Five Films for February 4th, 2022
1. Night of the Living Dead (HBO Max & Paramount Plus)
The reason I selected this classic film is that today is George A. Romero’s birthday. This is Romero’s first feature-length film he directed and remains the most popular of his works to this day. Romero was born in 1940 and died in 2017 at the age of 77.
Alternative Title to Watch - The Crazies (Tubi) - This 1973 film directed by Romero is another one of his films that was remade in 2010.
2. The Hitch-Hiker (Amazon Prime)
I selected this film because today is Ida Lupino’s birthday. She was born in 1918 and died in 1995 at the age of 77. In addition to more than 100 acting credits, she also directed several films including this one.
Alternative Title to Watch - Never Fear (Criterion Channel) - Lupino also directed this 1950 film that takes place during a polio epidemic and details one woman’s struggle with the disease.
3. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Plus)
I selected this film because it was on this day in 1938 when Snow White first premiered.
Alternative Title to Watch - Snow White (Paramount Plus) - This 1987 live-action adaption of Snow White is one of the lesser-known tellings of this story.
4. The Last of the Mohicans (Hulu and Paramount Plus)
I selected this film because it was on this day in 1826 when the novel The Last of the Mohicans was first published. The novel written by James Fenimore Cooper is the second book in a series of five novels within the Leatherstocking Tales sereies, although it is the most well-known of the five.
Alternative Title To Watch - The Last of the Mohicans (Director’s Cut) - This director’s cut of the film is also streaming on Hulu. In my opinion, there is not a significant difference between the director’s cut and the theatrical release, but if you have only seen one version of the film, it’s definitely worthwhile to check out the other.
5. Sleeping with the Enemy (Amazon Prime)
I selected this film because today is Patrick Bergin’s birthday. He was born in 1951 in Ireland and has well over 100 acting credits. He gives a strong performance in this film co-starring Julia Roberts.
Alternative Title to Watch - The Last Days of American Crime (Netflix) - Patrick has a small role in this 2020 crime drama.