Behind The Scenes

Batman
Tim Burton & Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger who portrayed Vicki Vale in one of the original Comic Book based blockbusters Batman posted this image on Instagram of Director Tim Burton, well directing her on the set.  Personally I love seeing what goes on behind the scenes before the cameras start rolling, it fascinates me.

She wrote what it was like working with him on it, oh and it was also to wish him a Happy Birthday! Here in here own word is what Ms. Basinger wrote:

Many know Tim as a creative genius… a master artist… and they are right, of course! But what I always remember are his drawings… how they inspired and amused me…

When I’d find myself sitting next to him on set, I would look over and see him doodling in his script… At that moment, I felt like a small child… walking into an amusement park like none that has ever been created…. Magical… Fantastical… I could feel my eyes growing bigger as I watched him draw these characters in his script…

Being on set with him was a lot like watching one of his own characters... As we exchanged ideas and I got direction from him……. Was like a surrealistic journey in so many ways… Too many to mention here! One of the most meaningful and fun films of my life….. The memories will stay with me forever.

Just another boy from Burbank? I don’t think so! Wishing you the best birthday Tim… wherever you are… whatever you’re doing…. Much love ✨

Happy Saturday!

Kim on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/kim.basinger/

Purrrrrrfect! Zoe Kravitz

Bring on the Cat!
Zoe Kravitz

Batman was my jam when I was a kid. From the campy TV Series to the darkest of the Dark Knight comic books. Then came the movies from the first two Tim Burton ones to the silly, campy Joel Schumacher affairs. While I didn't like them all I soldiered on like a trooper and went, for the love of Batman.

Then came the best, the Christopher Nolan trilogy. Well here comes a new incarnation The Batman slated for a 2021 release Directed by Matt Reeves. It will star Robert Pattinson as Batman, which I am sure will work. However there is a bit of casting news I am more excited about. Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman!

Zoe is an amazingly beautiful (Hello? Here parents are Lisa Bonet & Lenny Kravitz) not to mention talented young woman. She most notably has starred in the HBO series Big Little Lies where she held her own against the likes of Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley.

Michelle Pfeiffer has been my favorite Catwoman in the movies thus far. That being stated I have a feeling Ms. Kravitz is going to bring her own magic to the role, and make it something uniquely hers. Can you tell I am a Zoe fan? "Yes" you can!

Zoe on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/zoeisabellakravitz/?hl=en

Don't Be Cruel(la)

That's So Punk!
Emma Stone

So one of the buzz's of the week was an image of Emma Stone as Cruella De Vil from the upcoming Disney origin story "Cruella" from the classic "101 Dalmatians."

Of course the Twitter-verse went into overdrive Tweeting like an angry bird frenzy about Stone's look in the upcoming dog tail.

"Uh is tim Burton directing this," asked Andy Signore on Twitter, referencing her "Edward Scissorhands" look.

"EMMA STONE COMO CRUELLA DE VIL... DISNEY STOP THIS,"

"She doesn't really fit the right class for her decade in this outfit. She looks more like a middle class thug in New Orleans than Upper Crust London,"

"More like this," said another person, comparing Stone's look to Frank N. Furter from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

The new look was revealed during Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California.

Stone made a video appearance during the expo, revealing that the film will be set in London's punk rock era of the 1970s.

Phew that explains it all. Although I took to the look right off the bat myself...I guess I'm not a hardcore stickler when it comes to historically accurate details in a film about a mad woman who wants a coat made of Dalmatians.

Mic Drop!

Cruella on IMDb -
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3228774/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_3

Michael's Musings

And This Cross Is Your...
Michael Shinafelt

"And this curve, is your smile, And this cross, is your heart, And this line, is your path" Red Shoes, Kate Bush

It's only the second day post my bunion surgery and it feels like an eternity. I have been for the most part off my feet per Drs. orders. Also having erratic sleep patterns and lack of appetite. For someone who is usually very active as I am this is not the best case scenario. It's not the worst either. My mantra "This line is your path"...

Imagine a world where air came to earth in balloons, 99 red ones to be exact

Go Speed Racist, Go!

On a lighter "Go" note "Go Flash Go" from the 1980 camp classic Flash Gordon (for those who are young)

Big Little Lies season two finale this Sunday...can't wait!

Remember when you were reading your History Books and couldn't wrap your head around how Nazi Germany happened? 

Did you hear? They are going to reopen a hair gel mine in Kentucky? Now THIS is what Fake News is

In case you care the Emmy Nominations were announced yesterday, doesn't it now seem so far away?

Caught Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! on the rooftop of The Montalban Theater in Hollywood this past Friday. My first time seeing it on a big screen. It's bonkers! In case you are wondering that is a recommendation 😉

Woman Crush of the Week - Laura Dern, she puts the top in over the top on Big Little Lies

It is blue, it reminds me of you

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? Oh wait, I don't have a cookie jar, nor do I buy cookies

Got Wine?

Big Brother apparently is airing and everyone is complaining about the disgusting contestants on Twitter. So whats your point???

I like to ride my bicycle, but at this point I'd settle to be able to get to Trader Joe's in an Uber

Mention it all to me here -
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Crack That Whip!

Meow!
Michaelle Pfeiffer

Woke-up to the Internet buzzing over Michelle Pfeiffer's latest post on Instagram a video where she coyly holds up a whip saying "look what I found, needs a little TLC" to her followers. That's correct minions it's the whip she brandished as Catwoman in Batman Returns twenty-seven years ago!!!

Although I found Tim Burton's sequel to Batman better than his original outing the movie was mainly villain centric. With Pfeiffer taking center stage with her tour de force as the feline femme fatale.

Michelle Pfeiffer
as
Catwoman

IMHO nobody has ever done it better, Catwoman that is than her. She to me is the definitive CW. Her performance skirted the edge of over the top, loony, sexy, insane and flat out outrageous while still being real and grounded. Her Catwoman was in short a one of a kind creation.

Gushing much? Why "yes" I am. 

Have a bootylicious Saturday, I know I plan to. On that naughty note I leave you with these immortal words...

"I am Catwoman, hear me roar!"

Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michellepfeifferofficial/?hl=en   

Monday Motivation

What's New Pussycat?
Michelle Pfeiffer

"I am Catwoman hear me roar" - Michelle Pfeiffer "Catwoman" Batman Returns

For some reason my Monday Motivation thoughts have wandered to that time I saw the great Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman in the interesting, yet highly flawed Batman Returns directed by Tim Burton.

Well I actually know the reasons. Having lost 50 lbs my mind has been preoccupied with fitness and health. Not to mention a take no prisoners attitude. 

Michelle who stole Batman Returns as Catwoman embodies all of these qualities. Her Eff U attitude and perfectly fit body rocked that skin tight catsuit and caused quite the commotion.

Thus today, Labor Day 2018 Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman is my spirit hybrid. What? She's not an animal she's a human being taking on the qualities of one, so she is not a spirit animal, more a hybrid. Like the Toyota Prius. 

Have a groovy LD minions! 

Michelle on IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000201/

Michael's Musings

Cruel Summer?
Michael Shinafelt

This week was the end of a special chapter in my life. Yes, minions it was the series finale of Pretty Little Liars, a show that has always been there for me when I needed top notch escapist entertainment most. With a complete dash of reality to balance it.

Also this past week, June 25th 2017 marked the marriage of my awesome niece Shauna Waters to one Nick Kastner in Cabo San Lucas. 

Yep, this has been en eventful week, are you ready for what else I have to toss off your way? Well here it comes!

Sarcasm is my brains self defense mechanism for when I'm about to be murdered

I saw the Baywatch movie this week on the Sony Pictures Lot. Dumb, but fun!

Follow the yellow brick road. Why not?!

When sh!t turns weird

The only disability in life is fear

It's hard out there for a freeballer

More Like: Kale Blech! Bite Me, Trader Joe's!

Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole

Wake. Pray. Slay.

Pretty Little Liars was on for seven glorious seasons, it's gone now. I am bummed. Can you imagine how I will feel when another of my favorites Law & Order: SVU ends, that f#cker has been on for twenty seasons & counting!

Well wishes to my friend Diva Sandy Zacky who is recovering from knee surgery

"Tilda Swinton is what happens when Tim Burton makes a Meryl Streep" - Faith Choyce, Comedian 


Happiness is following me at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

An Ode To Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter

For those of you who think Ms. Helena Bonham Carter only has a career because of her partner Tim Burton, that just proves how Mother F#cking young you are!

She has been around for a while and has had a quite successful acting career long before that.

I first remember seeing the amazingly talented Helena in the great film "A Room With A View" if you don't know it, check it, with my friend Jennifer DiMartino of the "Americana With Twisted Roots" band, The Drews, she is a fellow Helena fan, FYI.

Not to mention the lovely film "Howard's End" and one of my all time favorites "Fight
Club."

Helena's career has been a unique one, she has always marched to the beat of her own drummer and ALWAYS let her freak flag fly!

Here is what she has to say about why she does not have a stylist:

"I've had a stylist once or twice, but it doesn't really work out because basically, I don't like being told what to wear. I don't like being told what to do, so there's no point. A lot of people suggest that I should."

Keep on bucking the trends and keep being you Helena, we will always love ya!

XOXO

HBC on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000307/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1