Oh that Lady Gaga and her intrepid Instagram ways. She just had to post a pic of herself and the latest addition to her family...a new puppy with no moniker just yet. Damn you woman name your dog before you post a public image of it! Diabolical!!! Here is what Gaga had to say for herself: I'm proud to announce we added a new member to the #JOANNE family 😇 I haven't named him yet but I call him both cowpig and moopig in the meantime! I chose him last moment because my best friend since I was 4 @booconnor Chef extraordinaire of @thepomeroynyc bought him, we didn't want them to be separated! Awwwwwwwwwwww....how sweet. Be sure to check out her latest effort Joanne, because I said so, you don't need A Million Reasons, one is enough. Gaga on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladygaga/?hl=en
Have any of you seen Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals? I've been told that I would really like it and am going to try to catch over Thanksgiving day weekend. Here's a fun little fact to kick off your week. Did you know that writer/director of NA, Tom Ford met his husband in an elevator? Yep, apparently it was love at first sight for he and Richard Buckley. By the time they hit the ground floor all bets were off and they knew they were meant and moved in together within a month. Talk about living it up when your going down. Sometimes I guess you just know. It's just another Manic Monday kids, make it a good one!!! NA on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4550098/?ref_=nv_sr_2
Call me sentimental, call me old, call me whatever you like, this image of Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth snuggling Snoopy got me in the mood for the impending Christmas Holiday. Why? Well they remind me of my youth, duh! Also there is Christmas decor in the background, double duh! I grew up with Snoopy on all of the Charlie Brown specials and Beverly Hills 90210 was a cool show, once, so there, I've confessed. Yeah I know Thanksgiving is this coming week but Christmas is already in the air and after turkey day comes and goes, all bets are on Santa Claus and venison. This most holy of photo ops took place at the Countdown to Christmas event at Knott's Berry Farm in Southern California. Enjoy your Sunday and get Snoopy with it! Tori on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001760/?ref_=nv_sr_2 Jennie on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001259/?ref_=nv_sr_1
YAGI Film Inc. announces the U.S. premiere of Behind THE COVE, a documentary film rebuttal to the Oscar-winning film The Cove with week-long screenings in New York and Los Angeles, in late November (11/25/16 – 12/1/16) and early December (12/2/16 – 12/8/16), respectively.
Behind THE COVE, the 105-minute Japanese film by first time director Keiko Yagi, includes interviews with people on both sides of the international whaling dispute, including the director and antagonist from 2009’s The Cove, the Academy Award-winning film which negatively portrays the practices of fishermen in the small, remote town of Taiji in Japan.
This is the first film to respond to anti-whaling The Cove from the Japanese perspective. While generally highly regarded, The Cove has also been lambasted by some critics for being one-sided propaganda, Japan-bashing, for lacking a basic understanding of related cultural issues, and for using deceptive filmmaking strategies. The depiction of Japanese people in the film has also been controversial.
What started out as a personal investigation, triggered by childhood memories of whale dishes, led first-time Japanese documentary filmmaker Keiko Yagi to the town of Taiji, the center of the whaling debate and the stage of The Cove. With no budget, limited experience in filmmaking, no fluency in English, but armed with a video camera and a strong desire to find out the truth of the matter on whaling, Yagi discovered a much bigger story than she had initially imagined.
In Behind THE COVE, Yagi attempts to present a comprehensive picture of the dolphin and whale hunting issues in Japan, which includes interviews with people on both sides of the whaling dispute, its sinister political side, what The Cove did not offer, and a unique take on the topic. Throughout filming, Yagi got to know the anti-whaling activists, who set-up camp in Taiji every year during the dolphin-hunting season. In her film, Yagi also presents the ‘voices’ of the Japanese, who usually consider silence to be a virtue. To get a balanced and greater understanding of the story, she also interviewed experts in the whaling world from Japan and overseas, including representatives from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), scientists, and researchers. As Yagi delved into the topic, specific issues with The Cove became apparent.
“Before Western environmental and animal activist concerns persecuted the animal agriculture and fishing practices of the East in such a highly publicized and critical way, you’d think they’d first take a serious look at the situation at home prior to using Japan, a quiet country, as a scapegoat, ” says Yagi. “In the U.S. alone, billions and billions of land and marine animals are subjected to deplorable conditions before they are brutally killed for food each year to satisfy the heavy meat-eating habits of Americans…. the relatively small fishing village of Taiji, in rural Japan, accounts for marine animal deaths in the thousands, not billions. To demonize such a relatively small industry abroad, when compared to the magnitude of what’s happening in – and is relatively ignored in – the U.S., seems a bit misguided and, perhaps, even racist.”
Yagi is not alone in these sentiments. David Cox of The Guardian Film Blog called The Cove a “piece of evangelism,” and subsumed that from a neutral point of view “Westerners.... kill and eat cows. Easterners eat dolphins. What's the difference?” Academic Ilan Kapoor, echoing the famous phrase by Gayatri Spivak, argues that “It's a case of (mostly) 'white men saving cute dolphins from yellow men.’”
Hirotaka Akamatsu, Japanese Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said “It is regrettable that this movie is made as a message that brutal Japanese are killing cute dolphins.” According to Michelle Orange, of Movieline, “As a piece of propaganda, The Cove is brilliant; as a story of ingenuity and triumph over what seems like senseless brutality, it is exceptionally well-told; but as a conscientious overview of a complex and deeply fraught, layered issue, it invokes the same phrase as even the most well-intentioned, impassioned activist docs: Buyer beware.”
Yagi further explains, “In Japan, some fishermen, particularly in remote rural areas, see dolphins and whales as just fish, consumed for centuries as part of local cultural traditions…. in China, dog meat from man’s best friend is acceptable to some as a food source…. in the bacon-loving U.S., highly intelligent and social pigs are widely considered suitable for cruel slaughterhouse practices and the dinner table. There are cultural differences as to which animals are deemed acceptable as food sources and which are not. One of the key questions our film poses is: Who gets to choose which animals are okay to eat?”
Yagi will be in attendance at a selection of screenings in both New York (Cinema Village) and Los Angeles (Laemmle Music Hall), during the film’s U.S. debut. For additional information, please visit http://www.behindthecove.com/index_en.html. Behind THE COVE (2015, Documentary, Japan, 105 min.) – New York Screenings:Friday, November 25 - Thursday, December 1, 2016
Pictured L-R: The Dollywood Company President Craig Ross, Dollywood Foundation President David Dotson, Dolly Parton, CTK Management’s Danny Nozell, Webster PR’s Kirt Webster, Dollywood Dir. Public Relations Pete Owens, Dolly Parton Productions President Ted Miller.
Imagine with Dolly Parton...
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which began as a small community outreach in Parton’s native Sevier County, Tennessee, has evolved to become the largest literacy program in the world. In December, the “little literacy program that could” marks another impressive milestone—one million books gifted to children around the world each month.
To celebrate the unprecedented success, Evey Johns, a two-year-old from Conway, Arkansas who just enrolled in the Imagination Library, has been randomly selected to receive a $30,000 college scholarship. The announcement was made by Parton during her Pure & Simple concert tour stop in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Nov. 15. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Imagination Library.
“I thought long and hard about the best way to honor our achievement of reaching a million children a month,” Parton said. “The Imagination Library is all about inspiring dreams, so what better way to pay tribute to this moment than by helping one special child pursue her college degree. I’m thrilled that today I can let the world know that precious little Evey Johns from Conway, Arkansas will receive a $30,000 scholarship for the college of her choice.”
The scholarship will be held in a special account and distributed to Johns when she enrolls in college. Over the next 16 years, the amount of scholarship should grow to nearly approximately $50,000. Johns is enrolled in the Imagination Library in Conway thanks to the local affiliate in her area, Arkansas Preschool Plus.
“The thought of our daughter Evey going to college has been just that—a thought,” explained Evey’s mother, Connie. “Now, due to the enormous kindness and generosity of the Dollywood Foundation, that thought has now become a reality. Our family now has the means to develop a solid plan for our daughter’s future education. Thank you all so much for this unbelievable opportunity for our daughter.”
In 2016, the Imagination Library and its local partners will gift nearly 11.5 million books to children from birth to age five in participating communities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. To date, the Imagination Library, which is administered through the Dollywood Foundation, has provided more than 85 million books to children around the world.
Arkansas Preschool Plus is just one of the many local affiliates the Dollywood Foundation works with to provide books to children. To provide the Imagination Library, a community must make the program accessible to all preschool children in their area, and the community pays for the books, promotes the program and registers the children. The Dollywood Foundation manages the delivery of books to children’s homes.
Arkansas Preschool Plus enrolls 960 children in Conway, Faulkner and Perry Counties. Currently, nearly 15,000 children are enrolled in Arkansas. The Imagination Library currently is working with elected officials, foundations and corporations in Arkansas in an effort to make the program available to all children from birth to age five in the state.
About Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Founded in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting organization that has, to date, mailed more than 85 million books to children in Australia, Belize, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. Each month, the program currently mails more than one million specially selected, high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children from birth until they start Kindergarten in participating communities. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading in children, preparing them for school and inspiring them to dream. Recent studies suggest participation in the Imagination Library is positively and significantly associated with higher measures of early language and math development. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The second or third sign of fall weather is happening right now in Los Angeles. The other times it happened the following week after it went back up to 90 degrees. We'll see if this time it will stick, in the meantime it's Thursday, time for me to do my usual sounding off! Remember when just last year Helena Handbasket was the name of a Drag Queen and not the place the United States was headed? Can anyone recommend a place that makes sturdy dog tags for people? Kendall Jenner reveals why she deleted her Instagram account...and I now have one, and aren't you happy?! Madonna is going to do Carpool Karaoke with James Corden... Tricks! Not! FYI - I'm not political, I'm anti-asshole “Wickedness is a myth invented by good people to account for the curious attractiveness of others" - Oscar Wilde Walk away from the Xanax Doing lunch today with lovely Pin-Up Girl Traci Lords Name something that makes you say "yes" I'm going to start yelling Oedipus instead of Motherfucker and see if anyone catches on Today is Rhonda Bernstein's Birthday, wish her a happy one would ya? My brain is starting to spin, time to sign off. Have a terrific day and check me out on Twitter & Instagram at: https://twitter.com/MShinafelt https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/
In honor of the nightmare in Roanoke coming to an end tonight I thought it fitting to post an image of Kathy Bates out and about in the Big Apple. Bates was truly great this season as the mentally unstable actress Agnes Mary Winstead who becomes the character she plays, Thomasin White aka "The Butcher" on My Roanoke Nightmare. The reality show pretending to be real, that ends up being true. I hope that nailed it. If not, feel free to use your own adjectives to explain the creepy shit that happened this season, that's right, that means you are on your own. We all know Bates does not leave this nightmare alive. It looks like that honor goes to former Police Officer Lee Harris (Adina Porter) or does it? Remember this is American Horror Story and with the way this season has turned out I would expect a huge twist in tonight's season finale. You have been warned... The Horror at: https://www.facebook.com/americanhorrorstory/
Well, well, well the first full length feature trailer for Disney's live action version of their animated classic Beauty and the Beast has been released. I have one thing to say: for the love of Emma Watson, magnificent! This looks like the reel deal. Yes, I meant to spell real that way, as it seems like a really heartfelt & beautiful transition from animation to live action that has the heart and soul of the material of which it is based on. Personally, I loved the animated BB when it came out in theaters. That's pretty abnormal for someone who really has not liked many animated films since he was a child. I believed I actually dropped a tear or two, FML! Now onto my Emma Watson love. I am a curmudgeon, thus I so could not get into the first Harry Potter epic that I did not watch the others. But Emma has really proved herself to be an intelligent, poised not to mention articulate young woman who I greatly admire. I did see her in My Week With Marilyn though, In short, she is one of my girl crushes. Dear Emma, hey you, I will be seeing this. Respect & admiration always...jump to the trailer below!
Did you know for every new episode of Saturday Night Live they tape an angel gets it's wings? Not! But they do have an after party, that's for sure! Yep, the fun doesn't halt when the cameras stop rolling.
Where do I sign up to get a job on that show?!
This past Saturday's party held at The Cutting Room in NYC brought out some big names, one of them happened to be Madonna. Leslie Jones nabbed a pic of her and the superstar for the fans and tweeted:
My first introduction to Naama Kates was as a singer/songwriter, then I came to find out she was so much more. She is also an accomplished actress as well as a screenwriter. Now she can add full fledged filmmaker to her resume' with her directorial debut Sorceress, which recently got some much deserved attention at AFM (American Film Market.) To describe this movie would be unfair to the viewer. It is something one needs to experience on their own terms. Me? I loved it! Here to answer five questions about it is none other than the woman behind the madness Ms. Naama Kates!
MS: What was the inspiration for the film?
NK: Well to me all of life is an inspiration-- whatever happens, for better or worse, if it ends up as material, I can feel like it was worthwhile... I think that's especially important to remember now, during the hard times. Film, music, literature, comedy, art in general, reminds us that we're not alone in any of it.
That being said, I started writing what became the film in short pieces of dialogue, impressions, usually from conversations I'd had or heard that felt interesting. And then the location- Finland- where I did my artist residency, was a huge inspiration. Other elements of the story, of course, came from my life, and from historical figures I found interesting- like Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century alchemist, and the obsession of the film's protagonist. I wasn't even sure I wanted to make a film, until I had to write a proposal for the residency program. Like with most of the bigger decisions in life, I act first, and figure it out later.
MS: How did it feel being a first time Director?
NK: I was all over the place! We shot it over a really short period of time, with what felt like relatively little preparation. On the other hand, I've worked on films before with even less preparation and planning... I hardly feel like I directed anything; I had great actors and crew and a great cinematographer, and I think those ingredients, paired with a good script, are most vital. Since I also wrote it, I wasn't so sure about that last part- the good script- haha. It was my first time doing anything like it. At times it was sort of incredible-- all these great people were making my ideas happen! But then I'd think, wait, are they all just doing this because it's the job? Does anyone actually think this is a good idea? Checks and balances are important!
And I couldn't have had a better experience than I did in Finland. Everyone was so professional, intelligent, humble and straightforward. And so talented! It's an incredibly progressive society; there is virtually no sexism there and probably never has been, really. I am extremely grateful for that.
MS: The Cinematography was amazing, and played a role in the story. Where did you find the cinematographer?
NK: Thank you-- and, indeed! The cinematographer, Jarkko T. Laine, is a member of the Finnish Society of Cinematographers, like our ASC, which is an invitation-only, very prestigious organization. In the US, I think it would have been nearly impossible for a first-time filmmaker on my budget to get a member to shoot my movie, without pulling some serious strings. Because Finland is a much smaller country (only 5 million people) and isn't so crazy when it comes to the movie business, the artists are more accessible; I went to the FSC website and emailed Jarkko directly, and then he brought on the A.D, Ville Gronroos, and A.C., Jenni Riutta, as well as the sound recorder, Akseli Soini. That was our crew! And they really brought it to another level.
MS: Now, I don't want you to give away the ending, but while I didn't see it coming in hindsight I should have.
NK: Hehe... well, so far I haven't heard from anyone that they saw it coming. I wanted to leave it somewhat open to interpretation. I think that, for people who resonate with the movie, it will probably be a somewhat familiar question: am I crazy? Is this real? Is it just a coincidence? Will anyone believe me?... I think most people have those moments, and I think that the answer is never clear. It was easy to do in the script, but I questioned it during editing-- whether it was too ambiguous. I didn't have any guidance while I was writing, but had quite a lot of invaluable input during post-production. I was so connected to it by then, it was impossible to be objective.
MS: To me the film is ultimately about the creative process, what would you like the audience to take away from their experience?
NK: I like that. I think it doesn't have to be about the creative process in the way we usually intend-- like, it doesn't have to literally be about art. Just about thinking differently, feeling differently, than people around you. Wanting to be understood, and then maybe feeling that connection with someone, and then losing it. It's also largely about dealing with loss/grief. I think those themes are rather universal, and really I just want an audience, period! Haha! And ideally, I hope they take that away-- a feeling of being understood, by the film itself...
"Honey, I know, I know I know times are changing It's time we all reach out For something new, that means you too" - Prince, Purple Rain Recently Lady Gaga was snapped in NYC sporting a T-Shirt bearing tribute to the late great Prince. This is timely in many ways considering the outcome of this weeks Presidential Election, and I am sure that's the way Gaga intended it, so there! Honestly last night was the first decent night's sleep since the debacle I have gotten. The lyrics above from the song really hit home, especially now. Times they are a changing, we do need to reach out for something new. Time will tell how everything plays out, but one thing is for sure, we need to dust off our disappointment and come together and do the right thing by one another. Remember there is strength in unity and our own individual personal power. No one can take that away from us. T.G.I.F! Have a terrific weekend! Prince on the WWW at: www.billboard.com/articles/news/.../prince-online-museum-website
Buckle up peeps your in for a bumpy ride with this week's thoughts. Are you ready? OK, let's get to it grab a pussy there's nothing to it... Disgusting thy name is Donald Trump and the people who voted for him. Why has no one questioned whether the election was rigged or not? If Hillary had won I am sure the orange bitch baby would be carrying on instead of stepping down with dignity and class like Clinton did. They should make a movie about this election and title it: Revenge of the Deplorables. 11/9/2016 Dear Diary, it was 95 degrees or more throughout the Los Angeles area. In the immortal words of Paris Hilton"That's Hot." Kentucky Muffin, it's a thing, watch Vanderpump Rules if you don't believe me. They should play the song Tits & Ass from a Chorus Line when Melania Trump makes appearances as First Lady. Below the line will blow your mind I will never experience the trauma of couch butt Sarah Paulson's horrific accent is the scariest thing on this season's American Horror Story "Oh my God!" For all you straight men out there who voted for Donald Trump, congratulations you are now going to know what it's like to be f#@ked! Today I think I will hit Subway, I feel the need to feed on something twelve inches. Sometimes I can be so ambitious. Catch you later! Me on Twitter & Instagram: https://twitter.com/MShinafelt https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/
First let me say I never knew I lived in such a country that would elect someone like Donald Trump as President of the United States of America. I thought I might wake up this morning only to find it was like that one season of Dallas that turned out to be a dream. No such luck. Honestly at this moment in my personal history I am numb. Rather than continue ruminating about my extreme disappointment and shame for the country I live in and those who just sent it into some kind of fresh hell, I will try to deflect my icky feelings a little by posting this image of Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett & Rihanna filming Ocean's 8 in New York's Central Park. They look like they are having a blast! Their smiles are infectious, may they serve as a reminder that we still have the power to be kind to one another. We are all really going to need it these next four years. Cheers! Ocean's 8 on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5164214/?ref_=nv_sr_2
Let me start this off by saying, I've already voted. In case you could not tell by the image I posted. How about I follow that up with this election has been the biggest shit show in American History. Seriously, we as people of the United States of America should be highly embarrassed by it. It has been a reality show that could air on the Bravo TV Network. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but in terms of government, world wide security and issues that affect people's lives, WTF?! OK, I am now stepping down from my soapbox, not! If you vote for Donald Trump today, I'm confused. If you vote for a third party because you are so Bernie or Bust, free your mind. I'm talking to you rich and entitled Susan Sarandon who no matter what happens in this election you will still be fine. So stop trying to use your position to vote with your asshole and influence the easily swayed. Also to all you millennials who need a babysitter still, cry to mother, or better yet, try to affect a positive change in the world. For the most part the people of America have been treating this election year like a rebel without a clue. I hope today you get it together and do what is in the best interest of this country. So how did I vote two weeks ago? I proudly voted for Hillary Clinton. Happy Election Tuesday, and Beware of pussy grabbers at the polls!
My Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Yard
LaLa Kent
Last season Vanderpump Rulesadded a new female cast member. Someone enigmatic, pretty & sexy as F-U-C-K! One Ms. LaLa Kent. Kent quickly became a fan favorite overshadowing, the regular returning cast Kristen Doutie, Stassi Schroeder, Katie Maloney, Scheana Marie & Ariana Madix. Please those women have nothing on Kent she is an entity all unto herself. LaLa was a breath of fresh air quite different from the usual neurotic & psychotic Sur female employee. She has her feet planted firmly on the ground and knows who the fuck she is. So what does the girl with the most cake do? Set herself apart from the pack, as if she already hasn't, by wearing a sheer dress that reveals one of her best ASS - Sets to the season 5 kick off party for the show. That's code for you could see LaLa's bare bum walking down the red carpet in case you didn't quite get the gist. Part of the reason I am drawn to LaLa is she reminds me of myself. How you may ask? Fluff up your pillow and dream on that one. Season 5 of Vanperpump Rules premieres on Bravo tonight! LaLa on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/lalakent/?hl=en https://twitter.com/lala_kent https://www.facebook.com/itslalakent/
SAD VACATION is the latest documentary film by Danny Garcia ("The Rise and Fall of The Clash"/"Looking for Johnny"), which explores Sid and Nancy's fateful trip to New York in 1978. It is a film that is dedicated to presenting the real facts; told as it happened by their friends and those who witnessed it. A film about the dynamics of Sid and Nancy's tumultuous relationship, and how it all ended in Room 100 of the Chelsea Hotel.
SAD VACATION includes interviews with Roberta Bayley, Steve "Roadent" Conolly, Donna Destri, Kenny "Stinker" Gordon, Bob Gruen, John Holmstrom, Hellin Killer, Walter Lure, Honest John Plain, Howie Pyro, Cynthia Ross, Andy Shernoff, Gaye Black, Casino Steel, Phyllis Stein, Sylvain Sylvain; in addition to the late Leee Black Childers and three key residents of the Chelsea Hotel, Victor Colicchio, "Neon" Leon Matthews, and Ned Van Zandt, who had a lot to say about the events that took place on October 12th 1978. Drawing upon their reflections and a batch of newly-released Grand Jury documents, "Sad Vacation" presents a solid timeline of events for the very first time.
Narrated by Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals), SAD VACATION contains unseen photography of Sid and Nancy and music from The Heartbreakers, The Boys, The Members, Neon Leon, Pure Hell, Sami Yaffa, Luigi & The Wiseguys, Skafish, Corazones Muertos, The PrimaDonna Reeds, Supla, Silke Berlinn & The Addictions and Sid Vicious himself.
Tomorrow daylight savings time ends. Yeah, I know, don't you hate that? This year instead of riding on a bummer about it, I decided to make it a fun little party of sorts. How you may ask? How about we turn back time with ten quotes from Singer/Academy Award winning actress of the song about past regret, Cher! Isn't this much more entertaining than being annoyed with it like most of us usually are? Happy Saturday before the end of time! Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great. Hate crimes are the scariest thing in the world because these people really believe what they're doing is right. I've always taken risks, and never worried what the world might really think of me.
I am never offended when I see the drag-queens dressed up like me.
The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing - and then marry him.
If you're black in this country, if you're a woman in this country, if you are any minority in this country at all, what could possibly possess you to vote Republican? Anyone who's a great kisser I'm always interested in. I keep coming back because I have no place else to go. What else would I do? I love to sing. People are negative no matter what you do. I'm amusing and crazy on Twitter. I talk about important things, stupid things. Go cannon humping with Cher below -
