Think Of What You've Always Wanted..."Beauty and the Beast"

Beastie Girl
Emma Watson

Well, well, well the first full length feature trailer for Disney's live action version of their animated classic Beauty and the Beast has been released. I have one thing to say: for the love of Emma Watson, magnificent!

This looks like the reel deal. Yes, I meant to spell real that way, as it seems like a really heartfelt & beautiful transition from animation to live action that has the heart and soul of the material of which it is based on.

Personally, I loved the animated BB when it came out in theaters. That's pretty abnormal for someone who really has not liked many animated films since he was a child. I believed I actually dropped a tear or two, FML!

Now onto my Emma Watson love. I am a curmudgeon, thus I so could not get into the first Harry Potter epic that I did not watch the others. But Emma has really proved herself to be an intelligent, poised not to mention articulate young woman who I greatly admire. I did see her in  My Week With Marilyn though, In short, she is one of my girl crushes.

Dear Emma, hey you, I will be seeing this.

Respect & admiration always...jump to the trailer below!

Emma Watson is the coolest at:
https://twitter.com/EmmaWatson
https://www.instagram.com/emmawatson/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/emmawatson/    

Party Like It's "Saturday Night Live"

Ladies Who Lick
Madonna & Leslie Jones

Did you know for every new episode of Saturday Night Live they tape an angel gets it's wings? Not! But they do have an after party, that's for sure! Yep, the fun doesn't halt when the cameras stop rolling. 

Where do I sign up to get a job on that show?! 

This past Saturday's party held at The Cutting Room in NYC brought out some big names, one of them happened to be Madonna. Leslie Jones nabbed a pic of her and the superstar for the fans and tweeted: 

Leslie Jones 

✔@Lesdoggg

YUUUUUUP WAS AMONGST LEGENDS!!

2:45 AM - 13 Nov 2016

Looks like a blast Leslie, and aren't you happy?!

It's Monday time to kick off another week, make it a good one!

Leslie Jones on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg 

Sunday Schwing! Christian Bale

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The Sorcery of Naama Kates

Sorceress
Naama Kates 

My first introduction to Naama Kates was as a singer/songwriter, then I came to find out she was so much more. She is also an accomplished actress as well as a screenwriter. Now she can add full fledged filmmaker to her resume' with her directorial debut Sorceress, which recently got some much deserved attention at AFM (American Film Market.) To describe this movie would be unfair to the viewer. It is something one needs to experience on their own terms. 

Me? I loved it! Here to answer five questions about it is none other than the woman behind the madness Ms. Naama Kates! 

MS:  What was the inspiration for the film?

NK: Well to me all of life is an inspiration-- whatever happens, for better or worse, if it ends up as material, I can feel like it was worthwhile... I think that's especially important to remember now, during the hard times.  Film, music, literature, comedy, art in general, reminds us that we're not alone in any of it.

That being said, I started writing what became the film in short pieces of dialogue, impressions, usually from conversations I'd had or heard that felt interesting.  And then the location- Finland- where I did my artist residency, was a huge inspiration.  Other elements of the story, of course, came from my life, and from historical figures I found interesting- like Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century alchemist, and the obsession of the film's protagonist.  I wasn't even sure I wanted to make a film, until I had to write a proposal for the residency program.  Like with most of the bigger decisions in life, I act first, and figure it out later.  

MS:  How did it feel being a first time Director?

NK: I was all over the place!  We shot it over a really short period of time, with what felt like relatively little preparation.  On the other hand, I've worked on films before with even less preparation and planning... I hardly feel like I directed anything; I had great actors and crew and a great cinematographer, and I think those ingredients, paired with a good script, are most vital.  Since I also wrote it, I wasn't so sure about that last part- the good script- haha.  It was my first time doing anything like it.  At times it was sort of incredible-- all these great people were making my ideas happen!  But then I'd think, wait, are they all just doing this because it's the job?  Does anyone actually think this is a good idea?  Checks and balances are important! 

And I couldn't have had a better experience than I did in Finland.  Everyone was so professional, intelligent, humble and straightforward. And so talented!  It's an incredibly progressive society; there is virtually no sexism there and probably never has been, really.  I am extremely grateful for that. 

MS: The Cinematography was amazing, and played a role in the story. Where did you find the cinematographer?

NK: Thank you-- and, indeed!  The cinematographer, Jarkko T. Laine, is a member of the Finnish Society of Cinematographers, like our ASC, which is an invitation-only, very prestigious organization.  In the US, I think it would have been nearly impossible for a first-time filmmaker on my budget to get a member to shoot my movie, without pulling some serious strings.  Because Finland is a much smaller country (only 5 million people) and isn't so crazy when it comes to the movie business, the artists are more accessible; I went to the FSC website and emailed Jarkko directly, and then he brought on the A.D, Ville Gronroos, and A.C., Jenni Riutta, as well as the sound recorder, Akseli Soini.  That was our crew!  And they really brought it to another level. 

MS:  Now, I don't want you to give away the ending, but while I didn't see it coming in hindsight I should have.

NK: Hehe... well, so far I haven't heard from anyone that they saw it coming.  I wanted to leave it somewhat open to interpretation.  I think that, for people who resonate with the movie, it will probably be a somewhat familiar question: am I crazy? Is this real? Is it just a coincidence? Will anyone believe me?... I think most people have those moments, and I think that the answer is never clear.  It was easy to do in the script, but I questioned it during editing-- whether it was too ambiguous.  I didn't have any guidance while I was writing, but had quite a lot of invaluable input during post-production.  I was so connected to it by then, it was impossible to be objective.

MS: To me the film is ultimately about the creative process, what would you  like the audience to take away from their experience? 

NK: I like that.  I think it doesn't have to be about the creative process in the way we usually intend-- like, it doesn't have to literally be about art.  Just about thinking differently, feeling differently, than people around you.  Wanting to be understood, and then maybe feeling that connection with someone, and then losing it.  It's also largely about dealing with loss/grief.  I think those themes are rather universal, and really I just want an audience, period!  Haha!  And ideally, I hope they take that away-- a feeling of being understood, by the film itself... 

Naama on the WWW:

https://twitter.com/naamakates?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/NaamaKates/
https://www.reverbnation.com/naamakates
https://www.youtube.com/user/delilah11
www.imdb.com/name/nm0441809/ 

Purple Rain in NYC

On Topic
Lady Gaga

"Honey, I know, I know
I know times are changing
It's time we all reach out 
For something new, that means you too" - Prince, Purple Rain

Recently Lady Gaga was snapped in NYC sporting a T-Shirt bearing tribute to the late great Prince. This is timely in many ways considering the outcome of this weeks Presidential Election, and I am sure that's the way Gaga intended it, so there!

Honestly last night was the first decent night's sleep since the debacle I have gotten.

The lyrics above from the song really hit home, especially now. Times they are a changing, we do need to reach out for something new. Time will tell how everything plays out, but one thing is for sure, we need to dust off our disappointment and come together and do the right thing by one another. Remember there is strength in unity and our own individual personal power. No one can take that away from us.

T.G.I.F! Have a terrific weekend! 

Prince on the WWW at:
www.billboard.com/articles/news/.../prince-online-museum-website 

Michael's Musings

Naughty Guys Need Love Too
Michael Shinafelt 

Buckle up peeps your in for a bumpy ride with this week's thoughts. Are you ready? OK, let's get to it grab a pussy there's nothing to it...

Disgusting thy name is Donald Trump and the people who voted for him.

Why has no one questioned whether the election was rigged or not? If Hillary had won I am sure the orange bitch baby  would be carrying on instead of stepping down with dignity and class like Clinton did.

They should make a movie about this election and title it: Revenge of the Deplorables.

11/9/2016 Dear Diary, it was 95 degrees or more throughout the Los Angeles area. In the immortal words of Paris Hilton "That's Hot."

Kentucky Muffin, it's a thing, watch Vanderpump Rules if you don't believe me.

They should play the song Tits & Ass from a Chorus Line when Melania Trump makes appearances as First Lady.

Below the line will blow your mind

I will never experience the trauma of couch butt

Sarah Paulson's horrific accent is the scariest thing on this season's American Horror Story "Oh my God!" 

For all you straight men out there who voted for Donald Trump, congratulations you are now going to know what it's like to be f#@ked!

Today I think I will hit Subway, I feel the need to feed on something twelve inches. Sometimes I can be so ambitious. 

Catch you later!

Me on Twitter & Instagram:
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/ 

Ocean's 8, America 0

3 + 5 = 8
Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett & Rihanna

First let me say I never knew I lived in such a country that would elect someone like Donald Trump as President of the United States of America. I thought I might wake up this morning only to find it was like that one season of Dallas that turned out to be a dream. No such luck.

Honestly at this moment in my personal history I am numb. Rather than continue ruminating about my extreme disappointment and shame for the country I live in and those who just sent it into some kind of fresh hell, I will try to deflect my icky feelings a little by posting this image of Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett & Rihanna filming Ocean's 8 in New York's Central Park.

They look like they are having a blast! Their smiles are infectious, may they serve as a reminder that we still have the power to be kind to one another. We are all really going to need it these next four years.

Cheers!

Ocean's 8 on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5164214/?ref_=nv_sr_2