The page is a collage of actors and actresses who have played historical figures in Cinema in the last decade that visually sets up on my homepage my blog about how movies connect to history. The picture includes (starting from the upper left row first) Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris (2011), Anya Taylor Joy in The Witch (2015), Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe in Hidden Figures (2016), Steve Carell in The Big Short (2015), Van Jones in 13th (2016), David Oyelowo in Selma (2014), Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln (2012), Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams in Spotlight (2015), Matthew McConnaughey in Free State of Jones (2016), Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther (2018), Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013), and Alison Pill with Tom Hiddleston in Midnight in Paris (2011). Photo illustration by Meilan Solly

MOVIES LINK TO THE PAST…

Welcome to my Blog! This is my Home Page! I hope this will be your new home for Movies to History information! My name is Siobhan Marie Day. Im glad you took the time to check out my posts and see how I detail the historical connections weaved into Cinema! Maybe you read the History Book about an event, maybe you just watched the movie that tells you about it. I’ve probably done both, a few times repeated in some cases. Some of the movies will be new. Some of the movies will be old. They will all however, be historical in some way, and therefore connecting Movies to History!

This Blog Site is an in depth opinionated study of how Movies connect to History, globally and locally through written introspection and video clips. It includes a Television section for some posts based on a Movies to History featured connection and personal viewing preferences. This site also includes Critiques, Recommendations, and Reviews for movies discussed. How and why each film connects to history will vary in degrees depending on subject matter. it may be a direct connection, or an indirect connection, it may be a long history or it may be a short history. It may be history here in the United States, or it might be history out there, somewhere on the globe.

MY HOME AND MY HISTORY:

A little bit about me first to bring value to all the posts I write. I have two bachelor’s degrees, focused in History and Movies. The first is a Bachelor of Science in History, I earned in 2012 from Methodist University located in Fayetteville, NC. The second is a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Television and Media Studies. I earned in 2018 from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. The First PG-13 Movie I Saw in Theaters, was Batman, directed by Tim Burton. It starred Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger. My first job, I worked at Blockbuster Video and then I also worked at Tommy K’s Video. Tommy K’s was a video store local to Connecticut, where I grew up. For a more in-depth read about me head to my About Page!

From the top right: Jack Nicholson as "The Joker" Micheal Keaton as Batman and Kim Basinger as Vicky Vale — *Batman* (1989)

“Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? I ask that of all my prey. I just like the sound of it.”
The Joker (Jack Nicholson) – Batman (1989)

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THE TOP TEN LIST…

David Letterman — **My Inspiration for a Top Ten List**!

To commemorate the Featured Television Blog for the month of April, John Adams, I have gathered My Top Ten Paul Giamatti Movies! If you’re looking for the best movies featuring Paul Giamatti, you’ve come to the right place, have a look at my favorite movies featuring Paul Giamatti in the cast!

Based on "John Adams" by David McCullough, Written by Kirk Ellis, Directed by Tom Hooper, Starring: Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane, David Morse, Tom Wilkinson, Danny Huston, Rufus Sewell, Justin Theroux, Guy Henry, with Theme music composer: Robert Lane, and Joseph Vitarelli, Country of origin: United States, Original language: English, No. of episodes: 7, Executive producers: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Producers: David Coatsworth, and Steve Shareshian, Running time: 501 minutes, Production companies: HBO Films, High Noon Productions, Playtone, Mid Atlantic Films, Original Network: HBO. (2008)

THE TOP TEN LIST

IN MEMORIAM…

An Every Guy Connection…

In the early morning hours of February 26, 2025, while most of America was asleep, the bodies of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three dogs were discovered. The couple had not responded to maintenance workers’ attempts to contact them, prompting security personnel to investigate. Through a window, security staff spotted the bodies and alerted authorities. Although no immediate signs of foul play were found, the circumstances were deemed suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out on February 28, and the official causes of death were announced at a press conference on March 7.

Authorities later determined that she died at home shortly after from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hackman, suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s, did not seek help, likely unable to comprehend her passing. He died around February 18, as indicated by an abnormal rhythm recorded by his pacemaker. His death was attributed to severe heart disease, complicated by Alzheimer’s and kidney disease.

Click on the link below and read my ‘In Memoriam’ tribute to the life and career of Gene Hackman as Movies to History reflects on his legacy in film, and a career that deserves a remembrance.

LOS ANGELES, CA - 1996: Actor Gene Hackman poses for a portrait circa 1996 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images

IN MEMORIAM

Coming Soon to Movies to History…

Val Kilmer – In Memoriam – On April 1, 2025 the world lost its wingman, when Kilmer died of pneumonia in Los Angeles at age of 65. In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer that would eventually claim his voice. His final film role was in Top Gun: Maverick where his whispered actual voice was digitally altered for clarity. Moviestohistory.com honors the eccentric Batman and his memorable film career and life.

Secretariat (2010) – Movies to History features the Disney film written by Mike Rich and Sheldon Turner based largely on William Nack‘s 1975 book Secretariat: The Making of a Champion. The film chronicles the life of Thoroughbred race horse Secretariat, winner of the Triple Crown in 1973. Diane Lane plays Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery.

Luck (2011) – Movies to History features the HBO series created by David Milch and starring Dustin Hoffman. Set in the world of horse racing, the pilot episode was directed by Michael Mann. The series premiered January 29, 2012. It was immediately renewed for a second season of 10 episodes, scheduled to air beginning in January 2013. However, the series was canceled on March 14, 2012, due to animal safety concerns. Three horses died during production of the series. The first season’s remaining episodes continued to air.

The Post (2017) – Movies to History features the political thriller film about The Washington Post and the publication of the Pentagon Papers. It was directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, and written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer. It stars Meryl Streep as Katharine Graham, the publisher of The Washington Post, and Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee, the longtime executive editor of The Washington Post, with Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Carrie Coon, Alison Brie, and Matthew Rhys in supporting roles.

Boardwalk Empire (2010-14) – Movies to History features the period crime drama television series created by Terence Winter for the premium cable channel HBO. The series is set chiefly in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. The series stars Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson. Winter, a Primetime Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer, created the show, inspired by Nelson Johnson‘s 2002 non-fiction book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, about the historical criminal kingpin Enoch L. Johnson.