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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 1, 2008
/ 4 Kislev 5769
Obama's pop culture drama
By
Clarence Page
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Washington and Wall Street are not the only power centers that are wondering what kind of change President-elect Barack Obama is going to bring. Hollywood moguls are sitting on the edge of their seats in suspense like a teen-aged boy at a sequel to "American Pie."
The entertainment industry is trying to figure out what impact Obama is going to have on popular culture, particularly the big-budget movies that moviegoers around the planet will want to see in a year or two.
"Discussions in our development meetings include the zeitgeist and how it's changed in that last two weeks," Kevin Feige, president of production at Marvel Studios, producers of "Iron Man," told Entertainment Weekly. "Things are being adjusted."
Good luck with that, guys. Presidents do leave big cultural footprints, usually in unpredictable ways. John F. Kennedy brought a glamorous "Camelot" era to stodgy Washington. Lyndon B. Johnson inspired youthful rebellion, mostly against Johnson.
The Depression-era story of "Bonnie and Clyde" surprised many in 1967 by capturing a more devoted youth audience than the hippie-theme movies did. So did the straight-laced but nihilistic "The Graduate."
Richard Nixon's era of Watergate and the "southern strategy" similarly is remembered for the moral relativism of "The Godfather" and the loveable bigot Archie Bunker of "All in the Family."
The Ronald Reagan '80s gave us the military hits "Top Gun" and "Rambo" and revived 1950s-style family comedy with "The Cosby Show." And, let us not forget Oliver Stone's 1987 "Wall Street," with its cynical-yet-timely catch phrase, "Greed is good."
What impact could Obama have? Your guess is as good as mine, but since I've got the column, here's my advice to the movie folks:
Don't try a movie about his life. At least, not yet. We've already seen it played out on TV and YouTube. Hollywood's fantasy factory is no match for the real-life thriller that "No Drama" Obama's quest already has given us.
Look past his politics to the themes that make his story appealing. "A stranger comes to town" is one of the oldest plot hooks in the world. The more Obama's opponents asked, "Who is Barack Obama?" the more they sounded like the befuddled Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid asking, "Who are those guys?" as a posse relentlessly stayed on their tails. The more they asked, the more we viewers wanted to know.
Think of David vs. Goliath. Yes, you can! Audiences love to root for David.
Tomorrow's inspiring, family-friendly themes are yesterday's corny themes repackaged. Some of us remember how John F. Kennedy devastated the men's hat industry by refusing to wear one. Obama's button-down style could inspire a dapper Cosby-style traditionalism, only hipper.
He scored enough cool points to be named one of Ebony's "25 Coolest Brothers of All Time." Yet he did not mind spending a little of that coolness capital during an interview on MTV, of all places, when he announced: "Brothers should pull up their pants. A lot of people may not want to see your underwear. I'm one of them."
Thank you, Mr. President-elect. We parents across America salute you.
Remember, Americans share more than a flag in common. We share a desire for opportunities and achievement. That's why the campaign ad works in which Obama describes his grandfather taking him on his shoulders "and waving a little American flag" to see some of the astronauts. "Americans," said grandpa, "We can do anything when we put our minds to it." Sure, the spot could have sounded irredeemably corny. But in the context of Obama's life and the obvious obstacles he was overcoming, irony evaporated.
Which brings up a dilemma that comedians have faced: For the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Obama's victory has revived talk of the alleged death of irony. He's revived so many old-fashioned, tear-jerking good feelings about this country's value to the world that it's hard for comedians to make fun of him without sounding downright unpatriotic. That won't last. Political honeymoons never do. But until that honeymoon passes, Hollywood would do well to savor this moment. For now, Obama has tapped a spirit of national pride, unity and respect for racial and cultural diversity that a lot of us Americans wish could last forever.
Put that on a screen. I'd buy a ticket to see it.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment on Clarence Page's column by clicking here.
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