GREAT PERFORMANCES: TAKE FLIGHT

For this year's New York Times celebration of Great Performances, it takes a look at the cinematic history of going airborne. Hollywood has always been fascinated by flight beginning with the still impressive aerial stunts in the very first Best Picture Oscar winner, "Wings" to the menacing cyclone and flying monkeys in "The Wizard of Oz". From a galaxy far, far away in "Star Wars" to the surreal, graceful battles in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and the current sensation of countless, super-heroes soaring through the sky.

A.O. Scott, the Times film critic, has selected the ten outstanding performers of the year to re-create memorable moments inspired from motion pictures involving flight. Some of the actors involved are obvious choices (Michael Fassbender, "Steve Jobs", Rooney Mara, "Carol" and Charlize Theron, "Mad Max: Fury Road") while others are notably not (Jason Mitchell, "Straight Out of Compton", Jacob Themblay, "Room" and Mya Taylor, "Tangerine"). The short videos are directed by Daniel Askill and for the first time, they can be seen in virtual-reality film.

Click below to see the films:

Great Performances: Take Flight