#winston salem film

[twittercomfrnklin2001-blog]

The Senator

This is a preview of a film screening at the UNC School of the Arts as part of Winston-Salem’s Out at the Movies Festival, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, October 9, followed by a Q&A with leading man Sergio Harger and director Mauro Carvalho:

At about the halfway point in Mauro Carvalho’s THE SENATOR (2024, Out at the Movies), kept boy Rehan (Johnny Alcantara) comes back to his apartment to find his benefactor, married Brazilian senator Arturo (Sergio Harger), waiting for him. Harger is drinking and listening to a recording of “O Mio Babino Caro,” which plays throughout their lovemaking. The choice is ironic on two levels. Most simply, the song, in which a daughter entreats her father, underlines the relationship between hot young man and sugar daddy. But it’s also a counterpoint to their violent lovemaking, reflected in the way the liquid in Harger’s drink moves as they make love on the dining room table. This is a neo-noir in the tradition of sex-soaked thrillers like THE LAST SEDUCTION (1994) and BODY HEAT (1981), only in this case it’s about a deadly gay triangle.

Arturo is a conservative senator whose party has been systematically fighting pro-LGBT legislation. He has a wife, a child and a secret gay lover he keeps in a sterile modern apartment. Rehan is frustrated by the arrangement. He has little life outside their relationship and only gets a little time with Arturo when the senator can tear himself away from other obligations. Then a female friend sets him up with a journalist (Joao Cury). Alacantara doesn’t know that Cury, at his editor’s (Juliana Zancanaro) urging, is looking to catch Harger in a scandal, and Cury doesn’t realize Alcantara is that scandal.

Carvalho directs fairly simply. His focus is on character and performance.  The sex scenes are far from erotic. They’re more about the seemingly uneven relationship between keeper and kept man. And there’s also a good deal of corruption in this world. Arturo, who looks a little like J.D. Vance from certain angles, feels invulnerable. When he hears a delivery person flirting with Rehan, he calls a friend to have the restaurant closed. At times, his body language is reminiscent of great noir villains like Broderick Crawford or Laird Cregar. But he’s not the only one who’s crooked. Zancanaro has been blackmailing him and only approves Cury’s investigation when the senator stops paying. And you’re never quite sure how innocent Alacantara is. When, without naming names, he describes the financial arrangement to Cury, he seems to be caught in some kind of trap, but when Harger gives him an expensive gift, there’s a little too much pleasure in the way he opens it. Cury isn’t above using a college friend who now turns tricks to try to catch Harger, but when he finds out Alcantara’s involvement, he can’t bring himself to use the man he’s fallen for. He may be the only honest person in this world. Can he stay that way and survive?

[bearterritory]

Golden Bears Beat Demon Deacons

Cal Moves Closer to Bowl with 46-36 Win

Fernando Mendoza passes for 385 yards, 2 TDs

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The California football team forced four turnovers and quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for a career-high 385 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, and the Golden Bears registered their first Atlantic Coast Conference victory in program history with a 46-36 triumph over host Wake Forest on Friday night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.

Placekicker Ryan Coe booted a pair of 54-yard field goals and wide receiver Mikey Matthews notched career-highs of eight catches and 83 yards, as Cal led wire-to-wire and inched closer to bowl eligibility for the second year in a row. The Bears (5-4) need to win one of their final three games of the regular season to become eligible for the post season.

Cal picked off three passes, including a game-clinching interception by linebacker Liam Johnson with 1:54 to play.

"It's really impressive," Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox said. "It's hard to win in this conference. We have a ton of respect for Wake Forest. I'm proud of our players."

Mendoza threw touchdown passes to Matthews and fellow wide receiver Tobias Merriweather, a highly touted transfer from Notre Dame who made his Cal debut Friday after missing the first eight games of the season with an injury. Fellow transfer wide receiver Kyion Grayes, a widely heralded athlete from Ohio State, also played his first game for Cal after recovering from injury.

Merriweather had six catches for 52 yards while Grayes added a pair of receptions for 22 yards. Eleven different players caught at least one pass for the Bears. It's clear the Bears will have a lot more offensive weapons late in the season.

"It was great to have (Merriweather) and Kyion Grayes back in the rotation, throwing passes to them and getting back our chemistry," Mendoza said. "Those are two guys I'm going to get the ball to."

Mendoza added a 5-yard touchdown run near the end of the third quarter.

Cornerback Nohl Williams recorded another interception to extend his national lead to seven this season while safety Craig Woodson also had a pick during the game's waning seconds to polish off the win. The Bears scored their first touchdown of the game on a 16-yard fumble return by Miles Williams on a kickoff.

Coe, who made just 7 of 14 field goal attempts through the first six games and was eventually replaced by Derek Morris as Cal's primary placekicker, maintained his role as the Bears' choice for longer field goals and responded by twice falling 1 yard shy of tying the program record for longest field goal.

"I'm just proud of that guy for continuing to stick with it through some tough times," Wilcox said. "For Ryan to come in and hit two 54-yarders, that's big time. We knew he could do it. We've seen it. It's not surprising. It's really a testament to him."

The Bears got off to a strong start, taking the opening kickoff and registering five first downs on a 64-yard drive that ended with a 29-yard field goal by Morris. Williams pushed Cal's lead to 10-0 on the ensuing kickoff after Hunter Barth forced a fumble during the return. The Bears led 29-14 at the half and never looked back.

The teams traded scores throughout the second half, and the Demon Deacons started a possession from their own 17 trailing 39-36 with 2:17 to play. Johnson registered his interception on the second play of the drive, and running back Jaivian Thomas provided a cushion with an 11-yard touchdown run with 1:10 remaining.

Johnson and Barth split time at inside linebacker after Cade Uluave left the game with an injury in the second quarter. Barth finished with a career-high seven tackles, including a pair of sacks. Xavier Carlton and David Reese also had a pair of sacks for the Bears, who recorded seven overall.

"I just had to be ready when my number was called," Barth said. "That takes watching all the film, taking all the practice reps and paying attention to detail. It felt good to go out there and execute and leave it all out on the field."

Cal returns home next week to host Syracuse on Nov. 16 at Noon. The game will air on the CW.

[softlygasping]

Long shot but my friend is writing/directing a short film in November and is looking for transfem and transmasc actors in the Winston-Salem, NC area!!! Here's his blurb about it:

"Hey guys! I��m a trans writer/director and I’m filming a short about trans vampire hunters in November here in WS 🧛🏼

We are looking for two leads, transmasc and transfem. They need to pass for late teens and we highly encourage POC to audition. (it even pays a little bit!)

I’ve attached our audition info - please apply ASAP if you’re interested and pass it onto your friends! we’ve extended the casting deadline because a struggle to find trans actors. Please help this trans story come to life 🙏🏼🫶🏻 🏳️‍⚧️"

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

Rhine City Name Inspirations

Instead of screenshotting my phone, here’s everything posted in one place!

Anime & Manga

* Rika and Ryo Amano are named after Rika Nonaka and Ryo Akiyama from Digimon Tamers.

* Eric’s sire Mimi Shipton gets her name from Mimi Tachikawa from Digimon Adventure.

* Juri Yubari’s first name comes from Digimon Tamers character Juri.

* Talia Ishtar’s surname is a reference to the similarly Egyptian Ishtar family from Yu-Gi-Oh.

* Siegfried Rosenkreuz of the Sons of Salem gets his name from a boring filler arc villain from Yu-Gi-Oh.

* Demon detective Jubilee Jones’ name comes from Yubel from Yu-Gi-Oh GX, fitting since they have a condition that causes them to shift genders.

* There is a ridiculous amount of references to Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure:

* Minor character Winston Alessi is named after minor villain Alessi from Stardust Crusaders.

* Rhapsody Von Braun’s first name comes from the Stone Ocean stand Bohemian Rhapsody.

* The character Kenzo gets his name from a minor villain in Stone Ocean.

* Silverwing Enrico Luna gets his name from Stone Ocean villain Enrico Pucci and his second Stand C-Moon.

* Sons of Salem member and ice skating spellcaster Giona Giovanni’s name is inspired by Giorno Giovanna of Vento Aureo, namely the fact he is also a “GioGio.”

* Giorgio Nero gets his surname from Risotto Nero, a minor antagonist in Vento Aureo.

* Hansel Armstrong partly gets his surname from the Armstrong family in Fullmetal Alchemist, who much like him are alchemists.

* Eve’s lover Remina gets her name from Hellstar Remina.

Comics

* In general, the use of alliterative names is an homage to the usage of such in comics.

* Remy Delacroix gets his first name from the X-Men character Gambit, though unlike Gambit he’s a complete asshole.

* Darkest Dawn member Todd Zsasz’s last name comes from a Batman villain.

* Sons of Salem werewolf witch Winnifred Sinclair gets her name from X-Men character Rahne Sinclair AKA Wolfsbsme.

* Cletus Booth, head of the Rebel Lodge, is named after Spider-Man villain Cletus Cassidy/Carnage.

* Primrose Beirne is named after a Gardevoir appearing in the insane NSFW comic Deception.

Film

* Jojo Faust is named after the movie Jojo Rabbit.

* Damien Moonchild’s first name comes from the character from The Omen.

* Jason Leeds’ first name comes from Jason Voorhees, for no other reason than to make a corny joke about it.

* Blaire Williams’ first name comes from The Blair Witch Project. Get it? Cuz she’s a witch named Blaire?

* Gideon Golightly’s last name comes from the Cinema Snob’s last name, as revealed in his first movie.

* Iris Ravencroft gets her surname from Ben Ravencroft from Scooby Doo and the Witch’s Ghost. Her father, Nigel, is named after another role Ben’s voice actor Tim Curry played: Nigel Thornberry.

* Winnifred Sinclair’s first name comes from the werewolf kid in Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School.

* Morrigan Moon, who has a crescent moon-shaped scar on her face, had her nome inspired by Morgan Moonscar from Scooby Doo on Zombie Island.

* Beatrice Cullen’s first name was inspired by Beatrix Kiddo of Kill Bill.

* Juri Yubari’s surname comes from Kill Bill minor antagonist Gogo Yubari.

* Max Viper of the in-universe Mercenaries series’ name is an allusion to Snake Plissken.

* Valentine Leeds’ name is partly inspired by Sam Jackson’s character in Kingsman.

* Antoinette Leblanc’s last name is inspired by Benoit Blanc of the Knives Out movies.

* Silverwing Mickey Bishop is named after Mickey Knox from Natural Born Killers.

* David Wake’s surname comes from Willem Dafoe’s character in The Lighthouse.

Folklore, Legends, and Myths

* Morag gets her name from the lake monster said to live in Loch Morar.

* Piper gets his name from the Pied Piper, who similarly controlled rats.

* Tyrfing gets his name from a legendary cursed sword.

* Eve’s name comes from the Biblical Eve, hence the strong connection with snakes and apples.

* Amon’s sister Eden gets her name from the Biblical garden.

* The Leeds family gets their surname from the legend of the Jersey Devil, AKA the Leeds Devil.

* Farrah Highgate gets her name from the Highgate vampire incident, which she was canonically involved in in-universe.

* Lazarus Lux of the Sons of Salem is named after the Biblical Lazarus.

* Nick Scratch, Sebastian Darke’s devil son, gets his name from two of Satan’s monikers: Old Nick and Mr. Scratch.

* Hansel Armstrong gets his name from the story of Hansel and Gretel, something that is commented on in-universe as he went through a similar experience as a child.

* Sebastian Darke’s merfolk daughter Charybdis gets her name from the whirlpool-creating monster of Greek myth, fitting for the queen of the Mediterranean and doubly so since she loves to create whirlpools herself.

Literature

* The hunter organization the Silverwings gets their name from the bat-themed novel Silverwing.

* Humbert Archambault gets his first name from Humbert Humbert of Lolita, though rather than being a pedophile he is only a horribly unpleasant person.

* Both in and out of universe, Dorian Ferris gets his name from Dorian Gray.

* Mina Lovett gets her name from Mina Harker from Dracula; by a stroke of luck, “Wilhelmina” is also a name attributed to Mrs. Lovett.

* Allen Lecarde’s name is obviously supposed to sound like “Alucard”—Dracula backwards. This is commented on in-universe.

* Arya Mournblade, the main character of an in-universe film franchise, gets her name from Arya Stark of A Song of Ice and Fire fame.

* Yorick’s witch coven member Red Death is a big shout out to the works of Edgar Allen Poe, from his moniker to his real name (Fortunato) to the name of his raven familiar (Lenore).

* Cyrus Lovelace gets his surname from the villain of The Amulet of Samarkand.

* Rose Milliner gets her name from the psychic vampire Rose the Hat from Doctor Sleep.

* The surname of the Cullens family is inspired by the family of the same name from Twilight.

* Vampire clown Wayne Nicol’s last name is a sort of twist on Pennywise from It; instead of a PENNY, he’s a NICOL, because as a good guy he’s worth more. Harhar.

* Sebastian Darke’s djinn daughter Shahrazad is named after the narrator of the Arabian Nights tales.

* Very weird case with Amalric Dracula; while initially he was meant to be a public domain crossover character, he changed so much and is so radically different (he’s a good guy, he’s not white, etc) that he’s really only getting the name from the famous vampire.

Music

* Sebastian Darke’s first name comes from the band Sin With Sebastian.

* Marianna Cross is named after the Ghost song “Mary on a Cross.”

* “Little Sunshine,” Darke’s pet name for Goldie Dawn, comes from the Ghost song “Call Me Little Sunshine.”

* Roxanne Sumner and all of her alters are references to Police:

* The name Roxanne comes from the song of the same name.

* Her surname is the same as Sting’s.

* The alter Stewart is named after drummer Stewart Copeland.

* While the alter Dolores’ name comes from the novel Lolita, it doubles as an allusion to an infamously clunky line from “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” that mentions “That book by Nabokov.”

* The alter Bottles is named after the song “Message in a Bottle.”

* The alter Frances is named after Sting’s ex-wife Frances Tomelty. Her moniker of “Breathtaker” is a reference to “Every Breath You Take.”

* The alter Moze gets her name from the album Zenyatta Mondatta (takes the first two letters of each word).

* Damien Moonchild’s surname comes from the Iron Maiden song “Moonchild.”

* Weston Love’s is named after the Iron Maiden song “Wasting Love.”

* Astarte Wrathchild’s surname comes from the Iron Maiden song of the same name.

* Jason Leeds’ vigilante persona Loveless is named after the My Bloody Valentine album (this is commented on in-story).

* The street the Leeds family lives on, Loomer Street, is named after the MBV song “Loomer.”

* Valentine Leeds’ name is partly inspired by My Bloody Valentine.

* Rita Rigby’s name comes from two Beatles songs, “Lovely Rita” and “Eleanor Rigby;” her mother, Ellen Rigby, is a bit more obvious.

* Norman Grieves’ surname comes from the song “Mr. Grieves” by Pixies.

* Izzy C. Palazzo, the magical clown girl from the Sons of Salem, has the initials ICP, a reference to Insane Clown Posse.

* Macheath Sharpe’s first name comes from the song “Mack the Knife.” In addition, their father’s family name was Fleetwood, which technically makes them Fleetwood Mac(k).

* Rhiannon Rhydderch is named after the Fleetwood Mac song “Rhiannon.”

* The diner Brightside’s is named after the Killers song “Mr. Brightside.”

* Venus’ bike Lady is named after the Styx song.

* Venus Crowley herself is named after the Bananarama song.

* Sons of Salem member and magical mime Sweet Child gets her name from the song “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”

Real Life

* Aleister Deering and the Crowley twins get their name from famed occultist Aleister Crowley.

* Walter Sherman is named after Walt Disney and the Sherman brothers.

* Matt Black’s surname comes from Jack Black.

* Wayne Nicol’s first name comes from John Wayne Gacy—which is incredibly ironic since he’s actually a nice clown.

* Vampire cat burglar Michelle Kitt gets her name from two Catwoman actresses, Michelle Pfeiffer and Eartha Kitt.

* Cleo the Gorgon bartender gets her name from Cleopatra.

* Sons of Salem chef Gordon Twist gets his first name from Gordon Ramsey.

* RAHOWA (The Republican Association for Homeland Order and the Welfare of Americans), Cyrus Lovelace’s political organization, gets its name from the abbrecuation for the whites supremacist concept “racial holy war.”

Television

* Amon gets his name from the villain of the first season of The Legend of Korra.

* Diletta “Dee” Bellini’s nickname was inspired by the InHumanoids villain D’Compose.

* Gideon Golightly’s first name comes from the Gravity Falls antagonist Lil’ Gideon.

Theater

* Macavity Burton is named after the cat of the same name from Cats. Tantomile Deering also gets her name from one of the cats.

* Andrew Starlight, the roller skating gravity wizard from the Sons of Salem, is named after Andrew Lloyd Webber and his musical Starlight Express.

* Rex’s missing daughter Desdemona gets her name from the character in Othello, in and out of universe.

* Todd Zsasz’s first name comes from Sweeney Todd himself.

* Unseelie king Yorick is named after the long-dead character from Hamlet.

* The Questing Beast Hamlet’s name comes from… well, guess.

Video Games

* Amadeus Zephyr’s last name comes from the DIO expy Dawn of Sorrow boss; this is doubly fitting as DIO was a big inspiration for Amadeus.

* Rhapsody Von Braun’s surname comes from Brauner, the magical vampiew: artist from Portrait of Ruin.

* Astarte Wrathchild’s first name also comes from a Portrait of Ruin boss.

* Morrigan Moon’s first name comes from the character of the same name from Darkstalkers.

* Sebastian Darke’s surname comes from Ace Attorney minor character Joe Darke.

* Unrelated characters Dahlia Rosemont and Iris Ravencroft get their names from the Ace Attorney characters Dahlia and Iris Hawthorne.

* Kristoph Bohn’s first name comes from Apollo Justice culprit Kristoph Gavin.

* Silverwing founder Lysithea Silver gets her name from the Fire Emblem: Three Houses character.

* Rosa Bright is named after Bayonetta’s mother.

* Bartholomew Comstock’s name comes from the villain in BioShock Infinite.

* Marina Iseul’s first name comes from the octopus villager from Animal Crossing.

* The werewolf waitress Audie is named after the wolf villager of the same name who debuted in New Horizons.

* Izzy Palazzo’s surname comes from Final Fantasy VI’s evil clown Kefka Palazzo.

* Bartender Hansel Armstrong partly gets his surname from Senator Armstrong of Metal Gear Rising.

[moonlightreal]

Where is Witch Mountain?

The internet tells me that in the 1975, “The geographical structure which portrayed "Witch Mountain" was a mountain located in the Santa Lucia Range in Big Sur, Monterey County on the central coast of California.” Makes sense, that’s where Disney would be filming.

1995’s Witch Mountain was a mountain shaped like a witch, and I assume it is a creation of photoshop. It does look quite a bit like this stock photo from the Crimean peninsula so maybe that's what they used. The only town name I remember from the movie is Ashland and there are a bunch of Ashlands, including one in California and one in Oregon. So I think we can assume the Purple Witch Mountain is also out west.

Race to Witch Mountain is set around Las Vegas so any mountain around there would do.

But the most interesting “where is” question is about the book. All the movies have been set out West while the book is set in the East and Witch Mountain is in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The book lets us track part of the children’s journey but it doesn’t make much sense: Winston-Salem, west to, Fairview, where they break out of jail and free some bears, then quite far east to Stoney Creek spelled without the e in the book, all in North Carolina. And from there into legend, since Misty Valley and Witch Mountain itself are fictional places. Alexander Key lived in Franklin North Carolina, not about an hour and a half’s drive from Fairview. Did he write about places he’d been? Or just choose names off a map? We’ll never know, but I think we’ve gotten as close as it’s possible to get to Witch Mountain in our world.

[krispyweiss]

Sound Bites Presents His Favorite Archival Albums of 2022

What’s old is new again when classic albums are remastered and expanded; long-lost recordings are found; and/or artists just say, “Fuck it,” and put out something they’d long resisted.

All of those things happened in 2022. And here are some of the releases your humble blogger enjoyed the most.

For the six of you who are loyal readers, Sound Bites will publish year-end round ups of live and studio albums and a live-music year in review in the coming days. Please stay tuned.

The Beatles - Revolver (Super Deluxe) - Listening to Revolver Super Deluxe is like flipping through aural blue prints as the Beatles and George Martin construct the songs; adding and removing pieces atop the foundational backing tracks. Also, mono is where it’s at. Review.

Lou Reed - Words & Music, May 1965 - Fifty-seven years after the fact, Reed’s Words & Music, May 1965 is a fascinating glimpse at Lou Reed becoming Lou Reed and evidence he may have been the first, next Bob Dylan. Review.

Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen - The Legendary Typewriter Tape: 6/25/64 Jorma’s House - This recording has long circulated among fans and Kaukonen sometimes mentions it when he plays intimate gigs at his Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio. Now restored and officially released, it's more than an aural glimpse of two pre-fame legends - though it certainly is that. Review.

Cat Stevens - Harold and Maude (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 50th Anniversary - Then a new artist, Stevens balked at a soundtrack album in ’71, for fear it would be greeted as a premature greatest-hits package. Not quite the greatest-hits album Stevens - who now goes by Yusuf - feared and certainly not music from ’22’s blockbuster of the year, Harold and Maude is nevertheless a treat for fans of the musician and the film alike. Review.

The Vince Guaraldi Trio - Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus (Deluxe Expanded Edition) - Twelve of Black Orpheus’ 16, 60th-anniversary bonus tracks have never been released and the works-in-progress are mostly welcome glimpses into the trio’s in-studio creative process. Meanwhile, three takes of Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz” provide insight into the other music swirling around Guaraldi’s mind while the album was taking shape. Review.

Vince Guaraldi - It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (2022 Edition) - Expanded from 20 to 30 minutes and culled from recently discovered session tapes “once thought to be lost forever,” the updated original soundtrack recording contains previously unheard alternate takes and finally sounds as it should. Review.

Pink Floyd - Alternative Tracks 1972 - This quietly released-to-streaming LP seems to indicate all that road testing Pink Floyd did with the Dark Side of the Moon paid off by the time they got into the studio. An an interesting - if not essential - listening experience. Review.

Sam Moss - Blues Approved - Moss was a legend in Winston-Salem, N.C., - “our Guru of Groove, the Maharishi of Mojo,” as Rick Miller of Southern Culture on the Skids put it - revered for his club performances and promotion of the blues. He was one of those guys whom everybody thought should make a record. Turns out, Moss - who died in 2007 - did make a record. In 1977. It’s just been rediscovered. Review.

12/26/22

[uncwfst]

Mickey Morrow - Queer Fear Film Festival

This month we held the festival in Winston-Salem on October 12th and it went really well! I got to meet a lot of amazing filmmakers and watch some really inspirational films. I also helped set up our merch table and step-and-repeat, and I was responsible for taking photos of the event. I had so much fun and I feel like I learned a lot, it made me excited to attend more film festivals in the future. I also wrote a blog post for the Queer Fear Film Festival website and people really seemed to like it. I've never shared my writing publically like that so it was a relief it was well received. I even made it onto the UNCW film Instagram page (thanks Professor Silva). Now that the festival is over we're preparing invitational films for the next event that should be around January-February 2026, so I'm researching potential films that could fit for our festival and collecting contact information. I'm also working on some more blog posts that should be posted in the next couple weeks, which is really exciting and validating for me. Here are some pictures I got from the fest!

[lboogie1906]

Berlinda Tolbert (November 4, 1949) is a film and television actress. She is known for her role as Jenny Willis Jefferson, the daughter of Tom and Helen Willis on The Jeffersons, which originally aired (1975-85).

She majored in theater at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. She studied drama in London.

She got her first film part from Martin Scorsese in Mean Streets in 1973, when she was in acting school.

In 1981, she competed in the Battle of the Network Stars. In 1983, she starred in the Maya Angelou play On A Southern Journey. Following the cancellation of The Jeffersons, she appeared in films including Harlem Nights, Goodfellas, and Patriot Games, and television shows including ER, Six Feet Under, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She appeared in the 2011 indie film Last Ride on the Midwest Pacific.

She married journalist Bob Reid (1979). #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[sportscarolinamonthly]

NASCAR Brings The Clash to Historic Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2, 2025

NASCAR Brings The Clash to Historic Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2, 2025 NASCAR Cup Series to Compete in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for First Time Since 1971; The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will be Broadcast Live on FOX NASCAR Studios and FOX Sports Films Documentary, “The Madhouse: NASCAR’s Return to Bowman Gray Stadium” to Debut on FS1 WINSTON SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 17, 2024) – Today, NASCAR…

[whatsonmedia]

Music Monday: 5 New Releases Single 'Crying In The Trees'

Experience the mesmerizing music new single 'Crying In The Trees' by Rich Ruth, accompanied by a captivating live performance video. With its ambient rock sound and smooth vocals, this track is a must-listen. Check out the video and get immersed in the enchanting world of Rich Ruth's music.Let me know if you need any further assistance! Rich Ruth shares new single 'Crying In The Trees' + video - new album 'Water Still Flows' out June 21st on Third Man Records ALONGSIDE MESMERIZING LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEO And definitely a mesmerizing video it is. For anyone who's ever heard if Tubular Bells this can be seen as homage to it. No vocals to the music but either way you've got a superb track LISTEN / WATCH HERE https://youtu.be/-loX1IL3Az4 Rich Ruth US Tour Dates: - 28/4: Fort Worth, TX - Tulips * - 29/4: Oklahoma City, OK - Beer City Music Hall * - 1/5: Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live * - 3/5: Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light ~ - 4/5: Asheville, NC - Eulogy ~ - 5/5: Winston-Salem, NC - The Ramkat * - 8/5: Raleigh, NC - King's ~ - 9/5: Charleston, SC - Music Farm * - 10/5: Savannah, GA - Victory North * - 22/6: Nashville, TN - The Blue Room ~ - 25/6: Washington DC - Pearl Street Warehouse ^ - 26/6: Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's ^ - 27/6: Woodstock, NY - Colony ^ - 28/6: Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool ~ - 21/8: Bloomington, IN - The Bishop ~ - 22/8: Chicago, IL - Constellation ~ - 23/8: Goshen, IN - Ignition Music Garage ~ - 25/8: Detroit, MI - Third Man Cass Corridor ~ ~ Headline Dates * w/ All Them Witches ^ w/ Mikaela Davis Billie Eilish "Wildflower": A Captivating Acoustic Journey through Love's ComplexitiesIn "Wildflower," Billie takes us on an intimate acoustic exploration of love's intricate path. With emotive vocals and raw vulnerability, she delves into the complexities of moving on while acknowledging the lingering emotions of past relationships. The title symbolizes resilience and untamed emotions, while the lyrics paint a poignant picture of a love triangle and the narrator's struggles with jealousy and insecurity. With its haunting melody and thought-provoking lyrics, "Wildflower" offers a captivating glimpse into the complexities of the human heart. Listen to Billie Eilish WILDFLOWER https://youtu.be/l08Zw-RY__Q LOUIS AND THE SHAKES - Share Majestic Single: "scared." || Listen Today STREAM ON ALL SERVICES YouTube  https://youtu.be/LnURE_rbQEg?si=JAdiYfMttFXAj6EC Here's a few things I like about the song; it's rock ambient feel to it; the smooth sound of the vocals; has a soft yet free flowing feel to it; it's not afraid to show emotional ranges. Louis never fails to disappoint THE MISERABLE RICH - Announce first album for 13 Years: 'Overcome' || Hear "Crows" Today I've never watched anything by Hitchcock in its entirety but still recognize the iconoclasm of The Birds. Anticipated bird threat scenes aside, I find myself enjoying Miserable Rich's take on it  WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE https://youtu.be/1IvWQE6kjzo?si=X3XAt7-WbTKm_29R STREAM ON SPOTIFY HERE https://open.spotify.com/album/21X71xGFi99fDKwiZvyUIa?si=uJdEOOKaQZyxM1a9yiEwIg Hitchcock inspired official video courtesy of Marc Biedel. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/1IvWQE6kjzo SNARL unveils dystopian visuals for his Prodigy "No Good (Start The Dance)" remix! Earlier this month SNARL unleashed their take on the infamous 90's dance hit originally by The Prodigy. I admit they did a good spin on it.  Here's the video for your viewing pleasure, looks like they've taken inspiration from movie classic Blade Runner  https://youtu.be/n5GJbS8AZNby E?si=5mZqnXKArB5jPxhy CORNERSHOP ‘Double Denim’ Single b/w Instrumental  Overall, a good video, I like that they've used the cartoon format for the video. For one thing it's just as good as film format, secondly cartoon animations can tell more of a story. In this case it's of the band, very nice  Watch The Video Now https://youtu.be/oPOZZdL03Qk Check out WhatsOn for more music updates Rich Ruth shares new single 'Crying In The Trees' + video - new album 'Water Still Flows' out June 21st on Third Man Records Billie Eilish "Wildflower": A Captivating Acoustic Journey through Love's ComplexitiesInListen to Billie Eilish WILDFLOWER LOUIS AND THE SHAKES - Share Majestic Single: "scared." || Listen Today THE MISERABLE RICH - Announce first album for 13 Years: 'Overcome' || Hear "Crows" Today SNARL unveils dystopian visuals for his Prodigy "No Good (Start The Dance)" remix! CORNERSHOP ‘Double Denim’ Single b/w Instrumental  Read the full article

[twittercomfrnklin2001-blog]

Sunflower

This is a preview of a film screening Saturday, October 8, at the UNC School of the Arts as part of Winston-Salem’s Out at the Movies Festival:

First-time feature director Gabriel Carrubba knows how to film kissing scenes. In his Australian feature SUNFLOWER (2023, Out at the Movies Festival) he differentiates among the closeted high-school student Leo’s (Liam Mollica) love scenes with Monique (Olivia Fildes), whom social pressure makes his girlfriend, Boof (Luke J. Morgan), the jock who comes on to him when they’re both high, and Tom (Daniel Halmarack), who will become his first love. The last of these is almost intoxicating while also being very sweet.

Carrubba opens the film with a kinetically shot gay bashing. He then jumps back to show what leads to it. Mollica is denying his true nature, but it’s hard to miss his crush on best friend Morgan. After a party in which Morgan loses his virginity to his girlfriend (Mia Barrett) while Mollica can’t get it on with Fildes, the two friends meet in a field and start making out. We never see how far it goes. It almost seems like a dream until Morgan’s brother and his friends bash Mollica. That throws the young man into depression and anger as his traditional Italian parents (Diana Ferreira and Sal Galofaro) look on helplessly and sometimes angrily.

Mollica is quite good at capturing his character’s confusion and self-loathing. Carrubba, who also wrote, gives him great opportunities, in both dialog and silent scenes, to portray Leo’s inner turmoil. And Carrubba is particularly good at silent moments that reveal character — Mollica and Morgan wrestling and going almost too far, Morgan looking on as his brother beats up Mollica and a surprising moment of connection between Mollica and Fildes. She’s a particularly fine young actor who makes a lot out of not much screen time. Her reactions when she tries to get Mollica to make love to her are particularly well played. There’s a little confusion about the film’s period. Mollica connects with a gay man on a video chat board seems like something out of the early days of the net. Yet all the students have contemporary cell phones (this problem turns up a lot; filmmakers sometimes seem to have no idea what the internet looks like). Corrubba brings a fresh perspective and a lot of behavioral savvy to the standard coming out story, and he has a good sense of the characters’ blue-collar Melbourne environment. That makes the film well-worth your time should it turn up at a gay film festival near you.

[teamcelebsta]

The Dynamic Career of Stephen A. Smith: From Sports Commentator to Media Icon

Stephen A. Smith stands as a significant figure in sports media, celebrated for his dynamic and often controversial commentary. Born on October 14, 1967, in the Bronx, New York, Smith grew up in the Queens neighborhood of Hollis. He attended Thomas Edison High School before earning a basketball scholarship to Winston-Salem State University, where he graduated with a degree in mass communication. This academic foundation set the stage for his illustrious career.

Smith began his professional journey as a sports commentator on WEPN in New York City, later joining Fox Sports Radio. His accurate predictions and insider knowledge quickly established him as a credible voice in sports journalism. In 2011, he rejoined ESPN and became a central figure on First Take, where his outspoken opinions and animated debating style have made him a household name.

Stephen A. Smith's talents extend beyond sports commentary. He has made notable appearances in TV shows and movies, including recurring roles on General Hospital and a part in the film I Think I Love My Wife. Additionally, he has ventured into writing, with his memoir Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes published in 2023.

Despite his public persona, Smith maintains a private personal life. He is a proud father of two daughters, Samantha and Nyla. With a net worth of 25 million dollars, Stephen A. Smith continues to impact the world of sports media profoundly. His journey from a college basketball player to a media icon is a testament to his hard work, talent, and unwavering determination.

[baanimationbournemouth]

We are delighted to announce that The Man Who Loved Flowers and Train Ride have ben selected for screening at RiverRun 2024.

Train Ride will screen in the Saturday Morning Cartoons section and The Man Who Loved Flowers is part of the Films with Class: Elementary School section.

RiverRun International Film Festival is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the role of cinema as a conduit of powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints. Their mission is to foster a greater appreciation of cinema and a deeper understanding of the many people, cultures and perspectives of our world through regular interaction with great films and filmmakers.

The 26th RiverRun International Film Festival will take place over ten days from April 18 – 27, 2024 in Winston-Salem, NC.

[andersonvision]

Exciting news for fans of heartwarming animations and enchanting stories! The North American digital home release of "Puffin Rock and the New Friends" is set to captivate families from April 16. This follows its successful premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival on March 17, with additional screenings across Annapolis, Winston-Salem, Washington D.C., and more. Shout! Studios proudly distributes this much-anticipated 90-minute adventure in the U.S. and Canada. Starting April 16, families can easily rent or purchase the movie on popular platforms like Google TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV, making it accessible for a cozy movie night at home. Featuring an international cast with talents such as Chris O'Dowd and Amy Huberman, the film is directed by Jeremy Purcell and produced by a stellar team including Paul Young, Tomm Moore, and Nora Twomey. The screenplay by Sara Daddy brings to life a story of belonging, courage, and friendship set against Ireland’s breathtaking natural backdrop. "Puffin Rock and the New Friends" introduces audiences to new characters alongside our beloved Oona, Baba, May, and Mossy. The plot thickens when the last Little Egg of the season mysteriously vanishes, prompting Oona and her friends to embark on a thrilling race against time to ensure the egg's safety before a looming storm threatens their home on Puffin Rock. This brand-new story hails from the acclaimed Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, known for its Academy Award®-nominated works like "The Secret of Kells" and "Song of the Sea," and Northern Ireland’s Dog Ears. As Cartoon Saloon celebrates its 25th anniversary, "Puffin Rock and the New Friends" stands as a testament to its enduring legacy of crafting engaging, visually stunning animations that resonate with audiences of all ages. With an age recommendation of 2+, the film is priced affordably at $2.99 to rent and $6.99 to buy, ensuring that this animation/adventure gem is accessible to all. It has already earned the 2024 NAPPA Sustainability Winner title, praised for its developmentally appropriate discussion of climate change, the importance of community, and the power of friendship. Get ready to join Oona, Baba, and their new friends on an unforgettable journey that promises not only entertainment but also valuable lessons on ecology, handling change, and the strength of coming together. Mark your calendars for April 16 and prepare to be swept away by the charm and adventure of "Puffin Rock and the New Friends" available on Google TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.

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[randomfoggytiger]

I'll take your word for it; but Carter and Spotnitz did do press tours right after Requiem aired denying the alternate ending and putting out the idea of a planned pregnancy (I trust Spotnitz's transparency over Carter's, but...):

""Did the producers shoot an alternative ending, as reported?

"That`s just crazy talk, insists Carter: “I would have played it the same way whether [Duchovny] came back or not.” In fact, Carter says he`s been planning Mulder`s abduction and Scully`s pregnancy since the start of the season."

Perhaps the alternative-ending rumors stem from the producers` clandestine high jinks: Because they wanted to keep the prenatal plot under wraps, the pregnancy scene wasn`t revealed to the crew until the night it was shot. “The last page of the script was never published,” says Spotnitz. “That was a secret we were trying to hold as long as possible."" (May 2000 article here.)

Carter does confirm that no one knew if the show was coming back here: ""I had to write the season finale — which is called “Requiem” — I had to write it without knowing whether or not we’d be back."" 

But most importantly, Spotnitz confirms he and CC planned the pregnancy early S7 (and that the cast and crew weren't told until Requiem):

When was the decision made to pursue a storyline in which Scully becomes pregnant?

Spotnitz: At the very beginning of season seven, we hit upon the idea and it seemed wonderful to us. There was beautiful symmetry to it. We knew that was our target all season, and so we did a number of things in episodes that would be tantalizing for fans who later were to look back at the episodes and try and figure out when Scully might have gotten pregnant and how. And that’s something we will continue to explore this season. But all questions will be answered by the end of the season, we promise."" (article here.)

Here is Carter confirming what Spotnitz said:

merlinsky, Winston-Salem, USA: We heard there were 2 possible endings for “Requiem”…can you tell us what the other ending we didn’t see was and how long before you filmed the episode did you decide to make Scully’s pregnancy an option?

Chris Carter: It was never an option, it was always the ending. I just did not inform the actors or the crew that Scully’s pregnancy was going to be in the script. I had planned this for months with Frank Spotnitz and only delivered the script pages to Kim Manners — the director — and to Gillian and Mitch Pileggi minutes before they performed the scene. I’m just paranoid!" (article here.)

And I do know there were articles were either Spotnitz or Carter confirmed the baby books in Amor Fati were hints about their season end intentions; but then again....

Take that how you will-- though I trust Spotnitz, there are many reported happenings, etc. that I take with a pinch of salt-- because, at the end of the day, it was probably all of these factors put together.

i am nearly to the end of season 7 in my rewatch, and i want to tell new fans something that they may not have known about the original run:

we had no idea, until basically the day the finale aired, that there was going to be a season 8. the actors didn't know even while they were filming it.

see, turnaround times for network tv shows used to be MUCH shorter. they would spend usually 8 days shooting, a couple days in editing and post, and then it would air. often they were still editing in the MINUTES before airtime.

gillian anderson did an interview with letterman on the late show (i had to tape it because my mom wouldn't let me stay up to watch!) on like the thursday before Requiem aired saying that she had no idea what was going to happen. they had filmed one ending for if the show would continue, and another if it wouldn't. she said there was "this thing that i say" and if she says it, that would give us our answer. (it was "i'm pregnant" and when i say i DIED... like if i still had my diary from age 13/14 i would scan it for you just so you could see how unhinged i was about this.) (she was completely adorable in this interview and if anyone can find it i would love to watch it again. it was in may 2000.)

fox was in negotiations with the xf team for weeks leading up to the finale. they had no idea if Requiem was going to be a season or SERIES finale. david duchovny didn't want to come back, they didn't know if they could continue without him, they had NO IDEA what the plot for 8 would be if he didn't come back.

(this is why i laugh when fans try to say they planted clues about the ivf arc in s6-7. no they didn't. they did not think that far ahead. i love that you're trying to make this make sense but please don't tie yourselves up in knots about this, because no one else involved did.)

the weeks leading up to the finale were some of the most nail-biting times i have ever experienced in a fandom.

if you're wondering why og x-philes are all insane, this is just one of many reasons.