Saturday Sinema: The Last House On The Left

The Wes Craven original horror classic with tons of bonus material...Yep, a film buffs dream!!!

MARI, SEVENTEEN, IS DYING. EVEN FOR HER THE WORST IS YET TO COME! The directorial debut of Wes Craven, the man behind such horror favourites as A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Hills Have Eyes and Scream, The Last House on the Left justly retains its reputation as one of the most harrowing cinematic experiences of all time, nearly half a century on from its original release. On the eve of her 17th birthday, Mari and friend Phyllis set off from her family home to the big city to attend a concert by shock-rockers Bloodlust. Attempting to pick up some marijuana on the way, the pair run afoul of a group of vicious crooks, headed up by the sadistic and depraved Krug (David Hess). Gagged and bound, the young women are bundled into a car trunk and driven to the woods, where the gang subject them to a terrifying ordeal of sexual humiliation, torture and murder. Unleashed on an unsuspecting public in 1972, The Last House on the Left shocked audiences with its graphic and unflinching portrayal of interpersonal violence, paving the way for a whole host of cheap imitators looking to capitalise on its success. It is Wes Craven's original alone, however, that remains one of the true watershed moments in horror (and indeed, film) history.

Bonus Materials

• LIMITED 2 X BLU-RAY EDITION CONTENTS
• Three cuts of the film newly restored in 2K from original film elements
• Original Uncompressed Mono Audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
• 6 x lobby card reproductions
• Limited edition perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the film by author Stephen Thrower
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
• DISC ONE – THE UNCUT VERSION
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Uncut Version
• Brand new audio commentary by podcasters Bill Ackerman and Amanda Reyes
• Archival audio commentary with writer/director Wes Craven and producer Sean S. Cunningham
• Archival audio commentary with stars David Hess, Marc Sheffler and Fred Lincoln
• Junior’s Story – a brand new interview with actor Marc Sheffler
• Marc Sheffler in Conversation at the American Cinematheque
• Brand new interview with wardrobe and make-up artist Anne Paul
• Songs in the Key of Krug – never-before-seen archive interview with David Hess
• Celluloid Crime of the Century – archival documentary featuring interviews with Wes Craven, Sean S. Cunningham, actors David Hess, Fred Lincoln, Jeramie Rain, Marc Sheffler and Martin Kove
• Still Standing: The Legacy of The Last House on The Left – archival interview with Wes Craven
• Scoring Last House on the Left – archival interview with actor/composer David Hess
• It's Only a Movie: The Making of The Last House on the Left – archival documentary
• Forbidden Footage – the cast and crew of Last House on the film’s most controversial sequences
• Deleted Scene
• Outtakes and Dailies
• Trailers, TV Spot & Radio Spots
• Image Gallery
• DISC TWO – THE ‘KRUG & COMPANY’ & R-RATED CUTS
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Krug and Company and R-rated cuts of the film
• The Craven Touch – brand new featurette bringing together interviews with a number of Wes Craven’s collaborators, including Sean S. Cunningham, composer Charles Bernstein, producer Peter Locke, cinematographer Mark Irwin and actress Amanda Wyss
• Early Days and “Night of Vengeance” – filmmaker Roy Frumkes remembers Wes Craven and Last House on the Left
• Tales That'll Tear Your Heart Out – excerpts from an unfinished Wes Craven short

Order it here: 

https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV143

Daedalus' Daughter

If you happen to live in Los Angeles or are visiting, you may be interested in this...

Bootleg Theater presents the world premiere of Daedalus’ Daughter, by Carol Katz, in association with Rosanna Gamson/World Wide, an original movement theatre piece for five performers. Opening on Thursday, September 21st and running through Saturday, September 30, 2017, Daedalus’ Daughter uses the Greek myth of Daedalus and his son Icarus as its primary metaphor for mental illness: the story of struggle, escape, flight and falling, as told from the point of view of an imagined female figure – Daedalus’ daughter. Both intimate and epic, the poetic performance piece weaves original and found text with rich visual imagery and full-bodied, choreographed movement, to create a poignant meditation on a secret family history. The abstract new work was inspired by playwright and director Katz’s own lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder and the journey it took her on. For more information, please visit https://www.carolkatzprojects.org.

"I have created this story, Daedalus’ Daughter, as a way to talk about madness and suicide that can run through family lines; its survivors, its legacy, its gifts, its ghosts,” explains Katz. “It is a meditation on my own family history, and how it has affected some or all of us in deeply personal ways. I did not find out that my grandfather had taken his own life until relatively late, yet I have been touched, if not defined, by his death all my life. This piece is for those who follow in these footsteps without ever knowing why, and for those we leave behind.”

With a one-hour run time, Daedalus’ Daughter will open on Thursday, September 21st and run for six performances over two weeks – on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm – through September 30, 2017. Pre-sale tickets are $20 ($15 for students/seniors) and will be $25 at the door ($20 for students/seniors). Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057. For tickets, please call 213-389-3856 or visit http://www.bootlegtheater.org/event/1554271-daedalus-daughter-los-angeles.

Daedalus’ Daughter brings together a collaborative team of Los Angeles theatre and dance artists under the direction of Carol Katz, assisted by critically acclaimed choreographer, Rosanna Gamson. Created though an extended and deeply collaborative process, the piece was very much devised in partnership with the ensemble of actors and dancers: Sean Spann, Kirk Wilson, Clementine Gamson Levy, Lavinia Findikoglu and Kearian Giertz. Mallory Fabian is on board as Associate Creative Producer and Tom E Kelley is engineering the props and set construction. Lighting Designer, Darius Gangei, Sound Designer Simon Greenberg, and Scenic Designer Tanya Orellana, all from CalArts, round out the creative team.

SYNOPSIS:

Daedalus' Daughter, an original dance theatre piece by Carol Katz, is a retelling of the Icarus myth from the point of view of his sister, interwoven with a secret family history. This half-bird, half-girl is an embodied metaphor, a symbolic way to talk about the madness and suicide that can run through generations of families. So while this is an intimate story about one woman’s real family, it speaks to countless others who have dealt with the pain and sorrow of mental illness in their own. It is a story about the costs of keeping things hidden in shame and silence – yet ultimately it is about the hope and redemption that are possible when these secrets are acknowledged and claimed. There is a powerful and healing magic when someone speaks their own truth, and realizes that they are not alone. Told through movement and text, both poetic and prosaic, this piece is a surreal, dream like journey through myth and memory.

• Daedalus’ Daughter Tickets - http://www.bootlegtheater.org/event/1554271-daedalus-daughter-los-angeles

• Daedalus’ Daughter Facebook event page - https://www.facebook.com/events/336497893477592

# # #  

W.O.W! Plasmatics!

Remember Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics? I sure do!!!

The rare Wendy O. Williams / Plasmatics live footage in this DVD has, in the main, never been released before. 

During the early years Plasmatics creator Rod Swenson, who directed and shot all the Wendy O. / Plasmatics conceptual videos (AKA known for his footage of the Ramones, Dead Boys, Blondie, and Motorhead among others) shot numerous Plasmatics shows the footage from which was never edited or released. Except for some short excerpts most of it until the discovery of this footage was thought to be lost or degraded (shot on tape which has been shown as with audio tape to degrade over time).

Recently during the moving of WOW / Plasmatics archive material the footage here was found unlabeled in buried boxes. While much had degraded producer / director Randy Shooter was able to discover, relabel, and with additional editing and restoration, salvage the rare and remarkable footage in this DVD. A lot of it is raw (and much of the audio is the audio from ambient video deck mics, noise and all) but the energy and power is there straight through.

The material includes two tracks from CBGBs the first of which was among the first Plasmatics shows ever as well as other footage from benchmark shows. A bonus track (Monkey Suit) features footage shot by Swenson when he was shooting the iconic album cover for "New Hope for the Wretched," but never released.

This item can be pre-ordered via MVD Shop or on Amazon

"Sorceress" In St. Petersburg, Russia

Filmmaker
Naama Kates

This just in from Entertain Me favorite and friend Naama Kates. The indie film she wrote, directed and starred in Sorceress is headed to a Film Festival in Russia, here is the 411 from Ms. Kates herself: 

"Wheeee! Just got word "Sorceress" is an Official Selection of the White Nights Film Festival in Russia's amazing city of St. Petersburg, from April 17th-20th, just a couple weeks away!"

http://whitenightsfestival.top/en/about 

You go Naama! Nobody does it better than  you! 

While your at it why don't you do yourself a favor and saunter over to Amazon and let Sorceress put a spell on  you. If you love indie film like I do, you'll be glad you did.

Hit the Amazon link at:

https://www.amazon.com/Sorceress-Naama-Kates/dp/B06XBDZBG9/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QXHAZNZXQWMY6VNQHY6F

Love In An Elevator

Going Down?
Tom Ford & Richard Buckley

Have any of you seen Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals? I've been told that I would really like it and am going to try to catch over Thanksgiving day weekend.

Here's a fun little fact to kick off your week. Did you know that writer/director of NA, Tom Ford met his husband in an elevator?

Yep, apparently it was love at first sight for he and Richard Buckley. By the time they hit the ground floor all bets were off and they knew they were meant and moved in together within a month. Talk about living it up when your going down.

Sometimes I guess you just know. 

It's just another Manic Monday kids, make it a good one!!!

NA on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4550098/?ref_=nv_sr_2

The Sorcery of Naama Kates

Sorceress
Naama Kates 

My first introduction to Naama Kates was as a singer/songwriter, then I came to find out she was so much more. She is also an accomplished actress as well as a screenwriter. Now she can add full fledged filmmaker to her resume' with her directorial debut Sorceress, which recently got some much deserved attention at AFM (American Film Market.) To describe this movie would be unfair to the viewer. It is something one needs to experience on their own terms. 

Me? I loved it! Here to answer five questions about it is none other than the woman behind the madness Ms. Naama Kates! 

MS:  What was the inspiration for the film?

NK: Well to me all of life is an inspiration-- whatever happens, for better or worse, if it ends up as material, I can feel like it was worthwhile... I think that's especially important to remember now, during the hard times.  Film, music, literature, comedy, art in general, reminds us that we're not alone in any of it.

That being said, I started writing what became the film in short pieces of dialogue, impressions, usually from conversations I'd had or heard that felt interesting.  And then the location- Finland- where I did my artist residency, was a huge inspiration.  Other elements of the story, of course, came from my life, and from historical figures I found interesting- like Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century alchemist, and the obsession of the film's protagonist.  I wasn't even sure I wanted to make a film, until I had to write a proposal for the residency program.  Like with most of the bigger decisions in life, I act first, and figure it out later.  

MS:  How did it feel being a first time Director?

NK: I was all over the place!  We shot it over a really short period of time, with what felt like relatively little preparation.  On the other hand, I've worked on films before with even less preparation and planning... I hardly feel like I directed anything; I had great actors and crew and a great cinematographer, and I think those ingredients, paired with a good script, are most vital.  Since I also wrote it, I wasn't so sure about that last part- the good script- haha.  It was my first time doing anything like it.  At times it was sort of incredible-- all these great people were making my ideas happen!  But then I'd think, wait, are they all just doing this because it's the job?  Does anyone actually think this is a good idea?  Checks and balances are important! 

And I couldn't have had a better experience than I did in Finland.  Everyone was so professional, intelligent, humble and straightforward. And so talented!  It's an incredibly progressive society; there is virtually no sexism there and probably never has been, really.  I am extremely grateful for that. 

MS: The Cinematography was amazing, and played a role in the story. Where did you find the cinematographer?

NK: Thank you-- and, indeed!  The cinematographer, Jarkko T. Laine, is a member of the Finnish Society of Cinematographers, like our ASC, which is an invitation-only, very prestigious organization.  In the US, I think it would have been nearly impossible for a first-time filmmaker on my budget to get a member to shoot my movie, without pulling some serious strings.  Because Finland is a much smaller country (only 5 million people) and isn't so crazy when it comes to the movie business, the artists are more accessible; I went to the FSC website and emailed Jarkko directly, and then he brought on the A.D, Ville Gronroos, and A.C., Jenni Riutta, as well as the sound recorder, Akseli Soini.  That was our crew!  And they really brought it to another level. 

MS:  Now, I don't want you to give away the ending, but while I didn't see it coming in hindsight I should have.

NK: Hehe... well, so far I haven't heard from anyone that they saw it coming.  I wanted to leave it somewhat open to interpretation.  I think that, for people who resonate with the movie, it will probably be a somewhat familiar question: am I crazy? Is this real? Is it just a coincidence? Will anyone believe me?... I think most people have those moments, and I think that the answer is never clear.  It was easy to do in the script, but I questioned it during editing-- whether it was too ambiguous.  I didn't have any guidance while I was writing, but had quite a lot of invaluable input during post-production.  I was so connected to it by then, it was impossible to be objective.

MS: To me the film is ultimately about the creative process, what would you  like the audience to take away from their experience? 

NK: I like that.  I think it doesn't have to be about the creative process in the way we usually intend-- like, it doesn't have to literally be about art.  Just about thinking differently, feeling differently, than people around you.  Wanting to be understood, and then maybe feeling that connection with someone, and then losing it.  It's also largely about dealing with loss/grief.  I think those themes are rather universal, and really I just want an audience, period!  Haha!  And ideally, I hope they take that away-- a feeling of being understood, by the film itself... 

Naama on the WWW:

https://twitter.com/naamakates?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/NaamaKates/
https://www.reverbnation.com/naamakates
https://www.youtube.com/user/delilah11
www.imdb.com/name/nm0441809/ 

Like A Virgin, Eva Longoria

Eva In Charge
Eva Longoria

It's September 1st already can you fathom that?! We are at the final four months of 2016, September to December flies by quick, always...and you know what that means, Christmas is drawing nigh!

Let's kick off the month with a photo of Eva Longoria directing an episode of Jane The Virgin in Los Angeles. Yep, Eva is like a virgin directing her very first episode of the CW show, but not directing for the very first time.

Eva is smart, that's one of the things I have always liked about her. She is aware her acting career has a shelf life and has set herself up for continued employment beyond it. 

She looks as good in a director's chair as she does on camera. Happy beginning of the end peeps!

PS: I'm assuming that is the back of Gina Rodriguez's head in the foreground

Eva on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519456/?ref_=nv_sr_1  

TBT: Truth Or Dare

Truth Or Dare Turns 25!
Madonna

Released in 1991 Madonna's Truth or Dare caused quite the ruckus. It was made up of concert footage and captured what went on behind the scenes during her Blonde Ambition Tour. 

The ruckus part? The behind the scenes footage of course! It featured all sorts of taboo content that was not really in the forefront of mainstream media consciousness at the time. Such as boy on boy action, frank discussions about sex and disclosures about ones love life...OK, it addressed sex in an open and provocative manner, which managed to cause a media frenzy surrounding it.

I loved it, and found it not only a brilliant piece of filmmaking, but also marketing. There had been nothing like it at the time and it was a liberating experience for this Madonna fan when he saw it at the theater two times before it hit video.

Cut to 25 years later. It had an anniversary screening for 400 fans at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, where Madonna made a surprise appearance much to her fan's delight!

Also on hand was the films director, Alek Keshishian. 

Does it hold up today you ask? I have seen the film not too long ago, while it is still entertaining the shock value it once had has faded and become the norm for our chaotic society. It is a film of place and time and it is an important piece of pop culture whose influence vividly has it's fingerprints all over what's going on in entertainment today. 

Throwback Thursday indeed.

Truth Or Dare on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102370/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1 

Hillary Clinton's Latest "Scandal"

I'm With Her
Kerry Washington & Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton recently visited the imaginary Oval Office on the set of Scandal. Too bad we did not get any indication of how she thought it compared to the real deal.

As the story goes, Clinton, knew the cast was trying to make a fundraiser for her, but was aware they would not finish work in time. So, what's a Presidential candidate to do? Why make a detour to the set on the way to her event, naturally. 

The episode was being Directed by show star, Scott Foley when the former Secretary of State paid a visit.

Cast member Katie Lowes has this to say about Hillary's visit on set: "Mind blown! It was amazing"

The Women of Scandal recently made headlines for endorsing Clinton in a television commercial.

Now that's putting your money where your mouth is! You can make anything a Scandal in this day and age.

It's always a Scandal on TGIT: 
https://www.facebook.com/ScandalABC   

Are You There Mars? It's Me Matt Damon

Will Matt Damon Be Your Favorite Martian? 

Fall is just around the corner and it is shaping up to be hotter than the scorching summer we have had only this time the heat will be hitting your local movie theater.

Hunks and beauties galore will be gracing us with their presence in the cinema with highly anticipated projects of prestige that scream: Gimme, gimme an Oscar after midnight - to other works of art merely saying, hey, look at me I'm not Sandra Dee.

Always interesting and mostly top notch Director, Ridley Scott brings us The Martian with hunky monkey Matt Damon. I am so in for this one!

Matty plays an astronaut who is presumed dead after an unexpected storm (um, does anyone ever expect storms?) hits on his mission to Mars. Well THAT blows, quite literally.

What is a stranded astronaut who is not really dead to do? Ridley Scott has been hitting high notes of late after some brief downtime, I believe this one is going to be so treble!

The Martian opens October 2nd.

The Martian on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3659388/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Is Megan Fox A Vampire Lesbian?

Bloody Megan Fox & Bald James Franco

While surfing the Internet I stumbled upon this, quite eye catching photo of Megan Fox with her Director/Co-Star James Franco getting into character on the set of her upcoming film Zeroville.

It didn't hurt that this image courtesy of Franco's Instagram was captioned "Vampyros Lesbos" and features Fox and another actress covered in blood and James sandwiched between them.

Yes a few of my favorite things vampires, blood, James Franco & Megan Fox all in one on set photo, I'm so in!

Franco enthusiastically fawned over his co-star by stating: "Megan Foxy is the best!"

Zeroville is based off of Steve Erickson's 2007 novel by the same name, which follows the story of a young actor arriving in Hollywood in 1969 "during a transitional time in the industry." The film also stars Franco's younger brother Dave Franco, and his partner in bromance Seth Rogan.

Color me intrigued...

Keep current with James & Zeroville on Instagram at: 

http://instagram.com/jamesfrancotv

Daughter Of Chucky: Fiona Dourif

Fiona Dourif

Hey all of you Chucky Fans no doubt you've heard about the latest and one of the best films in the series "Curse of Chucky".

Of course it is not lost on you guys that the female lead bears the same last name as the voice of "Chucky" Brad Dourif.

Yes, we have the actual "Daughter of Chucky" here for an exclusive Halloween interview - Fiona Dourif!

Fiona actually carries more horror cred than being the female lead in the current "Chucky" movie as well as being his daughter, she has also appeared as "Casey" one of the Witches in Marnie's Coven on "True Blood" and was in Paul Thomas Anderson's Scientology based story "The Master".

You are all in for a treat, hit it Fiona....Happy Halloween!

MS: Hi Fiona. Wow! It's four o'clock straight up!

FD: I am punctual! (laughs)

MS: I like that! Your father used to come into a video store I worked in when I first moved to Los Angeles, when I still was a little on the "star struck" side and I used to get so excited that "Chucky" was in the house.

FD: Oh God! How funny!

MS: I'm surprised this entry into the "Chucky" series went straight to video with all of the great reviews it has gotten.

FD: We weren't really sure it was going to take that direction at first.

MS: The word is it's more scary, than funny like the earlier entries.

FD: Yeah, that was the mission a return to horror.

MS: I've seen you in other things you have done, you are really good,  did they decide to cast you as the lead because of the "Chucky Connection"?

FD: You know I have no idea. I can tell you what Don Mancini (the writer/director) told me. I went up for the role of the bitchy sister, then I got a call three days later, saying I wasn't right for it, but Don thought I might be right for the lead, prepare that. I went in and I met Don, and you know, I didn't think it went that well to be honest. Then I got called back and the studio wanted to make sure I was soft and likable enough. My manager had me go back in with big eyelashes and a flower dress - and then I got it, I was really surprised. Don told me later that they had conflicting theories about me being "Chucky's Kid" they thought it might be confusing, but he thought it might be confusing in a surprising way, it's really an open ended question. I don't think the story in the movie says I'm his kid at all.

MS: Are you a horror fan yourself?

FD: Well, I wasn't one forever and when I was cast in this my boyfriend at the time was a horror writer and told me "You need to figure out what you are doing." So, I went back and watched a lot of the old stuff and have become a fan of the genre. A great horror film is the best, most primal stuff you can watch.

MS: The original "Halloween" is the first horror film my Dad took me to and it scared the shit out of me.

FD: Yeah, totally! My feeling is good writing is good writing, Don is a good writer.

Fiona at the Season 4 "True Blood" Premiere

MS: He is. Let's talk about another horror credit you have you played "Casey" a Witch in Marnie's coven on season four of...

FD: From "True Blood", yeah (laughs) that was really fun! Wait, I'm sorry I'm actually at a restaurant with the "Chucky" doll, because I am taking him to a friend's bar for the next couple of days. What happened while I was talking was the waiter just came up and tried to hit "Chucky" in the back. (laughs) It's probably the most expensive thing I own and I'm like "No"!

MS: Jeeze doesn't he know he's not real? (laughs) You were in "The Master" which was controversial as it is based around the beliefs of Scientology.

FD: Paul Thomas Anderson is one of my favorite Directors. I think "Magnolia" is one of the great American Masterpieces. I shot a lot of things most of it got cut out, I ended basically not being in the movie, that happened to so many people that were in that movie. The final cut is pretty much like a skeleton of what the original movie was. It 's OK, I got upset, but I got over it.

MS: What's your take on Scientology?

FD: I am secular, but I have a respect for organized religion. Do whatever you want Scientologists, I don't really think it's a cult, just like I don't think being Mormon is a cult, it's people making beliefs and rituals in their lives. To each his own. I was actually audited by them to prepare for the role, and that was kind of interesting and they never stopped calling me after which was kind of annoying.

MS: Tell everyone, what are you going to be for Halloween?

FD: I still haven't figured it out. God, I don't know yet, maybe I will be a houseplant! (laughs)

Follow Fiona on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/fionadourif

Go beyond "Chucky" on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1875040/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

Sir Jet - "Shout Out To The Lonely"

Joel Evan Tye aka Sir Jet is back on "Entertain Me" you may remember him from my first chat with him
http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2012/01/popstar-author-sir-jet.html  with a groovy new single "Shout Out To The Lonely".

The ubiquitous Sir Jet, took some time out of his busy schedule to stop by "Entertain Me" to tell us about his latest, OK - take it away Sir Jet!

MS: So Sir Jet tell us a little bit about your latest "Shout Out To The Lonely".

SJ: It was a journey it took a really long time to put together, it was nine months by the time we got it out. It was like being pregnant and having a baby. (laughs)

MS: What is the message that you want people to take away from this single?

SJ: The number one message I want people to take away from this single when the listen to it is that no matter what  you are facing you are really not alone. We all feel lonely at times, but we are never really alone...no matter what situation you are in just know there is somebody out there just like you who could probably use your help just as much as you could use theirs. That's why you always see me reaching out in the video, reach out, you never know who is there for you when you need them.

MS: On a side note, there was a Director's credit and we all know why (both laugh) Carlton Wilborn one of Madonna's backup dancers who was featured in her film "Truth or Dare".

SJ: Yeah.

MS: He was the guy who jumped into bed with Madonna naked and she said his dick was huge and it smelled. (both laugh) - Spill the direction you are headed with this song.

SJ: This is one of four songs that I wrote and I am putting them together on an EP that I plan on releasing in November.

MS: Do you know what the title of the EP is going to be or have you decided yet?

SJ: It's going to be called "Shout Out To The Lonely".

MS: Perfect!

"Shout Out" to Sir Jet at: https://www.facebook.com/iamsirjet