Goya's Ghosts (2006)

Move over Casper! If there’s any friendly spirit Mr. Skin wants to be haunted by, it’s the historic hotties in Goya’s Ghosts (2006). Set in Madrid at the turn of the eighteenth century, this is another period piece from Amadeus (1984) director Miloš Forman. Only this costume drama deals with the Spanish Inquisition. Brother Lorenzo Casamares (Javier Bardem) thinks it’s time the hunt for heretics heats up. Consequently, his thugs pick up Inés Bilbatúa (Natalie Portman) on suspicion of being Jewish. She turned down a mouthful of pork at a local pub, so naturally they figure she needs to be tortured post-haste. It’s the other white meat, dammit! Inés also happens to be the model and muse for famed portraitist Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård). His recent political paintings have landed him on the bad side of the monk set. But luckily for Señor Goya, Señor Casamares is an appreciator of his art. Indeed, Francisco avoids the physical misery that a less adored iconoclast might receive in 1792 Spain. Alas, poor Inés can’t say the same. While imprisoned, the captivating creature is taken against her will by the willful priest. As Goya tries to secure his model’s release, you may experience a release when the bare butt on Ms. Portman’s body double makes an appearance. Over in France, the Revolution is a-ragin’. So, that’s why Joseph Bonaparte (Julian Wadham) pops up. The historical story also includes a portrayal of Queen María Luisa (Blanca Portillo) while Randy Quaid plays King Charles IV.  Wait, what?