Descendant (2003)

The typical cineaste when expounding upon “literary-inspired film” does not usually talk at any length about the genre so often blithely dismissed as "thriller/murder" mystery, but if there is any justice in this world, the bloody good mayhem and murder of Descendant (2002) should change all that. The conflicted hero of Descendant is also a potential lead villain. He is Ethan Poe (Jeremy London), a handsome young horror novelist who happens to trace his ancestry back to America’s most influential literary figure/horrific drunk Edgar Allan Poe. Life is panning out in a comfortable, if uneventful, way for the modern-day terror scribe, and he rarely gives any thought to his illustrious forefather. In fact, he even trashes the man's work early on in the film when asked how much of a fan he must be. But when a new lady love’s (Katherine Heigl) associates start disappearing under deathly circumstances, the Descendant must face the possibility that he is actually an avenging reincarnation. Yes, of course Ethan ends up being the killer once you realize the victims have been taken out by a giant slinging blade like in The Pit and the Pendulum, and trapped behind brick walls like in The Cask of Amontillado. Plus, it ends up he's related to some of the Fall of the House of Usher family. But what really had filmgoers raven about this one wasn't the plot or the Poe shoutouts, it was the nudity! The film ushers in the sexuality stampede with a shot of Katherine in a white bra and panties as Ethan prepares for some sexy time with her, but there were some women showing legitimate skin. Jenna Bodnar's quite big boobs make an appearance as she has a topless make out session with a man outside of a bar. Great bod! Later, Cheryl Dent dumps em out as a dead body that a cop discovers. Did you like that? You'll have a telltale hard on after watching Descendant!