A Star Is Born

With Stars In Their Eyes
Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga

OK, a star really hasn't been born, more like rebooted, Lady Gaga 3.0, or is it 4.0? Anyone?

While the initial trailer online for this opus was, to me a neutral affair, the reviews from the Venice Film Festival have been anything but. 

Everyone is going gonzo for Gaga & Bradley Cooper in what is the 4th take on a timeless theme and film. 

Here are some quotes from those in the know who have seen it at the Fest -

Owen Gleiberman, Variety:

"A Star Is Born is that thing we always yearn for but so rarely get to see: a transcendent Hollywood movie."

 Stephanie Zacharek, Time:

"Cooper’s version proves there’s always a way to freshen up old material."

 Peter Bradshaw, the Guardian:

"He appears opposite a sensationally good Lady Gaga, whose ability to be part ordinary person, part extraterrestrial celebrity empress functions at the highest level at all times… Cooper is arguably prettier than Lady Gaga, but she is the one who commands your attention: that sharp, quizzical, leonine, mesmeric face—an uningratiating face, very different from the wide-eyed openness of Streisand or Garland."

With the film opening October 5th, Warner Brothers suits obviously knew it was going to get good reviews. Thus they showed it out of competition the Venice Film Festival to create buzz.

You'd better work!

A Star Is Born on IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517451/  

Freaky Friday

Look, Up In The Sky...
Tippi Hedren 

Ever wonder what would happen if nature rebelled against you in the form of a docile creature such as a bird? Well I actually don't my sister's parakeet attacked me a few times, so that has been scratched off my bucket list.

This coming Tuesday I will be hitting The Montalban Theater in Hollywood for a retro screening of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. It has been a long time since I have seen it, like, I believe I saw it when I was in High School. So I don't remember too much about it, other than cute little birdies taking on the demeanor of animals gone wild and that Tippi Hedren was a stalker of sorts.

So in case you haven't guessed it Ornithophobia - fear of birds, is this weeks Freaky Friday inspiration.

Thanks Tippi & Alfred looking forward to revisiting this classic under the stars on the rooftop of The Montalban this Tuesday. I hope there are no birds in sight...Ca ca ca!

The Birds on IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056869/?ref_=nv_sr_1  

Michael's Musings

Hustle For My Muscle
Michael Shinafelt

Let's start today off with one of the most useless quotes ever "Good things come to those who wait."

You've got to be kidding me that this is something anyone would subscribe to in their right mind. Good things come to those who hustle and bust their booty, don't let them tell you otherwise, moving on...

This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time

Because of the Lily Cup Compact I get excited about my next period

Daryl Hannah & Neil Young are married, the more you know

Balanced, fulfilled individuals need only apply

Is there life on Uranus? In it perhaps?

Do no harm, but take no sh!t, and get lots of...

When at home I am usually naked 

Some of us just like to read

R.I.P. John McCain

She Will Rock You!
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle, Meghan Markle, Meghan Markle

In the end, you will thank me

Just Because...India Gants

Stop the vapidness!

Choose Life

Michael Says Just Do It! at -
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

Raise A Glass, Now Kiss My...
Angelina Jolie

Today I've got chills, they're multiplying...usually I have reserved today for a delicious side of man meat. But today I cam craving a different kind of "chill" the one belonging to the world of adult beverages. The martini to be exact.

"Yes" passing by landmark Hollywood restaurant Musso and Frank reminded me of days of yore when I spent time on the Blvd., Hollywood that is seeing movies almost every weekend at the Grauman's Chinese Theater and then sauntering down to M & F for a gin martini with two olives.

Gin was my jam, a vodka martini almost seemed like an amateur concoction and a two martini chill @ Musso's was a quadruple treat. That's correct minions when the bartender made them while you watched there was always an extra something more that he poured into a side decanter that made it equal two, thus two for one! Trust only a couple of rounds and my boots were made for more than walking.

So join moi and Ms. Angelina Jolie and raise a glass and "Chill" - because it's "Hump Day" after all...

For those about to rock, I salute you!

Musso and Frank on the WWW:

http://mussoandfrank.com/ 

You've Got To Have Friends

Friendship
Luann de Lesseps & Lance Bass

After the tumultuous past couple of years - a quickie marriage/divorce, getting arrested for a DUI, assaulting a Police officer, entering rehab, relapsing and re-entering rehab and to top it all off being sued by her ex-husband and children, Luann de Lesseps of The Real Housewives of New York City has had quite the bumpy ride.

Lucky for her she's got friends, and lots of them as she takes to the stage in her cabaret show #CountessAndFriends - Look who dropped by while she was performing at The Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Why it's none other than NSYNC singer Lance Bass!

Honestly I kind of like Luann, mainly because she owns her mistakes. She does not blame everyone else for her problems. While her reactions to them may be less than ideal, we've all been there and done that. 

It's nice to see her having a good time and taking her act on the road. She, like all of us, deserves to have something on our lives that makes our soul happy.

Most importantly she has a great support system of, well, friends.

C'est la vie!

Luann on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/countessluann/?hl=en   

About Last Night...

Hey Ho, Let's Go...
Moi & Traci Lords

What happens at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, never stays at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. That's because they want the publicity darlins' - and no they are not whores.

Last night my good friend Traci Lords put me on her guest list to attend the Johnny Ramone Tribute screening of Barbarella. Thus I went, when your friends beckon you go - girl/guy! 

A fun time was had by all...here are my photo impressions of and about last night...

Any Questions?

WTF?!

V.I.P.

Enter, No Risk


Hollywood Forever on the WWW -
http://www.hollywoodforever.com/  

Just Because...Janelle Monae

Express Yourself
Janelle Monae

Just Because this image gives me life, Just Because she's an amazing talent & Just Because she Janelle Monae Bitches. Janelle belting out her hits during a performance on NBC's Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC is all you need for any given Sunday.

While Janelle is primarily known as a powerhouse vocalist, it was her performance as Teresa in the film Moonlight that really got my attention. She was truly amazing!

Janelle is one of the rare talents who can, and does do it all and nails everything she commits to. She is so alive when she expresses herself through her art, her passion for what she does is joyous. 

So, it's Sunday and you have a choice (there's always a choice) - play it safe or bend it like Janelle.

Which will you choose, I bet you know what I chose...

Mic Drop!

Janelle on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/janellemonae/?hl=en