So dark the con of men–and women–who make up the Rogues of Summer. As usual, heroes are plentiful this season at the multiplex, using their powers for good. But it’s the bad boys (and at least one particularly bad diva) of the summer blockbusters who are getting the most reaction, prompting audiences to shriek with glee or shrink in their seats. Here’s a sampling of the summer’s most noteworthy villains and how they are delighting audiences with their evil ways.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
Villain: Davy Jones (Bill Nighy, above), ruler of the sea and captain of the Flying Dutchman.
Evil power: Conjures up the Kraken, a giant sea monster.
Distinguishing trait: A face only an octopus could love.
Most villainous act: See “evil power.”
Villainous dialogue: “You owe me a soul!”
Likability: Not much to look at, but a worthy addition to the Disney Evildoers Hall of Fame.
“Superman Returns”
VILLAIN: Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey), evil genius.
EVIL POWER: Unceasing determination to take over the world and destroy the Man of Steel.
DISTINGUISHING TRAIT: Has several bad wig days, with numerous tattered hairpieces.
MOST VILLAINOUS ACT: Stabs Superman with a jagged crystal of kryptonite.
VILLAINOUS DIALOGUE: When reporter Lois Lane tells Luthor that his plot could kill millions, he snaps back: “Billions! Once again the press underestimates me!”
LIKABILITY: Top notch–nothing like a bad boy with a sense of humor.
“An Inconvenient Truth”
VILLAIN: Global warming.
EVIL POWER: Wreaking havoc on nature and mankind with climate change.
DISTINGUISHING TRAIT: High temperatures and atmospheric changes that make hurricanes and melt glaciers.
MOST VILLAINOUS ACT: Hurricane Katrina.
VILLAINOUS DIALOGUE: No lines, but its actions speak louder than words. More than holds its own against foe Al Gore, the hero and centerpiece of the movie.
LIKABILITY: No redeeming value whatsoever.
“The Devil Wears Prada”
VILLAIN: Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), editor of Runway magazine.
EVIL POWER: Reduces assistants, models, fashion designers to dust with a withering glare or a biting insult.
DISTINGUISHING TRAIT: Cruella De Vil hair.
MOST VILLAINOUS ACT: Tells her assistant that she will be fired if she doesn’t find an unpublished Harry Potter book.
VILLAINOUS DIALOGUE: “That’s all” (delivered after figuratively biting her victim’s head off).
LIKABILITY: A killer wardrobe–and we mean that in a good way.
“X-Men: The Last Stand”
VILLAIN: Eric Lensherr, a.k.a. Magneto (Ian McKellen), a mutant.
EVIL POWER: Controls magnetism and moves objects large and small.
DISTINGUISHING TRAIT: An odd helmet and hatred of humans, a species he believes hates all mutants.
MOST VILLAINOUS ACT: Tears apart the Golden Gate Bridge.
VILLAINOUS DIALOGUE: “Charles always wanted to build bridges.”
LIKABILITY: Evil served up with aristocratic style.
“The Da Vinci Code”
VILLAIN: Silas (Paul Bettany), a murderous monk.
EVIL POWER: Willingness to kill in the name of God in order to get the Holy Grail.
DISTINGUISHING TRAIT: Did we mention he’s an albino? Enjoys whipping himself.
MOST VILLAINOUS ACT: Shoots a curator after-hours in the Louvre and kills a nun, among others.
VILLAINOUS DIALOGUE: “You and your brethren possess what is rightfully not yours.”
LIKABILITY: Heaven can definitely wait.
Star’s next step
Star Jones Reynolds has her next TV job, a stint on HGTV’s “House Hunters”–but when that gig is up, she’ll be hunting for work.
Reynolds, who left ABC’s “The View” in a huff last week, will host “House Hunters” beginning Monday, People magazine reports. The show helps home buyers get an edge while shopping for real estate in New York City.
Her future beyond that is unclear, but Star will no doubt hope to capitalize on the attention she drew by announcing her departure from “The View” several days before the show’s creator, Barbara Walters, had planned.
Nearly 3 million viewers watched her June 29 interview on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” tripling the show’s typical audience, People reports.
Le divorce
There’s some sad news from Oak Park native Kathy Griffin. The comedian, who stars on “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” reportedly tells CNN’s Larry King that she has in fact divorced husband Matt Moline, adding that Moline allegedly stole $72,000 from her, according to a story posted on “Entertainment Tonight’s” Web site Wednesday. The interview with King is set to air in the coming days.
Tennessee twosome
Newlyweds Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban watched a holiday fireworks display from the rooftop of a popular Nashville pool hall, and a lot of gawkers watched them. They snapped photos of the 4th of July display from Buffalo Billiards near the city’s riverfront.
Splitsville
Break out the Kleenex: There’s been a real-life “Gilmore Girls” breakup. Star Alexis Bledel (above left) and her former co-star Milo Ventimiglia (above right) have parted ways, with Ventimiglia’s rep telling people.com “he is currently single.” The two struck up a romance onscreen–and later offscreen–after Ventimiglia joined the show in 2001.
