Take it like a man

One of my favourite Sex shots.

Dita in absolute gay porn style...

Spin SPIN, sugar!

SPIN magazine is now 25 years old and celebrated it with a readers poll.
Wise choices, SPIN readers. Wise choices...

Best Solo Artist: Madonna (#1)
Hottest Sex Goddess: Madonna (#1)
Best Song: Like a Prayer, Madonna (#2)
Best Live Act: Madonna (#3)

Click here and check all the results.
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A real actress

The last time I saw Snake Eyes (comercially released as Dangerous Game), it was still on my VHS tape. I was 17 at the time and I hated the movie.

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Actually, I wasn't ready to see it. All I wanted to see was my Idol portraying either glamour (like Breathless Mahoney), humour (like Nikki Finn) or absolute coolness (like Susan).

I totally rejected Madonna's body - the actor's instrument - involved in a context of violence, decadence, extreme submission and abuse. It hit rock bottom, during the rape scene. I simply pressed the ffw button. And I couldn't see the movie ever again.

But one thing I did retain in my mind, regarding Snake Eyes (apart from the fact that she was incredibly gorgeous in the film): her stunning performance as an actress.

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Even when Evita came in, I remember keeping this opinion. She's amazing in Evita. But she was perfect in Snake Eyes. Still, I couldn't lay my eyes on that movie again. Until a few days ago.

As an adult, I felt prepared - and curious - to get in touch with the meaning of this movie, what it really wanted to portray.

My suspicions were right: Snake Eyes is, actually, a great movie. It depicts the «battle between Heaven and Hell» in a perverse way, the same way that Lars Von Drier would later expand: grabbing you by the guts, between attraction and disgust.

The movie within a movie concept makes it all even better (or worse), leading you to greater confusion - and interest.

Then, there's Madonna. The idea I kept, for all these years, couldn't be more accurate:

it is Madonna's best performance as an actress.

Because to be a great actor, in my opinion, is to have the ability to embody a character that is truly your opposite. And take it as your own.

Among all the characters from M's curriculum, Eva Peron and Susan are usually the most acclaimed performances - by fans and by the press. But Eva and Susan were very realted to M herself. Claire (the character played by M's character, Sarah Jennings), however, was definitely not. And from the first moment we see Madonna on screen, we can feel an amazing performance coming through.

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Her performance is so intense, so real, that halfway through the movie you really forget that it's Madonna. It's really Claire. And that is amazing. She would do it again later, in Evita.

But to me, it's in Snake Eyes that Madonna achieves real acting perfection.

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Who the FUCK are these people?

Shut the FUCK up, you IDIOTS!

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Put your hands all over my body...

1980

2006

Happy Birthday!

The Birthday Present

Five years ago, on this very same day, I received one of the most unforgettable, amazing birthday presents EVER, from M herself. It was called Confessions on a Dancefloor.

On November 14th 2005, Confessions was released. The first time I listened to it was in my room, at midnight - to my surprise, it went on sale here in Lisbon during the last hours of the 13th. I bought it immediately, went home and waited for the magical hour.

I was so overwhelmed. The music was - is and will eternally be - amazing. And I was flooded with happiness.

It will always be the most special work M has ever made, in my heart.
Needless to say that I played it today.

Lightworker

M by Deborah Feingold, 1983

Among the many celebrities you photographed there is of course Madonna. You did what is now considered a classic photoshoot with her in 1983. Were you asked to do the photoshoot by Warners and for a specific project?

I believe I requested the assigment from a magazine.

What do you remember of the day you met that rising young star?

It was shot in my studio/apartment. It was so tiny that all of my furniture folded up to make room for my shoots. As I recall she was very easy going.

Do you have any special memories or funny anecdotes from that day on the set?

Not really, but as I look back on the images it does appear that she was quite comfortable.

Did you sense that day she was going to become not only one of the most popular entertainers on this planet but such a huge icon?

Yes.

Source: MadonnaTribe.

Read Deborah Feingold's full interview here.

Bryan Ferry

I've always loved Bryan Ferry. And it was such a thrill to hear his new album, Olympia.

Which made me want to go back to his old stuff. And after listening to 1987's Bête Noire (one of my all-time favourites), I was struck by the amazing Madonna-esque sound it emanates. Limbo and Day For Night would fit her perfectly. And then I asked myself... who produced it? Went to Wiki. And... BINGO! There it was: Patrick Leonard. It's amazing how we can become so sensitive to subtleties like these...

Then I remembered: back in 1988 (precisely during the Bête Noire period), there were these rumours of a Madonna / Ferry collaboration. What a pity that it never became a matter of fact...

One thing is for sure: M did attend one of his shows, at that time.

Attending Bryan Ferry's concert, 1988
(notice the All Access sticker on her coat... and the oh-so-gorgeous face).

Listen and judge for yourself...