Happy Birthday Cary Joji Fukunaga

By Patrick L. – Maniac (Netflix) x Première Portraits Ltd, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81694401

by Asanat Odeyale

Cary Joji Fukunaga, an American filmmaker, director, and writer, was born on July 10, 1977. He first gained notoriety for writing and directing the 2009 film, Sin Nombre and then for the 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre. He even became the first director of Asian descent to win a Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for the HBO series, True Detective 

Fukunaga was chosen to direct the 25th installment of the James Bond film, No Time to Diemarking Daniel Craig’s final time playing the British secret service agent, 007. Fukunaga has vowed to stay consistent with the Bond tradition, but still make this film extraordinary—unlike the others. Take a look at Fukunaga giving us his take on directing the film:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4aSE4FhbG4  

Happy Birthday Cary Joji Fukunaga! If you want to watch Fukunaga’s work, you can find these popular movies and shows that he has directed and written in the AU Media Collection: 

  • Sin Nombre (DVD 6188) 
  • Jane Eyre (DVD 11799) 
  • It (DVD 15321)  
  • True Detective (DVD 12429) 

Happy Birthday Dwanye “The Rock” Johnson

by Jason Wieder

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was born on May 2nd, 1972. Johnson originally began his career as a professional wrestler, but soon became known for his acting career. Johnson generally acts in action or thriller movies; however, one notable exception to this is his performance as Maui in Disney’s Moana 

Outside of his wresting and acting careers, “The Rock” is also known for being part of several popular memes. Whether it be related to his nickname, the very specific genre of movies he acts in, or the iconic 1990’s-era photo pictured below, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has become celebrated within pop culture and has created a persona that last for decades to come. 

Here are some of Johnson’s films that we have in our collection: 

  • The Tooth Fairy
  • Fast Five: HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 10105 
  • Rock and a Hard Place 
  • Furious 6: HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 10106 
  • Furious 7: HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 12574 

Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum

Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum! An actor so fixed in our collective cultural consciousness that this: Became this: Of all the ways to commemorate the original Jurassic Park’s 25th anniversary, this was certainly the most… interesting. But anyway, happy birthday to Jeff Goldblum. Many happy returns, and may you always be memeable. You can check out … Continue reading “Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum”

Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum! An actor so fixed in our collective cultural consciousness that this:

Became this:

Of all the ways to commemorate the original Jurassic Park’s 25th anniversary, this was certainly the most… interesting. But anyway, happy birthday to Jeff Goldblum. Many happy returns, and may you always be memeable.

You can check out most of Goldblum’s filmography here at Media Services, including these titles:

  • Jurassic Park (DVD 4901)
  • The Lost World: Jurassic Park (DVD 4902)
  • The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (DVD 11582)
  • Independence Day (DVD 3111)
  • The Right Stuff (DVD 5190)
  • The Big Chill (DVD 1933)
  • The Fly (DVD 1505)
  • The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (DVD 5101)

Julie Andrews: Practically Perfect in Every Way

I originally planned to post this yesterday, but three blog posts seemed a little much for one day. Yesterday, October 1, 2018, was Dame Julie Andrews’ 83rd birthday.  The Queen of England may only have made her a knight, but Julie will always be the Queen of Genovia, and the ultimate Queen of Shade. Andrews … Continue reading “Julie Andrews: Practically Perfect in Every Way”

I originally planned to post this yesterday, but three blog posts seemed a little much for one day. Yesterday, October 1, 2018, was Dame Julie Andrews’ 83rd birthday.  The Queen of England may only have made her a knight, but Julie will always be the Queen of Genovia, and the ultimate Queen of Shade.

Andrews began her career as a child performer in post-war London, and she gained fame by appearing in Broadway musicals in the late 1950s. In 1956, she originated the role of Eliza Doolittle in the Broadway production of My Fair Lady, and was soon cast in Camelot and Cinderella. However, when Warner Brothers won the movie rights to My Fair Lady, studio executive Jack Warner cast Audrey Hepburn as Eliza, rather than casting Andrews. Warner was banking on Hepburn’s name recognition, and doubted that the relatively unknown Andrews could draw the audiences needed to make the film a success.

Oh how Jack Warner would come to eat his words. Walt Disney, who saw Andrews in Camelot, knew that she was the practically perfect choice to play Mary Poppins. After begging her to take the role, he even paused pre-production on the film in order to accommodate Andrews’ pregnancy. Mary Poppins went on to become a huge box office success, and Andrews earned an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her performance.

We all know Julie Andrews is the classiest woman alive, but she couldn’t help taking just a bit of revenge against Warner. During her Golden Globes Acceptance speech, she closed with: “And, finally, my thanks to a man who made a wonderful movie and who made all this possible in the first place, Mr. Jack Warner.”  If that short dig isn’t the classiest little bit of revenge, then I don’t know what is.

So happy birthday Julie Andrews! If you want to see (or hear) more of this incredible actress with a voice like silver bells, you can find these movies in the AU Media Collection:

  • Marry Poppins (DVD 7850)
  • The Sound of Music (DVD 5916)
  • Thoroughly Modern Millie (Music Library DVD 253)
  • Alfred Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain (DVD 5199)
  • Victor/Victoria (DVD 6740)
  • Shrek 2 (DVD 13518)

Happy Birthday William Powell!

Today, July 29th, is William Powell’s birthday! I think I’ve suggested The Thin Man (HU DVD 4971 – 4977) about to death, so I’d like to encourage you to check out: The Great Ziegfeld (HU DVD 1979) Manhattan Melodrama (HU DVD 12753) Mister Roberts (HU DVD 5171) and My Man Godfrey (HU DVD 5850) Happy Birthday to the man … Continue reading “Happy Birthday William Powell!”

Today, July 29th, is William Powell’s birthday! I think I’ve suggested The Thin Man (HU DVD 4971 – 4977) about to death, so I’d like to encourage you to check out:

Image result for william powell

The Great Ziegfeld (HU DVD 1979)

Manhattan Melodrama (HU DVD 12753)

Mister Roberts (HU DVD 5171)

and My Man Godfrey (HU DVD 5850)

Happy Birthday to the man with the best quips and the chops to pull them off.

 

Happy Birthday Natalie Wood!

Today is a very special someone’s birthday…Natalie Wood! Natalie Wood was born July 20th, 1938. She was in so many good movies, but we’re going to particularly recommend: Gypsy (HU DVD 5738): I already have “If Mama Was Married” stuck in my head. The Searchers (HU DVD 1808): This movie is incredible. I completely forgot … Continue reading “Happy Birthday Natalie Wood!”

Today is a very special someone’s birthday…Natalie Wood!

Natalie Wood was born July 20th, 1938. She was in so many good movies, but we’re going to particularly recommend:

  • Gypsy (HU DVD 5738): I already have “If Mama Was Married” stuck in my head.
  • The Searchers (HU DVD 1808): This movie is incredible. I completely forgot Natalie Wood was in it.
  • Splendor in the Grass (HU DVD 7755): Her comeback role, according to Wikipedia.
  • Love with the Proper Stranger (HU DVD 14925): Steve McQueen! Watched the trailer because I’ve not seen it, and if you stick around: “…and introducing Tom Bosley!” Sufficient. I’ll take a chance and recommend it blind.
  • West Side Story (HU DVD 278): Rita Moreno steals the show, but there would be no movie without Natalie Wood’s innocence.

Happy birthday Natalie!

P.S. If you’re into watching Christmas movies in July, it’s HU DVD 2336.

Happy Birthday Errol Flynn!

Errol Flynn was born June 20th, 1909! I personally much prefer Kevin Kline playing Errol Flynn, but, since it’s his birthday, we would like to highlight: The Adventures of Robin Hood (HU DVD 3938), because obviously. Gentleman Jim (HU DVD 4979), because I like the word pugilist. Captain Blood (HU DVD 6595), because apparently our copy … Continue reading “Happy Birthday Errol Flynn!”

Errol Flynn was born June 20th, 1909! I personally much prefer Kevin Kline playing Errol Flynn, but, since it’s his birthday, we would like to highlight:

  • The Adventures of Robin Hood (HU DVD 3938), because obviously.
  • Gentleman Jim (HU DVD 4979), because I like the word pugilist.
  • Captain Blood (HU DVD 6595), because apparently our copy has this as a special feature: “Leonard Maltin hosts Warner Night at the movies 1935 with newsreel”

We hope you enjoy celebrating with this Errol Flynn starter kit!

This is supposedly Errol Flynn but I’m pretty sure it’s Kevin Kline.

Happy Birthday Judy Garland!

Judy Garland was born June 10th 1922, which means it’s time for everyone to settle down and watch my favorite Judy Garland song: her tribute to Clark Gable, “You Made Me Love You.” Naturally there are far better versions of this song, but this is the sweetest tribute to Clark Gable, and I adore it.

Judy Garland was born June 10th 1922, which means it’s time for everyone to settle down and watch my favorite Judy Garland song: her tribute to Clark Gable, “You Made Me Love You.”

Naturally there are far better versions of this song, but this is the sweetest tribute to Clark Gable, and I adore it.