A drug deal goes down between a stoner and his dealer in this odd little video – but no other words are said except titles of movies, which you can follow along with the movie posters inside. Brooklyn-based comedy group POYKPAC partnered with the Fine Brothers to make it. Weird, but cumulatively rather impressive. (via Laughing Squid)
The post MUST WATCH: A Drug Deal Told Through 160 Movie Titles appeared first on World of Wonder.
It’s your movie for a mid-winter’s afternoon: A Very Natural Thing. From the YouTube description:
An important film in the history of American gay filmmaking, “A Very Natural Thing” is considered the first feature film on the gay experience made by an out gay man to receive commercial distribution. The insightful story follows a 26-year-old man, Jason, as he leaves the priesthood and moves to New York City in the hopes of finding a meaningful gay relationship.
Of course, preceding it were the icky Boys in the Band (1970), Fortune and Men’s Eyes (1971) (which was co-produced by MGM, and dealt with the issue of homosexuality in prison), as well as Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), and Cabaret (1972) – but A Very Natural Thing was something altogether different. A Cinequeer points out, it was “one of the first positive American films about homosexuality. Aside from offering a groundbreaking story about two men struggling to maintain a relationship, it also documents, for posterity, a period of pre-AIDS gay liberation that is but a hazy recollection now for an entire generation.” Captured in all their gritty glory are ’70s gay discos, historic bathhouses, Fire Island orgies, and even one of the first Gay Pride parades. Pretty cool stuff.
From Cinequeer:
Even though the film screams 1970s, A Very Natural Thing (originally titled For As Long As Possible) is surprisingly unapologetic for its day. Both men, though closeted in their jobs, are not having self loathing coming out issues like most of the cast of 1970’s The Boys In The Band. … Though tame by today’s standards, A Very Natural Thing was quite a gutsy film. There is full frontal nudity, kissing, and a few sex scenes. I loved a throwaway moment where they buy a tube of KY Jelly and the pharmacist gives them a dirty look. The orgy and the trip to the baths are explicit for 1974 but not quite porn. (Gay porn already existed at this point, Wakefield Poole’s 1971 The Boys In The Sand is the most famous example.) Audiences were not used to seeing men being romantic together on the screen and these guys enjoy many intimate moments…
A Very Natural Thing, was savaged by the few mainstream critics who bothered to review it. The film was dismissed as a gay version of 1970’s Love Story and mocked for recycling the same standard Hollywood romance cliches….
The film was similarly dismissed by much of its target audience. We were in the throes of a sexual revolution in the early 70s and hip gay men who wanted sexual liberation found David’s quest for romantic love and monogamy to be outdated and square….
Gay films were a rarity in 1974 and director Larkin, knowing that his film was a milestone of sorts, threw everything but the kitchen sink into his opus. Some of his elements are disruptive to the narrative but remain important as documentary…
For all its good intentions, A Very Natural Thing will be remembered more as a political act than as a polished work of classic cinema. The cinematography is, at best, adequate. It is often too dark (especially the scene at the baths, though some of this may be attributed to the film’s age and the lack of restoration). Some of the dialogue is a tad stiff too. Modern audiences will need to forgive a few shortcomings but there is also much to savor. As noted earlier, the film documents a bygone age..
In closing, the execution might not always live up to the director’s ambitions but A Very Natural Thing remains a very important title in the queer cinema canon; a trailblazer that set the stage for many films to come.
Watch it in its entirety below. Or at least just watch the kick-ass ’70s gay disco scene in the beginning where they meet.
(via SissyDude)
The post Flashback 1974: Watch the First Big Gay Movie “A Very Natural Thing” appeared first on World of Wonder.
Part 3 of Alyssa Edwards welcoming her season 5 RuPaul’s Drag Race sister Alaska 5000 to Alyssa’s Secret. This week they talk about new years resolutions and the making of Alyssa’s new album.
The post Alyssa’s Secret: Alaska Edwards Pt. 3 – 2016 Fantasy appeared first on World of Wonder.
On Christmas day, comedian/possible Oscar nominee Sarah Silverman tweeted “Merry Christmas! Jesus was gender fluid!” And then the internet exploded. Christians went BANANAS. They bombarded her twitter with anti-Semitic insults, disparaging comments about her looks, and death threats. Over a silly joke. It didn’t even really mean anything, of course. It was just Sarah being Sarah. Of course Jesus wasn’t gender fluid. I mean: He was pretty, if you go by the blond-haired, blue-eyed, hippy-dippy Disney prince we saw in Sunday School, but except for the long hair and fluttery eyelashes, he was a man. ALL man. Sarah was just poking the bear for something to do. It’s what she does.
Slate had an interesting take on why the tweet was so upsetting to so many people:
No one actually thinks that Silverman has some deeply held opinions about Jesus and gender. The whole point of this tweet is to put something conservatives like to act pious about — Jesus Christ — next to something that makes them uncomfortable — gender fluidity — and laugh at them while they overreact like a bunch of oversensitive babies. If conservatives don’t like the joke, they could have deprived her of the punch line by refusing to react, but instead, they gave her ample amounts of material to laugh at.
Silverman’s little experiment worked so well because it played not off ideas about religion and gender, but off understanding that the modern conservative movement is primarily, almost exclusively, about culture war. The narrative that undergirds and justifies the conservative movement is a belief that American culture used to be a wholesome one, a world where white Christian men were properly held in esteem above all others and people supposedly had good (read: conservative) values. And that now it’s all under assault by multiculturalism, queer-positivity, feminism and sex positivity.
So now SARAH is the one under assault, if you go by the reaction to her tweet. Check out some of the more entertaining responses below.
Via HuffPo:
Last year, Silverman appeared in a video with a faux Jesus to talk about abortion rights, and spoke about the symbol of Jesus and Christianity in a Rolling Stone interview.
“[T]o me, I love the symbol of Jesus,” she said. “It’s so odd to me that so many people on the far right use his name to justify terrible things that I can’t imagine he’d approve of.”
“And I’m not against Christianity,” she added. “I date Catholic men! That’s always what they come back with, ‘Sarah Silverman mocks Christianity!’ I’m not! As a matter of fact, I have no religion and many people in my life that I love and respect and even look up to have religion. I’m not out to prove them wrong.”
The post Sarah Silverman’s “Gender Fluid Jesus” Joke Has Conservatives FREAKING OUT appeared first on World of Wonder.
Oh dear. Mark Salling aka Puck from Glee has been arrested by the LAPD for child pornography.
TMZ reports:
We’re told the LAPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force obtained a warrant and served it Tuesday morning, as first reported by the TV show “Crime Watch Daily.”
We’re told cops searched Salling’s computer at his Sunland home and found hundreds of images. At the time of this post, Salling is being taken to the police station for booking.
Law enforcement sources say the images they captured from Salling’s computer were children … significantly younger than 15 and 16 year olds.
Our sources say an ex-girlfriend of Salling’s tipped off cops and they investigated before the raid to make sure it wasn’t a revenge allegation.
Salling has had his share of legal problems. In 2013 he was sued by a woman who claimed he committed sexual battery on her by forcing sex without a condom. Salling denied the charge and the case settled.
Yuck, Puck. What a horrible way to start your morning. More news as the story develops.
UPDATE:
TMZ reports: — Law enforcement sources now tell us they’ve already seen more than a thousand images of “child sexual exploitation” on Salling’s computer. Cops also seized other electronic devices, including tablets and cellphones. We’re also told he lives alone, which will make it hard to argue someone else put the images in the computer.
Our sources say when cops arrived to search the home, Salling was “shocked.”We’re also told Salling has already lawyered up.
The post BREAKING: Puck from Glee Was Just Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography appeared first on World of Wonder.
Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, founding member and singer in the British heavy metal band Motörhead, has died at the age of 70 shortly after learning he had been diagnosed with cancer. And by shortly, I mean SHORTLY. Kilmister learned he had an aggressive form of cancer on December 26th. On December 28th, he passed away. That’s the way to go, if you ask me. Bad news, and you’re OUT. No sitting around feeling sorry for yourself, no long goodbyes, no Kübler-Rossian 5 stages of Death. Just GONE. Good for him. It’s very rock ‘n roll.
Says the band on their Facebook page:
There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made its way down the street, with his family.
We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words.
We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD.
Have a drink or few.
Share stories.
Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself.
HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT.
Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister
1945 -2015
Born to lose, lived to win.
Please feel free to post your condolences, well wishes and memories on our official tribute page.
Friends, fans, and rock contemporaries have been tweeting their support.
Bernie Marsden of Whitesnake tweeted: “Spent many a evening chatting with him, especially about Hendrix! A great man. RIP x.”
James Kottak of the Scorpions said Lemmy was “a true friend … the real deal … RIP you will rock & roll forever”.
Geezer Butler, founding bassist of Black Sabbath, said: “Very sad to hear of Lemmy’s passing. We’ve lost a true, true legend. RIP.”
British music journalist Mark Beech tweeted that Lemmy had told him: “I will be killed by death. I might be killed by too much booze, women or music, but it’s not a bad way to die.”
From the Guardian‘s obituary:
Lemmy was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, on Christmas Eve in 1945. His musical career began in the early 1960s and he was, for a time, a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. He played in several rock bands, including the Rockin’ Vickers, Sam Gopal and Hawkwind, before founding Motörhead (originally named Bastard).
He wrote in his autobiography, White Line Fever, that he had been fired from Hawkwind for “doing the wrong drugs”.
Motörhead’s loud, fast style was a pioneering force in heavy metal. Lemmy’s vocal growl and aggressive bass playing has been emulated by countless other bands, but the singer joked that he largely learned on the job, telling Spin in 2012 that “the volume’s loud so nobody really notices that much”.
The band’s highest-rating record was the live album No Sleep ’Til Hammersmith, which peaked at number one on the UK album charts – a testament to the band’s crushing onstage performances.
Other highlights from Motörhead’s extensive discography include their second and third albums, Overkill and Bomber, both recorded in 1979, and several high-rating singles in the early 1980s. The Ace of Spades album reached number four in the UK charts, and the single number 15.
The band’s early years are credited with laying the ground for thrash and speed metal, but Lemmy consistently refused to categorise their music as either punk or metal, often playing to audiences of both genres.
Despite the band’s success, Lemmy said in interviews over the years that he had made more money from writing Osbourne’s 1991 hit Mama I’m Coming Home than from the entire Motörhead catalogue.
He told the Guardian earlier this year: “I didn’t really want to be in the lifestyle without the music. And I didn’t want to be in the music without the lifestyle.”
(Top photo: Pacific Coast News)
The post #RIP: Hardliving Heavy Metal Icon Lemmy from Motorhead, Dead at 70 appeared first on World of Wonder.
Dangerous Minds takes us back to the days of weirdly perky first-generation Goths in a series of three vintage videos. Who knew Goths had that much energy? In the first video, a group of VERY ’80s club boyz at the Xclusiv nightclub in Batley, West Yorkshire are dancing first to The Cult’s “Spiritwalker.” Then the floor literally clears out as the Cramps’ “Human Fly” plays for a few seconds before the camera shuts off, and then everyone returns to the floor to go buckwild over Killing Joke’s “Eighties.”
The second video – possibly from 1983 – features more girls (looking slightly more Hazel O’Conner than Siouxsie Sioux at this point) and dancing to the extended single mix of The Cure’s “Let’s Go To Bed” – which was released in 1982.
The last video takes us back to the Xclusive nightclub in Northern England for a full TWO HOURS of fun.
The post ’80s Flashback: Goths Dance Goth-ily at a Goth Club appeared first on World of Wonder.
Last Friday was Jared Leto’s 44th birthday. To celebrate, People magazine made a quickie montage of Jared Leto‘s face as it absolutely refuses to age from 1994 to 2015. It’s beyond spooky. I mean: He looked like a pretty puppy then, he looks like a pretty puppy now. What’s up with that? Does he bathe in the blood of virgins? Is he hiding a rapidly decaying portrait in his attic? Is he even real? His style changes. Whooooeeee, does it ever. From grunge god to bleached blond cyborg to corn-rowed boybander to hipster Jesus, every year brings a new surprise. 2006 and 2008 are particularly alarming. (Although I suspect these extreme phases are an act to convince us that he is INDEED moving through time, he IS changing, he IS aging… but we know better….). Watch below.
The post Jared Leto: The (Non)Evolution of a Face, 1994 to Present appeared first on World of Wonder.
Take THAT, painting elephants and sign-language speaking apes! A super-talented Border Collie/Blue Heeler mix named Jumpy has the mind-blowing ability to paint actual words and symbols on a canvas (under the guided tutelage of his human Omar von Muller). In the first video, Jumpy proudly demonstrates how he can legibly write his own name. WHO’S A GOOD DOGGIE!? WHO IS? YOU ARE! YES, YOU ARE!
In the second video, he sweetly paints the words “I love you” in emoji shorthand. AWWWWW. GOOD BOY, JUMPY! I LOVE YOU, TOO!
And yes, I see the trainer guiding the motions for the pup, but hell, it’s still quite an impressive feat, and Jumpy CERTAINLY has better handwriting than I do.
I for one bow to our new canine overlords etc etc… (via Laughing Squid)
The post Jumpy the Dog Can Write His Name With a Paintbrush In His Mouth appeared first on World of Wonder.
The stunning black-and-white music video for “Death of a Bachelor” — the title track to Panic! at the Disco ‘s upcoming album – opens with lead singer Brendon Urie sitting at a table in an Art Deco jazz club, playing with his lighter and drinking whiskey. The camera follows him as he dreamily croons like Sinatra to an empty ballroom. Sigh. He’s good. Damn good.
Says Billboard:
The latest P!ATD song oozes Ol’ Blue Eyes vibes, through the distinct lens of Urie’s voice and increasing sonic experimentation.
While the subdued but swingin’ horns on the track bring to mind frequent Sinatra arranger Nelson Riddle, Urie adds a stuttering beat to keep the song from being a purely throwback affair. Similarly, clipped vocal loops serve as backup voices, instead of one continuous track.
But when Urie’s voice hits those big notes with Sinatra-styled gusto, there’s no denying he’s drawing inspiration from the late legend — and, for someone who came up in the pop-punk scene, doing a surprisingly adept job at it.
Says Urie of his big-band experimentation:
“Death Of A Bachelor — it’s cool ’cause in the past I was writing most of everything, but this time it was actually all me and I got to record every instrument on this album, except for the horns, which was a huge deal for me,” Urie told Billboard. “I did drums, background vocals and the background vocals I was playing different characters, I was doing operatic Queen stuff for songs like ‘Victorious’ and ‘Emperor’s New Clothes.’ That was just a lot of fun. And again, Sinatra creeps back in there, so there are a couple of songs I wrote trying to do like a Nelson Riddle arrangement.”
Watch it below.
The post Watch Yummy Brendon Urie Croon “Death Of A Bachelor” in New Big Band Video appeared first on World of Wonder.
Transformation Tuesdays just got a whole lot QTer…New queers featured every week! Tag us, take a pic of us and follow us on Instagram at QWERRRKOUT, and you too could be the next QT! YOU BETTA QWERRRK!
Age: 30
Location: Nice, France
About: “I love all kind of music, avant-garde couture and vintage… and I do DJ in Drag! My biggest style inspirations are from the 80’s & 90’s.”
Instagram: mikahollywhite
The post #TransformationTuesday: QWERRRKOUT feat. Holly White appeared first on World of Wonder.
Jingle jingle jingle! RuPaul‘s fabulous music video “Jingle Dem Bells” from RuPaul’s Green Screen Christmas featuring Big Freedia and Ellis Miah has landed! Don’t forget, squirrel-friends: You can download Mama Ru’s new Christmas album Slay Belles and RuPaul’s Green Screen Christmas on iTunes!
The post The Spacey Fabulous Music Video for RuPaul’s “Jingle Dem Bells” Has Landed! appeared first on World of Wonder.
The East London drag documentary Dressed as a Girl – produced by Colin Rothbart, Chris Amos, Christopher Hird and World of Wonder – was listed by Huffington Post blogger Adam Groffman as one of the Top 5 Gay Movies of 2015! Condragulations!
Writes Adam:
This UK film follows the lives of some of East London’s most notorious drag stars and the East London drag community in general. The film follows their lives for almost six years, from festivals (Glastonbury) to the dark and dank clubs in East London. For anyone with a slightly passing interest in drag politics, this film offers a bit of insight into the world of drag, and it does so in an entertaining and engaging way. The star and ringleader of the film is Jonny Woo, still active in the East London drag community with the popular bar and indie club, The Glory (highly recommended for any gay night out in London!).
Read more about the film on the official Dressed as a Girl website, or watch the trailer below.
The other movies?
Seashore (2015, Brazil)
One of the sweetest gay films, this coming-of-age story takes place by the seashore in Brazil, between two teenage boys. It’s a kind and compelling story of friends, of their short journey of self-discovery.
Nasty Baby (2015, USA)
The movie, taking place in Brooklyn, tells the story of a gay couple and their best friend (played by the wonderful Kristen Wiig) — who has an unconventional threesome plan to have a baby together. There’s something really special about this story…. Which makes the surprises of the movie that much more traumatic. There’s no wonder why Nasty Baby won the 2015 Teddy Award at the Berlinale Film Festival.
Oriented (2015, Israel)
This gay film (it’s a documentary) tells the story of three gay Palestinians living in Tel Aviv. Created by Jake Witzenfeld, the film follows the individuals for several months and covers topics such as Israeli-Palestinian politics, youth, relationships, Zionism, family and sexuality. It’s an engaging and curious story that leaves you wondering “what’s next?”
Drown (2015, Australia)
This Australian gay film is a powerful story about masculinity, following the fictional lives of surfers in Sydney. Jealousy, homophobic fear and unrequited lust trickle throughout the movie, until a particularly frightening final scene. The film, beautifully shot, jumps between past and present, happy moments and sad ones, peaceful times and episodes of violence — making the tense but singular conflict really shine through the storytelling.
Check out the whole article here.
The post HuffPo Lists “Dressed as a Girl” as One of their Top 5 Gay Movies of 2015! appeared first on World of Wonder.
Oh please, will somebody make a dozen or so of these for me? They’re so cuuuuuute. I need them in my liiiiiiife.
From Laughing Squid:
Los Angeles-based baker Rosanna Pansino celebrated the theatrical release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and paid tribute to her new favorite droid, on a recent episode of Nerdy Nummies, by demonstrating how to make adorable BB-8 cake pops. We previously wrote about her tutorial on how to make a Death Star cake.
THE THINGS YOU WILL NEED:
Fresh Orange Pound Cake
* (3-1/2) Cups Flour
* (2) Teaspoons Orange Extract
* (1-3/4) Teaspoon Baking Powder
* (1/4) Teaspoon Salt
* (2) Cups Sugar:
* (4) Large Eggs
* (1-1/4) Cup Butter
* (3/4) Cup Whole Milk
* (2) Oranges
Decoration
* White Licorice Candies
* White Candy Melts
* Orange Food Coloring Dye
* Black Food Coloring Dye
* Lollipop Sticks
And watch the Death Star cake tutorial below.
The post #BleepBlopBloop: How to Make Absolutely Adorable BB-8 Cake Pops appeared first on World of Wonder.
The good folks at Pornhub have released their traffic and search data for last week’s holiday, and it reveals some interesting stats about the festive faps, jolly jerks, and tinsel-fueled tugs we engaged in. And let me put this as delicately as I can: You’re all a bunch of filthy fucking pervs. “Santa Blowjob”? “Christmas cream pie”? “Santa and elf”? “Santa anal”? What would you mother think if she knew what you were up to?
First up is this graph of the popular (read: alarming) searches for Christmas Day 2015
Compare that list to last years, and it seems like some weirder searches are making headway.
Interestingly, most of your fapping was done via your phone – probably because you’re at your parents’ house, hiding in the bathroom, or your family is all up in your apartment and your desktop computer is just not accessible.
Also interesting is this graph of porn use around the world on Christmas Day, which is down everywhere except Japan, Russia, and India. But before you accuse THEM of being pervs, you should know that Christmas is celebrated on January 7th in Russia, and not widely celebrated in India and Japan. So, don’t worry, you’re still a bunch fap-happy sex fiends.
(via The Daily What)
The post So…. What Were You Masturbating to on Christmas Day? PornHub Has the Stats appeared first on World of Wonder.
With 2015 coming to a RAPID end, here at the WOW Report all of us contributors have been listing our 10 favorite things of the year. Without further delay, here are mine!
10. YEEZY SEASON 1 French Terry Sweatshirt
Yes, that’s right. I was a huge fan of both Kanye West‘s Yeezy season 1 and 2, and this sweatshirt (I mean, adidas Originals by Kanye West YEEZY SEASON 1 Oxbred dusty mauve cotton French terry sweatshirt with detailed cuffs with raw edges, as it’s described) is my favorite piece the year. Yes, it’s $455, but there’s something specific about the overall I-don’t-give-a-shit-but-I-care-too-much vibe combined with the faded rosy color and three-quarter sleeve that speaks directly to my soul.
9. Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion
If you’re a lotion kind of guy like me, listen up. This year I discovered the BEST LOTION EVER. Jack Black’s Cool Moisture Body Lotion has a minty feel that cools the skin down (which comes in handy on summer days here in Los Angeles) and smells super fresh, and also makes my skin look and feel way more moisturized than it really is.
8. Rose McGowan‘s “RM486” music video
Rose McGowan released her masterpiece of a music video in September this year, and I pretty much still can’t get enough of it. The song is gorgeous and the visuals are super intriguing. Watch it, you’ll understand.
7. Kick Sagat underwear
Francois Sagat‘s Kick Sagat line makes some really cool t-shirts and tanks, but I got my hands on a few pairs of the briefs this year and it kind of completely changed my outlook on fashiony underwear. It fits perfectly on me and the cut looks super cute with that thick waistband. I’m all about it.
6. Purpose
We all know that Justin Bieber‘s comeback album Purpose was more of a PR strategy to reposition his image than anything else. But nonetheless, it delivered some of the most catchy and pleasurable listening jams I’ve heard in a while, and Bieber’s smooth, boyish vocals have never sounded better—especially when combined with light, tropical beats and heavy bass.
5. Drake’s beard
This year, Drake stepped up his beard game when he grew an impressively even, dark, luxurious beard that propelled him even further into Daddy AF territory. Yes, Champagne Papi’s beard has the power to impregnate the world, and thus my soul. It also has the ability to improve his shirtless selfies, if that’s even possible:
@ovojonnyroxx Tank got me working at the Palace!!!!! Push Pounds
A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on
A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on
4. RuPaul’s Drag Race season 7
The entire season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race pretty much gave me all the life I ever needed this year. Especially when this moment happened on the “Countdown To The Crown” episode:
3. Zac Efron‘s selfie with his bro
The world stopped for me when Zacky posted this photo with the caption “#brothers,” as it depicts him adorably riding piggyback style on his gorgeous younger bro Dylan Efron‘s back. Like, what more could one want?! Honestly though.
A photo posted by Zac Efron (@zacefron) on
2. Zac Efron almost naked
My world stopped again when a foreign version of the upcoming cinematic masterpiece Dirty Grandpa trailer hit the Internet and these GIFs were born. Some say his bottom half is his body-double. I say… who cares?
1. The Hot Cop
NYPD officer Miguel Pimentel became a social-media sensation this year, proving that there might in fact be someone capable of trapping more thirst than Zac Efron. (Like, maybe? Idk) But honestly tho, he is by far the hottest cop in the world… as evidenced by his completely incredible underwear selfies which are just what the world needs more of.
Last night was fun, but back to work
A photo posted by Miguel Pimentel Official IG ™ (@officialpimentel) on
The post #WOWBestof15: Nigel Zeff’s Fave Things appeared first on World of Wonder.
Juicy lip action!!! Every queen needs some gobsmacking lips, and here’s the best lipsticks, glosses and stains of 2015 to get your New Year’s Eve poppin’ off right!. Thanks to all my girls who sent me their tips, including Nomi Ruiz, Rhea Litré, Alexander Dor, Louvel, Elizabeth James, Matty Horrorchata, Misty Meaner and Mocha Lite. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick
Mac Lip Glass Russian Red & Ruby Woo
(Louvel)
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain
The post #WOWBestOf2015: Turnt Up NYE Lips feat. Nomi Ruiz, Kylie Jenner, Dita Von Teese, Rhea Litré & More!!! appeared first on World of Wonder.
Barbara Carrera
Bebe Neuwirth
Diane Von Fürstenberg
Gabby Douglas
Gong Li
James Remar
Joey McIntyre
Lance Reddick
Michael McDonald
Nicholas Sparks
Psy
Rita Lee
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Sir Ben Kingsley
Taylor Hackford
Tim Matheson
Val Kilmer
The post December 31: It’s YOUR Birthday, Bitch! appeared first on World of Wonder.
December 31, 1905– Jule Styne was born Julius Kerwin Stein in London to Ukranian Jewish parents. The family moved to Chicago when Styne was 6 years old, explaining in essential American-ness. A child piano prodigy, he started performing with major symphony orchestras when he was just 10 years old.
He changed his name at the suggestion of an executive of The Music Corporation Of America, who told him that “Stein” seemed “too Jewish.” He was also often confused with Jules Stein, the head of The Music Corporation.
As a young man, Styne moved to NYC & became a vocal coach & conductor for Broadway musicals. He gained quite a reputation & was summoned to Hollywood to work for 20th Century Fox, as the vocal coach for stars like Shirley Temple & Constance Bennett.
My friends know that my favorite musical of all time is Gypsy (1959), based on the memoir by famed stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim & music by Styne.
Before he left this world, Styne had written 2,000 songs, published 1,500 0f them, & had 200 hits. Styne:
“I’m talking about hit hits, the others were popular, but there were 200 hit hits.”
Those hits included: It’s Been A Long Long Time, The Party’s Over, Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow!, Time After Time, & People.
Styne had many collaborators in his long career. In Hollywood, he teamed up with lyricist Sammy Cahn on romantic ballads: I’ve Heard That Song Before, I’ll Walk Alone & Three Coins In A Fountain. On Broadway, he shifted from satire with Gentlemen Prefer Blonds (1949), with Leo Robin, to drama with Funny Girl (1964), with Bob Merrill, also working with the great Betty Comden & Adolph Green on musical comedies including Bells Are Ringing (1956). Styne:
“I had 15 number one songs with Sammy Cahn. He loved that big-band sound, so every song had that big-band sound. Then I read lyrics by Yip Harburg & Leo Robin & I thought, ‘I’d like to write to those kinds of words.’ Yip’s syllables & sounds tingle with music. Leo had a wonderful edge, a suave & very sophisticated way of comedy.”
Styne said he never liked working for the film studios, even though he received an Academy Award for Three Coins In A Fountain, plus 7 other Best Song nominations. Styne:
“I didn’t like a director telling me what song goes where. I was not pleased with Hollywood’s adaptations of Gypsy & Funny Girl. The movies destroyed every musical they ever made from the stage.”
His songs often shared the special stamp of the singers who introduced them: Carol Channing, Judy Holliday, Doris Day, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand & Ethel Merman.
Many of his songs were written for Frank Sinatra, with whom Styne had a close but contentious relationship for decades. My favorite of their collaborations is I Fall in Love Too Easily (1945), with lyrics by Cahn.
Gypsy, his only collaboration with Sondheim, who wrote the lyrics, brought out the best in both of them. Critic, Frank Rich:
“They brought out something in each other’s talent that cannot quite be found in their extraordinary separate careers.”
Hallelujah, Baby!, his 18th Broadway show, finally brought Styne a Tony Award after 13 nominations. He was among the first 5 artists to receive a Kennedy Center Honor in 1990. In 1992, he received the New Dramatists Lifetime Achievement Award. Styne was elected to the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, the American Theatre Hall Of Fame, & he was a recipient the ASCAP Founders’ Award.
He was still composing in 1994 when his spotlight was shut off for good. Styne in 1990:
“I’ve had a goodly life & I’m working as hard as I’ve ever worked. A sunny day when I can sit down & write, that’s what makes life so good. The brain is an amazing thing. I could sit down to write 9 songs right now, & I don’t know what would come out. That’s the wonder of it all.”
I knew Styne slightly when I worked for ASCAP (American Society Of Composers, Authors & Publishers) in the mid-1970s. He was a friendly sort & happy to regale me with anecdotes about the amazing stars than sang his tunes. He was a diminutive, jittery guy, with a staccato vocal delivery that made me laugh.
My favorite Jule Styne song is Never Land from Peter Pan (1954), lyrics by Comden & Green:
I have a place where dreams are born
& time is never planned
It’s not on any chart
You must find it with your heart
Never Never Land.
It might be miles beyond the moon,
Or right there where you stand.
Just keep an open mind
& then suddenly you’ll find
Never Never Land
You’ll have a treasure if you stay there
More precious far than gold.
For once you have found your way there
You can never, never grow old
& that’s my home where dreams are born
& time is never planned
Just think of lovely things
& your heart will fly on wings
Forever in Never Never Land.
You’ll have a treasure if you stay there
More precious far than gold
For once you have found your way there
You can never, never grow old
& that’s my home where dreams are born
& time is never planned
Just think of lovely things
& your heart will fly on wings
Forever in Never Never Land
The post #BornThisDay: Songwriter, Jule Styne appeared first on World of Wonder.
Every year, DJ Earworm throws every top 40 song in a blender, and creates one big, bubbling mish-mosh of music. It’s kind of messy. Kind of fabulous. And guaranteed to give you chills. This year, we’ve got all your faves: Justin, Taylor, Adele, Fetty, Demi, Nicki, Wiz… oh, and so many more! You’re to LOVE IT. (And if you get a liiiiiiitttle bored half-way through, skip to the 4:00 mark for the big finish). Watch below.
Featuring:
Adele – Hello
AlunaGeorge and DJ Snake – You Know You Like It
Andy Grammer – Honey, I’m Good.
Ariana Grande ft. The Weeknd – Love Me Harder
Big Sean ft. E-40 – I Don’t F*** With You
David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack – Hey Mama
Demi Lovato – Cool For The Summer
Drake – Hotline Bling
Ed Sheeran – Photograph
Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do
Fall Out Boy – Centuries
Fetty Wap – Trap Queen
Fetty Wap ft. Remy Boyz – 679
Fifth Harmony ft. Kid Ink – Worth It
Flo Rida ft. Sage The Gemini – GDFR
Jason Derulo – Want To Want Me
Justin Bieber – Sorry
Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean
Major Lazer ft. MO & DJ Snake – Lean On
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
Maroon 5 – Sugar
Meghan Trainor – Lips Are Movin
Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend – Like I’m Gonna Lose You
Natalie La Rose ft. Jeremih – Somebody
Nick Jonas – Jealous
Nicki Minaj ft. Drake & Lil Wayne – Truffle Butter
Omarion ft. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko – Post To Be
OMI – Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)
One Direction – Drag Me Down
Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo – Time Of Our Lives
R. City ft. Adam Levine – Locked Away
Rachel Platten – Fight Song
Rihanna – Bitch Better Have My Money
Rihanna ft. Kanye West & Paul McCartney – Four Five Seconds
Sam Smith – I’m Not The Only One
Selena Gomez ft. A$AP Rocky – Good For You
Shawn Mendes – Stitches
SIlento – Watch Me
Skrillex & Diplo ft. Justin Bieber – Where Are U Now
Taylor Swift – Blank Space
Taylor Swift – Style
Taylor Swift – Bad Blood
Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams
Tove Lo – Talking Body
Walk The Moon – Shut Up And Dance
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – See You Again
The Weeknd – Earned It
The weeknd – The hills
The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face
The post DJ Earworm’s Annual Mashup: United State of Pop 2015 appeared first on World of Wonder.
