Geena Davis: The Hyper-Sexualization of Girls in the Media

Posted on September 16, 2013 at 8:00 am

For more information: Institute on Gender and Media

Chipotle’s New Ad Has a Haunting Beauty

Posted on September 15, 2013 at 3:45 pm

This beautiful animated film promoting Chipotle’s new game features Fiona Apple singing a haunting version of the “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” song, “Pure Imagination.” So, a song that once paid tribute to a candy factory is now being used in an understated and creative way to promote healthy, non-GMO food. Nicely done, Chipotle.

Vintage YA Books to Be Re-Issued

Posted on September 15, 2013 at 8:00 am

Lizzie Skurnick is the author of the marvelous book Shelf Discovery: The Teen Classics We Never Stopped Reading, the story of the YA books of the 1960’s to 80’s. She has now been offered her dream assignment — to bring some of these treasures back in new editions from Ig Publishing. Titles like Debutante Hill by Lois Duncan, A Long Day in November by Ernest J. Gaines, and To All My Friends With Love from Sylvie by Ellen Conford will reach a new generation of readers as well as the fans who remember them well. If I could add my wishlist, it would include the books of Rosamund DuJardin like Practically Seventeen and Me, Cassie by Anita MacRae Feagles, two of my favorites when I was in what we then called Junior High.

Related Tags:

Books

Kol Nidre: Yom Kippur 5774

Posted on September 14, 2013 at 8:00 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKp_mVii-dk

A blessed Yom Kippur to all who observe it. May you and all you love be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Related Tags:

Holidays Music

List: Witness Protection Movies

Posted on September 13, 2013 at 3:59 pm

In honor of this week’s release of “The Family,” check out some of these movies about characters in the witness protection program. And no, I am not going to suggest the movies starring Tyler Perry, Larry the Cable Guy, or Dax Shepard.

“My Blue Heaven” Steve Martin is a wiseguy who has some problems adjusting to life in the suburbs in this neglected gem from Nora Ephron — and inspired, I’m sure, from her husband’s work on the non-fiction book that became “Goodfellas.”

“Goodfellas” This masterpiece from Martin Scorsese is based on the real-life gangster-turned-informant Henry Hill.

“Hide in Plain Sight” James Caan stars in this fact-based story of a man whose ex-wife took their children with her into witness protection. He sues the government to get his children back.

“Sister Act” Whoopi Goldberg plays a nightclub performer who goes into hiding as a nun while the cops track down the man who is trying to kill her.