Entertainment News
Elon Musk and Ivanka Trump Tweet About Taking “the Red Pill,” Promptly Get Eviscerated by Lilly Wachowski
When Elon Musk and Ivanka Trump used a reference from The Matrix to promote conservative policies, Matrix co-creator Lilly Wachowski chimed in to say, “Fuck both of you.” It all began earlier today, when Elon Musk tweeted out the words, “Take the red pill.” On its face, this is an allusion to an early scene in 1999’s The Matrix. The character of Neo (Keanu Reeves) is offered a choice between a red pill and a blue pill, which represent facing reality or returning to the pleasant illusions of a computer simulation. But the phrase has accumulated charged political meanings over the years. In many internet communities, “taking the red pill” is a euphemism for a conservative political awakening, and TheRedPill is the name of a notorious misogynist subreddit. Right-wing figures in...
R.I.P. Geno Silva, Scarface Actor Dead at 72
Geno Silva, the veteran character actor best known for playing the hitman who kills Al Pacino’s Tony Montana in Scarface, has died at the age of 72. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Silva died on May 9th at his home in Los Angeles due to complications from dementia. Over the course of his four-decade career, Silva appeared in films including Tequila Sunrise, Mulholland Drive, and The Lost World: Jurassic Park. On television, his credits included episodes of Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Walker, Texas Ranger, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Alias. But Silva will, without a doubt, be best remembered for playing The Skull, Alejandro Sosa’s silent chief assassin who shoots Tony Montana in the back at the end of Scarface. Revisit the scene in question below. Silva’s family is asking that donati...
Roger Waters Performs “Mother” in Quarantine: Watch
This period of social isolation has proven quite fruitful for fans of Pink Floyd. In addition to the band’s weekly YouTube concert series, both David Gilmour and Roger Waters have streamed their own distinct solo performances from quarantine. On Sunday, Waters returned with his latest such video: a socially-distant rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Mother”. The video, which you can see below, features Waters and his touring band (including Lucius!) performing The Wall track from their respective homes. “Social distancing is a necessary evil in COVID world,” Waters wrote to introduce the video. “Watching ‘Mother’ reminds me just how irreplaceable the joy of being in a band is.” Waters, who was forced to postpone his “This Is Not a Drill” North American tour because of COVID-19, previously per...
R.I.P. Lynn Shelton, Acclaimed Indie Filmmaker Dead at 54
Lynn Shelton, acclaimed independent filmmaker of Humpday, Your Sister’s Sister, and last year’s Sword of Trust, passed away in Los Angeles on Friday. She was 54. Shelton’s longtime publicist Adam Kersh confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she died as a result of a previously unidentified blood disorder. Born in Ohio, Shelton attended Oberlin College before going on to study Drama at Seattle’s University of Washington. She continued exploring the arts in New York City, receiving a Master’s of Fine Arts in photography and related media at the School of Visual Arts. After cutting her teeth as a film editor in the industry, Shelton began setting the template for the indie filmmaking movement of the aughts. Her 2006 debut We Go Way Back turned heads at that year’s Slamdance Festival, but it...
Mike Patton Performs “Speak Spanish or Die” in Quarantine with Stormtroopers of Death: Watch
Faith No More singer Mike Patton has delivered a quarantine performance of “Speak Spanish or Die” with reunited members of Stormtroopers of Death (made up of current and former Anthrax members). The song is a lyrical reworking of title track from S.O.D.’s 1985 debut album, Speak English or Die. Last month, the S.O.D. members — Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and guitarist Scott Ian, along with former Anthrax bassist Dan Lilker — unveiled a quarantine performance of “March of the S.O.D.” It marked the first activity from the crossover thrash band since 2007. Patton, meanwhile, had performed “Speak Spanish or Die” during the February run of reunion shows by Mr. Bungle, who featured Scott Ian in their live lineup for those gigs. In the socially distant version of the track, Patton is seen wit...
Martin Shkreli Denied Early Release From Prison
Looks like America will need to come up with another way of finding a COVID-19 vaccine: a federal judge has denied Martin Shkreli’s request for an early release from prison. Last month, Shkreli petitioned the court for an early release, saying that he had “been conducting significant research into developing molecules to inhibit the coronavirus.” “Mr. Shkreli has spent countless hours while incarcerated researching disease treatments and possible cures for COVID-19,” his lawyers wrote in a formal request. “His current project has been well received. One company is prepared to begin working on clinical trials of Mr. Shkreli’s work within weeks.” The judge wasn’t buying it, however. TMZ reports that the judge dismissed the pharmadouche’s claims as yet another example of the “delusional self-...
Fred Willard Tributes: Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Steve Carell & More Honor Comedy Legend
This afternoon brought the sad news of Fred Willard’s passing at the age of 86. The beloved comic and actor was a frequent presence on movie theater and television screens for more than 40 years, and his witty, satirical brand of comedy led to many memorable roles. From film roles in Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and Anchorman, to TV spots on Rosanne, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Modern Family, Willard left a lasting legacy that will not soon be forgotten. As news of his death spread on Saturday, Willard’s former co-stars and friends posted tributes to social media. Jamie Lee Curtis, the wife of Willard’s longtime collaborator Christopher Guest, was one of the first people to confirm his passing. “How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts,” she wrote. “Thanks for th...
Matt Bellamy Buys Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” Guitar
When Matt Bellamy heard there was a secret chord, he knew he had to have it. In a recent interview with Guitar World, the Muse frontman revealed he purchased Jeff Buckley’s legendary 1993 blonde USA Fender Telecaster — the very guitar used to record Grace and his biggest hit ever, “Hallelujah” — with the intent of playing it on Muse’s next album. There’s no understating how moving Buckley’s legendary ballad is or the album it comes from, as “Hallelujah” is one of the most popular songs to cover off an album that continues to inspire artists 25 years later. Thankfully, Bellamy didn’t buy the guitar with the intent of framing it and idolizing it as the piece of music history that it is. Instead, he wants to continue using it to make art. “I’ve bought it to actually attempt to use it and inte...
Stay Safe With This Damn Fine Face Mask
Enter the Red Room with this damn fine mask that’s as strong as a cup of black coffee. Because in reality, it’s not only the owls who aren’t what they seem anymore. Available now in packs of two, four, and six, this “Red Room Mask” is one of four designs available as part of a capsule of specialty designed face masks supporting Consequence of Sound, an independently owned company, and MusiCares’ COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund. The mask is reusable and washable, made in the USA from recyclable bottles, and of the highest quality. The MSRP value for a 2-pack is $40.00, but we are offering them at a 25-42% off discount along with free shipping. Order yours below, or head to our newly launched web store to see our full offering of face masks. On a side note, if you’re interested in submitting you...
New Music Friday: 6 Songs You Need to Hear
Each Friday, Consequence of Sound rounds up the most exciting new music to hit our inbox. Today, May 15th, brings fresh singles from the likes of OneDa, Christian Lopez, The Sea The Sea, Lila Ikè, American Trappist, and Cat Clyde. Take a listen below, and keep track of all our favorite New Sounds via our exclusive Spotify Playlist. Christian Lopez – “Sick of Me” [embedded content] At just 24 years old, Christian Lopez has made a name for himself as a rock-tinted americana singer-songwriter. The Los Angeles-via-Nashville artist sounds like a cross between Chris Daughtry and The All-American Rejects on his newest single, “Sick of Me”, which uses an explosive chorus to highlight Lopez’s strengths not just as a songwriter, but as a pop-leaning country vocalist. According to Lopez, “Sick of Me”...
R.I.P. Fred Willard, Beloved Comic and Actor Dead at 86
Fred Willard, the beloved comic and actor who kept Hollywood laughing with roles in This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, and Anchorman, has died at the age of 86. Willard’s daughter, Hope, told The Hollywood Reporter that her father passed “very peacefully” from natural causes. “He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever,” Hope added. A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Willard began pursuing comedy in the 1950s, following a brief tenure in the US Army. He was initially part of a comedy duo with Vic Grecco, performing in clubs in New York’s Greenwich Village. He later moved to Chicago and became a member of the city’s legendary comedy troupe, Second City...
Remembering Ronnie James Dio 10 Years After His Passing: Interview with Wendy Dio
It’s been 10 years since the world lost one of the greatest voices of heavy metal and hard rock, the iconic Ronnie James Dio. The singer had a legendary career, ranging from doo-wop bands in the late ’50s to a reunion with his onetime Black Sabbath bandmates as Heaven & Hell in the 21st century. Born Ronald James Padavona on July 10, 1942 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Dio was raised in Cortland, New York, and became a trumpet player at an early age. Eventually, his vocal talents led him to singing in a variety of doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll bands (including Ronnie Dio and the Redcaps). By the time he became the singer in Elf (earlier going by the name the Electric Elves), he began to find the style of music that best suited his voice – hard rock, and later, heavy metal. Elf opened shows ...
