John Wayne

Pardis Mahdavi (center) gathers with other family members based in the US.

The tiny but mighty hyphen: Does it unite or divide?

Language

Some Americans, like Pardis Mahdavi, feel caught between two worlds. Her parents immigrated to the US from Iran, and she’s never really felt completely at home in either country. So now, she’s adopted a hyphenated identity.

A problematic classic.

American Icons: ‘The Searchers’

American Icons
A problematic classic.

American Icons: ‘The Searchers’

American Icons
The chapel of the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

Phil Collins is more than a drummer, singer and songwriter. He’s also obsessed with the Alamo

Conflict & Justice

Osama Bin Laden’s Hollywood ending

Global Politics

More Reasons to Cancel Cable

As Netflix rolls out original programming like “House of Cards,” it’s taken the spotlight as a competitor to traditional cable networks.   Soon however,   the network will have additional competition from the likes of Amazon and Microsoft’s X-box, as well as other providers.   With a wealth of programming now available online, what’s keeping you from cancelling […]

‘Gun Guys’ Challenges the Stereotypes about Firearms and Those Who Love Them

The classic American “gun guy” is shotgun-toting John Wayne, riding his way through cowboy movies like “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” “El Dorado,” and “True Grit.”   Author Dan Baum describes himself as more of a Woody Allen than a John Wayne, and yet he has loved guns since his first successful shoot at the age […]

The World

Aha Moment: ‘The Searchers’

Arts, Culture & Media

Vito Acconci’s work as an artist and architect often confuses the boundaries between public and private space. In 1964 Acconci saw a movie that would shape his career as an architect: John Ford’s “The Searchers,” starring John Wayne. Produced by Gretta Cohn.

The World

Movie revisits Genghis Khan

Arts, Culture & Media

A Russian filmmaker wants to set the record straight on the Mongol leader, Genghis Khan, and Sergei Bodrov has made a movie about the conqueror’s early years, called “Mongol;” Beth Accomando has the story.