Susan Murdy

The "Argo" Screenwriter on Why America Still Hasn't Learned Its Lesson in Iran The Oscar winner argues that ignorance has pushed the U.S. into yet another war of choice in the Middle East.

You can learn some valuable history lessons from movies: airmail.news/issues/2026-...

“But, as you see, it's a beautiful day, the Strait of Hormuz is open and people are having a wonderful time.”

Suggestion: #MacKenzieScott, please buy the #WashingtonPost from your ex-husband and restore this journalistic beacon to its past glory.

The Film Students Who Can No Longer Sit Through Films The attention-span crisis goes to the movies.

Film students who won't watch an entire movie? Must not be serious about filmmaking!
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

See BS news.

This Tony Dokoupil Thing Isn’t Working Lots of flubs, low ratings — is this what Bari Weiss wanted?

www.vulture.com/article/tony...

It’s always a treat to see actors from other countries pick their favorite films from #TheCriterionCollection. Here, Brazilian actor #WagnerMoura makes his choice—love the fact that his favorite filmmakers are the Dardenne Brothers: www.criterion.com/shop/collect...

Fascinating and illuminating profile by Dexter Filkins.

San Francisco Is on the Rebound. What Happened to Its Ousted Mayor?

Big time sour grapes from former Mayor London Breed. She kept San Francisco on a pandemic lockdown for far too long which led to the demise of downtown, retail theft and an overwhelming homeless situation. She had no business sense, whereas Mayor Lurie does: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/u...

To those with California Derangement Syndrome, it's time to update your talking points.

Robert Redford, the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" Actor, Dies at 89 At a time when our country feels like it’s on fire, it’s hard to imagine a world without the actor—and his friend Paul Newman.

Excellent read to start the new year: airmail.news/arts-intel/h...

The Filthy Word That Filmmakers Swear By How directors and writers striving for a PG-13 rating have learned to ration the use of a four-letter obscenity.

As The Stranger (Sam Elliot) says to the Dude (Jeff Bridges) in The Big Lebowski, “Do ya have to use so many cuss words?” Agree with most commenters that using the f-bomb shows an immense lack of creativity and imagination by screenwriters: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

We lost so many icons this year—Hackman, Ladd, Stamp, Redford, Keaton, and now, tragically, Reiner. Oh how they are missed.

UGH!

Jafar Panahi Sentenced to a Year in Prison by Iranian Government The Cannes winner also faces a two-year ban on leaving the country.

How much more does Iranian filmmaker #JafarPanahi have to endure from his government?! (He’ll just make another film about his experience after he’s released from prison). Academy, give him the Oscar to show some form of justice: www.vulture.com/article/jafa...

Leave it to “The Secret of Secrets” author #DanBrown: his well-known character, symbolist Robert Langdon, boycotts #Starbucks Coffee because the company’s logo is not a mermaid, but a siren luring sailors to their death—indicated by her two (not one) tails!

How long can @vanityfair.com possibly keep Olivia Nuzzi - an ethics nightmare with no editorial experience and the writing flair of a moody teen - in any position, never mind West Coast editor.

‘Wicked’ and the Never-Ending Press Tour

And the Oscar for Most Annoying Movie Marketing Campaign goes to...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/m...

Book recommendation: “Ready for My Close Up” by David Lubin, a well-researched history of Billy Wilder’s dark classic, #SunsetBoulevard. I’ve read many accounts of this film, but learned many new facts from this latest tome.

Democrats — and Gavin Newsom —  win Prop. 50 battle in redistricting war against Trump Prop. 50 will give Democrats a boost in next year’s midterm elections and Newsom a jump-start on his likely presidential campaign.

Prop. 50 wins: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting measure easily won in Tuesday’s special election, a dramatic finale to California Democrats’ three-month gerrymandering war with Republicans.

Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.

BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.

Follow AP for live updates.

What we know, 10:20pm

—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses

Emma Thompson speaks of her ‘intense irritation’ with AI The actor and screenwriter told late night talkshow host Stephen Colbert that she took issue with Microsoft’s Copilot offering to rewrite her scripts for her

You go, #EmmaThompson. I'm with you on *&% AI!
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...

#BlueJays on a roll—keep those hits coming! #worldseries #BeatLA

Terrible news for Americans who value ethical and reputable journalism.

For a variety of reasons, I'm rooting hard for the Toronto #BlueJays. #WorldSeries

When Donald Trump Razed the Bonwit Teller Building, He Promised the Met Its Art Deco Friezes. A New Book Details How He Pulverized Them Instead | Artnet News Read an excerpt from the book 'Art and Crime: The Fight Against Looters, Forgers, and Fraudsters in the High-Stakes Art World.'

news.artnet.com/art-world/do...

WOW! Protesters created a HUGE human sign on San Francisco’s Ocean Beach reading “No Kings YES on 50” to support California’s Prop 50 and stand up against Donald Trump’s fascist regime

As seen at No Kings Atlanta: