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Today in my live show on Blogtv.com, the participants and I came up with a great way to show our support of each others' pursuit of our dreams in 2009, we created a social network on NING. Watch the video for more info and I invite you to 1) create a page, 2) join the group and 3) PIMP YOUR NING!

What do you want in 2009?

WATCH IN HD Join me for my LIVE DREAM CHAT on Sunday, 12/28 at 2pm EST on BlogTV.com! http://www.blogtv.com/people/lisamurray or visit my website for more info: http://www.skylifeproductions.com

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Blogity Blog Blog

Stop Loss Movie Review

Stop Loss Synopsis:

Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty.  He tries to resume the life he left behind with the help and support of his family and his best friend, Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum), who served with him in Iraq.  Along with their other war buddies, Brandon and Steve try to make peace with civilian life.  Then, against Brandon's will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq, which upends his world.  The conflict tests everything he believes in:  the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love and the value of honor.  

My Review:

First of all, it might be helpful to know that the co-Writer, co-Producer and Director of this film was the Director of BOYS DON'T CRY (Kimberly Peirce) which earned Hillary Swank her first Oscar in 2000.  It might also be helpful for you to know that I am personally against the war in Iraq.  Before seeing this movie I hadn't ever heard of the term "Stop Loss" and I didn't know that it was an official military term.  I thought it was just some clever marketing title so this was an educational movie just as much as it was an entertaining one as I'm sure was the intention.  Overall, I enjoyed this movie and I felt glad that they made it....it feels important that this is put out into the world.  I left the screening feeling so sad for those that have gone through this and who continue to go through this.  I thought the acting was great.  Ryan Phillippe was amazing and more and more I'm starting to really enjoy watching his performances.  (He was amazing in CRASH and BREACH.)  The other actors are great too.  I never forgot that this is an MTV film because it definitely had that vibe throughout. Don't get me wrong, I was happy that MTV was behind a film about the realities of the war due to their demographic.  Young people should see this movie for sure.  I've recently been told that military recruiters are at high schools now!   I think that's horrible because these kids are listening to what the recruiters are saying and believing every word and signing up before having any discussions with their parents.  ANYWAY, I was 100% behind Ryan's character's struggle throughout the movie and they did a great job of not glorifying the war yet not preaching about what's bad about it either.  It showed a group of all-American kids working hard for our country getting screwed over and abandoned by the very government that they gave their lives to.  What you thought of that in the end was your own thing.  I heard some people say that nobody will want to see this movie because seeing movies about the war is "depressing" and people just want to be entertained.  I don't agree.  Yes, the TRANSFORMERS and INDIANA JONES of the world are a ton of fun and they do take our minds off of our troubles, but sometimes it's just as equally good for the soul to watch a movie about something that we SHOULD be paying attention to and this movie is that type of movie.  If SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and PLATOON and SCHINDLER'S LIST can do so well at the box office, STOP LOSS can too.  I believe that as long as it's not preachy or condescending, people will watch movies about serious topics.  I guess we'll find out for sure next weekend!  

Click here for the STOP LOSS official website

A general update...

I took a break from my documentary – I HAVE DREAMS, DAMMIT! – after shooting about 40 hours of footage. During this time I focused on working a lot of screenings after work at Paramount/Dreamworks which has been a really great experience… seeing all the different types of films and how the premieres and other screenings are handled by the studios has been great. Now that my break has refreshed my perspective, I am starting to pull out my notes on my doc and get started on shooting again. I’m also in the process of upgrading my home editing system and so that will help expedite the logging and editing process. Working full-time doesn’t leave a lot of time to work on the film on nights and weekends and so having a top-of-the-line computer is a must!

I just found out that the story about me making the FREE HUGS IN HOLLYWOOD video will appear in the next “CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: Life Lessons for Mastering the Law Of Attraction” book due out this month!! (March, 08) My story appears in the “Inspired Acts” chapter. Yay! And thank goodness the writer mentioned my documentary, by name! So now I need to get that website up pronto! If you haven’t already seen it enough times and you would like to view the FREE HUGS IN HOLLYWOOD video, click here: http://lisamurray.com/vidA3.htm (Turn your speakers on!)

I am training to run in the San Diego Half-Marathon on June 8th. (13.1 miles) I am being trained by Team in Training and in exchange I am raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and guess what? I am the TOP CONTRIBUTOR! Woo woo!! In only 2 weeks I have raised $2900! If you donate even just $25, I will mention your name in my video blog on YouTube AND if you donate $50, I’ll write your name (or the name of your film project?) on my body on race day! I have added some other fun and silly incentives to donate. (Like having lunch with me while I video blog it and upload it to YouTube! Or getting “I Have Dreams Dammit!” merchandise in exchange for your donation!) I have also recorded a video blog about why I am doing this half marathon (and will continue to upload video blogs until after I complete the race) which is on my race page: http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/lisamurray

Dreams Come True in 08 Blog: Marathon Update!

Unbelievable! Thanks to YOU I am the TOP CONTRIBUTOR of my training group! woo woo!

Dreams Come True 08 Blog: 2/9/08 - Running 1/2 Marathon!

OMG... I'm training to run a half marathon! I used to run and although my body is suffering from lack of use, I LOVE running again!

Dreams Come True 08 Blog: 1/27/08

Dreams Come True 08 Intro Blog - Pt. 2

Dreams Come True 08 Intro Blog - Pt. 1

FINALLY...my first blog of the series. OMG did I talk though. This is only PART ONE! Part two is coming soon! (Just have to upload it!) I welcome your comments. :-) (As long as they're nice. haha)

Cloverfield Winner! (picked from the midnight showing in CA)

I hit the streets of Hollywood for the midnight showing of CLOVERFIELD at the Mann's Chinese Theatre to pick the winner of my Cloverfield Contest.

Cloverfield Hollywood Premiere 1-16-08

Well, I saw Cloverfield last night! It's very interesting. I liked it. :-)

Cloverfield Monster hits Hollywood

I got it on tape...the Cloverfield monster attacks Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood!! None of us are safe!!! RUUUUNNNNN!!!!

Who will win the Cloverfield Quiz??

It's been slow... where are my Cloverfield fans at? So far I have received 2 video responses: one from DaleATL2 and one from Fatmime. It's not too late to submit your video response. You just have to answer the two questions I pose in my video. One is REALLY EASY and the other should be really easy if you're a true Cloverfield Fan! Stop by my YouTube channel to view the video and enter to win!

Deadline is Thursday, 1/17/08, 12:00AM.

Out of the people who submit videos with the correct answer, I will put their names in a (Cloverfield) hat and will draw the winner! I will then send the winner a nifty (yes I said "nifty") gift from me. :-)

Good luck!

Cloverfield Premiere!

Think you know everything about Cloverfield?