On this day in movie history - Ali (2001):

Ali

directed by Michael Mann,

written by Michael Mann, Eric Roth, Stephen J. Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson,

based on a story by Gregory Allen Howard,

was released in the United States on December 25, 2001.
Music by Pieter Bourke and Lisa Gerrard.

Cast:

Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Bentt, Robert Sale, James Toney, Charles Shufford, Mykelti Williamson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Nona Gaye, Michael Michele, Joe Morton, Paul Rodriguez, Bruce McGill, Barry Shabaka Henley, Albert Hall, Giancarlo Esposito, David Haines, Laurence Mason, LeVar Burton, David Cubitt, Leon Robinson, Ted Levine, Malick Bowens, Victoria Dillard, David Elliott, Brad Greenquist.

On this day in movie history - Vanilla Sky (2001):

Vanilla Sky

directed and written by Cameron Crowe,

was released in the United States on December 14, 2001.
Based on Open Your Eyes (1997), Spanish title: Abre los ojos, directed by Alejandro Amenábar.
Music by Nancy Wilson.

Cast:

Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall, Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, Delaina Hlavin, Shalom Harlow, Oona Hart, Ivana Milicevic, Johnny Galecki, Jhaemi Willens, Armand Schultz, Cameron Watson, Robertson Dean, W. Earl Brown, Ray Proscia, Tim Hopper, Alicia Witt, Ken Leung, Carolyn Byrne, Mark Pinter, Jeff Weiss, Conan O’Brien, James Murtaugh, Mark Kozelek, John Fedevich, Bobby Walsh, Stacey Sher, Fred Schruers, Jessica Siemens, Julia Carothers Hughes, Holly Raye, Marty Collins, Mark Bramhall, Jack Hall, David Lewison, Jennifer Griffin, Adam LeGrant, John Kepley, Robin Van Sharner, Laurel Wiley, Nicole Taylor Hart, Julia Decker, Jennifer Marie Kelley, Erin McElmurry, Alice Marie Crowe, Jonathan Sanger, Tommy Lee, Ana Maria Quintana, Paul Haggar, Randy Woodside, Robert F. Harrison, Carly Starr Brullo Niles, Jane Pratt, Patrick McMullen, Steven Colvin, Cindy Crowe, The Great John Sypolt, Michael G. Kehoe, Danielle Wolf, Scotch Ellis Loring, Brent Sexton, Curt Skaggs, Jennifer Gimenez, Lori Lezama, Todd Harrison, Blossom (Benny the Dog), Laura Fraser, Jennifer Aspen, Celina Belizan, Craig Callow, Christie Campagna, Jean Carol, Tony Collucci, Jimmy Federico, Shane Fenton, Janine Foster, Aracelli Frias, Zach Hudson, Marko Jankovic, Ryan Keating, Zachary Lee, Roger Lim, Tara Lipinski, Lucio Luciano, William Mapother, Christy Meyers, Arnold Montey, Jan Munroe, Marie Paquim, Ronald Rand, Louis E. Rosas, Steven Spielberg, Andrei Sterling, Tasha Tae, Bryan Todd, Michael J. Tomaso, Christie Will Wolf.

On this day in movie history - A Beautiful Mind (2001 movie & book):

A Beautiful Mind

directed by Ron Howard,

written by Akiva Goldsman,

based on the book by Sylvia Nasar,

was released in the United States on December 13, 2001.
Music by James Horner.

Cast:

Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Jason Gray-Stanford, Judd Hirsch, Austin Pendleton, Vivien Cardone, Jillie Simon, Victor Steinbach, Tanya Clarke, Thomas F. Walsh, Jesse Doran, Kent Cassella, Patrick Blindauer, John Blaylock, Roy Thinnes, Anthony Easton, Cheryl Howard, Rance Howard, Jane Jenkins, Darius Stone, Josh Pais, Alex Toma, Valentina Cardinalli, Teagle F. Bougere, David B. Allen, Michael Esper, Eva Burkley, Amy Walz, Tracey Toomey, Jennifer Weedon, Yvonne Thomas, Holly Pitrago, Isadore Rosenfeld, Tommy Allen, Dave Bayer, Brian Keith Lewis, Tom McNutt, Will Dunham, Glenn Roberts, Ed Jupp Jr., Christopher Stockton, Gregory Dress, Carla Occhiogrosso, Matt Samson, Lyena Nomura, Kathleen Fellegara, Betsy Klompus, Stelio Savante, Logan McCall, Bob Broder, Michael Abbott Jr., Liche Ariza, Michael Arthur, Reggie Austin, Fileena Bahris, Lloyd Baskin, Sean Bennett, Cade Bittner, James Thomas Bligh, Peter Bonilla, Rich Bryant, Dan Chen, Phil Cirincione, Scott Addison Clay, Ty Copeman, Sean Dillon, Berly Ellis, Jonah Falcon, Fabrizio Fante, Scott Fernstrom, Michael Fiore, Mike Fitzgerald, Todd Fredericks, Seth Gabel, Russell Gibson, Gregory Gordon, Evan Hart, Jason Horton, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ron Howard, Vivian Kalinov, Alex Lorre, Monique Marissa Lukens, Dory Manzour, Tiffany Marz, Charles McClelland, Jon M. McDonnell, Arnold Montey, Robert Myers, Ryan O’Connor, Nick Oddo, Charles Pendelton, Reed Penney, Michael C. Pierce, Mills Pierre, Deborah Rayne, Sean Reid, Colby Ryan, Brian Smyj, Ned Stuart, Dave Sweeney, Alessandro Tanaka, Douglas Taurel, John H. Tobin, Jeffrey Todd, Michael Tota, Jarred Treiber, Ryan Tygh, Erik Van Wyck, James Whalen, Warner Wolf.

Recommended reading:

A Beautiful Mind

By Sylvia Nasar.

First published 1998.

Published by Simon & Schuster.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1451628420

ISBN-13: 978-1451628425

Description:

Also an Academy Award–winning film starring Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly – directed by Ron Howard.

The powerful, dramatic biography of math genius John Nash, who overcame serious mental illness and schizophrenia to win the Nobel Prize.

“How could you, a mathematician, believe that extraterrestrials were sending you messages?” the visitor from Harvard asked the West Virginian with the movie-star looks and Olympian manner. “Because the ideas I had about supernatural beings came to me the same way my mathematical ideas did,” came the answer. “So I took them seriously.”

Thus begins the true story of John Nash, the mathematical genius who was a legend by age thirty when he slipped into madness, and who—thanks to the selflessness of a beautiful woman and the loyalty of the mathematics community—emerged after decades of ghostlike existence to win a Nobel Prize for triggering the game theory revolution. The inspiration for an Academy Award–winning movie, Sylvia Nasar’s now-classic biography is a drama about the mystery of the human mind, triumph over adversity, and the healing power of love.

On this day in music history - Ama, by Cecilia Chailly (2001):

Ama

Album by Cecilia Chailly,
released December 11, 2001.

Track list:

Anima; Terra; Che Devo Fare?!!; Oceano Luce; Ama; Alleluja Om; Oh Luna; Dea Del Mare; Amore Puro; Fra Passato E Futuro; Segnali Di Fumo; Tricky Dog Blues; Finestra D’Autunno.

On this day in music history - Freak of Nature, by Anastacia (2001):

Freak of Nature

Album by Anastacia,

released November 23, 2001.

Track list:

Freak of Nature; Paid My Dues; Overdue Goodbye (Album Version); You’ll Never Be Alone; One Day In Your Life (European Version); How Come the World Won’t Stop; Why’d You Lie to Me; Don’tcha Wanna (Album Version); Secrets (Album Version); Don’t Stop (Doin’ It) (European Version); I Dreamed You; Overdue Goodbye (Reprise); I Thought I Told You That (featuring Faith Evans) (Album Version); Anastacia feat. Faith Evans; Someday My Prince Will Come (Album Version); Paid My Dues (The S-Man’s Darkstar Mix); One Day In Your Life (Hex Hector/Mac Quayle Club Mix); Why’d You Lie to Me (Nu Soul DnB Mix); Freak Of Nature (Live from Japan, 13 Sept 2002); Overdue Goodbye (Live from Japan, 13 Sept 2002).

On this day in movie history - Frailty (2001):

Frailty

directed by Bill Paxton,

written by Brent Hanley,

was released in the United States on November 17, 2001.
Music by Brian Tyler.

Cast:

Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matt O'Leary, Jeremy Sumpter, Luke Askew, Levi Kreis, Derk Cheetwood, Missy Crider, Alan Davidson, Cynthia Ettinger, Vincent Chase, Gwen McGee, Edmond Scott Ratliff, Rebecca Tilney, Blake King, Brad Berryhill, Greg Serano, Edgar L. Davis, Jim Flowers, Lance E. Nichols, John Paxton, Richard A. Bell, Chelsea Butler, Jennifer Drake, Betty Gurule, Ona Harris, Greg Bronson, Dave Power.

On this day in movie history - Monster’s Ball (2001):

Monster’s Ball

directed by Marc Forster,

written by Milo Addica and Will Rokos,

released at the American Film Institute (AFI) festival in the United States on November 11, 2001.
Music by Asche and Spencer.

Cast:

Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Heath Ledger, Peter Boyle, Coronji Calhoun, Sean Combs, Mos Def, Charles Cowan Jr., Taylor LaGrange, Taylor Simpson, Gabrielle Witcher, Amber Rules, Anthony Bean, Francine Segal, John McConnell, Marcus Lyle Brown, Milo Addica, Leah Loftin, Larry Lee, Troy Poret, Paul Smith, Marshall Cain, Will Rokos, Anthony Michael Frederick, John Wilmot, Dennis Clements, Stephanie Claire, James Haven, Ritchie Montgomery, Clara Hopkins Daniels, Carol Sutton, Bernard Johnson, Hulon E. Crayton II, Jeanette Kontomitras, Earl Maddox, Anthony Marble.

On this day in movie history - Heist (2001):

Heist

directed and written by David Mamet,

was released in the United States on November 9, 2001.
Music by Theodore Shapiro.

Cast:

Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Pidgeon, Ricky Jay, Patti LuPone, Alan Bilzerian, Richard L. Friedman, Robert Lussier, Mark Camacho, Michelle Sweeney, Elyzabeth Walling, Mike Tsar, Jim Frangione, Christopher Kaldor, Danny Blanco Hall, Zodia McLean, Andreas Apergis, Tony Calabretta, Ted Whittall, Guy Sprung, Richard Zeman, Don Jordan, Pierre Leblanc, Richard Robitaille, Greg Goossen, Charles S. Doucet, Bill Rowat, Benz Antoine, Emile Cassini, Jennifer Morehouse, Marlyne Barrett, Emile Castonguay, Karen Cliché, Johnny Goar, Christian Maguire, Kent McQuaid, Henri Pardo, Mike Paterson.

On this day in music history – Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues, by Charley Patton (2001):

Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues

Album boxset by Charley Patton,

released October 23, 2001.

Track list:

Pony Blues; A Spoonful Blues; Down The Dirt Road Blues; Prayer Of Death Part 1; Prayer Of Death Part 2; Screamin’ And Hollerin’ The Blues; Banty Rooster Blues; Tom Rushen Blues; It Won’t Be Long; Shake It And Break It (But Don’t Let It Fall Mama); Pea Vine Blues; Mississippi Boweavil Blues; Lord I’m Discouraged; I’m Goin’ Home; Snatch It And Grab It (Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins); A Rag Blues (Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins); How Come Mama Blues (Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins); Voice Throwin’ Blues (Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins); Hammer Blues (take 1; uniss.); I Shall Not Be Moved (take 1; uniss.); High Water Everywhere; Part I; High Water Everywhere; Part II; I Shall Not Be Moved; Rattlesnake Blues; Going To Move To Alabama; Hammer Blues (take 2); Joe Kirby; Frankie And Albert; Devil Sent The Rain Blues; Magnolia Blues; Running Wild Blues; Some Happy Day; Mean Black Moan; Green River Blues; That’s My Man (Edith North Johnson); Honey Dripper Blues No. 2 (Edith North Johnson); Eight Hour Woman (Edith North Johnson); Nickel’s Worth Of Liver Blues No. 2 (Edith North Johnson); Some These Days I’ll Be Gone (take 1; uniss.); Elder Greene Blues (take 2; uniss.); Jim Lee; Part I; Jim Lee; Part II; Mean Black Cat Blues; Jesus Is A Dying-Bed Maker; Elder Greene Blues (take 1); When Your Way Gets Dark; Some These Days I’ll Be Gone (take 2); Heart Like Railroad Steel; Circle Round The Moon; You’re Gonna Need Somebody When You Die; Be True Be True Blues (Henry ‘Son’ Sims); Farrell Blues (Henry “Son” Sims); Tell Me Man Blues (Henry “Son” Sims); Come Back Corrina (Henry “Son” Sims); Some Summer Day; Bird Nest Bound; Future Blues (Willie Brown); M&O Blues (Willie Brown); Walkin’ Blues (Son House); My Black Mama; Part I (Son House); My Black Mama; Part II (Son House); Preachin’ The Blues; Part I (Son House); Preachin’ The Blues; Part II (Son House); Dry Spell Blues Part I (Son House); Dry Spell Blues Part II (Son House); All Night Long Blues (Louise Johnson); On The Wall (Louise Johnson); All Night Long Blues; uniss. (Louise Johnson); By The Moon And Stars (Louise Johnson); Long Ways From Home (Louise Johnson); Dry Well Blues; Moon Going Down; We All Gonna Face The Rising Sun (Delta Big Four); Moaner Let’s Go Down In The Valley (Delta Big Four); Jesus Got His Arms Around Me (Delta Big Four); God Won’t Forsake His Own (Delta Big Four); I’ll Be Here (Delta Big Four); Where Was Eve Sleeping? (Delta Big Four); I Know My Time Ain’t Long (Delta Big Four); Watch And Pray (Delta Big Four); Paramount Test 1; 4/19/30 headlines (HC Speir); Paramount Test 2; 4/12/30 headlines (HC Speir); High Sheriff Blues; Stone Pony Blues; Jersey Bull Blues; Hang It On The Wall; 34 Blues; Love My Stuff; Poor Me; Revenue Man Blues; Troubled Bout My Mother; Oh Death; Yellow Bee (Bertha Lee); Mind Reader Blues (Bertha Lee); Booze And Blues (Ma Rainey); The Crowing Rooster (Walter Rhodes); I Will Turn Your Money Green (Furry Lewis); Ham Hound Crave (Rube Lacy); Bye Bye Blues (Tommy Johnson); Maggie Campbell (Tommy Johnson); Big Road Blues (Tommy Johnson); Kansas City Blues (William Harris); Rowdy Blues (Kid Bailey); Mississippi Bottom Blues (Kid Bailey); Cold Woman Blues (Blind Joe Reynolds); Sitting On Top Of The World (Mississippi Sheiks); Just A Spoonful (Charley Jordan); Banty Rooster (Blind Pete And George Ryan); My Grey Pony (Big Joe Williams); Dark Road Blues (Willie Lofton Trio); Blues (unknown); Sic ‘Em Dogs On (Bukka White); Po’ Boy (Bukka White); Make Me A Pallet on the Floor (Willie Brown); County Farm Blues (Son House); Saddle My Pony (The Howlin’ Wolf); Forty Four (The Howlin’ Wolf); Too Close (Roebuck “Pops” Staples & Staple Singers); Howlin’ Wolf (interview); Booker Miller (interview); HC Speir (interview); Roebuck “Pops” (interview).

On this day in music history - Handel: Alcina, by Renée Fleming, Natalie Dessay, Susan Graham and William Christie (2001):

Handel: Alcina

Album by Renée Fleming, Natalie Dessay, Susan Graham and William Christie,

released October 16, 2001.

Track list:

Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Sinfonia; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: È gelosia; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Sì, son quella!; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Tornami a vagheggiar; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Ama, sospira; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Ah! mio cor!; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Verdi prati; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Ombre pallide; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Sinfonia; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Sta nell’Ircana; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Mi restano le lagrime; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Non è amor, nè gelosia; Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Dall’orror di notte cieca.