With middle-class wages stagnating and the rich getting richer, income inequality has
become a rallying cry for Democrats and Republicans alike. Reviving opportunity for all resonates with Americans who feel left out as growth picks up and the stock market reaches record highs, writes Keith Naughton, Lynn Doan, and Jeff Green.
More and more people are realizing the extent to which part-time, temporary workers are exploited at colleges and universities across the nation. The National Adjunct Action Day planned for February 25 is an effort by part-time (adjunct) faculty members to raise awareness of the rise of contingent (part-time) labor in academia. Read more…
Two Films the Academy Missed Oscars 2015: “Force Majeure” and “A Most Violent Year”
This time of year, people are talking about who was nominated, and who was snubbed, who won, who lost, and who should have won.Why should these two films be on your must watch list?
Don’t Forget The Databases: Librarians Go Gaga
While library research can be intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. Students and faculty from the University of Washington’s Information School get their groove on in this 2010 parody video directed, edited, and produced by Sarah Wachter with lyrics by Sarah Wachter (compare to the original Lady Gaga song “Poker Face”).
Yes, librarians Read more…
53 Interesting Facts about the Number 53 #7: the 53rd Academy Awards celebrated films from 1980 and why we hiked the PCT
In honor of tonight’s Academy Awards where Birdman won Best Picture, this week’s Interesting Fact about the Number 53 #7 is the 53rd Academy Awards which honored the best films of 1980 and took place in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with host Johny Carson Tuesday, March 31 1981–a day after it was scheduled due to the attempted assassination of President Reagan.
Interestingly, if Reagan had been more gravely injured, he would not have run for President for a second term and I may not have hiked the Pacific Crest Trail — a place where the Academy Award nominated film Wild takes place.
Oscar vs Ron’s Top 30 Films of 2014
Oscar eve sunset: photo from Oscar’s Facebook page
Beautifully Animated “Song of the Sea”: Oscar Bound? Review + contenders
This year’s best animated film category for the Oscars has five strong contenders. And somehow The Lego Movie didn’t even make the list! If you ask me, that’s one of the best animated films I’ve seen in a long time–in fact, we thought it would end up on the best feature film list not just best original song (for “Everything is Awesome.”) We also really enjoyed Book of Life which missed getting a nomination. Both films offer a great story. As a parent of an 11 year old son, I am grateful that there were so many great films to share as a family in 2014 and now in 2015.
Getting “Wild”
Review by Ron Wells of the film Wild which is up for two Academy Awards: Actress in a Leading Role for Reese Witherspoon and Actress in a Supporting Role for Laura Dern. Note: I walked all 28oo miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in the mid-80s making me one of the first 20 women and the first 200 people to complete it. More notes on this below Ron’s review.
The Greek hero Odysseus had nothing on Cheryl Strayed who hiked the 1,100 miles of the Pacific Coast Trail by herself, experiencing everything from anger and loneliness, Read more…
3 Off Beat Films with “Best” Oscar Noms: “Princess Kayuga” Animation, “Whiplash” Feature, “Vivian Maier” Doc
- Best Documentary: Finding Vivian Maier
- Best Picture: Whiplash
- Best Animated Feature Film: The Tale of Princess Kaguya
Find out who wins on Sunday Feb 22! And coming soon to a blog near you, Ron Wells Top 30 Films of 2014!
1984? No, “Citizenfour” Oscar nominated documentary
art predator 