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Saturday, October 29, 2016

Margaret Nolan

Acting Appreciation

Born on October29, 1943, Margaret Nolan is best known for playing Dink, a masseuse in Goldfinger (1964). This led the Hampstead native to pose for Playboy magazine's James Bond's Girls edition as well as appear in many other films such as the British comedy Carry On films.

She is now a visual artist of fine-art photo-montages and collages. You can learn more about this beautiful Bond girl HERE.


via carryonfan

Goldfinger (1964) via illustrated007

Sources:

http://www.margaretnolan.co.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Nolan
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634318/
http://carryonfan.blogspot.com/2016/03/whatever-happened-to-margaret-nolan.html
http://vintage.nudesfor.me/margaret-nolan/

Friday, October 28, 2016

Album Cover: The Cure - Galore


Album Cover

Album: The Cure - Galore
Released: October 28, 1997
Photographer: Ralph John Perou
Model: Isabel Caroline Slark
Taken: c.1997




Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galore_(The_Cure_album)
http://s298.photobucket.com/user/julzrotten/media/cure-galore.jpg.html
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1955451-Perou

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Halloween (1978)


Film Appreciation

In 1978, Halloween, which was directed and scored by John Carpenter and starred Jamie Lee Curtis, premiered in Kansas City, Missouri. The slasher film became the first installment of the Halloween franchise.

The story takes place in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois (actual film location was Pasadena, California), where a six-year-old boy named Michael Myers dressed in a clown costume and murdered his sister. Myers then escapes from a psychiatric hospital to find and kill his younger sister Laurie Strode, who is played by Jamie Lee Curtis.

Interestingly, there has been speculation that the film is based on actual events that occurred in 1920s Iowa, where a kid named Stanley Stiers murdered his family on a Halloween night. You can read more on that theory HERE.



Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_(1978_film)
http://mysticinvestigations.com/paranormal/michael-myers/
http://horrorfreaknews.com/13-facts-probably-didnt-know-michael-myers
http://thennowmovielocations.blogspot.com/2012/01/halloween-1978.html

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Simon Birch


Art Appreciation

I came across British artist Simon Birch while visiting Leslie Frenz' art blog, The Artsy Forager. After viewing his amazing paintings of his subjects suspended in midair, I wanted to learn more about the artist.

I then found his blog, Modified Monkey, and was intrigued about the various media and techniques used. One of his paintings that caught my attention was one he did over layers of other images to present a woman throwing a karate punch.

You can see more of his artwork HERE.


via mymodernmet 
via artsyforager

via devinerart


Sources:

http://www.simon-birch.com/
http://monkeymodified.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/The-Art-of-Simon-Birch-149645231736612/
http://www.mymodernmet.com/
http://artsyforager.com/2013/11/18/simon-birch/
https://devinerart.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/simon-birch/
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/simon-birch-paintings

Friday, October 21, 2016

Album Cover: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell


Album Cover

Album: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell
Released: October 21, 1977
Conceptualized: Jim Steinman
Illustrator: Richard Corben





Sources:

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

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Laura Benanti parodied Melania Trump's interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper


Comedy

Following Melania Trump's interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Broadway actress Laura Benanti reprises her Melania Trump impersonation on Stephen Colbert's late night show.

Best lines:

Stephen Colbert:

"Yes, it was all Billy Bush's fault. Now I know why they were on the bus, it's easier to throw Billy underneath it."

"If Billy Bush can manipulate Donald Trump, we've got to keep President Trump away from heavy-hitter like Mario Lopez." 

Laura Benanti as Melania Trump:

When asked if she blames her husband for what he said, "Yes I do... I said to my husband that those words are very inappropriate. Plus, he said them on a bus, disgusting. This is not the man I married.

When asked if she has forgiven her husband, "Eee... [receiving direction away from the camera] Yes. [Shakes her head in disgust]. Yes... yes... apparently because he explained it was locker room talk. I did not know this, but when American men gather to sport, they always brag of grabbing women by the billy bush." 



via The Late Show with Stephen Colbert


Sources:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/melania-trump-billy-bush-egged-on-donald-in-leaked-tape-w445380
http://www.motherjones.com/media/2016/10/melania-trump-stephen-colbert-donald-trump-sexual-assault
http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/laura-benanti-parodies-melania-trumps-interview-with-anderson-cooper-w445576

Monday, October 17, 2016

Around the World In 80 Days (1956)


Film Appreciation

Starring Mario Moreno (aka Cantinflas) and David Niven, Around the World in 80 Days was released on October 17, 1956 by United Artists.

The sci-fi adventure film, which was based on the classic novel of the same name by Jules Verne, won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.





Sources: 

http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Around-the-World-in-80-Days#tab=summary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Around_the_World_in_80_Days_(1956_film)

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Happy Caturday!


Camgirl Erin Carroll sings about her "so f*cking cute" cat.



Friday, October 14, 2016

Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart Visit "New York's Scariest Haunted House"

Halloween is right around the corner.

One thing I love most about Halloween is the creativity of costumes and haunted houses. I love watching people walk through a scary dark maze and facing their fears to emerge with adrenaline and laughter.

Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart walk through one of "New York's Scariest Haunted House" Blood Manor (163 Varick St, New York, NY 100130). And it's fun to watch them get scared.



via The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Sexual Assault is different from just "Locker Room Talk"


Pardon the Interruption.

Like I've mentioned in a previous entry, this is an art blog and not a political one; however, I feel this election is too important to just ignore.

"Is Is." I was a senior in college when President Bill Clinton appeared before the American public and said, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss [Monica] Lewinsky." He then admitted, seven months later, "I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky," but was short of admitting any sexual relations--Monica Lewinsky would later testify that she and the President were involved in oral sex and other sexual acts, but not vaginal intercourse.

To conservatives, the President's honesty was in question--not so much the President's infidelity, since many high ranking Republican leaders shared similar infidelity secrets.

Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr had been appointed to investigate the suicide death of deputy White House counsel Vince Foster and the Clinton's Whitewater real estate investment, but he was unable to find any wrongdoing. What stuck, however, was perjury--Clinton lying under oath--and obstruction of justice, and the Republican Congress moved to impeach the President on December 19, 1998.

Fast-forward 18 years. After a video emerged showing Donald Trump making obscene and lewd comments, the presidential candidate decided to hold an event, prior to the second Presidential Debate, with four of the Clintons' accusers--Paula Jones, Juanita Broaddrick, Kathleen Willey and Kathy Shelton.

Jones, Broaddrick and Willey all accuse Bill Clinton of sexual assault. Kathy Shelton is a sexual assault survivor who's assailant was defended by court-appointed criminal defense lawyer Hillary Clinton. "Court-appointed," means the attorney appointed by the court must represent the defendant to the best they can without prejudice.

The four women were invited to sit in the "town hall" debate to remind the American public of Bill Clinton's infidelity and in hopes to throw Hillary Clinton off balance. After the debate, Trump further threatened to attack Bill Clinton's marital transgressions if more tapes are released, "If they want to release more tapes saying inappropriate things, we'll continue to talk about Bill and Hillary Clinton doing inappropriate things."

But again, the issue 18 years ago was not so much the infidelity, but Bill Clinton's perjury. If we, however, are to talk about sexual assault, then wouldn't Trump's recorded comment carry more weight, since many of the accusations made against Bill Clinton are allegations and hearsay?

Trump: "I moved on her actually... I failed. I'll admit it. I did try and fuck her, she was married... No, no, Nancy [O'Dell]... In fact, I took her out furniture shopping. She wanted to get some furniture. I said I'll show you where they have some nice furniture. I moved on her like a bitch. I couldn't get there and she was married..."

Bragging about his fame and wealth, he continued, "...And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything... Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."

Republican media pundits called the exchange between the presidential candidate and Billy Bush as "locker-room talk." Trump capitalized on that term during the debate as an excuse; however those who do know about "locker-room talk," came out condemning Trump's act as mere submission of sexual assault.

Trevor Noah probably explains this best, "...two things about that 'locker-room' excuse. First, they're conflating sex talk with and sexual assault talk...Trying to make Trump's comments sound normal is not something they are achieving, cause--I'm sorry--that is not normal. There is a big difference between saying dirty words and glorifying non-consensual contact..."




Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/clinton081898.htm
http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37595321
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/10/10/trumps-debate-plan-to-seat-bill-clintons-accusers-in-family-box-was-thwarted/
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-10-10/trump-threatens-to-push-intensely-personal-clinton-attacks-if-more-tapes-emerge
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/11/sports/what-exactly-is-locker-room-talk-let-an-expert-explain.html?_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/12/business/media/billy-bush-to-make-abrupt-exit-from-nbc-after-lewd-tape.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37617061
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Jones
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juanita_Broaddrick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Willey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Shelton
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Lewinsky

Monday, October 10, 2016

Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986)


Film Appreciation

Jumpin' Jack Flash was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. Released on October 10, 1986, the American spy comedy starred Whoopi Goldberg. Jim Belushi, Annie Potts Stephen Collins, and Michael McKean were also in the film.

The film, which was directed by Penny Marshall, is about a bank employee, Terry Doolittle (Whoopi Goldberg), who receives a message from a person who calls himself "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Throughout the film, Terry finds herself entangled with spies while helping "Jack" escape from an Eastern Bloc country.




Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumpin%27_Jack_Flash_(film)

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Ana Navarro "schooling" Michael R Caputo


Pardon the interruption.

I rarely do post political commentary, but this election is extremely important to just take a backseat.

We live in a country and given the privilege to vote for the leader we feel will represent our principles before our nation and the world. This election, we are given a choice of party candidates: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Green and Constitution.

Although our ideologies may fit better with a third-party candidate, we tend to align ourselves with one of the two most popular parties: Republican or Democrat.

As a registered Republican, I find my ideologies best fit under the Libertarian ticket. I can't, however, bring myself to vote for Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, a candidate who I feel would make our nation look weak before other nations.

But as a registered Republican, shouldn't my choice in candidate clearly be Donald Trump? If it were any other Republican candidate, yes.

As a Mexican-American, I do find Trump's comments and tweets offensive. I appreciate Republican strategist Ana Navarro reminding Michael R Caputo, former Trump adviser, of his comments aimed directly at Mexicans.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” June 16, 2015

“What can be simpler or more accurately stated? The Mexican Government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc.” July 6, 2015




via Daily Kos

Friday, October 7, 2016

Herbert List


Photography Appreciation

Herbert List was a German fashion photographer known for his black and white photos of male nudes and erotic street photography. Many of his photos appeared in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Life.

List is also known for his "fotografia metafiscia," where he experimented using mirrors and double exposures to make surrealistic metaphysical photography.

Later in his career, he joined Magnum Photos and was influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson and the Italian neorealist film movement.

You learn more about List HERE, and see more of his photography HERE.


Trepanation, 1944 via boingboing

Boy with Dalmatian, Portofino, 1936 via theredlist

Pablo Picasso, "Chouette dans un intérieur," Paris, 1948 via mastersofphotography

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_List
http://www.glbtqarchive.com/arts/list_h_A.pdf
http://www.faheykleingallery.com/photographers/list/personal/list_pp_frames.htm
https://pro.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_2_VForm
http://theredlist.com/wiki-2-16-601-788-view-portrait-1-profile-list-herbert.html
https://mastersofphotography.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/herbert-list/
http://boingboing.net/2014/09/24/the-surrealist-photography-of.html

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Crash (1996)


Film Appreciation

Based on the 1973 novel by J.G. Ballard, Crash is a film about a group of people with a sexual fetish for watching car crashes.

The film, which starred James Spader, Deborah Kara Unger, and Holly Hunter, was seen as highly controversial at the time of its release. The film did win the Special Jury Prize at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.




Sources:

http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Crash#tab=summary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_(1996_film)