Independent film isn't what it used to be. Declining production costs and ever-proliferating distribution options have encouraged everyone from the U.S. Navy to fringe religious groups to dabble in filmmaking, with results that range from unsettling to explosive. The latest example -- The Innocence of Muslims, an incendiary piece of anti-Muslim bigotry that advertised its casting call in the pages of Backstage and shot scenes on a Paramount set -- has inflamed tensions across the Islamic world and inspired a series of violent outbreaks, including an assault on the U.S. embassy in Libya that killed Amb. Chris Stevens. Would a web posting have had the same effect? Or is there something about filmmaking that lends authority to an expression of stupidity that would otherwise be dismissed out of hand? The answer has something to do with the history of independent filmmaking, and the changes that have turned it upside down.
We have heard riveting stories of heroism and valor from one of the soldiers who participated in the mission that killed Osama bin Laden. His book is by most accounts devoid of any classified information. So are U.S. government officials angry that he wrote a book, or that his book came out before their movie?
If anyone but Apple released a major new product whose most unique selling point was a new accessory plug, consumers would jump ship faster than rats on the Titanic. So why on Earth are we all going to buy the iPhone 5?
The tragedy of Benghazi and riots in Yemen do not signal of the end of the Arab Spring. Nor is it an indication of any "failed policies," any more than it is justification for the shameful practice of political candidates in the US attempting to make points from a US Ambassador's death.
Where have the Occupiers been over the last year? What have they been doing? What are their plans for the future? In this month's issue of Huffington, Saki Knafo answers those questions and many more.
Are those who condemn Islam and mock Mohammad protected by the First Amendment?
Ryanomics is not only poor arithmetic, it is also poor morality and gross injustice which turns upside down the requirements of all great faiths to protect the poor and vulnerable.
There will come a moment in early October all those sleazy big money boys are going to have to decide whether to keep gambling on propping Mitt up. If they decide he can't win, we will see a sudden shift of superpac money into trying to save the Republican House.
The need to say exactly what you mean in written and spoken communication seems obvious, but when it comes to some of the English language's most similar word-pairs ("big" and "large," and "sure" and "certain," for example), the subtleties are difficult even for grammarians to untangle.
As far as what we do right now in response to the tragic events of this week, it's actually pretty simple. Get our folks out of places they don't need to be -- and out of harm's way -- and cut off every dime of U.S. tax dollars we are sending to clearly ungrateful regimes.
With the first Obama-Romney debate just around the corner, the presidential and vice presidential candidates are hard at work preparing for combat. What should each of them be concentrating on?
Finished principal photography on Derek. Quite simply the best shoot I've ever been a part of.
This week's release of a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is an important step forward, but we must now invest the resources, develop innovative partnerships, and take the actions necessary across all sectors of society to prevent this silent wound of war and tragic loss of life among America's service men and women.
Poor Kate Middleton. She was laying near a pool dressed like millions of other English women on holiday -- in just a bikini bottom and a smile -- and now there is scandal and a stampede of headlines all of which seem to ignore just how normal her toplessness was.
You may know me as one of the three American Hikers held hostage in Iran. I was released two years ago today. It was, in many ways, the best and worst day of my life. I was finally in my mother's arms, but Shane and Josh were completely out of my reach.
The events of the last 48 hours have made it indisputably clear: America cannot trust Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan with our national security.
A curious dialogue has developed with the publication of Naomi Wolf's Vagina: A New Biography, one hellbent on poking holes in her central theme that the connection between the vagina and the brain influences a woman's mood and creativity.
Over the last few weeks, we observed both the Democratic and Republican conventions. It was easy to absorb the difference between the two parties. One was dedicated to fighting for the middle-class and poor of this country, the other for millionaires and billionaires.
When she announced that she was "engaged," it had become clear that Paul was definitely bad news. There were so many stories that didn't add up, so many parts of his past that didn't make sense and finally, by then, my parents could see what he had done to my sister.
I'm voting for President Obama because, during his second term, we will not hear the following things from him -- although we may have heard them from his political opponents.
In addition to the egregious stated fees, stockbrokers, mutual funds and financial advisors on Wall Street have many methods to hide additional fees and charges from you.
While the occupations have ended -- thanks in no small part to a harsh police crackdown -- it would be a mistake to assume the Occupy movement is over. Social movements have a way of metamorphosing and resurging in unpredictable ways.
The goal of this article is to evaluate how women and women's issues have fared during President's Obama's first term. We'll examine the entire four years in order to gauge progress and unresolved shortcomings.
Older Americans are an able and critical segment of our great society, who, through their active wisdom and engagement have much to offer. They can help create a more prosperous future for the most vulnerable among us.
Romney could have been a statesman about the events in North Africa and appeared dignified -- perhaps qualified -- in the process, but instead he decided to be a braying crackpot. Anyone with a lapel pin and a pulse can do that.
What matters is whether the platform shows an intention to honor God's call for action that we care for each other as neighbors and work to heal the sick, feed the hungry and protect those in need. The Democratic platform fully embraces those values, but they are hard to find in the Republican platform.