Month: January 2019

Привет! This week’s random movie documents one of my personal favorite historical happenings– Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s 1959 road trip across the United States. DVD 11777 is one of PBS’ American Experience documentaries, and let me tell you, it’s a good one. Here’s our summary:

The story of one of the most bizarre episodes in the annals of modern history: the unprecedented trip across America in 1959 by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, the world leader of communism and America’s arch nemesis. The visit was an opportunity to halt the escalating threats of the Cold War and chart a new course toward peaceful coexistence. For the American press, it was the media story of the year.

This was the tour that blessed us with all the great images of Khrushchev staring adoringly at ears of corn. With this DVD, you’ll get to learn about the story behind those iconic photos.

Apologies for the late random movie, friends. We had a snow day on Monday, and we were too busy frolicking in the snow and napping to post a random movie.

This week’s random movie is DVD 677 — Punch-Drunk Love. Here’s our summary:

Struggling to cope with his erratic temper, novelty toilet plunger salesman Barry Egan spends his days collecting frequent-flyer-mile coupons and dodging the insults of his seven sisters. The promise of a new life emerges when Barry inadvertently attracts the affections of a mysterious woman named Lena. But their budding relationship is threatened when he falls prey to the swindling operator of a phone sex line and her deranged boss.

And this summary doesn’t even mention the pudding. Check it out!

On March 6, Susan Zirinsky, an alum of AU’s School of Communications, will become the President and Senior Executive Producer of CBS News: the first women in that position. Zirinsky comes to the role with an impressive resume. During her decades-long career at CBS, she’s covered the Watergate Scandal, the White House, and won one Emmy and two Peabody Awards for her work.

Zirinsky also served as the inspiration for Jane Craig, the news producer protagonist in Broadcast News. Zirinsky had an incredible amount of input on the creative direction of the film, and she also served as its executive producer. She even gave Holly Hunter, the actress who portrayed her in the film, some of her own clothes to wear as costumes.

We want to congratulate Zirinsky for her most recent achievement, and we know she’ll do well as the President of CBS News. For all you aspiring journalists and producers out there, we highly recommend Broadcast News, which you can borrow from Media Services. Just ask for DVD 3504.