#.thanks musexmoirai

[acsversace-news]

 ACS Versace has been nominated for 4 Gold Derby TV Decade Awards

BEST LIMITED SERIES: “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”

BEST MOVIE/MINI ACTOR: Darren Criss, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”

BEST MOVIE/MINI SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Penelope Cruz, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”

BEST MOVIE/MINI SUPPORTING ACTOR: Cody Fern, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”

Registered users can VOTE HERE. Voting ends Oct 31.

[d-criss-news]

Central Park, Josh Gad’s charming new animated musical comedy about the lives in and around the New York City landmark, features an all-star cast whose past roles include Frozen, Broadway’s Hamilton and more. So how did Gad assemble an Avengers of musical comedy? "A lot of sleepless nights and desperate phone calls," the performer, who created the series alongside Bob’s Burgers’ Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith, tells ET. 

"The one thing that I'm adamant about is I want to assemble a cast that isn't going to have to fake it to make it [and] that represents the best of musical theater so that we're not only writing great songs but we have the people who are going to be able to deliver the goods," Gad continues, determined that the Apple TV+ originalcaptures what Bouchard and Smith have done on Bob's Burgers and turns it into a fully realized musical event series. 

——

The series is filled with what Bell calls “radio-worthy” original musical numbers written by the likes of Aimee Mann, Cyndi Lauper, Darren Criss, Meghan Trainor, Sara Barielles and others. Additionally, there are voice cameos by Bob’s Burgers star H. Jon Benjamin, Fred Armisen and others in the first few episodes. 

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Central Park is now streaming on Apple TV+.

[mintysmoothie]

Historical influences on American Crime Story  → Andrew Cunanan and David Madson   

[gleekto]

Americana: Prologue Excerpt featuring Darren Criss and Lauren Lopez

Posted 7  years ago.

[sunshineoptimismandangels]

slayediest mentioned you in a post “Get to Know You Meme Tagged by @nikkisrandomthingsfan!!  woo thanks!...”

…tag…. @room108, @lallagoglee, @ sunshineoptimismandangels , @woweejoeyrichter, @musexmoirai, @kriskubed,

I also ship Buffy with nobody! Good call. 

[acsversace-news]

The most upsetting and unexpectedly profound art experience I’ve had lately was watching the 2018 TV series The Assassination of Gianni Versace. A riveting study in shame, self-loathing and damnation, the series set itself an audacious narrative and moral challenge: it began in media res with the preppy, erudite serial killer Andrew Cunanan committing acts so repugnantly vicious they put him beyond any hope of redemption, and then, by way of a slow-burning reverse chronology, lured its audience into a disturbed empathy with him.

No less provocative was the show’s flirtation with nihilism in consciously positioning itself – and its audience – within the same symbiotic matrix of mass-media violence and voyeurism it interrogated, by exploiting the trauma of lives already shattered by Cunanan’s actions in an entertainment that was as lurid as it was politically sophisticated.

The book that did much of the heavy lifting the series drew from is reporter Maureen Orth’s extensive account of Andrew Cunanan’s life and killing spree, and the resultant manhunt and media carnival. Vulgar Favours grew out of a long-form piece for Vanity Fair – Cunanan’s favourite magazine – that Orth had already been commissioned to write before the fugitive turned up in South Beach, Miami. It was there, after lying low in sleazy hotels and gay bars, that Cunanan murdered his fifth and famous victim, before turning a gun on himself in a boathouse surrounded by TV-network helicopters and armed police.

Though written only two decades ago, the book promulgates certain prejudices that now seem laughable. Cunanan enjoyed drugs and pornography: “Experts on serial-killer behaviour say the combination can be explosive.” The TV series’ brazen nods to the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel American Psycho turn out to be more than a brinkmanship of tastelessness: Cunanan was transfixed by Ellis’s fiction, identifying heavily with his blank, dissipated rich kids. At a gay nightclub hours before he shot Versace in the head, someone asked Cunanan what he did for a living. “I’m a serial killer,” came his blithe, Batemanesque reply.

[acsversace-news]

Cody Fern of "House of Cards:" No Small Parts 

Cody Fern has made a big impression for his dramatic roles in "American Crime Story" and "American Horror Story," and plays a mysterious, pivotal role in the final season of "House of Cards." "No Small Parts" takes a look at his short but impressive IMDb resumé. | 2 November 2018

[acsversace-news]

Darren Criss dedicated his Golden Globe win to his mother during Sunday night’s live broadcast, and he plans to give the statue to her as well.

“This one’s definitely going to my parents,” he told the Hollywood Reporter backstage at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

Criss won the Golden Globe for best actor in a limited series. He played Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” a role for which he also won an Emmy.

“I texted my Dad beforehand and said, ‘If things go our way, I think I’m gonna dedicate it to mom. Just know that means you as well.’ He said, ‘As long as you honor her, you honor me,’ because he’s a smoothie! What a charming thing to say,” the 31-year-old added in his post-show interview.

When Criss got on stage, he thanked the usual suspects: his fellow nominees, creator Ryan Murphy, fiancée Mia Swier, his cast and crew. He ended his speech with a few words about diversity (he is the first Filipino-American Golden Globe winner) and his mother.

“As we’ve seen, it’s been a marvelous year for representation in Hollywood,” he said. “And I am so enormously proud to be a teeny, tiny part of that as the son of a firecracker Filipina woman from Cebu that dreamed of coming to this country and getting to be invited to cool parties like this. So Mom, I know you’re watching this. You are hugely responsible for most of the good things in my life. I love you dearly. I dedicate this to you.”

The San Francisco native ended his speech with a celebratory, “This is totally awesome!” Criss’ first brush with fame was when a Harry Potter parody called “A Very Potter Musical” went viral in 2009. “Totally awesome” was a catchphrase in the musical and its two sequels.

[acsversace-news]

9. Complicated Andrew Cunanan Feelings

Oh look! It’s Darren Criss! From Glee! But...he’s a monster. But so charismatic? How TF am I supposed to feel watching The Assassination of Gianni Versace?

My point here is that it’s an emotional roller coaster to watch an actor do such a great job at becoming someone so awful. And quite frankly, it’s annoying.

[acsversace-news]

23. “American Crime Story” (FX, 2016 – present)

A spin-off of the horror anthology series, “American Horror Story,” also from executive producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, each season is presented as a self-contained miniseries, following separate unrelated true events. The first season, “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” fictionalized the murder trial of O.J. Simpson; the second season, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” explored the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace by killer Andrew Cunanan. Both are multiple Emmy-winning seasons, and each is produced with the highest quality writing, directing, and acting, illuminating details of each case that may have been previously overlooked or just not made public. It’s intentionally provocative, addicting drama that unfolds deliberately, revealing far more complex murder mysteries than previously perceived, and anchored by career-defining performances in lead roles, notably in the cases of Sterling K. Brown and Darren Criss in seasons 1 and 2 respectively.—TO

[acsversace-news]

12. Darren Criss's Emmy Award-winning turn as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Goodbye Blaine Anderson, because now every time we think of Darren Criss, we're reminded of his chilling performance as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. His Emmy win was totally worth it this year as he portrayed a complicated antagonist that stole every single scene.

[acsversace-news]

DARREN CRISS IN DIOR HOMME

Darren Criss made history last night when he was the first Filipino American to win a Golden Globe (Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series) for his role as Andrew Cunanan in Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

And while he tearfully dedicated his award to his proud Filipino mom, we are dedicating his dapper floral Dior Homme tux to our fashion hall of fame. Seriously, just how yummy does he look?? My word, looks like Blaine Anderson's all grown up now, huh!

[acsversace-news]

10 best true crime shows to watch on Netflix

1. American Crime Story

There are two seasons of American Crime Story which focuses on two different but true events. One is focused on the case of OJ Simpson, who was the prime suspect for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The second season tells the story of Andy Cunanan, the serial killer who also murdered fashion designer Gianni Versace. Not only do they give us an insight into the minds of the victims as well as the accused, but also shows us the entirety of their proceedings with the police and the law. Be warned though, this show play on your mind for days. Personally, out of the two seasons, we prefer the second one for Darren Criss' stellar performance.

[acsversace-news]

And so to The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Hopes weren’t exactly high for this gem of a series before the ceremony; not only was it written off as a dud compared to The People v OJ Simpson, but it faced some titanic competition in the form of Sharp Objects, A Very English Scandal and – in the acting category – Benedict Cumberbatch. The fact that it won twice, for best limited series and best actor, feels a little like vindication for those of us who fell for it from the start.

It wasn’t a perfect show – the fact that Edgar Ramirez and Penelope Cruz were both nominated for their respective fling-it-at-a-wall-and-see-what-sticks accents remains bewildering – but it was gripping and livid and Darren Criss’ central performance was nothing short of mesmerising. The Golden Globes notoriously gets weak at the knees around big stars (which is presumably why it overlooked the fact that The Kominsky Method is stupid and bad) so for a relative newcomer like Criss to beat the likes of Hugh Grant, Benedict Cumberbatch, Antonio Banderas and Daniel Bruhl is a true achievement.

[acsversace-news]

Ryan Murphy’s new installment of American Crime Story. The Assassination of Gianni Versace   while in episode one  boasts vibrant colors and lavish costumes, quickly turns into a bleak but important and surprisingly timely tale of repression and status. The show stars Edgar Ramirez as the late, great fashion icon, Gianni Versace. Now although, the series begins with the Versace murder, the show’s ultimate focus is on the tragic  backstory of Versace’s killer Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss). As the show flashes back and forth between the stories of Versace and Cunanan, we see two stories of fame, Versace who got it with poise and respect, and Cunanan who gained his fame and notoriety from murder and inflicting horror. This contrast is ultimately at the heart of this story and the one that Murphy and his team are out to tell.

Edgar Ramirez’s performance as Gianni Versace was both sassy and exhilarating. Versace was known for breaking the laws of Italian fashion by focusing on a theme of glamorized, sexy, and vibrant clothing. Not only did Ramirez focus on capturing the fabulous side of Versace, but he also opened a door for the homosexual community. Versace announced he was openly gay in Episode 5 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” alongside his partner Antonio D’Amico (Ricky Martin), in an interview in the gay magazine, The Advocate. Versace was not ashamed of his sexuality and he represented that through his fashion, introducing black leather and bondage references to one of his iconic dresses revealed in episode 7, “Ascent”.

Darren Criss gives an absolutely chilling performance as Gianni Versace’s killer, Andrew Cunanan. For his portrayal of Andrew, Criss sheds his squeaky clean reputation that was on display in his role on Ryan Murphy’s, Glee. The character of Andrew is a compulsive liar, who tells others what they want to hear just to get ahead in his world. He even lies to others about his parents’ careers just to make himself look better. Criss captures this fame obsessed side of Andrew perfectly, and constantly keeps the audience guessing what the character will do next. He is especially chilling in his murder scenes, whenever the character pulls out his favorite weapon of torture, duct tape, the audience knows something horrible is about to happen. With an expression of maniacal pleasure, Criss is a psychopath audiences cannot take their eyes off of.

This is in large part to the depth the actor brings to this complex role. In Criss’s portrayal, Andrew is a three dimensional character, he is someone who has been driven into insanity and greed with a father who lied and spoiled him rotten. We also see at times a more emotional side of Andrew with David Madson’s love interest character. This more vulnerable side of Andrew gives depth to Criss’s performance and ultimately elevates the character greatly from being just a villain or caricature.

Penelope Cruz is a tour de force as Gianni’s sister, Donatella Versace. With golden blonde hair and a wonderfully bizarre accent, Cruz simply transforms into Versace’s bold and brave sister. Cruz’s portrayal has all the stylized touches and campy flair audiences expect from a Ryan Murphy series. Cruz brings moments of surprising warmth and tenderness in moments alone with Ramirez’s Versace or even  just in the characters’ moments of grieving. Cruz also brings a fierce swagger to the role that is simply intoxicating. Just the way the character walks into a fashion show commands attention as it should. This is especially clear in a scene where Donatella is modeling a new dress she made with her brother. The confidence Cruz as the character exudes in this moment is just stunning. Although she doesn’t have as much screen time as the show’s leads, she makes every moment count and is one of the highlights of the series.

Known for their roles in American Horror Story, Finn Wittock (Jeff Trail) and Cody Fern (David Madson), play two friends who shortly become Cunanan’s first victims in this American Crime Story. Wittock and Fern are no strangers to their homosexual portrayal as American Horror Story is known to push boundaries with sexuality, sexism, abuse, basically name a theme and they’ve covered it.

Jeff Trail is a former naval officer who was one of the first people to speak up about being a closeted gay man in the military. He represents a respectable American who loved to serve his country, but his insecurities overpower him as he struggles with his sexuality. Andrew or “Andy” Cunanan helps him explore this side of himself as their relationship unfolds later in the season. Trail and Cunanan develop a friendship from this, since trail feels as if he owes Andrew for helping him come to terms with who he really is. Conanan out of no surprise, takes advantage of their relationship. He repeatedly uses Jeff and his military past to make him look like he’s a token friend who buys Andrew the highest quality gifts for birthdays, etc. Conanan pushes Jeff to his breaking points, constantly bringing up all the guys he’s set him up with to blackmail Jeff into going along with his delusional reality. Just another great example of Andrew Cunanan’s underlying malicious intents throughout the American Crime Story.  

David Madson plays Andrew Cunanan’s love interest on the show. Their story, not as apparent at first unravels itself later in the season. Cunanan was infatuated by Madson and describes him consistently as “the love of his life”. David was an aspiring architect loyal to his friends and loved ones. His relationship with Andrew touches on a theme introduced earlier in the show, relationship abuse. After Conanan murders Jeff, Madson consistently makes little effort to escape from Andrew due to this control he exerted over him, playing on his emotion of fear. Andrew makes it seem like he is protecting David stating that he was an accessory to murder. With David left feeling hopeless and crippled to Andrew as his new partner in crime, he is left with no other choice then to abide by his command in order to stay alive. Madson is also a great example of what the LGBTQ+ community faces everyday with struggling to come out to their loved ones. David in particular has a hard time coming out to his dad, scared of how his father might see him afterwards. His father struggles to accept his son in this new light, but never expresses anything less than his love for him.

Along with the excellent performances, the show also serves as a poent time capsule of LGBTQ+ life in the 1990s. Besides the club and nightlife scene of Miami, the show also explores homophobia as seen through the cops’ discomfort in encountering and interviewing Gianni Versace’s lover, Antonio (played by Ricky Martin). Particularly in episode one, the cop played very convincingly by Will Chase even has trouble understanding the idea that Antonio is Versace’s partner and lover. Just the awkwardness felt between the cop and Antonio in this  small exchange show how far our society has gotten in even openly discussing or even understanding LGBTQ+ topics. Homophobia specifically is given a devastating spotlight in Episode Five, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” that revolves around one of Andrew’s past lovers, Jeff Trail and his time as a closeted gay man in the army. The episode is eye opening as the Jeff character constantly has to hold his sexuality and feelings inside. Wittrock handles this character with devastating realism that is just heartbreaking.

Although this show takes place in the 90s, the series in a way serves as a reminder of how far we have come as a society in terms of LGBTQ+  rights and representation. The show also though sadly serves as a sad reminder that our world is still closed minded and has ways to go in making LGBTQ+ relationships and culture normalized. “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” serves as a cautionary tale of what a destructive family life and greed can do through Cunanan. Also, the series illustrates through the Versace character the value of hard work and a passion for  life. The contrast between the two men is at the heart of this series and is a startling contrast.

[acsversace-news]

Cody Fern

Ryan Murphy’s horror television anthology American Horror Story has had its ups and downs, but one thing that can be counted upon is the stellar performance from the ensemble cast. In the latest season which just recently ended, we got a taste of fresh air by way of Cody Fern, who had a leading role as the antichrist Michael Langdon.

While this wasn’t the first time Fern had with collaborated with Murphy—the duo also worked together on The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story—it was only on Horror Story where Fern’s talents shone through. He was a true tour de force that drove the narrative in a highly compelling manner in every scene he’s in. His brooding, intense eyes only add more depth to his role as the prodigal son of Satan.

With Horror Story already renewed for two more seasons, it’s safe to say that we’d be seeing more of Fern in the coming years. After all, Murphy did tease that he was “cooking up something good” for Fern and two of his regular stars Darren Criss and Finn Wittrock (both were also in Assassination).