Tag: Film
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Temple: Hollywood child star’s amazing survival
The curly-haired movie tot Shirley Temple died this week at 85. Famous as a child, she later became a respected politician. Why do today’s young actors lack her ability to thrive?
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Silver screen’s ‘giant’ talent killed by drugs
Cinema is mourning the loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of its leading stars. It is a familiar story of excess: are the extraordinarily gifted always cursed with extraordinary suffering?
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Exploitation row over reality TV’s ‘Benefits St’
The documentary ‘Benefits Street’ aims to show life in areas where most people are on welfare. Is it an accurate portrayal? Or are accusations of exploiting the participants justified?
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USA must face slave history says movie director
The epic British film 12 Years a Slave is now an Oscar contender after winning best motion picture at the Golden Globes. Does it force us to face...
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Kickstarter unleashes £22.5 million of creativity
A crowdfunding company which raises money by asking enthusiasts to donate to quirky projects is celebrating its first birthday in Britain. Has it Kickstarted a creative revolution?
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Swedish cinemas introduce feminist film test
Only 11% of leading characters in films are women. Now a group of Swedish cinemas has introduced a new rating to tackle the inequality. Does cinema have a gender problem?
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Disney’s battle over Mary Poppins revealed
A new film about adapting ‘Mary Poppins’ for the screen shows that Walt Disney’s ideas clashed with those of the fictional nanny’s creator. What can it tell us about children’s entertainment?
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Experts pull sci-fi thriller ‘Gravity’ to Earth
‘Gravity’, the new space thriller with George Clooney, has critics and audiences giddy with praise. But some physicists are less impressed. Should there be more science in science fiction?
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‘Moral squalor’ of illegal downloads condemned
Have you ever downloaded a song without paying for it? Watched a film online for free? If so, the celebrated author Philip Pullman believes you are no better than a pickpocket. Is that fair?
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Teen ‘bling’ burglars shock cinema audiences
Celebrity worship led a group of rich teenagers in Los Angeles to burgle the houses of their favourite stars: now the true story is a film. Is this a morality tale for our fame-obsessed era?
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Film critics divided over glitzy Gatsby
A big budget 3D adaptation of The Great Gatsby is poised to take cinemas by storm. But does the extravagance obscure the true message of the ‘great American novel’?
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After twelve movies, Star Trek still flying high
Star Trek: Into Darkness is in cinemas this week – the latest blockbuster instalment in a story that has been running for half a century. Is Star Trek the greatest sci-fi universe of all time?
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Arts must pay their way, says UK government
The British culture minister has called on arts organisations like theatres and museums to prove that they benefit the economy. But should culture really be valued in pounds and pence?
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Zombie romcom puts Shakespeare on screen
Romeo and Juliet has been updated for every generation: a new movie translates the ‘star-crossed lovers’ to the world of zombie horror. Is this a good metaphor for modern love?
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‘Mad’ method wins actor a place among the stars
When Daniel Day-Lewis won his record-breaking third Oscar for Best Actor, a Hollywood legend was born. Is his famously eccentric devotion to ‘method acting’ the secret to his success?