Monday Motivation

Here's some Monday Motivation wisdom via Oscar Winner Jamie Lee Curtis' mouth. This is something I'm not sure you really grasp until a certain age. It's not something I think you could wrap your head around without a certain amount of years lived.

But if you do understand this completely and are under fifty, congratulations!!!

Personally it is my capacity to change that has given me tremendous happiness as well. It does make one more content to just be and flow with the world around themselves. I can be happy watching TV, Eating at my favorite local restaurant or experiencing what is happening around me in the moment.

Remember change and flow are essential and nothing to be afraid of. Adapt to your personal journey in life, relax and go with where it takes you. The rewards will be great!

Monday Motivation indeed!!!

Jamie Lee on Instagram -

https://www.instagram.com/jamieleecurtis/

43 Years Ago Today...

On July 18, 1980 one of the most 80's of all slasher flicks was released Prom Night this was one of the many post Halloween horror flicks starring the Scream Queen du jour Jamie Lee Curtis. "Yes" that Jamie Lee Curtis who won an Oscar last year for Everything, Everywhere All At Once. Once upon a time she was the reigning Queen of Terror.

I watched this again not too long ago because I wondered what I would think of it as an adult type of person that I am now (I was a teenager when it came out) sure it's dated, quite cheesy in places, but it's a fun time capsule as it is so of it's era, as I stated above: "the most 80's of all slasher flicks."

Catch the trailer below and you will understand why I say that. It's really a major reason it's still fun to watch.

Jump to the trailer below and let the 80's slasher flick vibe transport you!!!

PS I dig that mega cheese theme song, it's so lame it's good.

Prom Night on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prom_Night_(1980_film)   

Jamie Lee Curtis For The Win

Yes!!!
Jamie Lee Curtis

I predicted Jamie Lee Curtis would win Best Supporting Actress for Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Oscars and I was correct indeed! (it's clear by Angela Bassett's reaction she thought otherwise.)

"Yes" I am a big fan of Jamie's and not too coincidentally a HUGE fan of the Halloween movies starring her. She's been long overdue for this kind of recognition and by damn she finally got it.

Of course she gave a heartfelt and amazing speech, that's always the icing on the cake of these shows, the speeches (for the most part.)

While I am a fan of her work outside of the Halloween series as well, one of the best parts of her speech was when she thanked the fans of the franchise. Rightfully so, it's because of the success of the 2018 Halloween reboot that she had a career resurgence that opened doors for new opportunities including the role that lead to her winning an Oscar.

Not only did I predict she'd win, I was rooting for her!!!

Jamie Lee on IG -

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

Oscar Sunday

Today is Oscar Sunday, or as I like to refer to it living in the thick of it all: The Traffic Nightmare!!!

Below is a list of nominees for you to play along with. Two things I'm looking forward to, Jimmy Kimmel hosting, and my fingers are crossed that Jamie Lee Curtis nabs Best Supporting Actress.

The Gold Derby is on...

Have Fun Minions!!!

Here is the list via CNN -

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/11/entertainment/oscar-nominations-list-2023/index.html 

Jamie Lee Curtis

Well Done!
Jamie Lee Curtis

Finally Jamie Lee Curtis took home her first SAG Award win for supporting actress in  Everything Everywhere All At Once, bravo!!!

Honestly I can think of a few other roles she wasn't even nominated for that should have grabbed her many awards including The Academy one, A Fish Called Wanda in particular comes to mind.

Perhaps the best news about this win is that it is a precursor to the Academy Awards and her first Oscar nomination ever for the same role.

This bodes well that on March 12, 2023 that Jamie Lee will be a first time Oscar winner. I'll raise a glass to that, she deserves it!

Jamie Lee on IG -

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

Hump Day & Chill

No Longer Mythical
Jamie Lee Curtis

Well here's something to Hump Day & Chill to, Jamie Lee Curtis as a Unicorn. Actually she may have thought her ever getting an Oscar Nomination was the equivalent of he mythical creature. But after all these years (and a few nomination worthy performances prior) Jamie Lee finally got herself an Oscar Nom in the Supporting Actress Category for Everything Everywhere All At Once!!!

Thus we are going to celebrate by having a Hump Day & Chill to this most excellent news.

Fingers crossed that she could possibly take home the gold dude, but the odds seem to favor Angela Bassett. 

It's an honor just to be nominated, right??? Yeah, right...

Team Jamie Lee!!!

JLC on IG -

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

17 More Days...Halloween Ends

Laurie Strode
Jamie Lee Curtis

Today is the official opening of Halloween Ends. I however saw it last night at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood upon my return home from Palm Springs. 

OK, here's the unpopular opinion I liked Halloween Ends. It was a slow burn character driven film that had the feel and look of the original 1978 version. 

I don't wanna give too much away, but the showdown between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode is what it should be and the ending works. 

David Gordon Green has crafted something unique here. I'm not sure what people were really expecting, but...it's a cut above, and beyond, quite frankly of all the Halloween cash in sequels that happened before Mr. Green's trilogy.

Halloween is coming, today and in 17 more, are you ready Minions...Boo! 

Halloween Ends on IG -

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

Hump Day & Chill

Jamie Lee Curtis & Andi Matichak 

Never did I ever think I would Hump Day & Chill to Halloween Ends starring Jamie Lee Curtis 45 years after I saw the original 1978 version.

Yes Minions I'm that many years old, yet here we are. Thus when I saw this photo straight outta Jamie Lee Curtis' Instagram account it felt, well, more than right. It felt dead on so to speak.

We all know Laurie Strode is the ultimate Final Girl and she is, to my knowledge, the first Final Grandmother.

Honestly I can't wait to Halloween Ends! It's shaping up, for me at least, to be the movie event of 2022.

So let us Hump Day & Chill to the final Halloween movie with everyone's Final Grandmother, Jamie Lee Curtis.

Beware of the Boogeyman...

Jamie Lee on IG -

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

Hump Day & Chill

The End
Michael Myers & Jamie Lee Curtis

It's a beautiful Hump Day & Chill in the neighborhood...why you might ask? Because the teaser trailer for Halloween Ends has dropped Minions and it's a doozy!!!

I've heard many conflicting things about the actual movie itself, but from what I've seen via this teaser trailer (say that three times fast) straight outta Blumhouse is any indication of what's to come October 14th, well then...F#ck me gently with Michael Myers knife, I'm there!!!

Honestly nothing could keep me away from this, you heard me correctly, nothing.

While were on the subject of sequels and follow-ups in the Halloween universe I have a confession to make. The only Halloween movie I've seen without Jamie Lee Curtis is Halloween III: Season of the Witch.

You heard me, I saw the original, the sequel, then III and did not see any other of the films until H20. 

PS I refuse to see Rob Zombie's take on it, so there!

Time to Hump Day & Chill to the tease bellow...86 days till Halloween Ends, Silver Shamrock.

Halloween Ends on Wikipedia -

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

Seeing Red

Twinning!
Jamie Lee Curtis & Timothee Chalamet

"The color red can be associated with the happiest feelings as well as with the worst. Being the color that elicits the strongest reactions, it is no surprise that its symbolism can lie on both ends of the spectrum." 

Heading into the week red, is the default color by the explanation given above. What else is a more suitable hue I ask you? I'm not gonna wait on an answer cause I know that will be a slow boat coming.

Thus I gave you red times two. "Yes" Jamie Lee Curtis and Timothee Chalamet know the power of a monochromatic suit, especially when it is done with red.

Since red embodies the full spectrum of feelings and reactions I ask that you join me this week in expressing yourself in the strongest, most in your face way possible and don some.

Fortune favors the bold after all. 

Red on Wikipedia -

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

In One Week...

Halloween
1978/2018

With it being merely one week until Halloween (damn this month went fast!) I thought it fitting to pay mask service (see what I did there?) to my favorite movie of all time the original 1978 Halloween. 

I remember seeing it in a theater and the audience screaming, gasping and yelling "get out of the house" or "run" at Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. It was thrilling, and you know what? Halloween still holds up to this day. I watch it religiously every year.

What's that you say? Are you asking me to address the sequels and the current reboot? OK, here you go...

TBH I've only ever seen the sequels with Jamie Lee Curtis in them, and Halloween III, the Michael Myers less entry. Oh, and I turned Resurrection off after Laurie strode, was, well offed in the beginning (it's the only one I've seen on TV) I saw the others in a theater first including H20.

So let's get to the main question, how am I liking he current reboot? I enjoyed 2018 and the mask service it paid to the original and while the current sequel Halloween Kills is divisive among the fans, I took it for what it was, a homage to the original Halloween II sequel with Jamie Lee Curtis. Which has Laurie Strode sidelined in the hospital and was a straight up slasher film.

PS I don't think H20 holds up, contrary to popular opinion amongst the Minions. I saw it again this month so I do have a basis for this opinion. 

But nothing will top the original 1978 film, ever! So if you'll excuse me tradition beckons. "Yes" I'm gonna get me some Halloween...Boo!

Halloween 1978 o Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_(1978_film)

"Evil Dies Tonight"

"Halloween Kills"

 "He breathes, he kills" - Laurie Strode, Halloween Kills

This is my favorite teaser for Halloween Kills, and it is an accurate description of the film. "Yes" Minions there is a lot of killing in this installment of the Halloween franchise, I mean a lot! TBH I did laugh a handful of times at a couple of the kills, you know how sometimes when you watch a horror film the way someone is offed can actually be so over the top that...yep!

While I am not going to review it I promised yesterday that I would tell you what I thought so here goes. I enjoyed it, I didn't love it, but it was still fun and I got what I came for a good old fashioned slasher flick.

Also it paid homage to the original Halloween II with Jamie Lee Curtis, much like 2018's Halloween paid homage to the original.

Halloween II as you may recall had Jamie Lee's Laurie Strode sidelined in the hospital on the same night as her battle with Michael Myers. Likewise in Halloween Kills. Also Halloween II was basically a slasher flick with a body count, Halloween Kills follows suit.

Last but not least there was an angry mob outside of the Myers house in Halloween II, that idea takes center stage in Halloween Kills.

So there is my take on Halloween Kills Minions. Only 14 more days until, well you know!!!

Halloween Kills on the WWW -

https://www.halloweenmovie.com/

20 More Days...!!!

I would be a bad Halloween fan if I did not seize the opportunity to post H20 with, well 20 days until Halloween, duh!

Thus that's it, that's today's post. 

What's that you ask? Did I like H20? It's not bad Minions, I actually watched it again for the first time since seeing it in a movie theater this past week and well, it holds up. It is actually better than I remembered it being TBH.

Personally, and I know there are those who would not agree with this, I like the 2018 sequel better. But H20 isn't bad, the 2018 model was more intense is why I like it best.

There you have it, I drew blood on which one I like more.

And aren't you happy?!

H20 on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_H20:_20_Years_Later  

It's Halloween!

1978 & 2018
Halloween

Well Halloween is going to be a little bit different this year, OK way different this year. Except for me perhaps. Yeah, I've gone to the West Hollywood Street Carnival a few times. But mostly I stay in and watch horror movies.

Thus, that is exactly what I am doing tonight. I'm going to watch the original Halloween which is my favorite scare flick of all time and then watch the awesome 2018 follow up.

Hey, I know how to party, oh "yes" I do!!!

So what's on your Halloween agenda?

Pumpkin Smash!

Halloween on Wikipedia -

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

Hump Day & Chill

Season of the Witch
Jamie Lee Curtis

With only 10 more days left we have entered the final countdown until Halloween. Thus I thought we would Hump Day & Chill with the Queen of Halloween Jamie Lee Curtis, dressed as one of my favorite seasonal archetypes (other than a Vampire) a Witch!

So here's a Halloween story for you to Hump Day & Chill with. As a Kid I went out Trick or Treating as a Witch, and had mad crushes on Witches in general, pretty ones and green ones with warts.

Well my Dad took me to a Haunted House one year and there were people dressed as various spooky things entertaining people while they waited in line to enter. One woman was dressed as a, you've got it, Witch! 

She was of the green with warts variety. She came up to us I told her I thought she was pretty and asked her if I could give her a kiss. She said "Yes" and thanked me after.

There you have it, now Hump Day & Chill on that for your remaining 10 day countdown!

Mic Drop!!!

Witches on the WWW -

https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-witches-video 

Michael's Musings

Someone's Knocking At The Door
Michael Shinafelt

Happy Halloween Minions! Today's secret word is "Redrum" - I'm sure you never would have thunk that based on the image I used for the High Holy Day...NOT!

So what are you doing for Halloween? Are you a treat or a trick? Actually the way I phrased it the two are pretty much simpatico. I'd say it's time to get down and dirty, but I believe I've covered that...

Is there anything you wouldn't do for a Klondike Bar? If so, name it after me

The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out. Get a MotherF#cking shot for that!

Ever think to yourself, what does Jason Vorhees do for Mother's Day?

Leslie Grossman is so bad ass on AHS: 1984 - end of discussion

Dr. Sleep looks like it will keep me awake

"Since I am dead I can take off my head to recite Shakespearean quotations.” - Jack Skellington, Nightmare Before Christmas 

MAGA - Halloween 365 days a year!

"This isn't a dream! This is really happening!" - Mia Farrow, Rosemary's Baby. Sad but true, that film obviously saw the coming of the son of Satan, Donald Trump.

Woman Crush of the Week - It's Halloween, how can I not choose the amazing Jamie Lee Curtis?!

Sometimes ya just gotta carve a pumpkin

Witches if your horny

Death Becomes Her, why not?

There once was a Headless Horseman...tragic (if you get my drift)

Blame it on my Beetlejuice

Trick or Treat with me at -

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Get Your Freak On With Author M.E. Franco

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
M.E. Franco

Here it is, whether you like it, or not. It's my blog and I like it, so there! It's my annual Halloween chat with author and fellow horror fan M.E. Franco. Who penned the popular supernatural Dion trilogy. Grab a butcher knife, it's going to be a bloody ride!!!

MS: Hello Ms. Franco we convene again. What would you give me as a gift of worship on my altar?


ME: Vampire Gerard Butler. You're welcome

Suck Me!
Gerard Butler

MS: Who carries the corpses in your house?


ME: What corpses? looks around nervously

MS: Name the most decadent trick you have ever played on an unwitting individual for Halloween?

ME: I hate when teenagers go around trick or treating with no costume at all. I don't mind older kids going out, but at least make an attempt to dress up as something besides "irritating teenager trying to get free candy." So, now I buy a bag of Dum Dum suckers that I hand out to them. I still give the good candy to anyone in a costume.

MS: You wrote a quite popular supernatural trilogy, the Dion series. Any chance we are going to get another one?

ME: Thank you! I have done a little work on a fourth book, but I don't know what the future holds for that one.

MS: Why are there so many songs about rainbows, but none about the transgender witch community?


ME: It would have to be an amazing song. No one wants to piss off a witch.

MS: Are you donning a costume this year? If so spill, what is it?

ME: I'm going to be Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. I love that movie!

Heeeere's Sally!!!

MS: Is there a favorite Halloween jingle you like?

ME: This is Halloween from Nightmare Before Christmas.

MS: Did you see The Banana Splits movie that aired on the SyFy Network? They made it into a horror affair.


ME: I had heard about it, but I haven't seen it yet. Just checked out the trailer. I love the Banana Splits, so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the show being made into a horror movie, but it looks like it might be actually be fun.

MS: If you saw Michael Myers and Jamie Lee Curtis hitchhiking on the same deserted road, who would you pick up?

ME: Jamie Lee. Love how her character has developed in the movies! I share her paranoia. Well, paranoia is an irrational fear, so maybe she's just prepared. Yeah...that's it...prepared.

MS: OK, how excited are you for next Halloween when "Halloween Kills" hits theaters?

ME: I can't wait!! I thought they were going to end it with the last one, so I was stoked to find out it's going to be a trilogy!

MS: Say you are a horror movie villain, what is your weapon of choice?


ME: Classic butcher knife. Very scary!

MS: What do you wish for people this Season of the Witch?


ME: May all your nightmares come true cue evil laugh

Laugh evil or go home with M.E. @ -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Author/M-E-Franco-238711609482912/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5144071.M_E_Franco
http://mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/MEFranco1

The Return of Lindsey Wallace

Lindsey Wallace All Grown Up
Kyle Richards

With the announcement that Anthony Michael Hall will be portraying Tommy Doyle in the upcoming Halloween sequel, Halloween Kills I didn't think there was anything more that they could do to make me eager for October 2020. I was wrong...

Kyle Richards most known for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will be reprising her role of Lindsey Wallace from the 1978 original. For those feeling a tad lost Lindsey and Tommy were the two children that Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode was babysitting on Halloween night (Yes, I know Annie was actually Lindsey's sitter, but honestly she really didn't do a good job of it now, did she?!) 

David Gordon Green really knows how to pay fan service and make a good movie as witnessed in Halloween 2018. He knew bringing Richards back to play the adult version of the character she portrayed as a kid would send us Halloween Geeks into a nerd frenzy. Mission accomplished Sir!

This Fan Boy is counting down the days until October 16, 2020...!!!

Halloween Kills on IMDb -
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10665338/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1  

Halloween Kills

Revenge of the Nerd
Anthony Michael Hall

You knew it was inevitable after Halloween 2018 made $159,342,015 million at the domestic BO on a $10 million budget, coming at ya October 16, 2020 the f/u Halloween Kills...Yikes!

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a HUGE fan of the original Halloween and of the 2018 reboot. So what could make the news of this sequel even better? Well I was also a fan of John Hughes films as well and guess what? Perennial Hughes nerd Anthony Michael Hall is joining the cast as, wait for it...Tommy Doyle. 

For the uninitiated Tommy Doyle is the boy that Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode (who, duh, is of course returning) was babysitting in the 1978 original. 

The scene in Halloween 1978 where she tells Tommy Doyle to run across the street to the neighbor’s house is one of my favorites - it has an authentic urgency to it that still resonates with me to this day.

OK, my excitement meter for this follow up just rose to an insane level of anticipation!

Halloween Kills on IMDb -
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10665338/  

Michael's Musings

Does This Ankh Make My Butt Look Huge?
Michael Shinafelt

With all the craziness in the world why don't we take some time today to simply breathe. Ready set, exhale, release, exhale, release. OK, back to our regularly scheduled scuttlebutt - you know you want it -

Congrats to Lori Lightfoot the first Female Lesbian African-American Mayor ever in Chicago. Say that three times fast!

Is it just me or does anyone else think of the Cow on Pee Wee's Playhouse whenever anyone refers to Luann de Lesseps as "The Countess" 

The Bearded Lady has spoken

When buying real estate I often take into consideration that the Devil might be coming over 

Crazy Boxing Guy is real

Umami's Truffle Burger is da bomb, and so are their Cheesy Tots!!!

Listen to the wind blow

Go caulk a sky roof

For some reason I watched the 1980 Prom Night with Jamie Lee Curtis on YouTube  - Yeah, there's that...

Putting on The Montalban
Myself & Lynn Tejada 

A shout out to Lynn Tejada  thanks for the invite to the groovy kick off party for The Montalban's Summer movie series up on the roof - what a blast!

If at first you don't succeed - figure it out

#GloryCurtain - discuss

When in a quandary I think to myself, what would Jason Statham do? Then engage accordingly...

And then there were Nun

Don't do what your Skittles say, do what I say and follow me at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt