Topic: John Wayne

The top 25 celebrity baby names of all time

Many celebrities are creative people, but seldom does their creativity get more free rein than when they’re naming their own offspring. From Beyonce and Jay-Z's firstborn Blue Ivy to Frank Zappa's daughter's avante-garde moniker Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen, there are plenty of unusual names.

The Big Screen

David Thomson's 'The Big Screen' tells the story of the rise and decline of an art form that once played a central role in human life.

The Monitor's View: A rare apology in the Middle East. Cherish it.

Libyan leader Megarif apologizes to the world and the US for past and current actions. With so much invective and violence in the Middle East, the region needs the healing power of such humility and contrition.

Modern Parenthood
Justin Bieber disses Prince William's thinning hair: Let’s talk male body image

Justin Bieber's youthful diss of Prince William's thinning hair is a window on increasing male body image anxiety. A British study suggests men are fast catching up to women in self-image concerns, finding that 38 percent of men surveyed said they would sacrifice at least a year of their life in exchange for a perfect body.

Decoder Wire
Michele Bachmann links Clinton aide to extremists. Has she gone too far? (+video)

Rep. Michele Bachmann said that a longtime aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton may have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and that the group is trying to infiltrate the US government.

4 truly American novels

These books center on residents of the USA in different eras all trying to find success.

Modern Parenthood
Father's Day is every day with surfer dad and 'adventure time'

Father's Day can be every day because this surfer dad's wife feels the need to 'give Papas back their John Wayne meets Father-Knows-Bestness' and ditch the popular culture mantra that Dads can be loveable but incompetent nitwits. 'Adventure time' is prime evidence of this dad's awesomeness.

Keep Calm
Good Reads: How India failed to live up to its hype

This week's best reads deal with India's economic disappointment, Germany's problematic switch from nuclear energy, Al Qaeda, and the Great Un-American Western.

Culture Cafe
'Hatfields & McCoys' stars talk about the central love story

'Hatfields and McCoys' stars Lindsay Pulsipher and Matt Barr talk about the star-crossed lovers they portray.

'Act of Valor' glorifies Navy SEALs. But can they act? (+trailer)

Act of Valor: War movies in wartime inevitably are controversial. "Act of Valor" – the movie about US Navy SEALs – is bringing mixed reviews from professional film critics and moviegoers.

Vox News
Clint Eastwood isn't endorsing Obama? How that doesn't detract from the ad.

Hollywood endorsements don't always work, but they can matter, especially if the message is perceived as authentic and the celebrity is respected. Like Clint Eastwood.

Electric vehicles entrepreneur from China stumbles in US

Electric vehicles partsmaker has string of California projects delayed or canceled for lack of cash. But research center for electric vehicles and other green power is funded and operating.

The Vote
Why did Michele Bachmann's campaign crater?

Michele Bachmann is heading back to Minnesota after a disastrous finish in the Iowa caucuses. Among other reasons for her demise, Ms. Bachmann failed to gain traction with Republican women voters.

Harry Morgan remembered for TV's 'M*A*S*H,' as well as film roles

Harry Morgan didn't start out wanting to be an actor, but developed an interest in college. He eventually worked with some of the biggest names in film and TV.

Mark Twain and 29 other great pseudonyms

Wednesday's special Google doodle wished a happy birthday to Mark Twain. The American writer was born 176 years ago. Well, Twain wasn't born then. A fellow named Samuel Clemens was. The pen name "Mark Twain" came many years later.

Twain stands among many great pseudonyms. Some are obviously fake – Vin Diesel and Sting. But others might surprise you – John Wayne and Alan Alda. Here are 30 of the best from books, movies, TV, and music.

Cover Story
Leadership: The myth of the maverick

Does our love affair with mavericks – from Ronald Reagan to Steve Jobs – make sense?

The Vote
Michele Bachmann: Did her national staff bungle the N.H. campaign?

After quitting en masse last week, the New Hampshire staff for Michele Bachmann has now released a memo that says the national team was 'rude, unprofessional, dishonest, and at times cruel.'

Diggin' It
Texas drought affects even wildflowers

Generally, wildflowers are adapted to the vagaries of their local climates. But the severe drought in most of Texas, including Fredericksburg, has many wildflowers struggling.

The Vote
Will Michele Bachmann's gaffes hurt her presidential candidacy?

Flaps about Michele Bachmann's grasp of Colonial history or movie-star birthplaces probably won't mean a lot to many voters. But her misstatements of fact about current political history could be a problem.

Editor's Blog
Oscar night: At the movies, we all get a vote

Best film? Best actor? There are dozens of ways of ranking films besides the Academy Awards. But the most important way is how you rank them.

Oscars 2011: How the year's top films reflect the times

Many of this year's top movies portray dark themes or flawed characters. Why one culture watcher says they mirror this moment in history.

American Idol apologizes for Steven Tyler but delivers John Wayne Schulz

American Idol producers highlighted Steven Tyler's antics Wednesday with a phony apology. But for John Wayne Schulz, no apologies needed.

Academy Award nominees include Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush for 'The King's Speech'

Academy Award nominees were announced Tuesday morning in Los Angeles. Natalie Portman, Jeff Bridges, Christian Bale, and Helena Bonham Carter are also Academy Award nominees for acting.

True Grit: movie review

Jeff Bridges gives another nuanced performance as the one-eyed deputy marshal in this remake of the 1969 classic 'True Grit.'