On this day in movie history - The Gladiator (1986)

The Gladiator

directed by Abel Ferrara,

written by William Bleich, Tom Schulman and Jeffrey Walker,

based on a story by William Bleich,

was released in the United States on February 3, 1986.

Music by David Frank.

Cast:

Ken Wahl, Nancy Allen, Robert Culp, Stan Shaw, Rosemary Forsyth, Bart Braverman, Brian Robbins, Rick Dees, Michael Young, Harry Beer, Garry Goodrow, Robert Phalen, Linda Thorson, Mary Baldwin, Thom Bierdz, José Flores, Stephen Anthony Henry, Gary Lev, Jan Merlin, Georgie Paul, Mort Sertner, Jim Wilkey, Royce D. Applegate, Jeannie Epper, Lyle Gold, Helen Kelly, Mark Munski, George A. Sack Jr., Chris Sundlee.

On this day in the Star Trek universe - The Next Generation, Voyager

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990)

Star Trek: Voyager (1999) 

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: Deja Q.

Released February 3, 1990.

Directed by Les Landau.

Written by Richard Danus, Ronald D. Moore.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Dennis McCarthy.

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, Gates McFadden, John de Lancie, Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Cansino, Betty Muramoto, Rachen Assapiomonwait, Majel Barrett, Corbin Bernsen, Michael Braveheart, Carrie Crain, Robert Daniels, Eben Ham, Mark Lentry, Tim McCormack, James McElroy, Keith Rayve, Sandra Wild.

Star Trek: Voyager
Season 5. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: Gravity.

Released February 3, 1999.

Directed by Terry Windell.

Created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor.

Written by Joe Menosky, Eileen Connors, Brannon Braga, Bryan Fuller, Nick Sagan, Michael Taylor.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Dennis McCarthy.

Cast: Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Tim Russ, Garrett Wang, Jeri Ryan, Joseph Ruskin, LeRoy D. Brazile, Paul S. Eckstein, Lori Petty, Chuck Borden. 

On this day in television history - Justified (2015)

Justified
Season 6. Episode 3.

Episode entitled: Noblesse Oblige.

Released February 3, 2015.

Directed by Peter Weller.

Written by Graham Yost, Taylor Elmore, Benjamin Cavell, Keith Schreier.

Based on the short story Fire in the Hole by Elmore Leonard.

Music by Steve Porcaro.

Cast:
Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Jere Burns, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel, Walton Goggins, Mary Steenburgen, Garret Dillahunt, Rick Gomez, Justin Welborn, Brent Briscoe, Scott Grimes, Duke Davis Roberts, Ryan Dorsey, Patrick Carlyle, Sam Elliott, Jonathan Kowalsky, Shawn Parsons, Russell Bertolino.

Groundhog Day – February 2:

Happy Groundhog Day!

On this day in movie history - Groundhog Day (1993)

Groundhog Day

directed by Harold Ramis,

written by Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin,

based on a story by Danny Rubin,

was released in the United States on February 2, 1993.

Music by George Fenton.

Cast:

Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray, Marita Geraghty, Angela Paton, Rick Ducommun, Rick Overton, Robin Duke, Ken Hudson Campbell, David Pasquesi, Richard Henzel, Rob Riley, Hynden Walch, Michael Shannon, Les Podewell, Rod Sell, Harold Ramis.

What’s On? - A Guide to Movies and TV Shows, by Jack Kost (2025)

What's On? 
A Guide to Movies and TV Shows

by Jack Kost.
 
What’s On? … is the timeless question we have all asked ourselves almost every day of our lives, as we reach for the remote control and settle in front of the TV screen.

Jack Kost, a life-long movie buff and coffee addict, offers his choice of favorite movie and television masterpieces.

Providing possible answers to the question of What’s On? with over one thousand nine hundred titles, from golden oldies and timeless classics, to more recent releases, all meticulously logged and summarized.

An invaluable and collectable go-to source for discovering new favorites and revisiting old ones.

Perfect for film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, this guide will spark conversations, bring back memories, and help you navigate the ever-evolving world of screen entertainment.

A wealth of recommendations and insights from a passionate movie buff to enrich your viewing experience, complete with personal reminiscences and nostalgic reflections, told with a world-wise critical eye, sardonic dry wit, a healthy dose of cynicism, biting observations, and a well-founded rant here and there.

Just don’t challenge or get him started on his personal favorites, like The Shining, Point Blank, Jaws, The Exorcist, The Duellists, Romeo Is Bleeding, or The Ninth Configuration. His opinions on these and other iconic titles are as intense and unyielding as the movies themselves.

All compiled by an author who not only watched the movies, but also read the books on which they were based, did his research, drank a lot of coffee in the process, and advocates for the importance and value of reading.

A glimpse into the over-caffeinated mind of a writer with a passion for great stories.

What’s On? is a celebration of the intersection between page and screen, and a reminder that great on-screen adaptations often start with a great book and a strong cup of coffee.

Kick back, grab your coffee, and enjoy the show!

As author Jack Kost says:
“Happy viewing … and do yourself a favor … read the books.”
 
Video by Jack Kost.
2025.
 
Music credit:
Rainy Noon – Relaxing Uplifting Piano
by Clavier-Music.
From Pixabay.

Naomi Shihab Nye, on reading:

I love the solitude of reading.

I love the deep dive into someone else's story, the delicious ache of a last page.

- Naomi Shihab Nye.