Movie-A-Day #327: Doctor Who and the Daleks (1965).
Happy birthday to “Doctor Who.” The show, one of the most influential pieces of science fiction in the world, debuted on the BBC on this date in 1963. It ran continuously through 1989, went through a few lean years, then reemerged in a fantastic new version in 2005. A film version of the modern incarnation is rumored to be in the works, but there have already been two Doctor Who movies, the first of which was “Doctor Who and the Daleks.” It (as well as its follow-up, 1966’s “Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.”) starred Peter Cushing as The Doctor in a loose retelling of a story from the TV series.
Movie-A-Day #326: JFK (1991).
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated 48 years ago today, an event that’s still deeply imprinted on the American psyche. Despite what the Warren Commission declared, Lee Harvey Oswald almost certainly did not act alone in killing the president. But exactly who else was involved and how has never been fully answered, even after years of careful analysis. It’s one of history’s great mysteries and always will be. Oliver Stone’s film “JFK” tries to fill in the holes with a mixture of fact and speculation. It may not be rigorous historical research, but it certainly is fascinating filmmaking.
Movie-A-Day #325: Ghostbusters (1984).
Happy 67th birthday to Harold Ramis, the comedy mind behind a great string of hits like “Animal House,” “Meatballs,” “Stripes,” “Caddyshack” and “Groundhog Day.” He’s acted in bit parts in most of his films, with his best performance probably coming in the brilliant “Ghostbusters.” Egon is ready to believe you.
Movie-A-Day #324: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001).
Today is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It’s a solemn day to remember those transgendered people who have been the victims of bullying and violence, making “Boys Don’t Cry” a perfectly fitting selection for today. But I guess I’m not one to be too solemn too much of the time. Because we should be celebrating the good stuff too, and there are a lot of wonderful, vibrant and fun transgendered people out there. Rock out like Hedwig, y’all!
Movie-A-Day #323: Gettysburg (1993).
On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address, still the most famous piece of American oratory. It was short, direct and powerful, generations of schoolchildren have had to memorize it ever since. The speech was a commemoration for the more than 50,000 soldiers who died at the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania during the Civil War. That bloody and decisive battle was also the subject of “Gettysburg,” which gives the conflict the epic treatment it deserves.
Desuko Movie Spot. 