Sex Edition: The best hot and heavy scenes

When watching a film, there are few things as (secretly) enjoyable as coming across a good… When watching a film, there are few things as (secretly) enjoyable as coming across a good sex scene. Whether it is an abundance of nudity or merely a beautiful cinematic display of our most carnal fantasies, movie sex scenes allow us the opportunity to indulge ourselves without fear of pregnancy or awkward morning-after conversation.

These are The Pitt News’ favorite sex scenes from the past decade or so that every college student should be familiar with.

10.) “A History of Violence” (2005) — The initial resistance and eventual submission from Edie Stall (Maria Bello), Tom Stall’s (Viggo Mortensen) wife, makes for the perfect representation of rough sex on film. Plus, Maria Bello in a cheerleader’s uniform?

9.) “Unfaithful” (2002) — Connie’s (Diane Lane) conflicted feelings of loyalty for her husband (Richard Gere) and lust for her lover (Olivier Martinez) serve as foreplay for the viewers of their forbidden affair, which climaxes in their bathroom-stall consummation.

8.) “Basic Instinct” (1992) — The conflict of interest that is Nick (Michael Douglas) and Catherine’s (Sharon Stone) sexual affair finally culminates when Catherine gives in to his advances while Roxy (Leilani Sarelle) watches what Douglas’ Nick describes as “the f*ck of the century.” And still, uncrossing one’s legs has never been the same since Stone’s infamous peek-a-boo scene.

7.) “Little Children” (2006) — Sarah (Kate Winslet) and Brad (Patrick Wilson) prove that suburbia isn’t all that boring with their naughty tryst on top of a washing machine. They gave “rinse cycle” an entirely new meaning.

6.) “Atonement” (2007) — In the adaptation of Ian McEwan’s epic novel, Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie’s (James McAvoy) bookcase love making certainly makes it worth sitting through the remaining 90 minutes of pure depression. Who said reading couldn’t be sexy?

5.) “Mulholland Drive” (2001) — In a surreal David Lynch film that takes viewers so far down the rabbit hole they forget which way is up, it helps to see a glimpse of the light when Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring’s characters decide to make out while topless in bed. It still doesn’t make much sense within the movie, but I don’t think anyone’s complaining.

4.) “Shortbus” (2006) — It is impossible to pinpoint a single sex scene in a film notorious for its near-constant use of unsimulated sex with a cast of attractive unknowns. Take your pick from the orgy in a sex club, the medicine-ball sex, the auto-fellatio or, a personal favorite, the daisy-chain threesome. You will never think of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the same way ever again.

3.) “Y Tu Mama También” (2001) — For those who haven’t seen this amazing Spanish road-trip drama from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” director Alfonso Cuaron, you’re missing one of the most touching and effective films about friendship ever made — that also happens to include plenty of skin and sex. The finale, in which Julio (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna) flesh out their friendship together with the help of older Ana (Ana Lopez Mercado), is simultaneously haunting and titillating.

2.) “Titanic” (1997) — It starts with a portrait of Rose (Kate Winslet) wearing only a garish jeweled necklace, and it ends with her and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) steaming up a car. How high school of them, but seriously — that hand-on-the-steamed-window remains one of the most iconic cinematic displays of sensuality on record.

1.) “Wild Things” (1998) — In a seedy and sumptuous guilty-pleasure flick overrun with sex and Denise Richard’s breasts, one scene still stands out as not only one of the sexiest scenes in cinematic history, but also as the scene that made threesomes look truly awesome. The Sam (Matt Dillon), Suzie (Neve Campbell) and Kelly (Denise Richards) menage a trois goes down as the best sex scene, ever. Crack open the champagne in celebration.

Did we miss anything that tingles your Spidey senses? Email Kieran and Bethie at aeeditors@gmail.com and let us know!