It’s June 27th, I’m Gina Telaroli and this is TakePart.com’s look at the week in social action…

The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. Check out some of our most popular stories of the week, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites!

Nicole Hughes:

U.S. Media Ignores Link Between Midwest Floods and Global Warming

Top 10 Houseplants for Removing Indoor Air Pollution

* * *

Andy Kondrat:

Dubai to Build Rotating Positive Energy Tower

Bioethicist Peter Singer Tackles World Food Shortage

* * *

Jon Popham:

Americacorps Workers Assist Flood Ravaged Town

Australians “Out-Fat” Americans

* * *

Giulia Rozzi:

Progressive Book Club

Oprah Recommends “A New Earth”

* * *

Gina Telaroli:

Human Rights Watch 2008 Film Festival Update

SilverDocs 2008 Update

So the first week of Human Rights Watch is almost over so if you’re in NYC, catch something while you still can. I’ll be posting reviews of the remaining films in the next few days before they screen so keep checking back. Each film’s screening times will be listed and I’ll leave a schedule of reviews to come here.

Also in case you’re just tuning in now, here’s a little refresher on what’s already played:

• Human Rights Watch 08 : Calle Santa Fe
• Human Rights Watch 08 : The Beytrayal (Nerakhoon)
• Human Rights Watch 08 : American Outrage
• Human Rights Watch 08 : A Promise to the Dead

Here’s what’s ahead:

• Under the Bombs : http://filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/underthebombs.html
• The Sari Soldiers : http://filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/thesarisoldiers.html
• Traces of the Trade : http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/tracesofthetrade.html
• Letter to Anna : http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/lettertoanna.html

After all is said and done I’ll post a comprehensive piece full of Takepart links that will let you connect to the issues in the film!

American Outrage (Beth Gage & George Gage, USA, 2007; 56m )

screening : Sat Jun 14: 4:15 and Mon Jun 16: 1:30 & 9

American Outrage focuses on the Dann sisters and their fight to keep their Western Shoshone lands. In 1863, the Shoshone signed a treaty with the US allowing them to pass on their lands. That treaty, The Treaty of Ruby Valley, was a treaty of good faith and in no way signified that the Shoshone were giving up their lands. However, in 1974, Mary and Carrie Dann, elderly Shoshone grandmothers, found themselves accused of trespassing on their own land. The lengths that the government went to to remove the Dann sisters and their livestock from their property is astounding.

Read the rest of this entry »

Idol Gives Back is on tomorrow night and celebs coming our more than ever. this annual event is causing an online stir, here are just some of the many mentions of Idols efforts:

Read the rest of this entry »

By Giulia RozziI don’t usually watch awards shows. Usually after thirty minutes of lusting over so-and-so’s pricey designer gown and enviously watching what’s-her-name accepting yet another round of awards and praise, I am left with an eminent desire to lie down in traffic. Sure, I’m happy for those folks who have worked hard and earned recognition for their talents, but quite frankly its annoying to witness a party that I was not invited to.None the less, last night’s American Music Awards offered some entertaining moments, here are just a few highlights:*Jimmy Kimmel as the ghost host- Since topical jokes could not be written due to the Writers Strike it was refreshing to have less host banter and more performances at the Awards show like Chris Brown’s amazing dance ditty. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Kimmel, I am just not a huge fan of typical Awards show humor unless of course it’s coming from Ryan Seacrest ( please note the sarcasm in that last statement).*Beyonce- She accepted the International Artist Award of Excellence award with such grace, keeping it short and sweet and giving props to Kelly and Michelle from Destiny’s Child. Also deserving of props was her dress which while glamorous and gorgeous, it was also malfunctioning. Please girls, keep your girls covered.* The Jonas Brothers- I have to be honest, I had never heard of this Hmm Bop-esq trio until last night. Apparently they are quite popular, so much so that two fans got on stage at the end of their performance only to be whisked away by security. However according to Just Jared, the fans rehearsed before the show so was this fanatical moment staged? Who knows, but we do know of a monet that wasn’t staged: tambourine shaking Joe Jonas’s fall. I know how dumb I feel when I trip on the side walk and then pretend to dance my way out of it so I can only imagine Joe’s embarrassment. However, this kid was quite impressive as he went right into the song, seemingly unaffected by his televised tumble. That’s pretty damn cool for a teenager. A rich, famous, rich, attractive, rich teenager.For a full list of winners and other info, check out the official AMA site.