Tag: Birthdays

This Day in Movie History: February 9

13 years ago Today in Movie History – February 9 – the eagerly awaited sequel Hannibal debuted in theaters. It was the follow-up to 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs, which was an instant classic and won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Director, Actor, and Actress. Silence director Jonathan Demme and costar Jodie Foster chose not to return and it was Ridley Scott who stepped in behind the camera with Julianne Moore assuming the role of Clarice Starling. Anthony Hopkins would return to the title role and that was enough for the picture to open with $58 million – which at the time was the third largest debut of all time. Its domestic run topped out at $165 million. While crowds turned out, they didn’t necessarily love what they saw. Both audiences and critical reaction was mixed and trended toward negative as it currently stands at 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, if you want to see Ray Liotta with half his head removed and a truly bizarre performance from Gary Oldman, this is your movie. Hopkins would return to the signature role one more time less than two years later in Red Dragon.

As for birthdays, Charlie Day is 38 today. He’s best known for his work on TV’s cult hit “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” but broke into movies in a big way with 2011’s Horrible Bosses. A sequel to that is on the way this year. Last year, Day costarred in Pacific Rim and his voice can be heard in this weekend’s blockbuster The Lego Movie.

Tom Hiddleston is 33 today. He’s garnered rave reviews for his villainous turn as Loki in both Thor flicks and The Avengers. Other notables pictures include War Horse and The Deep Blue Sea and Hiddleston will soon appear in Muppets Most Wanted.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between the two actors:

Charlie Day was in Horrible Bosses with Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey was in A Time To Kill with Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson was in The Avengers with Tom Hiddleston

And that’s today – February 9 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: February 8

23 years ago Today in Movie History – February 8 – the domestic violence thriller Sleeping with the Enemy debuted in theaters. Fresh off the massive success of Pretty Woman the year prior, Julia Roberts would catapult the meagerly budgeted $19 million pic to big results at the box office. Enemy would end Home Alone‘s 11 week reign at the top spot with a $13.7M opening on its way to a $101M domestic run. Nowadays the film is best known for its use of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” in a montage sequence.

As for birthdays, today would’ve marked the 89th birthday for Jack Lemmon. He had one of the most impressive filmographies of any performer, winning Oscars for Supporting Actor in Mister Roberts in 1955 and Actor in 1973 for Save the Tiger. He received a total of eight nominations. There’s many other notable projects including his collaborations with Walter Matthau – among them The Fortune Cookie, The Odd Couple, and Grumpy Old Men. There’s also Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Days of Wine and Roses, Irma la Douce, The Out-of-Towners, The China Syndrome, Missing, and Glengarry Glen Ross. Lemmon passed away in 2001.

Nick Nolte is 73 today. He’s been nominated for three Oscars – twice for Actor in 1991’s The Prince of Tides and 1998’s Affliction and Supporting Actor in 2011 for Warrior. Among his many other notable roles: Who’ll Stop the Rain, North Dallas Forty, 48 Hrs., Under Fire, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Q&A, Cape Fear, The Thin Red Line, and Tropic Thunder.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between the two gentlemen:

Jack Lemmon was in Missing with Sissy Spacek

Sissy Spacek was in Affliction with Nick Nolte

And that’s today – February 8 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: February 7

11 years ago Today in Movie History – February 7 – Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey’s romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days debuted in theaters. The pic earned an impressive $23.7 million opening weekend to top the charts and wound up with $105 million domestically. While Hudson’s career has been a little quiet lately, McConaughey is currently the frontrunner to win Best Actor at the Oscars for Dallas Buyers Club.

As for birthdays, Chris Rock is 49 today. The “SNL” alum and brilliant stand-up comic first got on the radar screens of moviegoers with his dramatic turn as drug-addicted Pookie in 1991’s New Jack City. Later, Rock would parlay his stand-up success to starring in films that include Lethal Weapon 4, Head of State, The Longest Yard, and the two Grown Ups flicks.

Ashton Kutcher is 36 today. His TV work made him a star with “That 70s Show” and later on MTV’s “Punk’d”. His film career would get into gear with surprise hit Dude, Where’s My Car?. Other notables pictures include Just Married, The Butterfly Effect, Guess Who, What Happens in Vegas, No Strings Attached, and last year’s Jobs.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between the two:

Chris Rock was in Head of State with Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac was in Guess Who with Ashton Kutcher

And that’s today – February 7 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: February 6

As the 2014 Winter Olympics gets underway in Sochi – how appropriate that on This Day in Movie History – February 6 – 10 years ago, Miracle opened in theaters. The picture focused on the 1980 U.S. Hockey team’s victory over the heavily favored Soviet team at the Winter Olympics and cast Kurt Russell as head coach Herb Brooks. Miracle was a hit with audiences ($64 million domestic) and critics (80%) on Rotten Tomatoes.

As for birthdays, Rip Torn is 83 today. He made his debut in the 1956 film Baby Doll and would soon have a significant part in Pork Chop Hill with Gregory Peck. He played Judas in 1961’s King of Kings. Over recent history, Torn has been known mostly for comedic roles including as a cast member of HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show”. More recent appearances include the first two Men in Black flicks and Dodgeball.

Dane Dehaan is 28 today. He first came onto the scene in the lead role in 2012’s unexpected hit Chronicle. He has since appeared in Lincoln, Lawless, and Kill Your Darlings. This summer Dehaan will take over the part of Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where he’ll likely morph into the Green Goblin at some juncture.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Mr. Torn and Mr. Dehaan:

Rip Torn was in Men in Black with Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones was in Lincoln with Dane Dehaan

And that’s today – February 6 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: February 5

15 years ago Today in Movie History – February 5 – the crime thriller Payback starring Mel Gibson opened and topped the box office charts with a solid $21 million gross. It would end up with $81 million domestically. The film was based on the same source material as 1967’s genre classic Point Blank with Lee Marvin. The hard-edged thriller drew a mixed reaction from critics with 54% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Two actresses with extensive and impressive filmographies celebrate birthdays today. Jennifer Jason Leigh is 52. She became known to moviegoers when she barely out of her teens in 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High. She would move onto a mix of indie critical hits and mainstream fare that includes Last Exit to Brooklyn, Miami Blues, Backdraft, Rush, Single White Female, Short Cuts, The Hudsucker Proxy, Dolores Claiborne, Road to Perdition, Greenberg, and The Spectacular Now.

Laura Linney is 50 today. One of her first high-profile roles was in the costly 1995 dud Congo. However, Linney would soon begin juggling the same kinds of independent prestige projects along with bigger pictures. They include Primal Fear, The Truman Show, You Can Count on Me, Mystic River, Kinsey, The Squid and the Whale, The Savages, and Hyde Park on Hudson. Her TV resume includes the Showtime series “The Big C” and as Abigail Adams in HBO’s “John Adams” miniseries.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between the accomplished performers:

Jennifer Jason Leigh was in Fast Times at Ridgemont High with Sean Penn

Sean Penn was in Mystic River with Laura Linney

And that’s today – February 5 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: February 4

20 years ago Today in Movie History – February 4 – a comedic movie star was born with the release of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Jim Carrey was best known as a member of the groundbreaking sketch show “In Living Color”, but Ace brought his career into new territory. The film grossed an unexpected $12 million in its debut and $72 million domestically. That same year, Carrey would have two more massive hits – The Mask and Dumb and Dumber. Many successes would follow including Liar Liar, The Truman Show, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Bruce Almighty. This November we’ll see a Dumb and Dumber sequel twenty years after its initial release.

As for birthdays, Gabrielle Anwar is 44 today. TV viewers may know her from USA’s “Burn Notice”, but she was a part of film history as Al Pacino’s tango partner in Scent of a Woman. Other roles that followed include For Love or Money, Body Snatchers, and The Three Musketeers.

Rod Corddry is 43 today. He became well-known as a correspondent on “The Daily Show” before getting into films. His most notable role is likely 2010’s cult favorite Hot Tub Time Machine. Other appearances include Old School, Blades of Glory, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, The Heartbreak Kid, Warm Bodies, and The Way, Way Back. A sequel to Hot Tub Time Machine is scheduled for this Christmas.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between the two:

Gabrielle Anwar was in Scent of a Woman with Al Pacino

Al Pacino was in City Hall with John Cusack

John Cusack was in Hot Tub Time Machine with Rod Corddry

And that’s today – February 4 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: February 3

Eight years ago Today in Movie History – February 3 – the horror remake When a Stranger Calls set the record for largest Super Bowl weekend opening with $21.6 million on its way to a $47 million domestic run. The remake of the well-known 1979 original didn’t have critics on its side (an awful 9% on Rotten Tomatoes) but audiences answered the call. The Super Bowl record would only hold for two years until the Hannah Montana concert flick would eclipse it.

As for birthdays, Nathan Lane is 58 today. He may be best known for his acclaimed Broadway work, but Lane made a successful foray into film with 1994’s The Lion King (as the voice of Timon) and as the significant other of Robin Williams in the 1996 hit The Birdcage. Other notable appearances: MouseHunt, The Producers, and Swing Vote.

Actress Isla Fisher is 38 today. The 2005 comedy Wedding Crashers made Fisher well-known and her performance was certainly a highlight. Pictures such as Definitely, Maybe and Confessions of a Shopaholic would follow. Last year Fisher appeared in supporting roles in two huge hits – The Great Gatsby and Now You See Me.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between the birthday performers:

Nathan Lane was in The Birdcage with Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman was in The Quick and the Dead with Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio was in The Great Gatsby with Isla Fisher

And that’s today – February 3 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: February 1

Six years ago Today in Movie History – February 1 – Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert movie set the all-time opening weekend record for a musical concert film with $31.1 million. It also set the record for highest debut on Super Bowl weekend. Both records still stand. In the six years following, Cyrus has remained a force in music even though her material has, um, grown up a bit.

As for birthdays, today would’ve marked the 49th birthday of Brandon Lee. The son of Bruce Lee, Brandon was just beginning to become a star and had appeared in action pics including Showdown in Little Tokyo and Rapid Fire. In March of 1993, Lee was filming The Crow when he was accidentally shot and killed on set. A year later, The Crow would debut to robust results and an eventual $50 million domestic haul.

Pauly Shore is 46 today. The former MTV personality might not have had critics on his side, but he made a successful transition into film in the early 90s with Encino Man and Son-in-Law. His pictures would begin to see diminishing returns with In the Army Now, Jury Duty, and Bio-Dome.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Mr. Lee and Mr. Shore:

Brandon Lee was in Showdown in Little Tokyo with Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren was in The Expendables with Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone was in Demolition Man with Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes was in Rising Sun with Tia Carrere

Tia Carrere was in Jury Duty with Pauly Shore

And that’s today – January 29 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: January 31

17 years ago Today in Movie History – January 31 – the rerelease of Star Wars twenty years after its initial run shocked box office watchers with an astonishing $35.9 million opening. Its domestic total would reach $138 million to bring its total to $460 million overall. The original trilogy would all have special editions in the spring of 1997 and would occupy the #1 slot for six out of seven weeks.

As for birthdays, Kerry Washington is 37 today. She may be best known as the lead on the hit ABC drama “Scandal” but she captured moviegoers attention in 2012 as Jamie Foxx’s love interest in Django Unchained. Other notables film appearances include another go-round with Foxx in Ray, Fantastic Four and its sequel, and The Last King of Scotland.

Justin Timberlake is 33 today. Obviously, he’s known most as the current King of Pop, but he’s has some successes with his film career. This includes playing Napster founder Sean Parker in The Social Network and comedies Bad Teacher and Friends with Benefits. Other notable pictures include Black Snake Moan, In Time, and Inside Llewyn Davis.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Ms. Washington and Mr. Timberlake:

Kerry Washington was in Django Unchained with Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx was in Any Given Sunday with Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz was in Bad Teacher with Justin Timberlake

And that’s today – January 31 – in Movie History!

This Day in Movie History: January 30

Five years ago Today in Movie History – January 30 – Taken became a surprise box office smash in the U.S. with a terrific $24.7 million opening weekend on its way to a $145 million domestic gross. Building from its very effective trailer, Taken transitioned star Liam Neeson to a legitimate action hero. A sequel would follow in 2012 and a third is already in the planning stages.

As for birthdays, Gene Hackman is 84 today. He’s been nominated for five Academy Awards and won two – for Best Actor in 1971 for The French Connection and Supporting Actor in 1992 for Unforgiven. The other nominations: Bonnie & Clyde, I Never Sang for My Father, and Mississippi Burning. Mr. Hackman appeared in many notable pictures throughout his storied career before his retirement from acting in 2004. They include Downhill Racer, The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation, Young Frankenstein, as Lex Luthor in the Superman franchise, Reds, Under Fire, Hoosiers, No Way Out, The Firm, Crimson Tide, Get Shorty, The Birdcage, Enemy of the State, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

Christian Bale is 40 today. Of course, he’s best known as the Caped Crusader/Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. He got his start as a teenager headlining Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun. His recent work with director David O. Russell resulted in a Supporting Actor Oscar win for The Fighter and a nomination for Best Actor just last week for American Hustle. And there’s his now iconic role in the 2000 cult classic American Psycho. Other noteworthy films: Shaft, The Machinist, The Prestige, 3:10 to Yuma, Terminator Salvation, Public Enemies, and Out of the Furnace.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between these two fantastic actors:

Gene Hackman was in Unforgiven with Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman was in Batman Begins with Christian Bale

And that’s today – January 30 – in Movie History!