Category: On this date

The Godfather at 50

I saw it in a theater in Pittsburgh. To me, it’s good, not great. It’s certainly very influential.

Lucio Fulci

Lucio Fulci was an Italian film director. Yesterday was the anniversary of his death. Fulci is best known for his horror films from the 1980s. I would start with The Beyond, City of the Living Dead, and The New York Ripper. His later films such as Murder Rock and Demonia aren’t as good but still worth seeing. Many of the films are set in the US. In general, they have more violence and sex than comparable American films. Most of his films are on Blu-ray from independent companies.

Zombies, Slashers, Ghosts and Extreme Gore: Ranking All 21 of Lucio Fulci’s Horror Films

Takashi Shimura – Born on this day

Takashi Shimura was a great actor. He is best known for films directed by Akira Kurosawa but he also starred in Godzilla.

Tweets on Jack Kerouac at 100

Jack Kerouac would have been 100 yesterday. I am not that familiar with his books but certainly understand his large influence.

I have included YouTube video of the visit to his grave by Allen Ginsberg and Bob Dylan in 1975. The manuscript for On the Road, is a long scroll that was purchased by Colts owner Jim Irsay.

country star zach bryan bought the "on the road" scroll for $12 million at the irsay auction (& apparently previously purchased a church in lowell, kerouac's hometown). simonwarner.substack.com/p/kerouac-sc…

— jesse jarnow (@bourgwick.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T14:28:42.023Z

Nosferatu is 100

Nonsferatu is a great silent film directed by F. W. Murnau. I also recommend Werner Herzog’s 1979 Nosferatu the Vampyre is a fine remake. On the other hand, 1988’s Nosferatu In Venice, which also stars Klaus Kinski who was the vampire in the 1979 film, isn’t nearly as good. They’re all on Blu-ray.

The cover of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti (1975)

The same building was used in the video for “Waiting on a Friend” by the Rolling Stones.

Ishmael Reed

I haven’t read all of Ishmael Reed‘s books but Mumbo Jumbo is my favorite and I strongly recommend it. I also suggest Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down. I have seen him in person at a bookstore in Washington in the 1990s.

Sam Peckinpah

Today is director Sam Peckinpah’s birthday. The quote from him says he like Junior Bonner and I do too. It’s not nearly as violent as many of his films. The picture is from Bring Me the Head of Alfred Garcia which is a wild incoherent film.

The Wild Bunch is the obvious place to start with Peckinpah. I also recommend Major Dundee which has been given great treatments on Blu-ray.