Hiroshima

Hiroshima (1953) is a powerful evocation of the devastation wrought by the world's first deployment of the atomic bomb and its aftermath, based on the written eye-witness accounts of its child survivors compiled by Dr. Arata Osada for the 1951 book Children Of The A Bomb: Testament Of The Boys And Girls Of Hiroshima. Adapted for the screen by independent director Hideo Sekigawa (Listen to the Voices of the Sea, Tokyo Untouchable) and screenwriter Yasutaro Yagi (Theatre of Life, Rice), Hiroshima combines a harrowing documentary realism with moving human drama, in a tale of the suffering, endurance and survival of a group of teachers, their students and their families. It boasts a rousing score composed by Akira Ifukube (Godzilla) and an all-star cast including Yumeji Tsukioka (Late Spring, The Eternal Breasts), Isuzu Yamada (Throne of Blood, Yojimbo) and Eiji Okada (Hiroshima Mon Amour, Woman in the Dunes), appearing alongside an estimated 90,000 residents from the city as extras, including many survivors from that fateful day on 6th August 1945. Hiroshima was produced and distributed outside of the studio system by the Japan Teachers' Union following the mixed critical reception to Children of Hiroshima (1952), directed by Kaneto Shindo the previous year, the first dramatic feature to deal directly with the atomic bombing. Although sequences from the film were used in Alain Resnais' classic of French New Wave cinema, Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), it has been effectively out of circulation in Japan and the rest of the world since its original release in 1953 due to the force and political sensitivity of its message. This new High Definition presentation is the complete version, restoring the footage from the international edit that was released in the United States in 1955.

Bonus Materials

• High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentation
• Original uncompressed audio
• Archive interview with actress Yumeji Tsukioka
• Hiroshima Nagasaki Download (2011), 73-minute documentary featuring interviews with survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings now residing in the United States, with an introduction by the director Shinpei Takeda
• New video essay by Jasper Sharp
• Newly commissioned artwork by Scott Saslow
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mick Broderick

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AA061

Tennis Anyone???

GLOBAL MUSIC STAR RYAN TENNIS PRESENTS NEW EP

TWO DAYS ON THE FENCE

Triumphant All-Star ‘Graceland’ Tribute Shows

with Bakithi Kumalo to be Followed by Monthlong

Tour of Colombia Before U.S. Tour Begins

“[Ryan Tennis] gets straight to the heart of the music.”

- Philadelphia Inquirer

"Ryan Tennis and the Clubhouse Band have a community vibe, riffing full-tilt on a rootsy chord progressions with vocal harmonies, trumpet and bongo percussion."
- 88.5 XPN The Key

Having wrapped a pair of knockout All-Star Graceland tribute shows here and in Washington DC, and a triumphant six-week tour of Europe, global music sensation RYAN TENNIS celebrates the release TODAY of his brand-new studio EP, Two Days on the Fence.

Next week, Tennis heads to South America in for a month-long tour of Colombia. He returns to the U.S. in February to launch an East Coast tour, which includes an appearance at Folk Alliance International.

Co-produced by Tennis and Tom Spiker (Calvin Weston, Sun Ra Arkesta, G. Love) and recorded at the expansive Rittenhouse Soundworks studio in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Two Days on the Fence sees Tennis and his virtuosic band

Joseph Keim(drums), 

Shaun Hennessey (percussion), Brahm Genzlinger (bass), Maxfield Gast (sax), Nate Graham (keyboards), and Christopher Farrell (guitar) ― locking in with telepathic precision on five luminous new cuts that draw heavily on sounds and rhythms Tennis absorbed during his extensive travels throughout South America and his performances with legendary South African musicians Bakithi Kumalo and Morris Goldberg, both of whom performed on Paul Simon’s historic Graceland album. 

“I wanted to explore more powerful rhythms than you get with the usual acoustic singer-songwriter thing,” Tennis explains. “My band can play a lot of incredible grooves, so I know I can throw anything at them and they’ll turn it into genius stuff that makes people move. I’m flat-out amazed at what they did on the new EP.”

Over the years, Tennis has been compared to artists such as Paul Simon, Ben Harper and Bill Withers. The songs on Two Days on the Fence range from soul-enriching ballads to exuberant, body-moving groovers, and they see the inveterately creative singer-songwriter spreading the waters of his influences (“a lot of folk, soul and Afro-Caribbean sounds”) while micro-targeting his lyrics to soothe today’s information-overloaded society.

“I wrote these songs with the intention of giving people hope and positivity in their lives,” Tennis says. “In general, we’re inundated with negativity – from the news to Facebook, it’s so easy to get bogged down. I’m not one to write protest songs, but in a way I did that by writing songs to make people feel good. There’s a lot of power in that message, the audacity it takes to feel joyful in tough times.”

The upcoming live music video for the title track of Two Days on the Fence was filmed in Paris during Tennis’ most recent European tour. Having won over audiences in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Colombia and Argentina, he’s looking forward to expanding his global reach in 2018.

Earlier this month, he sold out a pair of all-star Graceland 30th Anniversary shows (featuring original “Graceland” bassist Bakithi Kumalo) in Washington, D.C.) and Philadelphia.

“When you come to one of my shows, you’re going to get an explosion of funky soul music mixed with Afro-Caribbean beats and textures,” Tennis enthuses. “Everybody in the band sings backing vocals, so it’s a loud and joyous sound. It’s a welcoming environment, so come on and shake off your troubles. We’ll have you moving in no time!”

Two Days on the Fence is out on iTunes and Spotify.

RYAN TENNIS U.S. TOUR DATES

Sat., Feb. 17: Folk Alliance International, Kansas City, MO

Wed. Feb. 21: Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY

Sat. Feb. 24: Club Passim, Boston, MA

More Dates to Come …

Ryan Tennis on the Web

www.ryantennismusic.com

www.facebook.com/ryantennismusic

www.instagram.com/ryantennismusic/

www.youtube.com/ryantennismusic

https://twitter.com/rytennis

www.ryantennis.bandcamp.com

Just Because...J-Lo & A-Rod

J-Lo & A-Rod Sitting In A Tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G...

Just Because it's Monday, just because it's hot everywhere and I feel like making it hotter & just because they're both so pretty I present to you this image of sizzling couple Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez.

This is one of those pairings that publicists dream about. Both are rich, photogenic and hot, hot, hot! Not to mention buzz worthy. You never know a PR lackey may have actually got them together in the first darn place.

Look they even dress to the nines for a simple evening of dining out while in Miami, Florida. One of my least favorite cities in the United States for the record. 

OK back to the subjects at hand. When was the last time a celebrity couple seemed so equal to one another in every little way I ask you?

Answer me, I'm waiting....

Jennifer on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jlo/?hl=en  

Tanya Tucker, Keeps Going & Going...

More Powerful Than A Locomotive
Tanya Tucker

Giving the Energizer Bunny a run for his money, it's Tanya Tucker!

Groundbreaking country music icon Tanya Tucker continues to dazzle audiences across the U.S. and Canada as she returns to the states after 15 shows in 21 days, completing her longest North American run in decades. Tucker performed for 11,000 fans with an average ticket price of $52.00.

The CMA-award winning artist and recent ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award honoree impressed reviewers and buyers:

"Classic guitar twangs, matched by Tucker’s incredible rasp fueled register joined together for a match made in heaven, leaving each audience member feeling like they had been personally serenaded by the woman herself. Tucker regularly chatted with the audience and cracked jokes.."
--Savannah Bagshaw, Kelowna Now

“Legend in the house! Thanks to Tanya Tucker and her A+ band and crew for a great day at Club Regent Event Centre from load in to load out. Our team and the sold out venue of fans can’t wait to see her back again. Always a witty firecracker!
--Kelly Berehulka, Club Regent Event Centre

“Country music legend Tanya Tucker entertained a full house at the Clarke Theatre in Mission on Saturday night with her spunky performances and warm stage presence.”
--Bob Friesen, Mission City Record

During Tucker’s concert in Calgary, local officials presented her a ‘Key to the City’ as a show of appreciation for the country music legend visiting the city.

Tucker continues crisscrossing the country after securing new international sponsorships and preparing for the launch of a new, overdue album. 

15 SHOWS IN 21 DAYS:
March 10 Shooting Star Casino -- Mahnomen, Minn.
March 11 Casino Rama -- Rama, Ontario
March 12 The Rose Theater Brampton -- Brampton, Ontario
March 15 Club Regent Event Centre -- Winnipeg, Manitoba
March 16 Dakota Dunes Casino -- Whitecap, Saskatchewan
March 17 Casino Regina -- Regina, Saskatchewan
March 18 Deerfoot Inn & Casino -- Calgary, Alberta
March 20 Festival Place -- Sherwood Park, Alberta
March 21 Living Sky Casino -- Swift Current, Saskatchewan
March 23 Kelowna Community Theatre -- Kelowna, British Columbia
March 24 Port Theatre -- Nanaimo, British Columbia
March 25 Clarke Theatre -- Mission, British Columbia
March 28 The Wilma -- Missoula, Mont.
March 29 WYO Theatre -- Sheridan, Wyo.
March 31 Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel – Watertown, S.D.

Tucker recently appeared all over national television to promote her North American tour, including “Fox & Friends,” “Access Hollywood,” “The Big Interview with Dan Rather,” “The Dailey & Vincent Show” and more.

Tanya will be the headlining artist at the Ryman Auditorium later this month for the Opry Country Classics.

TANYA TUCKER 2017 TOUR:
(more dates to be added)
April 20 Opry at the Ryman – Nashville, Tenn.
April 21 Paramount Theater -- Bristol, Tenn.
April 22 Country Tonite Theatre -- Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
April 28 Las Cruces Music Festival -- Las Cruces, N.M.
April 29 Pima County Fair – Tucson, Ariz.
May 05 Dosey Doe – The Woodlands, Texas
May 06 Choctaw Event Center -- Grant, Okla.
June 23 Little River Casino Resort -- Manistee, Mich.
June 24 North Star Mohican Casino Resort -- Bowler, Wisc.
Aug. 05 Big Valley Jamboree – Camrose, Alberta
Aug. 11 Golden Nugget -- Lake Charles, La.
Aug. 12 Golden Nugget -- Biloxi, Mo.
Aug. 19 Kipawa Country Fest – Kipawa, Quebec
Aug. 28 Soaring Eagle Casino -- Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Aug. 30 Minnesota State Fair -- St. Paul, Minn.
Aug. 31 Minnesota State Fair -- St. Paul, Minn.
Sep. 16 Andy Williams Moon River Theatre -- Branson, Mo.
Sep. 23 5D Steakhouse -- Yorktown, Texas

Follow Tanya Tucker on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTubeor visit tanyatucker.com.

A Gay, a Muslim and a Jew...

This One's For You Donald Trump!
l-r Gay, Jew, Muslim

Walked into Nordstrom and then hit the White House to give the finger to Donald Trump. Well, they actually did.

In the wake of  Nordstrom dropping Ivanka Trump's line and incurring the wrath of Orange Cosby Chelsea Handler and friends (a Gay and a Muslim) hit the department store with glee and then got photographic evidence of it outside the White House.

Many other celebrities have followed suit tweeting about hitting Nordstrom too, but you know Chelsea she had to outdo them all, and did.

She also tweeted out this gem in retaliation to the Bitch Baby of the United States regarding his Ivanka & Nordstrom tantrum:

"Trump says his daughter has been treated ‘so unfairly’ by Nordstrom. Oh, was she detained for 19 hours when she tried to enter the store?"

Brilliant! Keep them coming Handler! 

Tweet with Chelsea at:
https://twitter.com/chelseahandler

Dolly Parton's "Imagination"

Pictured L-R: The Dollywood Company President Craig Ross, Dollywood Foundation President David Dotson, Dolly Parton, CTK Management’s Danny Nozell, Webster PR’s Kirt Webster, Dollywood Dir. Public Relations Pete Owens, Dolly Parton Productions President Ted Miller.

Imagine with Dolly Parton...

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which began as a small community outreach in Parton’s native Sevier County, Tennessee, has evolved to become the largest literacy program in the world. In December, the “little literacy program that could” marks another impressive milestone—one million books gifted to children around the world each month.

To celebrate the unprecedented success, Evey Johns, a two-year-old from Conway, Arkansas who just enrolled in the Imagination Library, has been randomly selected to receive a $30,000 college scholarship. The announcement was made by Parton during her Pure & Simple concert tour stop in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Nov. 15. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Imagination Library.

“I thought long and hard about the best way to honor our achievement of reaching a million children a month,” Parton said. “The Imagination Library is all about inspiring dreams, so what better way to pay tribute to this moment than by helping one special child pursue her college degree. I’m thrilled that today I can let the world know that precious little Evey Johns from Conway, Arkansas will receive a $30,000 scholarship for the college of her choice.”

The scholarship will be held in a special account and distributed to Johns when she enrolls in college. Over the next 16 years, the amount of scholarship should grow to nearly approximately $50,000. Johns is enrolled in the Imagination Library in Conway thanks to the local affiliate in her area, Arkansas Preschool Plus.

“The thought of our daughter Evey going to college has been just that—a thought,” explained Evey’s mother, Connie. “Now, due to the enormous kindness and generosity of the Dollywood Foundation, that thought has now become a reality. Our family now has the means to develop a solid plan for our daughter’s future education. Thank you all so much for this unbelievable opportunity for our daughter.”

In 2016, the Imagination Library and its local partners will gift nearly 11.5 million books to children from birth to age five in participating communities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. To date, the Imagination Library, which is administered through the Dollywood Foundation, has provided more than 85 million books to children around the world.

Arkansas Preschool Plus is just one of the many local affiliates the Dollywood Foundation works with to provide books to children. To provide the Imagination Library, a community must make the program accessible to all preschool children in their area, and the community pays for the books, promotes the program and registers the children. The Dollywood Foundation manages the delivery of books to children’s homes.

Arkansas Preschool Plus enrolls 960 children in Conway, Faulkner and Perry Counties. Currently, nearly 15,000 children are enrolled in Arkansas. The Imagination Library currently is working with elected officials, foundations and corporations in Arkansas in an effort to make the program available to all children from birth to age five in the state.

About Dolly Parton's Imagination Library:
Founded in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting organization that has, to date, mailed more than 85 million books to children in Australia, Belize, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. Each month, the program currently mails more than one million specially selected, high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children from birth until they start Kindergarten in participating communities. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading in children, preparing them for school and inspiring them to dream. Recent studies suggest participation in the Imagination Library is positively and significantly associated with higher measures of early language and math development. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Election Day 2016

My Recent Nose Job
Michael Shinafelt

Let me start this off by saying, I've already voted. In case you could not tell by the image I posted. How about I follow that up with this election has been the biggest shit show in American History.

Seriously, we as people of the United States of America should be highly embarrassed by it. It has been a reality show that could air on the Bravo TV Network. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but in terms of government, world wide security and issues that affect people's lives, WTF?!

OK, I am now stepping down from my soapbox, not! If you vote for Donald Trump today, I'm confused. If you vote for a third party because you are so Bernie or Bust, free your mind. I'm talking to you rich and entitled Susan Sarandon who no matter what happens in this election you will still be fine. So stop trying to use your position to vote with your asshole and influence the easily swayed. Also to all you millennials who need a babysitter still, cry to mother, or better yet, try to affect a positive change in the world. 

For the most part the people of America have been treating this election year like a rebel without a clue. I hope today you get it together and do what is in the best interest of this country.

So how did I vote two weeks ago? I proudly voted for Hillary Clinton. 

Happy Election Tuesday, and Beware of pussy grabbers at the polls!

The Horror: M.E. Franco

Serving Jack Skellington's Head On A Plate
Author M.E. Franco

It's that time of the year peeps when I do my annual Halloween chat with my fellow vampire, author & horror fan M.E. Franco.

M.E. is best known as the writer behind the series of popular supernatural novels called the Dion Series, consisting of the titles: Where Will You Run?, Where Will You Hide? and Where Will You Turn?
Time to take a journey into the twisted mind of M.E. You have been warned...!

MS: What's your favorite horror related erotic fantasy?
ME: Definitely The Hunger. I'm also a fan of the Dracula movie with Frank Langella...very hot!

MS: There is currently a clown scare going on across the United States care to weigh in?

ME: That's just wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

MS: Freddy Kruger offers you a helping hand Pinhead offers you needlepoint, which do you choose?
ME: Pinhead is much more fun.

MS: Is "Release the Kraken" a euphemism? ME: It is for me. Heehee ;)

MS: You want to hide "Where Will You Run?"
ME: Well, not the closet, or the basement, or the abandoned house, or the hospital, or the remote cabin, or the cemetery, or the parking garage, or the barn, or the cornfield, or the summer camp, or the farm house...

MS: What monster would you put in the corner with "Baby" from Dirty Dancing?
ME: A succubus...that girl could feed a whole colony of them.

MS: Pick a succubus, the Larmia from Drag Me To Hell or Donald Trump.
ME: The succubus isn't as creepy and the Larmia has better social skills ;)

MS: Someone's knocking at your door at 10 pm with a hockey mask on, what do you do?

ME: Tell him the teenagers are next door.

MS: Have you ever seen anything that alarmed you on the wing of a plane during a flight?

ME: HA! Every time I fly, I use my best Shatner voice and say "Theeeeere's somethingontheplane." I won't ever look though. I don't want to know.

MS: You could have dinner with any five horrific figures, living, dead, fictional or non- fictional who would they be?
ME: Dracula of course (preferably Gerard Butler from Dracula 2000, yum); Pinhead (because he knows how to party), Leatherface (to carve the meat); Jigsaw (for party games); and Hannibal Lecter for his impeccable cooking and knowledge of fine wine.

Socialize with M.E. at:
https://www.facebook.com/M-E-Franco-238711609482912/
https://twitter.com/MEFranco1/status/727647182996803584

"One Man Circle Jerk" Donald Trump

Look! It's A Bitchy Tangerine!

Tis' the season for ghosts, witches & demons, fa la la la la la la...

Halloween is the most wonderful season of the year with many things to make you recoil with fear. Well this year there is something even more frightening than the supernatural. It's that "One Man Circle Jerk" Donald Trump may become President of the United States November 8th. Contemplate that and tell me you aren't terrified!

Here is one of the best written things about Dumping Trump I have ever read. Wished I could claim it as mine, but I can't. The author wished to remain anonymous on here, he knows who he is, and he knows I think it's brilliant! I mean he hits the nail on the proverbial head calling out Drumpf as a "One Man Circle Jerk." Yep, I am going to drive this quote into the ground, it never gets old.


"Trump is a man with a vision for America, not a specific vision, a great vision...the best vision...Trump has a plan to make this country great again....What plan??....a great plan...a plan that will work because it's the best plan.....Why???... because Trump knows good people...which people???....the best people....people that are not stupid like other people....people who know how to get deals done...what deals???...great deals...the biggest deals... because I know words... What words???...I have the best words... I get my information from watching TV... I consult with myself because I have a great brain... A great brain???...the best brain...Trump will also build a big wall to keep Mexicans out and he will make Mexico pay for it!...How....??? its all part of the great plan!...ISIS will be gone very, very quickly...How???... I won't tell you.. It's a secret !!!...

Trump is a “one-man circle jerk” and he is only about entertaining the uneducated who love him and his great plan. He's all air - no substance. And he is their “Champion."

I'm With Her at:
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/   

Media Blitz - Dolly Parton

From L-R: Shane Carter, President, Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Inc., Dolly Parton, Danny Nozell, President / CEO, CTK Management, Simon Rayner, Director, Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Inc., Kirt Webster, President, Webster Public Relations

If It's Pure & Simple, It's Dolly!

There’s no mistaking the fact that Dolly Parton continues to reign as one of America’s favorite entertainers of all time – and the summer of 2016 has only added to that reputation with one of the most successful tours in the music business – and her first chart-topping solo album in a quarter-century.

Her Pure & Simple tour – her first extensive concerted touring effort in the United States since 1992, has sold out arena and arena, garnering her rave reviews from the critics for her pared-down approach at telling her musical story. She has just brought the tour north of the border to Canada, as well.

At the same time, the Country Music Hall of Fame member is by no means resting on her laurels. Her newest album, also titled Pure & Simple, has proven that the public’s love affair with Dolly Parton the musician and songwriter remains as strong as ever. The disc, released on August 19, debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart – marking her first-ever debut in the Soundscan era. Overall,Pure and Simple has become her seventh album to top the charts – and first since Eagle When She Flies in 1991. The album also reached a similar status in Canada, as well, hitting the top of the charts.

Hello Dolly!
Dolly & Katie Couric

The disc has impressed many of the industry’s toughest critics, with USA Today’s Bob Doerschuck saying “After half a century’s worth of performance, Dolly Parton’s voice still bubbles like a freshly popped bottle of champagne,” while ABC News’ Allan Raible extorts that Pure & Simple “is just another reminder of her durability as an artist. Like Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn, she is one of the few remaining from country’s old-guard and yet it is still amazing to think that her first albums were released fifty years ago.”

The worldwide entertainment icon has once again partnered up with Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores for a contest that will give fans a chance to win a “Dolly Parton VIP Concert Experience,” which includes airfare, hotel accommodations, 2 VIP concert tickets, a photo with Dolly, and other items. For more details, go to dolly.crackerbarrel.com.

The restaurant chain is also offering an exclusive edition of Pure & Simple that contains two bonus cuts. The association with Cracker Barrel also includes the new online “Front Porch Series,” which features Parton talking musical shop with newcomers Cam and RaeLynn. Fans can watch the clips at youtube.com/user/CrackerBarrelOCS

In addition to these performances and reviews, Dolly has also been making the media rounds with such media luminaries as Larry King (goo.gl/vEbpBd), Katie Couric (yahoo.com/katiecouric), and CNBC’s “On The Money” (cnbc.com/2016/09/05/dolly-parton-is-back-on-the-charts-and-she-means-business.html).
 

Get Pure & Simple here:
iTunes: smarturl.it/dollypartonps
Apple Music: smarturl.it/applemusicdolly
Amazon Music: smarturl.it/amzmusicdolly
Google Play: marturl.it/gpdolly
Spotify: smarturl.it/spotifydolly
Amazon Physical: smarturl.it/amazondolly 

Supergirl, Say "Hello" To Wonder Woman

When Supergirl Met Wonder Woman
Melissa Benoist & Lynda Carter

In her upcoming sophomore season Supergirl, played by Melissa Benoist is going to meet none other than pop icon Lynda Carter who portrayed the original and greatest Wonder Woman ever on  her own series of the same name. 

Even if you have never seen an episode of Supergirl Carter fans are going to want to tune in for this as her role is a doozy, she will be playing the President of the United States!!! 

Benoist posted this photo of her and her co-star on Instagram with the caption:

"Met a wonderful woman today"

That's Hot!

Season two of Supergirl premieres Monday October 10th at 8 on the CW.