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Star power

We had so much fun last year with this feature, we had to repeat it in 2002. Once again, we asked Weekly film critics Jeanne Aufmuth and Jim Shelby to compile their lists of the hottest actors and actresses of the year. Granted, it's a somewhat superficial selection based largely on the physical features of these talents. But some surprises do appear on both lists, proving that sex appeal can grow even stronger with age.

Top movie babes of 2001

Cate Blanchett: As Galadriel she inspires visions not wholly in keeping with the spirit of the Fellowship. Forest mischief seems promised around every corner of Middle Earth when she whispers her Elvin verses.

Jennifer Connelly: From aggressive student to possible Russian spy to long-suffering wife, in "A Beautiful Mind" Connelly makes the '50s look great, and no amount of old-age make-up can dim her gleam.

Cameron Diaz: Diaz, whose work as pal/stalker in "Vanilla Sky" was incredibly sexy and terrifying, proves to be a resourceful and smart actor who conforms to the needs of her role. And her Princess Fiona in "Shrek" was Ogre-cute.

Nicole Kidman: Mother-for-the-ages in "The Others," combined with her chanteuse turn in "Moulin Rouge," makes her an undeniable babe. I have to admit she's come a long, long way since "Days of Thunder."

Penelope Cruz: No denying it, she redeemed herself from an unimpressive appearance in "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" with her quirky and clever performance in "Vanilla Sky." Her "I'll see you in another life when we come back as cats" slayed me.

Maggie Smith: OK, a strange choice. But this is one dame who knows how to get her own way. In "Gosford Park" she puts people in their place with the no-nonsense efficiency of a straight razor. Yowza!

Tilda Swinton: OK, another bizarre choice. Intriguing as the way-too-protective mom in "The Deep End," and really creepy-corporate as the dream counselor at the end of "Vanilla Sky," she's got my vote for Strangely Attractive... Maybe I'm still working out "Orlando."

Audrey Tatou: I think it's against the rules to think of Amelie as a babe, given that she's so sweet, child-like and optimistic. But there's no ignoring her bee-stung lipped Parisian allure. Vive la France!

Emily Watson: How'd a dog-faced cockney housemaid get this interesting? Worlds away from her "Breaking the Waves" naiveté, Watson's turn in "Gosford Park" infuses both upstairs and downstairs with a world-weary passion.

Naomi Watts: This comic-book character comes to startling 3-D life in "Mulholland Drive" when she auditions for a bunch of movie people at a studio, turning a silly script into exciting magic. And then there's that bedroom scene...

Top-10 movie hunks of 2001

Gael Garcia Bernal: Lusting for his brother's wife in "Amores Perros" or exploring his virginal sexuality in "Y Tu Mama Tambien," this hot tamale is muy provocativo.

Colin Firth: Reindeer jumper be damned, Firth is red-hot under a chilly British reserve in "Bridget Jones's Diary."

Andy Garcia In control, smooth as silk, and subtly powerful, he blew away beautiful boys Pitt and Clooney in "Ocean's Eleven."

Ryan Gosling Only a guy with a truckload of charisma could work a bitter, Jewish neo-Nazi (from Henry Bean's "The Believer") into something resembling sexy.

Hugh Jackman: His courtly manners, refined sensitivity and form-fitting waistcoat (in "Kate the Leopold") combine to make Jackman this woman's fantasy male.

Ewan McGregor:He's gorgeous, he's expressive and he can sing. When he warbled his love for Nicole Kidman in "Moulin Rouge," what girl didn't dream of being on the receiving end of his plaintive notes?

Viggo Mortenson: He had less than 24 hours to answer the casting call for "Lord of the Rings". For his quick thinking we get a celluloid eternity of chiseled cheekbones, cleft chin and sword-wielding manliness.

Robert Redford: At 64, he's still got it, and he gets to flaunt it with abandon as a suave, confident CIA operative in "Spy Game."

Ondrej Vetchy: Check out Czech Vetchy in "Dark Blue World," as a foreign flyboy who heats up the screen (and the local schoolmarm) with an engaging charm and bad-boy animal magnetism.

Denzel Washington: From saint to sinner, Washington was vicious, swaggering and deliciously dark and dangerous in "Training Day." Yummy.