Reviews by Kyle Ellis

Talia al Ghul belongs on this list of the hottest female characters in DC Comics for one reason. She managed to seduce Batman into sleeping with her and then after she became pregnant, convinced him that she lost the baby.

That’s right.

She seduced, got pregnant, and then convinced the world’s greatest detective that she lost their baby. If you don’t understand how remarkable this is, remember this. Batman has a file on every member of the Justice League that details how to take them down should they go rogue. He’s the most prepared and “ready for anything” superhero in comics. Yet, with Talia al Ghul he was completely blindsided by her seductive ways.

The worst part is that if Talia tried to seduce me, I’d happily go along too.

If any superhero has what’s affectionately called “southern charm”, it’s Rogue.

In her first few appearances, Rogue wasn’t really all that popular. It wasn’t until the 1990s television show, X-Men The Animated Series that her popularity skyrocketed. During the show, the world finally took notice of the character.

Rightfully so.

Aside from her undeniable good looks, Rogue has a lot going for her. She’s strong, has a sexy accent, can fly, is able to learn the deepest and darkest secrets of anyone with nothing more than a simple touch, and can cause comas or worse with that same touch. And it’s the touch that I’m most interested in.


Why?

Because nobody can get close to her without ending up in a hospital, Rogue is extremely mysterious…and mystery is hot.

Although I’ve written articles detailing why both [Link removed - login to see] and [Link removed - login to see] are Peter Parker’s true love, it’s Gwen Stacy that I lean towards. I love the Gwen Stacy character.


Although I can’t exactly explain why this is so, I’m going to try. Not only is she the girl that Peter can never have, but she also has devilishly good looks, is intelligent beyond measure, and is so popular that Marvel brought her back (albeit from a different section of the Multiverse) to the mainstream. These simple qualities are ones that very few of Peter Parker’s girlfriends can boast.

Gwen Stacy belongs on this list because she could capture the attention of any man by simply walking into a room.

I was blown away by Whisper of the Heart. It is perhaps slow and simple, but it is also charming and poignant with great characters especially. The animation as always is wonderful, the stunning backgrounds and colours especially look absolutely amazing. And the visual effects are great too and do a great job of enhancing the story. The music is gorgeous and never feels obtrusive, and the song is absolutely lovely. The script is memorable too, while the simple yet very rich story still manages to touch me, as do the beautiful, subtle messaging and great characters here. Shizuku and Seiji are both likable characters with real warmth to them. The voice acting is excellent from all involved, especially Cary Elwes who is perfect as the charming handsome Baron. All in all, stunning and one of my favourites. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Kitty Pryde has always come across as the girl next door. She’s often the youngest of the X-Men, is the most naive, and the one that the others try to protect. It’s precisely these that land her here.

There are very few tropes that hold the sexiness that the girl next door trope holds. Movies are built around it. Books have studied it. And comic characters like Kitty Pryde have embraced it. It’s not that she can’t hold her own in battle. It’s far from that. Kitty Pryde has always come across as the girl next door. She’s often the youngest of the X-Men, is the most naive, and the one that the others try to protect. It’s precisely these that land her here. 
There are very few tropes that hold the sexiness that the girl next door trope holds.  Movies are built around it. Books have studied it. And comic characters like Kitty Pryde have embraced it. It’s not that she can’t hold her own in battle. It’s far from that. [Link removed - login to see]It’s more that Kitty will always be looked at as the cute girl that all fanboys want to date but all are too embarrassed to ask for a date.  It’s more that Kitty will always be looked at as the cute girl that all fanboys want to date but all are too embarrassed to ask for a date.

As one of the [Link removed - login to see] it’s easy to see why Catwoman makes this list of hottest female superheroes.

Admittedly, my fascination with Catwoman only began during Ed Brubaker and Darwyn Cooke’s epic run about 15 years ago. It was during this run that the two changed practically everything about the character. First, they made her a street-level anti-hero who helped those less fortunate. Second, they grew the already growing relationship she had with Batman. And third, they created her best costume.

Oh, that costume.

At first glance, it may look a little bizarre. I mean, it’s a skintight leather outfit with large goggles. However, for unexplainable reasons it works and is super hot.

I’ll admit it. I had a huge crush on Psylocke growing up. My infatuation with Psylocke was so much that I’d spend every waking minute sketching and drawing her.

But it didn’t end there.

When Overpower came out and I finally collected her character power card, I clung onto it as a baby clings onto its blanket. Psylocke is one of the most sexualized characters ever created. She’s one of the very few characters who walk around in a bikini thwarting the plans of supervillains everywhere. Yep. Psylocke doesn’t wear a traditional superhero costume or uniform. Instead, she fights evil wearing something reserved for an all-inclusive resort…and those resorts are pretty hot.

And that’s it. The hottest female superheroes in the history of comic books. What do you think? Who would make your hottest female superheroes list?

Power Girl is known for many things…strength, flight, speed, reflexes and the like. However, for all the things she’s known for, all pale in comparison to how well she’s known for her, ahem, assets.

One look at Power Girl and you’ll see that she’s been developed in ways that most of the other hottest female superheroes in history haven’t. Now, understand that this doesn’t mean she’s on this list because of it. No, not even close. She’s on this list because her confidence and willingness to defend what’s right is unbelievably hot. That is, she’s here because the traits and qualities that aren’t visible shine brighter than the ones that are.

I like Terry Gilliam, I appreciate his style and I like his films. As much as I am fond of Time Bandits and The Adventures of Baron Manchausen, two childhood favourites, and also Twelve Monkeys, I consider Brazil Gilliam's masterpiece.

On a visual and technical level, Brazil is outstanding. The cinematography and effects are well and truly exemplary, as is the make up, but I loved the authentic sound and the genuine atmosphere Brazil exuded.

Michael Kamen is a composer that I have a lot of respect for, and Brazil is no exception. His score is both of beautiful and haunting quality and really helps to enhance the atmosphere. The story does have a simplicity and complexity, it has a wonderful idea, has something to say and explores it well.

The script also impresses. It is thoughtful and deep, but it also has its funny moments of the subtle kind. Gilliam's direction is superb too. The acting is really tremendous. I loved Robert DeNiro, Ian Richardson and Jim Broadbent here and Kim Griest gives a performance of considerable depth avoiding any signs of blandness, but the picture acting-wise belongs to Jonathan Pryce. Pryce is just superb in this film, and while he has done a lot of solid work such as Regeneration, The Ploughman's Lunch and The Adventures of Baron Manchausen I think the role of Sam Lowry from Brazil is his best performance.

I can understand why some mayn't like Brazil. It is a lengthy movie, people might find they like the idea but find there isn't enough to say or they even mayn't like Gilliam and his style. I will admit I did find myself frustrated on first viewing three years ago, loving the idea but found myself confused, but now I both love and appreciate Brazil and not only consider it Gilliam's masterpiece but also one of the better movies of the 80s.

Overall, outstanding but perhaps not a movie you should see just once. 10/10 Bethany Cox

As much as I do love Ran, The Hidden Fortress and Throne of Blood, it was Seven Samurai that I love most of Akira Kurasawa's films. As with all Kurasawa's films, it is incredibly well made with authentic scenery that would give meaning to the term epic and the camera work is truly spectacular. This is especially true in the final battle, with inspired use of moving and multiple camera, precise editing, telephoto lenses and variegated film speeds. As always with Kurasawa, the direction is consistently brilliant. Add to that a stirring score from Fumio Hayasaka and a thoughtful script and you have more reasons why Seven Samurai is so good. The story unfolds slowly, but never felt dull to me and is never hampered by the three-and-a-half-hour running time. Plus Seven Samurai is interesting for being one of the first few to utilise the plot element of recruiting/gathering of heroes into a team to achieve a goal, seen especially with when the audience is first introduced Kambei. The action is spectacular and looks even better with the use of multiple cameras from various angles, and any humanity Seven Samurai has, and it does have a lot, is shown in a poignant way. The cast are excellent, with Takashi Shimura and especially Toshiro Mifune the standouts. Overall, of a resume of one of the greatest directors who ever lived, responsible for many wonderful movies(and I'd say that Seven Samurai and Ran are among the best movies ever made) Seven Samurai stands tall. One of the easiest 10/10s I've ever given. Bethany Cox