Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Tie One On, With "Fifty Shades" Star Jamie Dornan

Nothing Except For A Slip Knot Comes Between Jamie Dornan And His Calvin's

Pardon the beefcake shot, but given the tone of this post, I could not resist an image showing all of you the star of the upcoming adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Gray" Jamie Dornan in his Calvin's...
Much like Brooke Shields it looks like nothing comes between Jamie and his Calvin's either.
Mr. Dornan has earned himself an interesting set of skills after some of his latest jobs. Like tying rope, for example.
He plays a serial killer who ties up his victims in "The Fall" to a billionaire S&M hunk who enjoys to do some rope work in "Fifty Shades of Grey," Dornan has had his fair share in the knot workshop, but even he admits that he'd like to do slide into something different.
 The actor admits "There are a couple of classic knots I know now,"  tell us more Jamie -  "and I've put them to good use far too many times recently. In fact I'd like to do a job where I don't have to tie women to beds."
Or perhaps you could hold seminars for the rabid fan base of the E.L. James novel, it would be a great publicity stunt, just putting it out there...!

Learn to tie a knot at: http://www.fiftyshadesmovie.com/

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Neil Patrick Harris Has An "Angry Inch"

Watch Out Bitches, Neil Patrick Harris Is On The Loose!
Apparently Neil Patrick Harris, the immensely likable performer is a bit of a 
Devo (Male term for Diva for those not in the loop) - Oh and by the way, kidding!

Neil Patrick Harris' recent Broadway performance of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is causing a bit of a stir.
After a female admirer yelled out "I love you Neil!," during the show Saturday, Harris shot back, "I'm doing something up here, motherf—cker!"  
The former "How I Met Your Mother" star isn't denying that this happened, but he is saying the supposed curse out was taken out of context. 
The musical—about a transgender German rocker—is highly improvisational, embracing audience interaction."
It's great that an enthusiastic fan was there in the audience for Mr. Harris to take her comment and make it a part of the show. I bet she loved it!

NPH made the following statement to Out Magazine:

"Hedwig is bringing up a lot of super insecure things within me. I never thought drag was intoxicating, I've never had a fun drunken Halloween in drag, never been in heels, really. I've lived my whole life being attracted by masculinity—it's why I like guys. I'm not a super effete person, and I have to turn into that, and in doing so it brings up a lot of homophobic insecurities within myself."

Neil you are preaching to this choir I hear ya!
Currently in previews "Hedwig" opens April 22nd!

Buy your tickets here: http://www.broadway.com/shows/hedwig-and-angry-inch/

Friday, April 18, 2014

Film Buff Friday: Lose Something? "The Lost Empire"

"The Lost Empire"
 
You all know how I love "B" movies, right?! Well here comes another from the master and fan of the genre himself Jim Wynorski.

Extra! Extra! Available April 22nd (That's Tuesday, got it?!)

In 1983, a young director stepped behind the camera for the first time and began to shoot a film which he thought might be both his first and his last. An ardent fan of "B" cinema, Jim Wynorski decided to cram this film with everything he loved. "I got my first break doing The Lost Empire for Plitt Theatres," says Jim Wynorski. "The late owner, Henry Plitt (a decorated war hero), wanted to make a low budget sci-fi action picture as a tax loss. I never knew that when I made the show, so I put my heart and soul into the project. When it finally got completed, Plitt actually liked it enough to give it a wide theatrical release - where it actually made some money," comments Wynorski. 

The film had a limited theatrical release followed by an initial release on VHS. As a result of a series of corporate changes at Plitt, "The Lost Empire" was set aside and lost to generations of genre movie fans. Wynorski's career took off and resulted in an immense body of work. "It was always a deep regret of mine that my first film was caught in this limbo," says Wynorski "For years I did all kinds of detective work trying to get my film seen." 

In 2007, Wynorski began working with Indiana based producer, Bill Dever. Dever was more than familiar with Wynorski's work and was by his own admission "a big fan". Off and on they began searching for The Lost Empire. " We had a lucky break when we discovered who purchased the assets of Plitt," says Dever. "From there the pieces fell into place; for me it was an honor to be involved in the resurrection of The Lost Empire." 

They re-acquired the rights and Wynorski went to work readying his first born to the  world for the second time. Dever engaged the sponsorship of Doremi Labs, a leader in digital cinema technology. Doremi has been in the forefront of leading the digital cinema revolution. "Doremi not only is a company deeply involved financially in digital cinema," says Michael Archer VP Of Digital Cinema for Doremi, "We also care deeply for the legacy and tradition of cinema and for us this was a natural fit." 

In the fall of 2013 projection lamps throughout North America illuminated screens with Wynorski's vision with the help of some friends and the dedication of a company very much aware of the history of the industry it serves.    

Thursday, April 17, 2014

"Scandal" The Covering Of Kerry Washington's Baby Bump

Is that your knee Mr. President? Or are you just happy to see me?
Tonight as all of us Gladiator's know is the season finale of one of the best shows on TV "Scandal."

I've really got to hand it to the whole creative team that works on this, a show with story lines that escalate usually falters mighty, but "Scandal" like the Energizer Bunny just keeps going and going...and getting better.

"Scandal" is like riding the fiercest roller coaster at Magic Mountain! I can't wait to see what happens in tonight's wrap of the current season.

Now that I have clarified that I am a true fan of the show and it's awesome ability to entertain, let me say one of the more entertaining aspects of this season for us Gladiators was seeing all of the creative ways they covered series star Kerry Washington's baby bump.

C'mon you know you were amused by it as much as I was. Some of them were typical, while others were downright genius!

My personal favorite President Grant's (Tony Goldwyn) knee obscuring Olivia Pope's bump so the prying camera could not film it. Totally awesome and amusing at the same time.

Confess did anyone out there have a drinking game based around this? I bet some of you Gladiators did...!

The best thing though is the brilliant team behind "Scandal" did manage to keep their female lead and show anchor front and center where she belongs. That is the one mistake most shows with a female lead make, when their leading lady gets pregnant - they move her out of the center of the action and whip up other story lines for the supporting characters and they lose the shows focus and it goes downhill from there.

Excited to see how they end the season tonight and "yes" I will be checking out Operation Camouflage Kerry's Baby Bump as well.

Happy viewing Gladiators!

It's always scandalous on your TV! http://abc.go.com/shows/scandal

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Dolly Parton Is Having A Hoedown On "The Today Show"


DOLLY PARTON TO PERFORM AS PART OF THE TODAY SHOW OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES ON MAY 13TH

In less than a month the awesome Ms. Parton will take to "The Today Show" stage and wow everyone with her effortless flair and charisma. I know I will be watching...Yes, I think Dolly is amazing!

Dolly Parton, the most honored female country performer of all time, recently topped the New Zealand all-genre album chart and the Australian country album chart with the release of her latest album Blue Smoke.  Now, in preparation of Blue Smoke’s release in the United States, Dolly has announced her performance as part of the "The Today Show" Outdoor Concert Series,  the very same day her album hits stores – May 13th.

Additional television and media appearances will be announced in the coming weeks.

Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, Dolly has had 25 songs reach number 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has 41 career top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years. All-inclusive sales of singles, albums, hits collections, paid digital downloads and compilation usage during her Hall of Fame career have reportedly topped a staggering 100 million records worldwide. She has garnered 7 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, 5 Academy of Country Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards and is one of only five female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award. Dolly was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.  And the litany goes on.

Dolly’s career has spanned nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down.  An internationally-renowned superstar, the iconic and irrepressible Parton has contributed countless treasures to the worlds of music, film and television.  Some of her hit films have included "Nine to Five," "Steel Magnolias," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Rhinestone," "Straight Talk," and "Joyful Noise."  Parton received two Oscar® nominations – one for writing the title tune to "Nine to Five" and the other for "Travelin’ Thru" from the film "Transamerica."


Have your own Ho Down with Dolly at:

www.dollypartonentertainment.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Stand In Solitude With Suzanne Vega In Rome


Suzanne Vega "Solitude Standing" 
 Available on DVD on May 6th
An intimate performance in Rome from 2003

I, like many first remember Suzanne Vega when she had her breakthrough hit "Luka."
It was an amazing work that brought a palatable sound and mainstream access to a subject matter that was anything but...

Ms. Vega is currently on tour all over the world and the U.S. - click on the link below to find out where in the meantime you can pre-order the DVD of her intimate performance in Rome. Keep calm and carry on...




Filmed at the Rome Auditorium in July 2003, Suzanne Vega performs some of her greatest hits at this intimate concert, including Tom's DinerLuka and Marlene On The Wall. The songs are interspersed with moving poetry readings. The DVD includes a candid interview with singer/songwriter Valerio Piccolo about Vega's life and career. This DVD is released shortly following her world tour and new album.

"Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation," (Biography Magazine) Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been labelled contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs.

Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has performed at sell-out concerts in many of the world's best-known venues. She'll be touring the UK, Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia throughout March, April and May 2014 - a full list of dates can be found HERE.

Songs / Poems:

1. Marlene On The Wall 
2. How To Make A Poem (poem) 
3. Small Blue Thing 
4. Caramel 
5. Italy In Spring (poem) 
6. Some Journey 
7. Penitent 
8. When Heroes Go Down 
9. Anti-hero (poem) 
10. Gypsy 
11. Left Of Center 
12. Solitaire 
13. The Queen And The Soldier 
14. In Liverpool (poem) 
15. In Liverpool 
16. Luka 
17. Tom's Diner

Buy yourself a piece of solitude at:  http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=WNRD2582

Friday, April 11, 2014

Carrie Borzillo Was There, Kurt Cobain's Death Remembered

Carlton Books has announced the re-issue of author/journalist Carrie Borzillo's first book, 2000's Eyewitness "Nirvana: The Day-by-Day Chronicle," with a new cover, title, and design as "Nirvana: In The Words of the People Who Were There" on April 1, 2014 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tragic death of Kurt Cobain.
The book is on sale everywhere. Mr. Borzillo is selling a limited number of signed copies direct to the fans via her official website with a percentage of each autographed copy purchased being donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 
Being a Nirvana fan I had to satiate my curiosity and chat with another fellow fan - one that actually authored a book on the subject, here is what transpired...

MS: So I just recently learned, with the re-issue of your book that you are a Nirvana fan.

CB: Yes, but I would never put myself up there with the real hard core Nirvana fans. I was a music journalist so I knew them professionally, and of course being a music journalist I was passionate about music and I loved them, but those real hard core Nirvana fans who are not journalists and do not work in the industry - the just love Kurt Cobain so much! Of course I'm a fan but those real ones can recite every lyric, I sometimes forget what I wrote in my own book, OK? (laughs)

MS: I'm a fan like you are a fan too, I completely love their music and what they stood for but, I can barely remember some of the things I write either. (laughs) Yeah my over the top fan days are long gone.

CB: It's great to feel passionate about music and all of that, but it's not like when you were a teenager or in your twenties.

MS: When I first listened to Nirvana their music used to hit so many deep emotional triggers for me as I have grown older I still love the music, and it still hits certain things for me, but now I look at it more as great music, it's not as emotional now.

CB: It's hard for me to listen to Nirvana still without feeling, at least for me, that huge sense of sadness. When he sings you can really hear that struggle and inner turmoil, it comes out in every word he says, every lyric, every guitar strum is so full of pain, it's hard to listen to.

MS: I'm from the Seattle area by the way.

CB: Oh Wow! Were you around when Kurt's suicide happened?

MS: I was in Los Angeles actually.

CB: I lived in Los Angeles but was flown to a party in Seattle, and was there the day it happened, what a fluke, huh? The biggest news story of my career probably. What timing, weird you know?

MS: Personally I think Kurt Cobain was the last iconic figure we will ever have in rock music.

CB: Absolutely! He was the last true tortured artist who actually had something important to say, that changed pop culture and the music industry, and flipped everything upside down. He made the un-cool people, cool, the misfits became the popular kids. He made it OK to be different and brought alternative music to mainstream. That wasn't really his intention and he honestly struggled with his being indie, cool and underground and all of the sudden that becoming the biggest commercial thing.

MS: I'm sure it was a surprise.

CB: There will never be that again, and if someone does come out again who is like a Kurt Cobain figure, we've got to start counting his days. Those true artists who are coming from a deep lace of pain and suffering are not long for this world. Kurt was never going to live past twenty-seven I think.

MS: What did you think about those who were trying to pin Kurt's murder on Courtney Love?

CB: This happens with anyone who is as big of an icon as Kurt Cobain. It happened with Jim Morrison, it happened with Elvis Presley, the only person it didn't happen with was John Lennon because that was a real clear cut incident with witnesses and everything.

MS: No debating that one.

CB: Because Kurt was such an icon and Courtney was around we he committed suicide. Of course there is going to be all these theories and mysteries, it was clear cut suicide. Listening to all of the conspiracy theories was fun, that Courtney hired somebody to kill Kurt. You know it wouldn't surprise me if Courtney ever said, or had a conversation with someone saying: "I want to kill my husband." But in this case he did this alone.

MS: Why do you think there was some doubt in people's mind?

CB: One of the facts is that the level of heroin he had in his system would not have allowed him to pull the trigger on the gun. The thing is, that is true unless you are a super junkie, Kurt was a super junkie. His tolerance level was higher than the average junkie. I mean if did that much heroin I'd be dead in a second. People always say: "Well Doctors say it's impossible" - Yes, Doctors do say that, but there is a but there, if your tolerance level is as high as Kurt's then it is possible.

MS: Exactly!

CB: With the reissue I didn't want to just capitalize on this horrible tragedy that happened, I wanted to give back and am donating some money to the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, if you buy singed copies through me on my site. It's great to celebrate his life right now, we are remembering someone who contributed so much to the music industry. But let's bring it back to what really happened: drug addiction, suicide, depression...that's what was really going on with him. Anything I can do to shine a little light on that is what I want to do.

Buy an autographed copy of "Nirvana: In The Words Of The People Who Were There" via Carrie's website and give back at: http://www.carrieborzillo.com/