Yay! It's Officially Spring!

"Sirens"
l-r
Portia de Rossi, Elle Macpherson & Kate Fischer

Happy first day of Spring Minions! Here are the three Sirens from the 1994 film of the same name to kick it off.

You're Welcome!

Sirens on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111201/  

"Nostalgia's For Geeks"

Cher, Robert Altman, Sandy Dennis & Karen Black

Feeling nostalgic? Well after seeing this photo I am remembering the 80's and how it was a more simple time and definitely more fun than the current state of the world (not to mention how good the music was.)

Here we have Cher, Sandy Dennis, Karen Black and Director Robert Altman on the set of the movie Come Back To The 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. 

It was a filmed version of the stage play they all three appeared together in under Altman's direction on Broadway. 

There was a certain magic about this time period in cinema and this was a true example of independent filmmaking.

I remember liking it immensely, this being stated It's time for me to revisit it as it I haven't seen it since 1982 when it came out.

And aren't you happy?!

TGIF!

Come Back To The 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean on Rotten Tomatoes -

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/come_back_to_the_5_and_dime_jimmy_dean_jimmy_dean  

Excalibur

Also on February 24, the medieval epic fantasy Excalibur makes its world premiere on 4K UHD. Director John Boorman (Deliverance) brings you the definitive cinematic telling of the life and enduring legend of King Arthur, not seen in previous family friendly movies about Camelot. The Limited Edition release features a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative by Arrow Films presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 for the first time on home video, hours of special features, and newly commissioned extras. There is also a Blu-ray release.

The wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson, The Exorcist III) acquires the powerful sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake for Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne, The Usual Suspects). The magical weapon allows Uther to be recognized as the King of the Britons. During a feast, Uther begs Merlin to cast a spell that will allow him to sleep with a duke’s wife. Merlin agrees, but only after being promised the king’s future child. Months later, Merlin claims the newborn. When Uther attempts to reclaim the baby, he is ambushed, and before dying, he drives Excalibur into a stone. Legend foretells that only the next true king can free the sword. Merlin places the child, Arthur, with Sir Ector to be raised as a squire. During a tournament to determine England’s new ruler, a grown Arthur (Nigel Terry, The Lion in Winter) unknowingly pulls Excalibur from the stone and is crowned king. He gathers extraordinary knights to his legendary Round Table at Camelot, but his reunion with his magical sister Morgana (Helen Mirren, The Queen) ushers in dark times for his reign. To restore the kingdom, Arthur sends his knights on a perilous quest for the Holy Grail. Among the warriors clad in shining armor are Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Liam Neeson (Taken), and Ciarán Hinds (Miami Vice).

Special features include a 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible); restored original lossless mono and DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio options; optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; two brand new audio commentaries; archival audio commentary by director John Boorman; The Making of Excalibur: Myth into Movie, a never before released 48-minute documentary directed by Neil Jordan (The Crying Game); newly filmed interviews with director John Boorman, actor Charley Boorman, co-writer Rospo Pallenberg; creative associate Neil Jordan and others; the 120-minute TV version of the film; a retrospective documentary with cast and crew interviews; trailers; image galleries; a perfect-bound booklet; double-sided fold-out poster; and six postcard-sized reproduction art cards.

Watch the trailer for Excalibur here: https://youtu.be/knJQxaO5Bt4?si=xAFuREUygUzTSNON

Order Here: https://customers.mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV806

Paper Lady

Paper Lady continues its enchanting summer tour with the release of a short concert film from the dream-rock band’s June 5 performance at New York City’s Nightclub 101. 

The 25-minute video, featuring live renditions of “Rust,” “I am Ribbon”, “Static”, “Amaranth”, “Silt” and “Joe Modern” from the just released album, Idle Fate, is now streaming on the band’s official YouTube channel.

 

Paper Lady’s tour kicked off June 4 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the Middle East Restaurant & Club and will run through July 3, marking a full month on the road for the quartet. Captured by their own team, the NYC footage highlights the band’s dynamic live presence, weaving together fan favorites and new tracks to deliver an unforgettable, immersive experience.

 

Lead vocalist Alli Raina stated of the tour, “I was definitely a little nervous at first - touring is always such a wild unknown - but it’s been amazing so far. Every night has felt like a new adventure, and we’re all getting used to this rhythm of the road. It’s been so special to share these songs with new faces and old friends.”

 

For more info, visit PaperLadyMusic.com and Linktr.ee/paperladymusic.

 

ABOUT PAPER LADY:

Paper Lady is an indie dream-rock outfit conjuring enchanting, immersive soundscapes from their home base in Boston, MA. Born in the depths of the Northeast DIY scene in 2019, the band has since become a spellbinding force in the world of ethereal rock and noisy freak folk.

 

The core lineup includes Alli Raina (vocals, primary songwriter, rhythm guitar), Rowan Martin (lead guitar), Alex Castile (drums) and Taylor Morris (bass), each contributing to the band’s alchemical blend of sound and performance.

 

With influences spanning Mazzy Star, Broadcast, and Jefferson Airplane’s psychedelic explorations, Paper Lady crafts a unique sound that blends dreamy textures with grounded storytelling. Their previous EP, While You Should Be Sleeping, and tracks like “Absentee” and “Return to the Lake” established them as a standout act in the Allston basement show scene, while Idle Fate promises to push their sound into more experimental territory.

 

In 2024, the band wrote and recorded their debut full-length album, Idle Fate, during a retreat in a cabin in upstate New York and at their shared home in Brighton, MA. Self-recorded and self-mixed, the album explores themes of grief, love and fantastical existentialism.

 

Beyond Paper Lady, the band members are prolific creatives in their own right, pursuing solo projects and collaborating with other acts. Their collective artistry makes Paper Lady a true creative community, redefining the boundaries of indie rock and dream pop, and in 2023 the band was nominated for ‘Alt/Indie Artist of the Year’ at the Boston Music Awards. For fans of boundary-pushing music that feels both mystical and deeply human, Paper Lady offers an unforgettable journey.

 

Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero

Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero, the world’s first animated feature film centered on a drag queen superhero, will be released on TVOD platforms—including Amazon, iTunes, Google, and Dish—on Tuesday, June 17. Created and directed by Anthony Hand, this dazzling fusion of drag culture, high-energy music, and superhero fantasy follows Simon, a shy barista who discovers a magical wig that transforms him into the fierce and fabulous Maxxie LaWow. As Maxxie, Simon must embrace his power, protect his community, and take on the villainous Dyna Bolical, a drag queen scientist determined to reclaim her family’s fortune at any cost. Her devious plan involves an unusual beauty secret (drag queen tears!) that forces Maxxie to rise to the challenge and save the day. Beneath the wigs and shade, the film delivers a heartfelt message about self-acceptance and the power of chosen family.

 

Voicing many of the film’s colorful characters are some of today’s most celebrated drag personalities from RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, Monét X Change, and Rosé.  Newcomer Grant Hodges voices Simon and Maxxie La Wow and Broadway and television actor Terren Wooten Clarke lends his voice to the film’s formidable villain, Dyna Bolical. 

Anthony Hand’s journey to filmmaking was far from typical. Raised in a small farming village in Southeast Michigan, Hand never imagined a future in Hollywood. It wasn’t until 2018, after realizing the lack of LGBTQ+ superheroes in mainstream media, that he decided to take action. Moved by the personal stories of drag performers on Drag Race, he set out to merge drag artistry with animated storytelling, creating a vibrant, laugh-out-loud adventure infused with heart and music.

 

One of the biggest creative hurdles was translating the larger-than-life essence of drag into animation. Hand teamed up with Chubby Beagle Productions, a studio deeply rooted in drag culture, and brought on Johnny Burgess as character designer. Every frame was crafted with authenticity—from the intricate movements of wigs and gowns to the film’s show-stopping lip-sync battle packed with clack fans, makeup powder attacks, and aerial choreography.

  

Music is central to Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero, too, with four original pop tracks propelling the story forward. Grammy-nominated vocalist Angie Fisher delivers powerhouse performances on songs like “Bye Girl Bye,” an anthem of self-empowerment, and “Shero,” a high-energy opening number celebrating individuality. Composers Dave Volpe and Electropoint (Roman Molino Dunn) crafted a soundtrack that blends campy fun with deep emotional resonance.

 

As the first animated feature spotlighting a drag queen superhero, Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero represents a landmark in LGBTQ+ storytelling. “In a time when LGBTQ+ voices are being challenged, we need stories that celebrate our resilience, our joy, and our magic,” says Hand. “Simon’s journey is about learning to believe in yourself,” he adds. “His transformation into Maxxie represents that moment we all experience—when we stop waiting for permission and start embracing the powerful person we truly are.”

 

The film has already garnered critical acclaim, winning Best Animation at this year’s San Francisco Independent Film Festival, the Impact Award at the Washington, D.C. Independent Film Forum, and both Director’s Choice and Festival Favorite at Cinema Diverse. 

 

Breaking Glass Pictures, a leading distributor known for championing independent LGBTQ+ cinema, acquired the film for North American distribution and is licensing the worldwide rights. CEO Rich Wolff recalls being instantly captivated by the film.  “Maxxie LaWow is such a joyful, outrageous celebration of queer culture, identity, and drag artistry,” he says. “It is a wild, witty, and unapologetically fun animated adventure that delivers both laughs and heart.”

 

Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero will release to TVOD platforms Amazon, iTunes, Google, indemand, Dish, DirectV and VUDU on Tuesday, June 17.  

 

For more information, visit www.maxxie.com

"Throuple"

Dekkoo Announces TVOD Release of Throuple

The Romantic Drama Explores the Power of Desire, Chosen Family, 

Music, and Non-Traditional Love

Following a successful theatrical run in New York City and Los Angeles, Dekkoo — the leading streaming platform for queer content — is proud to announce the TVOD release of Throuple, a raw, tender, and refreshingly honest new film from writer, star, and queer indie musician Michael Doshier.  The film follows a lonely gay singer-songwriter as he navigates the messy terrains of modern desire, friendship, and unconventional love. When he unexpectedly becomes romantically entangled with a married couple, he’s forced to reevaluate the relationship he desires.  All the while, he lives in fear that he’s losing his lifelong best friend to her new girlfriend. 

Loosely based on Doshier’s own life, Throuple began as a meditation on the evolving nature of love — and the beautiful, complicated gray areas where friendship and romance blur. The spark for the story ignited when Doshier’s closest friend and longtime creative collaborator, Tristan Carter-Jones — who plays Tristan in the film — entered her first serious relationship. He found himself “third-wheeling” with the couple non-stop, while also dealing with intense feelings of jealousy. At the same time, Doshier was exploring intimacy with married men in open relationships. These two experiences converged when he realized: “This is a movie.”

The emotional heart of the film lies in Michael’s dual journeys — romantic and musical. A dreamer struggling to voice his own needs, Michael drifts through life in a state of quiet passivity. It’s only through his evolving connection with Georgie and Connor, a married couple seeking to reignite their spark, that he begins to confront the patterns holding him back. Meanwhile, his decade-long friendship with Tristan is shifting as her girlfriend, Abby, begins asserting healthy boundaries — creating an emotional triangle just as complex as his romantic one.

Every character in Throuple brings their own emotional weight and perspective. Jess Gabor is quietly compelling as Abby, the film’s moral compass — a woman navigating the delicate balance between honoring her partner’s past and building their shared future. Tommy Heleringer and Stanton Plummer-Cambridge deliver beautifully layered performances as Connor and Georgie, whose relationship is tested, redefined, and deepened by the presence of a third. And through it all, Brooklyn hums in the background like a heartbeat — its cozy apartments, creative enclaves, and nightlife lending the film a textured, lived-in authenticity.

At its core, Throuple is a radical act of emotional representation. Rather than reducing polyamory to a plot twist or punchline, the film explores non-monogamy as a legitimate, meaningful structure capable of growth, conflict, and deep connection. Doshier resists stereotype and melodrama, grounding his story in one powerful question: “What if a throuple wasn’t something to mock or fear?”

Since its debut on the festival circuit, Throuple has resonated deeply — especially with queer and polyamorous audiences. At the Boston Wicked Queer Film Festival, three real-life throuples attended the screening and shared emotional testimonials about what it meant to see their lives reflected with nuance, empathy, and respect.  

In March 2025, the film screened to acclaim at New York’s Quad Cinema and Los Angeles’ Lumière Cinema. At the Manhattan premiere, one audience member remarked, “This isn’t just a queer story. It’s a human story.”

Ultimately, Throuple is about the universal human need to connect, and the courage it takes to ask for what we truly want. Doshier hopes the film inspires viewers to challenge assumptions, speak their truths, and reimagine the possibilities of love, intimacy, and friendship.

Throuple will be available to stream on all major platforms including Amazon, iTunes, InDemand, Google, and Dekkoo beginning June 6.   

American Psycho Redux

Christian Bale
as 
Patrick Bateman

Rewatched American Psycho this weekend. Hadn't seen it in forever. I like to revisit movies I liked when I was younger later in life to see how my life experience changes my perception of them. I found the film hilarious at 58. Something that my 20 years younger less experienced self didn't really get.

Not to mention Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman was HAF🔥

Happy Monday!

American Psycho on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Psycho_(film)

Kinds Of American Film Comedy

In his 42nd book, prolific writer and scholar Wes D. Gehring presents the well-researched and intricately crafted Kinds of American Film Comedy: Six Core Genres and Their Literary Roots. Gehring breaks down six core comedy genres in an accessible style, yet academic enough for classroom use. This time, he ties in the predecessor of comedic cinema: print humor.

Gehring states, "This study needed at least a lengthy, if compressed, opening chapter survey upon which to build. It is keyed on several important pressure points, which in their totality, provide a basic foundation for the film-focused chapters to follow." And in this chapter, he is able to succinctly introduce the foundations of U.S. comedy that underpin the genres of cinematic comedy.

Dr. Ashley Donnelly, Professor of Media at Ball State University, says, "Though knowing him as a film scholar in the truest sense, I've always considered Gehring's work to be rooted in social history. His works take the people, the genres, and the history of cinema and intertwine them with the stories of the period he's exploring, the complexities of his subjects' lives, and the events and moments in time that touched the world, leaving generational, unconscious connections between the screen and the most important moments of human history."

This groundbreaking film study begins with a survey of American print humorists from eras leading up to and overlapping the advent of film—including some who worked both on the page and on the screen, like Robert Benchley, Will Rogers, Groucho Marx and W. C. Fields. Six comic film genres are identified as outgrowths of a national tradition of Cracker Barrel philosophers, personality comedy, parody, screwball comedy, romantic comedy and dark comedy.

Gehring says, "The goal here is to place between two covers an updated in-depth look at a still too frequently neglected subject-the core comic film genres, and their integral ties to print humor. Moreover, at some level, comedy is most often about blowing "raspberries" at the world around us. And if one is at all engaged, you are a humor activist a reminder that you are not alone."

ORDER THE BOOK HERE

A Fugitive From The Past

This September Arrow Brings One of Japan’s Most Important Cinematic Works to Home Video for the First Time   Japanese director Tomu Uchida directed 70 films over a career that spanned nearly 50 years. The crowning moment of Uchida's legendary career would come in 1965 with the release of the epic crime drama, A Fugitive from the Past. On September 27, Arrow brings this stunning masterpiece to home video outside of Japan for the first time. In 1947, a freak typhoon sends a passenger ferry running between Hokkaido and mainland Japan plunging to the ocean depths, with hundreds of lives lost. During the chaos, three men are witnessed fleeing a burning pawnshop in the Hokkaido port town of Iwanai. The police suspect theft and arson, and when Detective Yumisaka (Junzaburo Ban) discovers the burned remains of a boat and the corpses of two men, he sets about tracking the shadowy third figure. Meanwhile, the mysterious Takichi Inukai (Rentaro Mikuni) takes shelter with a prostitute, Yae (Sachiko Hidari), a brief encounter that will come to define both of their lives. A decade later, long after the trail has gone cold, Yumisaka is called back by his successor Detective Ajimura (Ken Takakura) as two new dead bodies are found.  A Fugitive from the Past was shot in gorgeous monochrome photography that delivers a grittiness that imitates newsreels of the day. This cinematography coupled with Uchida's use of postwar Japanese landscapes helps create a crime drama that touches on the massive social upheaval and unspoken legacies of the war that was still fresh on everyone's mind. An adaptation of Tsutomu Minakami's 1700-page novel, A Fugitive from the Past is one of the most popular and critically esteemed films in all of Japanese cinema. Kinema Junpo, Japan's oldest film magazine with origins dating back to 1919, has repeatedly heaped praise upon the film. In 1995, the magazine declared A Fugitive from the Past to be the 6th greatest Japanese film ever made. Three years later in 1999, the magazine bumped the film up to number three. Arrow's Blu-ray release features a restored 183-minute-long cut of the film with the original uncompressed mono audio. Special features include an introduction by writer and curator Jasper Sharp, scene-specific commentaries from leading Japanese film scholars, the original theatrical trailer, and more. First pressings of the release include a fully illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by David Baldwin and Inuhiko Yomota.

 Watch trailer »

Saturday Sinema: The Last Starfighter

Greetings Starfighter! You have been recruited by Arrow Video to experience the 1984 sci-fi classic as you've never experienced it before! Directed by Nick Castle, the man behind the Michael Myers mask in the original Halloween, The Last Starfighter tells the story Alex Rogan (Lance Guest), an arcade game whizz-kid whose wildest dreams comes true when he finds himself enlisted to fight in an interstellar war. Now newly restored from a 4K scan of the original negative and featuring a 4.1 mix originally created for the film's 70mm release - never included on previous home video formats - The Last Starfighter arrives loaded with brand new and archival bonus features. Strap yourself in: the Blu-ray adventure of a lifetime is about to begin!

Bonus Materials

• Brand new restoration from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Uncompressed 2.0 stereo, 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 4.1 audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary with Mike White of The Last Projection Booth podcast
• Archival audio commentary with director Nick Castle and production designer Ron Cobb
• Heroes of the Screen – archival featurette
• Crossing the Frontier: The Making of The Last Starfighter – archival 4-part documentary
• Image Galleries
• Theatrical and Teaser Trailers
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Ferguson
• PLUS MORE NEW EXTRAS TO BE ANNOUNCED!!!
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY
• Limited Edition O-Card
• Limited Edition Reversible Poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Amanda Reyes and sci-fi author Greg Bear’s never-before-published Omni magazine article on Digital Productions, the company responsible for the CGI in The Last Starfighter

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV323  

Film Buff Friday: Jesus Shows You The Way To The Highway

What do you get when you cross Afro-futurism, Cold War paranoia, the dystopian world of Philip K. Dick and 60s exploitation cinema, along with a hefty dose of Lynchian surrealism? The answer: Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway, the second feature by Miguel Llansó (Crumbs) and one of the most striking and original films you'll see all year. The year is 2035, and Special Agent Gagano (Daniel Tadesse, Crumbs) dreams of leaving the CIA to open a business with his wife Malin (Gerda-Annette Allikas). Before he can hand in his resignation, however, a strange cyber virus attacks Psychobook, the CIA's operating system, forcing Gagano to enter cyberspace via virtual reality to combat the threat. Before long, however, the virus starts to reach out into the real world, destabilising the fragile socio-political order for its own ends, and Gagano, trapped in the VR world, must find a way out before it's too late. Featuring encounters with an Irish-accented Joseph Stalin, a kung-fu-fighting Batman, and Jesus Christ himself, to name but a few, Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway is absurd, audacious and like nothing you've ever experienced before.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentation
• New audio commentary by critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Anton Bitel
• From Talinn with Love, a new visual essay by critic Will Webb exploring the influence of exploitation cinema on Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway
• Exclusive audio interview with director Miguel Llansó, conducted by critic Josh Hurtado
• Crumbs (2015), Miguel Llansó’s feature directorial debut and spiritual predecessor to Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway (Limited Edition Exclusive)
• Chigger Ale (2013) and Night in the Wild Garden (2015), two short films by Miguel Llansó
• Original proof-of-concept trailer
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Austin Hinderliter
• Double-sided fold-out poster
• Limited Edition illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway by Barry Forshaw and Crumbs by Anton Bitel
• Limited Edition of 2000 copies

Order Here:

https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV274

Film Buff Friday: Zombie For Sale

An infectiously funny slice of modern Korean cinema where Train to Busan, The Quiet Family and Warm Bodies collide to create a memorable rom-zom-com from first time director Lee Min-jae. When the illegal human experiments of Korea's biggest Pharmaceutical company go wrong, one of their "undead" test subjects escapes and ends up in a shabby gas station owned by the Park family - a band of misfits spanning three generations who hustle passers-by to make ends meet. When the Park family uncover their undead visitor, he bites the head of their household, who instead of transforming into an undead ghoul becomes revitalised and full of life! The family then hatch a plan to exploit this unexpected fountain of youth, allowing locals to pay to be bitten too, until things go wrong... With a cabbage-munching zombie who prefers ketchup over blood, and a dysfunctional family that gives the Kim family of Parasite a run for their money, Zombie for Sale will warm the deadest of hearts and breathe some new life into the zombie genre.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• High-Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original uncompressed Stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD MA options
• Newly-translated English subtitles
• Brand new audio commentary with filmmakers and critics Sam Ashurst and Dan Martin
• Q&A with director Lee Min-jae from a 2019 screening at Asian Pop-Up Cinema in Chicago, moderated by film critic and author Darcy Paquet
• Eat Together, Kill Together: The Family-in-Peril Comedy - brand new video essay by critic and producer Pierce Conran exploring Korea's unique social satires
• Making-Of Featurette
• Behind-the-Scenes footage
• Original Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Mike Lee-Graham
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Josh Hurtado

Order Here:

https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV279

"These Troubled Times"

It's been a while since we have heard from singer/songwriter/actor Jay Jacobson. His last album "The Ride" was released in 2014. It produced an acclaimed animated video for the single "I Lived." Jay also starred in his own successful and acclaimed one man show "Mental Creatures" that he performed at The Lounge Theater in Hollywood. 

So where in the world has Jay been? Well you are about to find out!

MS: How's "The Ride" been since 2014? You've been pretty quiet since then.

JJ: Unfortunately, not by choice. I was nearing the end of recording my next CD, “Travelogue”, when I came down with a rare auto-immune disease. I’ve been on heavy medications, and couldn’t really function. I’m now in the process of reducing my medications, and starting to somewhat function again. The goal is to keep the disease in remission and get back to functioning normally. It’s been quite “a ride”, pun intended. 

MS: Well you are back with a quite timely single "These Troubled Times" give some insight into the creation of it.

JJ: Almost all of my songs reflect what I’m experiencing as I go through my life. I can actually see my journey if I look at my CDs one by one. I came to a point, just before COVID, where I felt I needed to say something about the state of the world. I think just about everyone is scared or suffering to some degree, no matter what your political outlook. We’ve gotten so full of greed and anger, and so far from empathy and caring for one another. I felt the need to say something about it. 

MS: I cried when I first heard it, while the whole song is great, these lyrics: "A nation stands in need Capitalism has turned to greed, We killed off the dream we had, And threw away the seed" really nailed it.

Hi Jay!

JJ: Thanks! The fact that you were moved is a huge compliment. I certainly hope the song inspires people to be kind, loving and generous. It seems there are definitely more of those qualities appearing, with the quarantines all over the world. I can tell you from being sick, something like that changes one’s perspective as to what’s important in life. And while there are some people who still haven’t gotten in touch with a “bigger” picture of life, it seems like a majority of the world has. This pandemic will definitely change the world and we have a chance to make it a better place. Hopefully, that is how this will play out. 

MS: Any plans for a video?

JJ: I’m actually in the process of working on one now. I’m a bit slower at things than I normally am, so it will come out sometime after the song’s release. 

MS: Spill the tea, what was it like singing back-up for Liza Minnelli?

JJ: First of all, it was a major thrill to sing with her. I saw her in concert several times in the 1980s and she would make the hairs on my arms stand on end. She is probably one of the greatest live performers of all time. As for working with her, she was always very nice and professional. One thing that surprised me was that she would be smoking while singing during rehearsals. It didn’t seem to affect her singing though, and in the end she delivered an amazing performance, as she always did. 

MS: You did a one man musical show "Mental Creatures" that was very successful. Give some 411 on it.

JJ: “Mental Creatures” was definitely one of the highest points in my career and life. It started out as a way to combine my songs with my acting, and I started to write a show around some of my songs. At one point, I suddenly realized I had something to say, and form that point on, the show took on a life of its own. It took four years to write. It was a show about living life fully, no matter what is thrown at you. The degree we can feel happiness, pain, anger, love, and so on, is the degree to which we can be fulfilled. I played 8 characters (or nine?), with no costume changes, and only a chair on stage. I would change my voice and physicality with each character. There were three main characters: a young painter from the south with his first gallery show ever; a middle aged female window, who starts dating again for the first time in years; and an elderly man, moving into a retirement home. The show was narrated by a singer-songwriter. A huge compliment I would often get is that people expected the other characters to come out at the curtain call, forgetting that I played each character. I was shocked night after night, week after week, at the overwhelming reaction. After the show I would be told over and over by people how moved and inspired they were, and many would still be sobbing, and tried but couldn’t speak. It was a huge success, with rave reviews, and I learned a lot by doing that show. It kind of spoiled me as an actor, in that it was in something that had a lot of meaning for me, and I got to play many different characters through their breakdowns and breakthroughs. And I got to sing my songs and connect with an audience. It was magical. 

"I Lived"

MS: Ever planning on resurrecting it again?

JJ: I keep getting asked that over and over, usually by people that saw it and want to see it again. I would love to do it again, so if any of your readers knows a theater looking for a one-man-show, definitely let me know! The show was taped, so I do have a record of it. I thought about putting segments on my website, but the sound and lighting aren’t particularly good. it was a filmed play after all. 

MS: OK, I know you are a film lover. Which film do you wish you could have done a song for most?

JJ: A film that comes to mind immediately, is “Call Me By Your Name”. There was so much emotion at the end, a perfect set up for a great, emotional, beautiful song. And I did love what Sufjan Stevens came up with. 

MS: What actress would you like to work with the most and why?

JJ: Definitely Meryl Streep. She is so present and so great at listening which is key to great acting. I think I’d learn a lot from her. Also Toni Collette, Jessica Lange or Saoirse Ronan.

MS: To be, or not to be?

JJ: That is the question. “To be” definitely! Life is filled with hardships, and “troubled times”, but there is so much beauty and love in the world too. Quality of life is determined by how we relate with what it presents us. Nothing ever stays the same and all things, good and bad, eventually pass. Life is a mixed bag, but it is definitely an adventure to be experienced. 

MS: Let's do Thai Food again soon.

JJ: I’m totally down for that!!

"These Troubled Times" is out today, check it, and everything Jay at the links below -

LINKS:

WEBSITE:  jayjacobson.com

THE RIDE: http://www.jayjacobson.com/the-ride

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thejayjacobson/

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/theJay-Jacobson

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