Monday, June 2, 2014

Favorite Pic of the Day for June 3rd

Above:
-See More Below-

Happy Birthday today June 3rd


Looking Good Mr. Cooper!

Check out today's birthday boys HERE:


Males, Tales & Careers Derailed: Scott by Robert J Guttke


In the image above, Models Suck are the two words spread across the cement wall behind the beautiful body and smile of Scott Synold. I am not sure if artist Robert J. Guttke was initially intending to send a message to his model, but in the end the two words do take on a particular irony given how the story unfolded.


Robert J. Guttke's work rejuvenates. His images inspire, invariably renewing my love and passion for the male form with art and photography. Robert understands instinctively how to pose, frame and permanently memorialize that fleeting moment of physical perfection. Robert J. Guttke is also a writer and storyteller and opening an e-mail from Robert brings forth not just breathtaking images, but fascinating stories of his work, his models and blood sweat and tears that went into the creation of each image.


Robert J. Guttke is also a gentlemen. He has respect for the process and the men and women who have entrusted their bodies, and sometimes soul's, to his artistic hands. Sometimes the stories are not pretty. Models can indeed sometimes suck. Like every profession, there are always some that act unprofessionally, are late or blow off a shoot, are rude, self centred and bring personal issues and baggage to their work. The same of course can be said for photographers, some have clear artistic aspirations, some others may have divergent goals, not directed solely at capturing a great image. As a story teller myself, it is these tales of males, many which act as parables, which I deliciously devour.


Robert J. Guttke has thousands of these stories, most sadly, but yet respectfully will never be told. What I can tell you is time can sometimes help make stories less noisy. A bad experience with a model can sometimes create clutter, acting as a filter to muddy an artists ability to truly appreciate their own work. That is the case with these images of Scott.


The story, the experience, caused Robert to put the images away, both physically and emotionally. Scott's modeling career seemed to stall and except for the occasional sighting of him running along the lake, the images, and the experience were soon forgotten. Robert has been slowly making his way through his massive collection of work, scaning much of his film work to digital. It was through this process the images of Scott again emerged. Looking back now, Robert says he is able to enjoy the work, without all the baggage, and just enjoy what he created. I am glad Robert did. As viewers, those not connected directly to the story, we are able to enjoy the images and the artistry behind them. Robert captures every inch of Scott with detailed precision. Every inch of his body celebrated, his beautiful eyes and Clark Kent shaped face and jaw. His chest, arms and powerful legs. His penis, his neck and overall frame, each muscle and protruding vein captured. Imperfect in life unimportant to the camera and the artist able see beyond it.

The Goode Wife


I have been covering The Good Wife, or more specifically, the men of The Good Wife, since the shows first season. The show has been a favorite of mine since the pilot and the actors, writers and stories have only gotten better with each subsequent season. The past season was arguably it's best, a roller coaster ride of office back stabbing, double dealing and intrigue ending with one hell of a shock for long time viewers.


Throughout all the drama this past season, the show wisely, and quietly introduced a new character, Finn Polmar. I say wisely and quietly because I think that if the departure of Josh Charles had been widely know by the audience, the character may not have been as easily accepted by the audience. In many ways, he is a replacement. A replacement not directly to Charles or Will Gardner, but as the third man within the Peter and Alicia triangle.


I knew the actor's face as soon as I saw it, but it took googling after that show to confirm the actor playing Finn was Matthew Goode. I first took notice of Good in Chasing Liberty back in 2004 and have enjoyed him in many projects since. I always wanted Alicia to end up with Will, I am not really a fan of Peter, nor his portrayer Chris Noth. He irritated me on Sex And The City, and does so again on this show. It might be that Noth is so talented and plays the ass so well that I struggle to separate. I thought Carrie Bradshaw, and think Alicia Florrick, both deserve better.


Goode is a wonderful addition as possible new love interest for Alicia. Because of the way the writers slid Finn in, he was not shoved down our throats and with Will sadly in tv character Heaven, Finn is a welcomed addition to the show. The casting department for The Good Wife is one of the best in television, juggling filling it's character's slots with established television and movie stars, unknowns, Broadway and stage actors and exciting up and comers. Whether it be movie actors like Goode, television vets like Michael J. Fox and Mary Beth Peil, character actors like Zach Grenier, Broadway vets Stockard Channing and Nathan Lane and guest stars such as Mamie Gummer and Carrie Preston, they all get a chance to shine. The show even had me tolerating Melissa George who I usually can't stand. Kudos!



A Single Man (2009)

South from Granada (2003)

Brideshead Revisited (2008)

Burning Man (2011)

Just Because: The Great Czuchry!


In or out of his business suits, Matt Czuchry has been a stand out on The Good Wife. Matt's Cary Ago was sidelined for a bit when they sent him to work for Peter. This season however he is back full force with his complicated relationship with Kalinda and the new firm with Alicia. Matt celebrated his birthday on May 20th and a blog reader sent on a few of his favorite images for the birthday post. I did not post on that day, but was reminded it was time for Matt to make a FH return!



I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell (2009)