>> The Switch
>> Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
>> The Other Guys
>> Salt
>> Inception
>> Cyrus
>> The Last Airbender
>> Grown Ups
>> Toy Story 3
>> The Human Centipede

Opening 9.10.10
>> Resident Evil: Afterlife (R) [trailer]
>> Bran Nue Dae (Limited) (Not Rated) [trailer]
>> Heartbreaker (Limited) (Not Rated) [trailer]
>> I'm Still Here (Limited) (Not Rated) [trailer]
>> Legendary (Limited) (PG-13) [trailer]
>> Lovely, Still (Limited) (PG) [trailer]
>> The Romantics (Limited) (PG-13)
>> The Virginity Hit (Limited) (R) [trailer]

Coming To DVD/Blu-Ray 9.7.10
>> Supernatural: The Complete Fifth Season [buy]
>> The Office: Season Six [buy]
>> Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season [buy]
>> Jillian Michaels: Shred-It With Weights [buy]
>> Criminal Minds: Fifth Season [buy]

Las Vegas: Satan Vacations Here
by Victoria Alexander
August 15, 2005

Autoerotic asphyxiation Pt. 2, Who’s your Daddy, again?, LV DJs, Acquired Situational Narcissism, The Monroe Enema Tapes, and more...

“Passing Out” game or autoerotic asphyxiation? In my August 1st column I wrote a piece about Michael Hutchence’s death (ROCK STAR SEX) by autoerotic asphyxiation. Recently, ABC-TV’s 20/20 did a story on children dying from a popular high-risk game variously called space monkey, space cowboy, knockout, gasp, and rising sun. In Ireland, it's known as the American dream game. Children play it by squeezing a friend's chest or neck to cut off the flow of oxygen. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, you get a sensation of light-headedness, numbness and tingling. And if all goes as planned, the pressure's then released and you get a big rush. That rush is what children crave. Some want it so much, says 20/20’s report, they're now playing the game alone, using shoelaces, ropes, dog leashes, bed sheets and belts. The result can be fatal and is easily confused with suicide.

On ABC’s website, Penny Fortin, the mother of an 11-year-old boy, Thomas, described finding her son. "The first thing I saw was it looked like Thomas was kneeling up against the wall, facing the wall. I remember running over to him and taking him down, removing the dog leash from the coat rack, removing the other part from his neck," she said.

The 20/20 report failed to mention this “game” is medically known as autoerotic asphyxiation. Were the children found naked? Did the children show evidence of having had orgasms? I understand the sensitive nature of these questions, but not calling it autoerotic asphyxiation allows it to remain in the realm of children’s games. Shouldn’t the public be made aware of exactly what it is and what is really driving it? Here is the clinical definition of Autoerotic Asphyxiation: “Self-strangulation for the purpose of sexual arousal. A form of sexual behavior in which the individual masturbates while depriving him or herself of oxygen through hanging, strangulation, or other means.“

In May 1996, Kevin Gilbert (Sheryl Crow's ex-boyfriend) died from what the coroner's report called "autoerotic asphyxiation." He was wearing a black hood and a skirt when his body was found.

Who’s Your Daddy? Daddy’s name just isn’t famous enough to flog. One of my least favorite tabloid cover girls, TV’s skinny Mischa Barton, has a “famous for having rich relatives” boyfriend, the often-photographed Brandon Davis. But his last name is not Davis. Brandon is the grandson of recently deceased, obese and vulgar billionaire oilman Marvin Davis. Brandon goes by his mother’s maiden name having dumped his lackluster dad’s last name, Zarif.

Paris “Press Gluttonous” Hilton, is supposed to be marrying into one of Greece’s wealthiest families. (Well, at least as of August 15, though Latsis’s papa reports the entire thing is a sham.) Hilton is engaged to an unemployed, 22 year-old kid, shipping heir Paris Latsis. But Latsis is his mother’s maiden name. Paris’s mom, billionairess Mariana Kourkoulos, is divorced from his dad, Gregory Kasidokostas.

Recognizing two talented Las Vegas DJs. The very talented DJ Vladimir Lacas works at the popular Diamond Cabaret club. Vlad keeps adding to his vast collection of songs (over 15,000) for the dancers. Vlad has state-of-the-art DJ equipment for the private parties, weddings, and bar mitzvahs he ministers to on his time away from Diamond Cabaret. There doesn’t seem to be any song he cannot instantly provide a dancer or a bride. Vlad have graciously provided me with a CD of my favorite, obscure R&B songs. Vladimir can be reached at apolinair@aol.com and (cell) 702-324-7641. He is at Diamond Cabaret, 3177 S. Highland Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89109 (702) 731-2365.

The MGM Grand is the new home of DJ P, who will hold residency at all three MGM Grand nightclubs: Studio 54, Tabú Ultra Lounge and Teatro Euro Bar. The unusual arrangement will allow DJ P to showcase his skills in three distinctly different settings and solidify MGM Grand as the place in Las Vegas for progressive music and first-class talent. His official debut was August 9th at Studio 54. Welcome DJ P to Vegas!

Iacocca, you are 80 years old! I can’t stand those constant commercials with former Chrysler Corp. chairman Lee (The AutoYoda) Iacocca. Does anyone buying a car today even know who Iacocca is? I especially hate the one with his granddaughter. Does she need a job? Will she have a singing career next? I hope Lee’s not behind the wheel of a car driving around Las Vegas. With his money, shouldn’t he have a chauffeur?

It’s New! “Acquired Situational Narcissism”. New York Magazine (July 25, 2005) ran a fascinating article called “Celebrity and Its Discontents: A Diagnosis” by Vanessa Grigoriadis. Here is a succinct overview from the article:

“In every autobiography of a famous person, you find that a parent has either died, been punishing, or been terribly neglecting,” says Sue Erikson Bloland, a psychoanalyst in private practice and daughter of ego psychologist Erik Erikson, whose childhood followed a similar pattern. This void is then filled by a mentoring figure, a grandparent or teacher or even the other parent, who makes a narcissistic investment in the star. The child grabs the chance at love, but it’s a trap. Jessica Simpson’s lifetime of encouragement from her father, the one who pushed her to sing and also made her promise to remain a virgin (his virgin) until she married, is all about reducing her to his puppet (a pretty puppet). Not content to leave the study of celebrities to tabloid body-language experts, the psychological community is coming to terms with celebrity psychopathology.

“The modern medical term—the famous term, the celebrity term, the superstar of psychological monikers—is acquired situational narcissism (coined by a doctor who may know whereof he speaks, since he refused an interview because he didn’t appear in the “Best Doctors” issue of this magazine).”

The Monroe Enema Tapes. Former Los Angeles prosecutor John W. Miner, who was head of the District Attorney's medical-legal section when Marilyn Monroe died, has come forward with a transcript he says is based on tapes Marilyn Monroe recorded at her home for her psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson. Miner says he compiled the transcript after Greenson played him the tapes during an interview he conducted as part of the investigation into her death. Marilyn, who, by the way, often talks in the third person (an ASN signature), chats on about enemas, lending some weirdness to the creepy rumor she was given a lethal enema that killed her.

“About enemas. You and Dr. Freud say every child goes through an anal development stage when the child first gets to neural control of the anal sphincters. Dr. Freud says the sexual and the excremental are always mixed together. You told me that childhood experiences during the anal development stage can cause a fixation which play a part in later sexual development. Maybe that happened to me and we'll get at it in analysis. You know I have a very poor memory of my early childhood... I began remembering a little bit about the enemas I had as a child. They were what you and Dr. Freud call repressed memories. I'll work on it and give you another tape.

”But Doctor, I don't understand this big taboo about enemas. Most of the actresses I know use them, even some who won't admit it.

”Mae West told me she is given an enema every day and she has at least one orgasm a day... Mae says her enemas and orgasms will keep her young until she is 100. I hope she makes it. A nice lady even though she turned down making a picture with me. That just shows how smart she is.

”Peter Lawford...says the Queen and noblewomen of the court of Louis XIV were given frequent enemas by special servants called apothecaries. The purpose was to give them peaches and cream complexions... Something about intestinal toxins getting into the blood. So there you are. Those ladies were doing the intelligent thing...

”Yes, I enjoy enemas, so what!

”But lets get to something serious Doctor, I want you to help me get rid of Murray. While she was giving me an enema last night I was thinking to myself Lady, even though you're very good at this, you've got to go. But how? I can't flat out fire her. Next thing would be a book "Secrets of Marilyn Monroe by her Housekeeper." She'd make a fortune spilling what she knows and she knows too damn much.”

Miner’s theory on her death? He says: “Marilyn Monroe took or was given chloral hydrate to render her unconscious. Someone dissolved Nembutal in water by breaking open 30 or more capsules. That person then administered the Nembutal loaded solution by enema to Miss Monroe using an ordinary fountain syringe or enema bag. As the drug was slowly absorbed, the tissues of the large intestine reacted to the trauma of exposure to the poisonous substance by an inflammatory response producing congestion and a marked purple color. That congestion and purple color were in evidence when the body was opened at the autopsy. Never regaining consciousness, Marilyn Monroe died.”

Who’s Your Mommy? The Gossip Bible, New York Post’s Page Six, had an item of interest on August 7, 2005 which might help explain Paris Hilton’s childhood. The Page Six headline reads: “JUST call Kathy Hilton "mommy" - her husband, Rick, does!”

The Merchant of Las Vegas Venice. The news.telegraph.uk reports: “Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, two of Britain's greatest Shakespearean actors, are to star in a film adaptation of “The Merchant of Venice” set in modern-day Las Vegas. The movie will shift the action of the Bard's 1596 play from medieval Italy to the extravagant Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino. Stewart, who is also producing the film, believes that America's gambling capital is the perfect backdrop for Shakespeare's classic tale of reckless gambling, greed and money lending. The film is also expected to make use of the city's thriving gay scene [Las Vegas is the home of the gay-fabulous KRAVE nightclub!] as it tries to explore the nature of the relationship between Antonio, the eponymous hero of the play, and Basanio, his young protégé.”

Indie Territory. As a film critic, I often am asked to review independent movies. One that I am pleased to recommend is Lawrence Levine’s “Territory.” Initially written as a stage play in 2002, the positive response Levine received when “Territory” was staged in New York enabled him to secure private funding for a film adaptation. “Territory” was recently shown at IndieFest Chicago (July 29-August 7). The film depicts a normal couple, Maya (Amanda Gruss) and Ben (John B. Good) who return to their apartment one evening to be disrupted by an estranged friend and one-time third wheel, James (Grant James Varjas), who leads the couple down a dangerous path. Levine shows a strong point of view and strength as a feature film director. Levine skillfully handles the character’s complexities with ease. Whatever the budget was, “Territory” looks impressive. For more information contact Diana Edelman, impress communications, 702-367-7771.

An Exorcist Tells His Story. At a screening of “Deuce Bigelow, European Gigolo,” there was a trailer for “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.” Luckily for the readers of my film reviews, I am a purveyor of exorcism and spirit possession. I happen to be reading “An Exorcist Tells His Story” by Gabriele Amorth. In future TDH columns, I’ll highlight some interesting facts from Amorth’s book.

If you would like to contact me about this column, or be included on my private distribution list for a weekly reminder, just email me at Masauu@aol.com.

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