The Muppet Show is now on Disney+ and you’d better believe I’m watching it. The first episode’s guest star was the incomparable Rita Moreno. The Go-Go’s have finally – FINALLY – been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, after fifteen years of eligibility. The most successful all-female rock band ever, they stillContinue reading “Quick Hits: February 22”
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Titanic steamrolls the box office
On February 20th, 1998, the US box office hit $1 billion for the year, the quickest that’s ever happened. Those are big numbers. Huge. Titanic, you might say. It’s impossible to overstate how much Titanic dominated popular culture in late 1997 and early 1998. The film smashed one box office record after the next –Continue reading “Titanic steamrolls the box office”
Millie Bobby Brown goes to “Eleven”
Today is Millie Bobby Brown’s 17th birthday, which gives me the perfect excuse to talk about one of the most astonishing and authentic performances by a child actor that I’ve ever seen. Brown’s rendering of Eleven on Stranger Things is so mind-bogglingly good, it’s easy to forget that she only utters 246 words in theContinue reading “Millie Bobby Brown goes to “Eleven””
Quick Hits: February 17
On this day in 1967, The Beatles released “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane”. Both singles would eventually appear on the soundtrack to Magical Mystery Tour. The album is an embarrassment of riches, including those first two singles, “I Am the Walrus”, “All You Need Is Love” and “Hello, Goodbye”. It was reviewed unfavorably comparedContinue reading “Quick Hits: February 17”
The Beatles and The Maharishi
On this day in 1968, George Harrison and John Lennon, along with their wives, flew to Rishikesh, India, to study transcendental meditation (TM) with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr would join them later. The trip would end on a sour note (more on that later), but the group’s time there fueled aContinue reading “The Beatles and The Maharishi”
Quick Hits: February 15
John Oliver and the crew of Last Week Tonight have returned from hiatus and all’s right with the world again. YouTube launched in the US on this date in 2005, so basically, YouTube is old enough to drive now. My husband and I finally started watching The Queen’s Gambit over the weekend, and it isContinue reading “Quick Hits: February 15”
The Silence of the Lambs at 30
The Silence of the Lambs, Jonathan Demme’s gothic masterpiece of horror and suspense, was released thirty years ago today. A Valentine’s Day release seems an odd choice for a horror movie, but it was perfect for me, a chronically single college student, and I went to see the film on opening night with friends. ItContinue reading “The Silence of the Lambs at 30”
Legend: Paul Newman
One of the finest – and most beautiful – actors of all time is the subject today. A very important person in my life is going through a tough time, and I’m dedicating this post to her. She adored Newman for his acting, his philanthropy and his looks – hoo boy, those looks. I mean….Continue reading “Legend: Paul Newman”
America Meets The Beatles
Beatlemania was in full swing in the UK throughout 1963, but America was a little slow to catch on. Capitol Records initially declined to release the Beatles’ debut in the US (WUT????) and Americans just didn’t take a shine to the mop tops. On December 10, 1963, CBS Evening News aired a segment about theContinue reading “America Meets The Beatles”
Christopher Plummer’s Legacy
As is the case for many people, my introduction to Christopher Plummer was his role as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. I’m not sure at what age I first saw the film, probably around eight or so, but it began a lifelong love affair with the devastatingly handsome Plummer. I mean, GodContinue reading “Christopher Plummer’s Legacy”
PB & Julie + Julie C. Trivia 