Sunday Sinema: Kansas City

Returning to the city of his birth for inspiration, legendary maverick director Robert Altman helms an evocative, bullet-riddled tribute to the music and movies of his youth in Kansas City, a Depression-era gangster flick as only he could make one. Blondie O'Hara (Jennifer Jason Leigh) resorts to desperate measures when her low-level hood husband Johnny (Dermot Mulroney) gets caught trying to steal from Seldom Seen (Harry Belafonte), a local crime boss operating out of jazz haunt The Hey-Hey Club. Out on a limb, Blondie kidnaps laudanum-addled socialite Carolyn (Miranda Richardson), hoping her influential politician husband can pull the right strings and get Johnny out of Seldom Seen's clutches. Nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and featuring a remarkable soundtrack performed live by some of the best players in contemporary jazz, one of Altman's most underrated and idiosyncratic films finally makes its long-awaited Blu-ray™ debut.

Bonus Materials

• High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentation
• Original 2.0 and 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by director Robert Altman
• Newly filmed appreciation by critic Geoff Andrew
• Gare, Trains et Deraillement, a 2007 visual essay by French critic Luc Lagier, plus short introduction to the film narrated by Lagier
• Robert Altman Goes to the Heart of America and Kansas City: The Music, two 1996 promotional featurettes including interviews with cast and crew
• Electronic press kit interviews with Altman, Leigh, Richardson, Belafonte and musician Joshua Redman, plus behind-the-scenes footage
• Four theatrical trailers
• TV spots
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jennifer Dionisio
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Dr Nicolas Pillai, original press kit notes and an excerpt from Altman on Altman

Sales Points

• Produced, written and directed by four-time Academy Award Nominee Robert Altman (The Player, Nashville, M*A*S*H*)
• Stars Oscar Nominee Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Oscar Nominee Miranda Richardson (Damage), Harry Belafonte (BlacKkKlansman), Michael Murphy (Magnolia), Steve Buscemi (Fargo), Dermot Mulroney (Zodiac) & Brooke Smith (Silence of the Lambs)
• First Time Available on Blu-ray!
• Comp to other critically acclaimed Robert Altman Criterion Collection Blu-rays including Nashville, 3 Women, Short Cuts, McCabe & Mrs. Miller and The Player.

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AA056

What She Said: The Art Of Pauline Kael

What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael

coming to DVD and digital on June 16th via Juno Films

Critically-Acclaimed Film Explores the Controversial Critic's Life and Legacy 

Voiced by Sarah Jessica Parker and interviews with Quentin Tarantino, Camille Paglia, David O. Russell, Molly Haskell, Francis Ford Coppola, and more

Juno Films will release Rob Garver's What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael on June 16th via MVD Entertainment Group. The film had its world premiere at Telluride and premiered theatrically at Film Forum in January 2020.

Tagged by Roger Ebert as the most influential film critic of the late twentieth century, the film tells the story of Pauline's turbulent life and work, through never-seen archival footage, her published writing and personal letters, and interviews with both friends and foes of her pen. Pauline is voiced by Sarah Jessica Parker, and participants include Quentin Tarantino, Camille Paglia, David O. Russell, Molly Haskell, Francis Ford Coppola, and daughter Gina James.

Pauline Kael (1919-2001) was likely the most powerful, and personal, movie critic of the 20th century. Writing for The New Yorker and publishing a dozen best-selling books, she ruthlessly pursued what made a movie or an actor's performance work, or not, and why. Her passion made her both admired and despised amongst her readers and her subjects. Pauline's own story is one of struggle and obsession: the fight to establish her voice and have it heard, and to raise a daughter on her own in a time when the obstacles were high.  The latter golden age of movies of the 1960s and 1970s are the focus of this film that pursues the question of what made Pauline Kael's work so individual, so controversial - and so damned good.

New York-based director and editor Garver also produced for 29Pictures LLC, alongside Glen Zipper, producer of the Academy-Award winning documentary Undefeated,  and co-producer Doug Blush (20 Feet From Stardom).  Composer Rick Baitz (The Vagina Monologues) wrote original music for the film, and visual effects were created by Minbomb/LA.    

The deal was negotiated between Elizabeth Sheldon, Juno's CEO and co-founder, and Eric Sloss of Cinetic. "Pauline Kael was a badass female film critic at a time when women were fighting for equality and respect," says Sheldon. "She remains an icon and iconoclast for film lovers today. We are thrilled to be working with Rob Garver to bring the film to American audiences."

Garver adds, "I think Pauline would be amused (and maybe worried) that a movie had been made about her.  And she'd get a kick out of it being distributed by another woman.  I am very excited to work with Elizabeth and Juno Films on a 5-year labor of love."

Juno Films distributes an eclectic and critically-acclaimed mix of films. Recent releases include the BFI's 2K restoration of Shiraz and Barbara Rubin and The Exploding New York Underground.

DVD bonus features:

- Never before released interview of Pauline Kael with Alfred Hitchcock

- Quentin Tarantino Interview Excerpts
- Paul Schrader Interview Excerpts
- Deleted Scenes

Info: https://mvdb2b.com/s/WhatSheSaidTheArtOfPaulineKael/MVD3012D

Pre-Order: https://mvdshop.com/products/what-she-said-the-art-of-pauline-kael-dvd  

"Forgive Me"

FIERCELY AND DEFIANTLY, DANIELIA COTTON

RE-EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS WITH ‘FORGIVE ME’

1^st Single From ‘A Different War’ Out 2/28/20

https://music.apple.com/us/album/forgive-me-single/1500173385

“Ms. Cotton testifies to pain, need, revelation and redemption in a voice that’s as raw as it is indomitable.” – The New York Times

Hailed by The New York Times for music that’s “soulful enough to fill a revival tent,” DANIELIA COTTON has spent the past few years since her last album pulling herself out of the shadows, and she’s rising again into the light, fiercely and defiantly.

FORGIVE ME, the first single, due Feb. 28, off her newest album, A Different War, arriving later this year, sends a potent message that the “fiery rock vocalist” (American Songwriter) whose voice gives her songs “stunning power” (No Depression) has re-emerged and is delivering even more powerfully moving music than ever.

The hypnotic rhythms of the opening guitar chords transfix us, while Cotton’s somber opening vocals blossom into soaring flights of rocking soul. The evocative and transporting music of FORGIVE ME mimics the lyrics, which the Hopewell, NJ, native wrote with her sister, Catherine Fulmer-Hogan, stressing the necessity of forgiveness in any relationship.

“The only way you survive a relationship is through forgiveness,” says Cotton. “‘Don’t get lost in the fight,’ as I sing in the song. If you’re gonna last, then you’re gonna forgive each other a million times.”

Additionally praised by Billboard, the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and USA Today, among others throughout her career, Cotton, as always, inhabits a song, turning it inside and out, creating transcendent music and lyrics, and carrying us higher and higher with her in her musical flights.

Available at Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and where music is consumed on-line.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Genre: Rock, Soul, Blues

“Forgive Me” credits

Words: Danielia Cotton and Catherine. Fulmer-Hogan

Music: Danielia Cotton

Players: Andy Hess (Bass), Aaron Comess (Drums), Ben Butler (guitar), Danielia Cotton (guitar, piano, vocals)

Production: JCS (Jw Johnson, Danielia Cotton & Craig Shofed)

Michael's Musings

TBT: Feel The Blonde
Michael Shinafelt

The week in review? Let's not and say we went there, shall we? Yeah, it's like that. While everything is what you make of it, some things are more challenging than others and push you to find your super power within. Luckily the power to be my own Superhero exists in me, and you minions.

I have not lasted this long to be taken out by a virus named after a light beer. Hear that Orange Julius?! Here we go again, as it will and always shall be, it's time!!!

Nothing says love like a chocolate maggot

Billy sticks his finger in Susan's clam, what happens next? Discuss...

Rivers, veiny and rushing (yes, that's an entendre) 

FYI I've put it all on the record, uh-huh

Taylor Swift is "The Man" in her new music video, puns are in the heart

Let me show the the exact moment  _________ what would you like me to see peeps? Show me...

Macaulay Culkin set to appear in Season 10 of American Horror Story, I wonder if he'll be Home Alone in it?

Overheard while grocery shopping. Woman to her friend: "Booze, I must have some booze."

Woman Crush of the Week - Lala Kent of Vanderpump Rules. Sobriety is a good look for you, keep it up grrrrrrrl!

#MakeHumanityGreatAgain

Hey let's go back to the pod

Riddle me this, why does my face hurt sometimes after working out?

Remember to always keep feeling fascination 

Fun Fact of the Day: Ryan Gosling owns a pair of King Tut slippers 

What do I own? Find out at the links below...if you dare!
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Hump Day & Chill

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Tunesday Tuesday!

It's A Flock, Not A Gaggle
A Flock Of Seagulls

Remember the 80's and the New Wave movement in music? "Yes" I was there in the thick of it, I was in High School after all.

Do you recall the most famous seagulls of all A Flock Of Seagulls? Well their biggest hit I Ran, not to be confused with Iran, has been, well, running through my mind of late. 

"I walk along the avenue, I never thought I'd meet a girl like you, Meet a girl like you"

Fa la la la la...

Thus I bequeath those who will find this nostalgic, and those who will be going Hmmmmmmm with this classic 80's type of ditty.

That's correct I said "ditty" because it rhymes with, kitty!

Gotcha!

Run with Seagulls after the jump!

Monday Motivation

I'm Bad!
Cameron Diaz

Anyone catch the movie Bad Teacher starring Cameron Diaz? Bueller? I did with my then BF and found it quite amusing. It popped into my writing mind this ayem and is what inspired today's Monday Motivation.

While I toil away the hours memorizing for a test. "Yes" that's correct minions yours truly is storing info in his computer brain via text. Thus it made me think about teachers and such. The good ones, not the bad ones, but whilst ruminating on the good ones Bad Teacher popped into my consciousness. Because it was funny, Cameron Diaz was great in it & even the lamest of teachers can teach you a lesson. They make the good ones stand out.

Being as that our public education system is under fire I would like to give a hat tip and a high five to all those teachers who care. I had a few of them and they really shaped certain aspects of who I am today. I can only hope kids now have the same kind of caring individuals I did to help guide them.

Oh "Yes" I had a a couple of teachers I would have liked to wish into the corn field, and some that did their job but were not particularly inspiring. But you take the good you take the average and try to laugh at the bad, copy?

Anyway it's the good teachers that are giving me life and Monday Motivation today. Thanks for the kick in the ass to keep on keeping, and werk!

Bad Teacher on IMDb -
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1284575/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0