictures in the park. When he enlarges the prints in his darkroom, the sexy shutterbug uncovers a mystery that could alter his destiny. Has a murder occurred? With a drop dead gorgeous bird like Patricia (Sarah Miles) flaunting her finery on camera, it’s highly possible. Speaking of, check out a killer scene 54 minutes into the pic. That’s when both Thomas and Jane (Vanessa Redgrave) literally lose their tops. As such, we get to ogle David’s naked chest. Loosely based on the short story “Las babas del diablo” (1959) by Argentine-French writer Julio Cortázar, this British and Italian pic appeals to moviegoers around the world due to its universal language of lust!