Old and New Movies Information

Druski Makes SNL History as the First Digital Creator Host, With The Strokes as Musical Guest

2026-11-08T09:27:29.906-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Druski hosted Saturday Night Live on November 7, 2026, after NBC confirmed the episode in October. Reports widely describe him as the first digital creator to host the show, a milestone for online comedians.

Photo: Gabriel Brooks, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Not everyone agrees with that label. The A.V. Club pointed out that Quinta Brunson and Issa Rae were both online creators before they landed TV series, so the claim depends on how a creator is defined.

Photo: The 85 South Comedy Show, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Druski built his audience with comedy videos on Instagram. He is also preparing for the December premiere of his Netflix comedy series, Collect and Praise.

Photo: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Strokes were the musical guests. TVLine and The Grio count this as their fifth SNL appearance, while Stereogum's account differs, so the exact number is unsettled. The Hollywood Reporter also said Texas senator-elect James Talarico appeared in the cold open as himself.

Which sketch from the episode was your favourite?

Ramayana: Part One Opens With Huge Early Numbers, and the Diwali Box Office Gets Interesting

2026-11-08T09:26:45.140-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Ramayana: Part One opened in Indian cinemas on November 5, 2026, and it is the biggest new Hindi release of the Diwali season so far. Ranbir Kapoor and Yash star, Sai Pallavi is also in the cast, and Nitesh Tiwari directs.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pre-release bookings were strong. Sacnilk reported that worldwide advance sales had passed ₹100 crore gross by November 2, and overseas advance sales were approaching $3 million for the opening weekend.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Opening-day figures vary by tracker and by time of day. One live report had about ₹41 crore net in India, and a later report in The Week said the film grossed about ₹77.5 crore worldwide on day one. These are early estimates and have not been confirmed.

Photo: Ermunu, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bollywood Hungama reported that overseas earnings had passed $10 million in two days, with North America leading. The final weekend totals will show whether the film can beat the opening records set by recent Hindi blockbusters.

Have you seen Ramayana: Part One yet, and does it live up to the early buzz?

Rockstar Turns 15 on November 11, and Ranbir Kapoor's Story Still Hits the Right Notes

2026-11-07T05:55:21.075-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Rockstar was released in cinemas on November 11, 2011, so it turns 15 on November 11. Imtiaz Ali directed the film, which follows a young man who leaves an ordinary life behind to chase a career in music.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ranbir Kapoor plays Janardhan, who is known as Jordan, and Nargis Fakhri plays Heer, the woman he meets. The love story is shaped by music, and the central relationship is shown through the songs.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A.R. Rahman composed the music, and the soundtrack includes Sadda Haq and Kun Faya Kun. Both songs became popular and are still heard at concerts and on radio.

Photo: Sajid Ali, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film is a personal story about art and identity, and it shows Ranbir Kapoor in one of his most physical and emotional roles.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which song do you prefer, Sadda Haq or Kun Faya Kun?

Tangled Turns 16 on November 24, and Rapunzel's Hair Is Still a Star

2026-11-07T05:55:13.327-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Tangled was released in the United States on November 24, 2010, so it turns 16 on November 24. Byron Howard and Nathan Greno directed the film, which Walt Disney Pictures released as a new take on the Rapunzel fairy tale.

Photo: Mingle MediaTV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mandy Moore voices Rapunzel, a young woman with very long hair who has been kept in a tower. Zachary Levi voices Flynn Rider, a thief who ends up hiding in her tower.

Photo: Genevieve, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alan Menken wrote the music and Glenn Slater wrote the lyrics. Songs such as I See the Light and When Will My Life Begin became popular with audiences.

Photo: AmyBPerrault, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film was a major success, and it earned close to $600 million at the worldwide box office.

Photo: HumMelissa Glee, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which song do you hum most, I See the Light or When Will My Life Begin?

Taare Zameen Par Turns 19 on December 21, and Aamir Khan's Teacher Story Still Moves Audiences

2026-11-07T05:54:56.979-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Taare Zameen Par was released in Indian cinemas on December 21, 2007, so it turns 19 on December 21. Aamir Khan directed and produced the film, and Amole Gupte wrote the screenplay.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Darsheel Safary plays Ishaan Awasthi, a young boy who struggles at school and is sent to a boarding school. There an art teacher, played by Aamir Khan, notices his talent and begins to see the world the way he does.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film deals with dyslexia and with the way children are judged in school, and it was widely admired by critics and audiences.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Its gentle message about patience and difference still makes it a common choice for families and teachers.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which moment stays with you most, the classroom scenes or the scenes at the boarding school?

Enchanted Turns 19 on November 21, and Amy Adams Makes the Fairy Tale Feel New

2026-11-07T05:54:49.359-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Enchanted was released in US cinemas on November 21, 2007, so it turns 19 on November 21. Kevin Lima directed the film, which opens as a hand-drawn fairy tale and then moves into live action.

Photo: Mingle MediaTV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Amy Adams plays Giselle, an animated princess who is sent from her fairy-tale kingdom into modern New York City. She is helped by a divorce lawyer, played by Patrick Dempsey, and she gets to know his young daughter.

Photo: Mingle MediaTV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Susan Sarandon plays the wicked queen Narissa, and James Marsden plays Prince Edward. The songs were written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, who had worked together on many Disney films.

Photo: Shoshanah, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film mixes fairy-tale charm with a sharp view of New York, and it remains a favourite with families.

Photo: Nesnad, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which part of the film do you like best, the animated opening or the musical numbers in the city?

The Polar Express Turns 22 on November 10, and Tom Hanks's Train Still Runs

2026-11-07T05:54:41.571-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

The Polar Express opened in US cinemas on November 10, 2004, so it turns 22 on November 10. Robert Zemeckis directed the film, working from a screenplay he co-wrote with William Broyles Jr., based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1985 children's book.

Photo: Greg Peterson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film uses performance capture, a technique in which the actors' movements are recorded and turned into animated characters. Tom Hanks plays several roles, including the train's conductor and the boy's father.

Photo: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story follows a boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Josh Groban sings the song Believe, one of the film's best-known moments.

Photo: švabo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It was one of the earliest full-length films made with performance capture, and it remains a talking point for animation fans.

Photo: KUZNETSOV, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which moment do you remember most from the train ride?

Veer-Zaara Turns 22 on November 12, and Yash Chopra's Love Story Still Lingers

2026-11-07T05:54:19.461-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Veer-Zaara was released on November 12, 2004, so it turns 22 on November 12. Yash Chopra directed and produced the film, and Aditya Chopra wrote the screenplay.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shah Rukh Khan plays Veer Pratap Singh, an Indian Air Force pilot, and Preity Zinta plays Zaara Hayaat Khan, a Pakistani woman whose life is changed by a promise made long ago.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rani Mukerji plays Saamiya Siddiqui, a lawyer who helps uncover the truth decades later. The film moves between two countries and two generations, and it became one of the best-known romances of its era.

Photo: Samar.swork, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Its sweeping romance and its story of a promise kept over many years still draw viewers to it.

Stamp: India Post, Government of India Open Data licence, via Wikimedia Commons

Which part of the story stays with you most, the early romance or the courtroom years?

Dhoom 2 Turns 20 on November 24, and Hrithik Roshan's Heist Still Looks Sleek

2026-11-07T05:54:11.724-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Dhoom 2 was released in India on November 24, 2006, so it turns 20 on November 24. Sanjay Gadhvi directed the film, the sequel to Dhoom (2004), and it was one of the widest releases in Indian cinema at the time.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hrithik Roshan plays the thief known as Mr. A, and Abhishek Bachchan plays the police officer chasing him. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan co-stars, and the film's stylish heist sequences became a large part of its appeal.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pritam composed the music, and the film's songs were popular across India. It was a major box-office hit and kept the series going with later films.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film is often praised for its polished action, and its style still feels modern when watched today.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which entry in the series do you like best, the first Dhoom or the sequel?

The Holiday Turns 20 on December 8, and Its Cozy Home Swap Still Works

2026-11-07T05:54:03.825-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

The Holiday opened in wide release in the United States on December 8, 2006, so it turns 20 on December 8. Nancy Meyers wrote and directed the film, which became a popular holiday choice.

Photo: David Shankbone, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story follows Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz, and Iris, played by Kate Winslet. Both are unhappy in love, and they swap homes for the holidays, Amanda's Los Angeles house for Iris's cottage in England.

Photo: Andrea Raffin, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jude Law plays Graham, the man who wins Iris's heart, and Jack Black plays Miles, a film composer who wins Amanda's. Eli Wallach plays Arthur, an elderly screenwriter who becomes a friend to Iris.

Photo: SPakhrin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is a film many viewers return to each December, and it remains one of the best-known Christmas romantic comedies of its decade.

Photo: BeeNikki Youtube, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which couple do you root for more, Amanda and Miles, or Iris and Graham?

Jon Voight Turns 88 on December 29, From Midnight Cowboy to an Oscar for Coming Home

2026-11-07T05:53:41.132-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Jon Voight turns 88 on December 29. He was born in Yonkers, New York, in 1938, and he began his career on stage before moving into films in the 1960s.

Photo: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Midnight Cowboy (1969) earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, as Joe Buck, a young Texan who moves to New York to make his fortune.

Photo: Romain Brami, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Deliverance (1972), directed by John Boorman, showed his physical side as one of four friends on a canoe trip. Coming Home (1978) brought him the Academy Award for Best Actor, playing a Vietnam veteran who returns home paralysed.

Photo: Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He was Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible (1996) and later starred in the television drama Ray Donovan. He is the father of the actress Angelina Jolie.

Film still: United Artists, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of his roles do you remember best, Joe Buck, Luke Martin or Jim Phelps?

Rajesh Khanna Would Have Turned 84 on December 29, and His Superstar Years Still Define Hindi Cinema

2026-11-07T05:53:33.308-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Rajesh Khanna was born on December 29, 1942, in Amritsar. He won a talent contest in 1965, and his first major successes came in the late 1960s.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Aradhana (1969) made him a star, and its songs, sung by Kishore Kumar, became some of the most popular in Hindi cinema.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Anand (1971), directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, cast him as a terminally ill man who spreads joy to everyone he meets, opposite Amitabh Bachchan. It is one of the best-known films of his career.

Stamp: India Post, Government of India Open Data licence, via Wikimedia Commons

In the early 1970s he had a long run of hit romances, including Amar Prem (1972). He died in 2012, but fans of the period still talk about the crowds that followed him.

Photo: Sumadhur.Sangeet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of his films is your favourite, Aradhana for its songs or Anand for its heart?

Jennifer Connelly Turns 56 on December 12, From Labyrinth to an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind

2026-11-07T05:53:25.669-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Jennifer Connelly turns 56 on December 12. She was born in 1970 in Catskill, New York, and started acting as a child before becoming known for films in the 1980s and 1990s.

Photo: Olivier06400, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Labyrinth (1986), directed by Jim Henson, cast her as Sarah, a teenager who must rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King, played by David Bowie.

Photo: Karon Liu, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Requiem for a Dream (2000), directed by Darren Aronofsky, gave her a harrowing role as a woman whose life falls apart. A Beautiful Mind (2001), directed by Ron Howard, won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Alicia Nash, the wife of the mathematician John Nash.

Photo: Ed Quinn, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film's success confirmed her range, and she has continued to take varied roles in both Hollywood and independent films.

Photo: Ed Quinn, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of her roles is your favourite, Sarah from Labyrinth, Alicia Nash or Marion in Requiem for a Dream?

Shatrughan Sinha Turns 81 on December 9, and Shotgun Still Has a Loud Voice

2026-11-07T05:52:59.993-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Shatrughan Sinha turns 81 on December 9. He was born in Patna in 1945, trained at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, and began his film career in the late 1960s.

Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He started out in supporting and villain roles before becoming a leading man in the 1970s. His loud, forceful style earned him the nickname Shotgun.

Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kaalicharan (1976) was one of his biggest hits, a crime film in which he played the title role. Kaala Patthar (1979), directed by Yash Chopra, cast him in a drama about a mine disaster, alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna.

Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dostana (1980), a comedy with Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman, is among his best-known films. Later he became a politician and was elected to the Lok Sabha as a member of Parliament.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of his films do you remember best, the crime drama or the mine disaster film?

Mark Ruffalo Turns 59 on November 22, From Eternal Sunshine to the Hulk in The Avengers

2026-11-07T05:52:51.860-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Mark Ruffalo turns 59 on November 22. He was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1967, and he trained in theatre in New York before moving into film and television.

Photo: Tony Felgueiras, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) showed a gentler side of his work, opposite Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Zodiac (2007), directed by David Fincher, cast him as a San Francisco police inspector hunting a serial killer.

Photo: Tony Shek, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Spotlight (2015) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He played a reporter on the team that uncovered abuse in the Catholic Church, and the film won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Photo: Raffi Asdourian, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He played Bruce Banner, the Hulk, in The Avengers (2012) and in several later Marvel films, including Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Photo: Marnie Joyce, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of his performances is your favourite, the reporter in Spotlight, the Hulk or the detective in Zodiac?

Zeenat Aman Turns 75 on November 19, and Her Bold Roles Still Stand Out

2026-11-07T05:52:43.976-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Zeenat Aman turns 75 on November 19. She was born in Mumbai in 1951, won the Miss Asia Pacific title in 1970, and entered films soon after.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), directed by Dev Anand, made her a star. She played Janice, a young woman drawn into the hippie scene, and the film's songs remain popular today.

Film still: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Don (1978) gave her one of her best-known roles, as Rohini, opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The film was a big hit, and its style and songs were widely copied in the years that followed.

Film still: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Qurbani (1980) brought her another major hit, and its song Aap Jaisa Koi became one of the era's most recognised tunes.

Photo: Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of her films do you rewatch most, the hippie drama of Hare Rama Hare Krishna or the crime caper of Don?

Jodie Foster Turns 64 on November 19, and Her Career Covers Child Stardom to Two Oscars

2026-11-07T05:52:18.752-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Jodie Foster turns 64 on November 19. She was born in Los Angeles in 1962 and started working as a child in television and films, so her career now spans more than five decades.

Photo: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Taxi Driver (1976), directed by Martin Scorsese, was an early breakthrough. She played Iris, a young girl caught up in the film's violent story, and the role showed the seriousness she would bring to later parts.

Photo: Raph PH, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for The Accused (1988), in which she plays a woman who fights for justice after an assault. She won a second for The Silence of the Lambs (1991), playing FBI trainee Clarice Starling opposite Anthony Hopkins.

Photo: Courtney "Coco" Mault, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Foster has also directed films, including Little Man Tate (1991) and Money Monster (2016), a thriller with George Clooney and Julia Roberts. As an actor, Panic Room (2002) is one of her best-known thrillers, with Kristen Stewart as her on-screen daughter.

Photo: RON RAFFETY, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of her performances is your favourite, Iris, Clarice Starling or Meg Altman?

Demi Moore Turns 64 on November 11, and Her Ghost and The Substance Are Worlds Apart

2026-11-07T05:52:10.814-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Demi Moore turns 64 on November 11. She was born in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1962, and she became one of the best-known actresses of the 1980s and 1990s, moving between romance, drama and action.

Photo: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ghost (1990) made her a major star. She played Molly Jensen, opposite Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg, in a romantic fantasy that became one of the biggest hits of its year.

Photo: Gabriel Hutchinson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Few Good Men (1992) cast her as a Navy lawyer, opposite Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, in a courtroom drama. Indecent Proposal (1993) and G.I. Jane (1997) followed, both built around her name at the box office.

Photo: Sara Komatsu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Her more recent acclaim came with The Substance (2024), a body-horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Film still: Paramount Pictures, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of her roles is your favourite, Molly Jensen, the lawyer in A Few Good Men, or the star of The Substance?

Ryan Gosling Turns 46 on November 12, From The Notebook to Barbie and Ken

2026-11-07T05:52:02.935-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Ryan Gosling turns 46 on November 12. He was born in London, Ontario, in 1980, and he started as a child performer on television before becoming a film lead in his twenties.

Photo: Elen Nivrae, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Notebook (2004) made him a romantic lead, and Crazy Stupid Love (2011) showed his comic side. Drive (2011), directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, gave him a quieter and more menacing role as a stunt driver.

Photo: Raffi Asdourian, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

La La Land (2016), directed by Damien Chazelle, brought him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He played a jazz pianist opposite Emma Stone, and the film was one of the most celebrated musicals of its decade.

Photo: Lionsgate Entertainment, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He played K in Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and his performance as Ken in Barbie (2023) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Logo: Universum Film, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of his roles do you like best, Noah from The Notebook, the driver in Drive or Ken?

Gerard Butler Turns 57 on November 13, From 300 to How to Train Your Dragon

2026-11-07T05:51:20.082-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Gerard Butler turns 57 on November 13. He was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1969, and he studied law before turning to acting. He has built a career in big, physical films and in romantic dramas.

Photo: Siebbi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

300 (2006), directed by Zack Snyder, made him a major star. He played King Leonidas of Sparta, a role that brought him into the mainstream of action cinema.

Photo: Bob Bekian, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He starred as Erik in The Phantom of the Opera (2004), a film version of the stage musical directed by Joel Schumacher, and he sang the role himself. P.S. I Love You (2007) gave him a more tender part opposite Hilary Swank.

Photo: Pat Loika, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In How to Train Your Dragon (2010) he voiced Stoick the Vast, the Viking chief, in the animated film from DreamWorks.

Photo: Tony Shek, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of these films would you pick for a Friday night, the Spartan king, the Phantom or the Viking chief?

Titanic Turns 29 on December 19, and Its Romance Still Sails Through the Years

2026-11-07T05:51:12.126-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Titanic was released in US cinemas on December 19, 1997, so it turns 29 on December 19. James Cameron wrote and directed the film, which tells the story of the sinking of the RMS Titanic through the romance of Jack and Rose.

Photo: Siebbi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jack Dawson, a young artist who wins a ticket on the ship, and Kate Winslet plays Rose DeWitt Bukater, a woman who is engaged to a wealthy man.

Photo: Mikhail Popov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, which tied the record for the most Oscars won by a single film. Celine Dion's song My Heart Will Go On won the award for Best Original Song.

Photo: NOAA, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Its scale, its special effects and its love story made it one of the biggest films of its time.

Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which scene do you remember most, the bow of the ship or the final scenes in the water?

Scarface Turns 43 on December 9, and Al Pacino's Tony Montana Still Looms Large

2026-11-07T05:50:28.966-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Scarface was released in US cinemas on December 9, 1983, so it turns 43 on December 9. Brian De Palma directed the film, and Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay for this remake of the 1932 film of the same name.

Photo: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Al Pacino plays Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who rises through the Miami drug trade. His performance became one of the most imitated in film.

Film still: Warner Bros, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The film drew strong criticism for its violence when it was released. Its reputation grew over time, through home video and through its place in popular culture.

Photo: Spudgun67, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Scarface has since become a cult classic, and its style and soundtrack remain widely referenced.

Poster: Unknown illustrator, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Which crime epic do you rank higher, Scarface or The Godfather?

Meg Ryan Turns 65 on November 19, and Her Romantic Comedies Still Hold Up

2026-11-06T04:01:22.014-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Meg Ryan turns 65 on November 19. For much of the late 1980s and 1990s she was the face of the modern romantic comedy, with a bright, expressive style that made even the most familiar stories feel fresh.

Photo: Brian Teutsch, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When Harry Met Sally (1989), directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, is the film most people remember her for. It follows two friends who keep meeting over the years, and the deli scene with Billy Crystal is still one of the best-known moments in romantic comedy.

Illustration: Dasaptaerwin, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) paired her with Tom Hanks in another Nora Ephron story. A widower and a reporter meet across the country by radio and then in person, and the film is still a common choice for a seasonal rewatch.

Photo: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You've Got Mail (1998) reunited Ryan and Hanks, this time with the internet as the link between two people who do not know they are rivals in business and in life. The film shows how far the genre had moved, and how much it still relied on the same warm charm.

Photo: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you have not seen these films in a while, they are good to watch together. Which one do you think holds up best today?

Anne Hathaway Turns 44 on November 12, From The Princess Diaries to an Oscar for Les Miserables

2026-11-06T04:00:50.784-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Anne Hathaway turns 44 on November 12. She was born in 1982 in Brooklyn, New York, and she started in films as a teenager. Her career has covered teen comedy, prestige drama, big-budget science fiction and a number of supporting roles that she has made memorable.

Photo: Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Princess Diaries (2001) was her first big hit. She played Mia Thermopolis, a high-school student who learns she is the heir to a European kingdom, and the film opened the door to a long run of lead roles in comedies and dramas.

Photo: Sean Reynolds, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brokeback Mountain (2005) and The Devil Wears Prada (2006) showed her range in quite different ways. In Prada she played the junior assistant to a demanding magazine editor, played by Meryl Streep, and in Brokeback Mountain she played Lureen, Jack Twist's wife, in a dramatic story.

Photo: Christopherpeterson, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Les Miserables (2012) brought her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She sings the role of Fantine, and the performance is one of the most often discussed in recent musicals. She followed it with Interstellar (2014), a science-fiction film in which she plays a scientist.

Photo: Chrisa Hickey, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of her roles would you put at the top of your list? The princess, the assistant, or Fantine?

Ben Kingsley Turns 83 on December 31, and He Won an Oscar for Playing Gandhi

2026-11-06T04:00:18.689-08:00

Illustration: AI-generated with Pollinations (FLUX), free to use

Ben Kingsley turns 83 on December 31. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1943, and he trained as a stage actor before moving into films. He has since worked in drama, action, comedy and animation.

Photo: Christopher Harte, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gandhi (1982) is the film that brought him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He played the title role in a long biographical film about the Indian independence leader, and the performance is still the reason many people know his name.

Photo: Joella Marano, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Schindler's List (1993) gave him a very different role. As Itzhak Stern, the accountant who helps the German businessman Oskar Schindler, he gave a memorable performance. The film is one of the most serious works of its director, Steven Spielberg.

Photo: Joella Marano, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sexy Beast (2000) showed a fierce, comic side of him, and he earned another Academy Award nomination for it. In later years he has appeared in films such as Shutter Island (2010) and in family films, including the voice of Bagheera in The Jungle Book (2016).

Photo: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of his performances do you think is the strongest? Gandhi is the obvious choice, but Schindler's List and Sexy Beast are both worth a watch.