FridayFri, February 21st Edition Go Back
Today in the World Countries
- Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King is being celebrated in Bhutan
- Carnival is being celebrated in Angola, Haiti, Panama, Uruguay
- Carnival Tuesday is being celebrated in Dominica
- Carnival/Shrove Tuesday is being celebrated in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela
- Father Lini Day is being celebrated in Vanuatu
- Ghyalpo Losar is being celebrated in Nepal
- International Mother Language Day is being celebrated in International
- Losar New Year is being celebrated in Bhutan
- Lunar New Year is being celebrated in Mongolia
- Robert Mugabe National Youth Day is being celebrated in Zimbabwe
- Shaheed Day is being celebrated in Bangladesh
- Shrove Tuesday is being celebrated in Saint Barthelemy
- People born on this day are Pisces as their zodiac sign.
Today in History
Happening Today
- DEATHS
- Amancio Amaro, Spanish soccer outside right (42 caps; Deportivo de La Coruña, Real Madrid), who died at 83.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- A House Made of Splinters is released. Children and staff in a special kind of home: an institution for children who have been removed from their homes while awaiting court custody decisions. Staff do their best to make the time children have there safe and supportive.
- GAMING: PC
- Like a Dragon: Ishin! for PC is released. In 1860s Kyo, a solemn samurai's fight for justice stands to change the course of Japan's history forever. Draw your blade and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 5
- Atomic Heart for PlayStation 5 is released. In the Soviet Union of the future, in 1955, science reigns supreme. The world is on the verge of the greatest event. You are Agent Major P-3 and you will have to find out what is really lying behind the utopian dream.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Akka Arrh for Switch is released. A cascade of words, color, shapes and sound flows around your turret as you desperately fight off swarms of inbound attackers. If enemies penetrate your perimeter you need to zoom into close range combat and beat them back, adjusting to a completely different perspective in the blink of an eye. Welcome to Jeff Minter's Akka Arrh.This modern take from the fine developers at Llamasoft combines the intrigue of an incredibly rare Atari arcade prototype with a unique creative vision that delivers a wave shooter that is insanely addictive. Akka Arrh drips with Minter's sense of humor, love of psychedelic color, and ability to create games that are a joy to play.
On this day in 2022
- EVENTS
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin recognises Russia-backed separatists in two Ukrainian regions, ordering in troops for "peacekeeping functions".
- DEATHS
- Eduardo González Pálmer, Mexican soccer forward (4 caps; Club América), who died at 87.
- TV SERIES
- The Endgame: Season 1 is released. There's a mysterious reason behind a group of coordinated bank heists in New York City planned by Elena Federova (Morena Baccarin) and FBI agent Val Fitzgerald (Ryan Michelle Bathé) is out to stop it in this thriller written by Nicholas Wootton.
On this day in 2021
- EVENTS
- WHO pleads with Tanzania to start reporting COVID-19 pandemic cases amid fears of a hidden epidemic in the country.
- Australian Open Men's Tennis: Novak Ðokovic of Serbia wins a record extending 9th Australian title; dominates Russian Daniil Medvedev 7-5,6-2,6-2.
- Englishwoman Jasmine Harrison (21) becomes the youngest woman to row across an ocean arriving in Antigua as part of the Atlantic Challenge after 70 days,3 hours,48 minutes.
- TV SERIES
- Allen v. Farrow: Season 1 is released. The four-part documentary series from Kirby Dick, Amy Ziering and Amy Herdy, looks into the sexual abuse accusation by then 7-year-old daughter Dylan against Woody Allen that led to a custody trial and the reveal of Allen’s relationship with elder daughter, Soon-Yi.
- POLITICS
- First democratic transfer of power in Niger, the world's poorest country, as former interior minister Mohamed Bazoum wins Presidential election.
- India's BJP party issues resolution country had "defeated COVID under the able, sensitive, committed and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”, massive second wave hits two months later.
- SPORTS
- Doug Wilkerson, American football guard (Pro Bowl 1980–82; First-team All-Pro 1982; SD Chargers), who died at 73.
- Zlatko Saracevic, Croatian handball player (145 caps Yugoslavia,75 Croatia; Olympic gold 1996 Croatia), who died at 59.
On this day in 2020
- DEATHS
- Tao Porchon-Lynch, Fitness Instructor.
- Phil Maloney, Canadian ice hockey center (NHL: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks) and coach (Vancouver Canucks), who died at 92.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Standing Up, Falling Down is released. After four years of chasing his stand-up comedy dream in Los Angeles,34-year-old Scott Rollins (Ben Schwartz) has crashed and burned. Hard. Left with little money and a fledgling at best “career”, Scott has no choice but to regroup, lick his wounds, and return home to his parent’s house in Long Island. While trying to figure out what to do next, Scott pines after his ex, Becky Brookes (Eloise Mumford), a successful photographer who has since married a former mutual friend. On a night out at the bar, Scott strikes up an unlikely friendship with an eccentric dermatologist, Marty (Billy Crystal), who has regrets of his own. Marty and Scott both help each other find the courage to face the failures in their lives.
- Young Ahmed is released. Despite the desperate protestations of his single mother (Claire Bodson), a Muslim teenager (Idir Ben Addi) in a small Belgian town is being gradually radicalized into extremism. He winds up hatching a murderous plot targeting his beloved teacher (Myriem Akheddiou).
- Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations is released. Antisemitism in the US and Europe is spreading. It mutates and evolves and is seemingly unstoppable. It appears as vandalism, social media abuse, assault and murder. Director Andrew Goldberg examines its rise traveling through four countries to follow antisemites and their victims, along with experts, politicians and locals.
- Balloon is released. In the summer of 1979, the Strelzyk and Wetzel families—who had been working on their audacious plan for more than two years—try to flee East Germany in a self-made hot-air balloon. But after the balloon crash-lands just before the West German border, the Stasi find traces of the attempted escape and immediately launch an investigation. In a nerve-wracking race against the clock, the two families attempt to build a new escape balloon as the Stasi get closer and closer each day.
- MOVIES: NR
- Goldie is released. Goldie is a star – well, not quite yet, but at least in the eyes of her little sisters Sherrie and Supreme she is. The rest of the world is bound to take note soon too. Her big break surely awaits, she’s just got to pick up that golden fur coat she’s had her eye on first. And land a role as a dancer in a hip-hop video. And keep child welfare services from separating her from Sherrie and Supreme, after their mother is locked up. Holding onto those dreams isn’t easy when fate has placed such daunting obstacles in her path.
- Vitalina Varela is released. A Cape Verdean woman who has travelled to Lisbon to reunite with her husband, after two decades of separation, arrives mere days after his funeral. Alone in a strange forbidding land, she perseveres and begins to establish a new life.
- Premature is released. On a summer night in Harlem during her last months at home before starting college, seventeen-year-old poet Ayanna (Zora Howard) meets Isaiah (Joshua Boone), a charming music producer who has just moved to the city. It’s not long before these two artistic souls are drawn together in a passionate summer romance. But as the highs of young love give way to jealousy, suspicion, and all-too-real consequences, Ayanna must confront the complexities of the adult world—whether she is ready or not. [IFC Films]
- MOVIES: PG
- The Call of the Wild is released. Buck is a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team--and later its leader--Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master.
- Emma. is released. Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. In this glittering satire of social class and the pain of growing up, Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that has been there all along.
- MOVIES: PG13
- Brahms: The Boy II is released. Unaware of the terrifying history of Heelshire Mansion, a young family moves into a guest house on the estate where their young son soon makes an unsettling new friend, an eerily life-like doll he calls Brahms.
- MOVIES: R
- Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band is released. Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band is a confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band. The film is a moving story of Robertson’s personal journey, overcoming adversity and finding camaraderie alongside the four other men who would become his brothers in music, together making their mark on music history. Once Were Brothers blends rare archival footage, photography, iconic songs and interviews with Robertson’s friends and collaborators including Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and more.
- The Night Clerk is released. While on duty, a young, socially challenged hotel clerk (Tye Sheridan) witnesses a murder in one of the rooms but his suspicious actions land him as the lead detective’s (John Leguizamo) number one suspect.
- TV SERIES
- Hunters (2020): Season 1 is released. Set in 1977, Jonah Heidelbaum (Logan Lerman) seeks out the killer of his grandmother and finds himself involved with Meyer Offerman's (Al Pacino) group of Nazi hunters in New York City in this drama series created by David Weil and executive produced by Jordan Peele.
- Gentefied: Season 1 is released. Three Mexican-American cousins (Karrie Martin, JJ Soria, and Carlos Santos) struggle for the American Dream as their grandfather's (Joaquin Cosio) taco business is threatened by gentrification in this dramedy from Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez.
- ALBUMS
- Hyacinth was released by Spinning Coin. The second full-length release for the Glasgow-based indie rock band is the first with Rachel Taylor, who took over for the departing Cal Donnelly.
- HUMANIST was released by Humanist. The debut full-length release for Exit Calm guitarist Rob Marshall features vocals from Joel Cadbury, Dave Gahan, Mark Gardener, Carl Hancock Rux, Jim Jones, Mark Lanegan, Ilse Maria, John Robb, and Ron Sexsmith.
- Ordinary Man was released by Ozzy Osbourne. The 12th full-length solo studio release for the Black Sabbath singer features guest appearances from Elton John, Post Malone and Travis Scott.
- Man Alive! was released by King Krule. The third full-length release for Archy Marshall as King Krule was inspired in part in his move away from London.
- Map of the Soul: 7 was released by BTS. The seventh full-length for the Korean pop band features guest appearances from Halsey and Sia.
- Miss Anthropocene was released by Grimes. Climate change is theme for the fifth full-length release from the Canadian artist.
- Myopia was released by Agnes Obel. The fourth full-length release for the Danish singer-songwriter was self-recorded and produced.
- Names of North End Women was released by Lee Ranaldo/Raül Refree. The collaboration between Lee Ranaldo and Rau¨l Refree features little to no guitars.
- Companion Rises was released by Six Organs of Admittance. The latest full-length release for the Ben Chasny project was was self-recorded.
- Cape God was released by Allie X. The second full-length release for the Canadian indie pop artist features guest appearances from Mitski and Troye Sivan.
- Always Tomorrow was released by Best Coast. The fourth full-length release from the indie rock duo of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno was produced with Carlos de la Garza and Justin Meldal-Johnsen.
- The Allegory was released by Royce da 5'9". The eighth full-length studio release for the Detroit rapper features guest appearances from Oswin Benjamin, Beny The Butcher, Cyhi The Prynce, Conway the Machine, G Perico, Grafh, Kid Vishis, KXNG Crooked, Ashley Sorrell, Sy Ari Da Kid, T.I., Westside Gunn, White Gold, and YBN Cordae.
- Spook the Herd was released by Lanterns on the Lake. The fourth full-length release for the British indie rock band led by Hazel Wilde was recorded in Yorkshire.
- Random Desire was released by Greg Dulli. The second full-length solo studio release for the The Afghan Whigs/The Twilight Singers member features contributions from Rick G. Nelson, Dr. Stephen Patt, Mathias Schneeberger, Jon Skibic, and Jon Theodore.
- GAMING: PC
- Conglomerate 451 for PC is released. Conglomerate 451 is a grid-based, dungeon crawling first-person RPG with roguelike elements set in a cyberpunk world.
- Lair of the Clockwork God for PC is released. A fast-paced Point-and-Click adventure AND an indie platfomer in one! Join adventurer Ben and wannabe indie darling Dan in a race against time to stop all the Apocalypses happening at the same time.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Last Encounter for Switch is released. Last Encounter is a twin-stick action roguelite in deep space following a group of heroes trying to prevent the unavoidable by cloning their ships and designing their weapons with swappable components.
On this day in 2019
- EVENTS
- Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa-2 touches down on asteroid Ryugu on mission to collect rock samples.
- American musician Peter Tork died age 77. He was diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer in 2009. The Monkees were brought together for an American sitcom TV series in 1966. Best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist, they had the 1967 UK & US No.1 single 'I'm A Believer' plus other hits including 'Last Train to Clarksville', 'Pleasant Valley Sunday', and 'Daydream Believer'..
- The Lunar Library, a 30 million page digital library launched on board Israel’s Beresheet Lunar Lander, aiming to be stored on the Moon.
- DEATHS
- Stanley Donen, American film director and producer (Singin'in the Rain, Bedazzled, Damn Yankees), who died at 94.
- Peter Michael Braun, German composer, who died at 82.
- Peter Tork [Thorkelson], American musician and actor (The Monkees), who died from complications of adenoid cystic carcinoma at 77.
- Jerry Ayers, Race Car Driver.
- TV SERIES
- Flack: Season 1 is released. London-based American PR executive Robyn (Anna Paquin) and her colleagues at Mills Paulson deal with a variety of clients including a celebrity chef (Max Beesley), a stand-up comedian (Alan Davies), the founder of an organic cosmetics company (Katherine Kelly), and an American movie star (Bradley Whitford).
- GAMING: PC
- BANNERMEN for PC is released. Take on the role of a fallen lord on his journey back to become one of the mightiest in the realm. Make your banner strike fear into your opponents and challenge the multiplayer ladder in action packed skirmishes.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Aragami: Shadow Edition for Switch is released. You are Aragami, an undead warrior with the power to control the shadows. You've been summoned back to the world of the living by Yamiko, a girl imprisoned in the city fortress of Kyuryu. Embark on a dark journey full of blood and secrets to recover the broken fragments of your memories. Infiltrate the occupied city of Kyuryu with your supernatural powers and fight light with shadows. Uncover a story about twin souls bound together by destiny that surpasses time and memories.
- Q.U.B.E. 2 for Switch is released. Q.U.B.E. 2 is the sequel to the first-person puzzle game Q.U.B.E. You are Amelia Cross, a stranded archaeologist who has awoken among the ruins of an ancient alien landscape. With the distant help of another survivor you must solve the puzzles of this mysterious world and find a way back home.
- Warplanes: WW2 Dogfight for Switch is released. In Warplanes: WW2 Dogfight players get the chance to take a seat at the controls of a historical airplane and feel the power of its engines and experience the rush of adrenaline flowing through their veins while facing an enemy plane up in the air. In each of the campaigns for Great Britain, USSR, and Germany, gamers will be able to test their flying skills during deadly encounters with enemy fighters: protecting ground structures from bombers, fighting over the sea to weaken enemy navy, or piloting bombers to destroy strategic targets. Players with a tactical approach will also be able to build a base – by constructing additional hangars and supporting structures and then ensuring their safety by building anti-aircraft artillery and barrage balloons.
- X-Morph: Defense for Switch is released. Unique fusion of a top down shooter and tower defense strategy. You are the X-Morph - an alien species that invades Earth to harvest its resources and terraform the surface. Strategize in the build mode by carefully selecting various types of alien towers or throw yourself right into heat of the battle. Build mazes for incoming enemies in an environment that provides exceptional planning freedom. Tear down buildings and collapse bridges to support your defense or to simply indulge in a spectacle of unprecedented destruction. Possess a range of unique alien weapons and use defense strategies like you've never seen before in this genre.
On this day in 2018
- EVENTS
- Laykyun Sekkya, the world's third tallest statue at 116 meters (381 ft) depicting Gautama Buddha completed in Khatakan Taung, Myanmar.
- Norwegian cross country skiers Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Johannes Høsflot & Klæbo win their 2nd Olympic gold medals in Pyeongchang in the men's team sprint freestyle; trio also wins gold in 4 x 10k relay.
- DEATHS
- Marcel Martin, Race Car Driver.
- Billy Graham, American Baptist evangelist (Crusades) described as 1 of the 20th century's most influential Christian leaders, who died at 99.
- Emma Chambers, British actress (The Vicar of Dibley, Notting Hill), who died from natural causes at 53.
- GAMING: PC
- Fable Fortune for PC is released. A collectible card game that combines the iconic world and characters of the Fable series with fast-paced tactical gameplay. Choose between Good and Evil to alter your special abilities and even the cards in your deck. Compete in leagues and events, or take on a boss with a friend in co-operative mode.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Rad Rodgers for PlayStation 4 is released. Rad is a rambunctious but spirited young boy who maybe plays too many video games. After dozing off at the tail end of a long night of gaming, Rad awakens to find his dusty old console has turned itself back on.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Layers of Fear: Legacy for Switch is released. You take another drink as the canvas looms in front of you. A light flickers dimly in the corner. You've created countless pieces of art, but never anything like this. Why haven't you done this before? It seems so obvious in retrospect. Your friends, critics, business partners soon, they'll all see. But somethings still missingYou look up, startled. That melody Was that a piano? It sounded just like her... But, no that would be impossible. She's gone. The'yre all gone.Have to focus. How long has it taken to get to this point? Too long, but it doesn't matter. There will be no more distractions. Its almost finished. You can feel it. Your creation. Your Magnum Opus.Dare you help paint a true Masterpiece of Fear? Layers of Fear is a first-person psychedelic horror game with a heavy focus on story and exploration. Delve deep into the mind of an insane painter and discover the secret of his madness, as you walk through a vast and constantly changing Victorian-era mansion. Uncover the visions, fears and horrors that entwine the painter and finish the masterpiece he has strived so long to create.
- POLITICS
- Indian film star Kamal Haasan launches a new political party - Makkal Needhi Mayyam in Tamil Nadu state.
- SPORTS
- Winter Olympics: Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall become the first Americans in history to win a cross country gold medal (team sprint).
On this day in 2017
- EVENTS
- Plane crashes into shopping centre in Essendon, Melbourne, Australia killing the five people on board.
- Bodies of 87 African migrants wash ashore at Zawiya, Libya.
- DEATHS
- Kenneth Arrow, American economist, (Nobel Prize 1972), who died at 95.
- Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Polish-American conductor (Minnesota Orchestra,1960-79) and composer (Passacaglia Immaginaria), who died at 93.
- ALBUMS
- Dirty Projectors was released by Dirty Projectors. The eighth full-length release for the now solo project of David Longstreth was influenced by his breakup with former bandmate Amber Coffman.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Chime Sharp for PlayStation 4 is released. Arrange pieces, paint the board, make music. Chime Sharp is a sequel to 2009’s Chime, a music puzzle game with an ambient heartbeat. You tessellate shapes to cover a grid, while a beatline reads those shapes as notes. As you cover the board the music builds to a crescendo of your own design.
- Berserk and the Band of the Hawk for PlayStation 4 is released. This story is set in a time of chaos, in a land where the Midland Kingdom and the Chuder Empire have been locked in a widespread war for over one hundred years. During one battle, a lone mercenary, Guts, attracts the attention of the mercenaries of the Band of the Hawk, and is ambushed by some of them on the road. After losing in a duel to the leader of the Hawks, Griffith, Guts is forced to join their band, where he acquires many new comrades, including a woman named Casca, a Unit Commander in the band. With Guts fighting as the Raiders Captain, the Band of the Hawk continues to come off victorious in all of their battles, and finally earns recognition from the King of Midland himself. Fighting now under the Midland banner, the Band raids a castle occupied by a legendary swordsman and rumored immortal named Nosferatu Zodd. Zodd defeats both Guts and Griffith, but in the last moment he notices the Crimson Behelit that Griffith wears around his neck, and leaves without killing them. The Band of the Hawk continues to gain fame on the battlefield, and in the end, using only 5000 men fighting with their backs to the river, manages to capture the impregnable Fortress of Doldrey. This victory brings the end to the war between Midland and Chuder. [KOEI]
- Malicious Fallen for PlayStation 4 is released. When the forces of ultimate evil are unleashed on the world, only the Spirit Vessel can hope to subdue them. Malicious Fallen includes the complete story so far and adds two brand new chapters, Pursuit and Demise. Experience the thrilling finale of the Malicious saga, remastered, enhanced, and expanded for PS4.
- Night in the Woods for PlayStation 4 is released. Night In The Woods is a 2D story-focused adventure/exploration game with extracurricular activities to enjoy, characters to meet, and secrets to discover. Run, jump and use astral projection to explore the many sides of town of Possum Springs and the surrounding environs. Waste time around town with your crew of nerd friends. Acquire abilities that allow you to stroll into new areas. Unearth the secrets of a big cast of characters and the town itself. Experience a nutty world and the events unfolding there. Play bass. Break stuff.
- Psychonauts in The Rhombus of Ruin for PlayStation 4 is released. Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin is a new Virtual Reality adventure that takes players back into the mysterious and paranormal world of the Psychonauts for the first time in more than a decade. Once again players assume the role of Raz, an intrepid young psychic and now fully fledged member of the Psychonauts — an elite group of international psychic secret agents.
- GAMING: XBOX ONE
- Vaccine for Xbox One is released. Find a vaccine for your infected friend before time runs out, but be aware your friend will relapse sooner or later and you’ll have to find a new vaccine in a new randomly rebuilt house. Will you be able uncover the mystery to save your friend once and for all!?
- Halo Wars: Definitive Edition for Xbox One is released. Set early in the iconic war between the Covenant and UNSC - made famous by the Halo FPS games - Halo Wars: Definitive Edition provides a unique angle on the war while bringing new heroes to the battlefield. Control large Halo armies and direct them in action-packed warfare.
On this day in 2016
- EVENTS
- Bombings in the Syrian cities of Homs and Damascus kill 140 people, Islamic State claims responsibility.
- 66th Berlin International Film Festival: Italian documentary "Fire at Sea" wins the Golden Bear.
- 58th Daytona 500: Denny Hamlin wins closest finish in race history - by just 0.01s from Martin Truex Jr.
- DEATHS
- Pascal Bentoiu, Romanian composer, who died at 88.
- TV SERIES
- Togetherness: Season 2 is released. Emily Althaus, Katie Aselton, Peter Gallagher, Ginger Gonzaga, Joshua Leonard, and John Ortiz are some of the guest on the comedy series from Jay & Mark Duplass and Steve Zissis.
- Girls: Season 5 is released. Lucy Liu, Corey Stoll, and Frank Wood are some of the guests of the second to last season of the Lena Dunham comedy.
On this day in 2015
- EVENTS
- 35th Golden Raspberry Awards: "Saving Christmas" wins worst film.
- DEATHS
- Bruce Sinofsky, American documentary film director (Brother's Keeper), who died at 58 from diabetes complications.
- Daniel Topolski, British writer and rowing coach, who died at 69.
- Clark Terry, American jazz trumpeter, who died at 94.
On this day in 2014
- EVENTS
- A crew member working on a biopic about Gregg Allman died after being hit by a train during filming. Police in south Georgia said the woman was struck after the crew for Midnight Rider placed a bed on the railway tracks in Doctortown. Wayne County Sheriff John Carter said several other people had been injured, two of them seriously..
- A statue of a weeping Kurt Cobain was unveiled in Aberdeen, Washington - the hometown of the late Nirvana frontman. The statue, which sees Cobain crying a single tear, is situated in the Aberdeen Museum of History. Kurt Cobain Day would now be celebrated annually in the city of Aberdeen. Of the day, Mayor Bill Simpson recently read a proclamation, which stated: "Aberdeen residents may justifiably take pride in the role our community played in the life of Kurt Cobain and the international recognition our community has gained from its connections with Kurt Cobain and his artistic achievements.".
- 11 people are killed after a Libyan Air Force plan crashes in Tunisia.
- Police in Kiev open fire on protesters: 27 killed and around 570 injured.
- 10 words from the 15th C Voynich manuscript have been decoded.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Black Out is released. On the day before his wedding, retired criminal Jos wakes up next to a murdered man with no recollection of what happened the night before. He soon discovers that a group of gangsters have pinned him as the lone suspect in the theft of 20 kilos of coke. He’s got to get it back in 24 hours, or the life of his bride will be in serious danger. Now he has no choice but to creep back into his dangerous old world of petty thieves and drug dealers—all before his wedding the next day. [Music Box Films]
- Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me is released. Now in her late 80s, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch remains as ferociously funny as ever. In this bold, hilarious and poignant portrait, the uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is revealed both on and off stage. Candid reflections about her life are punctuated with words from friends (including James Gandolfini, Tina Fey, John Turturro, Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane and Cherry Jones) and archival footage that showcases some of the great moments from her career. Whether dominating the stage, tormenting Alec Baldwin on the set of 30 Rock, or sharing her struggles with aging, diabetes and alcoholism, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me reaches beyond the icon’s brassy exterior and reveals an inspiring portrait of a complex woman and artist. [IFC Films]
- Omar is released. A tense, gripping thriller about betrayal, suspected and real, in the Occupied Territories. Omar (Adam Bakri) is a Palestinian baker who routinely climbs over the separation wall to meet up with his girl Nadja (Leem Lubany). By night, he’s either a freedom fighter or a terrorist—you decide—ready to risk his life to strike at the Israeli military with his childhood friends Tarek (Eyad Hourani) and Amjad (Samer Bisharat). Arrested after the killing of an Israeli soldier and tricked into an admission of guilt by association, he agrees to work as an informant. So begins a dangerous game—is he playing his Israeli handler (Waleed F. Zuaiter) or will he really betray his cause? And who can he trust on either side? Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now) has made a dynamic, action-packed drama about the insoluable moral dilemmas and tough choices facing those on the frontlines of a conflict that shows no sign of letting up. [Adopt Films]
- MOVIES: PG13
- 3 Days to Kill is released. An international spy (Kevin Costner) trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter is offered an experimental drug that could save his life in exchange for one last assignment.
- Barefoot is released. The "black sheep"son (Scott Speedman) of a wealthy family meets a free-spirited, but sheltered woman (Evan Rachel Wood). To convince his family that he's finally straightened out his life, he takes her home for his brother's wedding where an improbable romance blooms, as she impresses everyone with her genuine, simple charms.
- Pompeii is released. In 79 A.D., Milo (Kit Harington), a slave turned gladiator, finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning), the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, Milo must fight his way out of the arena in order to save his beloved as the once magnificent Pompeii crumbles around him.
- MOVIES: R
- In Secret is released. Set in the lower echelons of 1860s Paris, Therese Raquin, a sexually repressed beautiful young woman, is trapped into a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin, Camille, by her domineering aunt, Madame Raquin. Therese spends her days confined behind the counter of a small shop and her evenings watching Madame play dominoes with an eclectic group. After she meets her husband's alluring friend, Laurent, she embarks on an illicit affair that leads to tragic consequences.
- GAMING: WII U
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze for Wii U is released. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has players help Donkey Kong and his friends get back their home from Vikings. Swing, swim, leap, and barrel-blast your way through tons of eye-popping levels to save DK Island from a permanent freeze.
- GAMING: XBOX 360
- Rambo: The Video Game for Xbox 360 is released. RAMBO The Vidoegame puts players in Rambo’s combat boots and takes them on an action-packed adventure through the iconic action- sequences and story-arcs of FIRST BLOOD, RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II & RAMBO III. The game features the original movie voice-tracks of John Rambo and Col. Samuel Trautman as well as selected music from the original Rambo Trilogy.
- GAMING: XBOX ONE
- Dead Rising 3: Chaos Rising for Xbox One is released. This new Dead Rising 3 downloadable episode puts you in control of renegade biker, Hunter Thibodeux, who must escape from prison, seek revenge and fight for control of his gang. This new side story features a new mission, zombie-slaying weapons, over-the-top vehicles and more – all of which carry back to the main game. [Xbox.com]
- POLITICS
- US President Barack Obama meets with the Dalai Lama.
- SPORTS
- Viktor An of Russia wins 6th career Olympic short track speed skating gold medal as part of the 5,000m relay team in Sochi; 2nd gold of the day (500m) and 3rd of Games (1,000m).
- Canada take the curling double at the Sochi Winter Olympics beating Great Britain,9-3 in the final; also win women's gold medal.
- Park Seung-hi wins Olympic women's 1,000m short track speed skating gold medal in Sochi for her 2nd gold medal of the Games; 3,000m relay winner.
On this day in 2013
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- One Life is released. Daniel Craig narrates this BBC wildlife documentary focusing on the cyclical journey taken by all living creatures.
- GAMING: PC
- Richard & Alice for PC is released. Richard & Alice are prisoners. Both of their cells have a leather sofa and a state-of-the-art computer. But only Richard’s has a TV. Outside, the snow falls. It has done for some time. Elsewhere, they say, parts of the world have been rendered an inhospitable desert, the earth parched and cracked. People live in the zones now.