The Morning After...

Tis the morning after Christmas 2020, I bet it isn't what you thought it would be last January 1st. But I'm sure we all made the best of it, right???

Well mine was rather low key as I am sure most of yours were. Breakfast with a friend then I streamed Wonder Woman 1984. What did I think of WW84? Hmmmmmmm...that's a multi-layered question.

The first WW was so bank, this one was not as good (which is usually the case with sequels) but it had it's moments and bigger ideas like it's predecessor. My main issue is it was a pretty disjointed film. 

Do I think it's worth seeing? Overall "Yes" - there are many things about the movie that make it still worth your while. Notably Kristen Wiig as Cheetah (except for the crappy CGI they did for her in the action sequences.)

Patty Jenkins, like in the first WW, makes sure there is heart to this epic. That's what ultimately made the original a home run, and saves this one from being a total disaster.

But make no mistake, overall I thought this outing was hit and miss. 

Michael has left the building...

WW84 on Rotten Tomatoes:

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wonder_woman_1984 

Waxing Nostalgic

Together Again
Bruce Willis & Demi Moore

Yesterday was Father's Day thus a lot of celebrities and common folk took to Social Media posting photos to pay tribute to that special man in their lives.

Well whilst hitting the round-up of said photos I came across this current one of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. Captioned: "Happy Father's Day, Bruce! Your kids are so lucky to have you," 

This took me back to when they were actually married for eleven years, they were a Hollywood power couple starring in many movies that brought them both big paychecks. In fact Moore became the highest paid actress (at the time) in film history receiving a then unheard of $12.5 million for Striptease. Willis made as much as $20 million at the time depending on the role.

However this is not what I will remember their legacy for, what I will look back on is a small film they did together that Demi produced called Mortal Thoughts. Her is the synopsis for it:

"Mortal Thoughts is a low-key thriller revolving around the relationship between two best friends who are involved in the death of one of their husbands. The movie unfolds as the events leading to a confession are shown in flashback. Joyce (Glenne Headly) is married to the abusive, unfaithful James (Bruce Willis). During an outing at a carnival, James is killed, and Joyce and her best friend Cynthia (Demi Moore) try to cover up the murder."

Of course it was so much more than this, as legendary film critic Roger Ebert puts it:

"There is another level to Mortal Thoughts than either the guilt or innocence of the characters, or the wit with which Rudolph portrays their world. It is the level on which ordinary people cut themselves loose from ordinary morality."

Ebert nailed the truth of this film and this is the reason I love it! Make your day a good one!

Mortal Thoughts on Rotten Tomatoes:
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mortal_thoughts  

Cry-Baby Turns 30!

Can you believe John Waters Cry-Baby is officially 30 years old?! Neither can I! I remember seeing it at a screening on the Universal back lot. Well last night I went to a to do about this classic up on The Montalban Rooftop in Hollywood!

The event was organized by Meghan Law and hosted by Wanda Woodward herself Traci Lords. Let the good times roll, here are some photos from the evening that you missed and I didn't.

The One The Only Traci Lords

Yours Truly & Traci Lords

Drag Superstar Eureka O'Hara & Friend

Moi & Meghan Law

Make-Up Artist/Filmmaker Robert Hensley & Friend


Cry-Baby on Rotten Tomatoes -
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cry_baby

Michael's Musings

I Don't Know About You, But I'm Feeling Dirty
Michael Shinafelt

"You got me lookin' up high, You got me searchin' down low, You got me, I know you knowYou got me jerkin' back 'n' forth" - Devo "Jerkin Back and Forth" 

We're the kids in America and we are so totally being jerked back and forth. I dunno, how you feel. But I feel like it's time for a MotherF#cking revolution. 

Damn! did you catch all the classic song references I made to my Current Mood? It's time to hit it!!!

Don't want no more of The Crying Game - seriously

This factory ain't about to be shut down

Jump Back!!! 

I am not a killer, I bring American Men the brides they want

BTW if it hadn't been for those bones

Lizzo Grammy nominated for Truth Hurts. One of my favorite songs of the year - get it!

"God has the most toxic fan base" - Satan

Shout out to Donald Trump I heard my Grandmother say: "Stupid MotherF#cker" for the first time

Woman Crush of the Week - my friend Naama Kates for her Podcast The Incel Project follow it here: https://twitter.com/IncelProject

"The human race is at 2% on Rotten Tomatoes" - God

What's my nightmare? Things that make you go hmmmmmmm....I'm too decisive for that!

People Have The Power

What about you? Seriously from the bottom of my...he told me to ask (think about it, but not too much)

Jennifer Lopez claims she co-starred in and produced Hustlers for free. Please she doesn't even wake up for less than ten grand a day. More power to her!

Where did my innocence go? Find out at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

Just Because...Charlie's Angels

Angels We Have Heard On High
l-r
Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott & Ella Balinska

Good Morning Angels! Here is an image of the newest trio of Charlie's Angels at the premiere in Los Angeles. "Yes" it's the reboot no one was asking for, starring Kristen Stewart and two women I have never heard of.

Most notable thing about it is it is written and directed by Elizabeth Banks... Oh that Effie! 

So I wonder, yes I wonder, what this is going to be like. From the trailers it seems like a more grounded take on the Drew Barrymore produced version of the TV series with the same amount of levity thrown in, and more grrrrrrrl power!

I have bared witness to Tweets that have raved about it, yet there is no score or advance reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Tweets are an easy get, if you know what I mean. Reviews not so much.

Thus I find the sign of no early reviews a daunting quandary. Translation, this reboot more than likely is not good. However I am rooting for Banks, who I personally like to keep on moving as a filmmaker.

That's all! Check out the trailer for the latest CA incarnation below!

It's Sunday, Time For Some Law & Order

Baby It's Cold Outside
Mariska Hargitay

Now in it's 20th Season Law &Order: SVU is one of those shows that has endured many changes, most notably the moving on of series lead and all around stud Christopher Meloni and other rotating cast members.

The one thing that has always remained is Mariska Hargitay who portrays Detective Olivia Benson. She is the shows heart and soul. It has been a treat to watch Hargitay grow and evolve into the role she was clearly meant to play.

"Yes" that's correct minions, over the years the character of Benson has evolved as she has experienced more and gotten older. Thus Harigtay's portrayal of her has too, she has really grown into the character and inhabits her with a completeness few actors ever achieve. Here she is above freezing her tooshie off in NYC this past Thursday shooting more episodes for the current twentieth season.

Which brings me to Sunday, lazy Sunday. Since I am home writing on most Sundays there is always an SVU marathon on USA, "Yep" you guessed it, not only am I tuned in to the current season I watch the repeats with relish, no mustard (LOL).

All kidding aside it does not matter how many times I have seen an SVU episode it never gets old to me, and that's the honest truth peeps.

Mic Drop!

Law & Order: SVU on Rotten Tomatoes -
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/law_and_order_special_victims_unit/s20

Seeing Red

Fashion "Red"y
Lady Gaga

Look out on the street, it's a bird, it's a plane...no it's Lady Gaga in a red dress strutting her stuff in NYC!

It's been hard out there for a pimp to escape the web of Lady Gaga with A Star Is Born opening today. "Yes" I'm going to see it, but I will be there tomorrow at my favorite local theater The Vista in Silverlake, CA.

"No" I will not divulge what time I will be there, it's a secret, I have plenty of stalkers already Thank You very much.

Time to get back on topic, or is it???

Honestly with Gaga's opus scoring a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes how can you go wrong with this timeless tale hitting theaters here, there and everywhere, I ask you? I know none of you will answer, but you can't say I didn't try!

On that note, see you at the movies this weekend bitches!

Go Gaga on IG at -
https://www.instagram.com/ladygaga/   

Enjoy The Silence

STFU!
Emily Blunt & John Krasinski

"If they can't hear you, they can't hunt you" - is the tagline for the release of this weeks addition to the altar of horror, A Quiet Place in theaters, well, now. 

You want to know what's the story morning gory? Well just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

"In the modern horror thriller A QUIET PLACE, a family of four must navigate their lives in silence after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival." and so it goes. 

The film has a whopping 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so rare for something of the scare genre.Which makes it a must see for this horror fan. Perhaps this weekend, or...?

It also stars sexy real life couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski who also Directed and Co-Wrote.

I'm shivering with antici...pation! 

But for now, let's enjoy the silence.

A Quiet Place on Rotten Tomatoes:
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_quiet_place_2018/  

F@ck "IT"

Is That A Helium Balloon? Or Are You Just Excited To See Me?
Pennywise

While the "F" bomb is one of my most favorite frames of reference of all time, so much so I could never tally how much I use it in the course of a day. My favorite usage of it being the term "F@ck it."

This term takes on a whole new meaning this week as you have probably guessed given the byline. Yes, the phrase now refers to the blockbuster $100 million plus grossing movie based on the Stephen King novel IT.

Being a horror fan, I can honestly state this is the least scary film of all time. Seriously, I'm more disturbed by individuals who procure non white paper napkins, for everyday use. I felt like New Line/Warner Brothers marketed the film they wished they had, not the one they ended up with.

Bette Davis Eyes

Honestly I wish I could sue them for baiting and switching, the movie advertised was not what I spent money to see. The trailer was promising, it looked like Pennywise was a dark creature that would get under my skin and infiltrate my psyche, no bueno. 

Even critics were singing it's praises before it opened calling IT frightening. IT garnered an 88% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. I am going out on a limb and saying the ones who loved IT were probably paid off by the studio.

What was IT? A coming of age story with some amazing young actors and a clown who represented their fear of forging through adolescents and becoming adults. Yawn, if I wanted to see that I would view Stand By Me again, another Stephen King adaptation that is way better than this dupe. At least with that one, I wasn't lied to by the studio marketing machine and knew what the movie was about that I was paying to see.

IT's House, In The Middle Of Neibolt Street

The only saving grace for me was I live in Hollywood and got to go to the IT Experience with Robert Krzeski in tow. One of the greatest publicity stunts ever! Yes, Virginia, I got to have live interaction with elements of the movie in Neibolt House, and explore where IT lives.

Translation?! While watching IT and seeing the things I saw inside Neibolt House and my memories of being inside it when the kids entered IT's deadly lair on screen was my only amusement during this marketing scam.

The film was not what I was wanting or, frankly promised by the ad campaign. I'm going to cleanse my palette this weekend with Mother! which I am sure will deliver what it promises.

Pennywise has nothing on me at::

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

Eat Me! I'm A Lesbian Taco!

My Taco Brings All The Girls To The Yard
Salma Hayek 

Ever eat a lesbian taco? Perhaps you have and you didn't even know it. The question is, what kind of meat does such a taco come with...beef, chicken or perhaps fish? 

Well find out tomorrow, Friday August 12th when the raunchy comedy Sausage Party opens - The story of food items who think that being bought by humans will lead them to a world of paradise, not devoured. 

In it Salma Hayek plays a woman loving other women taco named Teresa who has the hot sauce for a hot dog bun played by Kristin Wiig.

While this kind of thing can be a dicey concept the reviews so far on Rotten Tomatoes are 87% fresh presently and the trailer is hilarious! Hey, who doesn't want to smell what kind of meat Salma is packing?!

Check out the trailer after the jump!

Rotten Tomatoes Reviews:
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sausage_party/