This week’s film is the terrific documentary from Questlove called Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (Searchlight Pictures, 2021). I watched this excellent film on my computer at this year’s virtual Sundance Film Festival, so it was an extra treat to get to experience it on the big screen.
TCM “Must-See Musicals” Update for June 2021
This year, I am watching all 50 movies listed in the great book from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Must-See Musicals: 50 Show-Stopping Movies We Can’t Forget by Richard Barrios (Running Press, 2017; available on Amazon.com, on the Shop TCM website, and, hopefully, from your favorite bookseller). More information about the book and my viewing project this year is here.
Here’s the rundown of the movies I watched in June (courtesy of the Movies Past and Present Instagram feed).
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
The Band Wagon (1953)
Calamity Jane (1953)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
Movie of the Week for June 28-July 4, 2021
This week’s movie is the terrific film adaptation of the Broadway hit 1776.
Check out this poster, too.

June 26, 2021 Podcast
Welcome to the 72nd episode of the Movies Past and Present podcast.
New in Theaters
- F9 (Universal)
Classic Cinema Corner
The Birdcage (United Artists, 1996) returns to the big screen on June 27, 28, and 30 as part of the Turner Classic Movies Big Screen Classics series. Visit the Fathom Events webpage to find a screening near you.
Reviews
- In the Heights (Warner Bros.)
- Luca (Disney/Pixar)
Fast & Furious “Fast Friday” Screenings and F9 Review
The first Fast & Furious film, The Fast and the Furious, opened on June 22, 2001 and celebrated its 20th anniversary this week. Now, the ninth film of the series, F9, makes its long awaited debut in the U.S.A. this weekend. Universal Pictures did free screenings of all eight Fast & Furious films, one per week, on what they termed as “Fast Friday” screenings. I went to all eight screenings, as well as saw F9 yesterday, and lived to tell (barely).

More info about the films is at thefastsaga.com.
Thanks for Tuning In!
Subscribe to the Movies Past and Present podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. I hope that watching some great movies will bring you peace and comfort this week. Thanks for listening, be safe out there, and dedicate yourself to the truth.
Movie of the Week for June 21-27, 2021
This week’s pick is the wonderful new feature from Pixar Animation Studios, Luca.
Movie of the Week for June 14-20, 2021
Loved finally getting to see In the Heights (Warner Bros., 2021)!
Movie of the Week for June 7-13, 2021
This week’s movie of the week is the always great Raiders of the Lost Ark (Paramount, 1981).
Movie of the Week for May 31-June 6, 2021
This week’s movie of the week pick is the breezy musical comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (20th Century, 1953).
May 31, 2021 Podcast
Welcome to the 71st episode of the podcast!
New in Theaters on June 4
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (New Line Cinema; also on HBO Max)
- Spirit Untamed (DreamWorks Animation)
Review
- Cruella (Walt Disney Studios; now in theaters and on Disney+ with extra-fee Premier Access)
Three by…
This month’s “Three by” director is Yasujirō Ozu. I watched these films on The Criterion Channel streaming service.
Thanks for Tuning In!
Subscribe to the Movies Past and Present podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. I hope that watching some great movies will bring you peace and comfort this week. Thanks for listening, be safe out there, and dedicate yourself to the truth.
TCM “Must-See Musicals” Update for May 2021
This year, I am watching all 50 movies listed in the great book from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Must-See Musicals: 50 Show-Stopping Movies We Can’t Forget by Richard Barrios (Running Press, 2017; available on Amazon.com, on the Shop TCM website, and, hopefully, from your favorite bookseller). More information about the book and my viewing project this year is here.
Here’s the rundown of the movies I watched in May (courtesy of the Movies Past and Present Instagram feed).