Hump Day & Chill

Pinch Hitter
Whoopi Goldberg

With a scant 10 more days until Christmas I'd thought we would commemorate it with Whoopi Goldberg filling in for Santa Claus.

"Yes" Minions Whoopi as Lucy Collins in Call Me Claus found out just how hard Santa works when the guy in red chose her to fill his shoes.

I have never seen this, nor did I know it even existed until now. Thus I am going to have to seek it out now, it sounds fun!

So today we are going to Hump Day & Chill to visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads as we eagerly await the arrival of the big SC.

It's the season to be jolly for a reason.

Now go find yourself a place to Hump Day & Chill to those sugar plums.

Santa is on his way....

Call Me Claus on  IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0272018/

Monkeying Around

Monkey Shines
The Wicked Witch of the West
&
A Flying Monkey

In the midst of all the Holiday bustle let's take a moment to always remember the monkeys. Why? Because it is National Monkey Day that's why!

Tis it being the season and all I thought we should celebrate with monkeys of a whimsical nature. So here to represent is one of the winged monkeys from the classic The Wizard of Oz.

You know those little flying bastards who would swoop down and kidnap Dorothy and her friends in the movie, yeah those.

Here we see one conspiring over a crystal ball with HRH the Wicked Witch of the West.

What's more fun than a flying monkey? Why a barrel of monkeys! Remember those from when you were a kid? If you do then you are old.

Mic Drop!

National Monkey Day on the WWW -

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/monkey-day-december-14/

Having A Ball

The Valley of the Balls
Michael Shinafelt

Yesterday I trekked to The Bloc DTLA (Downtown Los Angeles for the uninitiated) to see Being The Ricardos at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

Upon my arrival there was copious amounts of Christmas decor, naturally.

Thus I took this selfie of yours truly among the valley of the balls. Yeah, I know I could use a shave bigly!

Little did I know yesterday would turn out to be the perfect day to be at the movies. About three quarters of the way through Being The Ricardos the film stops, the lights go up and the alarm goes off. The patrons in my theater and others filed out into the hallway.

One of the employees was there telling everyone not to leave it was a false alarm and everything would be up and running in five minutes. They then announced it over the PA system.

I was relieved because I would have been annoyed had I not been able to see the rest of the movie. And just like that in five minutes the Ricardos were back! 

As the story of Lucy & Desi came to a close, the waiter brought around everyone's check (you can order food and drink at the Alamo Drafthouse in case you did not know) - I had Chips & Queso along with a Margarita on the rocks. 

Accompanying the bill for our five minute faux paus earlier was a free pass to see another movie anytime at the theatre. 

"Yes" it was the perfect day to go to the movies. What's that you say? Oh "yes" I did enjoy Being The Ricardos...The End

Being The Ricardos on the WWW -

https://www.amazonstudiosguilds.com/titles/being-the-ricardos/  

Jingle Ball

Silver And Nas
Lil Nas X

I'm here today still trying to keep the season merry and bright as it were. So let's continue the good vibes with something shiny and new in the form of Lil Nas X performing at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball.

Celebrating the season in a Silver Metallic get up Nas is the epitome of Holiday Spirit, like a human ball you hang from a Christmas Tree if you will. "Yes" we will! 😀

To hear via those who were there Nas stole the show along with Doja Cat, naturally.

Glad to hear someone is having a holly jolly time this season other than myself.

With Christmas less than 2 weeks away it's time to get to release the Kraken and get to werk! 

Nas on IG -

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

Good Vibrations

Channeling Her Inner Barbarella 
Zendaya 

With all the chaos in the world there are many great things in life so let's not accentuate the negative shall we? Done!

This image of Zendaya from her Interview Magazine cover story is giving me all the Good Vibrations I need today. The whole pictorial, which is clearly inspired by Jane Fonda in Barbarella is giving positivity and fun on steroids! 

I bet you are wondering if I am a Zendaya fan or not. I am, I think she is one of the true contemporary stars we have going. She is beautiful, talented and smart.

Will I be seeing Spider-Man: No Way Home? Not my thing, neither was Dune for that matter. This being stated I can't wait for Lady Z to return to her Emmy Award Winning turn as Rue Bennett on Season 2 of Euphoria witch drops January 9th on HBO.

Enjoy your weekend, and a reminder it's a mere 14 more days until Christmas...

Mic Drop! 

Zendaya on IG -

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

Film Buff Friday: West Side Story

With the release today of Steven Spielberg's retelling of West Side Story I thought it would be fun to revisit the original 1961 film starring Natalie Wood & Richard Beymer Directed by Jerome Robbins & Robert Wise.

That means the film is four years older than me. So you are correct in assuming that I saw it at a stage in my life where I was older.

I first saw West Side Story in High School for a drama class I believe. I was blown away by it then, it was amazing to a younger me, still is. But the main takeaway I have from it is it was my first exposure to the late great Natalie Wood. Her performance moved me in ways I had never felt at the movies before and have rarely felt since.

"Yes" I had a lifelong crush on her after that and sought out other things she had done post seeing WSS.

OK, enough of my hyperbole I'm now going to leave you in the expert hands of my buddy Jay Jacobson and his Classic Movie Blog. He will give you everything you need to know about the original WSS and then some by hitting the link below...

T.G.I.F! Minions only 15 more days until Christmas!!!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/86-west-side-story-1961

Michael's Musings

Michael Shinafelt

"Whatever I touch, Starts to melt in my clutch" - Heat Miser, The Year Without A Santa Claus

Hey Minions! This week as you can see I am trying to get in the Holiday spirit, thus I am channeling my inner Heat Miser from one of my favorite Christmas specials The Year Without A Santa Claus.

I seriously couldn't use my all time favorite as I would hardly make a convincing Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, carry on as you were...

Whoever has a Voodoo Doll of me you know what I like and how I like it, so do it to the doll please 😈

You know very well you aren't real

Please explain why guys have phone conversations at the gym while sitting on the toilet...I'm waiting!

You better watch out, You better not ugly cry

Remember when you tell too many lies, Jesus sets your Christmas Tree on fire

It's official Kyle Richards returns as Lindsey Wallace in Halloween Ends

Hey, there's no shame in cutting your own hair

Dun Dun Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: OC crossover event tonight, can't wait!!!

Woman Crush of the Week - Nicole Kidman for her acclaimed performance as Lucille Ball in Being The Ricardos 

Holiday Tip: Put a glass of wine in each room and call it a wine tour

Finally binged Maid on Netflix, loved it! Margaret Qualley gave an amazing performance!

Can we all agree and resolve to stop pointing in photos

Who thinks Dr. Oz gives off Hannibal Lecter vibes?

Do you feel it? I do.

Feel it with me here -

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt