Pee Wee's Christmas Special with Charo, Grace Jones, and More! 12 days of Christmas Classics on Xanaland

Pee Wee was a lucky bastard that year. Getting to hang out with Grace Jones, Charo, The Del Rubio Triplets, AND Magic Johnson?! 

Such a fun and well-produced show. Charo singing "I ' Vant" to wish you a Merry Christmas, forget about it! KD Lang was adorable, and there are many other guest star surprises!

I don't think I'd ever be the same if I got to spend the day with Grace Jones. Priceless TV moments here, people! 

Enjoy! 

Miracle on 34th Street * 12 Days of Christmas Cinema on Xanaland *

 There are subtle and shocking reminders in this classic Christmas movie that the basic instincts and tendencies that people felt in the "old days" are the same basic principals and morals many Americans strive for and struggle with today. I won't waste any more of your time -- this is a must-see for the Christmas season! 

Enjoy! 

The Great Rupert: A Christmas Wish * 12 Day's of Christmas on Xanaland *

What could be more endearing than a squirrel who saves Christmas?! 

Beavis & Butthead Do Christmas on 12 Days of Christmas Movies on Xanaland

Enjoy this classic holiday episode!  

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12 Days of Christmas Movies on Xanaland: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

How could this not be included in our archive of holiday classics? If you haven't seen it, something's wrong with you or your parents were fools or in prison! If you haven't seen it for a while because you were in prison, today's your lucky day! There are incidentally many life lessons in there that just may keep you and your family out of the joint. Watch this. Learn something, people!  

Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1978

A wonderful time in music history and television. There was no internet and no choices of thousands of things to watch. Just one TV, and one Man in Black. There are several years of this special --this one's my favorite with Steve Martin and Kris Kristofferson. 

Enjoy! 

Date With The Angels: Santa's Helper with Betty White

Eventually replaced by The Betty White Show, this '50s series was written originally to be half in a fantasy sequence. Somehow, the sponsor had that part eliminated -- sad, and goes to show you the power of money. Betty White has said that after that, her heart was just not in it -- it became too much like an ordinary sitcom and could never compete with The Lucy Show. I really like this holiday episode, though, and I'm glad it's available to share... enjoy!

Charles Dickens Christmas Carol Narrated by Vincent Price

Christmas would not be the same without a classic narrated by Vincent Price! Take the story to heart -- there's a great life lesson in this -- enjoy! 

Lost Forgotten Classics on Xanaland: The Man With The Golden Arm

I could not have reviewed this film any better if I tried. Please read the following link....

http://trackofthecat.blogspot.com/2012/10/tuesdays-forgotten-or-overlooked-film.html

and via WiKi!  

The Man with the Golden Arm is a 1955 American drama film, based on the novel of the same name by Nelson Algren, which tells the story of aheroin addict who gets clean while in prison, but struggles to stay that way in the outside world. It stars Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak,Arnold Stang and Darren McGavin. It was adapted for the screen by Walter Newman, Lewis Meltzer and Ben Hecht (uncredited), and directed byOtto Preminger.^[3]

It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Sinatra for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Joseph C. Wright and Darrell Silvera for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White and Elmer Bernstein for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. Sinatra was also nominated for best actor awards by the BAFTAs and The New York Film Critics.^[4]

The film was controversial for its time; the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) refused to certify the film^[5] because it showed drug addiction. The black-and-white film uniquely portrayed heroin as a serious literary topic as it rejected the standard "dope fiend" approach of the time. It was the first of its kind to tackle the marginalized issue of illicit drug use.^[6] Because it dealt with the taboo subject of "narcotics," Hollywood's Production Code refused to grant a seal of approval for the film, and it was released without the MPAA's seal of approval. This sparked a change in production codes, allowing movies more freedom to more deeply explore hitherto taboo subjects such as drug abuse, kidnapping, abortion andprostitution. In the end, the film received the code number 17011.

Director Otto Preminger had previously released a film lacking the Production Code with The Moon is Blue (1953). He told Peter Bogdanovich why he was attracted to Algren's novel: "I think there's a great tragedy in any human being who gets hooked on something, whether it's heroin or love or a woman or whatever."^[7]

Frank Sinatra — who jumped at a chance to star in the film before reading the entire script — spent time at drug rehabilitation clinics observing addicts going cold turkey.^[8] The script was given to Marlon Brando around the same time as Sinatra, who still harboured some anger at Brando, since the latter had beaten out Sinatra for the lead role in On the Waterfront.

Here is the full movie, indeed a lost classic!

Sancho Walks Hard Back To Rehab With Dewey Cox

Every time I get into a low place in my struggle to have willpower over my addictions, I think "I probably need to go to rehab,"  and then I think of the scene in Walk Hard where Dewey Cox is told by his Jewish manager that it's time "to go to rehab."  
  

When a person needs help, they need help. There's no way to sugar coat that Hollywood style for most of us. But this movie did a pretty great job showing how one's ego can get them into all kinds of trouble. Some creative people are like this; I should know -- I am one of them. After a while it's not enough to be stimulated by just the art and music. I can be very spontaneous and I think it freaks people out. I do some real selfish and careless stuff when I don't get my way. I'm a bad parent, and a horrible girlfriend. I'm a cretin, and if you don't do what I want that makes you a chode.

Self absorbed, delusional and unrealistic. That's me!

That being said, I hope for all my loved ones that they get the help they need when they need it.... This means you, Sancho dearest. Walk hard you Half Ass Monkey Boy, walk hard. The world will be waiting for your happy ass when you start acting right and figure out what you want. You're going back to rehab.

Yup, the party's over for this monkey. 

You have to ask yourself,  Where are you going to be at the end of your life, when your life and all your actions are flashed back upon? Do you want to be like Jonny Depp in Blow where you're fizzled and in prison? Or do you want to be like Dewey and have ups and downs but be able to say, "It's been a beautiful ride?"  Friends come and go. Dewey lost friends and the respect from friends. The people that love you will always come back into your life and there will always be other mustaches and other roosters!

Enjoy the movie my friends

for Martha.....

The Munsters Documentary: 31 days of Classic Horror Cinema on Xanaland

What better a way to wrap up a month of horror flicks than with a nice family show?  The Munsters, for us adults, is a classic show that made boring afternoons stuck in the house while mom and dad were at work a little more bearable, and gave a few of us a head start into a macabre lifestyle that would stick with us forever! 

Have a wonderful and safe afternoon, and enjoy this interesting documentary on The Munsters! 

The Real Story of The Amityville Horror: 31 Days of Horror Cinema on Xanaland

It's that time of year when old horrific crime stories resurface and gain renewed interest, so I thought we'd take a break from classic movies and check out this documentary on the real story of the Amityville house and murders...

It caught my attention since a few nights ago on Coast to Coast they spoke to the youngest son of the Lutz family... a very interesting episode about haunted houses, so put another log on the fake fire I have generously provided, and enjoy! 

Here is the link to the Coast to Coast show: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT8RnsXI-2Q

The Mansion of Madness: 31 Days of Classic Horror Cinema on Xanaland

The Mansion of Madness is a wild, wacky thing. Once I would think I’d finally put my finger on what the hell was going on, it switched gears and went somewhere completely different. Based (very loosely, which should be obvious) on Poe’s story “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether,” the film starts with Gaston LeBlanc recounting the mysterious death of his parents; when he says “But, that’s a story for another time,” he means it, and it’s never mentioned again. LeBlanc, his friend Couvier, and Couvier’s cousin are traveling to Dr. Maillard’s insane asylum in the middle of nowhere, as LeBlanc wants to write a newspaper article on the asylum, and Couvier and Dr. Maillard are old friends. Once they reach the grounds, Couvier and his cousin turn back, and LeBlanc gets the full tour of the place, where Dr. Maillard is perfecting his “soothing” method of treating mental illness. To explain much more about the plot would really be to spoil the fun for those who haven’t seen it; anyhow, I’m not really sure I could explain much more if I wanted to.

The Devil's Rain! 31 Days of Classic Horror Cinema on Xanaland

Yep, he's at a Witchburn show! 

Teasing, if they had been around that long they's be immortal! Wa Ha Ha Ha, guess we'll find out in another 30 years! 

Here's a summary of the movie via the awsome WiKi, because like the 70's song say's " nobody does it better, makes me feel sad for the rest " 

Bride of the Gorilla: 31 Days of Classic Horror Cinema on Xanaland

It would not be a classic gorilla gone mad movie if it did not take place in the jungle and with a helpless blonde! 

Teenagers From Outer Space: 31 Days of Classic Horror Cinema on Xanaland

Well, it can't be any worse than living in Detroit! 

As usual, I'm relying on WiKi to break it down for us!  No point in trying to come up with a witty review of a cult film that you must see for yourself....

Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn: 31 Days of Horror Cinema on Xanaland

Any film buff, movie maker, or just someone who appreciates a good classic needs to watch this! Here is the WiKi summary, because why try to re-invent the wheel...

The Incredible 2 Headed Transplant: 31 Day's of Horror Cinema on Xanaland

In deciding to post 31 days of horror films, I was planning on sticking to old black and white classics, but this does look pretty creepy, it was recommended by a friend so I get to watch it now for the first time. Here's a brief summary via the amazing WiKi....

Once Upon A Midnight Dreary...' Shadow of the Cat ' : 31 Day's of Classic Horror Films on Xanaland

Moving right along and into the second week of October, we visit another horror classic, " The Shadow of the Cat "

When It Flies, Someone Dies! " The Bat " with Vincent Price

Since I'm 3 days behind on our 31 days of classic horror films, and since it's Sunday and everyone in Seattle is bummed that the Seahawks lost, I though I'd throw in another great Vincent Price classic! I'm already laughing at the hysterical lines in the movie as I watch while I write! 

Here is a summary of the movie, via the awsome and unmatched WiKi....

House on Haunted Hill: 31 Days of Classic Horror Films on Xanaland

Well, Breaking Bad is sadly over...and the football game is almost over...your team lost anyhow, ha ha ha...so may as well get snuggled in and watch a classic scary movie! This movie is not horrifying, but what would be would be finding out a friend of mine had not seen it, and I am talking about the original, although I quite enjoyed the remake. 

Night of the Living Dead: 31 Days of Horror Films on Xanaland

George Romero will be forever credited for the birth of the zombie movie, and rightly so...

via WiKi ( because nobody does it better, makes you feel sad for the rest ) 

Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 black-and-white American independent horror film directed by George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea and Karl Hardman. It premiered on October 1, 1968, and was completed on a US$114,000 budget. The film became a financial success, grossing $12 million domestically and $18 million internationally. Night of the Living Dead was heavily criticized at its release owing to explicit content, but eventually garnered critical acclaim and has been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as a film deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."^[1][2] The film has entered the public domain due to an error by the distributor.^[2][3]

The story follows characters Ben (Duane Jones), Barbara (Judith O'Dea), and five others trapped in a rural farmhouse in Pennsylvania which is attacked by unnamed "living dead" monsters which later became known in popular culture as zombies. Night of the Living Dead was the basis of five subsequent Living Dead films (1978–2010) also directed by Romero, and has inspired remakes.^[2]

put another fake log on the fire and enjoy....

Dementia 13: 31 Days of Classic Horror Movies on Xanaland Begins Now!

There is no better time for classic horror movies, so let's start the month right with this creepy classic! 

A Very Personal Goodbye To Breaking Bad by Xana La Fuente

Maybe for any other Breaking Bad fan, saying goodbye may be hard. Of course, me being me, the crazy girl from New Mexico with a rap sheet long enough to wallpaper an RV, this is not such a sad day. It's closure.... I hope. 

Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story... And Why The Real Story Needs To Be Told

As most people who go on Xanaland know, Andrew Wood, who passed away in 1990 of a heroin overdose, was my fiance'. Some years ago, Scott Barbour released this documentary about Andrew and attempted to get the truth from his loved ones. This is the real story. Yes, that is how the movie will open when it is made someday....

The Sexiest Movie About a Violin Ever, Fact not opinion: The Red Violin

Now look, this one is not even debatable! I have seen this movie countless times and it never gets old, I am also not wasting mine or yours time with a fancy review, when WiKi already did it for me! 

A Wonderful Interview with Gene Wilder and Some Epic Film Moments

You know it's strange how the years pass, new movies and comedies come out, but the " staple item's " in our comedy vault remain the same, as Gene celebrates his 80's birthday this month, we take a look at some of his best film moments. First though here is a wonderful interview, what a sweet kind and gentle man, not not mention classy, I love how he refuses to be in films with a lot of cussing and violence, way to go Gene, and happy birthday! 

Hug Hug Kiss Kiss Ta Ta James Gandolfini

Look, I'm not going to pretend to be a film critic, this cinema blog, like the others is here to share profound moments in life either through music, art, theater, sports, you name it, we know what makes The Rooster tick and what makes The Mustache fizzle, and if you don't know who The Rooster and The Mustache are, then your an idiot, you have business reading this, and I should fire my publicist! 

There's No Business Like Monkey Business: A Special Video of Sancho's Cousin ' Ham ' The Trailblazing Space Monkey

For starters, I'm willing to bet that ' Ham ' would have rather had a real banana rather than a ' banana flavored pellet'.

We Cant Stop Here! This Is Bat Country! A Moment with Gonzo on Soundtrack Sunday

Those that know me know that I love Hunter S. Thompson and Johnny Depp, what I do not " love" is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, I'm no film critic and were were all in love with Benicio at one time or another so don't give me the old " What about Benicio" routine!

Creative Thinkers in Show Business: Where To Look For Inspiration

Stuck for an idea? Find out what professional creatives do to get inspired. Photograph: Cavan Images/Getty Images

Hollywood director Robert Rodriguez believes that film-making "goes beyond the technological and goes into that realm of creativity, of storytelling. How you got there, whether you used a digital camera or your phone, doesn't matter. The idea is what rules at the end of the day." In his BlackBerry Keep Moving project, Rodriguez is asking fans around the world to help him communicate his idea, using their creative suggestions as sparks of inspiration.

Two Scoops Por Favor: Get a Part in Robert Rodriguez's New Movie!

This could be your big break. Robert Rodriguez is holding auditions for a part in his upcoming short filmTwo Scoops. Rodriguez, along with Troublemaker Studios, is joining forces with Blackberry for Project Green Screen.

Love In A Cruel World: Red Road And Fish Tank Director Andrea Arnold Present A Radical Take On Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë created an enduring literary classic with Wuthering Heights. Populated with characters whose harshness reflected the environment they lived in, her novel focuses on two obsessive lovers and the fatal trajectory their journey takes.It is perhaps fitting that British filmmaker Andrea Arnold, who is known for the uncom- promising realism of her films, should direct the latest cinematic adaptation. And there is no doubt that her take on Brontë’s world, in which she establishes her own voice as much as the novelist’s, will likely turn a few heads.

Landfill Harmonic: An Upcoming Documentary About The ' Recycled Orchestra ' in Cateura, Paraguay

Vanilla Sky And A Look At Cameron Crowe's Inspiration For The Film Over 11 Years Later

Can you believe it’s been more than 11 years since Vanilla Sky was released? Lets see what Cammerons inspiration was,  which includes an unlikely connection to Mr. Elvis Presley. Enjoy…

For The Archives: A Mini Movie of Every Punch Out Scene From Every Rocky Movie!

Supercut of Every Punch Thrown by Rocky Balboa in the ‘Rocky’ Films

SuperCut Videos has released “Rocky: The Punches,” a heavy-hitting 17-minute supercut video of every punch thrown by Rocky Balboa in the Rocky films.

via Doobybrain.com

Into the Wood's: A New Disney Musical With Johnny Depp

The film would mark the actor's first singing role since starring in Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street."

Johnny Depp is in talks to star in Disney's film adaptation of Broadway musical Into the Woods, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

The project would also reunite Depp withRob Marshall, who directed Disney’s fourth Pirates of the Caribbean outing. In addition to his Broadway credits as director and choreographer, Marshall directed the musical feature films Chicagoand Nine, as well as the 1999 TV movie,Annie.

Into the Woods is a darkly comic mashup of classic fairy tales that revolves around a childless Baker and his wife, who attempt to lift a family curse by journeying into the woods to confront the Witch that put the spell on them. Along the way, they encounter a group of characters including Rapunzel, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.

Meryl Streep will play the plum role of the vain and charismatic Witch. In what would be a key supporting role, Depp will play a hungry and sexy variation of the fairy tale Wolf, a part usually undertaken in the stage version by the same actor who plays Cinderella's Prince.

James Lapine wrote the screenplay, based on his book for the 1986 musical. The Tony-winning original score is by Stephen Sondheim, also the composer behind Sweeney Todd. Frequent Marshall collaboratorDavid Krane is working on the music arrangements for the film.

John DeLuca is producing.

The film would also keep Depp in the Disney fold. The actor, who has made a number of blockbusters with the studio, including the Pirates films and Burton's Alice, will next be seen in Disney's The Lone Ranger.   Depp is currently shooting Wally Pfister's directing debut Transcendence. He is repped by UTA and attorney Jacob Bloom.

Via * Hollywood Reporter *