That magical day of the year: The unofficial start of summer. Obviously, this year is quite different but that doesn't stop our collective movie-loving minds from looking at the calendar and something clicking, changing and hoping. So what do we do?
Going back in time, yep, looking at you Back to the Futures (some May releasesthere), not to help our parents meet but to tee up some memories of Mays when it all seemed right, even though we didn't know it at the time. It just was what we did. Perspective is the ultimate punch to the gut. We had it good and didn't even know it.

Hopefully by now you're getting familiar with Monthly Gems and a look at some flicks that in 2020 you wonder how they ended up where they did - looking at you Silence of the Lambs in February, then winning Best Picture- knowing it was a different time. Today is the time when movie lovers will look back and ask, "There really weren't any new movies in theaters?" and we will nod, get a bit sad, then tell them about the time when the theaters went dark.

In the meantime, go take a look back for Mays of yesterday, create your very own Cannes Film Festival and walk that red carpet with style. Go make this weekend a cinematic one to remember.

WHAT DO WE EAT?
Line it up with your favorite May flick. Honor the cantina from Star Wars with something weird. Relive the McDonald's days of Dick Tracy plastered on everything there. Finally, the preferred method is always to match it up with your local spots, however you feel inspired to do so.

As part of kicking off summer - unofficially of course - I wanted to go back to something I loved from my youth, previewing thr summer movie slate. Heading into Memorial Day, the cupboard is bare, so maybe sports can occupy me for a bit. No luck there either. Next stop: Sports movies. No I in Team looks ar some well-intentioned, good execution and some really well-done sports movies in an attempt this time around to fill the void of no summer blockbusters. I know that this group is not a traditional look at the sports movies' starting five, but that's just it: Summer is the time of mixing things up, no schedules, no blueprint. So what better time to dive into a remix of favorites spanning baseball, basketball, football and hockey?


With a couple of choices like Miracle and Above the Rim making their way into the starting five as unconventional picks, there's probably a lot of room in those comments for some feedback. Activate the puns, short shorts and whistles and let's roll the ball out, pick some teams and see what the outcome is. Summer is around the corner, so everything is in play.

WHAT'S TO EAT?
Sooooooo easy. Fire up the grill. Hit play on one of these picks.

New On the Scene is here! Part one in this series takes a look at some new voices you know, maybe some you don't . . . yet. Think of the band you just know you are the only one that you have heard of- it's a fact — and you want to tell everyone about. I will also take a look back at some debuts and former members of team New On the Scene, even if one is Francis Ford Coppola' daughter. Sit back, remember those flicks that gave you a moment to pause and ask, 'Who made that? Can't wait to see what's next.' Sometimes we are disappointed. Sometimes, it is beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Morgan Cooper
Our first look is at Morgan Cooper — a guy that we've been promoting quite a bit, doing a fascinating take on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with a modern-day twist. He has gained momentum with that work, connecting with Will Smith coming off the short, a new series with Gabrielle Union and just recently won two awards at the Tribeca Film Festival. Quality content is easy to recognize and I cannot wait to see what comes next from him.

Sofia Coppola
The Virgin Suicides is a melancholic, trip of a movie that announced Sofia Copolla's talent - on her own terms. Sustaining momentum and continuing to ascend is no easy feat and with her next effort, she again brings the goods with Lost In Translation. The toughest part of a debut is there has to be a follow-up, the dreaded sophomore slump can rear it's ugly head. Some rise to the challenge and others succumb to always chasing that first swing out of the gate — a fate not destined for Sofia Copolla.

Zach Braff
Another aspect of New On the Scene is look at debuts and beginnings that I might not have ever expected. A prime example of this, is Zach Braff's 2004 Garden State. At the time, Zach Braff was in the middle of Scrubs — fun, genius TV by the way — but to jump out of the TV sitcom box and deliver a neurotic, empathetic, and assured look at coming back to life in New Jersey and revisiting the people you once new, all to figure out who you are is further away than those you left behind.

What's For Dinner?
This week it's time to try something new. Google a recipe with a main ingredient you don't normally go for - love meat, go vegan; pasta person, go with veggies and a lean protein. You never know when something new can become a favorite.

Monthly Gems is back, at with a look back at the Mays of yesterday — 5 to 40 years back. The release strategy has definitely changed with Empire Strikes Back and The Shining opening within a couple of days of each other back in 1980. In 2000, the Best Picture Winner for that year saw Gladiator opens in May! Can you imagine? There are some action movies, horror and a little in-between for your family flick night.

2015
Mad Max: Fury Road
Pitch Perfect 2
Avengers: Age of Ultron

2010
Iron Man 2

2000
Gladiator

1990
Pretty Woman
Back to the Future III

1980
Friday the 13th
Fame
Empire Strikes Back
The Shining

What to Eat?
We always have the intention of keeping things as local as possible. As COVID-19 has emerged, this approach, is as important as ever. Today's pick is to go curbside surfing with about 4-5 items from different places. There are no rules anymore! Mix in popcorn from your local independent theater or smaller chains to help keep the lights on until we can go enjoy the lights going down again.