Film Buff Friday: The Parallax View

 THE PARALLAX VIEW SOUNDTRACK by MICHAEL SMALL

Coming Friday May 7th from Cinema Paradiso Recordings on

limited edition colour vinyl and deluxe bundles

“Michael Small’s score raises the spectre of all that is hidden in American history, and superimposes them in a collage that reveals itself to be the unseen hands that shape it.” - Jim O’Rourke

Cinema Paradiso Recordings is proud to announce the release of the soundtrack to the motion picture 'The Parallax View', on vinyl for the first time ever, this coming May 7th 2021.

 

Based on the book by Loren Singer, The Parallax View is directed and produced by Alan J Pakula as the second installment of his Political Paranoia trilogy - alongside Klute (1971) and All the President's Men (1976). With cinematography by Gordon Willis (The Godfather trilogy, Annie Hall) and starring Warren Beatty, this political thriller from 1974 is perhaps even more relevant today than it was back then.

 

The legendary score by composer Michael Small is regarded as a benchmark in the sound of paranoia thrillers that dominated cinema in the 1970s, with revered film critic Pauline Kael hailing the film as essential for all fans of the genre. Now, 47 years later, the soundtrack newly remastered by Bob Weston, will finally be available to own on vinyl.

 

The single LP, deluxe gatefold limited edition in coloured vinyl includes liner notes with two essays by Scott Bettencourt and Alexander Kaplan (of Film Score Monthly), which provide a fascinating insight into the making of the film and an analysis of the score.

 

The CPR edition of The Parallax View soundtrack includes for the first time the infamous brainwashing scene, an influence on countless films and TV shows over the years. Notably, most recently with the Watchmen series and shows Mr Robot and Homecoming even using the music from the film.

 

To be able to include the dialogue of the brainwashing scene - the disembodied voice from Warren Beatty’s “Parallax Test” - was fundamental to the label's decision to release the soundtrack on vinyl. In order to include the segment, they needed authorization from Paramount and the original voice actor. With permission granted from Paramount, they scoured the film credits but gained no insight into whom the mysterious voice belonged. Researching every other name on the credits hoping to find a contact that might know who the actor was, they settled on Jon Boorstin (Alan Pakula’s assistant on The Parallax View) who they duly contacted.

 

Jon replied immediately saying, “…And yes, I know who that actor is, who welcomes Warren so mellifluously. It was Alan Pakula. He did a temp track, and we got used to it, and never replaced it.“ Thanks to this never-before-revealed information, they were put in touch with Hannah Pakula – Alan’s widow – and obtained permission to use the dialogue which can be heard before the Parallax Test at the start of side B.

Boorstin states, “The Parallax View embodies a particularly paranoid moment for America, when assassination wounds were still fresh and the President’s bungling burglars were running him out of the White House. Michael Small’s music beautifully captures our hope, our dread, and our nostalgia for truer values. In the Parallax Test sequence, he brilliantly seduces the assassin in all of us. Watching this today, wrapped in Michael's music, what was once wild fantasy feels at least as credible as the pronouncements of our Kool-Aid drinking Congressmen."

The Parallax View Soundtrack will be available in limited edition red, blue or white vinyl of just 500 each. There is also a super limited edition white vinyl Abraham Lincoln ‘card stunt’ sleeve version. Limited to just 200 copies world wide, each copy comes with a removable Abraham Lincoln sticker placed over the “card stunt” depiction on the original cover.

 

The label is also partnering with Criterion, who released the Blu-ray in North America in February, by offering a bundle to US customers of the Blu-Ray plus the limited edition Abraham Lincoln cover vinyl LP for $73 (US only).

 

Finally, there will be 5 extra-super limited edition packages available which includes the Abraham Lincoln cover with white vinyl, a Criterion Blu-ray, and a First Edition copy of The Parallax View book by Loren Singer. One of these packages will be given away on Cinema Paradiso's Instagram (click for details).

 

Formats Available: 

• Red or blue vinyl, each limited to 500 copies - available in record stores
• Special Ltd Edition Abraham Lincoln with white vinyl (RoW) : £33.99 / $48
• Special Ltd Edition Abraham Lincoln with white vinyl + Criterion Blu-Ray (US only) : $79
• Special Ltd Edition Abraham Lincoln with white vinyl + Criterion Blu-Ray + Book : $140

  

Special editions and the white vinyl only available at www.cinemaparadisorecordings.com

 

Michael's Musings

And (Ob)scene... 
Michael Shinaflet

So yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, and I went and had my last Mexican lunch for a spell at Casita Del Campo in Silverlake. "Yes" I need to hit the eating well trail quite strictly for two weeks before I can have a cheat day again. Oh, and there were a couple of margaritas involved, and none were left behind, and aren't you happy???

I would describe Caitlyn Jenner's run for governor of California as a car crash, but that would be redundant

Fully vaccinated people can have threesomes without a mask, yay!

It's amazing and beyond parody, the more you know...

Happy people ain't hating, just saying

If one retweets a smart person, does that make you smart by proxy?

Sometimes I think dyslexic 

RHONY premiered this week, it was real and it was spectacular 

Yeah, I'm working on hitting all the right spots

Woman Crush of the Week - Kate Winslet because she is simply the best in Mare of Easttown

Kicking a person out because they won't lie. Life with the authoritarianism cult.

May the fierce be with you always 

Some people are rapidly developing heard immunity from reality

Alexander Skarsgard, that is all

It's all about the tagline 

Find out what mine is here:

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Sun Gets In Your Eyes...Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Celebrating Cinco!
Michael Shinafelt

Yesterday was May the 4th, as in Star Wars day, "May The 4th Be With You" today is May the 5th known as "Revenge of the Fifth" to Star Wars geeks, to the world at large it is known as Cinco de Mayo! Woot!

There I am above celebrating and it appears "As If" the sun has gotten in my eyes, nothing an adjacent margarita can't make better, oh and BTW, it did!

Happy Cinco de Mayo Minions!!!

Cinco de Mayo on Wikipedia -

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

The Sherry Vine Variety Show

THE SHERRY VINE VARIETY SHOW SET TO DEBUT MAY 25

WATCH TRAILER HERE

THE SHOW’S ALL-STAR CAST INCLUDES ALASKA THUNDERFUCK, BOB THE DRAG QUEEN, JACKIE BEAT, BIANCA DEL RIO, ALEC MAPA AND MORE

 

International drag darling Sherry Vine returns to glittering TV screens across the globe on May 25 with The Sherry Vine Variety Show. Inspired by the great variety show legends of the 1970’s, Sherry Vine and director John Mark update the format with raucous comedy, show-stopping musical numbers, hilarious sketches and more. Watch HERE

 

The Sherry Vine Variety Show invigorates and re-imagines the classic tv variety show standard set by the likes of Sonny & Cher and Carol Burnett. This weekly fun-filled half hour show is packed with iconic special guests (Alec Mapa, Candis Cayne, Mario Diaz,Nadya Ginsburg) and some of the world’s top drag superstars including: Alaska Thunderfuck, Bob The Drag Queen, Bianca Del Rio, Jackie Beat, Monet X Change, Peppermint, Tammie Brown, Varla Jean Merman and more! 

 

“As a child, I was obsessed with Carol Burnett and the variety shows of the 70’s. Working on this show, with the unbelievably talented cast and crew, is literally a dream come true.” - Sherry Vine 

 

“Sherry Vine is extremely funny. She practically invented being a slutty blonde sexy campy hilarious Drag queen. Well, she may be too young to have invented it, but she definitely perfected it. I had a great time working with her on the show and I can’t wait to watch every single episode.” - Alaska Thunderfuck

 

“I'm thrilled to join the cast of The Sherry Vine Variety Show, not only is she my friend but she is one of the sweetest, funniest and most professional senior citizens I know.” - Peppermint

 

 

“Sherry claims I’m in this show, but I have no memory of it whatsoever. I can only assume that I was kidnapped, drugged and forced to perform comedy against my will.” - Jackie Beat

 

“First of all, what an honor and privilege it is for me to be working with the legendary Sherry Vine - benefit exclamation!” - Tammie Brown

 

"It's always an honor to work with a legend like Sherry Vine. And we always say yes because. . .you know. . . this could be her last show" – Bob The Drag Queen

 

"I'm thrilled to have been a part of this fun project by my hilarious and incredibly talented old old old friend, Sherry Vine!! Compared to an abortion, THIS WAS FUN!! The skits are rotted and hysterical. Everyone with a sense of humor needs to watch this show.” - Bianca del Rio

 

The show, written by Sherry Vine, Jackie Beat, John Mark and Bob The Drag Queen is directed by John Mark & produced by PEG for OUTtv.  The show will be available exclusively on the OUTtv Apple TV Channel HERE in the US and Canada, OUTtvGo.com and the OUTtv Amazon Prime Channel in Canada and FROOT.tv in the UK and Ireland. 

 

Follow Sherry Vine:

Official website: HERE

Instagram: HERE

Facebook: HERE

Youtube:HERE

Do You Believe In Fairies?

I Believe!
Katy Perry

If you believe in fairies, clap your hands! After spying this photo of Katy Perry looking like Tinkerbell's doppelganger I have to say perhaps I do...at the very least I believe in the magic of Katy Perry, there's that.

From the looks of it I am guessing last night was Disney night on American Idol, I wouldn't have known other than having seen Katy Perry living her best Tinkerbell life on the AI stage.

Yeah, I stopped watching Idol after Adam Lambert's runner up season, heck I don't even watch The Voice. I'm just not that into all that jazz.

However, Katy Bell as I hereby decree her moving forward has me wanting to clap my hands and believe in fairies, even though I know she's all dressed up for an AI theme show there is magic in her ensemble and I feel with the correct amount of fairy dust....one can dream, can't one???

Believe!

Katy on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/katyperry/   

Punk The Capital

Punk the Capital: Building a Sound Movement

A documentary tracing the birth of punk rock in Washington D.C. (1976-1983)

Featuring Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Void, Rites of Spring, and more, with interviews

from Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye, H.R., Jello Biafra, Joe Keithley, and many others

Premiering exclusively in Theaters and on Virtual Cinema nationwide beginning May 14th

DVD / Blu-ray to be released for National Record Store Day on June 8th via Passion River 

When punk rock erupted in Washington DC, it was a mighty convergence of powerful music, friendships, and clear minds. This film is the first to explore the incredible challenges that this subculture faced when it took root in the Nation’s Capital in the late 1970’s. Punk the Capital situates DC punk within the larger narratives of rock n' roll, working as a powerful multi-layered story for both fans and non-fans of punk rock. Featuring musicians such as Bad Brains, Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye, and Jello Biafra, this film dives deep into the ideas and sounds from this transformative music scene which continues to be influential culturally and politically around the world. Created by James June Schneider (Co-Director, Editor), Paul Bishow (Co-Director), and Sam Lavine (Associate Producer, Co-Editor), Punk the Capital is Punk the Capital has been on the road since its World Premiere weekend in Washington D.C. held simultaneously at the American Film Institute and the Hirshhorn Museum (Sound Scene festival). The filmmakers took the film around the USA and Europe to festivals, cinematheques, cinemas, galleries and community spaces. It has been selected for festivals including In-Edit (Barcelona and Brazil) BAFICI, Leeds International Film Festival, and Sound Unseen. Each screening has been an event, with at least one of the filmmakers present and for the majority of dates, there has been a special guest (Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye, Cynthia Connolly, HR of Bad Brains and many others.) The goal of the team was to reach 100 consecutive in-person events. They made it to 50 before the pandemic began. "We were touring the film like a band would until the pandemic hit. Now as things open back up, we're glad to kick off the theatrical release for a variety of reasons. Some of the cinemas where Punk the Capital will be showing, I screened my films back in 1997 when filmmaker Martha Colburn and I hit the road together. I've been thinking about them as we piece this together. Before we release the film on DVD/Blu-ray we wanted to undertake a big push with a theatrical release, part virtual, part in person, that I hope will do its part in getting some of these struggling indie cinemas some much-needed support. And we also are looking forward to sharing the film in these times since it's an optimistic film essentially about building something new and constructive despite the odds. The final version of our film that we're releasing now is just the intense tip of the iceberg - our first cut was 7 hours long. In the end, we wound up focusing on the untold and improbable story of punk rock's beginnings in Washington DC, that happened concurrently with cities across the western world. We took a lot of our extra material that otherwise might never have been seen and edited it together to make short films that will be in the bonus section on the DVD (and Blu-ray). One of the shorts focuses on the band Scream and their family connections to DC's 1960's legendary garage band scene. As we roll the film out, we've been blown away by the positive response not just from fans of punk and DC punk who see and hear a lot of unseen material. We've also heard from a lot of people even up to 90 years old who don't really like punk but who nonetheless love the film. We're glad to see that Punk the Capital works on a lot of levels and are hoping that it will reach a broad audience since the DIY ideas highlighted in the film about the DC punk scene go well beyond the music." Website: www.punkthecapital.info Passion River: http://www.passionriver.com/

Digital Drag Fest - Oh My!

With virtual events & shows now a permanent fixture in the entertainment industry, many of the biggest names in drag are back again in 2021 for a new digital concert festival. In partnership with management company Producer Entertainment Group (PEG) and digital concert service Sessions HERE  “PEG Presents: Digital Drag Fest 2021” will feature Abby OMG, Alaska Thunderfuck, Cheryl Hole, Denali, Divina De Campo, Ginger Minj, Jackie Beat & Sherry Vine, Jackie Cox, Jan Sport, Jimbo, Jinkx Monsoon, Jujubee, Latrice Royale, Manila Luzon, Miz Cracker, Monét X Change, Nicky Doll, Sederginne, Sharon Needles, Tina Burner, Trixie Mattel and Utica as they bring their legendary drag shows directly into the homes of fans.

 

Each 45-60 minute show will be a once in a lifetime experience, which will feature singing, comedy, lip syncing and drama as some of the elements that will be showcased in this festival. Tickets will be extremely limited, to keep audience sizes small and the experience intimate, with opportunities to interact with artists, tip them, and potentially be awarded prizes and giveaways. Ticket prices for each show will start at an economical $15.00 USD per household. Shows will be suitable for all ages, though parental discretion is advised. For early bird specials, festival bundles, weekend passes and VIP Meet & Greet packages with full show descriptions and ticket info click HERE

About the festival, Alaska Thunderfuck said - "While we are well on our way to getting back to a sense of normalcy, traveling to see your favorite entertainer and gathering in person to see a show is still limited. Luckily through the miracle of technology, we can bring together an audience from all over the world, and connect through our love of Drag, music, and creativity."

 

"Digital Drag Fest 2021 is so important right now, because it brings your favorite drag artists right to your living room. At home entertainment is crucial at a time where people yearn for moments of joy. Digital Drag Fest 2021 does just that; it spreads JOY! I call it, 'DRAG MAGIC!’”- purrs Jujubee

 

While Divina De Campo states - "So excited to be bringing DDC back for the DDF while we are all in the PannyD. We might not be together physically but, let's party with each others celestial bodies via satellite.”

 

Two weekends full of performances:
May 21 to May 23 and May 28 to May 30

Schedule:
Weekend 1: May 21 - 23
Utica - May 21 at 4pm PT
Manila Luzon - May 21 at 6pm PT
Sharon Needles - May 21 at 8pm PT
Jan Sport - May 22 at 2pm PT
Nicky Doll - May 22 at 4pm PT
Jinkx Monsoon - May 22 at 6pm PT
Cheryl Hole - May 23 at 12pm PT
Tina Burner - May 23 at 2pm PT
Alaska Thunderf*ck - May 23 at 4pm PT
Sherry Vine & Jackie Beat - May 23 at 6pm PT
Monét X Change - May 23 at 8pm PT

Weekend 2: May 28 - 30
Jimbo - May 28 at 4pm PT
Jackie Cox - May 28 at 6pm PT
Latrice Royale - May 28 at 8pm PT
Sederginne - May 29 at 2pm PT
Ginger Minj - May 29 at 4pm PT
Miz Cracker - May 29 at 6pm PT
Abby OMG - May 30 at 12pm PT
Divina De Campo - May 30 at 2pm PT
Denali - May 30 at 4pm PT
Jujubee - May 30 at 6pm PT
Trixie Mattel - May 30 at 8pm PT