"The Godfather" saga (Part 1 & 2) is not only a grand cinematic achievement to be studied by film students for generations to come, it is also a rare collection of great performances by "method gods" such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Nero, Robert Duvall, and John Cazale, whose screen presence will forever be admired by actors everywhere.
Part of the fun of watching "Easy Rider" is to see a young (aged 31 in 1968 when the film was made) Jack Nicholson giving his trademark performances, for which he received his very first Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category. Mr. Nicholson's 12 Oscar nominations and 3 wins comprise a formidable record.
At 14, Jodie Foster was nominated for an Oscar for her memorable role in "Taxi Driver". Ms. Foster went on to win Oscar twice for "The Accused" and "The Silence of the Lambs".
Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923 to Greek parents. The uniqueness of her angelic voice and her unmatched artistry of interpreting operatic music are the reasons why she was an opera superstar. Ms. Callas passed away in 1977. The soundtrack is "Suicidio!" from "La Gioconda" by Amilcare Ponchielli.
Claudia Cardinale is immortalized in Federico Fellini's classic film, "8 1/2". Her entrance in that movie is one of the most memorable moments in the history of cinema. At the height of her career, Ms. Cardinale, born in Tunisia to Italian parents, was an international superstar; her pictures frequently graced the covers of magazines everywhere.
Latin music legend Tito Puente was the composer of "Oye Como Va", which Carlos Santana, the son of a Mexican mariachi violinist, recorded with his band in 1970.
Update: some viewers have offered their versions of the translation in the "comment" section. I appreciate the input, and I'm sure they are all correct.
It's heartbreaking to read Billie Holiday's biography, yet we're blessed that her immense talent was preserved in the recordings during her short life.
Born in Southern California, Jessica Alba is famous for "Sin City" and "Fantastic Four" movie series.
(NOTE: the original soundtrack was rejected by Universal Music Group, thus the new soundtrack.)
Screen legend Grace Kelly was best known for her work with Alfred Hitchcock in "Dial M for Murder", "Rear Window", and "To Catch a Thief" -- each one a cinematic masterpiece. Her life was the epitome of Hollywood stardom, and it ascended to an even higher stratosphere when she married Prince of Monaco in 1956. In 1982 she died in a car accident, at the mere age of 52.