Fair Game (1995): Cindy Crawford and Salma Hayek

     Although panned by most critics, Fair Game (1995) is not nearly as bad as some would lead you to believe... especially if it's taken purely at face value. Based on the novel of the same name by Paula Gosling, the story had previously been filmed as Cobra (1986) starring Sylvester Stallone. For all intents and purposes, Fair Game is a decent action movie, although overindulgent in most aspects. The film was designed solely as a vehicle to capitalize on the enormous popularity of Cindy Crawford, the hottest Supermodel of the 1990's... and in that respect, it had enormous success. Fair Game has become a sort of Cult classic, based on the adoration for Crawford's appeal and a brief, early role by Salma Hayek. As far as her bad acting goes, Cindy Crawford said it best, taking the high road with "Oh well, at least I tried." Indeed, she deserves an "A" for effort. 

     Kate McQuean (Cindy Crawford) is a lawyer in Miami, who has professional KGB hit men coming after her in regards to one her cases... 

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

     Detective Max Kirkpatrick (William Baldwin) has problems of his own, with his feisty ex-girlfriend, Rita (Salma Hayek), kicking him out... 

Fair Game. 1995: Salma Hayek

     When further attempts are made on Kate's life, she and Max go on the run... 

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

     trying to stay one step ahead of the KGB... 

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

     and trying to figure out why the Russians want her dead... 

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

     It is a dangerous journey... 

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

     as the two join forces to get to the bottom of the situation... 

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

     and try to diffuse it... 

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

     before they are both killed...

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

Fair Game. 1995: Cindy Crawford

After the Sunset (2004): Salma Hayek and Pierce Brosnan

     Directed by Brett Ratner, and gorgeously filmed in the Bahamas, After the Sunset (2004) was generally greeted with negative reviews. The story about a supposedly retired jewel thief's last larcenous conquest is Okay, but not great. The real reason After the Sunset was made, however, was to showcase the beauty of Salma Hayek, who looks absolutely ravishing... radiant in a series of scenes, set against a sultry tropical backdrop. The supporting cast is good as well, including Pierce Brosnan, Woody Harrelson and Don Cheadle.

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

After the Sunset. 2004: Salma Hayek

"After the Sunset"- movie trailer

Wild Wild West (1999): Will Smith, Salma Hayek and Kevin Kline Go Steampunk

     Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, Wild Wild West (1999) was based on the 1960's TV series of the same name. The film re-teamed Sonnenfeld and actor Will Smith, who has previously worked together on Men in Black (1997), but the duo was unable to replicate their success... and Wild Wild West, while mildly successful at the box office, was a critical failure due to a dull storyline. The film has grown into a Cult Classic however, and has helped to cater interest in the popular "Steampunk" style with it's use of Victorian-era gadgetry and CGI effects. The cast is good, including Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Salma Hayek and Kenneth Branagh. 

Wild Wild West. 1999: Will Smith

Wild Wild West. 1999: Salma Hayek

Wild Wild West. 1999

Wild Wild West. 1999: Salma Hayek

Wild Wild West. 1999: Salma Hayek

Wild Wild West. 1999: Salma Hayek

Wild Wild West. 1999

Wild Wild West. 1999: Salma Hayek

Wild Wild West. 1999: Salma Hayek

Wild Wild West. 1999: Salma Hayek

Bandidas (2006): Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

     Despite mixed reviews and a nearly straight-to-video release, Bandidas (2006) has steadily earned itself a Cult following. The two reasons for the belated success are plain to see... and quite easy on the eyes. Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz, both beautiful and successful international actresses and producers in their own right, had never worked on a project together. Rather than wait for an opportunity to arise, the two lovely friends decided to create one in the form of a Western Comedy featuring themselves as bank robbers on a mission. They enlisted the help of a diverse group of mutual filmmaker friends, and the film ended up being a co-production with investors in France, the United States and Mexico. In the end, Bandidas is mainly an excuse for Hayek and Cruz to have fun together, but the supporting cast is good as well... including Dwight Yoakam and the always great, Sam Shepard.

     Two very different Mexican ladies, one a poor farmer's daughter, Maria (Penelope Cruz)...

Bandidas. 2006: Penelope Cruz

     and the other, Sara (Salma Hayek), the daughter of a wealthy land owner... 

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

     are forced to join forces against the evil force of a U.S. Land Baron (Dwight Yoakam), who not only is stealing their land, but killed Sara's father and nearly killed Maria's as well... 

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

     Maria and Sara, despite initial conflicts, end up becoming partners in a series of bank robberies meant to dwindle down Yoakam's holdings and provide for the chastised Mexican families caught in the middle... 

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

     The two become great friends in the process... 

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

     and gain further help and an excuse for fun and flirtation in the form of a crime specialist (Steve Zahn)... 

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek

     who becomes an unlikely ally... 

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

     Maria and Sara's exploits are paying off... 

Bandidas. 2006: Penelope Cruz

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

     But how long will it last...

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz

Bandidas. 2006: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz