While this week contains May 4th, don’t expect that day’s recommendation to be a Star Wars movie. Instead, this week’s “7 Days of Streaming” focuses on some historic days in history, a birthday of The Godfather (of Soul) and the anniversary of one of the greatest films of all-time:
April 28th: Mutiny on the HMS Bounty (1789)
Watch: Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
Available on Amazon & iTunes
There are plenty of ways to commemorate the historic mutiny on the HMS Bounty which took place in the south Pacific on April 28, 1789. It’s probably best to go with the one that nabbed the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1935 starring Clark Gable and Charles Laughton. If you simply can’t handle black & white flicks (this is going to be a tough week for you), there’s the Academy Award nominated 1962 version featuring Marlon Brando and Trevor Harris or the 1984 version featuring Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins.
April 29: The Rodney King Riots (1992)
Watch: Dark Blue (2002)
Available on Amazon & iTunes
On the 25th anniversary of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles, your best bet is to catch Spike Lee’s documentary due to hit Netflix this week. However, there is the Ron Shelton directed Dark Blue (2002) featuring Kurt Russell which is set in Los Angeles in April 1992, just days before the acquittal of the four white officers who were captured on film beating King which led to the L.A. riots. Coincidentally, the score for Dark Blue was composed by Terence Blanchard who has often been the musical composer for many a Spike Lee joint.
April 30: Hitler Commits Suicide (1945)
Watch: Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Available on Amazon & iTunes
On the 72nd anniversary of Hitler’s suicide, Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds might be the way to go. The Best Picture nominated film rewrites history which includes Hitler and Goebbles and their demise. The film also features an amazing performance by Christoph Waltz which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
May 1: Citizen Kane Released (1941)
Watch: Citizen Kane (1941)
Available on Amazon & iTunes
Considered the greatest film of all time by the American Film Institute (based on polling in 1998 and 2007 for their “100 Years… 100 Movies” series), Citizen Kane was actually a commercial failure upon release. The film initially failed to net a profit upon release due in part to being based on the life of powerful media mogul William Randolph Hearst who put up roadblocks every step of the way to prevent the film from being a success. Hearst blocked the film from being advertised in his newspapers, pressured Radio City Music Hall to not screen the film and scared other chains into not putting the film into its rotation. That year, Citizen Kane was nominated for Best Picture but lost to How Green Was My Valley but, over time, has become widely regarded as the best film in movie history. Film critic Roger Ebert once stated that he considered it not only the best film ever made but also his favorite movie.
May 2: Gehrig Ends Consecutive Game Streak (1939)
Watch: The Pride of the Yankees (1943)
Available on Amazon & iTunes
Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game streak was an incredible record that held for 56 years until finally surpassed by Cal Ripken, Jr. in 1998. Gehrig played 2,131 consecutive games before the onset of ALS sidelined him from the game. To put this in perspective, the current active streak is held by Alcides Escobar who has played in 192 straight games and would have to play every game for 12 years to surpass Gehrig for 2nd and then another 3 and 1/2 years to catch Ripken which would require a then 45 year old Escobar to still be playing every day. The Pride of the Yankees was released just 13 months after Gehrig’s death and celebrates the life of one of baseball’s greatest players. The film was nominated for Best Picture along with 9 other nominations but only won for Best Film Editing. Many of Gehrig’s teammates including Babe Ruth appeared in the movie as themselves.
May 3: James Brown Was Born (1933)
Watch: Rocky IV (1985)
Available on Amazon & iTunes
The Godfather of Soul who passed away on December 25, 2006 was born on May 3, 1933. Brown was known as the creator of funk music and dubbed “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” While Brown is known for his music, he has 7 film credits to his name. He appeared in both Blues Brothers films, The Phynx, Doctor Detroit, The Artist’s Journey: Funk Blast, The Tuxedo and, of course, his most memorable performance in Rocky IV. His scene in Rocky IV featured his performance of “Living in America” preceding Apollo Creed’s final fight. “Living in America” went on to become Brown’s last Top 10 Pop hit of his career and first since 1968. He also won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance but, somehow, the song did not get nominated for an Academy Award.
May 4: Frost Interviews Nixon (1977)
Watch: Frost/Nixon (2008)
Available on Amazon & iTunes
Yet another Best Picture nominee is recommended for viewing on May 4th on the anniversary of David Frost’s interview with Richard Nixon which was detailed in the 2008 film Frost/Nixon. The Ron Howard directed movie based on Peter Morgan’s play of the same name gives a detailed account of the events leading up to Frost’s interview and the interview itself. Although both the play and movie take dramatic license with the subject, Frost/Nixon was critically acclaimed and Frank Langella’s performance as Nixon earned him a Best Actor nomination. The film failed to nab any of its 5 nominations at that year’s Academy Awards, though.
Star Wars on Star Wars day!!!! Nothing more, nothing less ?