Tag: Movies

Galactic Bonds: A Journey Through Movies, Games, and Memories

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

My brother was a Star Wars fan through and through—so much so that Yoda became his nickname. While I’ve only truly loved the original trilogy, we still shared a deep appreciation for the saga, making Star Wars a special part of our connection. It even became a tradition for us to go to the movies on Christmas when the newer films premiered. Beyond Star Wars, we also bonded over other franchises like Transformers (though we never got around to seeing Bumblebee) and Fast & Furious. The only Star Wars book I own is Star Wars Rogue One – Junior Novel by Matt Forbeck (from our hometown), which might have ended up in his collection by accident. I had wanted to get it autographed for him but never got the chance before he passed away.

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The man who was Mao’s hero

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)1 Comment

The Bruce Lee legend never fades but it might surprise some to learn that among his legion of fans was Chairman Mao, who called him a hero.

Chairman Mao Zedong (1893-1976) and Bruce Lee the martial arts legend (1940-1973) both declared – in their unique ways – that the Chinese people had “stood up”.

The man who was Mao’s hero

I grew up watching dubbed martial arts movies, as my dad was a fan of Bruce Lee.

FYI, I don’t know why this was unpublished. I didn’t do it.

Tag Us: The US Military Updates Its Contracts With Hollywood

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

In late 2020 I put in a FOIA request with the Pentagon for records on their support to Operation Christmas Drop – a ‘romantic’ Christmas movie starring the US military. Three years on and they’ve finally released the contract they signed with the film-makers, which reveals how the office updated its approach post-Phil Strub.

Tag Us: The US Military Updates Its Contracts With Hollywood

I think that Tom has a problem with short people and cat ladies! /s

[2013] Cultural Exchange and the Cold War: How the West Won

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Cultural Exchange and the Cold War: How the West Won (archived)

There are many theories of why Soviet communism collapsed and the Cold War ended. Here are a few of them to consider:

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That is a claim also made by a former Hungarian ambassador to Washington, Andras Simonyi*, who led a rock band in Budapest during the Cold War. In a talk titled “How Rock Music Helped Bring Down the Iron Curtain,” delivered at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Simonyi said, ”Rock ‘n roll, culturally speaking, was a decisive element in loosening up communist societies and bring them closer to the world of freedom.”

Related:

*Wikipedia-András Simonyi:

He plays guitar in the rock band, The Coalition of the Willing (est.2003) with top rated U.S. guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers) which has Secretary of State Tony Blinken (guitar, vocals) as a regular guest.

Blinken picks up guitar for new US music diplomacy push

That Time Ronald Reagan Starred in a World War II Movie Featuring Several Drag Performances

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

The U.S. military will no longer host drag shows at bases around the world, according to a new report from Associated Press. The news comes following a pressure campaign by Republicans to abolish anything associated with LGBT life during Pride Month. But banning drag isn’t just bigoted. It ignores the long history of drag in the U.S. military that stretches back over 100 years.

That Time Ronald Reagan Starred in a World War II Movie Featuring Several Drag Performances

‘My Country Does Terrible Things’: MMA Fighter Jeff Monson On Why He Renounced US Citizenship

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

American-born athlete Jeff Monson, known for his skill in a variety of martial arts, renounced his US citizenship earlier this week, having obtained his Russian citizenship in 2018. Sputnik spoke with Monson about the changes in himself and his life through the process of changing from a US citizen to a Russian.

‘My Country Does Terrible Things’: MMA Fighter Jeff Monson On Why He Renounced US Citizenship