Susan Murdy
@susanmurdy.bsky.social
Observations and recommendations on film and media-related topics.
https://medium.com/@susanmurdy
San Francisco, CA
https://medium.com/@susanmurdy
San Francisco, CA
Excellent read to start the new year: airmail.news/arts-intel/h...
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.
airmail.news
January 1, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Excellent read to start the new year: airmail.news/arts-intel/h...
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/...
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.
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
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.
December 20, 2025 at 3:38 AM
We lost so many icons this year—Hackman, Ladd, Stamp, Redford, Keaton, and now, tragically, Reiner. Oh how they are missed.
UGH!
December 7, 2025 at 3:39 AM
UGH!
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...
Jafar Panahi Sentenced to a Year in Prison by Iranian Government
The Cannes winner also faces a two-year ban on leaving the country.
www.vulture.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:54 PM
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!
November 30, 2025 at 11:31 PM
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!
Reposted by Susan Murdy
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.
November 22, 2025 at 10:52 PM
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.
And the Oscar for Most Annoying Movie Marketing Campaign goes to...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/m...
‘Wicked’ and the Never-Ending Press Tour
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
And the Oscar for Most Annoying Movie Marketing Campaign goes to...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/m...
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.
November 14, 2025 at 12:11 AM
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.
Reposted by Susan Murdy
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.
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.
sfstandard.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:18 AM
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.
Reposted by Susan Murdy
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.
Follow AP for live updates.
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.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 3:33 AM
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.
Follow AP for live updates.
Reposted by Susan Murdy
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
—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
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
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
—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
October 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Terrible news for Americans who value ethical and reputable journalism.
BREAKING: John Dickerson Is Departing CBS News
BREAKING: John Dickerson Is Departing CBS News
CBS Evening News co-anchor John Dickerson announced that he is departing CBS News on Monday. "I am extremely grateful," wrote Dickerson in a statement.
The post BREAKING: John Dickerson Is Departing CBS News first appeared on Mediaite.
dlvr.it
October 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Terrible news for Americans who value ethical and reputable journalism.
For a variety of reasons, I'm rooting hard for the Toronto #BlueJays. #WorldSeries
October 26, 2025 at 1:05 AM
For a variety of reasons, I'm rooting hard for the Toronto #BlueJays. #WorldSeries
Reposted by Susan Murdy
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
October 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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
Reposted by Susan Murdy
As seen at No Kings Atlanta:
October 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
As seen at No Kings Atlanta:
October 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
October 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Susan Murdy
🇺🇸 This is “sleepy” Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, at today’s No Kings rally!
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October 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
🇺🇸 This is “sleepy” Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, at today’s No Kings rally!
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Reposted by Susan Murdy
Invasive species
October 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Invasive species
Reposted by Susan Murdy
Organizers say more than 10,000 people have turned out for the No Kings rally at the Atlanta Civic Center in Georgia. The actual number could be closer to 12,000, says Laura Judge with Indivisible North Metro, which is one of the event's organizers. (Photo by @alander.bsky.social)
October 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Organizers say more than 10,000 people have turned out for the No Kings rally at the Atlanta Civic Center in Georgia. The actual number could be closer to 12,000, says Laura Judge with Indivisible North Metro, which is one of the event's organizers. (Photo by @alander.bsky.social)