Film Buff Friday: Basket Case

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

BASKET CASE - LIMITED EDITION [Blu-ray] (2/27)

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

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

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

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

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

* Presented from a brand new 4K restoration from the original 16mm negative by MoMA

* High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation

* Original Uncompressed Mono Audio

* Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

* Brand new audio commentary with writer/director Frank Henenlotter and star Kevin Van Hentenryck

* Basket Case 3-1/2: An Interview with Duane Bradley - Frank Henenlotter revisits Duane Bradley decades after the events of the original Basket Case

* Seeing Double: The Basket Case Twins - a brand new interview with Florence and Maryellen Schultz, the twin nurses from Basket Case

* Brand new making-of featurette containing new interviews with producer Edgar Ievins, casting person/actress Ilze Balodis, associate producer/effects artist Ugis Nigals and Belial performer Kika Nigals

* Blood, BASKET and Beyond - a brand new interview with actress Beverly Bonner

* Belial Goes to the Drive-In - a brand new interview with film critic Joe Bob Briggs

* Outtakes Featurette

* In Search of the Hotel Broslin - archive location featurette

* Slash of the Knife (1972) - short film by Frank Henenlotter

* Belial's Dream (2017, 5 mins) - brand new Basket Case-inspired animated short by filmmaker Robert Morgan

* Behind-the-scenes of Belial's Dream

* Trailers, TV Spots and Radio Spots

* Extensive Still Galleries

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck

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

Order on MVDshop.com or Amazon

Just Because...Gigi Hadid

Tell Me About It, Stud
Gigi  Hadid

Just Because I like the costume, Just Because it's Halloween & Just Because I can - here is Gigi Hadid dressed up as Sandy from the classic movie musical Grease for the Season of the Witch.

This photo is a stunner to me. Leave it to Ms. Hadid to treat wearing a Halloween costume as a sashay down the catwalk, meow!

Everything about this costume is perfection, including the fact that she actually bears a striking resemblance to Olivia Newton-John who played the role in the film.

For me out of all the celebrity model off springs that are out there now, Gigi is one of the ones who actually deserves to be at the top of the ladder. Some of the others, well not so much. She is the definition of a Supermodel.

Only 11 more days until Halloween, I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my freak on...Boo!

Gigi on Instagram:

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

Immortal: Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone

We're Immortal!
Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling

OK, it's not very often I get to the movies, nor is it often I anticipate one either. Well hold onto your nether regions I can't wait to see the Hollywood themed musical La La Land. For sure I will be paying for an overpriced ticket and reserved seating at a gargantuan multiplex to view this.

To publicize the release of the film, it's stars, Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone, two of my favorites, became immortal this past Wednesday by putting their hand prints in cement at the world famous TLC Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Wow, how cool is that?!

Congrats on the honor you two and on all the accolades La La Land has been receiving.

T.G.I.F - see you at the movies!!! Hit the trailer after the jump!

La La Land at:

www.lalaland.movie/  

Everybody Run, Julianne Moore Has A Gun!!!

Hands Up Or You Get Puffed!
Julianne Moore

WTF?! One of my favorite actresses armed herself recently on the British chat show TFI.

Yes, Julianne Moore was toting large with a gun, don't be too freaked out it shoots cheese puffs of all things. Will the wonders of technology ever cease?! 

Moore is one of my favorite actresses having appeared in one of my favorite indie films of all time, Todd Haynes Safe.

I actually encountered her at a Rexall Drug Store in Los Angeles, CA  once upon a time and chatted with her briefly about my love of her and that particular movie, but I'll save that for my book. 

With a resume' full of eclectic roles I guess now Julianne can add gunslinger to that list.

Have a "cheesy" Saturday! 

Julianne on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000194/?ref_=nv_sr_5

Reese Witherspoon & Jimmy Fallon Get Random

We're Insane: Reese Witherspoon & Jimmy Fallon

Reese Witherspoon dropped by to have some Yuletide fun with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show yesterday evening.

Thew self confessed Christmas hound and star of the upcoming film Wild sang random phrase Christmas Carols with Jimmy.

It's like The Name Game, but with off the wall phrases added to favorite Holiday songs, you get the gist? 

Fallon kicked it off with a rendition of a song about a "small old man" to the tune of "Jingle Bells."

Witherspoon did an equally silly song to the tune of "Silent Night" and for the finale both did a loopy duet inspired by "Deck The Halls."

Safe bet none of this will ever be available on ITunes - but a jolly good time was had by all! Check out the merriment after the jump! Ho ho ho!

                                        Time For Some Bent Christmas Carols

Reese on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000702/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1
& Jimmy too! http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0266422/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

Ponyboy Shares The Cure's "Secrets"

"Nobody knows we love
I catch your eyes in the dark"

"Secrets, Shared with another boy, Talking all night in a room, All night, 

Everything slowing down, I wish I was yours" - The Cure 

And so goes the song "Secrets" made famous by 80's super group The Cure.

My favorite kind of pony ever Ponyboy has taken this song to it's literal extremes in their cover of it and the companion video off of their CD "Hookups." 

You've gotta love these art fags as nobody addresses being gay in society better than them. Lady Gaga should bow at their feet.

Oh, in case you did not know, the band consists of two very talented guys Charles McVey & David Zey,

The video directed by Charles packs a punch! Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

 To quote my "boys" : We found your ad on Craigslist, so we made a little film about it!

Ponyboy + The Cure = Amazing 

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvJIY-Nvgzo

Daddy I want a Ponyboy, get one here: https://www.facebook.com/GodHatesPonyboy

Punk Princess Ariel Beesley "Hits The Ukulele"

Punk Princess Ariel Beesley
Photo: Jaesung Lee

"Just learned 'Violet' by Hole on the ukulele....seriously loving life right now" - Ariel Beesley 

Resident "Entertain Me" Punk Princess, Ariel Beesley continues to astound with her astute ear for music and poetic ability to write lyrics. 

Seriously who could learn the abovementioned song on the ukulele by ear but her?!

Ariel a Wilhemina Model by day, gets her punk on whenever the mood takes her, which is quite often.

Check out Ariel and her current video for her song "Boys Like You" Directed By, Aris Jerome. This girl is the real punk deal...!!!

"Boys Like You" Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_S_EdO_hS8

Ariel on Band Camp: http://arielbeesley.bandcamp.com/ 

And Instagram: http://instagram.com/arielbees

Michael Shinafelt Gets It In "The Summer Of Massacre"

Me & Scott Barrows: The Summer of Massacre Premiere

It’s time to turn the tables on the blogger, my nieces Shauna & Kelly Waters are interviewing me, yes me, about my horror movie debut “The Summer of Massacre”.

Yep, I am in the horror movie that is registered with The Guinness Book of World Records as having the highest body count of any slasher movie ever and it is out on DVD, now. Oh Yeah, and I am one of those bodies…

Alright nieces, bring it on…!

S&K: I know you've been a huge fan of horror movies for a long time, was being in one everything you expected?

MS: And more! I loved every minute of it!

S&K: What was it like being "murdered" on screen?

MS: Awesome!

S&K: Now that you've been in a movie, does it spoil the magic of movies now that you know what goes on behind the scenes?

MS: Not at all, what appears in the finished film is so different than what it’s like shooting it, it is truly fun to see the end result of the movie magic you have helped create.

S&K: Would you be open to more acting if the opportunity presented itself?

MS: Hell Yes!

S&K: What was the most difficult part of your scene?

MS: Needing to go to the bathroom in the middle of the shot and holding it (kidding) Honestly there was nothing difficult about the shoot, it was completely fun!

S&K: What was the atmosphere like being on the set of the horror film? Was it scary on set, or was it hard to act scared?

Me & Director, Joe Castro: The Summer Of Massacre Premiere


MS: No, the set was not scary. But it was not hard to act scared either, Joe Castro (The Director) was fun to work with…making it easy to slip into being freaked out!

S&K: What did your acting experience consist of before being a part of “The Summer of Massacre“?

MS: Community, College & a couple of Los Angeles theatre credits. Also a bit part as a Leather Daddy Vampire on “The Lair”.

S&K: I know you have some actors as friends, did you ask them for any advice while preparing for the movie?

MS: No.

S&K: What was your favorite part about being on set?

MS: Being in front of the camera, of course!

S&K: For your role in the movie, did you go strictly by the script or was there a chance for you to do some improv?

MS: I was told to wing the dialogue (which is not in the final cut) as the killer was coming at me. The Director said: say and act like you would if someone was coming at you with the intent to kill. Well I would be pi$$ed off and cuss them out, so that is what I did, as you know firsthand Shauna I have trucker mouth. (laughs) Even though the dialogue is not in the final cut of the film it helped in the performance that you see.


S&K: Did you build any relationships while on set?

MS: Well, I knew the Director, Joe Castro before I was cast in the movie. I also keep in contact with one of the actresses Kimmarie Johnson, even though we have no scenes together we were on set at the same time.


Me & Kimmarie Johnson: The Summer Of Massacre Premiere


S&K: Were there a lot of special effects used for your particular scene? If so what were they?

MS: We did practical effects on set, meaning I really had fake blood and gore all over me, however in the finished product all of the effects were added digitally, the look of the film is really great fun! The actual on set stuff that was done added to what you see on screen.

S&K: I know you are a huge fan of the movie, but what was your favorite part of it?

MS: If I divulged that I would have to kill you….

Get your “Massacre” on at:
http://www.thesummerofmassacre.com/
Check me out at:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4466735/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/michael.shinafelt

Reel Life: My Week With Marilyn

“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe

This quote by the most famous woman in the world sums up the film “My Week With Marilyn” ….

Who knew the everlasting, amazing star would end up with a movie about herself that she herself defined in a quote (but after seeing this movie you will not be surprised that she actually did).

OK, yes, I am a longtime Marilyn fan, so much so that when I worked in bookkeeping at a talent agency near the Westwood Memorial Cemetery, where Marilyn was laid to rest, on days when I used to bring my lunch and wanted tranquility and peace I would go there and sit on the bench in front of her marker and eat whatever food I had brought for the day.

“My Week With Marilyn” is not a bio pic per se’ - but a love letter to the woman as an artist & human being, that covers the time when she was filming “The Prince and the Showgirl” with Sir Laurence Olivier, who also directed.

Marilyn was selfish, impatient and, and as she said a “little insecure” I would say a lot. But she was also charming, sweet, sexy, loving and a true artist.

Ultimately this is what you get from “My Week With Marilyn” - a portrait of an extremely complex woman who delivered for the studios a magic no one else could, therefore the difficulties were worth it for them to put up with.

Michelle Williams is one of my favorite actresses working, I love, love, love her! She captures the magic of Marilyn - my favorite stuff in the film is when she portrays the icon flubbing scenes during production of "The Prince and the Showgirl" she is truly awful (on purpose of course), but when she nails the scenes, she captures the magic that was Marilyn.

Love this movie, if you are fan a must see, and to everyone else who is on the fence, this is a enchanting piece of entertainment, and you will be completely captivated by Williams.

Hey, Michelle - FYI you are now officially my favorite for the 2011 Best Actress Oscar.
　
http://myweekwithmarilynmovie.com/

Reel Life: The Skin I Live In

OK, Alrighty, I cop to being a huge fan of Pedro Almodovar's films. That being stated this is and isn't your usual movie by this great filmmaker.

I really do not want to say too much about it, it is best experienced knowing only a crumb of knowledge here and there.

The IMDB synopsis that I quoted to my buddy who took me to a Screen Actors Guild showing of it turned out to be just the right amount of vague and intrigue: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189073/

It's so perfect it let's you know just enough to reel you in, yet gives hardly anything away, that post screening my buddy said: "When you told me what the movie was about, that didn't even begin to describe it."

He is correct in that statement. I L-O-V-E-D this film, check it out, and thanks to my buddy for taking me !