Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Hump Day & Chill

Perfectly Unconventional
Jared Leto
Since he showed up to the Grammy's wearing a gender bending outfit by Helmut Lang designer Shayne Oliver complete with high heeled boots, I have Jared Leto vibes this week.

Jared has kept a pretty low profile post his Oscar win for Dallas Buyers Club with the exception of portraying the Joker in Suicide Squad. Yeah, I know he was in Blade Runner 2049 but he was on the down low about it.

While Leto is a pretty man, he is definitely one of the more quirky/unique actor/rockers in Hollywood

Honestly I wouldn't want him any other way. I generally don't go for the pretty ones unless there is that certain something that sets them apart, Jared has that and well a big you know what (look it up online, he does!) You just know he would be a freak in the sheets and keep you entertained for hours with his non-linear stream of consciousness musings.

I used to see him wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses sitting against a wall at Gold's Gym Hollywood on his cell phone from time to time. Uh, that is not a disguise Mr. that draws attention, not deters it.

Jared has the "IT" factor (no I'm not referring to Pennywise) in spades.

Moving on, it's time to get your hump on and enjoy the image of Jared nude above...Woof!

Jared on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jaredleto/?hl=en  

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Imagination

Peacock
Lady Gaga
"It was just my imagination runnin' away with me" - The Temptations, Just My Imaginatiion

I woke this morning after dreaming of things that were fantastical, magical and imaginative. Then I found this image of Lady Gaga on the WWW and declared it my creative inspiration for the day.

This stylish outfit is everything dreams are made of and our Lady of Gaga pulls it off magnificently!

Whoever her stylist is, whether it be her or someone she hired deserves high praise for this retro/modern hybrid. 

Oh, and if I'm not mistaken, isn't that Sir Elton John on her shirt? 

Whatever the case may be today I declare we should all bend it like Gaga. Because Lady Gaga's have more fun!

Lady Gaga on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ladygaga/?hl=en  

Monday, January 29, 2018

Dreams Do Come True!

When Willow Met Rihanna 
After a very underwhelming Grammy telecast last night (yes there were a few great moments, but...) comes my favorite part of any award show. "Yes" this is where I honor my favorite Instagram or Twitter moment from last night's festivities. 

This year the honor goes to Pink for posting a photo of her daughter Willow with Rihanna on her Instagram captioning it: "Dreams come true. My daughter lives for this woman. So do I" 

Awwwwwwww...there really is something charming about kids getting to meet their idols, no?

This pic is too precious for words. Thus I will halt the use of any more adjectives to describe it right here right now.

Now tell me again why you don't like Mondays???

Pink on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pink/?hl=en

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Praise The Lorde

Angelic
Lorde
It's Grammy Sunday and time to give thanks. What better way to do it than to offer up praise to Grammy Album of the Year nominee Lorde

If there is paint drying that I can watch somewhere I will not be tuning in. That being stated there is much speculation as to why Lorde is the only Album of the Year nominee not performing since she is in town and has been belting out her latest efforts everywhere else.

Werd has it that she unlike the other nominees in her category who are male, she was not offered a solo spot. She was approached to take part in the Tom Petty Tribute singing American Girl...WTF?!

How weird would that be coming from a Kiwi? For those of you not in the loop that is a common nickname for people originating from New Zealand.

It's a shame Lorde won't be taking to the Grammy stage to croon, so let's offer up our gratitude for her music and praise her!

Lorde on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lordemusic/?hl=en

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Literacy, It's A Thing

Funny Bunny
James Corden
With Peter Rabbit opening February 9th the voice of the famed hare, James Corden took to the bunny trail to read the book the movie is based on to a group of school children.

He also announced Blue Jacket Day which drops on February the 3rd. The directive of the day is to promote literacy amongst kids. You read correct, on that day parents are to take their children to the, "gasp" library!

I remember in days of yore I went to the library quite frequently as a child. I actually won a library summer reading competition believe it or not. "Yes" I was the kid who read the most books that summer out of all the other ones participating. I don't recall how many that was, but I kicked some bookworm ass! 

Moving on...literacy it's a thing, mic drop!

For more info on reading and literacy hit up Reading Is Fundamental at:
https://www.rif.org/press-releases  

Friday, January 26, 2018

Film Buff Friday: Basket Case


What's in the basket...???



THE TENANT IN ROOM 7 IS VERY SMALL, VERY TWISTED, AND VERY MAD.

The feature debut of director Frank Henenlotter (Brain Damage, Frankenhooker), 1982's Basket Case is perhaps his most revered - a riotous and blood-spattered midnight movie experience, now immortalized in a lavish new 4K restoration by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Duane Bradley is a pretty ordinary guy. His formerly conjoined twin Belial, on the other hand, is a deformed, fleshy lump whom he carries around in a wicker basket. Arriving in the Big Apple and taking up a room at the seedy Hotel Broslin, the pair set about hunting down and butchering the surgeons responsible for their separation. But tensions flare up when Duane starts spending time with a pretty blonde secretary, and Belial's homicidal tendencies reach bloody new extremes.

Filmed on a shoestring budget against the backdrop of 1980s New York (where the movie would become a staple of the infamous 42nd Street grindhouse circuit), Basket Case has clawed its way from its humble origins to become one of the most celebrated cult movies of all time.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
Presented from a brand new 4K restoration from the original 16mm negative by MoMA
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original Uncompressed Mono Audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary with writer/director Frank Henenlotter and star Kevin Van Hentenryck
Basket Case 3-1/2: An Interview with Duane Bradley - Frank Henenlotter revisits Duane Bradley decades after the events of the original Basket Case
Seeing Double: The Basket Case Twins - a brand new interview with Florence and Maryellen Schultz, the twin nurses from Basket Case
Brand new making-of featurette containing new interviews with producer Edgar Ievins, casting person/actress Ilze Balodis, associate producer/effects artist Ugis Nigals and Belial performer Kika Nigals
Blood, BASKET and Beyond - a brand new interview with actress Beverly Bonner
Belial Goes to the Drive-In - a brand new interview with film critic Joe Bob Briggs
Outtakes Featurette
In Search of the Hotel Broslin - archive location featurette
Slash of the Knife (1972) - short film by Frank Henenlotter
Belial's Dream (2017, 5 mins) - brand new Basket Case-inspired animated short by filmmaker Robert Morgan
Behind-the-scenes of Belial's Dream
Trailers, TV Spots and Radio Spots
Extensive Still Galleries
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck

FIRST PRESSING ONLY
: Collector's booklet with new writing on the film by Michael Gingold

Order on MVDshop.com or Amazon

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Michael's Musings

Fighter
Michael Shinafelt
" 'Cause it makes me that much stronger, Makes me work a little bit harder, It makes me that much wiser, So thanks for making me a fighter" - Fighter, Christina Aguilera 

We've all got battles to pick and choose from on a daily basis. Your strategy is always different for each one you plan to fight.


Pick wisely and make sure you know WTF you're doing grasshopper. 


Time to let the sh!t fly!


When I'm in the mood for International I expect to be delighted


My favorite RHOBH quote of the season thus far: "Dorit is a bottomless pit of bullshit" - Camille Grammer


Let a prick enjoy their bagel & mimosa in peace!


Speaking of pricks, Donald Trump. Yeah I know it was an easy shot, but I couldn't resist


No matter what, no one wants your pity boner


Just when you thought DSL was an acronym that referred to your computer, along comes Dick Sucking Lips to confuse the F#ck out of you. Beware the next time someone uses DSL it may not mean what you think...


Create art, destroy monotony 


I spoke to a customer service rep this past week named "Sunshine" 


It looks like Allison Janney is a shoo in for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for I, Tonya

Too bad Margot Robbie won't win, I thought she was brilliant as Tonya Harding


I tend to wake up at 4 am on my own. The more you know.


Cloned Monkeys would have never enabled a government shutdown


On that note: "Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love."


Here I am at
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

"Smiles Everyone, Smiles..."

You Get A Star!
l-r
Mickey Mouse, Katy Perry & Minnie Mouse
Do you know where the quote in my byline comes from today? If you do, then you are old. It comes from the TV show Fantasy Island which premiered January 14, 1977. The line was uttered every week by the character Mr. Roarke played by the late Ricardo Montalban

This quote popped into my head (yes, I am old(er) not old) when I spotted this photo of Katy Perry attending Minnie Mouse's star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mickey Mouse was there too, naturally.

Minnie has been playing the Hollywood game for 90 years it's about time this ageless beauty got honored, she's more than earned it!

Honestly I have no other reason for posting this today than whimsy and smiles.

So there!

As Mr. Roarke would say "Smiles Everyone, Smiles..." may you have an enchanting day!

Minnie on Wikipedia:

Monday, January 22, 2018

The Woman Behind The Mask

Peek-A-Boo
Guess Who?
Here is a pic of one of last night's SAG Award nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Mini Series or Television Movie.

She posted it to her Instagram page with the caption: "Who's ready for the SAG Awards? #sagawards #biglittlelies

The nominee also went home empty handed. If you guessed Laura Dern, you guessed correctly. What's that? Do you win something? Uh, no.

While I did not watch the award show, I do enjoy seeing the photos post all the pomp & circumstance. 

Particularly of celebrities preparing for their big night who do not shy away from making themselves look silly. 

Thus my SAG Award for Best Instagram pre-show selfie goes to Ms. Dern!

Keep on doing you Ms. Thang!

Laura on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lauradern/?hl=en

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Fashion, Turn To The Left...

Designing Duo
Heidi Klum & Adam Lambert
Fashion it inspires, it's creative and it can make for some interesting bedfellows. Case in point, behold this capture of Heidi Klum enjoying the company of Adam Lambert at Morais Collection 6 Fashion Show in the City of Angels.

Both from very different sectors of the Entertainment world yet their paths crossed all in the name of fashion

Heidi is looking rather low key for her in this photo and Adam is looking low key for him as well, but yummy nonetheless. 

Now the real question is, what did these two exchange sound bites about? I will venture a guess and say they exchanged tips about...fashion!

Heidi on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/heidiklum/?hl=en

Adam on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/adamlambert/?hl=en  

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Gotta Serve Somebody


Bob Dylan, he's a poet and you know it...

Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs Of Bob Dylan
Coming to DVD and digital formats February 9th

Features an intense performance from Bob Dylan, plus performances from Aaron Neville, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples, and many others during behind-the-scenes making of the Grammy-nominated compilation "Gotta Serve Somebody" released 15 years ago

"The best African-American covers of Dylan songs since Jimi Hendrix."
The New York Times
Marking the fifteenth anniversary of GRAMMY-nominated album Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan, MVD Entertainment Group will reissue the film of the same title. Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan features an intense Bob Dylan performance from 1980 of "When He Returns" as well as powerful performances and interviews with Aaron NevilleShirley CaesarFairfield FourMighty Clouds of Joy, and Dottie Peoples, reflecting on their faith and connections to Dylan's Christian music.

Now, with the November release of Columbia Records' "Trouble No More: The Bootleg Series Vol. 13 / 1979-1981," a further exploration of that period has taken place, which began with this album and film. "It was an honor to have made an impression on the great artist himself with these recordings," said the film's producer Jeffrey Gaskill. From 2009 to 2011, Bob Dylan opened 40 concerts around the world with Gonna Change My Way of Thinking (his Grammy-nominated new version re-written and recorded for Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan with Mavis Staples.) in concert halls in Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, London, Beijing, Shanghai, Adelaide and this performance in Tel Aviv (video HERE).

Just a month after his recording with Staples he would kick off a new tour in Stockholm Sweden and perform Solid Rock (what many consider the theme song to his gospel era concerts) for the first time in over twenty years. Dylan would continue to perform this rousing song as well as other gospel era songs at numerous concerts across Europe and beyond. The two-time Grammy nominated compilation would be released on Sony/Columbia one year later on April 1, 2003 (video HERE).

"This gospel music was Bob Dylan's ultimate rebellion, and it took much more courage than strapping on an electric guitar," said Gaskill. The film offers historical insights into this Bob Dylan era provided by Jim Keltner, Fred Tackett, Spooner Oldham, and Regina McCrary - all of whom performed and recorded with Dylan at the time. Famed record producer Jerry Wexler, who produced the records, and music journalists Paul Williams and Alan Light, also disclose insights.

Pre-order at the MVD Shop or on Amazon

TRACK LISTING
Arlethia Lindsey - Every Grain of Sand
Bob Dylan - When He Returns
Sounds of Blackness - Solid Rock
Shirley Caesar - Gotta Serve Somebody
Dottie Peoples - I Believe in You
Aaron Neville - Saving Grace
Helen Baylor - What Can I Do For You'
The Fairfield Four - Are You Ready
Great Day Chorale - In the Garden
Mighty Clouds of Joy - Saved
Chicago Mass Choir featuring Regina McCrary - Pressing On
Rance Allen - When He Returns

Friday, January 19, 2018

"Chromance" David Cook

David Played Guitar
Photo:
Olivia Brown

Caught in a bad "Chromance???"
Singer-songwriter and American Idol Winner David Cook has confirmed a February 16, 2018 release date for his brand-new EP,  Chromance.  The EP features all new material that was written over the past year and also includes an ethereal mid-tempo spin on the Phil Collins classic "Another Day in Paradise."  

David has, once again, involved his fans in the creation and release of this EP through a hugely successful PledgeMusic campaign – giving them the opportunity to follow the progress of the EP from inception through its February release. In addition to signed guitars, personalized voicemail messages, and other limited-edition items, participating fans have access to one-of-a-kind experiences and will be the first to hear the new material. 

Chromance is available through the PledgeMusic campaign: www.pledgemusic.com/davidcookas well as all other digital retailers.  All pre-orders will receive two instant grat tracks: "Ghost Magnetic" and "Gimme Heartbreak."  

View the lyric video for "Gimme Heartbreak" here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koKubQMiQe4

EP pre-order links:

David is also set to hit the road in support of Chromance on February 15 in Nashville, TN.  The Nashville show is open to the public and there will be a pre-show soundcheck/celebration for Pledgers on this date.  Fans can click here for tickets to the Pledge pre-celebration event: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/davidcooknewep/items/215124
See initial dates listed below.
2018 Tour Dates
2/15 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East  
2/16 - St Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
2/19 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head On Stage **Full Band Acoustic show
2/21 - New Hope, PA - New Hope Winery **Full Band Acoustic show
2/22 - New York, NY - (Le) Poisson Rouge
2/23 - Washington DC - Pearl Street Warehouse
2/24 - Leesburg, VA - Tally Ho Theatre   

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Michael's Musings

Voices Carry
Michael Shinafelt
"I try so hard not to get upset, Because I know all the trouble I'll get" Till Tuesday, "Voices Carry"

Abuse is a hot button issue, as it should be. With it all over the place of late it brought to mind the great 80's hit song "Voices Carry" which addresses that very subject matter.


I say have a voice and let that shit carry, i know that's what I am doing! 


There's a new acronym in town W.I.A.D. - ask Shani Bayne about it.


Sometimes you just have to say, whatever the _____ you please!


Yoga is the key to anal sex


Once upon a time, there was a chocolate sundae and they called it...


WTF with the limp noodle song Havana by Camila Cabello?!


Kesha's Praying (which I love) is brilliant 


Please powers that be, let there be unicorns


Wasn't Brooke Shields terrific in her story arc on Law & Order: SVU?


Today is Tubby Custard Thursday!

Politics? My ass is too tired to go there


Double Oink!


Name something unusual you like getting naked for


I'm so feeling Teddi Mellencamp on RHOBH. She's simply the best!

"If you've had enough, don't put up with his stuff, don't you do it, If you've had your fill, get the check pay the bill, you can do it" - Enough Is Enough, Barbara Streisand & Donna Summer


If you've had enough you know where to fine me at:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Threesome

Belles of the Ball
l-r
Jurnee Smollet-Bell, Hallle Berry & Kerry Washington

Don't think I don't know where your mind went when you read the byline...as you can see there is a photo of a threesome, but not in the way you were thinking out of the gate.

This threesome looks like they are camera ready for a reboot of Charlie's Angels. Hey, that actually isn't a bad idea if I do say so myself. I did just say so myself, moving on...

Here are Jurnee-Smollet Bell, Halle Berry & Kerry Washington attending the NAACP Image Awards.

Wouldn't you have like to been a fly on the wall for what was said when the three exchanged sound bites? I know I would have, perhaps they will all end up appearing in a project together, or simply meet for lunch on a sunny afternoon or ________ fill in your own blank, because filling in blanks is fun!

Mic Drop.

Find out more about the NAACP Image Awards at:
https://naacpimageawards.net/  

Monday, January 15, 2018

Monday Motivation

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To Yoga I Go!
Lisa Rinna
Whilst waking this ayem and catching a wave on the WWW to what did my half awake eyes did appear? None other than Lisa Rinna of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills sporting the most awesome cheetah print leggings on the way to yoga.

Coincidence? I think not, since this morning on I going to my first yoga class of the new year.

How much more motivation do you need than Lisa Rinna seen engaging in the same activity I ask you??? The woman is 54 and has a body that women in their twenties covet.

"Yes" I understand I am a guy and will never have a body like Lisa's for obvious reasons. That being stated Rinna is more like a poster child to motivate me to not forgo my yoga class for some limp excuse that I could manifest at the last minute. Got it? 

Monday Motivation indeed!

Lisa on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lisarinna/?hl=en   

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Tennis Anyone???

GLOBAL MUSIC STAR RYAN TENNIS PRESENTS NEW EP
TWO DAYS ON THE FENCE


Triumphant All-Star ‘Graceland’ Tribute Shows
with Bakithi Kumalo to be Followed by Monthlong
Tour of Colombia Before U.S. Tour Begins

“[Ryan Tennis] gets straight to the heart of the music.”
- Philadelphia Inquirer

"Ryan Tennis and the Clubhouse Band have a community vibe, riffing full-tilt on a rootsy chord progressions with vocal harmonies, trumpet and bongo percussion."
- 88.5 XPN The Key

Having wrapped a pair of knockout All-Star Graceland tribute shows here and in Washington DC, and a triumphant six-week tour of Europe, global music sensation RYAN TENNIS celebrates the release TODAY of his brand-new studio EP, Two Days on the Fence.

Next week, Tennis heads to South America in for a month-long tour of Colombia. He returns to the U.S. in February to launch an East Coast tour, which includes an appearance at Folk Alliance International.

Co-produced by Tennis and Tom Spiker (Calvin Weston, Sun Ra Arkesta, G. Love) and recorded at the expansive Rittenhouse Soundworks studio in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Two Days on the Fence sees Tennis and his virtuosic band

Joseph Keim(drums), 
Shaun Hennessey (percussion), Brahm Genzlinger (bass), Maxfield Gast (sax), Nate Graham (keyboards), and Christopher Farrell (guitar) ― locking in with telepathic precision on five luminous new cuts that draw heavily on sounds and rhythms Tennis absorbed during his extensive travels throughout South America and his performances with legendary South African musicians Bakithi Kumalo and Morris Goldberg, both of whom performed on Paul Simon’s historic Graceland album. 

“I wanted to explore more powerful rhythms than you get with the usual acoustic singer-songwriter thing,” Tennis explains. “My band can play a lot of incredible grooves, so I know I can throw anything at them and they’ll turn it into genius stuff that makes people move. I’m flat-out amazed at what they did on the new EP.”

Over the years, Tennis has been compared to artists such as Paul SimonBen Harper and Bill Withers. The songs on Two Days on the Fence range from soul-enriching ballads to exuberant, body-moving groovers, and they see the inveterately creative singer-songwriter spreading the waters of his influences (“a lot of folk, soul and Afro-Caribbean sounds”) while micro-targeting his lyrics to soothe today’s information-overloaded society.

“I wrote these songs with the intention of giving people hope and positivity in their lives,” Tennis says. “In general, we’re inundated with negativity – from the news to Facebook, it’s so easy to get bogged down. I’m not one to write protest songs, but in a way I did that by writing songs to make people feel good. There’s a lot of power in that message, the audacity it takes to feel joyful in tough times.”

The upcoming live music video for the title track of Two Days on the Fence was filmed in Paris during Tennis’ most recent European tour. Having won over audiences in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Colombia and Argentina, he’s looking forward to expanding his global reach in 2018.

Earlier this month, he sold out a pair of all-star Graceland 30th Anniversary shows (featuring original “Graceland” bassist Bakithi Kumalo) in Washington, D.C.) and Philadelphia.

“When you come to one of my shows, you’re going to get an explosion of funky soul music mixed with Afro-Caribbean beats and textures,” Tennis enthuses. Everybody in the band sings backing vocals, so it’s a loud and joyous sound. It’s a welcoming environment, so come on and shake off your troubles. We’ll have you moving in no time!”

Two Days on the Fence is out on iTunes and Spotify.


RYAN TENNIS U.S. TOUR DATES
Sat., Feb. 17: Folk Alliance International, Kansas City, MO
Wed. Feb. 21: Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
Sat. Feb. 24: Club Passim, Boston, MA

More Dates to Come …

Ryan Tennis on the Web