Keldine Hull

Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman was officially released on Netflix today, two months after its premier at the New York Film Festival on September 27. Adapted from Frank Sheeran’s 2004 memoir “I Heard You Paint Houses,” The Irishman recounts Sheeran’s hitman days, affiliation with the Bufalino family and involvement in the murder of Jimmy Hoffa, longtime president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union. Already considered one of Scorsese’s best films, The Irishman follows a long line of iconic movies by the legendary director including Taxi Driver, Goodfellas and Casino. Critics already predict that The Irishman could potentially earn Netflix its first Oscar for Best Picture.

From the early days of the Doors to the birth of the Z-Boys, Venice has been the backdrop to some of the most iconic moments in modern history. It’s significant role in pop culture extends to the hundreds of movies and television shows shot there. With Halloween just around the corner, here’s a look at some of the horror movies filmed in and around Venice.

Someone asked me once to describe the ’90s in one word, and no matter how you string all 26 letters of the alphabet together, one word just isn’t enough. The ’90s was flannel shirts and Doc Martins, the Macarena and Beanie Babies, fanny packs and Skip-It. It was Keds and New Kids, sleepovers and puff paint, and more neon than anyone should ever wear. It was Naughty by Nature and Biggie, Nirvana and No Doubt, TGIF and Saturday morning cartoons. The ’90s was the best of times and the worst of times all rolled into one decade we didn’t fully appreciate until it was all over. Luckily for us, Netflix is currently streaming an impressive selection of 90s movies for our nostalgic viewing pleasure. Here’s a look at the Netflix movies you won’t want to miss.

When the Shirelles released “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” in 1960, they accomplished what no other girl group in the US had done. Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” took the number 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and signaled in a different kind of era; an era where women had a voice and girl groups would alter the course of history.

You may not have heard her name, but you’ve definitely heard her play. Carol Kaye is THE studio musician behind some of the most iconic riffs and basslines in music. Long before the days of Ableton Live and Pro Tools, Carol played behind legends like Sam Cooke, Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys, the Righteous Brother, Ike and Tina Turner, Nancy Wilson, Barbra Streisand, and Ray Charles- to name a few. Her talent transcended gender and genre to provide what has become the soundtrack to many lives, many times over. Mine included. The bass was an extension of her soul, and you felt her heart in each pluck of the strings.

The Ronettes were the quintessential girl group; a larger than life force of nature, with the beehives to match. Their look and sound became the hallmark of the 60’s and helped to define the girl group era. They stamped the pages of history with unforgettable classics like “Baby, I Love You”, “Walking in the Rain”, and Billboard’s Greatest Girl Group Song of All Time “Be My Baby.” Their voices immaculately captured what it felt like to fall in love, get your heart broken, and fall in love again.

When punk rock emerged in the late 70’s, it was that in your face, anti-establishment, rebellious form of expression that any teen with an ounce of angst lived for. It was riotous and unapologetic, an outcast driven movement that challenged societal norms and laughed in the face of authority. And at the forefront was the Bags, led by co-founder and vocalist Alice Bag. The Bags performed their first concert at the Masque on September 10, 1977, and became one of the first bands in the early L.A. punk scene.

From Gainesville, Florida to stages around the world, Tom Petty was intertwined in the very fabric that made up rock and roll, and the soundtrack that made up our lives. He didn’t just write songs; he created memories. He used music to make the intangible tangible. And through his lyrics, he proved that there was nothing as poetic as the simplicity of life. His songs stood for something and meant everything. He didn’t just show us how to fly; he made us believe that it was in us all along.

Maybe I’m biased, but there’s no greater city in the world for live music than West Hollywood. The Sunset Strip is home to some of the most iconic music venues; a destination that’s as important to the history of rock and roll as the guitar riff and drum solo. Millions of music fans from all over the world flock to venues like the Whisky a Go-Go and the Viper Room to experience a piece of that rock and roll history.

You could say that Buckingham Nicks was the album that started it all. When Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham released Buckingham Nicks on September 5, 1973, they had already had a taste of rock and roll. Lindsey played bass in a not so well known band called Fritz. In 1968, he asked Stevie to join and within a few weeks, they were opening for acts like Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane.

It was the decade that shook the world. The 1960’s saw the rise of the civil rights movement, space exploration, and rock & roll. It was an unprecedented time in history, marked with triumph and tragedy, picket lines and sit- ins. It forever altered the trajectory of the world both culturally and politically, ushering in a new generation hell-bent on breaking all the rules. The music that came out of the ’60s was an important product of the times and a departure from classic standards and big b

In 1987 a pound of bacon cost a whopping $1.80, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Prozac made its U.S. debut. You could buy a brand new Hyundai for less than $6,000 and ‘Karate Kid’ action figures went for $12.00 a set. ‘Married With Children’ made its television debut and the Bangles ruled the airwaves with ‘Walk Like an Egyptian.’ And in 1987 Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cher and Jack Nicholson shared the big screen in the John Updike novel turned cult classic, ‘Witches of Eastwick.’

When Anna Mae Bullock met Ike Turner in 1956, history would be made. The world would come to know them as Ike and Tina Turner, and together would become one of the most successful Rock and Roll duos of their time. They were known for their electrifying stage performances; Tina Turner was the persona of raw feminine power and sexuality. But off stage, their life and marriage were an entirely different story. By the time Ike and Tina were married in 1962, they’d already had a string of hits that

Straight out of Shreveport, Louisiana, the Seratones are rock and roll. And frontwoman A.J. Haynes does not disappoint as the soulful songstress who embodies the kind of power and charisma it takes to lead a rock band. The Seratones’ debut album Get Gone takes you on a psychedelic trip, with beautiful guitar riffs and impeccable vocals that make you feel like you’ve literally traveled back in time. From “Chandelier” to “Tide,” “Get Gone” to “Don’t Need It,” every song is masterfully crafted and arranged to capture the raw gift of pure musicality that truly is rock and roll. If you haven’t listened to it yet, listen to it now. Right now. But first read this interview with Seratones frontwoman and all around badass, A.J. Haynes.

Whether you know her as First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz or Lady Ella, Ella Fitzgerald remains to be one of the most iconic, prolific and recognizable voices in jazz. Her career spanned decades, from her first appearance at the Apollo during the Great Depression to her final concert at Carnegie Hall in 1991. Fitzgerald persevered through poverty and discrimination to forge a legacy that is as timeless as her voice. Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born in 1917 in Newport News, Virginia, in a time and

It takes a talented cast to build an empire. Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and Gabourey Sidibe are just a few of the many stars in Fox’s Wednesday night hit drama ‘Empire.’ With an all- star ensemble, Ta’ Rhonda Jones has no problem shining on her own in the breakout role of Porsha Taylor. Jones is every bit as sassy and tenacious as her character and no stranger to struggle. But through sharing her personal experiences, Jones inspires others to work hard for what they want and never give up