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Steven Spielberg has claimed he watches John Wayne Western The Searchers every time he’s preparing to film a new project – My Blog

Steven Spielberg has claimed he watches John Wayne Western The Searchers every time he’s preparing to film a new project. Of the 80 or so Westerns Wayne starred in, 1956’s The Searchers is arguably his most acclaimed. The story is simple with Wayne’s cynical, racist Civil War vet teaming with his nephew to rescue his kidnapped niece, who was grabbed during a Comanche raid. The dark storyline, stunning scenery and iconic moments such as the final image of Wayne’s Ethan framed in a doorway have seen it lauded as one of the greatest Westerns ever. Many filmmakers have cited The Searchers as an influence, with Spielberg especially taken by it.

Speaking with The Telegraph, the filmmaker revealed when he’s about to start shooting a new movie project, he rewatches The Searchers as a ritual. It’s been noted that the Barry abduction sequence from Spielberg’s Close Encounters Of The Third Kind is similar to the scene where Ethan’s – who MIGHT be Debbie’s father – doomed family prepares for the raid that sets the story off. Speaking further with AFI, Spielberg speaks of how Searchers director John Ford’s films “inspire” him, comparing his use of the camera to a painter. Given his deep love of The Searchers, it’s surprising the filmmaker hasn’t tried a Western – though one could still be in his future.
Spielberg is far from the first filmmaker to cite The Searchers as an influence. In terms of pop culture, its biggest inspiration was on Star Wars: A New Hope. The basic story – where a veteran warrior teams with a naive young hero to rescue a kidnapped woman – applies to both movies. Stylistically, Star Wars’ use of vast desert landscapes connects to The Searchers, as does the shocking discovery of a burned-out homestead. Lucas’ film was a potpourri of cinematic influences and it also pulled from Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress, making it a unique marriage of Western and samurai movie.
Alongside Citizen Kane, Scorsese listed The Searchers as one of his favorite movies (via BFI), and it was namedropped in his debut film Who’s That Knocking at My Door. The Searchers even influenced Breaking Bad. Creator Vince Gilligan told EW in 2013 that the ending where Walt can’t go through with his plan to kill ex-partner Jesse (Aaron Paul) and instead saves him, was heavily inspired by The Searchers. In comparing the endings, Gilligan said “A lot of astute viewers who know their film history are going to say, ‘It’s the ending to The Searchers.’ And indeed it is.”

Being such a fan of The Searchers, it’s little surprise Spielberg tried to work with Wayne too. Unfortunately, he decided to pitch the Western icon 1941, a zany comedy set during World War 2. The fiercely patriotic actor was offered a supporting role, though he swiftly rejected Steven Spielberg’s movie offer. Recounting Wayne’s rejection to EW, the director stated “He called me the next day and said he felt it was a very un-American movie, and I shouldn’t waste my time making it. ‘You know, that was an important war, and you’re making fun of a war that cost thousands of lives at Pearl Harbor.’”

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Sydney Sweeney hits back at horrific body shaming comments on viral pictures with incredible response

Sydney Sweeney has posted an Instagram video which included body shaming comments

Sydney Sweeney has hit back at horrific body shaming comments she’s received online with an incredible response.

For famous faces, social media can be an extremely toxic place, and it’s why we’ve seen some celebrities reduce their online presence as a result.

Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney has become the subject of body shaming comments in recent times, and she responded to these on Instagram in the best possible way.

The actor posted a shot clip that began with screenshots of a bunch of body shaming comments she’s received online, including some calling her ‘quite frumpy’, ‘very chunky’ and ‘tubby’.

Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell discuss chemistry
After many screenshots of horrible comments were shown on screen, the video cut to Sweeney in her training gear at the gym.

The video cut to a sign that said ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’ as Sweeney worked hard with a trainer, struck a punching bag and even flipped a large tire in what looked like an extremely intense workout.

Many have flocked to the comments section of the Instagram video to praise Sweeney for her response to the trolls.

“I will never understand the hate in people‘s hearts when it comes to leaving comments like this,” one person commented.

A second added: “Ngl why do people feel entitled to talk about someone’s body specially someone you don’t personally know,” while a third remarked: “No one has the right or reason to make comments on anyones body, ever.”

Meanwhile, Lili Reinhart penned: “It’s always wild to see people publicly out themselves as pieces of shit with comments like that. You look incredible and your dedication to your project is very inspiring.”

The video actually concluded with the name ‘Christy Martin’ being shown on the screen, which is a nod to Sweeney’s upcoming biopic where she plays a famed female boxer.

Boxing fans will likely know Martin is a is a former professional boxer who earned herself the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009.

Sweeney has spoken previously about her process of getting into her movie character, telling The Los Angeles Times in March that she’s a ‘very hands-on collaborator’.

“I like being able to give ideas, be a part of it, help come up with solutions. It just changes the whole process,” she said.

Sweeney continued: “It’s so hard for me now to be on a set and not be able to help in any type of way and be able to take action. And being able to actually have a voice and have a valued opinion—it means so much.”

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‘Australia’s most sexually active woman’ reveals outrageous bedroom goal for 2025

A woman who has been dubbed the “most sexually active woman” in Australia has set her sights on a big goal for 2025.

You’ve probably heard of Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips attempting to break outrageous records in the bedroom – and Annie Knight has now thrown her hat into the ring too.

“When I watched that clip of Lily crying and everyone was saying, ‘Oh my god, this poor girl,’ I just thought, well, she’s been getting railed all day by 100 different guys… imagine putting your body through that,” Knight told Metro.

“Yes, it’s emotionally taxing, but isn’t that like any job?” she added. “Everyone has moments where they’re like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this anymore.’ You do get really stressed. She’d be exhausted; her body would be exhausted. When you’re tired, your emotions are high.”

Knight also noted that some of the men involved in Phillips’ session were reportedly rude to her, emphasizing that dealing with negativity can be challenging in any profession.

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Sophia Loren timeless beauty

Enjoy in timeless beauty of Sophia Loren:

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3738621 Sophia Loren (b/w photo); (add.info.: Sophia Loren (b.1934) Italian actress); © SZ Photo; .

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