Pray for Istanbul

In light of the horrific terrorist attack in Istanbul, I am sending prayers and love to all of those who have been affected by this tragedy.

Jumanji

David Alan Grier is one of the most well respected comedians and actors of today. On June 30, 1956 he was born bringing in a life of entertainment with him. In the 1995 film Jumanji he was able to combine all of his talents into bringing a character to life.

In 1969 Alan Parrish and his friend Sarah finds the game Jumanji and ends up in the game for real. Flash forward to the year 1995, Judy and Peter Shepherd end up freeing Alan and Judy from their prison. However, in doing so they brought all the elements from the game with them, including wild life safari. Learning that they have to finish the game, they go and visit Alan’s old friend Carl who is now a police officer. Recognizing that his friend has been trapped in a game for the past twenty-six years he decides to help out. They are able to finish the game, with Sarah and Alan going back to 1969 to when they were kids. Going to present day we learn that Carl is still on the police force, Alan and Sarah are married, and Judy and Peter are starting to adjust to their new life.

Jumanji was a movie that was quite like nothing else. In this movie, David Alan Grier brings to life the character of Carl, the best fried of Alan. This funny and witty comedian was born on June 30, 1956 with an entertaining life ahead of him.

Bringing Up Baby

On June 29, 2003 one of the best known actresses of all time passed away. Katharine Hepburn was one of the most respected actresses of all time. Her talent is still well known today within the films that she starred in. In the 1938 comedy Bringing Up Baby she is able to prove her talents as a ditsy heiress.

When mild mannered scientist David Huxley meets Susan Vance the day before his wedding he is taken aback by her. Susan is a free spirited young woman who enjoys most everything about life without thinking of the consequences. Things take a comedic turn when David discovers that Susan has a pet leopard. After this, David realizes that he really doesn’t love his fiancee and uses Susan to prevent him from getting married the next day. Finding out that he is falling love with the young woman, David does what he can to get close to her. Although, this leads the two of them to ending up in jail due to a befuddled policeman believing them to have taken the leopard from the circus, they find themselves going their separate ways. However, Susan discovers that David is still jilted a bit by breaking up with his fiancee. The next day they end up at the museum David works at. There they find they find that they are meant for each other when David saves Susan after she climbs a ladder and leads a dinosaur skeleton to collapse.

Katharine Hepburn proved that she was an actress of all kinds. She could be comical and dramatic all the same. On June 29, 2003 she passed away with a legacy in films that is still recognized today.

Flyboys

On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated starting World War I. Five years later to the day the Treaty of Versailles was signed. Both of these events were vital to the beginning and end of World War I. In the 2006 movie Flyboys we are introduced to a group of young men who leave to train as pilots in France.

When a group of young men head off to France to fight in World War I they learn just what they are in for, quickly. Under the tutelage of Captain Georges Thenault: Blaine Rawlings, Briggs Lowry, Eugene Skinner, Beagle, Porter and Jamie all learn how to fly. All of these men come from different walks of life. But, quickly the men start to grow close as friends. As the war wages on, they overcome their fears as they enter combat. Knowing that they are under constant attack, all of them know that they might not make it back home. But, through bravery and courage they know that they will be able to make a difference for the world in the end.

On June 28, 1914 World War I began and on June 28, 1919 World War I officially ended. In the 2006 film, Flyboys, we are introduced to what fighter pilots had to go through in order to go into battle. In this historical drama, we watch as they all go above and beyond.

The Cider House Rules

Many people know Tobey Maguire as Spiderman. However, his career is far and beyond that of a superhero many people know. In the 1999 film The Cider House Rules he proves that as a young orphan.

Homer Wells is an orphan growing up in Maine. He lives in an orphanage under a kind man, Dr. Wilbur Larch. After being returned time after time by foster family he grows closer to Lurch we learn that, the dear doctor is a secret abortionist and addicted to ether. After growing tired of living in the orphanage Home decides to leave the only place he has called home. Leaving with a girl named Candy and her boyfriend Wally, he moves into the Worthington estate. However, when World War II comes, Wally heads off to war, but not Homer as Dr. Larch had stated he had a heart condition. Staying behind, Homer and Candy start an affair. But, things are not going well for Homer as he discovers that he had knocked up a girl who he insists gets an abortion. When Wally returns from the war, he comes back s a paraplegic. Candy decides she wants to stay with Wally leaving Homer to return to the orphanage. When he does return, Dr. Larch succumbs to an ether overdose. Homer decides to step into the shoes of Dr. Larch as head of the orphanage with the line “Goodnight you princes of Maine, you kings of New England!” just like Dr. Larch used to say.

The Cider House Rules starred Tobey Maguire proving that he is a one of a kind actor. On June 27, 1975, Tobey Maguire was born. With a movie career that purely expands throughout the years, Tobey Maguire is an actor that will go down in history.

Philadelphia

On June 26, 2015 it was ruled that same-sex marriage in the United States of America was constitutional. This is a battle that should not have needed to be fought because the LGBT community has every right to marry the person they love. In the 1993 drama Philadelphia we are introduced to a gay man who proves that he has the same rights as everyone around him.

When Andrew Beckett discovers he has AIDS his bosses are informed. Even though Andrew is a smart and accomplished attorney, they decide to fire him based only on the fact that he is gay with a disease. Knowing that his termination is wrong, Andrew goes from lawyer to lawyer without success of letting one represent him in a court of law. When he seeks out fellow attorney Joe Miller, he is rejected again much to his sadness as Joe is a friend. However, when Beckett is forced to represent himself decides to research in the library. After seeing the way people treated his friend, Joe Miller decides to take up the case for Andrew Beckett. Upon hearing about this Joe decides to defend his client in order to prove that his termination is unjust. Through many setbacks of the defense claiming that Andrew getting AIDS was is own fault, Miller and Beckett continue to fight for justice. Just as the trial is coming to an end, Andrew collapses and is hospitalized. In the end, it is ruled that Andrew’s termination was wrong in a court of law. Andrew is visited by Joe in the hospital before he passes away to give him the word that they had won. The movie closes with Joe joining Andrew’s friends at his funeral watching videos of Andrew as a happy child.

Philadelphia premiered in 1993 to many people sympathizing with the character of Andrew Beckett. Identifying with the wrong doing done to Andrew in this film, there was nothing short of critical acclaim for this movie. On June 26, 2015 same sex marriage was legalized in America showing that love always wins.

Fantasia 2000

Many people have heard of Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird. The music for this ballet was used in the 1999 movie Fantasia 2000. In this movie we have several different pieces of music, just like the original Fantasia before it.

Through out Fantasia 2000 we are introduced to different music pieces that have been combined with animation. Between each segment, there are guests who are introducing them one by one, from Angela Lansbury to Mickey Mouse to Penn and Teller there is nothing stopping from the intro to each piece being individual. The music is put to the classic tales like The Tin Soldier and The Sorcerers Apprentice. While other pieces are goofy like The Carnival of Animals and a take on Noah’s Ark with Donald Duck in the role. Then there are the pieces that delve into the imagination like Pines of Rome with humpback whales flying. Taking classical music and using animation with it reflects the beauty of the Firebird Suite. In this section a curious little sprite accidentally sets off a forest fire leading to destruction. In the end, she would be able to build up the forest that she cared for, but not without help.

On June 25, 1910 The Firebird Suite premiered. This ballet by Igor Stravinsky was able to create a ballet using music that would inspire many generations. Without this music, The Firebird Suite segment of Fantasia 2000 would not exist.

The Parent Trap (1961)

When Brian Keith portrayed the father in the 1961 film The Parent Trap, he brought one of the most beloved characters alive. On June 24, 1997, Brian Keith passed away after a six decade career in film, television, and stage. But, none of his performances were like the one as Mitch Evers in The Parent Trap.

When Susan Evers and Sharon McKendrick meet at camp they get off on the wrong foot immediately. Susan and Sharon sabotage each other until, they end up in a fight at a dance leading them to be sent to the isolation cabin. Doing their best to avoid each other until, they strike up a conversation after a storm. After this conversation they discover that they are long lost sisters after their parents divorced. Susan and Sharon decide to switch places in order to get their parents to reunite. When summer is over Susan heads off to Boston, while Sharon goes to California. Once in Boston, Susan meets her mother for the first time, as well as her maternal grandparents. Susan enjoys the time she spends with her mother learning how they met. As for Sharon, she is ecstatic to be with her father. But, things go sour when she learns that her father is in a relationship with a much younger woman. After learning from the maid that she is after him for his money, she contacts Susan who insists upon staying in Boston with her mother longer. However, this gets cut short when Sharon learns that Vicki, the young girl, and Mitch, her father, are engaged to be married. With the news relayed to Susan she knows that they have to act fast. Upon breaking the news to her mother, Susan and Maggie, her mother, head off to California. Once they arrive in California there is some confusion for Mitch as he is unaware that his ex=wife and other daughter are in the house. When the truth comes out Mitch and Maggie fight while their daughters start to work on their parents relationship. The only people who are unhappy about this are Vicki and her mother. Yet, Sharon and Susan manage to make Mitch and Maggie relive their first date before Maggie decides to head off to Boston. With their plan heading to ruins, Sharon and Susan decide to trick their parents into going on a camping trip together. But, Maggie decides to stay behind so Vicki can get to know the girls better. However, Sharon and Susan play quite a few pranks on her leading her to reveal who she really is to Mitch. With the truth out, Mitch leaves Vicki and returns home. Upon returning home Mitch and Maggie reconcile much to their daughters delight. With the family they have always wanted, Sharon and Susan smile at the work of their plan.

When The Parent Trap came out in 1961 many people fell in love with the story over and over again. However, without Brian Keith’s performance as Mitch Evers, the movie would not be the same. On June 24, 1997, Brian Keith passed away with many people still remembering him today.

The Princess Bride

Many people remember Peter Falk as Colombo, the detective who seems to figure out the killer that no one else believed. Yet, he had another famous role for all generations to enjoy. In the 1987 film The Princess Bride, he opens the movie by narrating the story to his young grandson.

When an elderly grandfather is sent to babysit his sick grandson, he decides to read him a story. However, the grandson is more concerned with playing video games. Once the story gets started the young boy is instantly taken into the novel. We are told the story of Buttercup, a young maiden who falls for the stable boy Westley. Sadly, she receives the news that Westley dies. With a broken heart she decides to marry Prince Humperdink, making her a princess upon marriage. However, Buttercup is kidnapped by Vizzini and his two henchmen: a giant named Fezzik and a Spanish master swordsman Inigo Montoya. When they are being pursued by a mysterious masked man, Vizzini leaves Inigo Montoya to finish him off. During this we learn that Inigo’s father was killed by a man with six fingers when he talks to the masked man. After overtaking Inigo, managing to chock Fezzik, and “kill” Vizzini by making him drink poison, it is revealed that the masked man is Westley. Realizing this is her beloved, Buttercup happily reunites with him. Sadly, this would not be for long as Buttercup is found by Humperdinck’s men and is taken to the castle. In the meantime, Fezzik and Inigo are reunited in a village and stumble upon Westley whom they decide to help after he is nearly killed on Count Rugen. The two take him to Miracle Max where he is revived. The three plan an invasion of the castle to stop Buttercup from marrying Humperdinck. However, things don’t go according to plan when Humperdinck and Buttercup marry. Humperdinck proves to be a villain when he reveals that he is the one who had Buttercup kidnapped in order to kill her so he can declare war. He plans on killing her that night and frame it on spies. Once Westley, Fezzik, and Inigo enter the castle they are separated. Inigo runs into Count Rugen, who is the six fingered man who killed his father, duels him managing to kill him after saying,”Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die.” Westley finds Buttercup just as she is about to kill herself. After facing off with Humperdinck, Westley takes Buttercup along with Fezzik and Inigo and escape the castle. The film then goes back to the grandfather where he reveals that they all lived happily ever after. With the grandfather finishing the story, his grandson’s mother returns home. Promising to return the next day for a visit re-reading The Princess Bride to him.

Peter Falk portrayed a small part in The Princess Bride. Yet, without the narration from the grandfather the movie would not be the same. On June 23, 2011, Peter Falk passed away with many people remembering for his talent as he brought beloved characters to the screen.

A Star is Born (1954)

On June 22, 1969 one of the brightest stars known to the world passed away. Judy Garland had a career that inspired many people through her unique talent. In 1954, she portrayed a talented and aspiring singer in A Star is Born.

When Esther Blodgett’s performance is interrupted by a drunk man running on the stage she turns what a negative into a positive. Making it so it looks like this was part of the show, Esther is able to give Norman Maine a standing ovation. Learning that Esther saved him from public humiliation Norman goes to thank her. Realizing that Norman is a former matinee idol who’s career is in decline, Esther is shocked to learn that he wants to help her out. Norman does so, leading Esther to change her name Vicki Lester after her first paycheck is picked up. With everything going fine for Esther, things start to decline for Norman who’s alcoholism has taken over. With all of this going on Esther and Norman marry, but things do not get better for Norman as his addiction keeps getting the best of him. Learning that Esther wants to move on as her career is flourishing in Hollywood, Norman goes out of his way to get his career back on track. However, after being informed by many people out in Hollywood that alcoholism ruined his career, Norman commits suicide. Much to the shock of everyone around him, his death becomes exploited by the press. With Esther deciding to go back to the Shrine Auditorium, where they met, at the insistence of an old band member she sees a heart that Norman drew when he first met her on the wall. She loses her composure for a minute before taking the stage telling a crowd triumphantly,”Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine.” The credits role as Esther gets a standing ovation.

When Judy Garland passed away on June 22, 1969 she left behind a legacy that is still remembered today. With her singing and acting career being one of the best known ones out there, she still shines today. In 1954 when A Star is Born came out, she proved again that she was and is one of the most talented entertainers of all time.