Saturday, June 27, 2020

Favorite Pic of the Day for June 28th

Above:
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Happy Birthday today June 28th


Happy 50th to actor Steve Burton!

Check out more of today's BIRTHDAYS HERE:

Circus of the Stars (1988)

Seasonal Sightings

A Look Back: Daniel LaPaine in Muriel's Wedding


'Whoever marries David will have to tell the immigration authorities that they're in love with him. Now there'll be media attention so they'll have to live with David in his flat for at least four months after the marriage. I've worked out all the details of the romance, but the most important thing is to convince people that you two are really in love.'
Coach Ken Blundell


Whenever Muriel's Wedding is on television, I always flip on for a scene or two.  I have the 1994 flick on DVD somewhere, but I haven't turned on my DVD player in over a year.  I usually avoid some scenes, especially those involving Muriel's mother Betty. (Jeanie Drynan) 


Jeanie is brilliant in the role, so brilliant, her scenes make me so sad, even though I've seen them before.  I prefer Jeanie hosting parties with nude men, as she did in 1976's Don's Party, which I previously posted about HERE:


Like so many film goers, Muriel's Wedding was also my introduction to the incredible Toni Collette.  Muriel Heslop was both lovable and heartbreaking, and painfully annoying.  Toni created an beautiful blend in Muriel, hopeful, painful and incredibly flawed.  Still something sill quite rare in cinema.  Film makers still try very hard to make us like characters, rather than making them fascinating and conflicting.


Like many, one of my favorite scenes to re-watch is Muriel and Rhonda's (Rachel Griffiths) rendition of Waterloo.  I've never enjoyed an ABBA performance more, and the scenes involving Muriel's 'mean girl' friends which surround the song are equally well done and fun.



Another favorite scene from the film was the introduction of Muriel's husband to be, South African swimmer David Van Arkle.  I think we were all Muriel when the delicious David popped out of the pool in his speedo.  Unfortunately, David wasn't quite as impressed with Muriel as she was with him.


With a few television appearances under his belt, Muriel's Wedding marked the film debut of Australasian actor Daniel LaPaine.  LaPaine has worked steadily since his film debut in movies and on television.  His most recent roles include appearing on The Durrells, Uptight and Black Mirror.  Although Muriel's Wedding didn't get LaPaine's speedo off, he did briefly show his beautiful behind on an episode of Black Mirror. (see below)



Black Mirror

An Adventurous Soul: Ethan Oliver by HowRoar Imagery


'As you can see, he is capable of being wildly sexy and then taking on an entirely different persona.'


As perfectly on point as 'wildly sexy' is as a descriptive, when it comes to model Ethan Oliver, it may actually be an understatement.   The first image of Ethan that I saw, is the final image featured at the bottom of this piece.  Bill (Howroar Imagery) had entered the shot in the Model Mayhem POTD contest last month. and it wasn't a surprise when the image ended up winning the contest that day.


Bill is not stranger to shooting sexy men.  FH may remember my profile last year featuring his work with Spencer. (Director's Cut) Bill's image always manage to grab my attention and that first shot of Ethan that I saw was powerfully enticing.  I love Ethan's pose and the way Bill framed and captured Chicago based model.. Although Ethan's hand is strategically place, enough is revealed to not only trigger the viewer's imagination, but erotically bolt it to attention.  Ethan is a stunner for sure, but his beautiful body and great head of hair and bangs are just the icing the on the cake.


Of course many models have great bodies, not all of them however, can command a viewers attention the way Ethan so beautifully manages to do within Bill's captures.  For me the power lies within Ethan's beautiful blue eyes.  Bill wisely keeps Ethan's eye a central focus in every one of his shots.  Ethan's eyes are not only incredibly beautiful, they're also incredibly welcoming, inviting the viewer in to enjoy what they're looking at. 


Not all models are so welcoming with their eyes and facial expressions.  Some, while revealing their bodies, at times express a look, almost as if to cause the viewer to feel guilty about enjoying what they're seeing.  Ethan's eyes are focused on the viewer, participating in a back and forth with the viewer.  There's almost an 'I see you, seeing me' feel, which only adds to the images appeal.


In addition to being inviting, Ethan's eyes and face also provide a visual contrast which only increases how wildly sexy he is.  His eyes are both innocent, and wise, with a dash of the boy next door.  But like all boys next doors, they are both sweet, and infused with erotically charged energy.


Bill first mt Ethan through another model he had shot with.  Bill had also seen a shoot Ethan had done with the late great photographer Michael Dar.  Bill could see both Ethan's physical appeal, and his potential to generate dynamic imagery.  Ethan's natural quality, to create diverse and contrasting looks within images, was also something Bill looked to explore.


'Ethan has the ability to morph between young, boyish and innocent to sexy, virile and testosterone filled.'


In addition to capturing a variety different looks and themes, Billy also describes his work with Ethan as a lot of fun.  In addition to taking direction very well, Bill was impressed with his tremendous energy, and says it's always a pleasure shooting a model like Ethan who's so comfortable in his own skin.


'Ethan's also an adventurous soul and was willing to try many different types of shots to create something unique and beautiful. Not only is Ethan a very good model, he’s also an excellent musician and parkour enthusiast. He has a mischievous streak and a twinkle in his eye that is charming. I have no doubt that he could have a modeling career if he pursued it. I hope to shoot with him again some day.'