“[T]he thirst for revenge has always been central to American movies” – from The Searchers through Dirty Harry, A Time to Kill and Unforgiven to Inglourious Basterds. “The vigilante’s sense of rough justice clearly descends from the western gunslinger’s idea of frontier law.”
Tag: 10.19.09
But Egypt Wants That Queen Nefertiti Bust Back
The ancient stucco-and-limestone statue of Queen Nefertiti, the crown jewel of the newly reopened Neues Museum in Berlin, “has been in Germany since 1913. But it is only now that Egypt is demanding that this fragile and haunting object, perched alone in a domed room that overlooks the length of the museum, be returned.”
À Bas Le Google! France Battles Back Against U.S. Tech-Cultural Hegemony
“Like Asterix, the cartoon Gaul who resists the Romans with his pluck – and a magic potion – French publishers and news providers are cooking up original ways to fight the perceived threat of cultural domination by U.S. technology giants like Google and Amazon.”
The New Disciplinary Tool – Picture Books?
“In this confrontation-averse age of parenting, in which the “escalation” of emotions is considered a mark of failure, a favorite way of inculcating discipline is the reading of picture books. The language of a good children’s story is precise and consistent, offering a genial way for parents to address misbehavior. Many new picture books tout themselves as disciplinary tools.”
NY Philharmonic Gamble: The Alan Gilbert Years
“Gilbert officially assumed his post at a gala concert, on September 16th. Back-bench grumblings aside, the risk seems smartly taken. First, Gilbert is a native New Yorker who intends to remain in the city most of the year. He will not be one of those directors who work their magic for twelve contractually obligated weeks and then vanish into their villas.”