Emma Stone!

Kudos!
Emma Stone

OK, who says the Oscars are predictable (for the most part they are) didn't have John Cena presenting Best Costume Design naked on their Bingo Card.

They also more than likely didn't have the truly deserving Emma Stone walking off with Best Actress for Poor Things on it either, so there!

Let's face facts, we all thought Oscar was going to make history and give the gold to Lily Gladstone as the first Native American Woman to be nominated for one in Killlers of the Flower Moon.

TBH (I may catch some flack for not being PC here) she did not deserve it. While her work was nomination worthy it was nowhere near the level of what Ms. Stone did with her one of a kind creation of Bella Baxter.

Surprising as it may be who deserved to win in this category actually did win much to the shock and awe of the Oscar and viewing audience.

Anyway it's Monday and aren't you happy?!

Emma on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1297015/ 

Hump Day & Chill

9 1/2 Weeks
Kim Basinger

For a few reasons Kima Basinger has been on my mind of late. Remember her? She was a HUGE star in the eighties and nineties. She had beauty and talent. Trust moi she was more than just a pretty face and has an Oscar for her portrayal of Lynn Bracken in LA Confidential to prove it.

Thus we are gonna Hump Day & Chill to Ms. Basinger, because it's my blog and I'll do what I want to, so there!

I follow Kim on Instagram and she recently liked a comment of mine regarding her work with Jeff Bridges in a terrific little film called The Door In The Floor (bear witness to it, I posted it here.)

Guessing you could say I am a fan. It got me thinking about seeing 9 1/2 Weeks which at the time was notorious because it dared to portray a masochistic love story. She was riveting as Elizabeth opposite Mickey Rourke's John.

Kim took risks. She was never demure in her choices. She is the poster person for "Go Big Or Go Home" - I miss her presence in films.

Fun Fact: She's the only reason I attempted to watch Fifty Shades Darker. If she had been the main attraction I could have actually endured it.

So let's give a Hump Day & Chill toast to Kim, shall we? You'd better believe it! 

Kim on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/kim.basinger/?hl=en

And The Oscar Goes To...

WTF?!
Nicole Kidman

And the Oscar goes to...Nicole Kidman for the best reaction to Will Smith assaulting Chris Rock during the Academy Award telecast.

Happy Monday, enjoy your week! 

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

Michael's Musings

TBT: Nerdy Boys Need Love Too!
Michael Shinafelt

So let's get something straight on this week's episode of As The Quarantine Turns. Things are never going back to "normal" thus it's time to get to work on your new "normal" - that's correct Minions now is the time to focus, not tune out. On that note, It's time!

All zoom and no play makes Jack a dull boy...

When all else fails ask yourself: What would Olivia Benson do? 

It's all in the flow of the hips

Superheroes wear masks, and so do you

Dorinda Medley on RHONY: I almost became an alcoholic! Me watching: Almost?!

I know what you did last summer...f#cking nothing!!!

Finally saw Joker, I was sure I wasn't going to like it. I was wrong, it wasn't at all what I thought it would be. "Yes" that's a good thing 😉 Joaquin Phoenix deserved that Oscar!

In an ideal scenario the President of the United States and the worst human being in the world would be two different people.

Woman Crush of the Week - Lisa Rinna, because her Pandemic Tik Tok videos are off the hook!

This week's go to catch phrase: Morbidly Obese

I can't wait to be able to start licking things again!

Are you fancy now?
Spill, what's your current mood? Mine is pizza!!!

Tell me your secrets, don't be scared

Here's where you can tell me them:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

The Academy Awards

Box Office Gold
Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio

It's the Superbowl of the Entertainment Industry today, The Academy Awards. More like the "You already know who's going to win, so sit back and enjoy the ride" awards.

Today I am going to bequeath you with a well written piece on Oscar front runner Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio being compared and contrasted to that other Movie Star duo known as Robert Redford & Paul Newman. 

It comes at ya via Tye Briggs from his Favorite Hunks & Other Things blog, naturally. 

As per usual Tye does a whip smart writing job, and thus saves me the bother. LOL seriously though the piece is well researched and crisply written, thus I bring it to you to celebrate Hollywood's "Golden Day."

Oh, and "Yes" it does include images of Pitt & DiCaprio in the buff, Full Monty. Making all of us winners this Oscar Sunday.

Hit the link below...Woot!

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2020/02/box-office-gold_8.html 

Just Because...Brad Pitt

Once Upon A Time...
Brad Pitt

Just Because he's at the premiere in Mexico City. Just Because I loved Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood & Just Because It's Brad, bitch. Here he is the man of the moment Brad Pitt!

While Brad has never had that Schwing factor for me, there is no denying he is one good looking man. Not to mention one good actor as well...

In fact if I were a betting man, which I am not (seriously I'm not) I would venture to place my money on Mr. Pitt finally nabbing an Oscar for his role of stuntman and possible felon Cliff Booth in Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood. 

Brad is perfection in the film. It's showcases his acting chops and is a good old fashioned Movie Star type turn to boot.

If you have yet to catch Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood, what are you waiting for?! Seriously, what???

Brad on IMDb:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000093/  

Halloween 2018

Halloween 2018

So this weekend, like many, I saw the current incarnation of Halloween starring the fantastic Jamie Lee Curtis. What a clever idea it was to abolish all the other sequels and make a direct one to the original 40 years later.

While I don't review movies I would like to give you my thoughts on this one. To put it enthusiastically this is the sequel that the original 1978 Halloween deserved/deserves!

Every little thing about it is just right from the atmosphere to the tone. Jamie Lee Curtis is dead on as traumatized woman suffering from PTSD. Too bad they don't nominate performances from these types of films for an Oscar, since Jamie Lee deserves one for it!

Behind You! Behind You!
Jamie Lee Curtis & The Boogeyman aka Michael Myers

This movie is also quite meta, there are many references to the 1978 classic as well as a wink and a nod to Halloween III: Season of the Witch - "yes" some kids wear the Silver Shamrock masks while out and about tricking peeps for treats.

Michael Myers is still as terrifying as ever and I just loved this movie! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

There is only one quibble I have with it. The "New Loomis" what was up with that cornball fake accent? Seriously?! 

I give Halloween a five knifes up, out of five! 

Halloween 2018 on IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1502407/

Hump Day & Chill

He Is The Champion
Freddie Mercury

"Farrokh Bulsara, known professionally as Freddie Mercury, was a British singer, songwriter and record producer, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. He was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range." 

Happy Birthday to Rock Pioneer Freddie Mercury who would have been 72 today. Honestly I don't get the impression Freddie would have wanted to have lived that long. He was born to be a legend and I think he knew it.

Freddie is, and always will be a Rock-N-Roll as well as a Gay icon. Nobody, and I mean no one other male singer (with the exception of Adam Lambert) has come close to matching his vocal prowess.

Mr. Mercury is also the subject of an Oscar bait film opening November 2 bearing the title of one of Queen's classic songs Bohemian Rhapsody. 

Starring a perfectly cast Rami Malek of Mr. Robot fame as the rocker. 

Here's an overview of what the bio pic will cover:

All Hail The Queen
Freddie Mercury

"Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day."

 It's time to Hump Day & Chill with Freddie, he will, he will rock you!

Freddie on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury 

Just Because...Margot Robbie

Ballroom Blitz?
Margot Robbie

Just Because I actually slept in today, Just Because she looks amazing in a little black dress & Just Because I loved her in I, Tonya - it's a Margot Robbie kind of day!

That's correct minions you gotta love that Margot. Why? Just Because I decreed it.

While I never saw her in Suicide Squad, I'd rather attempt the first part of that movie title than watch it. I fell head over heels for Ms. Robbie when I saw her in the film I, Tonya. So much so that I felt she deserved to win the Oscar for it.

Sorry, not sorry Frances McDormand,  I love you too, but let's face it chica, you had won before and were an easy get for the waxworks who vote on the Academy.

How do I adore Margot let me count the ways...

I follow her on Instagram, I pay attention to her upcoming projects and I post amazing photos of her right her, right now when I have a chance.

Now it's time to say goodbye, etcetra and vice versa.

Have a Margot Robbie Day!

Margot on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/margotrobbie/?hl=en  

Strike A Pose

Fly High
Sylvester Stallone

"Gonna fly now, Flying high now, Gonna fly, fly, fly" - The Theme From "Rocky"

Surfing the WWW one can without any doubt turn up some amazing and unexpected things. Such as this image of Sylvester Stallone posing with the statue of himself as his character Rocky Balboa from the iconic Best Picture Oscar Winner Rocky in Philadelphia.

"Yes" the film came out in 1976 minions. This being stated it still packs a punch (pun intended) - it's an underdog tale that inspires one to be their personal best.

Let this image be your inspiration. I know it's motivating me as I am waking up and headed to the gym for some boxing, arm work & spin. I am a brute and take no prisoners. 

Seize the day people! It's the only April 8, 2018 you are you are ever going to have so make it yours!

Rocky on IMDB:
www.imdb.com/title/tt0075148/   

In Case You Missed It...

Daddy's Boy
Adam Rippon

While he may have taken the Bronze Medal in figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics Adam Rippon deserves a Gold Medal for his red carpet look at yesterday's Oscar ceremony.

In case you missed Rippon's Gay personified ensemble, a tux accessorized with a harness. Well here it is and it's spectacular!

Nothing says spank me Daddy like a good harness to compliment your bow tie. In my humble opinion this was the best outfit at the event, Nicole Kidman's dress being a close second.

Oh Adam, the things that are running through my mind as I look at you in this. 

What? No, I'm not going to tell you what they are, fluff up your pillow and dream.

Now that's entertainment! 

Adam on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/adaripp/?hl=en  

Make Out! It's The Oscars

Pardon My Tongue
Adrien Brody & Halle Berry

Here it is and here it shall be the 90th edition of the Academy Awards will be televised, today. Am I excited? Hell to the f#cking no! Will I watch? Here and there is the answer to that question.

While it has been an extremely lackluster year for movies, don't kid yourself, it really has. The only real reason to tune in would be the possibility of a moment like the one I nabbed above. 

"Yes" when Adrien Brody won Best Actor for The Pianist he inexplicably grabbed presenter Halle Berry and made out with her.

I am sure it was a in the moment thing where Brody got swept away in the emotion of winning, but it was indeed an odder way of expressing that than Sally Field's "you like me" speech - which is endearing to this day.

So let's cross our fingers something off the cuff happens today otherwise it's going to be a bumpy ride. By that I mean boring.

Michael has left the building...

Go Oscar on the WWW at:
http://oscar.go.com/

Michael's Musings

And The Oscar Goes To...
Michael Shinafelt

"I never really saw anything grow before. How tiny those seeds were and yet they know they were supposed to be lettuces." - Marilyn Monroe, The Misfits

While Marilyn Monroe never won a Best Actress Oscar she did in my mind for The Misfits. Written by her former husband Arthur Miller and Directed by the great John Houston. Marilyn Monroe etched a portrait in my soul as Roslyn Taber. 

Even though she won a Golden Globe for Some Like It Hot (she was brilliant) Oscar gold always eluded her. 

Didn't we all fancy a dream in passing when we were young of winning one? But of course we did! Moving on as we got older and realized being an Academy Award Winning star might not necessarily be out path?

With the arrival of the big event Sunday this weeks column is a tribute, trivia and salute to the dreamer in us all!

Oscar Winner for Funny Girl Barbara Streisand had her dog cloned. Hey Barbara, did you not see Pet Semetary?! 

Kate Winslet keeps her Oscar in the bathroom

I've held the Oscar that Dan Jinks won as Producer for Best Picture, American Beauty

 "As a little kid I lived in the projects, and you're the people I watched. You're the people wanted—made me want to be an actor. I'm so proud to be here. I'm proud to be an actor and I'm gonna keep on acting. And thank you so much" Whoopi Goldberg,Best Supporting Actress for Ghost

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Meryl Streep is the most nominated in the Best Actress category for an Oscar, clocking in at 17 nominations 

Jack Nicholson is the most nominated actor with 12 under his belt

My dream was always to win an Oscar for portraying someone truly evil

"When I was little my mother said, "I want you to be something." And I guess this represents twenty-three or twenty-four years of my work, and I've never won anything before from my peers. I'm really, really happy" Cher, Best Actress for Moonstruck 

Margot Robbie

My personal pic for Best Actress this year? Margot Robbie for I, Tonya 

Who could ever forget Sally Field's battle cry:  "I can't deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!"

Remember that time when 72 year old Jack Palance won his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for City Slickers and did one armed push-ups on stage? I do.

Weirdest Oscar winning song? It's Hard Out There For a Pimp by 3 6 Mafia from Hustle & Flow

Strange Best Supporting Actor Nominee: Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder. He's great! But think about it, not too much.

And the Oscar goes to...find out this Sunday!

In the meantime follow me at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Sunday Schwing! Javier Bardem

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Sorceress-Magic Or Madness?

Planets of the Universe
Naama Kates

Happy Post Oscar Monday, how about that Best Picture flub? Moving on you may recall a fairly recent interview I did with filmmaker Naama Kates about her indie Sorceress here is the link:

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-sorcery-of-naama-kates.html

Well guess what peeps, it's been released! Here to tell you all about it is a note from Naama herself, read on minions...

Hey. Hey! What is up, hey?

Sooo... Nowadays, making movies is easy. NOT. Nowadays, making movies is frickin' hard. Writing them, shooting them, producing them-- it takes a village. Literally. A big, whopping, fat production, also literally, involving the creative and administrative skills and talents of many, many people. The most collaborative medium of all media. So there's that. To make movies...

And getting anyone to see them, once made, is frickin' hard. Hard, hard, hard!!! Because, well, because it's always been hard, because it's a competitive field, and cuz of democratization of resources, and technology, and various new media outlets, like SVOD platforms, and cuz who cares, cuz everyone has a story, and cuz there are so many good ones already being told, every moment of every day, not just at the cinema or on the telly or the radio, but on your social media feed, and over the phone, and at the neighborhood pub, and, lord knows in any newspaper, and, and, and.

So, not to make a short story longer, and because I have not won any awards* so a long-winded gushing acceptance speech is not in order, I'll refrain from thanking, in this email, all of the incredible people who made this all possible... Also, that's what the credits are for... But I would like to mention my awesome distributor, Global Genesis Group, and in particular Charles Morris Jr. of GGG for taking a chance with me and my film, Sorceress, because now it is available for y'all to see, on-demand on Amazon, for rent, and free if you have Amazon Prime (which I highly recommend as a longtime member for like 5 years now). So, YEAH!

And this is IT:
http://a.co/fzLrOq8

If you wanna know a bit more before you take the plunge, check out the images and synopsis on the Global Genesis site at: http://globalgenesisgroup.com/portfolio-view/sorceress/
Or the review by brilliant philosopher and author, Daniel Coffeen at:
http://hilariousbookbinder.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-beautiful-blur-of-being-on-10.html
And if you wanna, stop by and like the FB movie page (though I really got update that) at:
https://www.facebook.com/srcrssthemovie
And follow on Twitter (gotta get that together too):
https://twitter.com/SorceressMovie

So okay YEAH. Most importantly, drum roll please, just go watch it!!!!!!!! http://a.co/fzLrOq8

Now y'all take care. Be safe. Drink a lot of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. And a scarf and a coat, cuz it's cold.

Love and other indoor sports,
xoxoxo
N

Pretty In Polka Dots, Natalie Portman

Shopping From A-Z
Natalie Portman

Because it's award season, because she is earning raves for her performance as Jacqueline Kennedy, because she can rock a polka dot dress, because she's well, Natalie Portman for Taco Tuesday's sake!

Ms. Portman, Natalie if your nasty was snapped out and about very pregnant and shopping in Los Feliz, CA. See the bag in her hand that says Skylight? That is actually the name of an awesome book store nestled in among the many hipster shops and restaurants in this area of Los Angeles. 

Yes, I have been there, that's how I know.

This photo also serves me as a reminder that I have to see Natalie in Jackie, everyone I know says she is amazing in the film and the film itself isn't too shabby either. She is sure to nab a Best Actress Nomination come Oscar time. 

Happy Saturday Peeps and be proud of your polka dots! 
:
Jackie online at:
foxsearchlight.powio.com/New-Movies/Jackie‎  

Serving Donna Summer Realness: Lady Gaga

Dancing Queen
Lady Gaga

"It wasn't love, it wasn't love
It was a perfect illusion (Perfect illusion)
Mistaken for love, it wasn't loveIt was a perfect illusion (Perfect illusion)" - Perfect Illusion, Lady Gaga

After a powerful ballad, 'Till It Happens To You that should have won the Oscar over that anemic Bond Theme crooned by Sam Smith, and a cracker jack collaboration with Tony Bennett - Lady Gaga is back to pop music with a vengeance. Her latest single Perfect Illusion has dropped!

This is powerhouse dance, pop stuff with a twist of rock thrown in for good measure and the smartest thing our Lady has done? She took a cue from the late great Donna Summer, let me explain.

I was never a huge fan of disco/dance in the eighties, but Ms. Summer was the exception to that rule. Why you are asking? Because of really excellently produced, written and most of all sung dance music, "yes" her powerful vocals were the focal point of the music, Perfect Illusion is that kind of dance music, simply the best the genre can offer.

You go Gaga! If this is any indicator of what the rest of the album is going to be like, well count me in! Teaming up with Mark Ronson does a Lady good!!!

Listen to Perfect Illusion after the jump!

Go Gaga at:
www.ladygaga.com/

Happy Leap Year!

Lady Gaga & Sexual Assault Survivors
@ The Oscars

Yes, today is that day that happens once every four years another day gets added to the shortest month of the year, February 29th, Happy Leap Year!

After what will go down in history as one of the worst Oscar telecasts ever, I felt a need to reflect on the best moment of the evening. Lady Gaga performing her song that addresses the issue of sexual assault Till It Happens To You. 

Not only did Gaga give a knock out performance, she was bravely joined on stage by actual survivors of sexual assault. This song was robbed of the Oscar in my opinion giving it to Sam Smith for an anemic Bond Theme instead.

Then another piece of Oscar magic happened Brie Larson who won for best actress for Room hugged each and every one of those who took a stance with our Lady on stage as they exited. Check out the video below.

Have a terrific February 29th, you won't get this day again for another four years!!!

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

If This Doesn't Scare You...

Get him out of here. He broke Stevie!
Lily Rabe

The most titillating piece of casting news from American Horror Story: Hotel was announced this week and it's insane, literally.

Lily Rabe is set to portray serial killer Aileen Wournos who will be the center piece of the AHS two part Halloween episode. Boo indeed!

Rabe will be amazing as the mentally unstable prostitute who killed her johns.

Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her portrayal of Wournos in Monster, I smell an Emmy for Rabe with this casting.

I already love Halloween and this gets me even more excited for the most wicked time of the year...!

Beware of Lily on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1143816/?ref_=nv_sr_5