"Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape!"
Today we take a walk down memory lane to when science fiction films were truly interesting and not what is passed off today for the genre. Let's re-visit the 1968 version of Planet Of The Apes.
What's that you say, you didn't know there was another version other than the, how shall I put this nicely, awful 2001 Tim Burton movie of the same named? Well there was and it is quite compelling and provocative.
Hey, don't simply take my word for it, check out my buddy Jay Jacobson's Classic Movie Blog. Jay really digs deep into this film and gives behind the scenes commentary as well.
Ever see American Horror Story: Freak Show? Well the deeply disturbing (and much better) inspiration for that season was Tod Browning's Freaks.
While I don't want to say too much about it, let's simply state it is plenty disturbing even by today's standards. If you are a true horror fan and have not seen it, well then I question your commitment to the genre.
Wanna find our more? Click on the link below to my resident film expert Jay Jacobson's Classic Movie Blog for all the 411 you need...if you dare!!!
Vivien Leigh & Marlon Brando A Streetcar Named Desire
In case you have not guessed A Streetcar Named Desire is one of my favorite films of all time. I watch it at least once a year, and while there is much to recommend it it does contain one of the most iconic performances ever committed to celluloid of all time: Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski.
Want to know more? Well I'm going to hand you over to my expert film buff buddy Jay Jacobson, give a click on the link below and transport yourself over to his classic movie blog. He has facts, opinions and history about this masterpiece based on the classic Tennessee Williams play.
Some Like It Hot is one of my favorite movies of all time. So much so that I in fact have the poster above in my home.
Today I am posting a link that my friend Jay Jacobson wrote about this comedy masterpiece (IMHO) which is one of the many films featured on his site Jay's Classic Movie Blog.
In addition to Some Like It Hot you will find other classics such as Rebel Without A Cause and Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, which are two of my personal faves, plus many more.
Jay not only breaks the movies down he gives you behind the scenes history of the stars and facts of what went into making the film and things that happened during the making of it.
So if you like it classic & hot, click on the link below...🌟
The byline are the lyrics I am fixated on from Jay Jacobson's latest single These Troubled Times. If you have to ask why, you really haven't been paying attention to the world around you the last few days. You may recall the interview I did with Jay when the single first dropped, if not, hit the link below: http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2020/04/these-troubled-times.html Jay just dropped a hauntingly beautiful and evocative video to accompany the song of our times. Hit it after the jump! Stay at home and stay safe 💓
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 -
"I feel this moment is something unusual,(Here with me)" - Ariel Beesley, Slower Than Usual Sometimes life does not go at the pace we want. But you know what, you have to accept it. I've lost a mere 25 lbs. I would have liked to have shed more by now, but... Use your instincts and trust that you are on the right path, for yourself. Time to get busy! Is there anything better than a? _____ the blank is yours to fill in Why are there so many songs about rainbows? WTF? I don't know! Imagine something big is gonna happen Once upon a time there was a reproductive abuser Did you hear? The new season of Dancing With The Stars is going to be athletes, no "stars" - whatever The Joan Crawford of yoga is in my ayem class at Gold's Gym Hollywood. "Yes" it's obnoxious as it sounds. Can we talk about Stassi Schroeder's BF Patrick on Vanderpump Rules? Obnoxious, not to mention disturbing To my buddy Jay Jacobson. Enjoying your Travelogue pics of your trip to Vietnam Don't Speak When you are not tired enough to sit, kneel
Shout out to the Black Panther cast, you're number one!
Do you remember the days of September? Why actually I remember them quite well...and today was one of the lovelier ones. After I clocked in the to my daily work routine and took some meetings. I then came home, ate lunch caught up on American Horror Story: Cult while devouring a delish shrimp salad I made.
Then off to West Hollywood to meet up with my talented buddy Jay Jacobson @ Marix. What was verbally exchanged? Perhaps you will find out, or not. Read on minions...
Jay Jacobson is hard at work on his upcoming CD Travelogue - a margarita told me so
Are you watching Growing Up Supermodel? If you are you now know what Ricky Schroeder would look like transgender
It's not OK to rub boogers on your sister, would you want boogers rubbed on you?!?! Nicole Kidman complained on The Emmy's that there are few good roles for women in Hollywood. That's partly because she takes them all. There is a shortage of Latino foreskin happening Deborah Gibson should duet with Yolanda Foster on a f/u to Shake Your Love called Shake Your Lyme
It's all about the bears, of which I am one, at MisterH.shop who featured me on their site. My personal favorite item from them? The unicorn bear T-Shirt. Get one at: https://www.facebook.com/Misterh.shop/ or https://www.instagram.com/misterh.shop/ Gay Roaches, the threat is real Yes, I liked Mother! If you disagree, I'm down with that! Congrats to spin class dynamo Toni Trucks on the premiere of Seal Team this coming Wednesday on CBS - beep, beep! I heard what you did for a Klondike Bar, call me... Catching a dance performance piece Daedalus' Daughter with Maresa Wickham tonight at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles. It examines bipolar disorder. Come on get happy! You should always feel like somebody's watching you, because, they are! Follow me, but not too close at: https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en https://twitter.com/MShinafelt
