Saturday Sinema: Lake Michigan Monster

All aboard! The combined spirits of H.P. Lovecraft, early Sam Raimi and Mystery Science Theater 3000 inhabit this action-packed tale of nautical derring-do and monster mayhem - winner of the Audience Award for Best International Feature at the 2019 Fantasia Film Festival. On the shores of Lake Michigan, the eccentric Captain Seafield (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, who also writes and directs) enlists a colourful crew of misfits in a bid to slay the hellish sea monster that prowls the murky depths. But as Seafield's obsession with exacting revenge on the creature that killed his father threatens to consume him, can weapons expert Sean Shaughnessy (Erick West), sonar whiz Nedge Pepsi (Beulah Peters) and former N.A.V.Y. - Nautical Athletes and Adventure Yunit - officer Dick Flynn (Daniel Long) hold the show together? Shot in gloriously retro black and white on a shoestring budget, with most of the cast also performing multiple roles behind the camera, Lake Michigan Monster is an inventive, irreverent and riotously entertaining ode to the classic monster movies of yesteryear: an absurdist urban legend guaranteed to appeal to the big kid in all of us.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentation
• Original lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and PCM 2.0 stereo soundtracks
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Two cast and crew audio commentaries featuring writer/director/actor Ryland Tews and actors Daniel Long, Beulah Peters, Erick West and editor Mike Cheslik – one sober, one drunk!
• Critics’ audio commentary with Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Emma Westwood
• Effects Breakdown comparison of the film’s underwater sequence, including storyboards and pre-composited footage
• Dear Old Captain Seafield – the Captain Seafield theme song, performed by the Seafield Monster Sextet
• Interview in a Cabin – interview with Ryland Tews and Daniel Long at the Fantasia International Film Festival
• Interview in a Bar – interviews with the cast and crew at the Beloit International Film Festival
• Interview by a Fire – interview with Mike Cheslik on Mark Borchardt’s Cinema Fireside radio show
• The first season and pilot episode of L.I.P.S., Ryland Tews and Mike Cheslik’s hybrid animation/live action sci-fi comedy web series
• Theatrical trailer
• Behind the scenes photos
• Reversible sleeve featuring original artwork by Jade Watring and newly commissioned artwork by Colin Murdoch
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Barry Forshaw

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV280

This Is Not Season 2

As far as this guy is concerned Christmas is coming December 6th. That's correct Minions Euphoria is a back for two one hour shows, but it's not season 2.

Unfortunately season 2 got sidelined by you know what, that darn COVID. But fear not until the next season happens we have these upcoming episodes to bridge the gap, fill our addiction, make us want more...Euphoria!

Zendaya who won an Emmy (rightfully so) for her portrayal of Rue has spilled that the first bridge episode is called Part 1: Rue. 

In case you haven't picked up on it, to say I am a huge fan of the show would be putting it, well, mildly. I really can't wait for December 6th to come! Not only did I watch the first season when it initially aired I binged it when HBO had a marathon of it.

Euphoria is such a densely packed show that you will see something different upon repeat viewings. 

Now THAT's entertainment!

Euphoria on the WWW -

https://www.hbo.com/euphoria  

Michael's Musings

Gobble, Gobble
Michael Shinafelt

Happy Thanksgiving and all that turkey stuff! Was thinking of blowing off my musings column today and merely posting a photo that wished everyone well, then I thought better of it. 

We all need my weekly dose of tomfoolery and commentary, just smile and nod your head "yes" - that's it, now keep reading. You just might find some things I am thankful for, might, I said...

Ever been so mad you punched your Thanksgiving turkey right in the a$$hole?!

Anyone watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade COVID style???

May all beings be happy 

Let's fantasize about control

I'm thankful for my trip to see my family in San Antonio earlier this month

Who, like me, completely feels The Weeknd was snubbed by by The Grammys, Bueller, Bueller, Bueller...

Remember the 2016 Election and how tight it was? Remember it took Hillary Clinton less than 24 hours to concede? We all know who the bitch baby is now, don't we Minions

I'm going to summon the dead - Dewit!

Woman Crush of the Week - Jennifer Lopez - Because she is 51 and smoking! Bask in the glory of the cover for her new single In The Morning, bask I said!!!

Time to lay my pimp hand down, yet again, hey someone has to do it

Ricky Schroeder, who knew?!?! 

Loving the Miley Cyrus/Dua Lipa collab Prisoner 

Joe Biden has now officially won the Presidency more times than anyone in History

What's on your Thanksgiving bingo card?

Find out what's on mine at -

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Hump Day & Chill

It's Turkey Time!
Robert Downey Jr.

It's time to choke that turkey in honor of Thanksgiving, translation: Let's Hump Day & Chill this Wednesday before we give thanks.

This TG edition of HD&C is brought to you by Robert Downey Jr. in Jodie Foster's Home For The Holidays (say that three times fast!) It's about, what else, a family gathering for Thanksgiving. Are you sensing a theme for today? Ha! of course you are...

With a commentary from Tye Briggs via his Favorite Hunks & Other Things blog about his lust for Downey Jr. in this particular film.

Unlike Tye I have lusted for RDJ in other movies, no not Iron Man, actually I have never seen one of the Iron Man films, mostly his independent work does it for me.

Thus I leave you with Robert Downey Jr. as your official Thanksgiving Hump Day & Chill. Don't forget the sauce with your turkey, gobble! gobble!

Hit the link below -

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2015/11/robert-downey-jr-in-home-for-holidays.html

A Christmas "Serenad3"

The Serenad3,

America’s

Newest and Most Talented Trio, to

Release Debut Album,

Christmas Serenade on November 24^th

The Serenad3 (pronounced The Serenade) is the magnificent new trio who will be releasing their premiere album, Christmas Serenade, just in time for the holidays. So many favorites are on their album, including Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, Carol of the Bells and many more cherished tunes.

 

Accompanied on some of the tracks includes music impresario David Foster, the incomparable Gloria Estefan, pop star Pia Toscano and the amazing a cappella group Voctave.

 

The three multi-talented members of The Serenad3, Fernando Varela, Craig Irvin and Devin Eatmon, each have an incredible body of work, along with wide-ranging interests and hobbies.

 

The Serenad3

The story behind Fernando Varela begins and ends with a voice. A voice tells the tale of a breathtaking tenor whose spirit and determination has defied the odds. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando moved to Florida at the age of eight, and while he always loved music it was not until he was seventeen that he discovered the impressive talent he had within him. Fernando trained with some of opera’s renowned classical icons and tours worldwide with Grammy Award-Winning producer David Foster. Fernando can also be seen featured on David Foster’s recently released all-new PBS Special. He has also performed amongst some legendary superstars including Lionel Richie, Sarah Brightman, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Jewel, The Beach Boys, Steven Tyler, and Josh Groban. He’s been married for 12 years to a beautiful soprano, Susan Williams, and is the father to two boys: Jarron and Zeke.  In addition to being Is an avid golfer, Fernando coaches Zeke’s travel ball baseball team where they’ve enjoyed several major tournament wins.  Being fortunate to have been raised within a large close-knit family, Fernando always puts family first. When he isn't touring worldwide, he drives carpool, loves every minute of coaching baseball, and with the little time left over, tries to work on his golf game.

 

Craig Irvin brings a vibrant sound and commitment to every performance. Opera News has hailed his “rich, resonant baritone” while Opera Wire says that “watching a performer like Craig Irvin up close only adds to the thrill of hearing him sing”. Craig has performed with many of the best opera companies in the country, including Chicago Lyric, LA Opera, Minnesota Opera, Philadelphia Opera, and Atlanta Opera. Craig’s performance schedule usually keeps him on the road at least six months of the year, so Craig and his wife Joelle have decided to live surrounded by family when he is home.  Craig and Joelle raise their three children, a ten-year-old son and their seven-year-old twins (a boy and a girl!), surrounded by their family in Waukee, Iowa, where Craig grew up.  They even decided to buy a house a block away from Craig’s parents.  They joke that they’re living a musical version of “Everybody Loves Raymond”.

 

Devin Eatmon is a tenor from Ocala, Florida. His performance history includes being a Resident Artist of the Central Florida Lyric Opera during 2013-2015, a Studio Artist at Opera in the Ozarks, (summer 2015), and summers at Aspen Music Festival (2018-2019). With a bachelor's and a master’s degree in voice performance from Florida State University, Devin studied under the tutelage of former San Francisco Opera starting bass-baritone, David Okerlund. In light of more recent events, Devin had accepted a contract offer to be a member of the Apprentice Singer Program at The Santa Fe Opera, 2020 (Season canceled due to Covid-19). Currently, Devin lives in Denver performing as an artist-in-residence for Opera Colorado’s 2020-2021 season.  Devin has a wide range of interests, first and foremost is spending time with his friends, along with a great ribeye steak (medium-rare, please), drawing, and fishing but singing on stage is his favorite. Interestingly, Devin has such a versatile range of talents that he almost didn’t take the path to become a singer. Before he discovered his passion for singing, he was pursuing a career in golf as a junior tour player. What he loves about golf is the personal connection it has with both his father and his sister. They all enjoy playing and it’s become one of their favorite bonding activities. For that reason, golf will always have a very special place in his heart. 

 

The new Christmas album, Christmas Serenade, will be released on November 24, 2020, and will be available on all of your favorite music outlets including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, and many more.

Monday Motivation

Who Is That Masked Man?!
Michael Shinafelt

"Now is the winter of our discontent" - Richard III by William Shakespeare 

We are now on a lockdown, here in Los Angeles and pretty much everywhere else in the US, again. 

Not being a scientist, or anything remotely resembling that I am going to keep this week's Monday Motivation simple and to the point.

"Keep Calm And Wear A Mask"

If this virus hadn't been politicized by a sociopath and we were given actual leadership instead this most likely would not be happening again at present.

However since it is....MASK THE F#CK UP!!!

Thank You, Michael has left the building....

COVID information at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html  

Battle of the Network Stars

Wonder Woman Won!
Lynda Carter

With all the chaos in the world, today has gotten me feeling nostalgic for a simpler time...Thus I bring to you a memory from my youth Battle of the Network Stars.

The show ran on ABC from 1976 - 1988, it aired biannually and pitted celebrities from the big three networks against one another in track and field type of games.

Lynda Carter aka Wonder Woman pictured above was on a team with Farrah Fawcett, Penny Marshall & Ron Howard. 

Their team won the inaugural games, and Carter won the swimming relay as well.

Seriously though, did you expect a team with Wonder Woman and one of Charlie's Angels to lose? I thought not!

Battle of the Network Stars on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Network_Stars