Elegance and Mystery in Fame
Dear Readers, I am writing from Kingston, Canada (my other home). As I was checking Facebook around 7:30 am this morning, I came across a posting on ‘Melancholie Soul, Beauty and Retro’ and felt compelled to share my thoughts on it! The page often represents Hollywood glamour in the past and artistic inspirations in the present. In both cases, there is a sense of escapism and mystery that appeals readers. As you can see, I am not an exception when it comes to that appeal. At the same time, as a Celebrity Cultural Critic, I find missing links that make famous representations...
Read MoreCFP: Star Bodies and the Erotics of Suffering 2013
From H-NET List for Scholarly Studies and Uses of Media CFP for Star Bodies and the Erotics of Suffering 1-page (250-500 words) Proposal with short bibliography and short bio due by April 15, 2013. Completed draft 4,000-6000-word manuscript due May 20, 2013 Revised draft due May 30, 2013 Email word document to Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau at rb12@txstate.edu or Dr. Colleen Glenn at colleenglenn.uky.edu@gmail.com We are seeking one or two more essays on stars of racial or ethnic minority backgrounds—preferably female—whose careers speak to the theme of personal suffering or transformation. The...
Read MoreCFP: The Women of James Bond 2013
From Popular Culture & American Culture Associations Title: The Women of James Bond Critical Perspectives on Feminism and Femininity in the Bond Franchise Editor: Lisa Funnell, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, lfunnell@ou.edu The release of *Skyfall *in 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise. The 23rd film in the series, *Skyfall *earned over one billion dollars (USD) in the worldwide box-office and won two Academy Awards (*Best Sound Editing* and *Best Song*). Amidst such popular and critical acclaim, many have questioned the representation of women in the...
Read MoreBare and Bear? Body and Nudity in Daniel Ploeger’s Lecture and the Screen Actors Guild Awards
Dear Readers, In fame, the body is often seen as an object and plays a role in shifting attention from our free creative spirit. Reading the body as a text is a common practice in celebrity culture and in everyday life. The body often plays a significant role in voyeurism and spectator gratification. This thought occurred to me when I reviewed Dr Daniel Ploeger’s latest lecture and performance titled ‘Thinking Critical / Looking Sexy.’ Daniel Ploeger is an academic and artist based in London and Berlin. On February 8, 2013, he presented his unclothed body to explore how nudity is often...
Read MoreFrom Toronto Pig Save to the Oprah Winfrey Show
Dear Readers, In my last post, I mentioned how celebrity James Cameron supported plant-based empowerment at the Ocean Blue Film Festival. While Cameron takes an environmental perspective, many other celebrities and activists speak from the angle of health and ethics. Recently, I stumbled upon actress Alicia Silverstone’s inspiring words on the Oprah Winfrey Show. I believe this show was broadcasted a while ago but her words appear to be timeless and positive. Both celebrities drew perspectives from the book The Kind Diet and had an open conversation on being “kind” to self...
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