Cyndi Lauper Lasso's #4!!!

The Odd Couple
Cyndi Lauper + Country Music

Like who knew?! After all these years as a pop icon, Cyndi Lauper decided to go country. Surprise! She rules at it and her country debut "Detour" was number four with a bullet on the Billboard Country Music Chart it's first week of release. Go Cyndi, Go Cyndi, Co Cyndi, Go....!!!

Tell us about it, Cyndi: 

"These songs had a profound impact on me when I was a little girl listening to my Aunt Gracie's kitchen radio in Queens. I grew up listening and admiring Patsy Cline, Patsy Montana, Hank Williams - all the greats from the Golden Age of country. It was an honor to record those beautiful songs for DETOUR and I am so thankful for the fans and the country music community for welcoming me with open arms," Lauper said.

Reviews Don't Lie:

“Cyndi Lauper tackles the genre with characteristically daring eccentricity.” - Keith Harris, Rolling Stone

“Once again [...] Cyndi Lauper has dauntlessly created a triumphantly amazing new release.” - Eileen Shapiro, Huffington Post

“...(Lauper) proves herself not only a competent country vocalist [...] but also a masterful interpreter in the classic tradition of the best female country vocalists of the late-‘60s.” - John Paul, Pop Matters

“[...] like Prince, the Grammy-winning vocalist is also constantly reinventing herself.” - Megan Seling, Nashville Scene

“DETOUR makes all the right turns, never missing an opportunity to surprise the listener or stretch Cyndi’s style just far enough to keep things interesting.” - Jonathan Riggs, Idolator

She's So Unusual at:
cyndilauper.com/

Saturday Schwing! Chris Coy

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Film Buff Friday: Crimes Of Passion

OMG! I am a huge fan of Ken Russell and his visionary, off center brand of film making. This ranks among one of my favorite films of all time. I first saw it on video, the unrated version, brilliant!

Kathleen Turner gave one of the bravest, most original, brilliant performances ever by an actress of her stature at the time. Anthony Perkins was nothing less than amazing! Can you tell I am excited for July 12th?!?!?

Crimes Of Passion [Blu-ray + DVD] (July 12th)

She is watched. She is worshipped. And she must remain a mystery.

In the early eighties British enfant terrible Ken Russell travelled to America and placed his unorthodox imprint on a pair of US movies. The first was the Altered States, so out-there its screenwriter disowned it. The second was the equally crazy Crimes of Passion, starring Kathleen Turner (Body Heat, Serial Mom) at the height of her powers.

Fashion designer Joanna Crane (Turner) leads a double life. By night she is China Blue, a prostitute who's attracted the unwanted attention of two men. One is a sexually frustrated private detective hired by her employees. The other is psychopathic priest (played by Norman Bates himself, Anthony Perkins) in possession of a murderous sex toy.

With its outré screenplay by Barry Sandler and over the top score by Rick Wakeman, Crimes of Passion may just be the most outrageous Ken Russell film ever made - and that's quite some feat!

BONUS MATERIALS
- Brand new 2K restoration of the film from original film materials
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations of the director's cut and unrated versions of the film
- Optional subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director Ken Russell and producer-screenwriter Barry Sandler
- Seven deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary by Sandler
- Brand-new interview with Sandler recorded especially for this release
- Home movie footage of Ken Russell visiting Florida for a retrospective screening of Crimes of Passion at the 2009 Florida Film Festival
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Twins of Evil

- Illustrated booklet containing new writing by Ken Russell's biographer, Paul Sutton, correspondence between Russell and Kathleen Turner, and an on-set interview with Russell (first pressing only)

Pre-order at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon

TBT: Rock Isn't Dead & Neither Is Lynyrd Skynyrd

We Ride Unicorns
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Photo: Clay Patrick McBride

Okay, do I seriously need to provide an explanation as to why Lynyrd Skynyrd is the subject of a Throwback Thursday piece? I thought not, keep calm and throwback like good little buckaroos!

On July 17, the evening prior to the official kick-off of the Republican National Convention, Cleveland - The Rock and Roll Capital of the World - will see a party unlike any they have ever seen as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icons Lynyrd Skynyrd will provide entertainment for the “Welcome To Ohio Late Night” party held at The Auto Lot, a pop-up venue in downtown Cleveland and hosted by Ohio Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger.

Local Ohio foods will be on hand, as well as local beer presented by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association in partnership with Thirsty Dog Brewing Company. The event is produced by Blue Star Productions, LLC in conjunction with the Green Beret Foundation, The Folded Flag Foundation, The Guardians of Heroes Foundation, OH Fallen Heroes, and SRT-K9 Unit, with those military charities receiving proceeds from the event.

Originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 by Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Larry Junstrom, the band changed its’ moniker to the iconic name in the early 1970s, and became a fan favorite in the Jacksonville, FL area. They inked a deal with Sounds of the South Records in 1972, and released their self-titled disc the following year. Selling over two million units since its’ release, the album featured “Free Bird,” which became one of the most important singles of the Southern Rock era. Future hits included “Sweet Home Alabama” and “What’s Your Name.”

The band’s story took a tragic turn in October 1977 when a plane crash took the lives of Van Zant, Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and several of their road crew. The band took a decade-long hiatus before reuniting for a tour and live album, Southern by the Grace of God. Since then, the band has toured and recorded extensively, with their most recent release being Last Of A Dyin’ Breed. The band’s current line-up includes original member Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Johnny Colt, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

For more information, go to www.ClevelandRocks2016.com 

"The View" According To Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho Is Here To Help
Photo: Dusti Cunningham

Yes, tomorrow if you watch the talk fest The View you will get some Margaret Cho realness mixed in with...like who the heck is even hosting that show anymore?! There has been such a revolving door and so many people filling in for other people who need people, whatever!

All you need to know about tomorrow's broadcast is Margaret will be on addressing the topics du jour.

One thing I am positive will come up will be Ms. Cho's sophomore musical effort American Myth. Can I get an amen and a high five to this?!

So if you are a fan of The View, Thursday is going to have a little extra something, something. If you are a Cho fan, well this is the only day you are mandated to tune in, Tivo and or DVR this show.

Margaret is here for you and your almost Friday rut, yes, really.

Also, be sure to start your week off with Margaret and the Fashion Police squad when they pass judgment  on the outfits from the Billboard Music Awards this coming Monday May 23rd.

When it comes to helping you out with the weekly grind, Margaret has got you covered.

Pencil Margaret in for your week at: 
http://margaretcho.com/    

Nyle & Peta For The Mirror Ball

Nyle, Never Fear Peta Is Here!

Although I do not watch Dancing With The Stars with rapt attention, I do follow it enough to be aware of what is happening on the celebrity dance off.

Well no real surprise America's Next Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco and his dance partner Peta Murgatroyd have made it to the finals and are competing against some other people that really don't stand a chance against them.

Yes, Nyle and Peta will win the Mirror Ball Trophy and deserve to. Some may think Nyle being deaf is getting him sympathy votes. While I agree his being deaf is part of the reason he will win, it is also part of the reason he should win.

Not only does Nyle not dance like someone who does not have the ability to hear, he dances like a pro. He has also performed dances that remind us of his disability as well, even brought us into his world with a dance to no music. Last night he danced blindfolded.

DiMarco is a superstar on the dance floor who could have been content to turn in functional performances and still have gotten this far. Instead he gives us excellence like no other while all the time reminding the audience where that desire to push and exceed boundaries comes from without any cloying sentimentality.

These two will, and deserve to win! To the other contestants in the finale? Enjoy the ride.

Go "Dancing" at:
https://www.facebook.com/dancingwiththestars/

Money Monster: Cannes, Cannes, Cannes

l-r Amal, George, Julia & Jodie
in Cannes

In case you have been distracted by other things the 2016 Cannes Film Festival has been happening and a movie with the title Money Monster played it and opened this past Friday.

No,I have yet to see it. Yes, it is on my list of films to do. Hey it stars George Clooney & Julia Roberts with Jodie Foster at the helm. Yeah, that puts it in "must see" territory for me.

So, I said to myself: Let's kick off the post Friday the 13th weekend with a really hot image of the trio and Clooney's catch of a wife Amal to start Monday the 16th off on a too cool note.

According to my favorite film buff Erik Rimmer: 

"Money Monster was a great film. I loved it. Tight direction and very suspenseful . Julia Roberts and George Clooney were fantastic." 

Bask, it's Monday. Enjoy your week!!!

Money Monster on IMDB: 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2241351/?ref_=nv_sr_1