DVD Recommendations!

It's summer and the country is being hit by heatwaves from all sides. Of course, the best way to beat the heat (besides your own private pool, natch) is to rent some movies and crank the AC up. Here are my recommendations for great new summer DVDs (feel free to add your own suggestions!)

Half Nelson- Fantastic acting by Ryan Gosling and newcomer Shareka Epps, a heavy storyline but light on plot.

The Last King of Scotland- I rented this one a few days ago and I'm still trying to get over it... this didn't receive nearly enough attention at the Oscars.

Heroes Season 1- You could watch them at NBC.com but why wait for your computer to load? Outstanding first season of a show that will hopefully continue with the same brilliance for a long time.

Letters From Iwo Jima- Beautifully written, acted, and scored... absolutely essential for WWII-era movie buffs.

The History Boys- The movie version of a quirky, award-winning play with most of the original thespians reprising their roles... sort of like a Dead Poet's Society for a more complicated audience.

Notes On A Scandal- Following with the British, school-related trend above, but much darker and more twisted. I saw this one with my grandparents; I don't suggest you do the same.

Harry Potter- Prepare for the new movie based on the 5th book, and the final installment in the 7-book series by watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and the Chamber of Secrets, and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and the Goblet of Fire.

And don't forget these instant classics on DVD... The Office, Arrested Development, Weeds, and Scrubs!

A Call for Fair Trade in the World

A very close friend of ours here at The Green Room, Scott, has been interning in Washington, DC this summer for a highly renowned organization called Public Citizen. The organization is currently spreading the word to help put an end to the Bush administration's push for expansion of the NAFTA trade agreement.

Here's some info and how you can help Public Citizen:

Last November, Americans loudly rejected the Bush administrations more-of-the-same NAFTA expansion trade policy. The majority-making Democratic freshman class won by committing to end Bush's trade war on the middle class and force new rules for a fairer global economy.

But, recently a "deal" to add labor and environmental standards to pending NAFTA-CAFTA style Bush trade agreements was negotiated in secret by a handful of Democrats with the Bush administration. The deal would facilitate the passage of at least Bush's NAFTA expansions for Peru and Panama, and maybe more.

These NAFTA expansions can be introduced for a vote at any time, but most of Congress does not want to have to vote on another bad trade deal, so we can stop Bush in his tracks if we flood Congress with calls right now.

If you want to help out you can take action right now:

Sign the petition on NAFTA Expansion and Immigration. Click here:
http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3322

Write a Letter to the Editor about NAFTA Expansion to your local newspaper. For tips, click here:
http://www.citizen.org/trade/media

"Bird-Dog" your member of congress about NAFTA expansion. Find out more by clicking here:
http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3307

If you need help finding your member of Congress click here:
http://action.citizen.org/getLocal.jsp

Also if you want further information, refer to the details below.

For more information about Peru and Panama FTAs, click here:
http://www.citizen.org/trade/afta/

For more talking points on the "deal" that some Democrats cut with the Bush administration, click here:
http://www.citizen.org/hot_issues/issue.cfm?ID=1610

To read the original Public Citizen alert about "the deal," click here:
http://action.citizen.org/content.jsp?content_KEY=2659&t=BlankTemplate.dwt

From Illinois to Hairspray With Love

Check out our pilot episode on the player 2 posts down!

From Political Wire:

Illinois Poll:

In Illinois, a new American Research Group poll shows Sen. Barack Obama leading the Democratic presidential race in his home state with 37% support, followed closely by Sen. Hillary Clinton at 33% and John Edwards way back at just 10%.

On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani leads with 30%, followed by Fred Thompson who jumped into second place with 21%, Sen. John McCain at 12% and Mitt Romney at 11%.

No surprises there given Senator Obama is the senator from Illinois.

National Poll:

The latest USA Today/Gallup Poll shows Sen. Hillary Clinton leading the Democratic presidential race with 42% support, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 26% and John Edwards at 16%.

On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani leads with 30%, trailed by Fred Thompson at 20%, Sen. John McCain at 16%, and Mitt Romney at 9%.

GO HILLARY! While I (John) support Hillary Clinton for the Presidency, I do want to note that Rich supports Senator Barack Obama, Kevin supports Governor Bill Richardson, and Leah is still candidate shopping. Also...

"Opposition to the Iraq war has reached a record high," a new USA Today/Gallup Poll finds. As a result, President Bush's approval rating has reached a new low of 29%.

www.politicalwire.com

BIG BROTHER 8

I love this show. Have watched it since 2001. This season is no different. Hillarious and stupid houseguests make for an interesting summer. Take a look at this clip from Sunday night's episode when a houseguest has a breakdown over a bad picture.



and finally from me...


Image courtesy of Amazon.com

The soundtrack to the motion picture Hairspray is in stores today and I'm quite impressed. Go pick up or download a copy and check out the movie on July 20th.