Category Archives: Media

October 25, 2013 · 5:45 pm

WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEROES GONE? Gloria Swanson and a Talk About How We Got Here From There

Gloria Swanson photograph by Edward Steichen, 1924

“Where have all the heroes gone?” asked Sherman. He asked this plainly and earnestly, without even a hint of irony. He looked to be about 16-years-old and not remarkable at first glance, just a kid. He wore a cardigan sweater, had messy hair, a well-worn t-shirt, jeans, and Converse high tops. Maybe a geek but not a proud geek.

Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Commentary, Creative Living, Culture, Essays, Facebook, Henry Chamberlain, Heroes, Hollywood, Internet, Media, movies, Silent Movies, Social Media, Superheroes, writing

Tagged as Age, Aging, Agism, Art, arts, Charlie Chaplin, Commentary, Creative Writing, Entertainment, Essays, Facebook, Film, Geek Culture, Gloria Swanson, Heroes, History, Hollywood, Internet, Life, Lifestyle, Media, Movies, Old Hollywood, Pop Culture, Self-Empowerment, Self-Esteem, Self-Improvement, Seniors, Silent Movies, Social Media, superheroes, Television, Writing

October 4, 2013 · 2:13 am

Marina Shifrin, the “I Quit” Video Star

For many reasons, it’s important to post about Marina Shifrin, her heroic dance moves and her Norma Rae rallying call for justice! She’s on the side of quality over quantity. She’s on the side of clarity over market share. It’s no wonder that, only a few days since her very public resignation, she has none other than, the very smart and talented Queen Latifah, offering her a job!

There’s a lot more going on here than just the latest video that has gone viral. Why did Marina go into journalism in the first place? Well, she’s passionate about the art of expression that involves sharing with others what she’s discovered about the world around her. This particular discipline involves words, well-thought-out words. Yes, it involves a lot of thinking, not just for art’s sake but for the sake of meaning! When I consider the big picture to this story, I want to believe this is what Marina is all about.

I relate to this particularly well. But, God, you would think everyone would. I am passionate about words and expression. For a time, I had set foot on a path squarely towards being a journalist. And, all thing considered, I have done my share, and continue to do my share, of journalism.

But, when I was young and uncertain, I was really conflicted because I wanted to do all manner of creative endeavor and had no idea where to begin. Pretty natural, when you think about it. And then life’s realities, which don’t much care about your vision or your whatever, take over. That’s when you have to hold on for dear life, your life! You do whatever it takes. And that’s what Marina Shifrin did. And, you can bet, she will keep on doing that. But not on Queen Latifah’s watch. No, that would be just so wrong.

1 Comment

Filed under Journalism, Marina Shifrin, Media, pop culture, Queen Latifah, Social Commentary, Social Media

Tagged as Entertainment, Jobs, Journalism, Marina Shifrin, Media, News, Pop Culture, Queen Latifah, Social Media, Television

July 17, 2013 · 5:50 pm

Trayvon Martin: How You Can Help End STAND YOUR GROUND

In a New York Times op-ed, by Ekow N. Yankah, a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, we get some sobering analysis of what has happened. We need calm and contemplation as we forge ahead. Mr. Yankah makes a case for this being, in part, a matter of faulty law.
There is a way you can help change the law and you can find it here.

For now, Mr. Zimmerman is free but he does have more legal issues to contend with. And he must live with what he did. It was repeatedly said in the Zimmerman trial that this is not supposed to be about race. But it is. Even if we set race aside for a moment, Mr. Zimmerman is only protected by the most contrived of law.

Shortly after the news broke of the killing of Trayvon Martin, I posted about it. You can read that post here. At the time, I responded to the assertion that Mr. Zimmerman was responding to Mr. Martin’s hoodie. That didn’t add up then and it doesn’t today. It wasn’t enough for George Zimmerman either. He knew, as anyone with a passing knowledge in Florida law would know, that he was protected by Florida law, the highly controversial STAND YOUR GROUND law.

It is about race. We have made a lot of progress over the years but did we somehow magically resolve all issues on race? We can seek out justice. And part of the solution is the law. You can make a difference by signing a petition to ask the U.S. Justice Department to review STAND YOUR GROUND here.

An update: From the Washington Post, the latest on Attorney General Eric Holder against STAND YOUR GROUND, you can read that here.

Snark: Vanity Fair’s Hateful ‘Amanda Bynes Coloring Book’

It had to happen. The feeding frenzy over Amanda Bynes continues with “The Amanda Bynes Coloring Book.” When does the snark fest end? Much like a schoolyard bully in need of another fix, Vanity Fair enlists a little henchman, Sam Sellers, to create some more hating on Ms. Bynes. But she brought it upon herself, right? This is satire, don’t you get it? Oh, right, yeah, that’s what all the “cool” people say to justify their acts.

So, please carry on Vanity Fair in your vain attempt to remain relevant. Vanity Fair also invites all of you to join in on the mocking of Amanda Bynes by submitting one of the pages back to them after you’ve faithfully used crayons all over it. The goal, presumably, is for this hate fest to go viral.

KICKSTARTER: A RETWEET FROM HUGH HOWEY

This campaign is on fire! There’s been a flurry of activity and things just keep heating up!

Within only a small span of time, I have ten new backers to welcome. Everyone who has backed the project will, of course, get a special mention in the book.

And, earlier today, I got a ReTweet from author Hugh Howey! I cherish those ReTweets even if some people might think they don’t actually bring about interest in pledging to a Kickstarter project. You just never know.

Nope, it wasn’t a ReTweet that inspired my recent support. It was just me and my project. Which is how it should be, right? Absolutely! However, ReTweets are still nice. You gotta love ’em. A Kickstarter campaign is made up of many, many components so you’re best to go with the flow, make your own opportunities, and be very grateful. Always be grateful!

Perhaps a ReTweet from Hugh Howey will lead to more people considering my project. You can’t beat that, right? Well, sure, I keep it perspective, no doubt. As they say, those who have ridden the mighty Kickstarter wave, it’s all about the project. At the end of the day, people are interested in whatever the project is, whether film, book, what have you. Ah, but the campaign is just as much about connecting with your prospective backers and getting them to consider your project in the first place. It’s truly fascinating. If Hugh Howey chooses to lend a hand, yes, I’m very grateful.

That said, I welcome you to consider my project, a quirky collection of comics in the spirit of the original television series, “The Twilight Zone,” to put it in a nutshell description. Check it out HERE.

1 Comment

Filed under Alice in New York, Art, Books, Comics, Crowdfunding, Hugh Howey, Kickstarter, Marketing, Media, Publishing, Social Media, Twitter

Tagged as 24 Hour Comics Day, Art, Books, Branding, comics, Entertainment, Hugh Howey, Kickstarter, Marketing, Media, Pop Culture, Publishing, Social Media, Twitter

March 26, 2013 · 11:03 pm

INTERVIEW: ROBERT NATHAN, Director of “LUCKY BASTARD”

Catherine Annette as Casey in “Lucky Bastard”

“Lucky Bastard” is a thriller that delivers on many levels. You can read my review here. This is an intelligent satire that digs deep into the dark recesses residing within all of us. Director and co-writer Robert Nathan was kind enough to take some time and discuss his film as well as share his thoughts on some of the more disturbing aspects of the current zeitgeist.

Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Media, Movie Reviews, movies, pop culture, Porn, Pornography, Reality TV, Satire, Sex

Tagged as Entertainment, george foster peabody, john schlesinger, Movies, mystery writers of america, Pop Culture, Reality Television, white house correspondent

March 26, 2013 · 4:12 am

Movie Review: LUCKY BASTARD

When the history of today’s movies is written, there will be a special chapter dedicated to the influence of reality TV. There already exist some books but we’re just beginning to bite into this meaty subject (Consider CATFISH and REALITY SHOW). It has been around with us long enough to have developed a reality of its own with its own conciets. We accept a nice house loaded with hidden cameras as par for the course. We accept nonactors embarking upon a unscripted train wreck. And, sadly, we accept that human beings can too easily allow themselves to become subhuman. That last one is classic and transcends the here and now. In the case of “Lucky Bastard,” it is aiming to be a classic and it succeeds to a great extent.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Media, Movie Reviews, movies, Porn, Pornography, Reality TV, Sex

Tagged as Internet, Media, Movie Reviews, Movies, Pop Culture, Porn, Pornography, Reality Television, Satire, Sex

May 8, 2012 · 9:13 pm

THE RUSSIAN TIANANMEN SQUARE: AND THEN IT BECAME NEWS

On May 7, 2012, Russians protested Vladimir Putin’s inauguration as president in Moscow. Vladimir Putin has been in power since 1999. There was that stretch of time with Dmitry Medvedev as “president” while Putin was “prime minister” and now we’re back to Putin, all Putin. What’s sad is that his coronation, or whatever you want to call it, would not have caught the world’s attention, in quite the same way, had it not been for Julia Ioffe’s photo taken with her iPhone of a little kid appearing to confront a Russian anti-riot squad.

Open Letter To George Stephanopoulos

Hi George,

I just wanted to say a few words regarding your new job back at “Good Morning America” where you handle such assignments as, World’s Worst Boyfriend ‘Robs’ Girlfriends Home. That is the current link from ABC News. The first time I stumbled upon this video it was entitled, “Worst Boyfriend in America,” but I guess he’s been upgraded to the worst boyfriend on the planet. That still doesn’t seem to make him, and his story of briefly terrorizing his girlfriend, worthy of any notoriety, especially from such an esteemed journalist as yourself.

I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. You used to host the respected Sunday political show, “This Week.” You used to work for President Bill Clinton. And, I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but your current role seems to be better suited for a guy on his way up rather than such an established guy as yourself. Well, maybe it’s part of a much bigger picture. It worked, I guess, for Charles Gibson. He went from “Good Morning America” to briefly anchoring “World News Tonight,” now known as “ABC World News,” and anchored by another “Good Morning America” former host, Diane Sawyer. That brings to mind Katie Couric and her brief time with “CBS Evening News.” She’s sort of in the same boat as yourself at the moment. It didn’t work, or maybe it did, for Matt Lauer. Now, Lauer is probably as happy as clam to just stay put on “Today.” He gets serious assignments here and there. And I guess, of course, you do too. But maybe not as often.

All I can say is that it just doesn’t feel right having you “interview” the kid who hid in his girlfriend’s apartment and then deliberately made her believe she was confronting an intruder in her very home. That smells like a lawsuit not fodder for a little gabfest. There’s the kid laughing about it on national television with a highly qualified journalist. Does that not seem sort of wrong to you? I’m just saying consider where this is going. Did ABC promise you an anchor position in the future? Or are you heading in a new direction, less David Brinkley and more Dick Clark? Just wondering. The 18 to 35 demographic find you appealing. I suppose it doesn’t matter if they know or care where you came from.

But I’ll keep checking in on what you’re up to. I definitely wish you well. Like many professionals at your level, you’re very likable. One last thing, I highly recommend not developing this “worst boyfriend” story into a series. I can imagine that idea has been kicked around. Look away, George! Don’t do it.