These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Back in December 2013 when NBC aired their live version of The Sound of Music, Carrie Underwood took to Twitter the next day to address all her detractors regarding her performance by simply responding: "Plain and simple: Mean people need Jesus. They will be in my prayers tonight..." It's the kind of response you'd expect from someone that just played a nun in training. But The Sound of Music has always had its haters. With a cast of singing adorable moppets, the spunkiest bunch of nuns this side of Sister Act, and songs about the gastronomic glory of schnitzel with noodles, there was always a danger that the sugary-sweet, goody two-shoes-ness of it all can end up making you feel queasy from all its cloying saccharine. The film's own star Christopher Plummer for years afterward would denounce the film calling it affectionately "The Sound of Mucus." But on the 50th Anniversary of the Best Picture winner, I'm here, like Miss Underwood, to tell all the mean people that don't like it to bugger off. Because, quite simply, the 1965 film version of The Sound of Music is glorious perfection.

From Julie Andrews twirling on a mountaintop to the lump that forms in my throat every time Plummer's Captain von Trapp can't finished "Edelweiss" and the entire concert hall joins him, there is not a single frame or moment that doesn't fill me with warmth and nostalgia. Perhaps because it has been engrained into me since I was a child. I watched it every year when it aired on television (I distinctly remember it at Easter time, but it has somehow shifted to Christmas) and there hasn't been a year that's gone by since I was about 6 or 7 years old that I haven't watched The Sound of Music at least once. To celebrate the film's golden anniversary and the return of Hit Me With Your Best Shot from Nathaniel at The Film Experience, I'm highlighting some of my favorite things about the film. So let's start at the very beginning...

• It's all based on a true story

Well, like everything there's certain liberties taken with the story. Maria had actually been brought to the von Trapp home to only be a governess to one of the children. She only later looked after all of them. There were actually 7 von Trapp children but there were actually 3 boys and one girl - all have different names in the movie. The real children are Rupert, Agathe, Maria, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna, and Martina. In her autobiography, Maria says that she never really loved the Captain and that she honestly wanted to be a nun. But she loved the children and married him for them. (Not quite as romantic as the film, but I guess there's no way to write a ballad about marrying a man for his children.) But the best reminder that the musical and film are about a real woman named Maria von Trapp is that she actually appears in the film with one of the three children she had with Georg, Rosmarie, and her step-grandchild, Barbara (whose father was Werner):

• It giddily embraces its corniness 

The party scene where all of the guests randomly sing "good-bye" to the children and then go about their business as if nothing happened? Amazing. Or how about when the film stops dead to put on an elaborate puppet show about a "Lonely Goatherd" and ends up being a highlight of the film despite doing nothing to advance the plot. And I would just like to sing the praises for a moment of "Sixteen Going on Seventeen". A song that takes place between the oldest looking teenagers to ever sing about the glories of getting older - since they've already been there. And then some. (Charmain Carr who played "16-year-old" Liesl was 22 at the time of filming.) But I've always loved this final shot after Rolf kisses Liesl and she lets out a childish "WEEEEEE!!" There's a second where the shadow makes it look like she's missing her two front teeth and I've always found it to be the funniest thing:

• Its superb attention to detail

The film is far superior to the stage version of The Sound of Music (a singing and dancing Max and Elsa just makes no sense). But the best part of the film is how they opened it up from the movie soundstages and actually filmed in Austria. Those opening shots of the mountains taken from a helicopter that zooms down to Maria (and apparently flattened Julie Andrews in take after take), the mini travelogue brochure of Salzburg as Maria and the children perform "Do-Re-Me" around the city, gives the film a broad cinematic scope, making it feel epic. But within that wide scope are tiny intricacies that sharpen the focus and details that shade the reality. Like this dress worn by an incoming postulant nun just starting her religious order as Maria returns to the Abbey:

When Maria first meets the Captain he tells her that she'll need to change her dress. But she replies that it's the only one she has. When they enter the abbey all their worldly possessions are given to the poor. ("What about that one?" "The poor didn't want this one...") Right after the shot from the scene above, Maria confesses her love for the Captain to the Mother Abbess who tells Maria to "Climb Every Mountain" (the mountain in question being that hunky naval captain...) and return to let him know how she feels. The very next scene, Maria returns to the von Trapp household dressed in this:

Look familiar? Let's hope that young lady doesn't change her mind and ask for her things back...

• For nuns that know how to dismantle a car engine...and a perfectly timed delivery

• But the reason it works at all and remains so watchable 50 years later: Julie Andrews

As Carrie Underwood's wooden performance proved, no one did it better than Julie. Even Lady Gaga at this year's Oscars, when she sang songs from the movie, did it in a British accent. For no other reason than the fact that Julie Andrews is so synonymous with those songs that you just can't help singing them without Julie's lilt. No offense to Julie Christie, who I enjoy in Darling, but Julie Andrews deserved that Best Actress Oscar that year. It's not her fault that she won the year before for Mary Poppins. And as good as that performance is, this one is even better. Her performance is so sincere that it's simply incapable of feeling false, teetering on twee but never succumbing to cheap sentimentality. Coupled with her firm resolve and nurturing kindness, Andrews takes a woman who is essentially "good" and makes her interesting, while making it all look effortless. There's an entire song dedicated to how deeply flawed Maria is (which is rudely sung at her wedding. Thanks a lot, Sisters), but Andrews makes her even more endearing because of those character quirks. Her contradictions and conflicted emotions give Maria a depth not often found in traditional musicals. And amid the eye rolls and stumbles, Andrews also finds simplistic honesty and surprising moments of subtly sensual longing. Like in the shot I chose as my best:

I was surprised that I couldn't stop thinking about this shot after re-watching the film yesterday for two reasons. The first is I simply don't ever remember seeing it before. When you think of The Sound of Music, immediately your mind goes to musical numbers in the hills. As many times as I've watched it, I couldn't recall this shot ever happening and it's rare for something you know so well to still surprise you with new things. (I immediately thought maybe it had been cut from versions shown on television, but what purpose would that serve?) The other reason I loved the scene is because of the wistful quality Andrews has by gently leaning her head against the wall. It's almost as if she's trying to melt into the background and remain unobserved as her gaze silently gives away the new feelings stirring within her. It's the look of love. And like the observant Baroness, I too recognize it because it reflects my own affection for this film. And if you have something mean to say about it, well, I'll just have Carrie Underwood pray for you... 

My 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2014

Here we are already looking ahead to the films of 2014 and I feel like I haven't even caught up with 2013 yet! (I know everyone complains every year about how all the good films come out at the end of the year, but, seriously...I went to the theatre two separate times on Saturday just to catch up!) And I'll get to my Best of the Year soon. Don't you worry.

You may have noticed that I haven't been as prolific on this site as I should be. But, I haven't been gone completely. Head on over to The Film Experience to read some articles I've done since that last lonely post at the beginning of September. (It's like the Fall films didn't even happen...) The start of the New Year is full of resolutions. So who am I to buck tradition? Let me just say that one of my resolutions is to post at least one thing a week on my blog. But, I need you all to keep me going. Your comments and page views keep me going! I'm like the Sanderson sister's sucking the life out of childern to survive (Um, that doesn't sound right.) Uh, is anyone actually out there anymore anyway...

Without further ado, my first post in 2014. Here are the 10 Films I am most looking forward to in 2014.

* * *

Honorable Mention: There are actually a lot of films that were supposed to come out in 2013 or were only at film festivals last year that I'm anticipating. But, the one's that got pushed back (Grace of Monaco and Foxcatcher) both seem to have problems surrounding them. Never a good sign. And the Festival Films (Under the Skin and The Immigrant) seem (in the words of the great Hilary Duff) so yesterday -  without even having been released. Oh, well. I do want to see them all still. I'll try not to pass judgement until I've actually seen them.

10. Gone Girl

Realease Date: October 3

Director: David Fincher

Stars: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry (and he he's not even in a dress!)

Plot: The "perfect" wife, Amy Dunne (Pike), mysteriously disappears on the day of her wedding anniversary to husband, Nick (Affleck). As clues and secrets start to unfold, Nick becomes the prime suspect. But, could the answer really be so obvious? Not in this story...

Why this film?: The film is based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn. It seemed everyone on the subway was reading this the summer of 2012. I, myself, was included in that legion of readers and...didn't really care for it. When the twist comes (there's always a twist), the book loses momentum and we're left with a lot more story to go. But, the reason I've included the film on my list is for two reasons. First When the casting process was happening, the usual roster of names came out: Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson. So, I'm really happy that they went with an actress that's not a household name but very talented and getting the opportunity to star in a film that could bring her more notoriety. But, more importantly, I've included it because of David Fincher. The Oscar nominated director doesn't always make films that I necessarily enjoy, but not one to shy away from dark material (that's certainly an understatement if you've ever seen Se7en or Fight Club...), he always creates something worth watching. (Please just take a moment to watch the amazing Open Title sequence in his Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.)

9. Magic in the Moonlight

Release Date: Summer 2014 (Everything on the interwebs keeps telling me the Japanese release date. July 26th, if you're interested. Hopefully we see it before Japan!)

Director: Woody Allen

Stars: Emma Stone, Colin Firth, Marcia Gay Harden, Hamish Linklater, Jacki Weaver

Plot: You never know with Woody. But we do know it was filmed in the South of France and from the released still that some part of it is set in the 1920's.

Why this film?: With Midnight in Paris and Blue Jasmine, it seems that Woody is on a role recently! (Eh, let's just pretend that the unfortunate To Rome With Rome in between the two never happened, deal?) So, I am already onboard for what the Wood-man has in store for us this year. Add a great cast that includes a couple Oscar winners, a recent two-time Supporting Actress nominee, and the internet's favorite girl crush (outside of Jennifer Lawrence, of course), throw in some snazzy Jazz Age ensembles (let's not forget how good that last trip to the 20's was - Don't speak!) and a swoon-worthy European locale, and you have yourself a recipe for another Woody Allen classic. 

8. Birdman

Release Date: TBD, but probably in the fall

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Stars: Michael Keaton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone (again! She may be the most ubiquitous star of 2014, also appearing in this year's The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Cameron Crowe's next film), Edward Norton, Amy Ryan, Zach Galifianakis

Plot: An once-famous actor known for portraying a superhero (Keaton - don't forget he was Batman!) tries to bring a play to Broadway, but must confront his ego and the star he used to be. He is also forced to deal with his family relationships as well.

Why this film?: When you think comedy, doesn't the director of such side-slitters as 21 Grams and Babel rank up there with other comedic greats? No? Well, that's the main reason why I'm so intrigued by this whole crazy thing. I absolutely loved his first film, Amores Perros, but each film that followed seemed more and more dour and I found myself liking each subsequent film less and less than the previous one. Until we got to his last film, Biutiful, a film so intent on showing you how horrible everything in life is, that I started wondering why I liked him as a director in the first place. A comedy seems like the kind of artistic reset needed. And anything that employs a cast like that (Michael Keaton, where have you been all this millennium?) is differently bound to be intriguing no matter if it succeeds or not.

7. The Boxtrolls

Release Date: September 26

Director: Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi

Stars: Stop-motion boxtrolls! And also the voices of Ben Kingsley, Elle Fanning, Toni Colette, and Simon Pegg

Plot: A boy that was raised by underground, box dwellers tries to save them from an exterminator intent on killing them all. (Okay, so maybe the plot doesn't sound all that special.)

Why this film?: Just watch that trailer which embraces and celebrates the process of stop-motion animation and tell me you're not enchanted by it. (You are made of stone if you think otherwise, sir.) This is the third film from Laika who previously made two other films that I really enjoyed, Coraline and ParaNorman (both stop-motion, of course). At a time when it seems every animated movie has to be computer animated (oh, how I miss you hand-drawn animation), I'm so glad that films are still being made that aren't afraid to be unique. There is something really admirable about the fact that everything in the film is created and touched by human hands - made of tangible things and not made up of zeros and ones. 

6. Noah

Release Date: March 28

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Stars: Russell Crowe (let's just hope he doesn't sing in this one), Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone

Plot: A romantic comedy about...just kidding. What do you think it's about? A biopic about Noah Wylie?

Why this film?: Growing up Catholic, I'm not all that keen on having all the Bible stories presented on film. I've heard enough of them to last me a lifetime of Sundays. But, what really interests me is that Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, Black Swan) is directing this and, judging from the trailer, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of God-talk. (There are, however, silly looking CGI animals and I'm not talking about Russell Crowe.) Rumors that the director is fighting with the studio after test-screenings with religious-types didn't go so well also sounds promising. I'm not saying it should be blasphemous, but taken as a story (not a religious parable), and treated as such, it has the potential to be good. And with Ridley Scott's Moses film Exodus coming out this year as well, it seems 2014 is the year of the Bible stories. But, I'm giving the edge to this film if only because you can't make a movie about Moses without Anne Baxter.

5. Interstellar

Release Date: November 7

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Caine

Plot: It's Nolan, so you know it's gonna be complex. After a wormhole is discovered, a group of scientists and explorers use it to go beyond the constraints of human conditions, including time travel and alternate universes. 

Why this film?: There are people that worship at the alter of Christopher Nolan (although, I feel that last Batman needed to take the advice of Heath Ledger's Joker and stop taking itself so seriously). I just admire him for making blockbuster films that aren't dumbed down. He's making films that make people think, while still making them entertaining (and making huge amounts of money). He also seems to cast actors that I like as well (Annie! Chasty! 2013 wasn't the same without you two). And being one of the only directors that shoots with the IMAX camera makes this film even more of a have-to-see-it-on-the-big-screen spectacle. 

4. Maleficent

Release Date: May 30

Director: Robert Stromberg

Stars: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Miranda Richardson, Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville

Plot: Based on Disney's animated film Sleeping Beauty, the film focuses on the villain of that story, the evil Maleficent who curses Princess Aurora. The film gives a back-story to the horned-one and tells the story from her prospective

Why this film?: Sleeping Beauty is my favorite classic Disney film and Maleficent is a big reason why. I was really disappointed in the last two big Disney live-action films (Alice in Wonderland and Oz the Great and Powerful), so I also list this film with a lot of trepidation mixed with the anticipation. Angie looks great in the teaser trailer and the stills released so far. And she's said that Maleficent was always her favorite Disney character growing up (no surprise there). But then seeing that stupid CGI fairy (that better not be what the fairies actually look like. They need pointy hats and wands!) and the kinda generic look of the whole thing (especially when the animated film is so stylized and intricate) makes me have doubts. But, if it works, it looks like it could be a real treat and my hope is that Angie nails the role so much so that people are talking Oscar nomination (no pressure, Angie).

3. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Release Date: March 7

Director: Wes Anderson

Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Adrian Brody, Jude Law, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton

Plot: In 1920's Europe, the concierge of the famed Grand Budapest Hotel, Gustave H (Fiennes), inherits a painting from a wealthy, elderly guest (Swinton, in a part originally intended for Angela Lansbury) that dies. He and his lobby boy (Revolri) must hide the painting from the woman's son (Brody) and the authorities. I think it's safe to say that hilarity ensues. 

Why this film?: Because the world needs more of Wes Anderson's twee creations. That sounds sarcastic, but I'm serious! I just want to live in his movies - they're so perfect in their hipster aesthetic and sensibility. I've seen the trailer for this film so many times over the last month preceding films in the movie theatre and I have to admit that I'm still not sick of it. Not only that, it still makes me laugh. I've thoroughly enjoyed most of Anderson's past films, but his last one (Moonrise Kingdom) was easily one of my favorite films of 2012. So, I'm particularly intrigued to see his latest. If for no other reason than Ralph Fiennes looks hilarious in it, which is not generally a side of him we see.

2. Inherent Vice

Release Date: TBD, most likely the Fall

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Jena Malone, Benicio del Toro

Plot: Based on the book by Thomas Pynchon, the story takes place in 1970's Los Angeles and concerns a weed-smoking detective by the name of "Doc" Sportello (Phoenix) that investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.

Why this film?: Like González Iñárritu and Birdman, it seems director Paul Thomas Anderson is following up his two past films (the complex and dramatic There Will Be Blood and The Master), with something a little more light-hearted! I love that these great auteurs are diversifying their style. The film also reunites the (Oscar nominated) star of The Master with its director. And after this past year's Her, it's looking like Joaquin Phoenix is also looking to let loose a little. This is the first time that Anderson is adapting the screenplay from a novel and not using an idea of his own. And what an author to choose. Pynchon is greatly admired and notoriously reclusive (he refuses to do interviews, although he has appeared on "The Simpsons" as himself...with a paper bag over his head) and this is the first of his novels to ever be turned into a film. 

1. Into the Woods

Release Date: December 25

Director: Rob Marshall

Stars: Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Johnny Depp, Christine Baranski, Tracey Ullmann

Plot: Adapted from Stephen Sondheim's musical, the story concerns a Baker and his Wife (Corden and Blunt) who are cursed by a witch (Streep) to remain childless. The two enter the woods to break the spell and encounter characters from classic fairy tales (Jack as in "Jack and the Beanstalk" fame, Cinderella played by Kendrick, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood) on their journey.

Why this film?: Most of the films on this list are chosen for the most part because of the director, but this film is my number one for everything else except Marshall. Look, I loved Chicago as much as everyone else, but he really hasn't been able to capture that magic again (ugh, let's not even talk about Nine, aka Chicago 2: The Fantasies Take Italy). But, I love this musical so much that I'm really rooting for it to succeed. This time, with the fairy tale subject matter, Marshall is free to let the fantasy take center stage and not just be confined to dream sequences. I really want him to go all out and make this a spectacle, but also remember that family and legacy are at the heart of the story. I'm curious about the casting across the board. There's Broadway stars mixed in with movie stars, but hopefully all of them are actually able to sing the part (ahem, Russell Crowe. Damn, that's twice in one post. Got you, Crowe!) because Sondheim ain't easy. But the biggest question mark has to be Emily Blunt in the part that Joanna Gleason won the Tony for. I've never heard Blunt sing, so don't know what she's capable of. I've also heard the almost 3 hour stage show has been cut to 2 hours, but they somehow still found room for a new song...I guess we'll all find out on Christmas Day. Hopefully it'll be a gift we treasure and not a lump of coal...

Raspberries!!!

I haven't been very good at recapping the amazing people who've come out to Fire Island this summer (having only written up Bruce Vilanch's visit). But addition to Margaret Cho, John Waters, Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman as chanteuse), and last weekend's brilliant Chita Rivera (Chita gave an incredible performance both nights and I feel really honored to have spent the weekend with her), the event of the summer just might be this coming weekend's guest. A true living legend (at 92 years old, no less!) and an one-of-a-kind personality will be making her way to the island. If you couldn't guess from the headline: it's Miss Carol Channing, herself.

With her saucer eyes lined with the world's longest false lashes (no wonder drag queens love to impersonate her), her often intimated voice (that voice! a mixture of baby doll and just the right amount of crazy), and her kooky, off-the-wall persona, there really is no one quite like Carol Channing. I'm not really sure what she is or where she came from (she really does seem like one of those people who was destined for stardom – fully formed as her own unique, distinct person. Imagine if she was just some lady in your hometown. You'd likely steer clear of her – the town kook. Luckily fame lends a note of respectability. It's not crazy but eccentric). She truly is Larger Than Life. (Which just so happens to be the title of a 2011 documentary about her. If you've ever wondered why she became such an icon, watch the film and wonder no more.)

In honor of Miss Channing's arrival this weekend, I wanted to take a look at one of her few ventures on the big screen. Her Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe award-winning turn as Muzzy Van Hossmere in the 1967 musical comedy, Throughly Modern Millie. For whatever reason, Channing only made a handful of films (perhaps her style of acting was just too theatrical. I mean, it's certainly not subtle). Even though she originated the role of Dolly Levy in Hello, Dolly on Broadway, when it came time to film the movie, the role was given to a much too young, miscast, Barbra Streisand. Channing actually won the Tony over Streisand the year she was nominated for Funny Girl. If only she had gotten to recreate her Dolly character for the big screen. Perhaps an Oscar would have joined that Tony on the mantle. If anything, she certainly deserved to win for her joyous turn in Millie over (what I feel is one of the worst wins of all-time) Estelle Parsons in Bonnie and Clyde. 

Throughly Modern Millie (the basis for the 2000 Tony award-winning, Sutton Foster-career-starting, Broadway musical) is actually a bit of a mess as a movie. At a little over 2 and half hours long, it's much too long than it has any right to be for a frothy, satire of 1920s culture. And the subplot about white slavery seems racists and dated, I'm sure even at the time of its release. But if the film succeeds at all, it's due to the jolt of excitement Carol Channing brings whenever she's onscreen. Which, at almost an hour into the movie before she even makes her entrance, is just what the movie needed. 

And what an entrance. Speeding by Millie (Julie Andrews), Miss Dorothy (Mary Tyler Moore), and Jimmy (James Fox) in a black and white checkerboard painted biplane, draped in white furs and diamonds, carelessly spilling champagne in the wind, she utters a word that has become synonymous with the actress ever since:

"RRRrrrAAaaaAAAssSpBeeerrrRRRRriiiieess!!!"

What the hell does that mean, exactly? Shit if I know, but I love every mind-boggling minute of it.

5 Actresses That Should be Broadway Bound

It was announced last week that three-time Academy Award Nominee, Amy Adams, will be making her New York stage debut as the Baker's Wife (a role that won Joanna Gleason a Tony back in 1988) in The Public Theater's production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. The show is part of the theater company's 50th Anniversary of the annual Shakespeare in the Park–a New York tradition of free shows performed in Central Park. (The other show this year is As You Like It with Lily Rabe and Oliver Platt. You know, some actual Shakespeare to go along with the name of the whole thing...)

Amy Adams started her career doing Summer Stock and has sung on-screen before in Enchanted, Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, and The Muppets, but hasn't appeared on stage since becoming a star. So, it comes as no surprise that she's finally gonna be treading the boards. I've heard from people that work in casting that Amy Adams is usually at the top of the wish list for any musical being produced on Broadway. It makes sense since she actually has training and experience doing musicals on stage and she just happens to be a famous actress that can get butts in seats. She would have been a more natural choice for Cinderella in Into the Woods, so it'll be interesting to see if she can pull-off the more harder edged character of the Baker's Wife. My only real concern now is how it's gonna be impossible to get tickets to see her. I can't camp-out in the park with all the bugs and...nature; that sound's miserable. And they have a virtual line that I did literally everyday last year until I finally won (and this was for two obscure Shakespeare plays with no well-known stars. I can only imagine how insane it will be to see Amy. I hope The Public's mainframe can handle it...). It will also be interesting to see if she reprises her role in Rob Marshall's intended film version of the musical.

Casting Hollywood actresses in Broadway musicals is nothing new. In fact, tonight's episode of 'Smash' was all about a fictional Hollywood starlet (played by Oscar nominee, Uma Thurman!) being cast in the show's production of the Marilyn Monroe musical, so the show could get funding through the big-name star attached to it. This got me thinking about what other Hollywood actresses should try their hand in a musical on the New York stage. Here are my Top 5 Choices:

5. Evan Rachel Wood

She may have lost the role of Eponine in the Les Miz movie to theater actress, Samantha Banks (thank God it wasn't Taylor Swift), but the girl has some definite singing chops. She appeared in Julie Taymor's Beatles musical, Across the Universe, and was originally supposed to work with the director again as Mary Jane in the Spiderman musical. The show was plagued from the start and Evan dropped out after the first time it lost financing (funny, Taymor isn't involved in the show anymore either...). I would love to see her in a vamp kinda role like Lola in Damn Yankees, something with some bite to it. I don't know if I'd buy her as an ingenue. And after her performance of Justin Beiber's 'Baby' on Jimmy Fallon, she showcased not only her talented vocals, but that she was game for anything.

4. Michelle Pfeiffer

One of the three-time Oscar nominee's earliest role was in the movie musical, Grease 2. She's since gone on to sing in a number of films from her memorable turn atop a piano in The Fabulous Baker Boys to her voice-over work in the animated The Prince of Egypt and as the villain in the film version of the Broadway musical (which was based on the movie...Got that?), Hairspray. She even auditioned for the part of Evita during one of the many times it was in development, before it was finally made with Madonna. Michelle has only appeared professionally once on stage, during the 1989 Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night. The notoriously shy actress may need some coaxing to appear again on stage, but there's no doubt she would be sensational. Hey, just saying, the Shakespeare in the Park's production of Into the Woods still needs its Witch...

3. Kate Winslet

The Oscar winner is only a Tony away from her EGOT. Maybe a Broadway musical is the way to go? (She's apparently in talks to appear in David Hare's play Skylight, so she's ready to get that Tony regardless.) Although she's yet to appear in a stage musical, the actress has sung many times before on screen including her film debut in Heavenly Creatures, in her first Oscar nominated performance in Sense and Sensibility, and in John Turturro's musical-esque film, Romance and Cigarettes. She even recorded a single that was released in Europe for an animated version of A Christmas Carol (the proceeds went to charity). And during her opening monologue when she hosted Saturday Night Live, she showed-off her live signing and tap dancing(!) skills. Clearly she has the skill for the job, she'll just have to decide what kinda show to do: musical comedy or dramatic rock opera?

2. Gwyneth Paltrow

She's already won an Emmy for playing a singing substitute teacher on Glee and reprised the performance during the live Grammys telecast. In fact, Gwynie was GOOPing her way through tons of live performances to promote her turn as a country singer in Country Strong, so obviously she's comfortable with singing on stage. (And who can forgot her lite-rock staple of 'Cruisin' with Huey Lewis? The late-night music of choice of grocery stores across the country.) I, for one, would love to see Gwyneth in a Broadway musical. Maybe something like High Society that can take advantage of her class and regal elegance. There were talks that she was gonna record an album, but doing a musical would be a better use of her talents as an actress and singer.

1. Anne Hathaway

My friend was telling me that he heard she had been in talks to play Cinderella in the Park's Into the Woods (Can you imagine if Annie and Amy were both in the same production? There's now rumors that Meryl Streep will play the Witch. My head can't process...). Although, Annie probably couldn't fit it in with all the promotional work she's gonna have to do for The Dark Knight Rises (the part went to theatre actress, Jessie Mueller). But, it just goes to show how everyone is waiting for Annie to appear on stage in a musical. She's currently in musical mode filming the film version of Les Miz as Fantine (she already has a history with the show having performed a song from it during the Oscar telecast). In 2002 (with only The Princess Diaries as her claim to fame) she appeared in City Center's Encores presentation of Carnival. She even did a workshop of Promises, Promises but never made it to the Broadway production. And as far back as 2009, it was announced that Annie was set to star in a Broadway production and biopic about Judy Garland. So far, neither has seen any development. As evident from her tribute to Meryl at the Kennedy Center Honors, she's just a Broadway Baby and it's not a question of if she'll be on Broadway any time soon, but when!

The Tragically Funny Lady

Easter isn't exactly a holiday that people seem to have a particular affinity for. It's not like Christmas or Halloween, where the mere mention of the word brings back happy thoughts of years past. After all, Santa brings endless presents and Halloween promises enough free candy to gorge on until you're sick of it (never). What does Easter have? A giant bunny that brings hard-boiled eggs in a basket...yeah. Nor does Easter seem to inspire filmmakers all that much either. In fact, the two films (The Ten Commandments and The Sound of Music) I most associate with the holiday don't even have anything to do with it. Thanks to the yearly airing of them on network television around this holiday, I will forever associate Easter egg hunts with Anne Baxter and yodeling marionettes. (Recently, the networks have been trying to make The Sound of Music a Christmas thing. Stop trying to make that happen! Poor Easter. Doesn't Christmas already have enough?!) Even this week's choice for The Film Experience's Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Easter Parade, doesn't really have much to do with Easter.

What it does have is every gay man's favorite singer/actress, the legendary, Judy Garland (Sorry, Liza. Mama came first, so you'll have to settle for being every gay's second fav), and iconic movie-musical dancer/actor, Fred Astaire, in the only time the two teamed up on screen together. It also has some pretty great musical numbers from Irving Berlin, including the titular song (which I always associate with the televised Disney Easter Parade. I didn't even know New York had an Easter Parade and I live here) and perhaps, the most famous number, 'A Couple of Swells', in which Judy and Astaire, while dressed as bums, imagine a grand, MTV Cribs-like, lifestyle.

This was my first time watching the film and I couldn't stop grinning like a fool the whole time. There's not much in the way of plot; it's really just a framework for some musical numbers. Almost the entire first ten minutes of the film is a musical number. You get to hear Judy sing, Fred dance–what's not to love? Everything is so colorful and entertaining, you'd have to be a grinch (is there an Easter equivalent?) not to enjoy it. The film was actually a big success at the time of its release in 1948. In fact, it was MGM's biggest hit that year. They sure don't make 'em like this anymore. (God, that makes me sound like a such a early-bird-special-eating geezer. I'm only 30, y'all. The way they were making them when I was younger is Clueless.)

With so many great production numbers, how to pick a favorite shot? Well, I didn't. Not from one of the musical numbers anyway. Leading up to this scene, Hewes (Astaire) has been grooming Hannah Brown (Judy) to take over as his new dancing partner in his act. She is replacing the glamourous, exotic Nadine, played by Ann Miller. (A woman so talented that her tap shoes make sounds even when her feet aren't moving...)He has changed Hannah's name to Juanita and even started dressing her like his previous partner. You see, Hewes said that he could take any girl and make her a star. After picking Hannah out of some chorus girls at a local club, he's beginning to think differently. And Hannah isn't exactly enjoying the whole Vertigo game he's trying to pull. As a test, he tells Hannah that she needs to turn heads and has her walk in front of him to see if she can do it. After her first attempts:

He notices that she is, in fact, causing quite a stir with the fellas–who seem to be straining their necks looking back at her. We soon learn why:

Comedic genius. It's like a cross between a pufferfish and Angelina Jolie. It was such an unexpected choice that I couldn't stop laughing. And that's what struck me the most about Judy in this film and why I ultimately chose that shot–what an effortlessly adept comedienne she was. 

When I think of Judy Garland, the first thing that always comes to mind is the image of a tragic star. She had such soul in her voice and conveyed such rich emotions that it made you want to comfort her. She was such a talent and so damaged that it was heart-breaking to watch the way she destructed. Her life-long addiction to pills ended her life (and amazing career) too soon. She had even attempted suicide just months before filming Easter Parade. Which is why this scene (and her dance rehearsal scenes and her perfect line-delivery) makes the comedy that much funnier. Even with the troubles in her life, she was still capable of bringing joy and entertaining us with her immense talent.