Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

I realize I have no business talking about this film on this blog, but I totally love it! Joss Whedon's contribution during the writer's strike was this 43 minutes film about a supervillain's quest to get into the Evil League of Evil. Neil Patrick Harris plays Dr. Horrible, a villain with a soft spot for a pretty woman at the laundromat. I do not want to give anything anyway, so suffice it to say it is a musical and NPH's involvement is enough of a reason to see it.

Funny Face

This Audrey Hepburn/Fred Astaire musical is not as well known as some of their other (separate) projects but is still worth seeing. Hepburn plays a young retail worker in a bookstore. Astaire is a photographer that sees something special in her. She soon becomes the new face of fashion despite the fact that her look is "funny." Half of the film takes place in beautiful Paris. There is one particularly famous scene where Hepburn dances in a seedy bar to prove a point.

Desk Set

Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy made quite a few films together, and this one is by no means the most famous. I, however, enjoyed it more than some of the pair's better known projects. Tracy is a kind of no-nonsense actor, and I think he really balances out Hepburn's energetic wit well. The two work off of each other beautifully, and the nature of their humor is really refreshing. Gig Young is also a great source of comic relief in this picture. The premise centers on an office where machines are replacing obsolete desk workers. Hepburn fights to save her and her friends' jobs while Tracy attempts to bring their business into the future. Naturally, confusion and hilarity ensues. It is a light, pleasant comedy that I would love to see again.

Star Wars (Original Trilogy)

While my personal favorite is Star Wars: Episode IV-A New Hope, the entire (original) Star Wars series is completely amazing and totally classic. I am a huge fan of trilogies: Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones (before they ruined it by making a fourth), X-Men...Anything that can be construed as epic and contains a certain level of mysticism has my approval. From the score to the characters to the action and the story, the Star Wars series is one of the best ever made. I remember watching the films as a kid and falling in love with all three. There is something so exciting, yet unsettling about this story. Everyone should at least give New Hope a chance for sure.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

When my 9th grade government teacher announced we would be watching Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in class, there was such joy in his eyes that I was instantly intrigued. This Frank Capra classic presents Jimmy Stewart in his signature role. A unique twist of the David and Goliath archetype, Capra's tale of Jefferson Smith (Stewart) and the power of one voice is timeless. It is one that every American absolutely must see.