A Fugitive From The Past

This September Arrow Brings One of Japan’s Most Important Cinematic Works to Home Video for the First Time   Japanese director Tomu Uchida directed 70 films over a career that spanned nearly 50 years. The crowning moment of Uchida's legendary career would come in 1965 with the release of the epic crime drama, A Fugitive from the Past. On September 27, Arrow brings this stunning masterpiece to home video outside of Japan for the first time. In 1947, a freak typhoon sends a passenger ferry running between Hokkaido and mainland Japan plunging to the ocean depths, with hundreds of lives lost. During the chaos, three men are witnessed fleeing a burning pawnshop in the Hokkaido port town of Iwanai. The police suspect theft and arson, and when Detective Yumisaka (Junzaburo Ban) discovers the burned remains of a boat and the corpses of two men, he sets about tracking the shadowy third figure. Meanwhile, the mysterious Takichi Inukai (Rentaro Mikuni) takes shelter with a prostitute, Yae (Sachiko Hidari), a brief encounter that will come to define both of their lives. A decade later, long after the trail has gone cold, Yumisaka is called back by his successor Detective Ajimura (Ken Takakura) as two new dead bodies are found.  A Fugitive from the Past was shot in gorgeous monochrome photography that delivers a grittiness that imitates newsreels of the day. This cinematography coupled with Uchida's use of postwar Japanese landscapes helps create a crime drama that touches on the massive social upheaval and unspoken legacies of the war that was still fresh on everyone's mind. An adaptation of Tsutomu Minakami's 1700-page novel, A Fugitive from the Past is one of the most popular and critically esteemed films in all of Japanese cinema. Kinema Junpo, Japan's oldest film magazine with origins dating back to 1919, has repeatedly heaped praise upon the film. In 1995, the magazine declared A Fugitive from the Past to be the 6th greatest Japanese film ever made. Three years later in 1999, the magazine bumped the film up to number three. Arrow's Blu-ray release features a restored 183-minute-long cut of the film with the original uncompressed mono audio. Special features include an introduction by writer and curator Jasper Sharp, scene-specific commentaries from leading Japanese film scholars, the original theatrical trailer, and more. First pressings of the release include a fully illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by David Baldwin and Inuhiko Yomota.

 Watch trailer »

Orion

ORION, founder and leader of the viral breakout band, The Orion Experience, announced today the release of his first single & video, “The Left Hand Path” from his upcoming 2023 sophomore solo album, Tragic Magic, is out today on all digital platforms.

A departure from the danceable beats and power pop grooves that brought The Orion Experience more than 70 million streams of the track, “The Cult of Dionysus” on Spotify and a worldwide fanbase, ORION is a more enigmatic, mysterious (albeit glamorous) creature from another time. Think of his solo alter ego as a reincarnation of a long-forgotten trickster God, writer of music, maker of mischief, Piscean poet, chaos wizard and love-cursed fool.

Inspired by other musical chaos wizards The Doors, The Moody Blues and Syd Barrett, “The Left Hand Path” attempts to evoke more than just a song, but a vision. The opening credits of a 1960’s Satanic-Panic film come to mind as the hypnotic baseline casts its spell. By the time the bridge hits, you are teleported to a secret ritual, dancing wildly around a witch’s bonfire.

 

or more details at TOE YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok

"Maybe We Shouldn't Talk"

Stewart Taylor

STEWART TAYLOR RELEASES VISUAL FOR SONG, 

“MAYBE WE SHOULDN’T TALK”

Stewart Taylor is out now with the visual for “Maybe We Shouldn’t Talk”, his catchy true-to-life pop tune about breaking ties with an ex-lover.  Directed by Benjamin Farren and filmed primarily at Vasquez Rocks National Park in California, the video depicts the unraveling of Taylor’s last serious relationship.  “It can be extremely difficult to move on from someone you love,” he reflects, “even when you know it’s bad for you. Sometimes the only thing you can do to stop the unhealthy cycles of a toxic relationship is to stop talking altogether.”  Stewart Taylor’s "Maybe We Shouldn’t Talk" is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms.  

“My ex and I argued over anything and everything,” Taylor continues from his LA home.  “If there was a boundary that I set, he would cross it every time. I’m not saying he was a bad person. I did things, too, that hurt the relationship. It’s just that we all have our demons. I didn’t respond well to his and he didn’t respond well to mine. Some people simply shouldn’t be together.”

The video for “Maybe We Shouldn’t Talk” reflects on the song’s portrayal of the struggles of a venomous relationship. Taylor made sure to include a game of tug of war to depict the constant push and pull. There are also scenes with the two lovers chasing one another, battling it out and then passionately making up, all in front of a fantastical canyon backdrop.   “It was fun to recreate my life through the lens of fantasy,” he says.  He admits he took some creative license.   “Did my ex and I ever fight and chase each other through a desert? No. But it’s more interesting to recreate our dynamic against that backdrop because it represents how it often felt for me emotionally.”    

Jake Dean Taylor plays the role of the ex-boyfriend in “Maybe We Shouldn’t Talk”.  Australian Actor Stephen Multari and up and coming pop artist Kelechi also play troubled love interests in the video.  Dancers are Kyle McCraw and former Glee cast member RILAN.  Julie Vegliante, who has worked with Lady Gaga, choreographed the video. The role of the snake is played by Beau, a real-life sweet and well-behaved python that was provided by the same family of handlers who supplied Britney Spears with the seven-foot python she performed with in her “I’m A Slave 4 U” production at the 2001 VMA’s. 

Stewart Taylor is an LA-based singer, songwriter, dancer, and MMG model. He grew up in a small town outside of New York City, performing in local talent shows and Lower East Side clubs.  He graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music.   

He has collaborated with a number of Grammy-nominated songwriters and producers including Charlie Puth, Kara DioGuardi, (P!nk, Katy Perry) and David Pramik (Selena Gomez) and has released multiple singles, notably 2019’s “Mess Your Hair Up,” 2021’s “Cover Boy”, and 2022’s “Maybe We Shouldn’t Talk,” a song Stewart Taylor  premiered earlier this summer at California’s first-ever Venice Pride Festival.  

“My look, sound, and artistry have changed dramatically since I first started releasing music in 2015,” Stewart Taylor acknowledges.  “Back in college, I was heavily inspired by David Bowie and everyone I came across expected me to sing rock music. I love rock, but my heart is in soul and pop, more in the line of early George Michael and Prince. I’ve worked hard to get in touch with the R&B influences I grew up on and I’ve become a better dancer, singer, and songwriter in ways that I never could have imagined a decade ago.”

If there is one thing Stewart Taylor has learned these past few years, it’s the importance of great friends, creativity, and walking away from unhealthy relationships. “I learned the hard way that being half of a destructive duo will never make a person whole,” he says.  “Walking away is so much easier said than done, but if I can leave the toxic relationship I was in, I believe anyone can.” 

Stewart Taylor’s “Maybe We Shouldn’t Talk” is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms.  Visit stewarttaylorofficial.com.  Follow on IG @imstewarttaylor

Michael's Musings

Michael Shinafelt

"They Fear Love Because It Creates A World They Can't Control" - George Orwell, 1984

I came across this quote while surfing the WWW and I can't think of anything more eerily accurate at this point in time. George Orwell was so ahead of the curve and so saw what is happening in the world right here, right now. 

Posting this quote isn't meant to be a downer of any sort. It is meant to keep you aware. Love wins, it always does....moving on...

Why is everyone bullying Sutton (except Garcelle) on RHOBH? It's a bad look

FYI Daddy doesn't live here anymore...& neither does the maid 

That time you skipped your anti-depressants so you could cry, discuss

Caution raised manholes 

It's not a middle finger, it's my unicorn fist

Your light may irritate a lot of unhealed people, shine anyway

Honestly I'm over the gays getting worked up over Hocus Pocus 2 on Social Media. It's like the first Hocus Pocus was actually good, As If!

They're in the coffin!

Woman Crush of the Week - Bjork, because she is so uniquely her and for this bad ass artwork for her album Fossora arriving September 30

Diana Jenkins of RHOBH reminds me of a snake I had as a pet when I was a youngster. "Yes" I really did have a pet snake!

Liza Minnelli has outlived Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, the more you know

Tell me what sounds like good pornography to you?

I'm going back to school and majoring in Lesbian Dance Theory

Hey (with the intention of watching a horror movie together)

Watch one with me here -

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt    

Hump Day & Chill

One From The Heart

Dreams and fantasies are an integral part of our lives. Thus today we are going to Hump Day & Chill to this image of Nastassja Kinski and Frederic Forrest in Francis Ford Coppola's One From The Heart.

Coppola took real life issues amongst couples and set them against a Las Vegas fantasy back drop. The film was a critical and box office failure upon it's release. It was quite ambitious and sought a new way of telling people's stories.

As the years have gone by One From The Heart has gotten re-evaluated and is now well regarded.

Honestly I loved how the emotionally raw performances were juxtaposed with fantasy it is beautiful and brilliant IMHO.

So I hereby decree we are going to Hump Day & Chill to the fantasy and beauty of Ms. Kinski as a billboard come to life. 

Free your mind Minions!

One From The Heart on Wikipedia -

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

California Gold

CALIFORNIA GOLD DISCOVERED IN COSMO’S VAULT

 

Two legendary rock musicians, Doug Clifford and Bobby Whitlock joined forces with a host of incredible players to create a gem that is finally being released on September 9.

 

Pre-order/pre-save link : https://orcd.co/DougCliffordCaliforniaGold

 

Doug “Cosmo” Clifford, the iconic Creedence drummer, has a treasure trove of unreleased recordings he’s produced over the years, all safely stored in Cosmo’s Vault.

 

This past summer he re-discovered what he thought was a long-lost album called California Gold. It features Bobby Whitlock on lead vocals, singing 10 original songs he and Cosmo co-wrote together.   The album was recorded at the infamous "Cosmos Factory" and various other San Francisco Bay Area studios and the result is indeed a newly unearthed treasure.

 

The rock luminaries joined forces to create a perfect good time rock-n-roll record.   Doug Clifford is known for his powerful drum style in one of the most popular American bands from the late 60s and early 70s, Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Co-founder of Derek & The Dominos, Bobby Whitlock is well known to rock fans, critics and music aficionados.  As well as being a singer/songwriter, guitarist and Hammond B-3 player, the musician has enjoyed his own string of hits in collaboration with Eric Clapton including “Layla,” “Bell Bottom Blues,” "Tell The Truth" and more.  

 

Doug and Bobby gathered other top shelf musicians along their journey including producer/writer and bassist extraordinaire, Donald "Duck" Dunn who ushered in the sounds of Stax and played bass on literally thousands of recordings. Other musicians include Tom Miller on bass and David Vega and Mike O’Neill on guitar.

 

The songs are a combination of roots rock and melodic blues, all natural with no filler. Whitlock’s powerful and distinctive vocals are in top form and Cosmo’s drumming is rock solid, stretching beyond his well-known Creedence grooves. 

 

For reasons that shall remain a mystery, California Gold was somehow lost in time. But now that the album has been re-discovered, perhaps its time is here and now. 

 

The California Gold release date for streaming and downloads is Sept. 9 via Cliffsong Records, distributed globally by BFD/The Orchard. CD available for pre-order now at https://orcd.co/DougCliffordCaliforniaGold

 

Chic Out!

Chic!
Anne Hathaway

 "One, two, Ah, freak out! Le freak, c'est chic" - Le Freak, Chic

Spying Anne Hathaway out and about in NYC made me think of the phrase from the song Le Freak above. Except I would insert the word chic for freak.

There is something seriously amazing about the simplicity of Anne's outfit that is oh so chic at the same time.

I mean, flared leg jeans, a standard issue black top, add silver boosts to make it well, eye catching and, ya know, chic!

Thus today why don't we all try to Chic Out! with Anne by wearing our usual basics for the day but adding one simple practical item that puts it over into another realm with it.

Strike a pose there's nothing to it Minions...

Hey ho, let's go!!! 

Anne on IG -

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