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On this day in 2023

On this day in 2022

• MOVIES: NOT RATED
• Saturday Fiction is released. 1941. Since the Japanese occupation, China has become a wartime intelligence battlefield for the Allies and the Axis Powers. Iconic actress Jean Yu (Gong Li) returns to Shanghai, ostensibly to appear in the play “Saturday Fiction” directed by her former lover. But what is her true aim? To free her ex-husband? To gather intelligence for the Allied Forces? To work for her adoptive father? Or to escape from war with her lover? As she embarks on her mission, with friends ever more difficult to distinguish from undercover agents, as everything spirals out of control, Jean Yu starts to question whether to reveal what she has learned about in the imminent Pearl Harbor attack.
• Stanleyville is released. Prim and proper Maria Barbizan (Susanne Wuest) unceremoniously walks away from her boring job, her inept husband, and her obnoxious daughter. Moments later, she is swept up in a bizarre contest alongside a handful of idiosyncratic characters, all competing for the chance to win true enlightenment… and one slightly used habanero-orange compact sport utility vehicle.
• The White Fortress is released. In the rundown Sarajevo suburb of Alipasino Polje, Faruk is an orphan who lives with his ill grandmother and spends his days foraging for scrap metal and dabbling in petty crime. One day he meets Mona, a timid teen from a politically powerful and affluent family. As Mona dreams of escaping the overbearing toxicity of her home life, she seeks refuge and opens herself up to Faruk, a boy from a world entirely different than her own.
• The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is released. Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Nicolas Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (Tiffany Haddish) and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nick Cage.
• Marvelous and the Black Hole is released. A teenage delinquent (Miya Cech) befriends a surly magician (Rhea Perlman) who helps her navigate her inner demons and dysfunctional family with sleight of hand magic. A coming-of-age comedy that touches on unlikely friendships, grief and finding hope in the darkest moments.
• Hit the Road is released. A family of four – two middle-aged parents and their sons, one a taciturn adult, the other an ebullient six-year-old – drive across the Iranian countryside. Over the course of the trip, they bond over memories of the past, grapple with fears of the unknown, and fuss over their sick dog.
• Charlotte is released. Charlotte is an animated drama that tells the true story of Charlotte Salomon, a young German-Jewish painter who comes of age in Berlin on the eve of the Second World War. Fiercely imaginative and deeply gifted, she dreams of becoming an artist. Her first love applauds her talent, which emboldens her resolve. But the world around her is changing quickly and dangerously, limiting her options and derailing her dream. When anti-Semitic policies inspire violent mobs, she leaves Berlin for the safety of the South of France. There she begins to paint again, and finds new love. But her work is interrupted, this time by a family tragedy that reveals an even darker secret. Believing that only the extraordinary will save her, she embarks on the monumental adventure of painting her life story.
• MOVIES: PG
• The Bad Guys is released. Never have there been five friends as infamous as The Bad Guys—dashing pickpocket Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), seen-it-all safecracker Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), chill master-of-disguise Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), short-fused “muscle” Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos) and sharp-tongued expert hacker Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), aka “Webs.” But when, after years of countless heists and being the world’s most-wanted villains, the gang is finally caught, Mr. Wolf brokers a deal (that he has no intention of keeping) to save them all from prison: The Bad Guys will go good. Under the tutelage of their mentor Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade), an arrogant (but adorable!) guinea pig, The Bad Guys set out to fool the world that they’ve been transformed. Along the way, though, Mr. Wolf begins to suspect that doing good for real may give him what he’s always secretly longed for: acceptance. So when a new villain threatens the city, can Mr. Wolf persuade the rest of the gang to become … The Good Guys?
• MOVIES: R
• The Northman is released. From visionary director Robert Eggers comes The Northman, an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father’s murder. With an all-star cast that includes Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe.
• TV SERIES
• A Very British Scandal is released. The three-part miniseries written by Sarah Phelps, focuses on the 1963 divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll (Paul Bettany and Claire Foy).[Premiered originally in the UK on BBC One on 26 Dec 2021; in the US on Prime Video on 22 Apr 2022]
• Heartstopper: Season 1 is released. Openly gay Charlie (Kit Connor) and rugby player Nick (Joe Locke) becomes friends at a British high school in this adaptation of Alice Oseman's graphic novel of the same name.
• ALBUMS
• For You Who Are the Wronged was released by Kathryn Joseph. The third full-length solo release for Scottish singer-songwriter Kathryn Joseph was co-produced with Lomond Campbell.
• Get On Board was released by Taj Mahal. The latest full-length release for the collaboration between Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder features covers of songs from Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee.
• Giving the World Away was released by Hatchie. The second full-length release for Australian singer-songwriter Hatchie was produced by Jorge Elbrecht and features contributions from Joe Agius and Beach House's James Barone.
• Everything Was Beautiful was released by Spiritualized. The ninth full-length studio release for J Spaceman's space rock band Spiritualized was recorded at 11 different studios.
• Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life was released by Bob Vylan. The latest full-length release for London-based duo Bob Vylan was self-produced, mixed and recorded with contributions from Laurent 'Lags' Barnard of Gallows, Bobby Bentham of Strange Bones, Josh and Jon Skints of The Skints.
• It's Almost Dry was released by Pusha T. The fourth full-length studio release for rapper Push T features guest appearances from Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Labrinth, Lil Uzi Vert, Malice, Don Toliver, Pharrell Williams, and Ye.
• Just Like That... was released by Bonnie Raitt. The first new studio release in six years for Bonnie Raitt was recorded in Northern California and produced with Ryan Freeland.
• The Turning Year was released by Roger Eno. The first full-length solo release on Deutsche Grammophon for British composer/pianist Roger Eno features the German string ensemble Scoring Berlin.
• Skinty Fia was released by Fontaines D.C.. The third full-length studio release for Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. was produced by Dan Carey and features an accordion on one track.
• Omnium Gatherum was released by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. The 20th full-length studio release for Australian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard was produced by Stu Mackenzie.
• GAMING: SWITCH
• Ganryu 2: Hakuma Kojiro for Switch is released. Ganryu 2 is a 2D platformer at its best! It is the sequel to the Ganryu game made by VISCO Corporation on NEOGEO back in 1999. The universe takes place in a feudal fantasy Japan which is strongly inspired by the story of Takezo Musashi, whose adventures are unfolded in a series of books (mainly The Stone and the Sword). Play as Miyamoto Musashi and travel through a 17th century fantasy Japan, from north to south to the island of Ganryu-jima where everything happened between Musashi and Kojiro.
• POLITICS
• Mwai Kibaki, Kenyan economist and politician (President of Kenya,2002-13), who died at 90.

On this day in 2021

• EVENTS
• India sets a world record for daily COVID-19 pandemic cases recording 314,835 new cases with 2,104 deaths.
• DEATHS
• Sharon Pollock, Playwright.
• Terrence Clarke, Basketball Player.
• Shock G, Rapper.
• MOVIES: TVMA
• Stowaway is released. On a mission headed to Mars, an unintended stowaway accidentally causes severe damage to the spaceship’s life support systems. Facing dwindling resources and a potentially fatal outcome, the crew is forced to make an impossible decision.
• TV SERIES
• Rutherford Falls: Season 1 is released. In a small New England town, Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) and his best friend Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding) fight the moving of a historical statue in this comedy from Michael Schur, Ed Helms and Sierra Teller Ornelas.
• GAMING: PC
• Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion for PC is released. Play as an adorable yet trouble-making turnip. Avoid paying taxes, solve plantastic puzzles, harvest crops and battle massive beasts all in a journey to tear down a corrupt vegetable government!
• Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife for PC is released. You died in a mysterious seance and have become a Wraith, one of the restless undead. In this VR horror game, use your supernatural abilities to solve the mystery behind your death. But beware of the sinister Spectres lurking in the shadows...
• Immortals Fenyx Rising: The Lost Gods for PC is released. Unfolding entirely from an overhead, god’s-eye perspective, the adventure centers on Ash, a new mortal champion following a series of catastrophic disasters. Ash’s mission is to travel to a new land, the Pyrite Island, to find and reunite the gods who left Olympos in a huff after a falling-out with Zeus. These “lost gods, ” including Poseidon and Hades, will all need to be convinced to return to the Pantheon and restore balance to the world. Naturally, there are plenty of monsters standing between them and Ash, which players can dispatch using a new, brawler-inspired combat system.
• Buildings Have Feelings Too! for PC is released. An exciting new city-management/puzzle game about buildings and the city they inhabit. You must grow your city to a bustling metropolitan centre with an array of shops, offices, entertainment facilities and amenities, to help your buildings thrive; or risk them being demolished forever.
• GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
• Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack for PlayStation 4 is released. Atelier Sophie DX - Atelier Firis DX - Atelier Lydie & Suelle DX - with brand new content and various DLCs. The definitive edition fo the Atlier "Myserious"series is now available.
• NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... for PlayStation 4 is released. Get ready to experience where the NieR series all began - NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...Set in a post-apocalyptic world, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is puts you in the role of the titular Nier, a young man on a quest to cure his sister Yonah of a deadly disease. What they discover will make them question everything they thought they knew The original NieR release has an interesting history. In Japan, there were two versions of the game: NieR Replicant and NieR Gestalt. NieR Replicant focused on Brother Nier and his sister Yonah. In NieR Gestalt, the main character was Father Nier, and Yonah his daughter. Only NieR Gestalt released in the West (under the name NIER) - so excitingly, this will be the first time many people will have played the Replicant version of the game.
• GAMING: SWITCH
• Shantae for Switch is released. Genie-girl Shantae is the self-appointed guardian of a small fishing village, Scuttle Town. Living life in a lighthouse rather than a bottle, she's constantly on the lookout for danger. When the nefarious lady-pirate, Risky Boots catches wind of the treasure that was recently unearthed in the village, she launches an attack. To get Scuttle out of trouble, it's up to Shantae to prove that she's the rightful 'Guardian Genie' to the best of her dancing, buying and hair-whipping abilities. Now crack that whip!* Play on the Game Boy Advance system for enhanced color and to unlock hidden secrets!* Over 50 Locations and Mini-Games!* Learn 'Dance Magic' to transform Shantae and learn new attacks!
• Smelter for Switch is released. Time To Get Eve’nYou are Eve, fresh out of Eden and armed with a living suit of armor. Explore a dangerous new world, battle its bizarre denizens and expand your empire in a desperate journey to find Adam.Smelter is a strategy, action-platformer combo inspired by classics from the 16-bit era. Lead Smelter and his faithful Zirm forces by expanding Smelter’s territory across the Rumbly Lands in top-down strategy levels, then dive into thrilling side-scrolling action stages after annexing key locations. Build, attack and advance your army -- unlock, upgrade and unleash elemental action skills against vicious enemies, perilous environments and dangerous bosses. Release the power of Smelter!STORYAfter the untimely destruction of the Garden, Eve finds herself in an unfamiliar world with her beloved Adam nowhere to be found. In her search for Adam, she encounters Smelter, an unusually over-confident, winged creature with the powerful ability to transform and fuse with others, giving them incredible powers.Offering his apparently “invaluable” assistance, Smelter transforms and fuses with Eve. They depart on a journey to the treacherous Rumbly Lands. There, they expand Smelter’s territory, allowing them to reach further into the various domains to find out what happened to her Adam, hoping to find him in one piece and find a way back home to their peaceful lives...
• GAMING: XBOX SERIES X
• MotoGP 21 for Xbox Series X is released. Discover all the official rosters and tracks and experience the thrill of the 2021 Season. And if you want to dive into the past, you can relive the MotoGP™ history with more than 40 riders and their iconic bikes. Take critical decisions and find a winning strategy to take over the Championship! Create your crew, choosing between official teams or a new one. Pick your staff, choosing your Personal Manager, a Chief Engineer, and a Data Analyst who will help you to make crucial choices such as the best contract to get and the bike development. Reach the MotoGP™ or Moto2™ class and assemble your very own Junior team. How you ride your bike will directly affect the tires wear. Worn tires make it more difficult to handle the bike. Manage it cautiously. Forget automatic respawns. If you fall, you must get up and get back on your bike as fast as possible. Never lose control. Customize helmet, suit, stickers, racing number, and livery with 5 incredible Graphic Editors! Once you’re done, share* your designs online or try on some of your fellow player’s creations. *You can share helmet, racing number and rider stickers. Just like the real riders, you’ll have to play by the rules of the official championship or you’ll face the consequences, including, for the first time, the Long Lap Penalty. Enjoy the most authentic MotoGP™ experience.
• POLITICS
• US President Joe Biden pledges to cut US carbon emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 at a virtual climate summit.

On this day in 2020

• EVENTS
• Sudan bans female genital mutation and makes it a criminal offense.
• At the Jersey 4 Jersey virtual benefit concert, surviving members of Fountains of Wayne reunited with Sharon Van Etten to pay tribute to Adam Schlesinger, who died of COVID-19 pandemic three weeks earlier. Bruce Springsteen also performed with his wife Patti Scialfa and played an emotional version of 'Land Of Hope And Dreams' followed by 'Jersey Girl'. Bon Jovi debuted a new song called 'Do What You Can.' The event raised nearly $6 million for COVID-19 pandemic relief..
• DEATHS
• Hartwig Gauder, German race walker (Olympic gold men's 50k walk 1980), who died at 65.
• Shirley Knight, American actress (Endless Love, Desperate Housewives), who died at 83.
• Robert "Bootsie" Barnes, American jazz tenor saxophonist, who died of COVID-19 pandemic at 82.
• Terence Frisby, English actor and playwright (There's a Girl in My Soup), who died at 87.
• MOVIES: NOT RATED
• Circus of Books is released. In 1976, Karen and Barry Mason had fallen on hard times and were looking for a way to support their young family when they answered an ad in the Los Angeles Times. Larry Flynt was seeking distributors for Hustler Magazine. What was expected to be a brief sideline led to their becoming fully immersed in the LGBT community as they took over a local store, Circus of Books. A decade later, they had become the biggest distributors of gay porn in the US. The film focuses on the double life they led, trying to maintain the balance of being parents at a time when LGBT culture was not yet accepted. Their many challenges included facing jail time for a federal obscenity prosecution and enabling their store to be a place of refuge at the height of the AIDS crisis. Circus of Books offers a rare glimpse into an untold chapter of queer history, and it is told through the lense of the owners' own daughter, Rachel Mason, an artist, filmmaker and musician.
• MOVIES: PG
• The Willoughbys is released. Convinced they'd be better off raising themselves, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family.
• GAMING: SWITCH
• ITTA for Switch is released. Test your limits in ITTA, a bullet-hell, boss-rush style adventure where you play as a young girl armed with her father’s revolver and guided by a strange ghostly cat. ITTA is a bullet-hell adventure set in a world filled with monstrous bosses. When Itta wakes up and finds herself surrounded by her dead family, her only guide is a strange spirit that takes the form of the family cat who gifts her a glowing revolver for protection.As Itta, players must seek out the powerful beings locked away beneath this seemingly peaceful world and go toe-to-toe against them in harrowing battles. From hulking ancient golems to toothy horrors, Itta’s journey will push both you and her past their limits. Luckily, you can change up your combat style by finding weapons with unique attack styles, and if the going gets too tough, toggle on invincibility or player damage multipliers at any time.

On this day in 2019

• BIRTHS
• Lavender May Avery, Family Member, born in Los Angeles, CA.
• DEATHS
• Dave Samuels, American vibraphonist (Spyro Gyra-Morning Dance), who died at 70.
• Billy McNeill MBE, Scottish soccer defender (29 caps; Celtic) and manager (Celtic, Manchester City, Aston Villa), who died from dementia at 79.
• Heather Harper, Northern Irish operatic soprano (Britten's War Requiem), who died at 88.
• GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
• Jupiter & Mars for PlayStation 4 is released. Jupiter & Mars is an undersea adventure set in a future-Earth. Sea levels have risen from melting ice caps and climate change. As a result, the coastal cities are all but completely submerged. Since man’s disappearance, the oceans have begun to reclaim themselves. Will Jupiter and Mars succeed in bringing life back to the oceans?
• SPORTS
• Marvel film "Avengers: Endgame" directed by Anthony and Joe Russo starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and an ensemble cast, premieres in Los Angeles.

On this day in 2018

• EVENTS
• Monte Carlo Tennis Masters: Rafael Nadal beats Kei Nishikori 6-3,6-2 to extend his Open-era record for most wins at the same event (11).
• Gunman opens fire at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee, killing four before James Shaw Jr. wrestled the rifle from the gunman's hands.
• Bus crash in North Korea kills 36, with most Chinese tourists.
• Saudi-led coalition airstrike kills more than 20 at a wedding in northwestern Yemen.
• DEATHS
• Wiam Dahmani, Movie Actress.
• Matt Campbell, Chef.
• MOVIES: G
• The Cat Returns (2002) is released. In this sequel to Whisper of the Heart, a quiet suburban schoolgirl, Haru, is pitched into a fantastical feline world and must find her inner strength to make her way back home. Walking with her friend after a dreary day at school, Haru eyes a cat with a small gift box in its mouth attempting to cross a busy street. The cat fumbles the package in the middle of the road as a truck is rapidly bearing down. Haru manages to scoop the cat away to safety. To her amazement, the cat then gets up on its hind legs, brushes itself off, and thanks her very politely. Strange behavior indeed, but this is nothing compared to what happens later that evening when the King of Cats shows up in a feline motorcade replete with vassals, maidens, and even Secret Service cats. In a show of gratitude for saving his son’s life, the king cat showers Haru with gifts – including a large supply of individually wrapped live mice – and decrees that she shall marry the cat prince and come to live as a princess in the secret Kingdom of Cats.
• TV SERIES
• Westworld: Season 2 is released. The second season of the sci-fi western series inspired by the 1973 Michael Crichton film of the same name introduces Delos Corporation founder James Delos (Peter Mullan).
• SPORTS
• Liverpool's Egyptian soccer forward Mohamed Salah is named Professional Footballers'Association Player of the Year.

On this day in 2017

• EVENTS
• Ilie Nastase thrown off tennis court for insulting British female players during Fed Cup play-off against Romania in Constanta.
• WEDDINGS
• " Gotham" star Chris Chalk weds Kimberley Dalton Mitchell at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina.
• DEATHS
• Norman T. Hatch, American oscar-winning marine cinematographer during WWII (With the Marines at Tarawa), who died at 96.
• Vaclav Kucera, Czech composer (Concierto imaginativo Homenaje a Salvador Dalí), who died at 87.
• Erin Moran, American actress (Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi), who died at 56.
• TV SERIES
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is released. The TV movie focuses on Henrietta's daughter Deborah (Oprah Winfrey) as she seeks to learn more about her mother (Renée Elise Goldsberry) and how her cancerous cells became a part of medical breakthroughs with the help of journalist Rebecca Skloot (Rose Byrne) in this adaptation of Skloot's book of the same name.

On this day in 2016

• EVENTS
• Paris Agreement on climate change signed in New York binding 195 nations to an increase in the global average temperature to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.
• DEATHS
• Isabelle Dinoire, French recipient of world's 1st partial face transplant, who died from surgical complications at 49.
• MOVIES: APRIL 22 2016
• Nina is released. She was one of the century's most extraordinary talents, a 15-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Hall of Fame Recipient; her mesmerizing songs and passionate politics combined to make her the unforgettable Nina Simone (Zoe Saldana). But fame and fortune came with a price, and her later years were riddled with depression, alcohol abuse and isolation. Rediscovering the meaning of her life and work took courage, strength and one true friend: Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo), the man who started out as her assistant and eventually became her loyal manager. With Clifton's encouragement, the "high priestess of soul"began a courageous journey back to her music and, eventually, herself. [RLJ Entertainment]
• MOVIES: NOT RATED
• Sworn Virgin is released. Years after declaring her eternal virginity and opting to live life as a man in the mountains of Albania, Hana (Alba Rohrwacher) looks to return to living as a woman as she settles into a new existence in modern-day Milan.
• Tale of Tales is released. Once upon a time there were three neighboring kingdoms each with a magnificent castle, from which ruled kings and queens, princes and princesses. One king was a fornicating libertine, another captivated by a strange animal, while one of the queens was obsessed by her wish for a child. Sorcerers and fairies, fearsome monsters, ogres and old washerwomen, acrobats and courtesans are the protagonists of this loose interpretation of the celebrated tales of Giambattista Basile.
• Hockney is released. Hockney weaves together a portrait of the multifaceted artist from frank interviews with close friends and never before seen footage from his own personal archive. One of the great surviving icons of the 1960s, Hockney's career may have started with almost instant success but in private he has struggled with his art, relationships, and the tragedy of AIDS, making his optimism and sense of adventure truly uplifting. [Film Movement]
• Holidays is released. Holidays is an anthology feature film that puts a uniquely dark and original spin on some of the most iconic and beloved holidays of all time by challenging our folklore, traditions and assumptions.
• Men & Chicken is released. A pair of socially-challenged siblings (Mads Mikkelsen and David Dencik) discover they are adopted half-brothers in their late father's videotaped will. Their journey in search of their true father takes them to the small, insular Danish island of Ork, where they stumble upon three additional half-brothers-each also sporting hereditary harelips and lunatic tendencies-living in a dilapidated mansion overrun by barn animals. Initially unwelcome by their newfound kin, the two visitors stubbornly wear them down until they're reluctantly invited to stay. As the misfit bunch get to know each other, they unwittingly uncover a deep family secret that ultimately binds them together. [Drafthouse Films]
• MOVIES: PG13
• The Meddler is released. With a new iPhone, an apartment near the Grove, and a comfortable bank account left to her by her beloved late husband, Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon) has happily relocated from New Jersey to LosAngeles to be near her daughter Lori (Rose Byrne), a successful (but still single) screenwriter, and smother her with motherly love. But when the dozens of texts, unexpected visits, and conversations dominated by unsolicited advice force Lori to draw strict personal boundaries, Marnie finds ways to channel her eternal optimism and forceful generosity to change the lives of others – as well as her own – and find a new purpose in life.
• The Huntsman: Winter's War is released. Long before the evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) was thought vanquished by Snow White’s blade, she watched silently as her sister, Freya (Emily Blunt), suffered a heartbreaking betrayal and fled their kingdom. With Freya’s ability to freeze any enemy, the young ice queen has spent decades in a remote wintry palace raising a legion of deadly huntsmen—including Eric (Chris Hemsworth) and warrior Sara (Jessica Chastain)—only to find that her prized two defied her one demand: Forever harden your hearts to love. When Freya learns of her sister’s demise, she summons her remaining soldiers to bring the Magic Mirror home to the only sorceress left who can harness its power. But once she discovers Ravenna can be resurrected from its golden depths, the wicked sisters threaten this enchanted land with twice the darkest force it’s ever seen. Now, their amassing army shall prove undefeatable…unless the banished huntsmen who broke their queen’s cardinal rule can fight their way back to one another. [Universal Pictures]
• MOVIES: R
• Elvis & Nixon is released. On a December morning in 1970, the King of Rock ’n Roll, Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon) showed up on the lawn of the White House to request a meeting with the most powerful man in the world, President Nixon (Kevin Spacey). This is the untold true story behind this revealing, yet humorous moment in the Oval Office forever immortalized in the most requested photograph in the National Archives.
• A Hologram for the King is released. Cultures collide when an American businessman (Tom Hanks) is sent to Saudi Arabia to close what he hopes will be the deal of a lifetime. Baffled by local customs and stymied by an opaque bureaucracy, he eventually finds his footing with the help of a wise-cracking taxi driver (Alexander Black) and a beautiful Saudi doctor (Sarita Choudhury).
• ALBUMS
• Always Strive and Prosper was released by A$AP Ferg. The second full-length studio release for the rapper features guest appearances from such artists as A$AP Mob, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Chuck D, Missy Elliott, Future, ScHoolboy Q, and Ty Dolla $ign.
• Asphalt for Eden was released by Dälek. New members DJ rEk and Mike Swarmbots join co-founder MC Dälek for the experimental hip-hop trio's first album since 2010.
• Contrepoint was released by Nicolas Godin. The debut full-length solo release for the French electronic artist who makes up one half of Air was inspired by Glenn Gould's performances of Bach.
• Everybody's Heart Is Broken Now was released by Niki and the Dove. This is the second full-length release for the Swedish pop duo of Malin Dahlström and Gustaf Karlöf.
• Nerissimo was released by Teho Teardo. The second full-length release from the collaboration between Teho Teardo and Blixa Bargeld features English, German and Italian.
• Honey was released by Katy B. The third full-length release for the British pop singer features guest appearances from such artists as Craig David, Floating Points, Four Tet, Geeneus, Kaytranada, Major Lazer, and Novelist.
• Hope was released by The Strumbellas. The third full-length release for the Canadian Juno-award winning band was produced by Dave Schiffman.
• Too Many Voices was released by Andy Stott. The fifth full-length release for the electronic producer again features the vocals of his piano teacher Alison Skidmore.
• Triangle was released by Susanna. The fifth full-length solo release for the Norwegian singer who previously released music under Susanna And The Magical Orchestra.
• Take All My Loves: Nine Shakespeare Sonnets was released by Rufus Wainwright. The latest release for the pop singer-songwriter is based on Shakespearean sonnets and features guest appearances from such artists as Helena Bonham Carter, Carrie Fisher, Sian Phillips, opera singer Anna Prohaska, William Shatner, Martha Wainwright, and Florence Welch.
• Nocturnal Koreans was released by Wire. Eight songs from the British rock band's 2015 self-titled release were reworked for this "mini-LP."
• Outer Heaven was released by Greys. The second full-length release for the the Toronto-based rock band led by Shehzaad Jiwani was produced by Mike Rocha.
• Please Be Honest was released by Guided Voices. The latest release from the indie rock group features Robert Pollard playing all the instruments on the album.
• GAMING: PC
• 8-Bit Armies for PC is released. 8-Bit Armies is Petroglyph's first game in the 8-Bit RTS series. It commemorates the first Command & Conquer games with its accessible gameplay mechanics while providing a fun and timeless art style that introduces new players to the genre. A unique console controller scheme makes it easier than ever to build bases and command large armies without complex button memorization.FEATURES:* Jump right in with easy to understand modern military units and structures.* Play cooperatively or versus the AI choosing from multiple difficulty options.* Use classic RTS Base-Building mechanics to construct the ultimate HQ from which to attack your foes.* Explore a variety of locales, destroying everything that gets in your way with devastating superweapons.* Two campaigns with a total of 40 single-player combat missions for many hours of gameplay.* Join your friends to play 12 co-op missions against a variety of AI opponents.* Gather up to 8 online players to team up in one of the dozen multiplayer/skirmish maps.
• GAMING: WII U
• Star Fox Guard for Wii U is released. Use the Wii U GamePad controller to mount a dozen security cameras around a perimeter and defend it against a robot army invasion. As the robot army approaches, shoot at the attackers using the GamePad and TV in tandem, while observers watching the TV shout frantic suggestions about which camera offers the best look to target invaders.
• Star Fox Zero for Wii U is released. Fox, Falco, Peppy and Slippy (accompanied by their original voice actors) return in a new adventure. Gamers use the GamePad to control their Arwing spaceship and see the view from the cockpit, while the TV shows the overall context of the full battlefield. The title includes a new Walker transformation for the Arwing, a new Gyrowing vehicle and the return of the Landmaster Tank.

On this day in 2015

• DEATHS
• Rodney Franklin, Race Car Driver.
• MOVIES: NOT RATED
• Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll is released. Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll tracks the twists and turns of Cambodian music as it morphs into rock and roll, blossoms, and is nearly destroyed along with the rest of the country. This documentary film provides a new perspective on a country usually associated with only war and genocide.
• GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
• ZEN Pinball 2: Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron for PlayStation 4 is released. Inspired by Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time, this table will let you experience when Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program and things go awry for Earths Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, as they are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.Table Features:- Dedicated game modes for each Avenger, including a first-person minigame to test your sharpshooting skills as Hawkeye.- Utilize the power of the Avengers team to overcome the challenges ahead.- Spectacular aerial and melee combat sequences between Iron Man and Ultron.- Selectable difficulty to cater to your specific skill level.
• GAMING: XBOX ONE
• Infinity Runner for Xbox One is released. The Infinity is the grandest spaceship ever built by mankind; thrust into the void of space to secure humanity a new home among the stars. However, instead of discovering paradise, the inhabitants of The Infinity unlocked the door to a long-forgotten nightmare.

On this day in 2014

• EVENTS
• David Moyes is sacked as manager of Manchester United.
• DEATHS
• Mohammad Naseem, Doctor.
• Michael Glawogger, Director.
• TV SERIES
• Faking It (2014): Season 1 is released. After being mistaken as lesbians, best friends Karma Ashcroft (Katie Stevens) and Amy Raudenfeld (Rita Volk) continue the ruse as they become popular at their high school.
• ALBUMS
• Food was released by Kelis. The sixth full-length studio release for the New York R&B singer was produced by Dave Sitek with guest appearances from CSS and Priscilla Ahn.
• Loom was released by Fear of Men. The debut full-length studio release for the British indie pop trio of Jessica Weiss, Daniel Falvey (Guitar), and Michael Miles is a follow-up to its 2012 single compilation, "Early Fragments."
• Honest was released by Future. The second full-length studio release for the Atlanta rapper features guest appearances from Andre 3000, Casino, Drake, Pharrell, Pusha T, Kanye West, and Wiz Khalifa.
• Weird Drift was released by Heterotic. The second full-length release for the Mike Paradinas project features vocals from Vezelay (Matthieu Le Berre).
• The Way and Color was released by TEEN. The second full-length release for the Brooklyn band formed by Lizzie & Teeny Lieberson is its first with new bassist Boshra AlSaadi.
• The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett was released by Eels. The latest release from the band led by Mark Oliver Everett was inspired by lost love.
• The New Classic was released by Iggy Azalea. The debut full-length studio release for the Australian rapper features guest appearances from Charli XCX, Mavado, Rita Ora, and T.I.
• Rented World was released by The Menzingers. The fourth full-length release for the Pennsylvania punk band was produced by Jonathan Low.
• Pop Psychology was released by Neon Trees. The third full-length release for the Utah band was influenced by the therapy sessions of lead singer, Tyler Glenn.
• GAMING: PC
• FRACT OSC for PC is released. FRACT is a musical exploration game. You arrive in a forgotten place and explore the vast and unfamiliar landscape to discover the secrets of a world built on sound. You rebuild its machinery by solving puzzles and bring the world back to life by shaping sound and creating music in the game.
• GAMING: PLAYSTATION 3
• SoulCalibur: Lost Swords for PlayStation 3 is released. A free-to-play game. There are some changes to the Soulcalibur formula implemented in Lost Swords. The game is single-player only and revolves around players making their way through a series of quests to gain items. These items can be accessories such as clothing options or new weapons to give your character extra flair or increased stats. These upgraded items will be essential as you tackle later quests.
• GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
• Octodad: Dadliest Catch for PlayStation 4 is released. Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a game about destruction, deception, and fatherhood. The player controls Octodad, a dapper octopus masquerading as a human, as he goes about his life. Octodad's existence is a constant struggle, as he must master mundane tasks with his unwieldy boneless tentacles while simultaneously keeping his cephalopodan nature a secret from his human family.
• Cel Damage HD for PlayStation 4 is released. PART DEMOLITION DERBY, PART WHACKED-OUT CARTOON COME TO LIFE.36 wild, over-the-top weapons10 tough 'toonsDeathmatch, capture-the-flag and gate racing action4-person split-screen multiplayer12 interactive cartoon worlds
• GAMING: PLAYSTATION VITA
• Demon Gaze for PlayStation Vita is released. Oz awakens to find himself in Misred - a cursed land at the globe's western frontier - with a dark shroud covering certain memories from his past. The land in front of him contains many labyrinths that hold treasure and danger in equal volumes. Without knowing where else to go or what else to do, Oz commits to take up arms in order to hunt down artifacts and eke out a living in this world that feels so new to him. One day, he will have to face his past, but until then, he has no choice but to trust those around him, and in his newfound abilities as a Demon Gazer.
• GAMING: XBOX 360
• Batman: Arkham Origins - Cold, Cold Heart for Xbox 360 is released. Cold, Cold Heart pits a young caped crusader against Mr. Freeze.

On this day in 2013

• EVENTS
• Manchester United defeat Aston Villa to claim the 2012/2013 English Premier League.
• 6 people are killed in a shooting rampage in Belgorod, Russia.
• DEATHS
• Richie Havens, American singer-songwriter & guitarist, who died from a heart attack at 72.
• Lalgudi Jayaraman, Indian Carnatic violinist & composer, who died at 82.
• TV SERIES
• Rectify: Season 1 is released. After 19 years in prison for the rape and murder of his girlfriend, Daniel Holden (Aden Young) is released due to DNA evidence. His return home brings new challenges including new family members and a divided community.
• Veep: Season 1 is released. Armando Iannucci's comedy centers on new Vice President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and her bumbling staff.
• GAMING: PC
• Dead Island: Riptide for PC is released. They assumed they had escaped the terrors of Banoi and survived the apocalypse on a corrupted paradise. However, their fate took a turn for the worse. The Dead Island heroes escaped in a helicopter to the friendly confines of a military ship, but when an unpredictable storm hits and the virus suddenly spreads throughout the crew, the nightmare starts all over again, leaving hope drowning in the rising tides.