Many people today have misconceptions about the ancient world, even if they might not realize it. Our historical knowledge is often a just mixture of misinformation, half-truths, and the last historical movie we saw. This happens for many reasons. Information has a way of getting distorted as centuries pass, so the further back one goes in history,…
If there’s one thing that’s true of all actors, it’s that they can take on a role in one movie and then play someone completely different in another. That’s the whole point of acting, and outside of typecasting, pretty much every professional performer does this. Still, there are those who take on iconic roles that…
The lives of historical figures have provided Hollywood with film fodder for decades. Biographical movies aren’t necessarily as accurate as they claim to be, though. From Bohemian Rhapsody to Braveheart, inaccurate biopics prove that great films don’t always make for great history lessons. Inaccurate films about historical figures tell mistruths that range from the mild to the outrageous. Some biography…
While films like Gladiator (which depicts the tumultuous reign of the Emperor Commodus) and series like HBO’s Rome can stray far from the actual facts of life in Ancient Rome, they do a decent job of showing the prominent roles women played in the affairs of its political leaders. Thus, whatever liberties movies and shows might take with the real history…
Actors, musicians, and other notable figures often take on different names for their careers. The name change might be done for creative or practical reasons, or develop somewhat organically. Whatever the reason, famous stage names are likely the names we associate with these people. Many stage names have been inspired by or taken directly from other famous…
Historically, the accomplishments of women have gone unrecognized. Women of color are especially overlooked by the larger cultural canon. The time of writing brave, inspiring women out of history is over now that efforts have been made to uncover their stories. We’re here to share them with you! From rebel spies to fierce warriors, these women will inspire you to never give up on…
It’s common for artists to draw divine inspiration from famous figures as models for their craft. And in the wonderful world of Disney, the artisans and cartoonists who create the devious and devilish villains populating their many animated movies are often plucked from real life. History, Hollywood, even friends and family – all are fodder…
For all of history, humans have enjoyed a good puzzle. Puzzles, codes, and ciphers have been found almost everywhere, from second-century Egypt to the 17th-century letters between King Charles I and Queen Henrietta-Maria. Still today, crossword puzzles, Rubik’s cubes, and Sudoku all remain enjoyable ways to pass the time. But not all puzzles are simply meant for fun and leisure. Ciphers and…
The people who dare to think outside of society’s traditional box – presenting their innovative ideas, unparalleled discoveries, and hypothetical scenarios that question commonly accepted collective narratives – often change the world with their inventions and philosophical hypotheses. Without courageous people who dare to challenge the norm, voice their dreams, or speak out against injustices, society would…
When producing big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, it makes sense that studios do everything in their power to help their films be successful. This means ensuring they come out at the right time so they aren’t overshadowed, and spending a fortune on marketing campaigns. One notable way to improve a film’s chance of success is by giving it a…
