The December 2007 issue of Esquire celebrates “Performances of the Year” with two sexy covers circulating!

Cover stars: Denzel Washington from American Gangster, Cate Blanchett from I’m Not There, Javier Bardem from No Country for Old Men, Robert Downey Jr. from Zodiac, Emile Hirsch from Into The Wild and Jake Gyllenhaal from Rendition.

Matt Damon takes the top honor in People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive 2007. Here’s what People had to say about the sexiest man alive:

“George Clooney and Brad Pitt have shamelessly campaigned for him since 2001, but this year’s winner was Bourne to the title. “You’ve given an aging suburban dad the ego-boost of a lifetime,” Damon, 32, explained why he couldn’t possibly accept the crown – which perfectly demonstrates many of the reasons we chose him in the first place: irresistible sense of humor, rock solid family man, heart-melting humility.”

Who else made the list? Ryan Reynolds, James McAvoy, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Patrick Dempsey, Dave Annable, Will Smith, Shemar Moore, Ben Affleck, Adrian Grenier, Will Yun Lee and Justin Timberlake.

Find out what People had to say about each of the sexiest men in their slideshow here and check out past Sexiest covers here.

WHAT DO YOU THINK of People’s list of Sexiest Men for 2007 — YAY or NAY? More Here! »

Penelope Cruz finds love in the arms of Spanish actor Javier Bardem, spending a romantic few days in the Republic of Maldives (in the Indian Ocean) earlier this month.

Penelope frolicked around in a black bikini while Javier wore black swimming trunks. Looks like the couple got real hot ‘n spicy out there!!

Penelope, 33, and Javier, 38, are longtime friends and starred together in the 1992 dramatic comedy Jamon, Jamon“, in which they played lovers. They started dating after reuniting and working together on Woody Allen’s latest yet-to-be-titled Spanish project.

Bardem received an Oscar nomination for 2000’s Before Night Falls, while Cruz received a best-actress nomination for Pedro Almodovar’s 2006 Volver.

40+ pictures inside of Penelope and Javier’s paradise love in Maldives… More Here! »

Penelope Cruz and her new costar hook-up Javier Bardem are Hollywood’s latest hook-up.

According to Page Six, “Cruz showed up at the New York Film Festival this weekend with Javier Bardem, and the two were ‘very touchy-feely,’ our spy said. ‘They held hands when they thought no one was watching, and she kissed his cheek, and he put his arm around her.’ Saturday night, they showed up with Bono to the premiere party for No Country for Old Men at Gabriel’s, sat in the back room and left together.”

And even more recently, Penelope, 33, and Javier, 38, were spotted dining at Baboo Restaurant. The couple kissed and hugged each other outside the restaurant. Watch the video below! UPDATE: Apologies, video removed! Watch it here.

FYI: Cruz and Bardem costar in the top secret Woody Allen Spanish Project, out 2008. It’s the film that also stars Scarlett Johansson and Patricia Clarkson.