Happy Birthday To Me!

Baby It's Cold Outside
Michael Shinafelt

Since today is my 51st Birthday I thought: "why should I celebrate anything but myself?" Especially since the past four years have been the most challenging of my life and I have survived them. Which has made me stronger, it has also brought me to the best place I have ever been in my entire life. 

Yes, it is a day for me to celebrate indeed. I am someone who has went through a clinical depression and came out the other end of it. It took a lot of work, therapy and self examination. There were a lot of times I never thought my life would ever be good again. 

Let me say to those of you out there who may be in the same situation. Never give up! It may seem bleak, but if you hang in there and give it time, care and mostly be kind to yourself, it will get better. Sure there are things I still want that I don't have, but I know I will get them. Why? Because when you overcome it you will have the power to achieve anything! 

It's 44 degrees at 5:03 ayem here in Los Angels, CA on December 18th 2016, the day of my 51st Birthday. I am thankful for my Family, Friends and most of all my amazing Life! 

My wish for my Birthday is for all of you to have one of the best days of the rest of your lives.

Happy Birthday Everyone!

Follow me at:
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/

It's Santa Mickey!

Not A Creature Was Stirring, Except For Mickey Mouse!
Ryan Reynolds, Mickey Mouse & Blake Lively

Santa made me post this. Blame it on the spirit of Christmas taking possession of me, but I just had to post this way too cute photo of Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively striking a pose with Santa Mickey in front of the castle at Disneyland. 

Apparently the twosome were there celebrating their daughter James' second Birthday. Happy, Happy James! 

What made me cross over to the saccharine side? If you have ever been to Disneyland at Christmas time you would understand just how much more magical it is this time of year. It can turn any Scrooge into a Tiny Tim. I was there last year in December and had a truly enchanted day. 

The theme park's halls are decked with the most festive of decor and the happy factor is off the hook!

Speaking of which, Happy Saturday to and to all a good one!

PS Although I had a blast, I must say I am a bit grouchy that I did not get a photo with Santa Mickey too...Bah Humbug!

Disneyland on the WWW:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/  

Film Buff Friday: Cinema Paradiso

Remember when "Cinema Paradiso was the go to hot Foreign Language film?

I do...well film buffs it's making it's way back to video as a Barnes and Noble exclusive this March, the 7th to be exact.

Cinema Paradiso

(Separate DVD and BD SKUs)

A  CELEBRATION OF YOUTH, FRIENDSHIP, AND THE EVERLASTING MAGIC OF THE MOVIES

A winner of awards across the world including Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, five BAFTA Awards including Best Actor, Original Screenplay and Score, the Grand Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival and many more.

Giuseppe Tornatore's loving homage to the cinema tells the story of Salvatore, a successful film director, returning home for the funeral of Alfredo, his old friend who was the projectionist at the local cinema throughout his childhood. Soon memories of his first love affair with the beautiful Elena and all the high and lows that shaped his life come flooding back, as Salvatore reconnects with the community he left 30 years earlier.

Presented in both the original award-winning cut and the expanded Director's Cut incorporating more of Salvatore's backstory, newly restored from original negative materials.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS 

• Restored from the original camera negative and presented in two versions - the 124 minute Cannes Festival theatrical version and the 174 minute Director's Cut
• Uncompressed original stereo 2.0 Audio and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio options
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio commentary with director Giuseppe Tornatore and Italian cinema expert critic Millicent Marcus
• A Dream of Sicily - A 52-minute documentary profile of Giuseppe Tornatore featuring interviews with director and extracts from his early home movies as well as interviews with director Francesco Rosi and painter Peppino Ducato, set to music by the legendary Ennio Morricone
• A Bear and a Mouse in Paradise - A 27-minute documentary on the genesis of Cinema Paradiso, the characters of Toto and Alfredo, featuring interviews with the actors who play them, Philippe Noiret and Salvatore Cascio as well as Tornatore
• The Kissing Sequence - Giuseppe Tornatore discusses the origins of the kissing scenes with full clips identifying each scene
• Original Director's Cut Theatrical Trailer and 25th Anniversary Re-Release Trailer

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet by Pasquale Iannone illustrated with archive stills, behind-the-scenes images and posters

Barnes and Noble at:

www.barnesandnoble.com/

Michael's Musings

I'm Horny!!!
Michael Shinafelt

"The devil inside, the devil inside, Every single one of us the devil inside
The devil inside, the devil inside, Every single one of us the devil inside" - INXS

Yes this pretty much sums up how I am feeling today. I suspect a lot of you are in that zone too. Fasten your bondage strap, it's going to be a Hell of a ride!


La La Kent is leaving Vanderpump Rules. Considering she was the only thing interesting on the show I may stop watching. No offense Lisa Vanderpump.

I need to start doing my Christmas cards pronto. It's not that I don't care about family, friends etc., the Holiday season really holds no interest for me.

Kanye West met with Donald Trump. That says it all.

Things you should do this Holiday season, WTF you should do them all the time. Smile at  everyone you see, the response is always amazing.

My friend Jackie Kilmer has had the stomach flu, she says it makes her feel like Linda Blair in the Exorcist. Blech!

"Pat The Puss" - Thank you Erika Jayne for one of my go to phrases that makes me, and several people I know happy throughout the day.

Almighty Isis! I need a housekeeper!

Dear Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - the Walk of Fame is a major tourist attraction, can't you keep that shit clean?! Refer to my image below you bastards. Freddie Mercury is tossing off in his grave. PS - good for him!!!

Dirty Star, Clean Foot

As seen on Shark Tank, I bought a Scrub Daddy sponge that I spied at Ralph's the other day. It's the most awesome sponge ever! You know you are old when a great deal on a kitchen use sponge excites you!

This weekend is my Birthday, the 18th, worship me.

Leah Remini's show on Scientology is a must see! Go Leah!!!

You know your mission this weekend, it's my Birthday, give it to me!

Follow me here:
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/   

Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday

Storytellers
Ryan Seacrest & Michelle Obama

So here is a pic that gave me the Holiday feels, it's Michelle Obama & Ryan Seacrest stopping by The Children's National Health System in Washington DC to read stories to the kids. 

To me the gift of time and presence has so much more meaning than any material thing could ever have.

It motivates me to find a vessel to give back like this to those in need. Thus I am declaring today Warm & Fuzzy Wednesday. Take some time today and think about how you can affect those around you in a positive way. Whether is be my personal favorite, smiling at everyone you encounter in public or something else that may tickle your fancy or float your boat.

Be Michelle or Ryan today and go get fuzzy with it! 

First Lady Michelle Obama on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michelleobama/?hl=en 

"Strike A Pose" Chris Pratt

It's Not A Bird, There Is A Plane, It's Chris Pratt!

Pssssssst! Did you hear? Chris Pratt has a new sci-fi film coming out co-starring Jennifer Lawrence called Passengers that opens December 21st, just in time for Christmas!

OK, now that's out of the way here is an image of Pratt going all Vogue and striking a pose next a jet at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

I love an attractive man with a who can make me laugh, and Pratt checks those two boxes off very nicely. 

There's really not much else to expand on here other than, this image is something to behold on many levels. So take what you want from it and enjoy your Tuesday!

Pratt on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0695435/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Double Ryan's, Double The Fun!

Three Way?
Ryan Reynolds & Ryan Gosling

Once upon a time there were two hunky actors name Ryan. One with the last name of Reynolds, the other Gosling. They collided in one truly lust inducing moment at the Critic's Choice Awards held in Santa Monica, CA. 

Reynolds being nominated for Deadpool and Gosling for La La Land. This satiated the fantasy of a menage for many women & gay men.

Personally I would not kick either of them to the curb. But if I had to pick one, just one, I would go with the Ryan named Gosling. Yep, I tend to like my guys a little more edgy, and Gosling has that in abundance.

Of note Reynolds won for Best Actor in a Comedy for Deadpool, while my my boy Gosling did not for La La Land. Yep, Reynolds whipped Gosling's butt in the competition. 

Hey, I don't judge the object of my personal lust on such things. Gosling I am still here for you if you ever need me, I've got your back! 

Check out the list of winners from the award ceremony here:

www.ew.com/article/2016/12/11/critics-choice-awards-2016-winners