To mark the release of Magic Mike XXL RTÉ TEN takes a look back at the chequered history of movies featuring people getting their kit off for their art. Here are some of the best and worst.
10. Showgirls (1995)
A movie that has reached a near cult-like infamy for its sheer awfulness. Set among the sleazy strip clubs of Las Vegas, this stinker regularly tops the list of worst movies ever made (and that's saying something!). Featuring some laughably awful dialogue, the movie was a spectacular flop on release and just about killed the career of everyone involved in particular lead actress Elizabeth Berkely and director Paul Verhoeven. The movie was banned (really!) by the Film Censor on its release here in Ireland, one of the few thankful acts of kindness by that office.
9. Striptease (1996)
This was a film clearly designed to showcase the smoking-hot body of Demi Moore, then riding the crest of wave of several box-office hits. What it in fact showcased was that she needed to fire her agent. Essentially about a child-custody battle, not even her risque dance moves could save this one. The movie was panned by critics and ran away with the Golden Raspberry Award for worst film of 1996. Like our previous entry, this movie was career poison for Moore and she never regained the same A-list status after it's release.
8. Barb Wire (1996)
A gloriously camp sci-fi romp featuring the acting talents (well both of them) of Pamela Anderson, this post apocalyptic version of Casablanca set in a strip club left audiences and critics reaching for the sick bag rather than the popcorn. Pam gets to strut around in fetish gear mostly, playing the role of bounty hunter Barb Wire. Not even an eye-popping strip scene at the start of the movie, as Pam puts her best assets forward, could save this.
7. The Proposal (2009)
If you fed the script from every single rom-com into a data base, it would eventually spit out the plot of The Proposal. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds do the honours in this movie about an executive who persuades her assistant to marry her in order to avoid deportation to Canada (of all places). No cliché is left unexplored here right up until the inevitable realisation that the mis-matched pair really do belong together and get engaged for real. In one particularly toe-curling scene, Sandra Bullock's character and the other ladies are treated to a strip-tease by an over the hill exotic dancer called Ramone (Oscar Nunez). He later went on to make a virtue out of cringe-worth comedy in the US version of The Office.
6. From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
The second movie on this list to have been banned in Ireland. The Film Censor didn't think much of the wall to wall violence and potty mouthed dialogue in Quentin Tarantino's cult movie which featured George Clooney in his break out movie role. Although later much better known for more serious roles, Selma Hayek, delivered a super seductive table dance, complete with an over sized snake, in a scene that is regarded as one of the sexiest ever. Oh and she's a vampire. Obviously.
5. Calendar Girls (2003)
Let's face it. Even your Mum has seen it and thought it was "lovely". This movie was based on real life events and tells the story of a group of ladies from a Women's Institute in Yorkshire who produce a nude calendar for charity. Featuring a cast of well known British actors such as Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, it was a massive box office hit. As you'd expect, all the stripping here is very tasteful and won't cause too many blushes when everyone is gathered on the sofa after the Christmas dinner.
4. Flashdance (1983)
Apart from boasting a killer soundtrack (What a Feeling, Maniac) this tale of a girl who works in a steel mill by day and exotic dancer by night is the ultimate 80s crowd pleaser. Jennifer Beals played Alex Owens the girl who dreamt of making 'it big'. Often copied, but never equally her sexy strip and dance routine filmed in silhouette is a proper slice of iconic cinema. Unfortunately there was a bit of a rumpus after it was later revealed that a body double (French actress Marine Jahan) was used for all the big dance scenes.
3. True Lies (1994)
This movie had everything. A gargantuan budget. Arnie at the top of his game. And best of all, the maestro himself James Cameron was on writing and directing duties. And boy did it deliver. Thrills, chase scenes, humour and one scene stealing turn from Jamie Lee Curtis. The former scream-queen played the role of a bored housewife to Arnie's secret CIA husband. In one of the movie's most memorable scenes, she performed an hilarious strip show for him and made the entire movie-going public go 'Wowza!' as she showed off some killer moves and a body to die for.
2. The Full Monty (1997)
Another British movie that took the box office by storm and was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. This tale about six unemployed steel miners from Sheffield who decide to form a striptease act struck a chord with audiences worldwide with its humour, honesty and of course those cringey strip routines. Thanks again to a great soundtrack (who can listen to Hot Stuff now and not think about male strippers?) and a superb cast, this has become a perennial favourite on TV schedules and even became a hit musical. When the lads finally strip off and go 'the full monty' at the end, what could have been just all a bit tacky instead becomes a funny and empowering finale in this most shameless of crowd pleasing movies.
1. Magic Mike (2012)
Well this had to be number one. A surprise hit when it was released, this movie had women (and more than a few men) flocking to see it thanks to its brawn of well-oiled six packs, steamy dance routines and of course Steven Soderbergh's eye-catching cinematography (trust us it's there!). Inspired by Channing Tatum's own experience as a former male stripper, it's actually a sobering study of thwarted male ambition and insecurity. Not that too many people noticed. The fantastically choreographed stripping scenes are what drive this movie forward and they more than adequately showcase Channing's admittedly awesome dance moves. It's like being at one long and very loud hen party. You can see even more of the boys when the sequel hits cinemas this Friday.
