Happy weekend... almost. I'm in the Berkshires with a girlfriend and she informs me very emphatically that it's not the weekend until 5 PM. Why rush to the end of her vacation as its back to work with her on Monday.
5 ways to honor this day (June 16th) in showbiz history
1995 Batman Forever opens in movie theaters to a then record-breaking weekend with new Bruce Wayne Val Kilmer and rising star Nicole Kidman as his love interest. Curiously it's the second most nominated Batman movie at the Oscars (3 nominations to The Dark Knight's 8). Isn't that strange?
In its honor today: Risk garishness in your fabulousity.
1978 Grease opens in movie theaters. Becomes one of the most successful movie musicals of all time.
In its honor today: Make sure to quote it with abandon today. There are so many useful quips. "Tell me about it, stud"... "with relish!"... "she looks too pure to be pink" etcetera...
1971 Tupac Shakur is born. The rapper becomes a household name in the 1990s but is murdered at only 25 years of age. Given his records and even his skill as an actor (see Poetic Justice) what would he have brought us if he had lived?
In his honor: Go see All Eyez on Me, a new biopic, which opens in theaters today on what would have been his 46th birthday.
1960 Psycho has its world premiere in New York City and becomes a true no-one-allowed-in-the-theater-late sensation upon release later that year. Alfred Hitchcock's horror masterpiece is one of the most influential movies ever made and also one of the best.
In its honor today: Take a long shower, scream, then towel off. Nobody murdered you -so cathartic!
1956 Writer Sylvia Plath (The Bell Jar) married poet Ted Hughes on this day. She committed suicide half a year after they separated seven years later. They were played by Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig in the movie Sylvia (2003).
In their honor today: If you are experiencing depression or someone you know is, seek professional help. There's no shame in it and you can lead a much fuller life. Also, wish Kirsten Dunst well in her attempt to make a movie of The Bell Jar.
More anniversaries
MOVIE RELEASES: The Reluctant Astronaut with Don Knotts (1967), Ghostbusters II (1989), The Lake House reuniting Sandra & Keanu (2006); ACTORS BORN: Stan Laurel (1890), Dame Eileen Atkins (1934), Joan Van Ark (1943), Leland Palmer (1945) of All that Jazz fame, Emmy and now Tony winner Laurie Metcalf (1955), Clifton Collins Jr (1970), John Cho (1972), Eddie Cibrian (1973), Daniel Bruhl (1978), Sibel Kekili (1980), Nathan Parsons (1988);
Wes Studi as Geronimo: An American Legend (1993)
OTHER LUMINARIES BORN: Geronimo, Apache leader. Remember that movie the movie Geronimo: An American Legend (1993)? I only vaguely remember it but was so thankful that Wes Studi managed a big lead role after his terrific turn in The Last of the Mohicans (1992). [Tangent: The Cherokee actor popped up again recently in the 3rd season of Penny Dreadful which, I know this is confusing given the air dates, is eligible for this year's Emmys. Not that Emmys will honor it but one can always dream. ] Fire Over England director William K Howard (1893-1954), Genius cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond (1930-2016), writer Joyce Carol Oates (1938), Oscar nominated production designer David Gropman (1952), and Model Jenny Shimizu (1967), and Oscar winning makeup artist Tami Lane of Lord of the Rings fame (1974).