Hollywood Influence

Why Can’t Real Top Gun Pilots Talk About Tom Cruise’s Movies? Inside the Navy’s Surprising Rule

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Why Can't Real Top Gun Pilots Talk About Tom Cruise's Movies? Inside the Navy's Surprising Rule

The blockbuster appeal of Tom Cruise’s iconic character, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, in the Top Gun franchise has not only fueled a $1.8 billion box office success but has also firmly entrenched the series in pop culture. However, despite its cinematic triumph, there exists a surprising rule within the U.S. Navy that prevents real TOPGUN pilots … Read more

How ‘Shogun’ Paved the Way for Blockbusters Like ‘The Last Samurai’ and ‘The Wolverine’

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How 'Shogun' Paved the Way for Blockbusters Like 'The Last Samurai' and 'The Wolverine

James Clavell’s “Shogun,” originally published in 1975, has long been recognized as a pioneering work that introduced many Western readers to the complexities of Japanese culture through the eyes of an outsider. The narrative follows English sailor John Blackthorne’s unintended journey to Japan, landing him in a tangled web of feudal politics and cultural exchanges. … Read more