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Friday, February 1, 2019
Six More Weeks...
'Now is the winter of our discontent'
William Shakespeare
Discontented with six more weeks of winter? Embrace the cold and snow by checking out more of Matthew Dunston by takeapic4u on Page 2 HERE:
12 Days: Groundhog Day?
When it comes to Groundhog Day, unless there's a movie I'm missing, 1993's Groundhog Day is really the only film I can think of with a spotlight on the day. There are a lot of talented actors in the Harold Ramis directed film, but none that I could really find nudes scenes to make the focus of a post.
SNL (1976)
I do love me some Bill Murray though. Incredibly talented and if you've seen clips from SNL from the 70's, Murray does have a sexy quality that came out in some of his work. Although I didn't focus my Groundhog Themed 12 Days post on Murray, I did look for a nexus between the film and a few scenes of male skin that can be seen on PAGE 2 HERE:
Déjà vu
Groundhog Day is all about déjà vu. The french saying literally, already seen, and fits the feeling many of us have about the feeling of an endless winter. The 1980 shot of John Lennon and Yoko Ono is an image I'm sure many of you have already seen. The Annie Leibovitz shot is iconic and graced the January 1981 cover of Rolling Stone. Yesterday, Will and Grace's Megan Mullally posted a shot she and co-stars Sean Hayes took just after the final episode of the original run of the series.
'Okay this is slightly miraculous. @seanhayes and i took this photo in 2006. #willandgrace had just ended- or so we thought- and I had the idea to do this photo with Sean whom i had loved so much and worked so closely with for those eight years. to commemorate our very symbiotic partnership. I had a photo shoot scheduled for something else with the photographer @jackguyphotography, and we tacked it onto the end of that shoot. he sent me a hard copy and then i promptly lost it until TODAY when our assistant in LA unearthed it in the guest room closet.'
Maybe when the re-boot ends, Megan and Sean will recreate another iconic John and Yoko image. Maybe take a stab at re-creating the infamous shots John took with a self timer for the album cover for Unfinished Music No. 1, Two Virgins....
A Randy Rodent: Michael Moody by Lights On Studio
'The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.'
FH readers are keenly aware of how much I like to visually celebrate the holiday's with themed images of the day featuring the male form. Although I have been celebrating holiday's on FH for years, thanks to model Michael Moody, and Lights On Studio's Tom Tom Nakielski, this is the site's first official salute to the often overlooked Groundhog Day.
For most, Groundhog Day doesn't even qualify as an actual holiday. It's isn't a day off school or work, there's no Groundhog Tree, Groundhog mini lights, presents or special meals. Groundhog Day is really a regional holiday, celebrated only in the US and Canada, and only really noticed by those in places where people who count down the days until winter is over. .
The first official Groundhog Day was celebrated on February 2, 1886, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It began with a proclamation by the newspaper's editor, Clymer Freas: 'Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow.' The first trip to Gobbler's Knob was made the next year by a group of groundhog hunters, The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Clymer used his editorial clout to proclaim that Phil, the Punxsutawney Groundhog, was the one and only official weather prognosticating groundhog.
Phil has had many nicknames including; Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary. When Tom introduced Phil to Michael Moody, the term randy rodent should certainly be added to the list! I guess given Phil's stuck in a hole hibernating most of the year, when he emerges, he has some urges...
After his long hibernation, and being in such close proximity to the ultra hot Michael Moody, I understand Phil's urge to rip off Michael's clothes and chow down. Phil's carnal compulsions created some challenges for Michael during the shoot. Tom still managed to get some great shots while Michael spent much of his time fending off the rascally rodent.
When I first mentioned a possible Groundhog Day shoot to Tom, I'm not sure he was initially overly enthused with the theme. After a quick google search however, Tom creative juices began to flow and he immediately got back to me with some idea's. Tom also already had Michael Moody in mind, and knew his acting background would be an asset for the shoot.
'This was quite different than my usual sessions. I usually try to do sexy sensuous images but took a more tongue in cheek humorous approach. It was a very fun session with Michael. Michael is also an actor and got into the spirit of the session. Everything from whimsical to danger to sexy. He is very spontaneous and loves performing. After the session, he was heading back to Chicago to be the main character in a new movie "Curtains" a short horror film.'
'Tom and I have a similar tongue in cheek sort of humor and an appreciation for the absurd. As soon as he mentioned Groundhog's Day theme, I knew it was going to be loads of fun. I ended up pulling off a Professor Moriarty vibe in a few shots: an unexpected and pleasing surprise.'
In addition to his modeling and acting, Michael is also one of The Duelists, performing at Renaissance Festivals as a medieval sword fighter. Check out more of Michael, and a preview of The Duelist's 2019 calendar on PAGE 2 HERE:
Six More: Matthew Dunston by takeapic4u
'Although it was way too cold for sweat, I think there are some pretty hot shots of Matthew, especially given it was so cold!'
Some may remember that FH celebrated the season's first snow last November with a few crisp and raw shots of model Matthew Dunston from Dave. (takeapic4u) (First Snow of the Season) Given it's Groundhog Day, and for many of us, there's six more weeks of winter in front of us, I thought it a good time ,to post another six of my favorite shots from the shoot, to help us all make it through with a little visual motivation.
I love winter, well at least I did last November, this week, my love for the season is again being tested. It's not the snow as much as the cold and wind. Currently, even typing this piece is a bit of a challenge. I just came in from shoveling a short while ago, and despite the 'cold proof thermal gloves' that I received for Christmas, my fingers have yet to fully warm and thaw out.
I applaud all photographers and models who head outside to shoot erotic environmental images of the male form. I especially respect those who head out in when the elements prove challenging, especially in the cold and snow. There is no better background, nor a better contrast to the beauty of skin and the naked male body, than frigid temperatures and snow.
Dave shoots almost entirely outside, and living in Iowa (today feeling like -13F) has had to get used to changing weather conditions, if not, he'd only be shooting a few months a year. Although Matthew, also from Iowa, enjoyed his snow shoot with Dave, like myself, Matthew is a seasonal enthusiast, and I've been fortunate to have featured his work outside in all of four natures glorious seasons. (HERE:)
Michael Moody: Leatherless
I've been enjoying the work of model and actor Michael Moody since first being introduced to his images from Lights on Studio last winter. (HERE: & HERE:). In addition to his great look, and smokin' hot body, I love how naturally Michael using his acting skills to create such memorable characters in front of the lens.
The Duelists: Unarmed & Exposed
2019 Edition
It was March of last year when I first posted about The Duelists, Michael and Randal Scott, and their 2018 calendar. (HERE:) I'm getting a little better, and improved by a month, featuring the calendar's new 2019 edition. Hopefully next year, I'll manage to post in time for the holidays and before the year gets under way!
Michael and Randal perform at renaissance festivals, corporate events, educational shows and film and TV projects. (Deadliest Warrior, Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Stolen, Underemployed) The Calendar first came about when Michael and Randal were discussing their respective career paths and when they realized it was something no on the Renaissance Faire circuit had ever tried.
The calendar is a 12 month dazzling display of comedy and sword fighting brilliance, and something I am sure others will looking to copy. Now, in addition to their awesome hoodies and camisoles, the Duelists calendar, now in it's second year, has been added to the reservoir available for sale.
The calendar, photographed by Diane M. Ellenberger is usually sold directly by Michael and Randal at their personal appearances, but you can also contact them on The Duelists Facebook page (HERE:) to get a copy of your own! Even if you have your kitchen calendar already purchased and hung, I'm positive the Duelists will still bring pleasure the 10 months still left in the year!
Groundhog Day: Six Degree's
'Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today.'
Phil
One of my favorite characters in Groundhog Day is Ned played by the brilliant Stephen Tobolowsky. Tobolowsky has been a fixture inf films and on television since the late 70's and if there's a show that you loved, bets are, he may have made an appearance it. Phil's daily meetings with Ned were a highlight of the movie, although certainly not the highlight of Phil's day.
'Ned... Ryerson. "Needlenose Ned"? "Ned the Head"? C'mon, buddy. Case Western High. Ned Ryerson: I did the whistling belly-button trick at the high school talent show? Bing! Ned Ryerson: got the shingles real bad senior year, almost didn't graduate? Bing, again. Ned Ryerson: I dated your sister Mary Pat a couple times until you told me not to anymore? Well?'
Welcome to the Men's Group (2016)
A couple of years ago, I posted about the film, Welcome to the Men's Group (HERE:) and a fundraiser the filmmakers had set up to help with the film's release. The movie got a lot of attention of a certain nude scene in with Tobolowsky, and the rest of the male cast. (including Timothy Bottoms and MacKenzie Astin) If you have yet to check out the film, it's available on iTunes HERE:
In 2017, Groundhog Day hit Broadway in a show with actor and singer Andy Karl taking on the role of Phil Connors, Bill Murray's role from the 1993 . Karl is well known to Broadway lovers for his roles on stage in shows including, 9-5, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Rocky and presently on stage in Pretty Woman The Musical.
Billy Murray and Karl, the 2 Phil's.
Despite great reviews, for both Karl and the production, and 7 Tony Award nominations, Groundhog Day: The Musical only last six months on Broadway, Opening in April and closing in September of the same year.
Karl performing with The Skivvies.
Naked (2017)
'Nervous about finally getting married, a guy is forced to relive the same nerve-wracking hours over and over again until he gets things right on his wedding day.'
In 2017's Naked, Marlon Wayans has his own Groundhog day, walking up naked in an elevator again and again until he finally adapts to his situation and learns how to overcome his repetitive circumstances.
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