P o p M u s e

Shopping in L.A.

I loved this movie.  I loved everything about it, the direction, the writing, the weather, the aggressive score, the performances, everything.  In fact, it helped me understand just about everyone I know in LA a little bit better, everyone.

And before Shopgirl I saw the brill Trailer to the new Woody Allen Movie Match Point.  Kudos to Dreamworks for pulling Woody Allen trailers out of the retro rut they were in.  At the Cannes Film Festival critics were dubbing this film "Woody's Comeback."  Personally, I really enjoyed Melinda and Melinda and have no idea why it was so universally ignored?  Anyway, I know this trailer will bring Woody fans back from their Anything Else exile.  Big-ups to my peeps at Dreamworks!

Oh Mary

This movie makes me long for the smells of the early 90's.   I watched it this morning and it sent me deep into a nostalgic tailspin.

Back to a time when 'independent film' did not mean 'serious film about angst ridden teens with cutting and drug problems.'  When Art House Movie Theaters had some fun films, comedies even? 

Anyway, don't be a woman with no common sense...  Download this PopMuse Vid Clip from Film Fav Party Girl. 

Watch Party Girl's Sisyphian Contemplation [.mov]

And we'll appeal to a young demographic with the video...

Here's Madonna's "Hung Up" Music Video [wmv]

It stinks of desperation, doesn't it?

[Thanks for the hook-up T.]

Janet's Got a Secret Too

This morning on Fox's Good Day Live they reported that Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri were Pregnant.  Scandal?  Not really, the scandalous part of the story was that Janet's 18 Year Old Secret Daughter was about to tell all. 

Yup, you've been hearing the 'Janet's Secret Daughter' rumors for years... Ya know, the daughter she had while married to Debarge, the one Papa Jackson took from her teenage arms and placed in the care of older sister Rebbie.  Some newspaper in Philly is reporting that this daughter, now legal and free to speak out, is upset that Janet never publicly recognized her existence.  Yeah, that could sting a bit.

PopMuse feels a great sense of relief at hearing this story, because, yes, PopMuse has actually seen this daughter.  On the set of one of Ms. Jackson's music videos PopMuse spotted a sullen teenage girl, sorta chubby, kinda thuggy, very dykey, hanging around set with a backpack on, looking very bored.  The set was closed, due to Mama Jackson's state of undress, only gays and entourage allowed to watch, so I started to wonder, who is this kid sitting with, but ignored by, Janet's entourage?  When I made a snarky joke to someone on Janet's Glam Squad, "Who's that kid with the backpack? Staff drug dealer?"  The response I got was a stone faced, "No, that's the daughter."

What you thought Michael was the only one with secrets?  I've told you kid's before, Papa Joe's like a mafia Don who holds twisted family secrets over his children's heads in a blackmail stylee.  There's some crazy shit going down in that clan and I'm thrilled that girl's exposing some of the madness.  Speak your truth lil' Janet, PopMuse's got ur back!

TiVo Alert: Madonna's Secret

I have recently discovered that many of you have no idea that Madonna's Truth Or Dare Part 2 is premiering this Friday Night on MTV.  It's been all over the blogs, but pretty quiet everywhere else.  And MTV isn't doing any promotion, which is a shame... I mean, it can't be that bad.  Anyway, PopMuse is just reminding you to set your TiVo's for MADONNA: I'M GONNA TELL YOU A SECRET this Friday Night on MTV.

Wanna read a review from the NY Premiere?  Read HERE.

PopMuse is Telling You

Yesterday I was scrolling through PopMuse fan (and kindred spirit) Midnight Lounge's Blog and I found a vid clip that somehow escaped my attention.  It's a Promo Clip for H&M Demin directed by David LaChapelle.  Now look, David is a monster and on a personal level I am not a fan.  But occassionally his work draws me in whether I like it or not.  This mash up of Dreamgirls with Romeo & Juliet, sung and starring Tamyra Gray and Mary J. Blige, ummm SOLD.

Watch the video HERE.

And let it be known that "And I Am Telling You" is the only, yes only showtune PopMuse likes.  Seriously, I'm way against type here, but Musicals, well, in general, hate um.  But 'Telling You' was introduced to me by Ms. Whitney Houston on the '93 American Music Awards and I re-watched the tape back so many times the audio nearly dissappeared. 

If you are really committed to the PopMuse Experience you'll watch this vintage clip and understand why, as far as I'm concerned, this is the only showtune.  And these new DREAMGIRL bitches have a lot to live up to! 

WATCH WHITNEY "AND I AM TELLLING YOU" AMA '93 [QUICKTIME]

Hung Up

All day you kids have been screaming "POPMUSE, where can I find the new Madonna single?  HELP ALREADY!"   Here ya go.

LISTEN HERE: MADONNA "HUNG UP" (RADIO EDIT)

Oh, my thoughts?  I LOVE the ABBA sample and the whole instrumental (Mr. Lu Cont is a genius, that we already know).  And her voice sounds fine too.  But these lyrics are just so mediocre.  Is her brain stuck in Children's Book writing mode?  "Those who run seem to have all the fun, I'm caught up, I don't know what to doooo."  Sigh.  At this point in her career, having already made so many pointless party songs, couldn't she try and write something more substantial?   

And although I think it is Madonna's right to rip-off Gwen (as Gwen has ripped off Madge plenty, the open to "Hung Up" is so "Tic Toc, Tic Toc" from "What Ya Waiting For It" that it makes me uncomfortable.  Listen here if you are in denial...

LISTEN HERE: GWEN "WHAT YA WAITING (JACQUES LU CONT REMIX)

All that said, I'm definitely gonna be bangin' this in my car for a month or so till CONFESSIONS comes out.  It's first single Madonna... we've all been here before.

My Hump

These are the worst most ridiculous, offensive and degrading lyrics I have ever heard... AND they're sung by my least favorite pop band (as JSJ said, they are the new C&C Music Factory.)  I can't stand anything about the Black Eyed Peas especially Ms. Bad Brow Lift Fergie. That said, I LOVE THIS SONG, THIS SONG, THIS SONG, THIS SONG!!!  It is all I can do not to sing it all day and all night, all night, all night, all night.

"What you gon’ do wit all that breast?  All that breast inside that shirt?  What u gon’ do with all that ass?  All that ass inside them jeans?  I’m a make, make you scream. Make u scream, make you scream. Cos of my hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps.
Dolce & Gabbana,
Fendi and then Donna
Karan, they be sharin’
All their money got me wearin’..."

Man it only gets worse... keep reading HERE.

Watch the Fatima Robinson Directed Video HERE.

Download or Listen to the track HERE.

Fusion or In-Effect

Ever wonder where Madonna finds her dancers?  No, me neither.  But apparently in the 80s she was watching lots of Ed McMahon's Star Search. 

Remember Slam from Truth or Dare?  Well, I found this vintage Star Search clip where he's fighting to be the next Star Search Dance Champion.

WATCH SLAM ON STAR SEARCH [avi]

WATCH SLAM ON STAR SEARCH [quicktime]

You can say it's 7

I couldn't come up with a clip to Post today for my birthday... (Yes, it's PopMuse's BIRTHDAY and I'll Post if I want to, Post if I want to!)  I started to WAY over-think the whole thing and ended up nearly giving myself an ulcer.  Then I decided to just throw something up that I love, that's timeless, ageless, chic, classic, and legendary (like PopMuse). 

So here goes, a beautiful Prince music video (there aren't many) directed by fav Jean Baptiste Mondino (MV insiders check out the Limelight Slate) from his 1988 CD Lovesexy (a CD that was very influential in my developement as a man).  Plus, as all you PopMuse fans and friends send your birthday wishes, I want you to know that in return "i wish u heaven".

WATCH PRINCE I WISH U HEAVEN

And, it's my Birthday and if I wanna watch CAT dance, then I'll watch Cat Dance!   Enjoy!!

Tomorrow's gonna be Grosser than today.

In honor of Paris Fashion Week, I thought I'd drop some old school House Of Style science on your ass.  Here, in the 'House of Style Paris Edition' Cindy C. introduces Todd O. who interviews two up and coming designers circa '93.  First, a young fool named Andre Walker, then a young genius named John Galliano.

Andre is one of those fashionistas who latches onto a sarcastic theme and runs with it.  Of course his designs are hideous but HE is hysterical, saying his collection is "for the Corny Girl, the stale girl, girl who wants to be gross."  Bless.

Cut to the brilliant (baby) John Galliano; who was never more visionary than he was at this very moment (it's his Blond Ambition for sure!)  It's his "Princess Lucretia, Voyage of Self Discovery"  runway show, where he channels Anna Karenina decades before Oprah, and proclaims "Technique is the future of fashion."  Prepare to be amazed!

WATCH '93 HOUSE OF STYLE PARIS

Friday's Child

This Friday is my 31st Birthday.  I know, Woo Hoo!  31 seems like a very unceremonious B-Day...  But every birthday makes me think about deep shit and today while thinking about aging (in a facialist's chair none the less), I thought of this David Bowie Video. It's from his '99 CD "Hours".   

It's a sweet meditation on aging and love and especially vanity.  Anyway, it isn't the usual PopMuse fair, but it suited my mood today so deal.

WATCH DAVID BOWIE "THURSDAY'S CHILD"