Big In Taipei?

Smiles, Everyone, Smiles...
Hugh Jackman

With the newest Wolverine movie Logan opening this Friday a photo of Hugh Jackman at an event for the comic book opus in Taipei, Taiwan seemed like a fitting image for a Tuesday.

It looks like Jackman and his alter ego Logan are quite a hit among the Taipei set. Hugh the ever gracious stopped and did selfies with his adoring fans.

Personally I am not too into movies based on comic books. Once in a while there is one that manages to appeal to me, but for the most part...

Hugh Jackman on the other hand is hugely appealing mainly because he is so down to earth, talented and good looking. That's a pretty lethal combo, trust me I have first hand experience with this type of guy and it is an irresistible force. 

So on that note I leave you with this Tuesday Trope - Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackman!

Thank me later.

Get yourself some Intsa-Hugh at:
https://www.instagram.com/thehughjackman/?hl=en   

Sorceress-Magic Or Madness?

Planets of the Universe
Naama Kates

Happy Post Oscar Monday, how about that Best Picture flub? Moving on you may recall a fairly recent interview I did with filmmaker Naama Kates about her indie Sorceress here is the link:

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-sorcery-of-naama-kates.html

Well guess what peeps, it's been released! Here to tell you all about it is a note from Naama herself, read on minions...

Hey. Hey! What is up, hey?

Sooo... Nowadays, making movies is easy. NOT. Nowadays, making movies is frickin' hard. Writing them, shooting them, producing them-- it takes a village. Literally. A big, whopping, fat production, also literally, involving the creative and administrative skills and talents of many, many people. The most collaborative medium of all media. So there's that. To make movies...

And getting anyone to see them, once made, is frickin' hard. Hard, hard, hard!!! Because, well, because it's always been hard, because it's a competitive field, and cuz of democratization of resources, and technology, and various new media outlets, like SVOD platforms, and cuz who cares, cuz everyone has a story, and cuz there are so many good ones already being told, every moment of every day, not just at the cinema or on the telly or the radio, but on your social media feed, and over the phone, and at the neighborhood pub, and, lord knows in any newspaper, and, and, and.

So, not to make a short story longer, and because I have not won any awards* so a long-winded gushing acceptance speech is not in order, I'll refrain from thanking, in this email, all of the incredible people who made this all possible... Also, that's what the credits are for... But I would like to mention my awesome distributor, Global Genesis Group, and in particular Charles Morris Jr. of GGG for taking a chance with me and my film, Sorceress, because now it is available for y'all to see, on-demand on Amazon, for rent, and free if you have Amazon Prime (which I highly recommend as a longtime member for like 5 years now). So, YEAH!

And this is IT:
http://a.co/fzLrOq8

If you wanna know a bit more before you take the plunge, check out the images and synopsis on the Global Genesis site at: http://globalgenesisgroup.com/portfolio-view/sorceress/
Or the review by brilliant philosopher and author, Daniel Coffeen at:
http://hilariousbookbinder.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-beautiful-blur-of-being-on-10.html
And if you wanna, stop by and like the FB movie page (though I really got update that) at:
https://www.facebook.com/srcrssthemovie
And follow on Twitter (gotta get that together too):
https://twitter.com/SorceressMovie

So okay YEAH. Most importantly, drum roll please, just go watch it!!!!!!!! http://a.co/fzLrOq8

Now y'all take care. Be safe. Drink a lot of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. And a scarf and a coat, cuz it's cold.

Love and other indoor sports,
xoxoxo
N

Sunday Schwing! The Oscars

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Dance Erika, Dance!

She's A Painkillr
Erika Jayne

This morning I woke up with a reason to actually watch Dancing With The Stars this season. It turns out Erika Jayne of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will be on hand when the cast is officially announced March 1st! Yahoooooooooooooo....!!!

Can I get a Pat The Puss?! I knew I could...this will give the show a much needed shot in the arm after the previous lackluster season (I don't even remember who was on, nor did I watch any of it.)

Erika is my favorite "Housewife" bar none. She has class, sass and most of all she IS real and gives zero fucks. I'll let you in on a secret, I actually follow her on Instagram, the more you know.

I will for sure be tuning in to see Jayne shake her groove thang! She gives the gays everything they want and more after all.

Erika on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/theprettymess/?hl=en 

"The Help" Reunion

Can We Help?
l-r Octavia Spence, Emma Stone & Viola Davis

Since this Sunday is Oscar Sunday and all three of these ladies are up for an Academy Award, I thought this was a fitting image for the Friday leading into the hallowed event.

Here we have Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone and Viola Davis at the 2017 nominees luncheon. Yes, the cast members from The Help are reunited and it felt so good.

Spencer posted the photo op on her Instagram with this caption:

"Today was so fun it felt like graduation. Especially seeing my #HelpAlums. Congrats to all nominees especially these two!!" 

Pretty cool that three women who shared an experience all all up for the Big "O" this year.

While I'm at it let me state Viola Davis is a shoo in for supporting actress for her work in Fences and Emma Stone is my personal favorite (and is predicted to win by many) for best actress in La La Land.

Congratulations you three and have fun Sunday! 

Octavia on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/therealoctaviaspencer/?hl=en 

Michael's Musings

Don't Bother Me I'm In Leather
Michael Shinafelt

As I sit at my computer finishing off a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, my mind starts to wander and wonder - WTF is happening to the world?!

Sometimes I retreat to my Purple Room for solace. This week has sort of been the week I tuned a lot of the static out. One must do that these days on occasion to keep ones sanity.

Right now the only vision dancing in my head is that of hitting spin class tomorrow morning. That means this weeks thoughts may be a little tainted with a view from my bubble. That's the way it goes!

The La La Land awards, I mean Academy Awards are this Sunday. Note to self: Stock up on the wine.

Speaking of wine, just had a lovely evening drinking it and having nosh with Scott Jacobs, thus the glass I am finishing up.

Is Caitlyn Jenner the ambassador on behalf of the LGBT community to the Agent Orange administration? I thought they already filled the position of narcissist reality show star in the White House.

I still have to watch the premiere of the final season of Bates Motel, just sayin'...

Fuck the rain, I'm over it! 

Trump officially rescinds Obama's protection of transgender students. Where are the backwoods Hillbilly's from Deliverance when you need them?

Hey America, clean up on aisle 45, there's a pile of shit.

Feud
Joan Crawford & Bette Davis
Eden Sassoon & Lisa Rinna

Weirdest reality show feud ever? Lisa Rinna & Eden Sassoon on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It's pretty Freudian. 

If you could teleport yourself by blinking your eyes ... where would you go right now?

"When you see something beautiful in someone, tell them. It may take seconds to say, but for them, it could last a lifetime"

What's your safe word? Mine is flan.

And with that revelation I am off this electronic device and onto another one.

Bare witness to me at:

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

Feeling Blues?

Get the "Hump Day" Blues!

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix "Crowin' The Blues"

coming to CD on April 7th

Roots music royalty return with a collection of classic Blues covers and original songs

"The Band lives again. Professor Louie and The Crowmatix echo the sound they had in their heyday. Just like The Band, it takes in a lot, but gives it all back and then some."

- Grant Britt, No Depressio

On Crowin' The Blues, The Crowmatix dig down into the origin of many great Blues songs from the Texas Rhythm & Blues style of "I'm Gonna Play The Honky Tonks" by Marie Adams (Peacock) to "High Heel Sneakers" that is a Rock 'n' Roll standard. The Crowmatix combined the Soul tune, "On Broadway" with a blues by Jimmy Reed for our arrangement of "Bright Lights, Big City." They also remember Big Bill Broonzy recording his hit "Why Did You Do That To Me" and the shuffle blues by Elmore James, "Fine Little Mama."

Levon Helm taught us Jimmy McCracklin's hit "I Finally Got You" and a gut wrenching blues by Jimmy Rogers "That's Alright." The Crowmatix originals "Love Is Killing Me," "Blues & Good News," "Prisoner Of Your Sound" are featured, and the band gives a nod to Buckwheat Zydeco with "Blues For Buckwheat." Many performers walked the fence between the straight path and the Honky Tonk Chitlin' circuit lifestyle and recorded Gospel songs, here The Crowmatix chose "I'm On My Way." 

We're Feeling Blues

Crowin' The Blues, their thirteenth studio CD, was recorded in three days live in the studio . Grammy nominated PL&C from Woodstock. The band was inducted into Blues Hall Of Fame, New York Chapter and hold a permanent place in the Canada South Blues Museum.

The Crowmatix are... Professor Louie (vocals, accordion, piano, Hammond organ, keyboards); Miss Marie (vocals, percussion, piano); Gary Burke (drums, percussion); Frank Campbell (bass, vocals); John Platania (electric /acoustic guitars); Josh Colow (lead guitar) special guest Michael Falzarano (guitar).

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix have an upcoming tour and are available for in-person interviews, appearances, etc: http://www.crowmatix.com/sched.html 

Zero F#@ks Given - Lisa Rinna

Not Giving A F#@k
Lisa Rinna

Whatever your take on Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Rinna is, I think we can all  agree on one thing, the woman has chutzpah! 

Recently during some down time in her hotel room Rinna decided to take a nude selfie and post it on Instagram. Then she had second thoughts and took it down, then she did what Lisa does, put it back up with the caption:

“It’s back, I got scared then I said I’m 53 — zero f--ks given! Cheers to @playboy for going back to nudes. The female body is so beautiful, every size and every age. Be proud! #thefemalebodyisbeautiful #allshapesandsizes #loveyourself #loveyourbody.”

Yes, Lisa is 53 and she looks amazing, quite inspiring I must say. If this is what putting Xanax in your smoothies does I'm going to start that regime pronto!

It's Tuesday, and aren't you happy?!

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

Hello, I'm Dolly

It's been 50 years?! Well Hello, Dolly...!!!

50 years ago Dolly Parton released her first full-length album, Hello, I'm Dolly. The album, which debuted on Monument Records, contained Parton's hits "Dumb Blonde" (written by Curly Putman) and "Something Fishy" (written by Parton). Both singles reached the top twenty on the country singles charts, and the album itself reached #11 on the country albums chart.

Produced by Fred Foster, Hello, I’m Dolly caught the attention of Porter Wagoner, who ultimately invited Parton to become a member of his band and appear on his popular weekly television show. These appearances led to Parton’s rise to superstardom and she became a bonafide household name.

“I can't believe it's been 50 years since I did my first album,” Parton recalls. “What a wonderful 50 years it has been. Thanks to my Uncle Bill Owens and Fred Foster for believing in me early on. And thanks to all the fans out there...I hope to have at least another 50 years!”

The album contained Parton's versions of three songs she wrote that had already been hits for other artists: "Put it Off Until Tomorrow" (Bill Phillips), "Fuel to the Flame" (Skeeter Davis), and "I'm In No Condition" which charted by Hank Williams Jr.

To learn more about this American icon, visit www.DollyParton.com.

Sunday Schwing! Christopher Meloni

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

I Am Nicole Kidman Hear Me Roar...!

Easy, Breezy...
Nicole Kidman

It's been really nice to see Nicole Kidman back this awards season after a few low key years, the spotlight is where she is meant to be for many reasons and she should never ever stray from it again.

One of those reasons is her considerable acting chops, which are on display is the heavily nominated film Lion. I have yet to see Lion but those in my circle who have say it's amazing! Due in no small part to Kidman's award caliber performance.

Another reason Nicole always belongs front and center is her fashion sense. She always makes a splash with her bold choices, and while she has chosen outfits with a higher glamour quotient than this dress she wore to the Lion premiere in Paris Friday, the above look is my favorite on her thus far during this awards season.

Why? It's casual, yet stylish. Fun, yet dressy. It really allows Kidman to let her hair down, quite literally as you can see and she looks like she is having a blast wearing it. Yes, fun Nicole is back and ready to laugh!

It's nice to see this side of her again. She looks rested and her smile is radiant.

Get fashion tips from Nicole at:
nicolekidmanofficial.com/   

Have A "Pretty Reckless" Weekend!

TPR Front Woman Taylor Momsen
Photo:
Taryn Decken

They're pretty, they're reckless, deal with it!!!  

The Pretty Reckless continue their ascent on the rock charts with the release of their new single, “Oh My God.”  “It's just me and the band, pouring ourselves into the song, and into the camera.  It's subtle, you have to really watch it to understand all the layers, but it's honest, and that to me always yields the best art.” says lead singer Taylor Momsen  

The song is already in the top 10 on the active rock chart and the video can be viewed here:http://vevo.ly/wsMImY.

   

“Take Me Down,” nominated for Rock Song of The Year at the upcoming iHeart Radio Music Awards taking place March 5 was the first #1 rock single from their latest album Who You Selling For. This milestone marks the fourth consecutive #1 for the band, who broke records as the first female-fronted band to have three chart toppers in a row with “Heaven Knows,” “Messed Up World” and “Follow Me Down” (all from 2014’s Going To Hell) - a feat that has not been accomplished since The Pretenders in 1984, over 30 years ago. 

The Pretty Reckless will perform on CONAN February 28

The Pretty Reckless’ extraordinary third studio album Who You Selling For features the bands #1 rock hit  “Take Me Down.”  Produced by longtime collaborator Kato Khandwala, Who You Selling For expands the band’s sound to encompass soul, blues and rock and roll. The songs were written by front woman Taylor Momsen and guitarist Ben Phillips. Momsen’s dark lyrics and raw, charismatic vocals are on full display and the band delivers at full intensity with a level of musicianship that raises the bar.

Huffington Post says, Who You Selling For is a fire-breathing monster of a record that offers adrenaline-rush stompers (“Oh My God”), revolutionary rockers (“Living in The Storm,” “Take Me Down”), breathtaking ballads (“Who You Selling For,” “Bedroom Window”) and pretty-gritty R&B (“Wild City” is like taking a step back into 1970s Motown). 

The Oakland Press quipped, “"Part Kurt Cobain, part Janis Joplin, Momsen showed off some serious vocal chops and towering onstage charisma — the kind that hints this one-time actress is genuinely focused on achieving enduring musical relevance."

TPR will continue to tour throughout the year in support of the album, hitting major markets and festival shows including Rock on The Range, Carolina Rebellion and Rocklahoma  

in the US as well as European and South American dates. Additional tour dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Pretty Reckless official website:www.theprettyreckless.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprettyreckless/?fref=ts

Twitter:https://twitter.com/TPROfficial

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tprofficial/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrhJmM3H7eyxrevc4lpRIw 

Full routing is as follows:

April 25                           Boston, MA                           Paradise Rock Club

April 26                           Washington DC                    930 Club

April 27                           Richmond, VA                      The National

April 29                           Jacksonville, FL                    Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville

April 30                           Fort Myers, FL                      Monster Energy Fort Rock

May 2                             Mobile, AL                            Soul Kitchen

May 6                             Concord, NC                        Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion

May 13                           Somerset, WI                       Northern Invasion

May 19                           Sayerville, NJ                       Starland Ballroom

May 20                           Camden, NJ                         WMMR – BBQ – BB&T Pavillion

May 21                           Columbus, OH                      Rock On The Range

May 26                           Pryor, OK                             Rocklahoma

May 27                           San Antonio, TX                   River City Rock Fest   

Michael's Musings

Peek-A-Boo, I See U & I Know What U Do
Michael Shinafelt

Once upon a time there was a man who lived in a house of cards...and so the story goes. It's that time of week when I spout word vomit.

This past week brought us a variety of things, such as The Grammy's, Valentine's Day, Fifty Shades Darker and the shit show we all affectionately refer to as Donald Tump.

Wonder what will spew fourth from the corners of my mind this week? Let's find out...

Lady Gaga continues to amaze and show her versatility by teaming up with Metallica and blowing us away by nailing hardcore rock music. I wasn't surprised she could get her head banger on, and frankly I wished she do an album of it.

Thirsty Ivanka is a thing. Apparently Ms. Trump inherited her father's lech gene, I am sure by now you all got a look at the way she drooled when she met Justin Trudeau.

VD was Tuesday, and that of course meant the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey sequel Fifty Shades Darker - a Harlequin Romance for the domestic abuse set.

Let me extrapolate on the domestic abuse comment re: Fifty Shades. Author E.L. James is a terrible writer. I read two paragraphs excerpted online from the first novel and couldn't bear anymore. Not to mention she does not know the first thing about BDSM. Anastasia Steele is an abused woman, end of story.

Dear Pentatonix, please get a new stylist

Fierce! This is How U Red Carpet!
:Lady Gaga

Remember that time when James Hetfield's mic didn't work at The Grammy's? So does everyone else. Really Grammy's?! The whole premise of the fucking award is based on sound, enough said.

AC/DC said it best: "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"

Toughen up buttercups, it's going to be a wild ride!

Ask yourself this, are you a good little pony worthy of a biscuit?

In case you were wondering, Erika Jayne is my favorite Real Housewife of Beverly Hills. She out classes and sasses them all while giving no fucks.

Enjoy your Thursday, it's the day before Friday after all.

Join me on the Internet at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/mshinafelt?lang=en  

Fashion! Turn To The Left!

We Are The Goon Squad
l-r Tyga, Kylie Jenner & Madonna

Fashion! Turn to the right! We are the goon squad and we're coming to town beep-beep!

When David Bowie sang the iconic song Fashion and mused about the mythical "goon squad" I am sure the threesome of  Tyga, Kylie Jenner & Madonna at the Philipp Plein Fall/Winter 2017 show, was what he had in mind, think about it, no too hard though.

Nothing other than New York Fashion Week could bring such strange bed fellows together in the name of couture. 

The million dollar question of the day? Did the three actually engage in polite salutations and a photo-op, or did they actually have and interesting exchange of sound bites? If utterances did occur what could have possibly been said? I'd love to know, wouldn't you?

Whatever went down here is the "goon squad" to get you over the proverbial hump. Ciao!

NYFW on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/nyfw  

"The Very Thought Of You"

54 Years Strong!
Sandy & Ron Zacky

"I see your face in every flower, Your eyes in stars above, It's just the thought of you,
The very thought of you, my love" - The Very Thought Of You

Happy Valentine's Day! Even if you aren't in a relationship this is a day to celebrate love, love, love...and we all have someone, or something that is special to us. 

As you know Entertain Me likes to celebrate this day with it's resident chanteuse Sandy with a "Y" not "E" Zacky. She is an expert on L-O-V-E as this past November, she and her husband Ron celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary!!!

Imagine finding a love like that, that is cause for celebration, no? So pop the champagne and we will! With Sandy with a "Y" not "E" singing The Very Thought Of You from her acclaimed CD One Olive or Two.

The pop hit was originally sung by Al Bowlly in 1934. 

Today give the tip of the hat to the best emotion of all and let someone know you love them during these trying times.

As Sandy with a "Y" not "E" says to all of you: "I Wish You Love!"

It's a love vibration with Sandy at:
https://www.facebook.com/SandyZackyDiva/
https://www.reverbnation.com/sandyzacky
www.sandyzacky.com/
showmetalkradio.com/zacky.php   

Dolly Eight It

Smiles Everyone, Smiles!
Dolly Parton & Pentatonix 

Dolly Parton scores her eighth Grammy with some help from the Pentatonix gang!

World-renowned singer/songwriter/entertainer Dolly Parton continues racking up the honors! In 2014, The Recording Academy inducted Parton's self-penned hit JOLENE into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Now, in 2017, that same song, released as a collaboration with Pentatonix, was awarded a Grammy in the Country Duo/Group Performance category. Watch the collaborative performance here:

Arranged by PTX

Filmed at NOVE Entertainment
Produced by Dolly Parton, Pentatonix and Flyte Vu

"Oh my Lord I am so excited to have won the Grammy with Pentatonix on my old song Jolene," says Dolly Parton. "I am so happy and am so very proud of Pentatonix. The song is one of my favorites. Thanks to the Grammys, but most importantly thanks to all the fans. I love you all."

The award-winning collaboration between Pentatonix and Parton happened through a partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which has enjoyed success with both acts in the past with exclusive editions of albums from each. In Parton’s case, the partnership stretches back to her 2009 Backwoods Barbie Collector's Edition project, which was followed by the release of An Evening With…Dolly and became the first Gold album-ever certified by the RIAA for Cracker Barrel Music. That relationship has continued with her latest Dolly Records / RCA Records release Pure & Simple. Released in the summer of 2016, the album – which netted Dolly her first chart-topping album since 1991 – was released in a deluxe Cracker Barrel-exclusive edition that featured live performances of her classic hits “9 To 5” and “Jolene” from the Glastonbury Festival, along with a 48-page ZinePak magazine filled with photos and interviews highlighting memorable stories from Parton. The collaboration is not part of any of the packages, however, is available for digital download here:

iTunes smarturl.it/PTXJolene
Amazon smarturl.it/PTXJoleneAmz
Spotify smarturl.it/StreamPTXJolene
Google Play smarturl.it/PTXJoleneGP

“Cracker Barrel is thrilled to have brought these two extraordinary talents together, Dolly Parton and Pentatonix, as part of our Spotlight Music Program for the exclusive collaboration of “Jolene." We share in the celebration of their GRAMMY Award win as they are both a special part of the Cracker Barrel family,” said Don Hoffman, VP of Marketing at Cracker Barrel.

CTK Management CEO Danny Nozell said, "The collaborative video produced by Cracker Barrel between Pentatonix and Dolly has been viewed over 22 million times and has now won a Grammy. Dolly proves, once again, that she is making music that the fans will respond to."

Parton's 2016's Pure & Simple North American Tour was the highest grossing tour of her career, performing over 60 shows.

Fans can link to purchase Pure & Simple and the various versions available by exclusive partners below:
Cracker Barrel: smarturl.it/dollycbps
Walmart: smarturl.it/walmartdolly
Amazon Music: smarturl.it/amzmusicdolly
Amazon Physical: smarturl.it/amazondolly
Apple Music: smarturl.it/dollypartonps
Google: smarturl.it/gpdolly
Spotify: smarturl.it/spotifydolly