W Magazine (February, 2017) Ruth Negga and Natalie Portman Cover Unknown Binding

This is W Magazine’s “Come Together” issue – which is a recap of the actors who they expect to be nominated and recognized during this year’s MOVIE AWARDS season. W really takes advantage of their extra-large (and extra-tall) sheet size – to feature each performer in his-or-her own striking portrait – each on their own page. Here’s a brief listing of my favorites.The Actor’s PortraitsWait until you see EMMA STONE’S depiction. She’s dressed invitingly in a striped, long sleeve leotard (yes, leotard) but kneeling anxiously (bare-legged) on a bed. But just in front of her – is the SILKIEST SET of bare WOMEN’S LEGS – spread wide – and inviting her in. And Emma, for her part -- looks as though she’s about – to gladly accept their invitation. Sweet. For me, this photo takes Emma – to a whole new level of sumptuousness. Perhaps she’ll give us something just vaguely similar – in one of her upcoming movies. (This issue of W Magazine – is worth it – just for the SUGGESTIVENESS of this image alone.) She was great in La La Land, shot in my home town of L.A.MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY wears blue jeans and a matching jeans jacket – while sitting in what looks like a bus stop (or a DMV) waiting area. I didn’t see him in Gold. But I did HEAR HIM in Sing – where he’s great in the title character of a theater-owning Koala (yes, Koala).AMY ADAMS hangs out of a car window – and looks skyward (like she’s looking for aliens). I saw her in Arrival, which was tremendous. The movie is SHOWN in flashbacks – which turn out to be flash-forwards – because she can (spoiler alert) see the future. Sick.CHRIS PINE poses – with a torn picture of himself. I finally found him – in Hell or High Water (which was in extremely limited release). He was excellent in Finest Hours – where he plays a very taciturn hero. But his performance in Hell or High Water – opposite Jeff Bridges – was terrific. He just keeps getting better-and-better. (His earlier appearances in Star Trek – are junk by comparison.)RUTH NEGGA lies on the floor – where she appears to be hugging herself. I saw her first in World War Z – where she plays a smart and compassionate – microbiologist. I finally had the opportunity to see her in Loving – where she is absolutely mesmerizing. Devoted – but very strong. This is definitely a must-see movie.A sexy and sophisticated – TARAJI P. HENSON – shows off her smooth gams (in high-heeled shoes) while looking TWENTY times more inviting than she did in HIDDEN FIGURES where she stole the show. As a nation, are we ready to face our SEGREGATED past? You bet we are.FELICITY JONES in sweet bangs, lies back in a sequined dress on a wide, beige scoop chair. I loved her in the Theory of Everything (years ago) as a caring and devoted wife. Her character was wasted in Star Wars: Rogue One, literally. She can do much, much better. She is, however – darn cute.JEFF BRIDGES looks much less scruffy than he normally does. I loved him in The Giver as the title character. Here he’s revealed sitting in a riveted leather chair – beneath the taxidermized body of a menacing spawning salmon. Sick. This season he’s in Hell or High Water. It was excellent. This is his most animated role – in years – where he plays a cunning (yes, cunning) Texas Ranger.HAILEE STEINFELD, who I loved in True Grit (her breakout movie, with Jeff Bridges) poses in a sexy black bra – while standing behind a mannequin’s NUDE lower body – which makes her look, of course – like she’s standing there nude as well. She is absolutely delightful in Edge of Seventeen, which I loved.MICHAEL SHANNON wears a skinny tie and sits behind a small mike-on-a-stand. I didn’t see him in Midnight Special, Elvis & Nixon, nor Nocturnal Animals. But he does have a small part – in Loving – where he plays a Life Magazine photographer who takes some very poignant photos.DEV PATEL is unrecognizable with his long hair and beard more nicely trimmed. He was great as the star in Lion. I wept uncontrollably at the end. I was also surprised to learn that he was the lead of the Bollywood epic, Slumdog Millionaire (which won an Academy Award for Best Picture). Sweet.GRETA GERWIG, one of my favorite actresses, uses two lamps – like spotlights – to shine upon herself as though she’s being interrogated. I didn’t see either Maggie’s Plan or 20th Century Women, but hope to view the latter.ANDREW GARFILD wears a slim red suit – and black shirt – and looks as trim as he does on screen. He was great in Hacksaw Ridge – which I ended up liking a lot more than I was anticipating.NICOLE KIDMAN – who never seems to age – is shown travelling with two beat-up and ancient pieces of American Tourister luggage. She dressed in a soft blouse – styled like a man’s oversized dress shift – the kind that women (as beautiful as Nicole) normally wear on the “morning after,” right? Her skirt (if you can call it that) looks like a pale pink slip (yes, slip). She looks as though – she’s forgotten to put on her (real) skirt – before stepping out. Very sexy. I loved her in Lion, but her part was rather brief.MAHERSHALA ALI looks ruggedly handsome in a white tank leaning (from the outside) over the edge of a car’s passenger door. I didn’t see him in Moonlight, but he played an excellent husband-to-be in Hidden Figures. He struck just the right tone between macho and respectful-of-his-math-genius wife-to-be, Taraji P. Henson. Sick.JOEL EDGARTON sits at what appears to be a wood-shop desk. His past roles – were nothing-to-write home about. But his performance as Richard Loving – in Loving – with Ruth Negga was easily his most engaging role. He was sensational – for his understatement. The Loving’s case went all of the way to the Supreme Court (which I had no idea was coming in the film). This is a movie – that every American – should see.I didn’t see MICHELLE WILLIAMS in Manchester by the Sea. But I did enjoy her in – Oz the Great and Powerful – and My Week with Marilyn where she plays Marilyn Monroe (yes, Marilyn Monroe) whom she really brings to life.The last person I’ll mention is ANNETTE BENING, sitting cross-legged in an overly short skirt – and spilling out of her low-cut top. She’s also recognized for 20th Century Women.I’ve only listed about THREE-QUARTERS of the stars – pictured in this month of W.ConclusionThis is my first time sampling a copy of W Magazine. Overall, the photography – and the ads – have a bit more CANDID and not-quite-so-GLITZY feel about them, especially for a women’s fashion magazine. But still very stylish. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that the new non-nude PLAYBOY was trying to mimic them – but, unfortunately – falling quite-a-bit short in their attempt. PB’s photos -- don’t look nearly as good.To conclude, I suppose that W Magazine – is also known for having a slightly DECADENT JOURNALISTIC bent – and the cover shot with Ruth and Natalie, and the periodical’s portrait of Emma inside – certainly DELIVERS on that premise. Highly recommended. Please don’t miss out.P.S. here are a few other pubs I’d also like to suggest.Gq Espana July August 2016Shape magazine December 2016 Heidi Klum coverRolling Stone Magazine (January 12-26, 2017) Emma Stone CoverEnjoy.