"THE NEW YORK TIMES" BEST PERFORMERS OF 2011 PORTRAITS

Viola Davis

One of the things I look forward to most is The New York Times' Photos of the Best Cinematic Performers of the Year released every December at the onset of Awards Season. This year though they try a little something different, shooting short Vignettes of these Actors and Actresses as famous villainous Horror Icons; self-taught Photographer Alex Prager helms. Pretty bloody terrifying, pretty bloody brilliant.

Talent like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Rooney Mara, Jessica Chastain, Gary Oldman, Kirsten Dunst, Glenn Close, Ryan Gosling and more took part. Viola Davis' Vignette hands-down is my favourite.  Watch a Ladybug practically go up her nose  and into her eyes without even a flinch.  Now that's focus!

Check out some Photos below:

BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Bill Cunningham New York

Best Documentary ever. Bill Cunningham New York by Director Richard Press, chronicles The New York Times' most celebrated Fashion Photographer. Now in his 80s, Cunningham is still going strong with his keen eye for Style, accumulating visual documentation of Fashion Trends in Manhattan for the past 40 to 50 years.

He revolutionized Street Fashion as we know it today and despite having had many chances to profit he instead lives a modest lifestyle of $3.00 Breakfast Sandwiches, a simple Uniform and opting to commute via Bicycle. He attends Church every Sunday and has never found Love. He is however, married to his Work. A true inspiration.

Along the way, we get the opinions of other Fashion Icons and how they feel about him.  Vogue Editor Anna Wintour confesses her craving his approval, equating being ignored by him as "like death" and  she states, "We all dress for Bill".  We get to witness Cunningham at-work in addition to seeing many highlights of his Body of Work.  He even receives the prestigious honour of Officier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in Paris, graciously accepting the Award in French and paying tribute to Beauty.

Bill Cunningham New York is a fascinating Film and although it is only in Limited Release, I hope that you find an opportunity to see it. Seeing him smile with Child-like fascination every time a new Fashion Fnd crosses his path and Camera Lens, is quite possibly one of the most unadulterated and beautiful things I have ever seen.  My Hero.

Learn more about the Documentary here. Grade: A+

THE NEW YORK TIMES' ACTORS WHO DEFINED CINEMA IN 2010

Vincent Cassel in The New York Times

I look forward to this every year! The New York Times has just published their annual Photos of The Actors Who Defined Cinema in 2010 and as expected, the Black & White Portraits are stunning.

Among those photographed by The New York Times' Solve Sundsbo this year are the likes of James Franco, Natalie Portman, Jesse Eisenberg, Vincent Cassel, Annette Bening, Javier Bardem, Matt Damon and more.  My favourite is the above Gene Kelly-like shot of Cassel.

Click here to see the complete series of Portraits or purchase Sunday's edition of The New York Times which includes a free Magazine with these photos.  Portman will be gracing its Cover in case you needed that extra incentive.

I know I don't own these Photos, but I can't help posting a couple more of my favourites because I love them so much!

THE NEW YORK TIMES PORTRAITS: THE BEST PERFORMANCES OF 2009

 

The New York Times has released their annual portraits for The Best Performances of 2009 and they are absolutely gorgeous.  The series was photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.  These are just a few of the many portraits featured on their website right now.  Seen above are Tobey Maguire & Jake Gyllenhaal (Brothers), a barely recognizable Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side), Sam Worthington & Zoe Saldana (Avatar), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), Penélope Cruz & Daniel Day-Lewis (Nine), and Colin Firth & Julianne Moore (A Single Man).  Impeccable.