Halloween Horrors

Well, Halloween has certainly been living up to it's potential so far this year. This past Saturday, I finally managed to coax Peppa Roni Jenkins out for a night on the town. As you can see in the photo above, it didn't take us long to find our first victim, Franklin. We sunk our talons into this poor babe in the woods and didn't let him loose until the evening drew to a close.

Our first stop was the Halloween Hut II party and food drive for Aids Interfaith Ministries of Kentuckiana. The queens that own the radiant Ray of Light boutique on Market Street go all out to decorate the barn adjacent to their store for Halloween. It was a fabulously frightening experience.

There, I met mad old Madge. She told me an elaborate tale about how she had a hunter secure the vibrant pelt of Tony The Tiger from the good folks at Kellog's. As you can see, dear Tony makes an absolutely delightful coat. Unfortunately, Madge's happy pills had kicked in, so I wasn't able to completely decipher her entire story. Besides, Randie Wrottedhoe had shown up, so it was time to move on.

Our next stop of the evening was Peppa Roni's old stomping grounds, The Connection. Everyone was so delighted to see Peppa...especially since they'd all assumed she'd died years ago. The flashing bulbs of the paparazzi were nearly blinding.

We had an absolute blast watching the show that evening. I was in such a good mood, I actually forgave Margo Davis for performing a number by that skankie ho, Fergie. Mokha wowed the crowd with her revolving titty routine. The highlight of the night, though, had to be the cast number where Hurricane Summers and Syimone performed dueling Tina Turners. I thought Peppa was going to have a coronary over that one.

Not bad for a warm-up, hunh? Well, today is the actual Holiday and I'm ready to raise the dead. That's right folks, Daphne zombie is making another appearance this Halloween. Peppa and I have a bunch of pals coming over and we're going to hand out candy and scare the children in the neighborhood. Hopefully, we can frighten a few of the parents as well.

Stop back later this week for pics of the carnage. Oh, how I delight in this time of year.

Smooches,
Daph

Marie Antoinette

Second generation filmmaker Sofia Coppola (daughter of Francis "The Godfather" Ford) has reteamed with Kirsten Dunst, her "Virgin Suicides" muse, to bring us a truly original vision of Marie Antoinette's life story. If you like period pieces, this film has enough eye candy to send you into diabetic shock.


Much has been made of Sofia's use of 80's New Wave music in an otherwise faithful period piece. While it adds a refreshing zing to what could have been an otherwise prim and stately affair, it's hardly the jarring distraction you might think it would be. Those expecting a "Moulin Rouge" style anachronistic spectacle are sure to be disappointed.


For the most part, Sofia continues to show the delicate directing style exhibited by her last work, "Lost In Translation". Where other filmmakers beat you over the head with a message, Sofia lets the audience read the actions and expressions of the actors to convey their interior monologues. If you enjoyed last year's overbearing Oscar-stealer, "Crash", I suggest you steer clear of this artful endeavor.


Particularly noteworthy are the interesting casting decisions. Musician Marianne Faithfull as Marie's mother lends an air of gravity and concern that hangs over the first half of the film as Marie unsuccessfully tries to assert her place as wife to the Prince. Woody Allen regular, Judy Davis, unsurprisingly impresses as the strict and immoveable head of household. Saturday Night Live alum, Molly Shannon, manages to tone herself down just enough as a catty member of the royal family. The real scene-stealer, though, is Asia Argento who burns up the screen during her every appearance as the uncouth mistress of the King, the Madame Du Barry.

Even Jason Schwartzman, who I questioned being cast as a male romantic lead Louis XVI, makes perfect sense in the role now that I've actually seen the film. However, the film clearly belongs to Dunst in a role that allows her to struggle against the restraints of responsibility and society. Her portrayal is no Paris Hilton in corset and powdered wigs. Yes, she's a rebel; but she's one with heart and soul.

When the story draws to it's ill-fated conclusion, you truly feel for this girl overwhelmed by events beyond her control. Kirsten manages to mature her character without silly ageing makeup. Instead she conveys her arc through her demeanor. And, don't expect a long bloody finale along the lines of "The Passion Of The Christ". Sofia ends the film on a quiet despondent note that resonates with you for days after the viewing. We all know how it ends and our imaginations can fill in the rest. A lesser filmmaker would have turned the subject matter into a gory horror film. Luckily, we're dealing here with the work of an artist.

Smooches,
Daph

Tina Too

It was only natural that once I posted a little story on my blog about Tina Turner, the reigning Tina interpreter from the Connection would stumble upon my site. Indeed, the Mistress of Mayhem herself, Hurricane Summers, dropped by and provided me with a portfolio of Tina pics. And what a fierce set of images they are!


Who can resist a diva that so effortlessly pulls off such a beautiful Bob Mackie creation? Shake a tail feather!





I absolutely adore Tina's elegance in this picture. Glamour, glamour, glamour!









This pic is probably the most surprising of the bunch for me. Tina looks downright menacing in this uniform. As if she doesn't exude authority and command respect already!




Of course, I couldn't complete my post without an electrifying picture of Hurricane herself. Halle Berry better look out, because I think Hurricane could kick her ass as Storm in the next X-Men film.




Smooches,
Daph

Tina Tantrum

Sorry that it's been so long since my last post. I've just been frantically preparing for the gay high holy day, Halloween. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you all a recent discovery from YouTube. This is a freakishly fun clip of Tina Turner and Cher kickin' it up to the classic tune, "Shame Shame Shame".

Cher & Tina Turner - Shame Shame Shame


This version was obviously slowed down quite a big to compensate for Cher's unusual singing style. However, it's still a hoot to hear these sassy dames dueting. It's total camp overload. Showing it to young children would surely turn them gay. By the way, if you can track down Tina's solo version of this tune, it's sizzling hot.

Naturally, I'm a long time Tina Turner fan. I'll never forget seeing her in concert back when I was just a wee lass. I was simply speechless when she descended from the rafters belting out "Goldeneye" after the first intermission. Diva knows how to make an entrance!

Well, when I met Peppa Roni, I found out that I was a rank amateur when it comes to worshipping at the altar of Tina. Peppa has an encyclopedic knowledge of this simple girl with a dream from Nutbush. Peppa has turned me onto all sorts of gems that I didn't realize existed. If you can get your hands on a copy of Tina doing "Kill His Wife", grab it. You'll never hear her more ferocious and frisky.

So, if you think Tina's oeuvre begins with "What's Love Got To Do With It" and ends with "Simply The Best", then you need to get out there and do your research.

Smooches,
Daph