Former Texas congressman Charlie Wilson, subject of Charlie Wilson’s War (which told the story of a man who used his political clout both for buying rocket launchers and for hanging out in hot tubs with sluts — a true hero), died of cardiopulmonary arrest yesterday at the age of 76.  He had received a heart transplant in 2007.

Mr. Wilson’s exploits to provide as much as $5 billion in arms to Afghan rebels were the subject of a book and the 2007 movie “Charlie Wilson’s War,” directed by Mike Nichols [who also directed Day of the Dolphin].  Until his secret role in Afghanistan became the stuff of Hollywood, Mr. Wilson’s fame was pretty much summed up by his nickname, “Good Time Charlie.” An article in Texas Monthly in 2004 said he gave his girlfriends nicknames like Snowflake, Tornado and Firecracker.

After he visited a refugee camp in Pakistan at the urging of [Texas socialite Joanne] Herring and saw wounded and maimed Afghan guerrilla fighters, Mr. Wilson vowed to help them and became a key figure in Congress for doing so, overtly pushing for humanitarian aid and covertly obtaining military help, a risky endeavor against a rival superpower. He often gathered his colleagues’ support by voting for military contracts that would serve their districts.

The help went beyond money. When the Soviets deliberately killed camels and mules to cripple the Afghan fighters’ supply lines, he flew in Tennessee mules. When the CIA refused to provide the guerrillas with field radios for fear that mujahedeen transmissions would be picked up by the Soviets, he sent an aide to Virginia to buy $12,000 worth of walkie-talkies from a Radio Shack.

Particularly helpful were Stinger missiles, which were used to shoot down Russian helicopters and became what many consider a decisive factor in wearing down the Soviets. By February 1989, the Soviets had withdrawn and the US ended its support.

In later years Mr. Wilson insisted that the US had not made a mistake by supporting the Afghan rebels, among them Osama bin Laden and the Islamists who would form the Taliban regime. He said if the US had helped rebuild Afghanistan, it would have remained stable and not become a safe haven for Al Qaeda. [NY Times]

Oops.  Nonetheless, he will be missed.  Meanwhile, taking up Wilson’s mantle as legislator who pays for “stinger missiles”,  Senator Lindsay Graham.  And yes, that was a gay joke, in case it was unclear.

Famous movie and TV writer guy Aaron Sorkin recently announced his plans to make a Facebook movie. It may sound like a crazy idea, but not to the billion people who’ve already uploaded videos on YouTube titled “Facebook: The Movie”. Sorkin, who last wrote Charlie Wilson’s War, released the statement via, what else, Facebook:

I’ve just agreed to write a movie for Sony and producer Scott Rudin about how Facebook was invented. I figured a good first step in my preparation would be finding out what Facebook is, so I’ve started this page. (Actually it was started by my researcher, Ian Reichbach, because my grandmother has more Internet savvy than I do and she’s been dead for 33 years.

And that joke’s been dead for 10.

I honestly don’t know how this works, which is why I’m here. If anyone has any questions I’d be happy to answer them as best I can. If anyone has any comments I’m glad to listen. And if anyone has any Facebook stories I think they might be helpful.

So there you have it, a Facebook movie. I guess the writing is on the wall! Get it? Writing on the wall? You know, because on Facebook… … Whatever, I was leaving anyway.

I’m starting to love the MTV movie interviewer guy. 

Following last month’s clip of him totally harshing James Franco’s mellow, he decided to take his unique brand of social awkwardness to the premiere of Charlie Wilson’s War.

Phillip Semen Hoffmore treats him like an insane homeless person, and Tom Hanks quipped "You’re creepin’ me out."

Good work, dude.  I haven’t seen celebrities that uncomfortable since I took my penis out at Shia LeBeouf’s Bar Mitsvah.  Hey, I just thought a boy becoming a man should have a gander at what a real man looks like. Ha ch-cha cha cha! *rimshot*

In this eight minute clip from Charlie Wilson’s War, we learn some fun things – like the fact that Phillip Semen Hoffmore’s character is named "Gust" and that people used the word "tool" in the 80s.  Who knew?

Watch eight minutes of Charlie Wilson’s War here

Ya know, if you would’ve pitched me the idea of a movie about the triumphant story of the guy who helped get money and weapons to Bin Laden’s boys back in the 80s, I would’ve called you an idiot.  Then again, I’ve killed men with my bare hands because I didn’t like the way their hair smelled.  Perhaps I’m too high strung.

It’s just nice to see Tom Hanks not working with Ron Howard for a change – creepy goddamned ginger. (Opens today – written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Mike Nichols) 

Higher Res Here

Charlie Wilson’s War stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman*.  

It tells the heartwarming story of an amorous southerner**, a congressman name Charlie Wilson, who helped supply weapons to Osama Bin Laden and his Mujahideen to drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan.  Ahh, providing weapons to those who would someday use them against you – it’s as American as apple pie***.

Not to mention that it stars Tom Hanks AND Julia Roberts. Jesus, it’s like Forrest Gump rockin’ out to Springsteen while an Indian Chief cries.  God bless America.  It comes out Christmas Day 2007.  

*who I prefer to call "Philip Semen Hoffmore", as Serena Williams once did
** is there any other kind?
***Which many people don’t realize was actually invented by Dutch baker Adolf Strudel in 1627