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Today in the World Countries
- Armed Forces Day is being celebrated in Mozambique
- Queen's Birthday (WA) is being celebrated in Australia
- People born on this day are Libra as their zodiac sign.
Today in History
On this day in 2022
- EVENTS
- Cuba legalizes same-sex marriage as part of a new family code in a national referendum.
- Laver Cup Men's Tennis, London: Team World sweeps final day for 13-8 victory over Team Europe; tournament marks retirement of Roger Federer.
- DEATHS
- Andrés Prieto, Chilean soccer forward (16 caps; Universidad Católica, Español) and manager (Universidad Católica, Liverpool FC, Bolívar, Real Santa Cruz), who died at 93.
On this day in 2021
- EVENTS
- Farm Aid held in Hartford, Connecticut; performers include Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Bettye LaVette, Tyler Childers, the Wisdom Indian Dancers, and the Horse Hill Singers.
- UK announces temporary visas to try and counteract shortage of lorry drivers for deliveries to the UK amid panic buying on fuel.
- WEDDINGS
- Producer and actress Lena Dunham marries composer Luis Felber.
- SPORTS
- Len Ashurst, English soccer defender (Sunderland AFC 409 games) and manager (Cardiff City, Sunderland, Newport County), who died at 82.
On this day in 2020
- EVENTS
- Singapore announces it will be the first country in the world to use facial verification as part of its national identity scheme.
- Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg becomes the 1st woman to lie in state in the US Capitol in Washington D.C..
- DEATHS
- S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Telegu playback singer (The Jewel of Shiva) dies of COVID-19 pandemic at 74.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Secret Society of Second Born Royals is released. Secret Society of Second-Born Royals follows Sam, a teenage royal rebel second in line to the throne of the kingdom of Illyria. Just as Sam's disinterest in the royal way of life is at an all-time high, she discovers she has super-human abilities and is invited to join a secret society of similar extraordinary second-born royals charged with keeping the world safe. With guidance from their Secret Society instructor James, Sam and a new class of royal recruits must first learn to harness their new powers at a top-secret training camp before they can save the world.
- Misbehaviour is released. In 1970, the Miss World competition took place in London, hosted by US comedy legend, Bob Hope. At the time, Miss World was the most-watched TV show on the planet with over 100 million viewers. Claiming that beauty competitions demeaned women, the newly formed Women's Liberation Movement achieved overnight fame by invading the stage and disrupting the live broadcast of the competition. Not only that, when the show resumed, the result caused uproar: the winner was not the Swedish favourite but Miss Grenada, the first black woman to be crowned Miss World. In a matter of hours, a global audience had witnessed the patriarchy driven from the stage and the Western ideal of beauty turned on its head.
- Ava is released. Ava (Jessica Chastain) is a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. When a job goes dangerously wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival.
- MOVIES: NR
- Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles is released. In the summer of 2018, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art enlists Yotam Ottolenghi, the London-based Isreali chef and celebrated author of cookbooks Jerusalem and Plenty, to organize a food gala inspired by the Met exhibit “Visitors to Versailles.” In preparation for the event, Ottolenghi travels to the Palace of Versailles. At the landmark French site, the famed chef is possessed by a child-like curiosity, as he finds in Versailles a glimpse into the French Monarchy’s decadence.And so Ottolenghi, with the help of pastry chefs (including “Cronut” maestro Dominique Ansel), positions The Met event as both an expression and critique of excess. Several centuries ago in Versailles, the royal family lived in public to help broadcast the country’s splendor and wealth. Ottolenghi fast-forwards to the advent of social media and finds a new aristocracy streaming their riches, food, and prosperity. In both eras, we see deep exclusion, longing for community, a patriarchal structure – and the same potential for revolution.
- MOVIES: R
- Kajillionaire is released. Con-artists Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) have spent 26 years training their only daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), to swindle, scam, and steal at every opportunity. During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a stranger (Gina Rodriguez) into joining their next scam, only to have their entire world turned upside down.
- The Artist's Wife is released. Claire (Lena Olin) lives a quiet domestic life in the Hamptons as the wife of celebrated artist Richard Smythson (Bruce Dern). Once a promising painter herself, Claire now lives in the shadow of her husband’s illustrious career. While preparing work for his final show, Richard’s moods become increasingly erratic, and he is diagnosed with dementia. As his memory and behavior deteriorate, she shields his condition from the art community while trying to reconnect him with his estranged daughter and grandson from a previous marriage. Challenged by the loss of her world as she knew it, Claire must now decide whether to stand with Richard on the sidelines or step into the spotlight herself.
- The Last Shift is released. The Last Shift is an American story about two men struggling in the same town, while worlds apart. Stanley (Richard Jenkins), an aging fast-food worker, plans to call it quits after 38 years on the graveyard shift at Oscar’s Chicken and Fish. His last weekend takes a turn while training his replacement, Jevon (Shane Paul McGhie), a talented but stalled young writer whose provocative politics keep landing him in trouble. These two who share little in common are brought together through circumstance. Stanley, a high school dropout who has watched life pass by his drive-through window, proudly details the nuances of the job. While Jevon, a columnist who’s too smart to be flipping patties, contends their labor is being exploited. A flicker of comradery sparks during the long overnight hours in a quiet kitchen.
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 is released. What was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest—including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale—were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history.
- TV SERIES
- The Great British Baking Show: Season 9 is released. Another dozen amateurs compete to be named Britain's best amateur baker as Matt Lucas takes over from Sandi Toksvig as co-host with returning co-host Noel Fielding and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. [This is actually the 11th season of the original Channel 4 broadcast under the name The Great British Bake Off. Netflix lists this season as Collection 8.]
- Utopia (2020): Season 1 is released. Becky (Ashleigh LaThrop), Ian (Dan Byrd), Samantha (Jessica Rothe), Wilson Wilson (Desmin Borges) and Grant (Javon "Wanna"Walton) are fans of the Utopia comic and discover secret messages within its pages that predict major world events. They then find the comic protagonist, Jessica Hyde (Sasha Lane), is real and together they seek to save the world in this thriller written by Gillian Flynn and based on the British show of the same name.
- A Wilderness of Error is released. The five-part documentary series directed by Marc Smerlin and based on Errol Morris' book of the same name looks into the 1970 case of Army surgeon and Green Beret Jeffrey MacDonald who claimed his family were killed by four hippies high on drugs but was convicted in 1979 of murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters.
- ALBUMS
- ACR Loco was released by A Certain Ratio. The first new studio release in 12 years for the British post-punk band features contributions from Gabe Gurnsey, Mike Joyce, Eric Random, and Sink Ya Teeth (Maria Uzor and Gemma Cullingford).
- Daughter was released by Lydia Loveless. The latest full-length release for the Ohio singer-songwriter was recorded in Chicago with producer Tom Schick.
- Blue Hearts was released by Bob Mould. The 14th full-length solo studio release for the former Hüsker Dü frontman was recorded at Chicago's Electrical Audio.
- By the Fire was released by Thurston Moore. The latest full-length solo release for the Sonic Youth guitarist features contributions from Deb Googe, Jem Doulton, James Sedwards, Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley and Negativland's Jon Leidecker.
- Haunted Painting was released by Sad13. The second full-length release for the solo project of Sadie Dupuis was mixed by Sarah Tudzin.
- Free Love was released by Sylvan Esso. The third full-length studio release for the electro-pop duo of Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn was produced by John Hill in Los Angeles and completed in North Carolina.
- Generations was released by Will Butler. The second full-length solo studio release for the Arcade Fire member was self-recorded and produced at his Brooklyn home during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
- What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? was released by Public Enemy. The 15th full-length studio release for the rap group features guest appearances from Ad-Rock, Black Thought, George Clinton, Daddy-O, DJ Premier, Ice-T, Jahi, James Bomb, Mark Jenkings, Mike D, Ms. Ariel, Nas, PMD, Pop Diesel, Questlove, Rapsody, Run-DMC, The Impossebulls, and YG.
- Ultra Mono was released by Idles. The third full-length release for the British punk rock band features contributions from Kenny Beats.
- Tickets to My Downfall was released by Machine Gun Kelly. The rapper turns toward pop-punk on his fifth full-length release executive produced by Travis Barker and featuring guest appearances from Blackbear, Iann Dior, Halsey, and Trippie Redd.
- The Ascension was released by Sufjan Stevens. The eighth full-length solo studio release is the indie artist's first in five years.
- Renegade Breakdown was released by Marie Davidson. The Canadian dance artist returns with L'Oeil Nu (Pierre Guerineau and Asaël R. Robitaille) with a pop and rock-inspired album.
- Ohms was released by Deftones. The ninth full-length studio release for the Sacramento alternative metal band was produced by Terry Date.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Port Royale 4 for PlayStation 4 is released. Set sail and join the colonial powers of Spain, England, France and the Netherlands in their fight for supremacy of the Caribbean in the 17th century. In 'Port Royale 4' you will take control of a colony as a young and ambitious governor, eager to learn what it takes to manage and grow their small settlement into a bustling trader city. Develop production chains connecting multiple islands and create complex trade routes across the Caribbean, covering the ever-growing needs of the respective cities. Make use of the detailed sea map to avoid stormy weather regions, cliffs or shallow waters. Fulfil tasks for your nation's viceroy, earning more fame to unlock town buildings, ships and more. Conquer the cities of rival nations or hunt down their fleets with a letter of marque while also keeping a keen eye out for pirates and other privateers. For the first time in the series, naval battles will be turn-based, with up to 8 ships battling at one time and tactical captain maneuvers that can turn the tide in even the most hopeless of situations for a glorious victory.
- Mafia: Definitive Edition for PlayStation 4 is released. Part one of the Mafia crime saga - 1930s, Lost Heaven, IL Re-made from the ground up, rise through the ranks of the Mafia during the Prohibition era of organized crime. After a run-in with the mob, cab driver Tommy Angelo is thrust into a deadly underworld. Initially uneasy about falling in with the Salieri crime family, Tommy soon finds that the rewards are too big to ignore. Play a Mob Movie:Live the life of a Prohibition-era gangster and rise through the ranks of the Mafia. Lost Heaven, IL:Recreated 1930's cityscape, filled with interwar architecture, cars and culture to see, hear and interact with. Re-Made Classic:Faithfully recreated, with expanded story, gameplay and original score. This is the Mafia you remembered and much more.
- POLITICS
- 18 people in a government convoy killed by Islamist militants in Borneo State, Nigeria.
On this day in 2019
- EVENTS
- Oaxaca becomes the second Mexican state to decriminalize abortion, during the first 12 weeks.
- Hazzaa Al Mansoori becomes first Emirati in space and the first Arab astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, travelling on Russian Soyuz-MS 15 spacecraft.
- Hazzaa AlMansoori becomes first Emirati in space and first Arab astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, travelling on Russian Soyuz-MS 15 spacecraft.
- Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva named as the new head of the IMF.
- Austraia's Capital Territory becomes the 1st state in Australia to legalize recreational marijuana.
- Australia's Capital Territory becomes the 1st state in Australia to legalize recreational marijuana.
- DEATHS
- Paul Badura-Skoda, Austrian pianist (Mozart interpretation), who died at 91.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Anthropocene: The Human Epoch is released. After nearly 10 years of research, the Anthropocene Working Group, an international body of scientists, argue that the Holocene Epoch gave way to the Anthropocene Epoch in the mid-twentieth century as a result of profound and lasting human changes to the Earth. From concrete seawalls in China that now cover 60% of the mainland coast, to the biggest terrestrial machines ever built in Germany, to psychedelic potash mines in Russia’s Ural Mountains, to metal festivals in the closed city of Norilsk, to the devastated Great Barrier Reef in Australia and massive marble quarries in Carrara, the filmmakers have traversed the globe using state of the art camera techniques to document the evidence and experience of human planetary domination. At the intersection of art and science, Anthropocene witnesses a critical moment in geological history — bringing a provocative and unforgettable experience of our species's breadth and impact.
- TV SERIES
- Stumptown: Season 1 is released. Army veteran Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders) works as a P.I. in Portland, Oregon in this drama series based on the graphic novel of the same name.
- POLITICS
- Chinese President Xi Jinping opens Beijing's new Daxing International Airport designed by Zaha Hadid.
- Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige reported to have been asked to develop a Star Wars film by the Walt Disney Company.
On this day in 2018
- EVENTS
- Instagram’s co-founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger resign from Instagram and parent company Facebook.
- Comedian Bill Cosby sentenced to 3-10 years in jail for 2004 sexual assault, first celebrity to be jailed in the #MeToo era.
- US fashion company Michael Kors buys Italian brand versace for $2.1 billion.
- TV SERIES
- New Amsterdam (2018): Season 1 is released. New medical director Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) seeks to return the hospital to its former glory with a staff that includes Dr. Hana Sharpe (Freema Agyeman), ER doctor Dr. Laura Bloom (Janet Montgomery), attending cardiac surgeon Dr. Floyd Pearson (Jocko Sims), attending child psychiatrist Dr. Iggy Frome (Tyler Labin), and the oldest doctor on staff Dr. Anil Kapoor (Anupam Kher) in this medical drama inspired by Bellevue Hospital.
- Mr Inbetween: Season 1 is released. Ray Shoesmith (Scott Ryan) juggles life as a father, dating and being a criminal-for-hire in this Australian drama based on Ryan's 2004 short film, "The Magician."
- FBI: Season 1 is released. Set in the New York office of the FBI, Special Agent Jubal Valentine (Jeremy Sisto), Special Agent Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym), Special Agent Omar Adom "OA"Zidan (Zeeko Zaki), and Special Agent Kristen Chazal (Ebonée Noel) are some of the agents keeping the United States safe in the Dick Wolf procedural drama.
- GAMING: PC
- Pathfinder: Kingmaker for PC is released. Pathfinder: Kingmaker is the first isometric party-based computer RPG set in the Pathfinder fantasy universe. Enjoy a classic RPG experience inspired by games like Baldur's Gate, Fallout 1 and 2 and Arcanum. Explore and conquer the Stolen Lands and make them your kingdom!
- The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - The Final Season Episode 2: Suffer the Children for PC is released. Will this be the final installment in the venerable Walking Dead franchise from Telltale?
- The Council - Episode 4: Burning Bridges for PC is released. Experience a fresh take on the Narrative Adventure where your choices and character growth truly matter. Louis de Richet enters the depths of Lord Mortimer’s island hunting truths about his mother and the other guests. The mausoleum he finds there contains more secrets than he could possibly have predicted…
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Timespinner for PlayStation 4 is released. Timespinner is a story-driven adventure, inspired by classic 90s action-platformers. Timekeeper Lunais is on a quest to avenge her slain family, using time-bending powers to explore an interconnected world.
- Metal Max Xeno for PlayStation 4 is released. Metal Max Xeno is a post-apocalyptic RPG. Collect and customize tanks to battle mutated creatures and robotic enemies.
- Creed: Rise to Glory for PlayStation 4 is released. Follow the ascent of boxer Adonis Creed as you go toe-to-toe with the world’s top opponents in an intense boxing experience that lets you train, fight, and win like a Creed.
- Dakar 18 for PlayStation 4 is released. Dakar 18 is a simulation of the world-famous annual rally raid organized by Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) in South America, and features visuals and many vehicles including motorcycles, cars, trucks, quads and SxS.
- Dark Eclipse for PlayStation 4 is released. Dark Eclipse is PS4’s first ever VR MOBA. Command a team of three Leaders, each with their own unique characteristics and abilities, and battle for supremacy in the post-apocalyptic dark fantasy world of Oldus.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Arena of Valor for Switch is released. Arena of Valor is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game designed by the experts at Tencent Games for Nintendo Switch. Explore and command a roster of over 35 fearless heroes, with roles including Tanks, Assassins, Mages, Support, Warriors, and Marksmen. Build the ultimate team with your friends to crush your opponents in real-time online battles.
- A Gummy's Life for Switch is released. Multiplayer up to 8 players. Play as a gummy with up to 8 Friends online or in the couch. Easy to play, hard to master. You can sit down, smash all the buttons and have fun or... use the right move in each situation to take your opponents down.
- FIFA 19 for Switch is released. Introducing the prestigious UEFA Champions League, offering authentic in match atmospheres, featuring gameplay updates including elevated on-pitch personality and a striking overhaul, and providing new and unrivaled ways to play. Champions Rise in FIFA 19. Play the pinnacle of club football across a variety of modes in FIFA 19 with official match presentation, breadth in tournament experiences, including UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Super Cup, and an all-new commentary team in Derek Rae and Lee Dixon. The UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Super Cup come to life across experiences in EA SPORTS FIFA 19. From live content updates in FIFA 19 Ultimate Team, to authentic Career Mode integration, to an all-new standalone UEFA Champions League Mode, you can experience the greatest club football competition in the world no matter where you play in FIFA 19. In-Match Experience - Immerse yourself in the most authentic football experience ever seen before on Nintendo Switch. Featuring distinctive team and player personalities, introducing official broadcast presentation for the some of the world’s biggest leagues, and elevating your ability to finish with the all-new striking overhaul
- Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Owltimate Edition for Switch is released. Dash through tricky levels and transform the whole world at will in this fast-paced award-winning platformer. Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams Directors Cut combines graphics that pack a visual punch and tight controls with the challenge of retro era platforming. Fluidly morph between two dynamically different dream worlds to solve puzzles and combat grueling enemies and bosses. Key Features-Blaze through 33 levels including a brand new Rise of the Owlverlord adventure.-Each level transforms between two contrasting dreamworlds!-Easy and hard difficulty modes for all levels and bosses.-Intuitive controls and smooth game flow; master the tight controls and defeat the devious trials ahead.-Full HD 1080p with a smooth framerate: Gianas dreamworlds leap off the screen with gorgeous 3D graphics that morph before your very eyes.-Experience a dual crossfading soundtrack by Chris Huelsbeck and Machinae Supremacy.-Rich extras: Halloween- and Christmas-themed levels accessible from the start.The downloadable version of this game supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Japanese.
- This is the Police 2 for Switch is released. Interpret the law as you see fit. Run the sheriff's department, manage your cops, make tough decisions – and try to keep out of prison yourself – in this story-driven mixture of adventure, strategy, and turn-based tactical combat.
- The Escapists: Complete Edition for Switch is released. The Escapists: Complete Edition brings you the whole original Escapists experience including all DLC packs as well as Fhurst Peak which is exclusive to Nintendo Switch. The Escapists is an award winning prison break simulation that provides players the opportunity of experiencing a light-hearted insight into everyday prison life. Master the routine, plan your strategy then execute your Escape.
- Valkyria Chronicles 4 for Switch is released. A Continent Engulfed in the Bitter Flames of War. Commander Claude Wallace and his childhood friends set out to fight in a desperate war, but bone-chilling blizzards, waves of imperial soldiers, and the godlike powers of the Valkyria stand between them and victory.
- GAMING: XBOX ONE
- Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition for Xbox One is released. Descend into the world of Hollow Knight, the award-winning action adventure of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, ancient cities and deadly wastes. Battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs.
- POLITICS
- US President Donald Trump criticizes Globalism and Iran speaking at the UN General Assembly.
- Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven loses a confidence vote after election results in a hung parliament.
On this day in 2017
- EVENTS
- 92% of Iraqi kurds vote in favour of independence in controversial referendum.
- Uber's licence to operate is not renewed by Transport for London in the UK, citing problems with background checks.
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers appeared at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California. The concert, which would ultimately be the Heartbreakers' final show, ended with a performance of 'American Girl'. Tom Petty died of an accidental drug overdose a week later on October 2,2017..
- First ever woman graduates from the US Marine Corps'Infantry Officer Course.
- Ex-New York congressman Anthony Weiner sentenced to 21 months in jail for sexting underage girl.
- DEATHS
- Folke Rabe, Swedish avant-garde composer (What??) dies at 81.
- Anthony "Tony" Booth, British actor and father of Cherie Blair (Till Death Us Do Part), who died at 85.
- TV SERIES
- Alias Grace: Season 1 is released. The six-part miniseries adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel is based on the true story of Irish immigrant servant in Canada named Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), who in 1843 was convicted of murdering her employer (Paul Gross) and the housekeeper (Anna Paquin) with the help of a stable hand named James McDermott (Kerr Logan).
- Megyn Kelly Today: Season 1 is released. The morning talk show hosted by former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly features celebrity interviews with news and lifestyles segments.
- Me, Myself and I: Season 1 is released. Dan Kopelman's comedy focuses on three periods of the life of Alex Riley as a 14-year-old in 1991 (Jack Dylan Grazer), at age 40 in the present day (Bobby Moynihan), and at age 65 in 2042 (John Larroquette).
- The Good Doctor: Season 1 is released. Based on the 2013 South Korean series of the name, Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) is a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome who begins working at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital with the support of his mentor Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff) in this medical drama from David Shore and Daniel Dae Kim.
- Young Sheldon: Season 1 is released. The spinoff from The Big Bang Theory focuses on a nine-year-old Sheldon Cooper (Iain Armitage) as he begins high school in East Texas.
- The Brave: Season 1 is released. Originally called For God and Country, the military drama focuses on a Special Ops team led by Commander Michael Dalton (Mike Vogel) as they seek a kidnapped American doctor with intelligence support from Patricia Campbell (Anne Heche), Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and her analysts in D.C.
On this day in 2016
- EVENTS
- World's largest radio telescope at 500m wide in Guizhou Province, China begins operating.
- Tour Championship Men's Golf, East Lake GC: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland wins in a playoff with Kevin Chappell & Ryan Moore; biggest winner's prize in golf, US$10m.
- DEATHS
- Rod Temperton, British pop musician and songwriter (" Boogie Nights" ; "Thriller" ; "Give Me the Night" ; "Yah Mo B There"), who died of cancer at 66.
- Jean Shepard, American country singer (Ozark Jubilee), who died of Parkinson's disease at 82.
- Jose Fernandez, Baseball Player.
- Arnold Palmer, American golfer (7 major titles; US Masters 1958,60,62,64), who died of heart failure at 87.
On this day in 2015
- EVENTS
- David Gilmour's fourth studio album Rattle That Lock went to No.1 on the UK album chart. Gilmour had been writing the material for Rattle That Lock over the past five years, though he pointed out that one piano piece was recorded 18 years ago in his living room..
- Caitlyn Jenner officially changes her name from Bruce and her gender to a woman.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Brand: A Second Coming is released. Every day of our lives, from the minute we can be marketed to the myth that becoming famous will make our lives complete, or consuming a certain something will be the answer, is chucked down our throats. Yet, the reality is that the medium ain't the message. You become famous for what you do, and therefore it's what you do that matters. This crucial element is overlooked entirely by whole generations of drones who worship at the wrong altar. Russell Brand is a troubled visionary who embraced the superficial and doped up times in which we live, only to find it was an empty proposition. He started a search for meaning, which lead him to dig out his heroes: Gandhi, Malcolm X, Jesus and Ché Guevara - to look at why they did what they did, how they did what they did, and in what ways he might be a little bit like them.
- Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon is released. From the 1970s thru the 1990s, there was no hipper, no more outrageous comedy in print than The National Lampoon, the groundbreaking humor magazine that pushed the limits of taste and acceptability - and then pushed them even harder. Parodying everything from politics, religion, entertainment and the whole of American lifestyle, the Lampoon eventually went on to branch into successful radio shows, record albums, live stage revues and movies, launching dozens of huge careers on the way. Director Douglas Tirola tells the story of its rise and fall through fresh, candid interviews with its key staff, and illustrated with hundreds of outrageous images from the mag itself (along with never-seen interview footage from the magazine's prime). The film gives fans of the Lampoon a unique inside look at a magazine that dared to think what no one was thinking, but wished they had. [Magnolia Pictures]
- The Anomaly is released. It is the near future, an ex-soldier and PTSD patient Ryan Reeve (Noel Clarke) has a very disturbing type of blackout amnesia: He regains consciousness days or weeks apart for exactly 9 minutes and 47 seconds, only to discover that he is now a lethal operative for a mysterious organization who wants him dead. Can Reeve stay two steps ahead of a sinister colleague (Ian Somerhalder) long enough to destroy a global conspiracy he can’t escape?
- Pay the Ghost is released. One year after his young son disappeared during a Halloween carnival, Mike Lawford (Nicolas Cage) is haunted by eerie images and terrifying messages he can’t explain. Together with his estranged wife (Sarah Wayne Callies), he will stop at nothing to unravel the mystery and find their son—and, in doing so, he unearths a legend that refuses to remain buried in the past.
- Misunderstood is released. Rome,1984. Nine-year-old Aria (Giulia Salerno), a precocious girl, is trying to find her way amidst the unraveling marriage of her temperamental artist parents (played by Charlotte Gainsbourg and Gabriel Garko). Despite the turmoil swirling around her, Aria’s spirit remains irrepressible, buoyed by her vivid imagination and budding talent as a writer. [IFC Films]
- Mission to Lars is released. Tom Spicer has Fragile X Syndrome and has spent his adult life in a residential care home; ignored, for the most part, by his siblings, Kate and Will. He has only ever asked them for one thing, to meet Lars Ulrich, drummer with Metallica. Mission to Lars follows the three siblings as Kate and Will decide to break their severely autistic brother Tom out of his home in a sleepy English town and take him to America to find Lars. Any dreams of a bonding rock n roll roadtrip fade as Kate and Will’s struggle to understand their brother’s condition, while Tom confronts the challenges of his syndrome and the ignorance and noise in the outside world.
- Western is released. For generations, all that distinguished Eagle Pass, TX, from Piedras Negras, MX, was the Rio Grande. But when darkness descends upon these harmonious border towns, a cowboy and lawman face a new reality that threatens their way of life.
- MOVIES: PG
- Hotel Transylvania 2 is released. Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania. Dracula's rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn't showing signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny - and in for a major cultural shock of her own - "Vampa"Drac enlists his friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a "monster-in-training"boot camp. But little do they know that Drac's grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood - and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania - things are going to get batty! [Sony Pictures]
- MOVIES: PG13
- A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story is released. Born with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Velasquez was first bullied as a child in school for looking different and, later online, as a teenager when she discovered a YouTube video labeling her “The World’s Ugliest Woman.” The film chronicles unheard stories and details of Lizzie’s physical and emotional journey up to her multi-million viewed TEDx talk, and follows her pursuit from a motivational speaker to Capitol Hill as she lobbies for the first federal anti-bullying bill. [Cinedigm]
- The Intern is released. Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) is a 70-year-old widower who has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).
- MOVIES: R
- The Keeping Room is released. At the end of the Civil War, Southerner Augusta (Brit Marling) encounters two renegade, drunken soldiers (Sam Worthington & Kyle Soller) who are on a mission of pillage and violence. After escaping an attempted assault, Augusta races back to the isolated farmhouse that she shares with her sister Louise (Hailee Steinfeld) and their female slave Mad (Muna Otaru). When the pair of soldiers track Augusta down intent on exacting revenge, the trio of women are forced to take up arms to fend off their assailants, finding ways to resourcefully defend their home––and themselves––as the escalating attacks become more unpredictable and relentless. [Drafthouse Films]
- The Green Inferno is released. A group of student activists travel from New York City to the Amazon to save a dying tribe but when they crash in the jungle, they are taken hostage by the very natives they planned to protect.
- Mississippi Grind is released. Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn) is a talented, but struggling poker player about to be swallowed up by his unshakeable gambling habit. But his luck begins to change after he meets the young, charismatic Curtis (Ryan Reynolds). Gerry convinces his new lucky charm to hit the road with him, towards a legendary high stakes poker game in New Orleans. The highs and lows unveil the duo’s true characters and motivations, and an undeniable bond forms between them. [A24]
- Stonewall is released. In 1969, Danny Winters (Jeremy Irvine) is forced to leave behind friends and loved ones when he is kicked out of his parent’s home and flees to New York. Alone in Greenwich Village, homeless and destitute, he befriends a group of street kids who soon introduce him to the local watering hole The Stonewall Inn; however, this shady, mafia-run club is far from a safe-haven. As Danny and his friends experience discrimination, endure atrocities and are repeatedly harassed by the police, we see a rage begin to build. This emotion runs through Danny and the entire community of young gays, lesbians and drag queens who populate the Stonewall Inn and erupts in a storm of anger. With the toss of a single brick, a riot ensues and a crusade for equality is born. [Roadside Attractions]
- Ashby is released. When new kid in town Ed Wallis (Nat Wolff) is given an assignment to interview an older person, he turns to his mysterious neighbor, Ashby Holt (Mickey Rourke) for help. That new connection leads to unexpected journeys for both of them, as Ashby – who turns out to be a retired CIA assassin – deals with a terminal prognosis, and Ed deals with adjusting to life with his newly single mom (Sarah Silverman) and developing relationship with a brainy classmate, Eloise (Emma Roberts).
- 99 Homes is released. Charismatic and ruthless businessman Rick Carver (Michael Shannon), is making a killing by repossessing homes - gaming the real estate market, Wall Street banks and the US government. When he evicts Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield), a single father trying to care for his mother (Laura Dern) and young son (Noah Lomax), Nash becomes so desperate to provide for his family that he goes to work for Carver – the very man who evicted him in the first place. Carver promises Nash a way to regain his home and earn security for his family, but slyly seduces him into a lifestyle of wealth and glamour. It is a deal-with-the-devil that comes with an increasingly high cost - on Carver's orders, Nash must evict families from their homes. As Nash falls deeper into Carver's web, he finds his situation grows more brutal and dangerous than he ever imagined.
- Finders Keepers is released. Shannon Whisnant has a nose for a bargain. But when he bought a used grill at a North Carolina auction, the severed human foot he found among its ashes was not part of the deal. Soon the gruesome discovery becomes the toast of the infotainment world, and the new owner spies a golden opportunity to cash in on the media frenzy, until struggling addict and amputee John Wood recognizes his missing member and demands his own foot back. It is the stuff of documentary legend. [Sundance]
- ALBUMS
- Fetty Wap was released by Fetty Wap. The debut full-length release for the New Jersey rapper who first gained fame with his "Trap Queen"single features guest appearances from M80, Monty, and Remy Boyz.
- Every Open Eye was released by Chvrches. The second full-length release for the Scottish synthpop trio was recorded at the band's studio in Glasgow.
- Holding Hands With Jamie was released by Girl Band. The debut full-length release for the Dublin noise-rock band was self-produced.
- Have You in My Wilderness was released by Julia Holter. The fourth full-length release for the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter was recorded with Cole M. Greif-Neill.
- Half Free was released by U.S. Girls. The latest release for the Meg Remy project was produced by Onakabazien and features guest appearances from Ben Cook, Amanda Crist, and Remy's husband Slim Twig.
- Innocence & Decadence was released by Graveyard. The fourth full-length release for the Swedish hard rock band was recorded live with Truls Mörck taking over bass duties from departing bassist Rikard Edlund.
- Allas Sak was released by Dungen. The seventh release for the Swedish band led by Gustav Ejstes is its first in five years.
- Better Nature was released by Silversun Pickups. The fourth full-length studio release for the Los Angeles-based alternative rock band was produced by Jacknife Lee.
- B'lieve I'm Goin' Down was released by Kurt Vile. The sixth full-length solo studio release for the Philadelphia-based indie rock singer was recorded in several places including Joshua Tree.
- Caracal was released by Disclosure. The second full-length release from the brother duo of Guy and Howard Lawrence features guest appearances from Kwabs, Lion Babe, Lorde, Miguel, Nao, Gregory Porter, Jordan Rakei, Brendan Reilly, Sam Smith, and The Weeknd]
- Cass County was released by Don Henley. The fifth solo release for the Eagles drummer features guest appearances from Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Mick Jagger, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Dolly Parton.
- 1000 Days was released by Wand. The third release in 2015 for the California psychedelic rock band was recorded in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Dodge and Burn was released by The Dead Weather. The third full-length studio release for the rock band was produced by band co-founder Jack White.
- Rub was released by Peaches. The sixth full-length release for the Canadian electronic artist features guest appearances from Feist, Kim Gordon, and Simmone Jones.
- Savage Hills Ballroom was released by Youth Lagoon. The third full-length release for the Idaho singer-songwriter was recorded in Britain with Ali Chant.
- Servant of Love was released by Patty Griffin. The tenth full-length release for the singer-songwriter was produced with Craig Ross.
- Sexwitch was released by Sexwitch. The debut release for the collaboration between Bat For Lashes' Natasha Khan and the British rock band Toy features six 1970 psych and folk cover songs from different countries.
- Music Complete was released by New Order. The tenth full-length studio release for the British dance rock band features guest appearances from Brandon Flowers, Elly Jackson of La Roux, and Iggy Pop.
- Where All Is Fled was released by Steve Hauschildt. This is the first solo release for Cleveland-based electronic artist since the Emeralds disbanded in 2013.
- GAMING: 3DS
- Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer for 3DS is released. Show off your style by designing homes for all of your favorite Animal Crossing villagers! Use your creativity to design the perfect house-inside and out-for both old and new friends. With the new amiibo cards, you can call your favorite villagers into the game.
- GAMING: PC
- Grand Ages: Medieval for PC is released. Grand Ages: Medieval is a real-time strategy game from Gaming Minds. Lead your people and advance through the decades by utilising construction, research, expansion and conquest in an area extending from Scandinavia and North Africa; to Portugal, the Caucasus and the Middle East. Rise from the humble role of a simple mayor governing a small settlement and rule over all of Europe. Experience an exciting campaign with elaborately designed cut-scenes, play by your own rules in free play or test your skills in multiplayer against up to 8 players!
- GAMING: XBOX ONE
- Guns, Gore & Cannoli for Xbox One is released. Guns, Gore & Cannoli is a Tarantino-esque homage to the exploitation/grindhouse films from the 70ies, the gangster classics, and the old school 2D arcade shooters.
- NBA 2K16 for Xbox One is released. Be the Story. The NBA 2K franchise is back with a true-to-life NBA experience in NBA 2K16. Guide your MyPLAYER through the complete NBA journey, take control of an entire NBA franchise, or refine your skills online competing against gamers from around the globe. With animations that provide smoother movement and more realistic articulation, it promises to be the most authentic NBA gaming experience yet. [2K]
On this day in 2014
- DEATHS
- Dorothy Tyler-Odam, British athlete (Olympic silver high jump 1936,48; WR 1.66m 1939), who died at 94.
- TV SERIES
- How to Get Away With Murder: Season 1 is released. Criminal law professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) selects a group of her students to help her out at her law firm.
- GAMING: 3DS
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal: World Duel Carnival for 3DS is released. Play as yourself or one of eleven playable characters from the series, like Yuma, Astral, Tori, Shark and more, each with their own storyline and earn an invite to the World Duel Carnival where you can battle with more than 40 Duelists from the TV show! Players can enjoy a Story Mode and a Free Duel Mode where they can play with more than 5,700 cards.-The very first Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL video game and the first Yu-Gi-Oh! video game available for the Nintendo 3DS handheld system.-Twelve playable characters, each with a unique storyline that can be experienced through Story Mode.-Battle with more than 40 colorful Duelists.-Customize your Deck with more than 5,700 cards from the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.-In-game animated cinematics, and exciting Monster summon effects bring Duels to life.-Explore all the options in Free Duel Mode and customize card sleeves, game mats, and even Deck Lists to Duel for hours.
- GAMING: PC
- The Vanishing of Ethan Carter for PC is released. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery focused on exploration and discovery. As occult-minded private detective Paul Prospero communicates with the dead to discover the fate of a missing boy and the mystery behind a dark ancient force inhabiting Red Creek Valley.
On this day in 2013
- EVENTS
- Kurt Cobain's childhood home in Aberdeen, Washington went on the market. Cobain's mother Wendy O'Connor and sister Kim Cobain put up for sale the East 1st St. house, where he was raised, for $500,000, in hopes of connecting with someone who would turn it into a museum..
- Oracle Team USA defeats Team New Zealand 9-8 to win the America's Cup.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Shepard & Dark is released. Sam Shepard and Johnny Dark met in Greenwich Village in the early 1960s and, despite leading very different lives, remained close friends ever since. Shepard became a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and an Academy Award-nominated actor, while Dark was a homebody who supported himself with odd jobs. Through the decades, they stayed bonded by family ties. Dark married an older woman named Scarlett and Shepard married her daughter. For years, the two couples lived together, until Shepard broke away for a relationship with Jessica Lange in 1983, leaving Johnny to help father his first son. Nevertheless, he and Dark continued writing to each other, amassing hundreds of letters. [Music Box Films]
- TV SERIES
- Back in the Game: Season 1 is released. Maggie Lawson (Psych) stars as a former softball player who, after a divorce, moves back in with her estranged father (James Caan) and begins coaching her son's team of misfit Little Leaguers. The comedy comes from brothers Mark and Robb Cullen, who previously created the FX series Lucky.
- GAMING: XBOX 360
- Girl Fight for Xbox 360 is released. Published by Majesco Entertainment, Girl Fight allows players to choose from an array of sexy fighters to battle their way out of THE FOUNDATION, a shadowy, scientific organization looking to weaponize the psionic fighting abilities of the cast of gorgeous, all-female fighters. With unlimited funding and no moral or ethical compass, THE FOUNDATION collects its test subjects from all around the world, often abducting and plugging women into their virtual construct known as The Mainframe. To make it back to reality, the women must utilize their fighting and psionic abilities in an all-out battle for survival.