Just Because...

Julie Newmar & Adam West

Just Because I feel like it. Not to mention I watched some reruns of it recently. Here is Julie Newmar as Catwoman and Adam West as Batman from the 1966 TV Series Batman.

How could one resist Batman which ran a mere two seasons 1966 - 1968, yet clocked in at 120 episodes. 

Big names were lobbying to get on there as one of the many colorful villains and from what I hear Adam West and Burt Ward got a lot of shall we say "side action."

My favorite villain was of course Julie Newmar as Catwoman (duh) - she was purrrrfection in the role.

So there you have it! Just Because...

Batman on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059968/

Back In Time

Batman & Wonder Woman

This image came up as a Facebook Memory and I wanted to post it here, so I am. 

It was a typical Thursday, May 25th 2017 to be exact, as I headed to Trader Joe's on Vine in Hollywood.

Nothing shocking other than I was completely unaware that the premiere for Wonder Woman starring Gal Gadot was happening on Hollywood Blvd. at the Pantages on this day.

Luckily I grocery shop when the Trader Joe's opens (it opened at 8 am, now it opens at 9) because the throngs of fans that showed up eventually were not there just yet.

However there was this dynamic early duo of fans dressed as Wonder Woman and Batman.

I just had to get a photo, and it turned out great! So great that I wanted to share it and it brings back a memory from a less shall we say, altered time and place in the world.

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!

Wonder Woman on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451279/ 

Double Vision

Mother & Daughter
Zoe Kravitz & Lisa Bonet

"Fill my eyes with that double vision, no disguise for that double vision" Double Vision, Foreigner

Seeing double right here, right now??? Thinking you are seeing twin sisters? Well no, not really. Here is the Mother and Daughter team of Zoe Kravitz and Lisa Bonet.

Could two women be any more beautiful? I ask you? Clearly Zoe scored the gene jackpot with Lisa as her Mom and Lenny Kravitz as her Father.

Lisa has always been a favorite of mine. She is not only gorgeous, she is talented and she does her. There is an amazing power in that. Lisa was the best thing about Angel Heart FYI.

Zoe is equally stunning and talented. Out of all the Batman movies she is my favorite Catwoman. Why? Because her portrayal nailed the character that I read in the Batman comic books when I was growing up to perfection!!!

Have a beautiful day! After this double vision how could you not???

Zoe on IG -

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

Lisa on IG -

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

National Superhero Day

"Each year on April 28th, National Superhero Day honors superheroes, both real and fictional." 

Today in case you didn't guess is National Superhero Day...!

I'm not really going to add anything to the quite self explanatory explanation above.

But I will let you in on something personal about yours truly, when I was growing up I wanted to be Batman!

You read that correctly, those Batman comics were dark as night (get it? The Dark Knight?) Thus I am leaving you with my favorite Batman from my favorite movie about him Robert Pattinson straight outta The Batman!

This was the incarnation that captured the comic books that I read in my formative years.

National Superhero Day on the WWW -

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-superhero-day-april-28

Hang In There Baby!

Michael Keaton & KIm Basinger

It's merely the second Friday of 2024 and I don't know about you but I feel it's been way more dramatic than needed. Thus to all of you out there experiencing this "Hang In There Baby!" you know calmer times are ahead, they always are.

This behind the scenes shot of Michael Keaton and Kim Basinger dangling from wires on the set of Batman illustrates exactly how I, and I'm sure many of you feel right here, right now.

Now this is the kind of "hanging in there" that puts the "D" in dramatic, for sure!

Another day of 2024 and I'm out there performing another high wire act...

Mic Drop!

Batman on Wikipedia  -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(1989_film)

Behind The Scenes

Batman
Tim Burton & Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger who portrayed Vicki Vale in one of the original Comic Book based blockbusters Batman posted this image on Instagram of Director Tim Burton, well directing her on the set.  Personally I love seeing what goes on behind the scenes before the cameras start rolling, it fascinates me.

She wrote what it was like working with him on it, oh and it was also to wish him a Happy Birthday! Here in here own word is what Ms. Basinger wrote:

Many know Tim as a creative genius… a master artist… and they are right, of course! But what I always remember are his drawings… how they inspired and amused me…

When I’d find myself sitting next to him on set, I would look over and see him doodling in his script… At that moment, I felt like a small child… walking into an amusement park like none that has ever been created…. Magical… Fantastical… I could feel my eyes growing bigger as I watched him draw these characters in his script…

Being on set with him was a lot like watching one of his own characters... As we exchanged ideas and I got direction from him……. Was like a surrealistic journey in so many ways… Too many to mention here! One of the most meaningful and fun films of my life….. The memories will stay with me forever.

Just another boy from Burbank? I don’t think so! Wishing you the best birthday Tim… wherever you are… whatever you’re doing…. Much love ✨

Happy Saturday!

Kim on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/kim.basinger/

No Explanation Needed

It's the last day of Pride Month, I'm gonna just leave this here with no explanation. I know I'll never explain again.

Carry on with your bad selves, Pride is a year long thang!

Get your Pride on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_pride   

Silly Saturday

Tribute
Batman & Robin

In honor of Pride and Bright Colors here is some neon art that is sure to please: Batman & Robin scaling the side of a building, in true, well, Batman & Robin style.

The things you randomly spot surfing the WWW - "Yes" there is still silly fun to be had on the Internet despite all the other BS you have to wade through.

Remember the old Batman TV series starring Adam West & Burt Ward? This neon rendition is obviously paying tribute to that. I really love coming across reruns of the show on stations that play old TV series. It is one of my favorites!

So here they are one of the most dynamic duos in history, not to mention gay icons.

You're Welcome.

Batman on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(TV_series) 

Man Crush Monday

Boy Wonder Indeed
Burt Ward

Saturday night while flipping channels I came across two back 2 back reruns of the old Batman TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward and it brought back memories of the Man Crush kind.

"Yes" Minions, I had an MC on Burt Ward as Robin when I was a kid. I mean what's not to like???

Look at him back in the day, he is adorbs! Not to mention perfectly cast as Robin (I was a big Batman nerd as a kid.)

Oh, the things I envisioned when I was young and...well you get the picture.

It's Monday, crush the week!!!

Batman TV series on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(TV_series)  

The Quarantine Shuffle

Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter

Like most of us I have been watching way more TV of late. Hey, what are we Corn Teen minions supposed to do with limited options???

Well yesterday while channel surfing I struck Television Gold! "Yes" I was feeling my inner Yukon Cornelius when I stumbled upon a two part Batman episode with Julie Newmar as the Catwoman on, followed by an episode of Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter and Lyle Waggoner. 

The thing I remembered most about these shows from my days of yore was that they were silly fun. What I really did not recall was how skilled the actors were in bringing depth to that silliness. 

Catwoman
Julie Newmar

Julie Newmar brought surprising pathos to her performance as the kinky Catwoman, even though the material she was given on Batman was pure camp on a stick, Ms. Newmar really understood what she was doing and how to elevate it. 

Likewise Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman and Lyle Waggoner as Major Steve Trevor. They all elevated something silly into something magic.

I truly enjoyed rediscovering these two old friends, sometimes The Quarantine Shuffle isn't too shabby.

Wonder Woman on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074074/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_6

Batman on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059968/?ref_=nm_knf_i1

Purrrrrrfect! Zoe Kravitz

Bring on the Cat!
Zoe Kravitz

Batman was my jam when I was a kid. From the campy TV Series to the darkest of the Dark Knight comic books. Then came the movies from the first two Tim Burton ones to the silly, campy Joel Schumacher affairs. While I didn't like them all I soldiered on like a trooper and went, for the love of Batman.

Then came the best, the Christopher Nolan trilogy. Well here comes a new incarnation The Batman slated for a 2021 release Directed by Matt Reeves. It will star Robert Pattinson as Batman, which I am sure will work. However there is a bit of casting news I am more excited about. Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman!

Zoe is an amazingly beautiful (Hello? Here parents are Lisa Bonet & Lenny Kravitz) not to mention talented young woman. She most notably has starred in the HBO series Big Little Lies where she held her own against the likes of Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley.

Michelle Pfeiffer has been my favorite Catwoman in the movies thus far. That being stated I have a feeling Ms. Kravitz is going to bring her own magic to the role, and make it something uniquely hers. Can you tell I am a Zoe fan? "Yes" you can!

Zoe on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/zoeisabellakravitz/?hl=en

Hump Day & Chill

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Crack That Whip!

Meow!
Michaelle Pfeiffer

Woke-up to the Internet buzzing over Michelle Pfeiffer's latest post on Instagram a video where she coyly holds up a whip saying "look what I found, needs a little TLC" to her followers. That's correct minions it's the whip she brandished as Catwoman in Batman Returns twenty-seven years ago!!!

Although I found Tim Burton's sequel to Batman better than his original outing the movie was mainly villain centric. With Pfeiffer taking center stage with her tour de force as the feline femme fatale.

Michelle Pfeiffer
as
Catwoman

IMHO nobody has ever done it better, Catwoman that is than her. She to me is the definitive CW. Her performance skirted the edge of over the top, loony, sexy, insane and flat out outrageous while still being real and grounded. Her Catwoman was in short a one of a kind creation.

Gushing much? Why "yes" I am. 

Have a bootylicious Saturday, I know I plan to. On that naughty note I leave you with these immortal words...

"I am Catwoman, hear me roar!"

Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michellepfeifferofficial/?hl=en   

Michael's Musings

No Batteries Required
Michael Shinafelt

"They're all going to laugh at you" Margaret White, "Carrie"

And indeed they did 45 - moving on....

Hey United Nations to be fair, my friends and myself have been laughing at
Donald Trump for a while now

Byline of the week: "Looking back on 10 years of Goop - vaginal eggs included" that pretty much sums it up (BTW my statement is not a compliment) 

I knew Thomas Ravenel from Bravo's "Southern Charm" was bad news. Why? Because I wanted to jump him hard!

This Is Us is back. In the immortal words of Nancy Kerrigan "Whhhhhhhyyyyyyyy?!" 

How to get rid of skin deep wrinkles without surgery...I'm in!

I wanna helicopter bungee jump

Fine as a line

"Brett Kavanaugh is such a John Hughes film villain , he’s coming to Monday’s hearing wearing topsiders, belted madras shorts, and a sweater over his shoulders." - Tony Tripoli, Comedian

What's new pussycat? Do tell...

Superman V Batman
By: https://www.instagram.com/kentartwork/?hl=en

Now this is the Superman V Batman I wanted to see!!!

Olivia Newton-John just turned 70 - Totally Hot!

Sometimes it takes you by surprise, But for the most part...

Lady Gaga in "A Star Is Born" opens a week from tomorrow - "Yeah" I wanna see it

Jamie Lee Curtis, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jamie Lee Curtis

The more I give, the more I want it at -
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

Why Not? Wonder Woman

Wonder No More
Gal Gadot

Yesterday I went to make a Trader Joe's run to the one located on Hollywood & Vine at the W Hotel. I emerged from the subway to find a barricade at the Pantages Theater with people already gathering for the Wonder Woman premiere.

It was quite the set-up. I was so glad I arrived before noon, can't imagine what the sidewalks would have been like later. At the time I encountered them they were not that full but the very front of the barricaded area was already teeming with WW fanatics. You'd have to be one to arrive that early.

Being the on the move writer guy I am I snapped a photo of a Wonder Woman wanna be and her Batman eagerly waiting for the sacred event. 

Batman & Wonder Woman 

After I hash tagged it and posted it to Instagram someone recognized WW and BM and tagged them to my image. Faux Wonder Woman approved and left a comment on my pic. Isn't the WWW grand?

Thus I leave you with an image of the actual Wonder Woman arriving at the premiere Gal Godot and my great pretender and her Batman. 

T.G.I.F!

Follow me on Instagram, Wonder Woman would want you to...
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en   

Sunday Schwing! Christian Bale

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Say Hello To Wonder Woman

Wonder No More!
Gal Gadot

With all the hype surrounding the opening of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice this Friday you would have to be living in your own private Idaho not to know that piece of trivia.

Me? I am 100% sure I will survive without going to see it. Having put it out there, one minor point of interest for me about the film is the first big screen appearance of Wonder Woman.

Yes, I was a fan of the TV Series with Lynda Carter when I was young, meaning I am now old. It was campy fun!

The take on WW in Batman v Superman judging from the trailer is decidedly more serious in tone. It's also providing the set up for the Amazonian Princess to headline her own movie. Now that is something I would haul my ass to a theater to go see.

Gal Gadot, the actress portraying WW had this to say about it in Los Angeles at a recent press conference:  "So I am so happy to be the one who is going to tell the Wonder Woman story. It is such an important story to tell. It is so important for girls and boys to have a female, strong, super hero to look up to. The more the merrier and there is plenty of room for many more women to come and I am very happy to be a part of it." 

Since I am sitting Batman v Superman out, see you when the Wonder Woman movie hits the silver screen Gal!

The Wonder Woman Movie on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451279/  

Selebrate Superbowl 50 With Superman!

A One Man Football Team
Henry Cavill

Happy Superbowl 50 people! I hope your favorite team wins, you have a fifty/fifty chance of that happening after all.

Of course Lady Gaga is guaranteed to score a touchdown for team Mother Monster performing the Star Spangled Banner.

Which brings me to this photo of Superman in the flesh, Henry Cavill. Mr. Cavill is a relative newcomer to Social Media joining the flock a mere four months ago. 

He has now given fans what they have been waiting for, a shirtless selfie! 

The caption read: 

“Warm up phase for Superman training started today! Posting this pic to set myself a minimum goal … and force myself to actually keep going haha! @gritandteeth.”

Henry will appear next as Superman in Batman v Superman. Then he will portray him in many more film ventures, think of it like Groundhog's Day with Bill Murray.

Enjoy the game!

Grab a pound of Henry's flesh at:
https://www.instagram.com/henrycavill/?hl=en  

The "Batgirl" Of My Dreams

It's Batgirl!

Yvonne Craig

May 16 1937 - August 17, 2015

As a comic book loving kid Batman was my favorite! Needless to say I loved watching reruns of the classic Batman TV series growing up.

I was hypnotized by the beautiful technicolor and the exotic world of valiant heroes and colorful villains with monikers like The Penguin, The Joker and The Riddler.

There was also a character I loved from the comic books that did not join until the third and final season, Batgirl.

Batgirl was the alter ego of Commissioner Gordon's daughter Barbara Gordon. Actress Yvonne Craig, ahem, filled out the role quite nicely.

Yes, it's true I had a childhood girl crush on Batgirl!

She was tough, rocked a skin tight suit and knew how to kick ass! In fact Yvonne did her own stunts, which makes her portrayal of Batgirl all the more hot!

Recently Yvonne passed away due to complications from breast cancer. Although you have done many other roles you will always be the "Batgirl of my Dreams."

R.I.P. Dear Lady.

Yvonne on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0186051/?ref_=nv_sr_3

Christmas Eve: Apollo Run

It's Christmas Eve time for a song for the Holiday Season. Oh Holy Night Batman! On this evening before the day, comes Apollo Run with their cover of Mariah Carey's "Oh Santa" !

Since I am not familiar with the original version (I am an AMCAAC's type of guy) Translation: Avoid Mariah Carey At All Costs. This is quite "entertain"ing and you can see the fun poked at Ms. Carey in it.  Hey "Entertain Me" is the name of the blog and that's what I aim to do.

Levity to all and to all a good night....

Mariah Christmas from Apollo Run: http://www.apollorun.com/