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3 items from 2012

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Memorial day is a time to reflect on Us conquests and failures – in film

25 May 2012 10:06 AM, PDT | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news »

Hollywood goes for blockbuster returns on Memorial Day, but how do the Us-centric hyper-macho films perform overseas?

Memorial Day is fast approaching, so naturally one's thoughts turn to the Fallen, and to the shared sacrifice of European and American continents as they united in common cause against the spectre of global tyranny. But that's enough about the reviews for Battleship.

"A preposterously lunkheaded salute to American naval machismo" snorted Tim Robey in The Daily Telegraph. "It seems that the Us Navy is as much committed to the production of this film as is the toy company" opined Le Monde's Thomas Sotinel. As news of the hostile European reception spread, American critics equipped their reviews with a pre-emptive Euro-snob missile defense shield. "That the movie didn't exactly receive hosannas in Europe should surprise absolutely no one. This is a Super-American movie," bristled Jeff Simon of Buffalo News. "It would be like »

- Tom Shone

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Movie Poster of the Week: John Ford’s “Stagecoach”

23 March 2012 1:43 PM, PDT | MUBI | See recent MUBI news »

Until it came up for sale at Heritage Auctions the other day I had never seen this glorious poster for John Ford’s Stagecoach. (It is only the second time that Heritage has ever handled a copy of this one-sheet, and the last one sold for over $77,000 five years ago.) A truly gorgeous piece of art, full of dynamism—horses at full gallop, gunmen firing out of the frame, that bright yellow title bissecting the image—and natural beauty—the blue light of evening, the last rays of sun hitting the mountain peaks and the top of the stagecoach—it is really quite unlike most posters of the era. What distinguishes it is perhaps what makes it less familiar: a lack of stars. Though it is remembered now as one of the great John Wayne films, Wayne was not a star at the time, in fact Ford’s insistence on »

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Bette Davis, Fay Kanin: AMPAS Only Two Women Presidents

17 February 2012 4:03 PM, PST | Alt Film Guide | See recent Alt Film Guide news »

Don Ameche, Honorary Oscar-less Claudette Colbert in Mitchell Leisen's Midnight Honorary Oscars and Women Pt.3: Deceased Honorary Oscar-less – Joan Crawford, Ava Gardner, Claudette Colbert, Greer Garson Most — though definitely not all — male winners of Honorary Oscars for career achievement merited their statuettes because, whether or not you or I admire their acting or directorial or producing or screenwriting skills, they hold an indelible place in motion picture history. But if gender-related prejudices haven't played a role in the selection of honorees, why hasn't the Academy been able to find more women deserving of that same recognition? * I didn't include the numerous special Oscars given to individuals for specific achievements (e.g., to William Cameron Menzies for his work with color in Gone with the Wind), or in recognition for "contributions" to the Academy. The latter Honorary Awards were "Thank You" — not career — Oscars. In any case, with one exception — Onna White, »

- Andre Soares

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2012 | 2011 | 2010

3 items from 2012

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