Monday, August 20, 2012

R.I.P: Tony Scott



This writer is indeed sorry to hear of Director Tony Scott's recent suicide, it was revealed today that he took his life over an inoperable brain tumor.

Tony directed many prolific films such as "Top Gun" & "True Romance" - most people forget (since it is so different from the rest of his repertoire) That he directed the elegant and artsy vampire flick "The Hunger".

With three of the most interesting leads in cinema history, the elegant and timeless Catherine Deneuve, the sexy and sensual Susan Sarandon & the enigmatic and never boring David Bowie.

This was a film that shaped me in my youth. Thanks to my late Father I have always had a thing for horror films. Cut to my first job ever in at the tender age of 16 in a movie theatre - and guess what film played in it, you guessed it "The Hunger"...

A modern take on vampire's it was the first time I had seen horror and eroticism blended so elegantly and artistically - this showed how horror could be adult and exciting. Since I got to see movies for free, I watched this at least 10 times! Sadly Hollywood does not make adult horror anymore and that's really a shame, and I think Scott's vampire yarn was pretty close to the last of this breed.

Tony Scott's "The Hunger" is one of the great modern horror films of American Cinema - and it really affected this writer, in fact one of my proudest possessions is the original lobby poster which I acquired on the job, I have it framed in my apt.

While there are many memories for everyone of this late great director of cinema, this is my personal and favorite one.

"Nothing Human Loves Forever"


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Getting To Know: Corinne Dekker




Guinea pigs, guinea pigs, guinea pigs...and while we are on the subject, Corinne Dekker is here for your entertainment, yes she of the guinea pig fetish – she is Ms. Charo Pickles, Celebriguinea extraordinaires Mom and assistant to one Ms. Jennie Garth on “A Little Bit Country” not to mention a comedian, actress and accomplished vlogger - The Canadian born Ms. Dekker is here to tell us: just how many licks does it take to get to the center of an udder?...OK Corinne, we're waiting...!

CD: I know I dialed the wrong number, I could not find where I placed the other one.

MS: You were prompt though, that's all that matters. Most people are, only a few times has “late” really happened, one of those times was when I interviewed Pamela Anderson.

CD: Really how late was she?

MS: She ended up being a half hour late.

CD: That's not too bad.

MS: No, it wasn't and she was really busy at the time. The funny part is once I got her on the phone I had to cut her off at some point because I was running behind schedule. She is the nicest woman, I loved her!

CD: It's because she is Canadian, we're all like that.

MS: Oh, you're Canadian too!

CD: Yes, all of us are nice, except for maybe Bill Murray. (laughs)

MS: So, let's talk “A Little Bit Country” - I was loving the udder episode. I can't believe you thought you needed to suck on a cows udder to get milk out of it!

CD: “A Little Bit Country” was a real reality show...um, that whole bet with Jennie, where I had to suck the cows udder if that was not the only way to get milk out of one, I'm embarrassed to say, I did believe that.

MS: That was my next question, if you really believed that.

CD: Well it turns out my Mom thinks she probably told me that to make me drink milk as a kid, I don't know what. (laughs) I still kind of believe it, if the milk is stopped up that you should do that...it was legitimate so I clamped my mouth down on that udder, I keep my bets.

MS: Udder sucking works, obviously, but it isn't really necessary. (laughs)

CD: No, but there are worse things in life than sucking a cows udder. (laughs)

MS: So I watched your latest vlog, I liked the Piglympics and I know you have a thing for Guinea Pigs.

CD: They are the most lovely little creatures.


MS: Yes, Charo Pickles is the Celebriguinea of the group.


Charo Pickles
CD: She is the celebrity, she has a Twitter and a Facebook page. She has fans of her own that are independent of mine.

MS: Why the name Charo Pickles?

CD: Charo was my first guinea pig baby and she has the same coloring as the actual Charo. Plus she makes squeaky noises, like when Charo goes “Coochie, Coochie”. Then, honestly I love dill pickles, so I thought, when you say it fast, Charo Pickles, sounds like, jar of pickles. She will glare at me if I only say Charo or if I just say pickles, so I always have to address her as: Charo Pickles.

MS: You and I should go out sometime.

CD: Perfect! You like guys and I like guinea pigs. (laughs) That could be a problem. (laughs)

MS: Getting back to bets and dares, your sushi dare was mega gross!

CD: I told Jennie about that. Yeah I went for sushi and I don't really love sushi...

MS: It's not my favorite either.

CD: I mean it's fine, but...I ordered the most disgusting looking sushi on the menu and it had a texture like paint, it was just gross.

MS: Yeah, I am not a huge fan of sushi either and never understood what people see in it. I mean I can eat it, but I never suggest that me and my friends go and have sushi.


CD: Michael think about this, maybe we are doppelgangers, maybe you are the male homosexual me and I am the female Canadian you.

MS: Hmmmmmmmmmm....you may be onto something, Ms. Dekker.


CD: Well I feel the same way about sushi and that makes something else we have in common.

MS: The last time I went for sushi was about four years ago for someone's Birthday and me and a friend of his threw Sashimi at him, of course we were drinking saki.

CD: Those were expensive airplanes! (laughs)

MS: You were on “Ugly Betty” when the show was actually good.

CD: I was on the second episode, and I am to blame for the demise of it, if they had brought my character back like they said they would, perhaps it would still be running. (laughs)

MS: Also you were on “How I Met Your Mother” I can't believe that show has been running that long.

CD: Yeah, what's it been on eleven seasons? I remember when it was pretty new and me and my friends were like: “That's a weird title, it will never work”. That was back in the day when sitcoms did not have these epic long titles. (laughs) It wasn't like “Everybody Loves Raymond”.

MS: That was a show I never understood.

CD: Oh I loved it, maybe you can help me, I want to go on a date with Brad Garrett. I met him once and he called me pretty.

MS: Funny?

CD: No, pretty, and I thought: “let's make out” ! He's single now and I'm single, we wouldn't even have to make babies because I don't want them. I'm single and ready to mingle. I'm not sure who you know, but get me some Brad Garrett.

MS: I don't really have a celebrity crush.

CD: Well it's not like I have a picture of him on my wall, I just want to go on a date with him.

Get Corinne a date with Brad Garrett at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CorinneDekker

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/cdekker75?feature=mhee

Monday, August 13, 2012

TV Watch: "Revenge" & "American Horror Story"



Two of my most favorite shows ever debuted last year..."Revenge" & "American Horror Story" and while I know I am a little slow on the draw with writing about the latest casting news, well whatever, I was busy writing about other things, so there and bite me!

So now I write as a fan of both shows who is over the moon or licking an udder about two of the most juicy pieces of casting evuh!

You got it, this is a fan gush, get over it. First off how brilliant was it of for the peeps behind "Revenge" to cast one of my favorite actresses, Jennifer Jason Leigh as Amanda's Mom?! She will more than go toe to toe with Madeline Stowe, she will obliterate that beotch, "Single White Female" anyone? JJL glad to have you back in a major role in a high profile project, the last time I saw you was at a Harmony Gold screening of your directorial debut with Alan Cumming - "The Anniversary Party" - "Yes" I know it's not the last time you worked, but it's the last time I saw you...go grrrrrrrrrrl, you are fierce!

Oh, and lest we forget one of the hottest men and stars on the planet, Adam Rivai Levine is on the second cycle of "American Horror Story".


Wonder if he will show butt like Dylan McDermott, odds on bet? "Yes" - hey he is sexy as heck and no proper hottie remains clothed in a horror opus.

Yep, I can't wait for the debut of these two shows, until then...I guess there is always "The People's Court".







Until they premiere tune into:
http://www.fxnetworks.com/

http://abc.go.com/watch/revenge/SH55126554/

Saturday, August 11, 2012

James Durbin: Live At Universal City Walk


James Rockin' Da House at Universal City Walk
Hey all you Durbinators out there, I caught JD live at Universal City Walk last night and he rocked da house!

Opening with "Stand Up" from his current album "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" James was in top form as always (does he ever give a bad performance)???

Rockin' It


I was in the press pit, so I took photos for everyone to see, including one of me and James back stage in the green room before the show where I got to hang with him, his son Hunter and his adorable wife Heidi - not to mention my friend and Mr. Durbin's publicist extraordinaire Ken Phillips.




There really isn't much more to say than I had a great time as you can see from the photographic evidence  from last nights show - Enjoy!

James and Myself Backstage Before The Show














And one more live shot to leave you begging for more...oh yeah!

James Rulz!



















Get yourself  some more James and  "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" at: www.durbinrock.com

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Video: Message To Venus ""Change"

One of my favorite new bands, "Message to Venus" has a new song and video out bearing the title "Change".

You may remember my "10 Seconds With: Message to Venus" chat with lead singer Jandre Nadal in May.

If not, woot here it is! http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2012/05/10-seconds-with-message-to-venus.html

So check it, don't wreck it! The new video for "Change" is below, watch it and watch it now....!


Got a "Message" send it to the guys at: www.messagetovenus.com

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Lindsey Stirling: "The Phantom of the Opera"



YouTube sensation Lindsey Stirling is perhaps the first – and only – artist in the world to blend classical violin, modern dance, and pop into to one amazing confection.

On September 18th, Lindsey will be releasing her self-titled debut album, Lindsey Stirling, coming off the heels of an incredibly successful presence on iTunes. With 10 original tracks, the album will showcase Lindsey’s signature violin-electronic-dubstep style – opening with “Crystallize,” her most popular piece. Lindsey has already sold over 300,000 songs, several of which have hit the iTunes Top 100 as well as the top of the digital electronic charts. Lindsey also has plans for a follow-up album of covers, putting her unique twist on everything from existing video game themes to pop music.

Are you ready? Here is the incomparable Ms. Lindsey Stirling...!

MS: I am so blown away by your take on “The Phantom of the Opera” theme song!

LS: Oh neat! I was so excited about doing it!

MS: Well I for one am totally in awe your talent, I've never seen anything like it in my estimation, ask anyone, I don't gush easily.

LS: That's so awesome! Thank you so much Michael!

MS: You really took to the violin.

LS: Well I was drawn to the violin as a kid, because ever since I was little I had this center stage syndrome. (laughs) My parents took me to all the free orchestra concerts in town, and it was very obvious to see who the stars of the orchestra were. (laughs) At the beginning of the concert the violinist comes out and plays an “A” note for the orchestra and I was like: “Wow, they are the stars of the orchestra”. I started taking violin lessons when I was five, because I thought they were beautiful, fast and fun!

MS: The passion when you play the violin is so overwhelming.

LS: Generally I do it so much, so I have to love it, it has never gotten old.

MS: You utilize it in other mediums, expand on that.


LS: Well in High School there were a bunch of guys who were in a rock band. I had a crush on every single one of them. They were all older than me, but I played the violin and I offered to play with them one time –  they had me play a song at one of their concerts. So, it's like oh my gosh, a dream come true for me because all of these boys are so cute! From there I ended up becoming part of the band and we went on this little rock band tour....I was sixteen, it's a really fun memory, but looking back we were not really very good. (laughs) But it opened my eyes to how the violin could do all different types of music. They all left on missions so I was left without a band and I started writing music to my favorite radio hits, like: Hip-Hop. I explored different types of mediums because I was kind of getting burnt out on classical. Writing radio hits is what got me onto “Americas Got Talent”. Then I decided I wanted to start writing my own music, music that I like, I started looking for producers – I always want to keep a fresh style so I do everything from rock to trance music, it's fresh and always new. Even with no vocals, people seemed to be entertained the whole time.

MS: Even with no vocals, with your “The Phantom of the Opera” video I was enthralled. Very few people have ever attained that.

LS: Oh, Thank You.

Get your violin on with Lindsey at:



Friday, August 3, 2012

For Immediate Release: "My Career As A Jerk"


Being a big fan of the movement in music known as punk, I am entirely looking forward to this...Have a terrific weekend everyone !


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  
Circle Jerks "My Career As A Jerk" 
To Be Released on DVD September 25  

I was a participant on a very long musical adventure through all the fun and miserable times and thinking about this I don't know if i'd change any of it! 
- Keith Morris 


MVD Entertainment Group
From the beginning, LA punk band the CIRCLE JERKSwere rooted in controversy. Formed by ex members of Black Flag and Red Cross (now Redd Kross) in late 1979, the band came to encapsulate the image, sound and energy of California Hardcore Punk. 

Filmmaker David Markey (1991: The Year Punk Broke, The Slog Movie) mixes in-depth interviews, rare live footage and historical perspective to illustrate the story of one of the most influential bands in the American underground. 

"I was at many of these shows, and let me tell you, there wasn't a tighter band in Los Angeles at the time," said Markey. "Making this film reminded me just how truly great they were."

My Career as a Jerk follows the band from their early days and classic debut to navigating the independent label and touring scene of the 80s to the addictions, fights and injuries that forced their break up. 

Of course the story doesn't quite end there...

Features interviews with members Keith Morris, Greg Hetson, Lucky Leher. Earl Liberty, Zander Schloss as well as J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Henry Rollins (Black Flag), Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion), and more.

Bonus Materials include: Deleted Scenes and Bonus Interviews 



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