As we head into Memorial Day weekend, summer season really begins to pick up. Two summer tent-poles will likely generate some box office and definitely generate some critical ire (mainly because both Baywatch and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales aren’t very good) but it’s also an opportunity to stream something timely as here’s what to stream this week to celebrate the day in history:
May 26: The 1st Legal Casino Opens in Eastern U.S. in Atlantic City (1978)
Watch: Atlantic City (1980)
Available on Amazon and iTunes
One thing that happens this weekend on the East Coast is people head down to the Jersey shore. Depending on their proclivity for gambling, some will head to Atlantic City to combine their beachcombing with gambling on their weekend excursion. In 1980, Atlantic City starring Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon hit theaters and featured the gambling town as the backdrop to a story about drug dealing and mobsters. The film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay but failed to take home an award.
May 27: Louis Gossett, Jr.’s Birthday (1936)
Watch: An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Available on Amazon and iTunes
Louis Gossett, Jr. turns 81 on May 27th. The highlight of his acting career is appropriate to recognize on Memorial Day weekend as he took home Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1982 hit An Officer and a Gentleman. A number of actors and actresses were slated to play the lead roles that eventually landed in the laps of Richard Gere and Debra Winger but Gossett was always the choice for Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley. Gossett nailed the role and earned that Academy Award distinction.
May 28: The 54th Massachusetts Leaves Boston for South Carolina (1863)
Watch: Glory (1990)
Available on Amazon and iTunes
Glory is a powerful film that tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts and features one of the best ensemble casts in a film. With Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes and Andre Braugher amongst the powerful cast, Glory‘s depiction of one of the first all-black regiments in the Union Army was nominated for 5 Academy Awards including wins for Best Supporting Actor (Washington), Best Cinematography and Best Sound. The film failed to get a Best Picture nom but did score a Golden Globe nomination.
May 29: Memorial Day
Watch: Taking Chance (2009)
Available on Amazon and iTunes
This HBO movie from less than a decade ago features Kevin Bacon as a volunteer military escort who transfers the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown in Wyoming. Based on real-life events, Taking Chance can get a bit emotional so make sure you have something to tend to your allergies if you decide to take this one in.
May 30: Joan of Arc Burned at the Stake (1431)
Watch: The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)
Available on Amazon and iTunes
The Luc Besson directed tale features Milla Jovovich as the titular character. The film swerves a little from the factual tale of Joan of Arc and looks more toward capturing her emotional journey. Spoiler alert: Both journeys end up at the same place with Joan being burned at the stake for her belief that God was communicating with her through visions and signs.
May 31: Clint Eastwood’s Birthday (1930)
Watch: Kelly’s Heroes (1970)
Available on Amazon and iTunes
Eastwood has appeared in a number of roles with military ties in his illustrious career and even directed the recent hit American Sniper in 2014. However, for his birthday, MHT suggests you head back to a much earlier time in his life (when Eastwood was the ripe old age of 40) to check out his role as Private Kelly in Kelly’s Heroes. Eastwood is joined by Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O’Connor, Donald Sutherland, Harry Dean Stanton, Gavin MacLeod and Stuart Margolin in this flick about a group of soldiers who go AWOL during World War II to rob a bank behind enemy lines.
June 1: Anne Boleyn Crowned Queen of England (1533)
Watch: The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Available on Amazon and iTunes
Eventually poor Anne lost her head (literally, actually) but in 1533, the second wife of Henry VIII became the Queen of England. Her coronation and eventual beheading played a key role in the English Reformation that led to political and religious upheaval. Her daughter was also Elizabeth who would succeed Henry as Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland. As for the film, The Other Boleyn Girl might feature albatross Eric Bana as Henry but it also features Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn and Scarlett Johansson as her sister Mary. The cast also features smaller roles for Mark Rylance, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Garfield and Eddie Redmayne. The film had a solid run at the box office despite a lukewarm reception from critics but its hard to ignore the cast who’ve gone on to some rather large roles since their appearance in the film.