Requiem for Greg Muskewitz, Writer & Film Critic
Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 03:06:56 AM PDT
Greg Muskewitz ::: Dec 28, 1981 – April 22, 2005 ::: R.I.P.
Three years ago today my friend Greg died of cancer. He was only 23 years old. Quite a tragedy when somebody dies so young, yet he said ahead of time it was okay because he’d already had such a wonderful life. He was already living his dream job, being a writer and film critic. He blogged in LiveJournal, and posted on websites and messageboards, read books and watched and talked movies.
Greg wanted to be remembered and he is impossible to forget. To learn more about this incredible young man who accomplished so much, please follow in the extended.
Veterans for Peace: Life is Precious
Sun Nov 11, 2007 at 07:46:44 AM PDT
Today we're going to a Peace rally / anti-war tabling at Taos Plaza with our Eddie Richardson Chapter Taos Veterans for Peace group. Veteran's Day and Memorial Day are in my earliest memories; I've been long cognizant of Veteran's issues. My husband is a Vietnam Vet, my father is a Vietnam Vet, my brother is a Gulf War vet, my grandfather and uncle are WW2 Veterans. A great uncle died as a WW1 Infantryman. I'm honored to know so many who have served and sacrificed; I am grateful.
When I was a kid I lived on an Army base in Hawaii, when my Dad went to war in Vietnam. We made flower leis to hang on the headstones of soldiers' graves. It was during the days of singing "Where have all the flowers gone?" and it made a lasting impact. I wrote about some of the Veterans in my life in this article:
Veterans for Peace: Life is Precious
V 4 V : The Vendetta begins tonight (new poll)
Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 09:41:15 PM PDT
Greetings, Comrades and Friends, on the Eve of the Revolution.
Shall we dance?
Tonight revolutionary science fiction thriller V for Vendetta is opening around the world and in the USA at Sold Out 10pm and midnight showings. Will this movie serve to Wake UP the young people (and the rest of us) in the USA and inspire them to take action to put a halt to creeping fascism? I'm hearing it and feeling it: People from all over are fed up with the way their corrupt governments are treating the people, making the timing perfect for this thought-provoking and incendiary movie.
Read my previous V 4 Vendetta daily kos diary where you can answer a Box Office Poll at the bottom. Then join me for more plus a NEW POLL in the extended.
Vanity Fair's subversive 'V for Vendetta' piece (w/ poll)
Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 07:00:04 PM PDT
Political columnist Michael Wolff previews revolutionary science fiction thriller
V for Vendetta in the February issue of
Vanity Fair, hailing it as a return to "movies of cultural sabotage" in the spirit of
Dr. StrangeLove; movies that spark a reversal in popular thinking.
V for Vendetta is based upon the celebrated, literary graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The film, made by the Wachowski Bros and starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving, opens
March 17.
Wolff sees V4V as a call for the reversal of the dominant War and Fear narrative, and a call for an opposing narrative, based upon democratic ideals of humanity and justice. By all accounts thus far, V for Vendetta is an important film not to be missed. It could be the harbinger of change; it could finally wake people up, and spark an intellectual evolution and political revolution.
Sadly the Vanity Fair piece is not available online, and it's soon to be replaced on the racks with the latest issue, so allow me to post some excerpts in the extended:
WHAM! POW!! Japanese 'V for Vendetta' Trailer
Thu Jan 12, 2006 at 11:42:18 PM PDT
Just out on the net, a short new
V for Vendetta trailer made for Japanese audiences.
V for Vendetta is an upcoming science fiction thriller, a cautionary tale about a society that has willingly given up their civil liberties for the promise of security against terrorism.
It's a story about the revolutionaries amongst us and within us. Look for it
March 17.
(click >WarnerBros.com page with link to fast Quicktime download)
Pretty cool if you're a Nipponophile (plus, funny ad at beginning). The teaser's in English and gives a sense of the dark, Alan Moore-David Lloyd graphic novel ambience of the film, along with an intro to the characters and plot:
The setting is an Orwellian society ruled by a fascist government with martial law enforced by military police. A young woman called Evey Hammond is arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit treason, terrorism, and sedition, and sentenced to death unless she gives up the anarchist V, a mask-wearing assassin and bomber.
Stars are Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. Made by the Wachowski Bros.
Faith-based propaganda on our United flight? (w/ poll)
Sun Jan 01, 2006 at 09:31:32 AM PDT
Maybe it was meant to soothe our souls after a harrowing experience with holiday travel (original flight got cancelled and I feared my ensuing near-panic attack would result in my getting shot after being mistaken for a terrorist), but the lengthy NBC television promo shown on our United return flight seemed alot like force-fed propaganda regarding the acceptable response to
America's War.
After about 20 minutes (from Three Wishes, further described below) of heartwarming military homecoming images and sound bites featuring Christian music superstar Amy Grant, the piece faded to black with the not-so subtle message:
"To learn how You can Support Our Troops, ---- "
"Natalie Portman Raises THREAT LEVEL to Orange"
Wed Jul 06, 2005 at 09:44:53 PM PDT
Newsblog gawker had the same reaction as me about the efficiency of homeland security measures after reading this "domestic terrorism" story from actress Natalie Portman in
Newsweek:
You shaved your head for the film. How's that working for you?
It's totally fine. But I got pulled over at the tunnel the other night in New York. I've never had that happen to me before. It's supposedly random. They pulled me over at the Midtown Tunnel. My registration was expired because I had been out of town, and it was my first day back. I'd been in Israel and Berlin for the [movie] shooting. They wouldn't let me go in. But he said to take the bridge instead. And I didn't understand that logic. If you're a suspect, don't take the tunnel take the bridge?
More thoughtful answers re Portman's advocacy for micro credit charity FINCA, the Israeli-Palestininan conflict, and more in the extended, with the full fascinating Newsweek interview at this msnbc link: The Last Word: Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman inspires the Marines
Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 08:25:42 AM PDT
Nat in Ramadi
schtumping
