Oscars, shmoscars, here are the 2013 Progie film awards
In an attempt to draw attention to films of social significance with progressive content, I developed The Progie Awards. A collective of international film writers nominates films and actors for these awards.
"Calpurnia Tate": a girl comes of age in Texas
Jacqueline Kelly's engrossing young adult novel set on on a Texas cotton and pecan farm with 338 pages that seemingly turn themselves, is a coming of age tale with vast relevance for today's readers.
"Billy Budd": sex, revolution and sea in jaw-dropping opera
In 1888 Herman Melville began the philosophical novella Billy Budd. Perhaps one could say that composer Benjamin Britten and his librettists E.M. Forster and Eric Crozier "completed" it with their adaptation.
Oscar and Progies: view of movies from left side of the aisle
Join People's World film critic Bill Meyer tonight via Google+ for a conversation on movies and social change.
Join us Tuesday for an Oscar Night with People's World
Join us for a conversation on Hollywood, the Oscars, and alternative voices in film on Tuesday, Feb. 25. We will be having a discussion with film critic Bill Meyer and others.
Go see Duke Ellington’s sweet, tangy “Queenie Pie”
Ellington was one of the most versatile figures in music of the 20th century, but most people do not know that from the 1930s on, Ellington worked intermittently, all the way up to his death in 1974, on an opera.
Pan African Film Festival opens Feb. 6 in L.A.
One of L.A.'s leading annual cinema showcases and the biggest and most prestigious Black-themed film festivals, will take place February 6-17.
Movies you might have missed: "Sacco and Vanzetti"
Awell-made, engrossing documentary that does something remarkable. It makes compelling viewing out of the retelling of the prosecution of a murder trial from 87 years ago, of which we already know the outcome.
Unique and inspiring: “Al Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine”
"Al helm," which means "the dream" in Arabic, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s well known "dream" come together in a unique and profound manner.
"Reds At The Blackboard": More positive view of today's Communist teachers
More historians are beginning to paint a more objective, balanced, and positive picture of the role of the CPUSA in the U.S. labor movement.
