Category: Review

Prom Night

6/1/2017

ThisJamie Lee Curtis started her film career out with a string of horror films. Her big break was in the film Halloween, and she would continue to master the art of being the “survivor girl” over the rest of her career. Prom Night was one of her many outrageous slashers.

The film starts out innocently enough with the accidental death of child, but much like I Know What You Did Last Summer it's going to come back to haunt them. All four responsible for screaming, “Kill! Kill! Kill!” at the little girl before she falls out of a window get a mysterious call warning them about the night to come. They ignore it. This isn't the Scream series after all. You have the virgin, the slut, and the bitch. All ready to die.

One of the many flaws of the film is that no one realizes they're in a horror movie until the end. They're just dancing, laughing, not knowing their friends throat just got slit in the bathroom. The killer is amusedly inept at actually killing anyone. He bumbles around with a shard of glass and an axe. It's no wonder Jamie Lee Curtis takes him down. Her boyfriend is NO help. And, let's not forget when the killer had the chance to hack Nick to pieces just to hesitate long enough to have Jamie Lee Curtis intervene. WEAK.

The film ends with enough melodrama to be predictably fun. The killer's motive was to avenge his sister's death. Like cool motive bro, still murder. Especially when you've killed a nurse and one girl's boyfriend who had nothing to do with pushing your sister out a window. But I digress. It's a great way to pass the time, with limited horror involved.

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The Roberts Mayfair Magnolia Hotel

7/28/2016

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18 stories of red brick and terra cotta ornamented 1920's elegance, the Magnolia Hotel is one of the luxury boutique hotels you can stay at on your trip to St. Louis.

Last year I went on a three day overnight trip their with the twins (You can read about that here and here). We stayed in the Daily Value Inn. Serviceable, but not outstanding. A recent one day trip with Rosencrantz and Sacajawea gave me a chance to see another part of St. Louis. Downtown, in all of it's historic glamour and evenly paved sidewalks. We splurged on the Magnolia after realizing we would be spending most of our time in the hotel.

The 182 room hotel was first opened by hotel manager Mr. Heiss in 1925. He was from Bavaria and if my reading from British detective fiction is accurate, the Bavarians are known for their service.

Nothing seems to have changed in the past ninety odd years it's been open. The service was impeccable and the hotel was beautiful in all of it's retro glory. There were chandeliers, stained glass, white bed sheets, and a beautiful view of the hotel across the street.

I was obsessed with our room and our neatly wrapped bar of soap. It was clean, pristine, and not a single bed bug in site. I took a picture just to remind myself of how poor I am. Six dollars for a small pot of coffee, a five dollar delivery charge, and an include 25% gratuity charge can do that to you.

The hotel was designed by Preston J. Bradshaw. He was a famous St. Louis architect and I use the phrase “famous” loosely. He had regional fame if you were into architects, but he was certainly not a Frank Lloyd Wright. The hotel was beautiful.

On multiple occassions the hotel has been renovated, the most recent renovation changed it from the the Roberts Mayfair Hotel to the Magnolia Hotel. Originally the hotel was known simple as the Mayfair Hotel. The hotel was modern and the pipes had good pressure. The three elevators also move fast enough to make you spill your milk on the wood inlaid floors.

Every night the Magnolia Hotel sets out complimentary milk and cookies. My heart is warmed, especially after finding $5 bottles of Voss Water in our rooms.

The hotel has also been host to a string of Hollywood celebrities. Most notably Cary Grant who has his own suite named after him on the 18th floor to remind guests of the hotel's vast history. Cary Grant has been acknowledged for starting the practice of placing chocolate on a hotel pillow. According to legend he placed placed a chocolate on the pillow to seduce his female companion.

Other guests such as Irving Berlin, President Truman, and John Barrymore of the Barrymore family have marked the hotels intensive guest list.

#NeverTrump

Unfortunately their were no tragic stories to suggest anything sinister going on from the quick google search I did. No murders. No suicides. Although, apparently guests used to sneak into the hotel kitchen to find out how the chef made his famous salad dressing. None succeeded.

These three college students enjoyed our stay there. It was gorgeous and historic, just like my mother. We might have spent too much money, but with beds as soft and wifi as quick, what is the cost of a hotel room when split three ways? We even used the gym and found the ice room. The hotel practically played for itself. I have a bottle of hair conditioner in my luggage right now.

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Something Borrowed, Something Blue, & Something To Read

9/10/2015

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I didn't spend a solid two days reading a book to not tell you about it. I've finally gotten around to reading Emily Giffin's Something Blue. I swear I thought her last name was Griffin not Giffin. Emily Giffin is a queen in the category of romance novelist.

I love her work. It's quick, fast paced, and always delectable in a tasteful way. I own a few copies of her books. All of them are courtesy of my older sister. Her husband forced her to get rid of all of her books in exchange for an e-reader. Now she has a kindle and a non existent book case.

My mother was the recipient of some of her books. My mother only reads Christian fiction and I came into contact with two novels by Giffin. Her breakout novel Something Borrowed and Baby Proof (my former personal favorite).

Now I would love to delve in the intricacies and of her other works like Heart of the Matter and Love The One You're With, but we have a star filled movie and two novels to tear apart.

The first book I read by her was Something Borrowed. The one that had a feature film tie in. It was the romantic comedy of summer 2011. I saw it twice in theaters. Once with the twins and the second with my great Aunt. The last time I watched it was when I was on my 19th birthday after my mother bought it for me at Target.

Now Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel stealing her best friend Darcy's fiancee Dex days before their wedding day. Talk about sharing. Now Rachel does come across more sympathetic then my little blurb suggests. This was Emily Giffin's first novel and frankly not her best. It was however enjoyable, although I never quite gelled with the lead love interest.

He might have been attractive and wealthy, but he was an ass. He was indecisive and I was not about him. He needed to get his shit together. It was the same thing in the movie. Each time I read the book or watched the movie I hoped she would end up with her best friend Ethan. I didn't want Rachel with Dex. She was too pure of a cinnamon roll for him. Needless to say I didn't get what I wanted.

We were supposed to side with Rachel. After all Darcy was a bitch, but I always sided with her. I liked Darcy. I've always had a thing for the bitch.

Darcy is immaculately played by Kate Hudson in the film version. And, frankly Ginnifer Goodwin was her typical boring self as Rachel in the film. Although, shout out to her for keeping that role alive on Once Upon A Time. I think Ginnifer Goodwin is boring but she seems really sweet. I love what they did with Ethan in the movie. He was so cute and funny and if we're being honest it's the reason I started crushing as hard as I do on John Krasinski. Although, I do live for him and Emily Blunt's romance.

The lead was as dull and flat and two dimensional as could be expected. Dex was played by a reasonably attractive Colin Egglesfield. Although, I've always thought his face was somewhat disproportionate.

Kate Hudson played Darcy

John Krasinski played Ethan

Ginnifer Goodwin played Rachel

Colin Egglesfield played Dex

It might not sound like I enjoyed this movie, but it's a guilty pleasure. I live for it. If you need a good rom com please watch it. Queue it up on your Netflix.

This was not the corner piece in Emily Giffin's career in my opinion. Until I stopped at the library and picked up Something Blue. The follow up to Something Borrowed that tells the story from Darcy's perspective.

Author Emily Giffin (far right) reading a copy of Something Borrowed

It killed my body. Darcy is vain shallow and pretentious. She's a bitch and frankly far more entertaining a story teller then Rachel was. This book was my life. Of course Darcy stumbles upon some realizations and becomes less of a self centered bitch with the perfect life.

This book slayed. I say skip reading Something Borrowed and just read Something Blue. It gives you all the background information you need and it's ten times more entertaining. I'm honestly so upset that the movie version wasn't successful enough to warrant this sequel. Because, it is more of a sequel then a retelling of the original novel.

Something Blue knocked Baby Proof off the top of my favorite books by Emily Giffin. Kate Hudson deserves to shine in a sequel. It would be so good. It could be a television series. You could put on Lifetime if they would make it. I would live.

The summer is technically over, but if you have time on your hands or a free weekend to grab a book may I suggest Emily Giffin. Pick at random or go for Something Blue. You won't go wrong.

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Giorgio By Moroder

8/13/2015

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Legendary record producer. Italian. Giorgio Moroder is one of the most legendary people that you may or may not have heard of. I've brought him up a few times on the blog and mentioned him on the YouTube channel. He's worked with everyone from Blondie to Daft Punk and is an icon in his own right.

Personally, I'm surprised that he's never worked with Madonna. This is the man who built the disco sound. During the eighties Madonna had relatively small set of collaborators, but still when she went retro with Confessions on a Dancefloor I'm surprised she didn't enlist Giorgio Moroder.

The man is in his late seventies at this point. But, as he addressed in a recent song he released “74 is the new 24”. The person he most directly helped achieve international stardom was Donna Summer. He produced most of her iconic hits. The ones that everyone knows.

These range from “Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff” from Donna's highest selling album Bad Girls to her breakout hit “Love To Love You Baby”. Her duet with Barbra Streisand “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” was also deftly handled by his hit making skills. Other accomplishments with Donna Summer include “Last Dance”, “MacArthur Park”, “On The Radio”, and “I Feel Love”. Giorgio Moroder is the man who pioneered the sound that disco heralded.

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He never found another voice that mirrored the success he had with Donna. But, he still translated his skills into multiple hits for other singers. He's the man responsible for Blondie's most iconic hit “Call Me”. This isn't that surprising as it was written for the movie American Gigolo. The highlight being Richard Gere's full frontal scene. Giorgio Moroder was the man behind the soundtrack.

In his later career he made a lot of work with the film industry, producing and writing the instrumentals that heralded a movie. Some of these included Cat People (David Bowie was in it), Flash Dance, and Over The Top.

Surprisingly enough he was not one of the main producers behind the Top Gun soundtrack. The movie that launched Tom Cruise to super stardom and the soundtrack that sold over 9 million copies in the United States. He was however the one behind two of it's most prominent hits. The song that launched Berlin “Take My Breath Away”. Otherwise known as the love theme to Top Gun and the always up tempo Kenny Loggins “Danger Zone”.

Giorgio Moroder was anything if not pliable to what different artists need. The vivacity a Kenny Loggins track produces is inherently different then what would be required of a Donna Summer hit.

He lay dormant to the pop scene for two solid decades. Then, what was old became new again. Dance music was back in. The sound Giorgio Moroder lead was back. This was made infinitely clear when Daft Punk enlisted him for their Grammy award winning Random Access Memories. The album that's sold 3.2 million copies and allowed him to return for a solo debut as a DJ.

Not only as Giorgio Moroder being hosting raves in the desert. He recently dropped his own LP in the style of Calvin Harris and David Guetta featuring numerous high profile guest stars. On Deja Vu he hits his stride with his female lead tracks.

Sia nails it with “Deja Vu”, Kylie Minogue voice throbs over an addictive bass with “Right Here, Right Now”, Charli XCX sounds every bit the rebel she is with “Diamonds”, Britney Spears nails and I dare I say improves “Tom's Diner”, but the highlight is most certainly Kelis's “Back and Forth”. Kelis hasn't sounded this good or this current since her collaboration with Calvin Harris on “Bounce”. It's gritty and ecstatic.

It's all thanks to Giorgio Moroder.

Buy "Right Here, Right Now"

Buy "Tom's Diner"

Buy "Back and Forth"

Buy "Deja Vu"

His two dalliances with male artists just don't land. “Tempted” gives off a filler track vibe that Cobra Starship is famous for delivering. And, the Mikky Ekko led “Don't Let Go” is far too serious for such a light and enjoyable album.

The one thing Deja Vu proves is that 74 might not be the new 24, but it certainly has circled around to it. Giorgio Moroder sounds current without sacrificing his artistic merit and with over 40 years in the industry, there's a lot.

Buy Deja Vu

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Grease Is The Word

7/1/2015

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There's nothing more iconic then Grease. It's one of those movies everyone has to see. There's not a single person who doesn't like this movie. You can't trust someone who doesn't like Grease. If they don't like this movie their obviously going through some mental issues that you don't have the time to help them work through.

This movie came out in the summer of 1978. Not only was the movie a smash, but it's soundtrack became the definitive Grease. It boasted the Frankie Valli led theme song “Grease”, two outings with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the lead with “You're The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights”, along with the Olivia Newton John solo “Hopelessly Devoted To You”. It's no surprise that it went on to sell over 28 million copies worldwide.

I became a proud owner recently and I might I add that it was the best decision of my entire life. If you grew up with this movie in your life. You need the soundtrack. Anyone who decides to get rid of it should be hospitalized.

Of course I suffered through the movie again, so I could accurately throwback. Let's just start with that cartoon intro. I have a soft place for it in my heart. It's so cute and adorable. It's perfect actually. It invokes childhood and that's what this movie is for most of us.

I feel like the obsession that Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta had with one another was never really expressed well enough. Now don't get me wrong. John Travolta was kind of hot with that cigarette dangling out of his mouth. What happened to him. Neither of them aged particularly well, but Olivia is 66. She looks good, I just feel like John got his face pulled one too many times.

Rewatching this movie as an “adult” I caught so many things. Danny and Kenickie had there three friends. They acted a fool. They were basically the three stooges. All of the T-Birds acted out masculinity. Danny and Kenickie had that moment when they were like “I love you as a bro” and then they pretended to be chill. Because, real men don't have emotions or care about people. Whatever.

As a child I never caught that Rizzo was pregnant. Rizzo is honestly my favorite character. I understand and relate to her the most. She's a strong female. Who just kind of powers through with this strength. She's also queen bitch of the Pink Ladies and lord knows I need that jacket. My favorite song in the whole movie is “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”. She lists all these things that are terrible things, but the worst possible thing she can do is cry in front of Kenickie. I feel that on a spiritual level. There are plenty of boys that have made me cry, but I be damned if I'm going to cry in front of them.

The romance between Kenickie and Rizzo is also a lot closer to my heart. Kenickie is supposed to be this bad boy who has all this sex, but he lost his virginity to Rizzo. Do not be mistaken. When there in that car he says “it broke. I bought it in the 7th grade.” He's talking about a condom. He wanted to be cool. That's it. Rizzo decides it doesn't matter and they have sex.

When she gets pregnant and Kenickie finally finds out he wants to be there for her. Yes. He's excited when it turns out she isn't, but they're barely out of high school. That's not as douchey as it seems. I just love them. I love them so much.

This movie is problematic. There's no denying that. However, watching it with a critical eye I realize that Sandy wasn't the only one changing. Danny tried changing for her. Danny at his core was a good guy. It was all the posturing with the T-Birds that made him act like an ass. Whenever, he hurt Sandy's feelings it was to impress them.

The only time I don't see why he was so insistent was when they were in the drive in movie and he kind of forced himself on her. That seemed unnecessary. It's the kind of thing Danny Zuko was supposed to do and that's why I think he acted on it.

He also tried sports for Sandy. He decided to go prep for Sandy at the end, and then Olivia Newton-John came out in that sexy skin tight black patent leather and slayed the world with that hair. Sandy made the change so she could be with Danny, but I really feel it was something she was comfortable doing. The reason her ears weren't pierced was because of her father. She was a good girl.

Sandy's friends and the people she aligned herself with were the delinquents. I think this transition was for her. Now, that doesn't mean this isn't problematic, but it's the way it is. It's also ironic that they both tried to change for each other when the theme song of Grease literally says “we can be who we are”.

The dance was pivotal. Marty through herself at the older announcer. Rizzo slayed up and down that fucking gym floor in that red spotted dress. I just love Stockard Channing. Killed it. Of course Danny fucked up again when he let himself dance with Cha Cha, who as Frenchie put it was “the best dancer at St. Bernadette's with the worst reputation.” Cha Cha was hot, though. I blame Danny and I also don't blame him.

"Beauty School Dropout"

Frenchie is the only one who made it in Grease 2 (and no we're not talking about that train wreck). She turned her hair a lovely shade of pink. She was sweet and loveable. Frankie Avalon sang to her and told her not to become a beautician unless she wanted to style hookers. Which, really sounds like a lot of fun.

The car scene where they raced on thunder roadvmade my day. I teared up a little. It was amazing. My father cut the “Greased Lightening” scene out of the VHS tape. I guess he didn't want me seeing John Travolta gyrating in suggestive manners. He didn't want me to get the wrong idea.

The only other thing about this movie that I just adored was how short the boys shorts were. To have been alive in the racist homophobic era of the fifties would have been so much fun.

Someday I hope to also be dressed in skin tight leather. A cigarette in my hand. Cue the music and say “Tell me about it. Stud.” And crush the cigarette under my stiletto. Grease is life goals

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Hold Your Breath For Eight Years

6/17/2015

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On the 16th Hilary Duff released her fourth studio album Breathe In. Breathe Out. This is my millionth friendly reminder to buy it. We had to wait for eight years for this album. I am not waiting another eight years. What the actual fuck was that Hilary.

In commemoration of the album event of the year. I'm rehashing all her past albums and reliving my childhood. I feel like it doesn't count. But, the Lizzie McGuire Soundtrack. Every 19 year old has that album or has it had it at some point in their lives or at the very least has a working concept of it. I can't honestly sit here and tell you it's high quality recording. What I can tell you is that “Why Not” is still my shit and Taylor Dayne's cover of RuPaul's “Supermodel” is amazing.

Buy "Why Not"

The “Tide Is High” is also on there. We have all sang to that song with hairbrush in hand. That's the moment I realized me and Lizzie McGuire are the same person. I've also shouted out the lyrics to “You Make Me Feel Like A Star”. If your a late 90's kid this soundtrack is essential.

Her first album was Metamorphosis (or her Christmas album, but I'm not even going there). Please don't buy Metamorphosis. I love it, because it's my childhood Not, because it's quality recording. It's on the level of ...Baby One More Time and that was not the highlight of Britney's recording career. Highlight is definitely “Come Clean”

I have a friend and I love her to death, but she was morally offended by the fact that Hilary Duff named her album Metamorphosis. She was like no that's tied to Kafka, Hilary Duff can't just do that. I rolled my eyes. She's philosophical and I'm a pretty face. She probably had a point.

Buy "Come Clean"

We're skipping over the Cinderella Story Soundtrack. Mainly because I don't have it and secondly because “Our Lips Are Sealed” is not a quality Hilary Duff recording. Her second album was self titled. I think it's a little lengthy, but it gives a lot of good Avril Lavigne vibes. Some songs could have been cut, but I feel it in every part of my body. The personal stand out for me is “Weird”. But, I have and will rock out to “Fly”, “Shine” and even to the cliched lyrics of “Rock This World”. I have no shame.

Buy "Weird"

Then, she did a greatest hits. God, knows why. It was called Most Wanted. I got it a Salvation Army for one dollar. It was the greatest find of my life. None of the new recordings are worth mentioning. The only one I've listened to on repeat is “Break My Heart” and if it wasn't so applicable to my life I would never listen to it.

Buy "Break My Heart"

Fast forward three years from 2005 to 2008 and the newest Hilary Duff album is Dignity. This is the first album I ever bought. I can't judge it from a reasonable perspective. It's perfect. It's a five star album. It's what I compare every album I buy to. It's dance and sexy. “Gypsy Woman” is a fun song on the album. My niece and I can turn up to that song. My personal favorite is still going to have to be “Play With Fire”. It's been eight years and I can rap every word to that song flawlessly. It's kind of embarrassing.

Buy "Play With Fire"

What's actually embarrassing is how I got this album. I was a shy young child who did not understand the concept of the alphabet and I went up to a clerk and I asked if they had “Hilary Duff's Dignity”. They laughed. I wanted to die. I got the album and I listened to it every day for a month and every other day for three months. I know most of the words by memory and there is now wear on the CD from all the times I've played it.

There was another random greatest hits. See my Snapshot Saturday day I did on it's lead single “Reach Out” for my opinion. It's flawless for an unnecessary greatest hits.

Link to full article: Reach Out & Touch Me

Now here we are in 2015 and the newest installment is here with Breathe In. Breathe Out. I can't be subjective. Your just going to have give me a few months to read it or label it certified ten times platinum. Right now I'm gagging and in love. Get yourself a copy and enjoy your summer properly.

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They're Back Pitches

12/18/2014

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The trailer has finally come out for the sequel of the decade.

Pitch Perfect will be slapping us in the face on May 15th of 2015. I'm ready. I have been ready. This movie is all I'm really living for. That and Madonna's new album and subsequent tour.

I've seen Pitch Perfect a million odd times. I was obsessed with this movie. I had Pitch Perfect viewing parties. I forced people to watch this movie. I would still force people to watch it. I love it. Of course I have the soundtrack. If you don't have it, you are not acatastic. You are probably a member of the Sockapellas. I don't know what to say to you.

If you haven't seen this movie I can't be friends with you. Funny thing about that is that's something I said to Buttercup and it came true. This movie is also the reason I stopped talking to Miss Sara Bellum. This movie has systematically ruined my friendships.

It's like an addiction.

Now of course Sara Bellum and I are friends again. It did however put a deep riff in our friendship. We didn't talk for a good eight months? I don't know. I would tell you all the dirty details of why this severed our loving relationship, but honestly I don't remember what it was about. Like it was the high note that lost The Treblemakers the national championship, but it wasn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. It just was the final breaking point.

This movie is the reason for a lot of my obsessions. I love Rebel Wilson, I even watcher her not very good show Super Fun Night, because of her role as Fat Amy. I have also danced like a mermaid, because of her. I am an embarrassment to society.

It also introduced me to Anna Kendrick, who is hysterical on twitter. I've said that before. I will say it everyday. I love her twitter account. She may not tweet a lot, but when she does you retweet it. You add it to your favorites. You embrace it as part of your family.

To the dude who just called me a "spinner" - You think I haven't seen enough porn to know what that means, but the joke's on YOU. Wait.
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) November 10, 2014

Then, there is Ester Dean who plays Cynthia Rose. The fiercest lesbian. Ester Dean is just a bad ass singer/songwriter. She's written for Beyonce, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj. I repeat that she has written for BEYONCE. Once, you've written for Beyonce you can just die. Your life goals have been completed.

I might be a common white girl being obsessed with Pitch Perfect the way I am. After all everyone was obsessed with this movie. I just love this movie so much. We are all ready for this sequel. This movie slays me. I do not mind saying that. I will be a common white girl. I wear scarves to school and I bought 1989 the day it came out. Sometimes you just got to be a stereotype.

The reason I did this throwback Thursday was so I would put it out there that Pitch Perfect 2 is coming to theaters in May, but knowing me I will end up doing a Media Monday article on the fact that my favorite movie is coming out, and then a Friday Favorites on how great this movie is. Be prepared for the onslaught.

Also Todrick Hall put out a very funny, Pitch Perfect parody, Bitch Perfect on YouTube in November. I love it and it also makes me very uncomfortable. You know Todrick. Embrace it or don't. I'm in between on that. I'm honestly not sure, which way I'm leaning.

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Prom Night

The Roberts Mayfair Magnolia Hotel

Something Borrowed, Something Blue, & Something To Read

Giorgio By Moroder

Grease Is The Word

Hold Your Breath For Eight Years

They're Back Pitches

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Prom Night

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Something Borrowed, Something Blue, & Something To Read﻿

Giorgio By Moroder

Grease Is The Word

Hold Your Breath For Eight Years

They're Back Pitches

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Something Borrowed, Something Blue, & Something To Read