Saturday Sinema: Between Night and Dawn

Remembering George A. Romero... There's Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch, and The Crazies, made between Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extraordinary versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur... Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showing that although he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn't define him.

Synopsis: THERE'S ALWAYS VANILLA (1971) Young drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems doomed from the outset. SEASON OF THE WITCH (1972) Joan Mitchell is a bored housewife whose dissatisfaction with her humdrum life leads to an unhealthy interest in the occult.   THE CRAZIES (1973) A small rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which sends its hosts into a violent, homicidal frenzy.   We like it because: When George A. Romero passed away in July, the film world didn't just lose its beloved 'King of Zombies', but also a groundbreaking and fearless innovator who inspired not only generations of genre directors, but also experimental and guerilla filmmakers for whom he laid down the template.   The three films collected in this box set - two early Seventies 'lost films' and a classic plague panic thriller - show there's more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There's Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies - all filmed in and around Pittsburgh - serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable performances from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty. Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humor, so that they were immediately recognized as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.   This fantastic box set includes brand new restorations of the three films, a lavish 60-page booklet featuring new writing on this fascinating chapter of Romero's career, a wealth of extras including interviews, featurettes and behind the scenes documentaries, reversible sleeves for all three films featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork, and a beautifully designed and striking slipcase featuring an iconic image of the man himself.   Pre-order via MVD Shop or on Amazon

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Child's Play, Dolly Parton

Hey Dolly, What About The Children?!

At a press conference before media reps and their children as special guests, world renowned entertainer Dolly Parton announced the release of I Believe In You, her first album written and recorded for kids and those young at heart. A digital release of the new album on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville will be available September 29, whereas the physical album will street worldwide on October 13. All 14 tracks on I Believe In You were written and performed by Dolly Parton.

“My first album was released 50 years ago and it's been an amazing 50 years since then. I am very excited that now I'm coming out with my first children's album in all of those 50 years. I'm proudest of all that all of the proceeds from this CD will go to the Imagination Library,” Dolly said. “It's been 20 years since the Imagination Library was launched. We've seen 100 million books get into the hands of children and hopefully there will be many more.”

Since its beginning in 1996 in Dolly’s hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, the Imagination Library has expanded into four countries serving more than one-million children by providing a brand new, age-appropriate book each month. In North America, every child’s first book is the classic Little Engine that Could.

With children seated around her in front of the fireside living room set that was built for the Smoky Mountains Rise Telethon last December, Dolly Parton revealed her I Believe In You album cover (above) and track listing (below).

I Believe In You Track Listing

1. I Believe in You
2. Coat of Many Colors (new recording)
3. Together Forever
4. I Am a Rainbow
5. I’m Here
6. A Friend Like You
7. Imagination
8. You Can Do It
9. Responsibility
10. You Gotta Be
11. Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny
12. Chemo Hero
13. Brave Little Soldier
14. Bonus track spoken audio: Coat of Many Colors (book read by Dolly Parton)

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 were produced by Tom McBryde and executive produced by Paul T. Couch. Tracks 2, 11, 12, and 13 were produced by Tom Rutledge and Richard Dennison and executive produced by Dolly Parton.

Before and after reading her “Coat Of Many Colors” book, she treated the kids and media to a performance of three songs featured on the new album, “I Believe in You,” “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny” and “Brave Little Soldier.” The press conference ended with Dolly answering questions and taking family photos with all the guests.

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 100 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.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DOLLY PARTON, VISIT:
www.dollyparton.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton
Instagram: Instagram.com/DollyParton
Twitter: Twitter.com/DollyParton
Tumblr: OfficialDollyParton.tumblr.com
Google+: Plus.Google.com/+DollyParton

 

Michael's Musings

Lord Won't You Buy Me A Mercedes Benz?
Michael Shinafelt

"It's obvious you hate me though I've done nothing wrong..." - People Are People, Depeche Mode 

This lyric sums up the week and the world at present perfectly right now. I don' feel the need to extrapolate on that. If you think I should, please remove yourself from this column and go do something productive, preferably without a white hood over your head.

Movin' on up...way up!

"In the more relaxed circles of Hell, you spend eternity opening and re-opening the fridge to see if something delicious has magically appeared" - Krista Allen

Is it wrong that I laugh sometimes during Law & Order: SVU?

Kylie Jenner having a midlife crisis at 19 - first world problems, yawn

Congratulations to my friend Mike Clifford his cover of "What A Wonderful World" has been #14 on the Los Angeles Jazz Chart 3 weeks in a row!!! Mike at: https://www.facebook.com/MikeCliffordsWonderfulWorld/

I like tacos and having my butt smacked

Had dinner with my BFF Brittney last Thursday @ El Coyote. Was then informed we missed the anniversary of Sharon Tate's last meal there by a day. The more you know. 

Farrah says: No drinks outside

Walk like an Egyptian, and F#ck like a drifter

I had 2 items in the 10 items or fewer line. Got behind a guy who had considerably more than 10. I cut in front of him and said "Have anything to say about that?"

Don't dream it, be it - words of wisdom from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Apparently my bitchy level is comparable to a panther. I resemble that assessment.

We are enlightened 

Join me on a journey, won't you? at:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt 

Pretend We're Dead

Remember the feminist rock group L7? They are not dead.

The L7: Pretend We're Dead documentary, produced by Blue Hats Creative will be released worldwide October 13 on VOD and Blu-ray / DVD. A multi-city theatrical screening tour of the film will kick off on September 1, with over a dozen dates and more to be announced in select markets this Fall. Excitement around L7: Pretend We're Dead has catalyzed a widely anticipated reunion which unleashed their high-octane energy and anthemic chops upon stages worldwide. The band will play a stint of West Coast dates next month with more chances to experience the electrifying onslaught coming soon.

L7: Pretend We're Dead assembles a powerful combination of never-before-seen home video footage, raucous performances,and relevant interviews. It's a real time journey witnessing the rise, fall, and ultimate redemption of the fierce feminist pioneers of American grunge punk, L7. The film offers engrossing insight into the band's 20 year plus her-story and features exclusive interviews with Exene Cervenka (X), Shirley Manson (Garbage), Joan Jett, Brody Dalle (The Distillers), Lydia Lunch, Allison Robertson (The Donnas), Louise Post (Veruca Salt), CSS and more.

"Despite the very long hiatus ... L7 still pack major muscle on stage"

- Rolling Stone

"I like their rebelliousness ...it's about being liberated and calling the shots... I definitely see a lot of us in them... and we're proud of that."
- Joey Ramone

"Songs like Wargasm, Diet Pill and Shitlist fulfill the ancient prophecy of a time when gurls would reinvent punk out of sheer delight in their own power"
- Robert Christgau

"No one rocked harder than feminist grunge punk quartet L7"

- PAPER

"L7 don't defy expectations -- they detonate them."

- Billboard

Film Screening Dates:

9/1: Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theater

9/8: Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA

9/8: Chicago, IL @ The Vic/Brew & View

9/8: Santa Ana, CA @ Frida Cinema

9/9: Santa Ana, CA @ Frida Cinema

9/10: Santa Ana, CA @ Frida Cinema

9/12: Long Beach, CA @ Art Theatre

9/14: Boston, MA @ Regent Theater

9/15: Boston, MA @ Regent Theater

9/17: Austin, TX @ Alamo Drafthouse

9/19: Washington DC @ The Black Cat

9/16: Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent

9/27: San Francisco, CA @ The Roxie

10/5: Brooklyn, NY @ Nitehawk Cinema

Live Tour Dates:

9/26: Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst

9/27: San Francisco, CA @ Slim's

9/30: Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny...

Wow!
Sharon Stone

She wore an itsy bitsy teeny weeny blue string bikini...That's right, it's Sharon Stone rocking said swimwear and guess what? She's 58!

I am posting this because as someone over 50 (51 to be exact) and wanting to shed some weight, appearance & health have been on my mind a lot of late. 

While I realize I am not a woman, let's face it society holds women to more stringent ideals than men. Thus I am posting this image of Stone.

The reality is not everyone looks this fantastic, or will, but we should all aspire to do better for ourselves in all areas of our lives. 

Sharon is a shining example of someone who has been through the ringer and still came out on top (she had a stroke people, remember)

File This Under: Inspiration 

Sharon on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sharonstone/?hl=en 

Just Because...Shay Mitchell

Dark Lady
Shay Mithcell

Just Because she looks amazing, just because Pretty Little Liars is over and I miss it & just because I follow her on Instagram, here is Shay Mitchell aka Emily Fields captured walking in Los Angeles.

While I will miss the show, I will always be able to keep of with Shay where in the world she is via her Instagram page. Yep, Shay loves to travel and post photos from her world tours, which I love to see.

 Her adventures in Morocco were a particular standout. 

Now just because I am running behind schedule this Monday morning I am going to leave you with the link to Shay's Instagram page so you too can enjoy and wonder: Where in the world is Shay Mitchell?!

Cheers!

Shay on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shaymitchell/?hl=en 

Sunday Schwing! Javier Bardem

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