This week's Flick Pick is a Sexy Men of Justice Double Feature! Dedicated to two shows (so that they'll last you all summer long) that prove that fighting injustice is always the right thing to do and is so damn sexy!

ZORRO (1957-59)

  

Produced by Disney in 1957, the show and its star, were vastly popular when it first aired. When I was about 11, it aired on Disney at midnight as part of Vault Disney. Today, you can find it on Youtube! When Diego de la Vega returns from college in Spain to find California a much rougher place than he left it, he assumes a peaceful bookish demeanor by day and by night puts on a black cloak and mask and becomes--El Zorro! The Fox! With the help of his servant Bernardo and the bumbling Sergeant Garcia, Diego must use his expert swordsmanship to fight injustice and keep his identity secret while resisting the advances of lovely and venemous senoritas. My personal favorite Zorro, with action, supsense and humor and a cast of wonderfully talented character actors. Having Guy Williams to look out doesn't hurt either!

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVqFbWvDVjw&NR=1

ROBIN HOOD (BBC 2006-)



At first, this more modern take on the classic legend had me skeptical, but I was soon won over by its good old fashioned fun and then by its engaging characters. While Jonad Armstrong (Robin) is pretty sexy--the true steam in this series comes from bad boy Richard Armitage (Guy of Gisbourne). When Robin and his manservant Much return home from the Crusades in the Holy Land they find England in the hands of corrupt and cruel leaders. Unable to stand by and suffer injustice, Robin makes himself an outlaw and is soon branded Robin Hood. Before long he has gained a band of Merry Men and they are kicking butt and taking names. The first two seasons were engaging and good (esp. season2!), but I'm skeptical about season three that airs this summer on BBCA. You watch and see what you think!

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su00WMqZGM4 , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mntMqwWJR7Q

Ok, so I know I'm way behind on these posts, and I apologize. BUT as a consolation, this week is a Chris Pine Triple Feature! This sexy stud is playing everyone's favorite trekker James T. Kirk in the new film in theatres this May, but if you can't wait until then for more of those sexy blue eyes, consider the following:

BLIND DATING (2006)



Pine stars as Danny, a guys who's got everything going for him except for the fact that he's visually impaired (blind). This is a serious stumbling block for his love life, and his brother decides to set him up with a series of women. While these dates fail, Danny is undergoing counseling sessions for an experiemental surgery that could allow him to see. At the clinic he meets Leeza, played by Anjali Jay of BBC's Robin Hood fame, and finally discovers that love truly is blind. It's a heartwarming and romantic film with enough comedy to make it a great date movie, and it includes perhaps the sweetest love speech I have ever seen in all my years of hopeless romanticism.

Trailer and clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xu-wHKdjKo , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVGl6vQglJQ&feature=related , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f_XJ1BxxmI&feature=PlayList&p=27B994C052B21DF1&index=0&playnext=1


THE PRINCESS DIARIES II: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT (2004)



In this one, Pine plays the slightly bad and simmering Lord Nicholas Devereaux who, along with his scheming uncle, is trying to steal the throne from Princess Mia. If she doesn't get married within 30 days, then the crown is forfeit to the sexy usurper, but soon Nicholas begins to realize he'd rather steal Mia's heart than her crown.
 
Trailer and clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4rPkZExrsU , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRpEc46ScUA

Just My Luck (2006)



This one is third on my list because, beyond Pine's screen time, there's not much to it. It all depends how you feel about Lohan of course, and she's never been my favorite. The plot itself seems like it will be cute, but the execution is weak and overly fluffy. Pine plays Jake, geeky and perpetually unlucky until he meets Ashley at a masked ball and in a moment of chemistry kisses her. Ashley, who up until that moment had enjoyed all the luck in the world, is now suffering all of the ill luck previously heaped upon Jake. With her luck switched to a stranger, Ashley must find the mystery guy and get it back. On the way, she realizes that the luckiest thing to have is true love.

Trailer and clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnR2KrXcovM 

Ok, so I know that break is practically over, and I apologize for being so behind on these flick picks--it may only get worse from ehre on in, as March and April will be super busy. But if you're like me and you didn't get to travel for Spring Break then you can watch these movies and vicariously take a trip to romantic, sunny

Italy!

First, you can stop in Tuscany for some sexy Italian men in

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN (2003)

After a nasty divorce, Frances embarks on a romantic tour of Tuscany, and impulsively buys an ancient villa. She sets to work restoring the house and rebuilding her life, finding love, laughter and family--under the tuscan sun. A beautiful movie. Trust me, see it!

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWEkGQPDkV0

and

LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (1962)

If you liked the Broadway play, you'll love the original movie! While on vacation with her mentally childish daughter in Florence, and American woman must decide whether or not to let her fall in love with a handsome young Italian who adores her. There's more to it than that, but it will surely touch your heart.

Clips: http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?o_cid=mediaroomlink&cid=64834

Then, it's off to Rome for a

ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)

When a princess plays hooky in Italy's greatest city there are bound to be laughs, shenanigans and love--expeically when she meets newspaper man Cary Grant. A heartwarming film that is cited as one of Audrey Hepburn's best movies!

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIFo0txAvuE&feature=related

and you can toss

THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (1954)

When three secretaries toss coins in the famous Fountain of Trevi, will they get their wish, and a little something besides? Although it is a bit anti-feminist that all of these strong working women wish for marriage, if you get past that it's a fluffy little film.

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k1PIMjYd5g&feature=related

And finally you can stop in Verona for the greatest love story ever told (this is also bc I missed my V-day post):

ROMEO AND JULIET (1968)

If you've never seen it, then you need to. A surprisingly modern and very romantic take on Shakespeare's classic tale. The only cone I can see is that she gets really annoying sometimes when she laughs or cries, but they both give great performances--especially considering they are the right age for the script! And he's a wonderful Romeo--but no matter what your eyes tell you, I swear he is NOT Zac Efron.

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plKubMMhUkc

KEEP A SHARP EYE!

These musicals could be coming to Broadway in the near future!

Sleepless In Seattle The Musical! Yes, you read right. The beloved 1993 romantic comedy is in works for its big Broadway musical debut! There are already 18 songs on the books and there's to be a reading in May and a Broadway opening sometime suring the 2010 season!

Gilligan's Island The Musical! Opening in Florida tomorrow, and then touring the country, it's only a matter of time before this shipwrecked musical mkaes it to a theatre near you! Based on the acclaimed TV series, our crew of maroon-ees will have to battle aliens and save the world before the end of this three hour tour!  www.gilligansislandthemusical.com

My Man Godfrey The Musical! It seems that no film or TV show is safe during the 2010 Broadway season, as this classic William Powell--Carole Lombard film gets a musical makeover. There's a reading of the show in Manhattan tomorrow, and hopefully it will make its way to the Broadway stage very soon. In the meantime, check out the film, which tells the story of the forgotten man, Godfrey, who is picked up by a wealthy family as a butler and who starts falling for the boss's daughter. There's much more to it than that, and I'm hopeful that it will make a cute musical. Among those featured in the reading is one of my favorites, the incomparable Jill Paice.

Memphis A musical about the birth of rock and roll, opened regionally in 2002. This Fall it will finally arrive on Broadway, with all of its rockin' goodness!  

Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure A bit different from the tradition stoyr, this play's Alice lives in Manhattan with her daughter. A descendant of the original curious little girl, Alice must travel through her own looking class to save her daughter and live happily ever after. It's opening in Tampa in November, and hopefully it will make its way to Broadway from there.  http://www.wonderlandthemusical.org/index.html

IN OTHER NEWS

Shrek The Musical Cast Album to be released on March 24th (and guess who's getting a copy?)

The Story of My Life which I'm so bummed closed so soon, WILL (thank goodness) be releasing a cast album. I'll get my hands on a copy ASAP for your (and my) listening pelasure. :)

Keep an eye out for "Glee,"  a musical tv show (squee!) on FOX premiering May 19. The show will feature Light in the Piazza's Matthew Morrison as the director of a high school glee club full of misfits and divas. Ohter Broadway guests stars will include Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber, Deb Monk, Lea Michele, and John Lloyd Young. I'm very excited personally. Matthew Morrison is so sexy (see photo)--and he's got an amazing voice. AND it's a musical TV show! Vive la Musical Cinematique!   http://www.fox.com/glee/

Hey guys, sorry about last week, You probably noticed that I was again pre-empted by a game. Well, tis the season. I WILL be on tomorrow however, and then pre-rempted again on the 18th!

BROADWAY NEWS BLURB: KEEP A SHARP EYE!
These musicals could be headed to Broadway sometime soon!

Homeland--With an invitation-only reading on March 2, it can't be too terribly long before Jay Kuo's new musical is making its Broadway debut. Playbill.com says: it's "the story of star-crossed lovers — a daughter of Korean immigrants and a native son from West Texas — caught in the American culture wars, where race, religion and values collide."  http://www.homelandmusical.com/

Zorro--the Musical-- It's closing at the Garrick Theatre in London on March 14 and set for a tour in France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Korea and Russia--so hopefully it will then stop in the U.S. And guess who wants the soundtrack?! Search youtube for footage of this exuberant swashbuckling smash! http://www.zorrothemusical.com/

This week's Flick Pick features two great films in our

GOIN' COLLEGIATE DOUBLE FEATURE!

GOOD NEWS! (1947)

Good News! from 1947 starring June Allyson and Peter Lawford [and Mel Torme]. These two make such an adorable couple, and dear old Pete embraces the movie musicale with open arms and open pipes. This movie is the definition of a gay romp--the music will have you singing along and tapping your feet, the dancing will have you wishing you could join in, and the story will have you grinning from ear to ear--and all in glorious, vibrant Technicolor!

June Allyson stars as Connie, a student at Dear Ol' Tait College in the the riotous 1920's. She's studious, and handy but not glamorous enough to be "Lucky In Love." Enter Peter Lawford as Tommy Marlowe, football hero extraordinaire and all around ladies' man. When his lines fail to win him a certain finished dame, he decides to switch languages and take French lessons. Connie steps in as his teacher and soon they're both conducting a study in amour. Complications arise as they always do, but in the end Tommy will follow his heart and discover that "The Best Things In Life Are Free."

If you liked Hairpray, then you'll love Good News!

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR0Kpid-c_U&feature=related 

DADDY LONG LEGS (1955)

From 1955 Daddy Long Legs starring Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, and a host of delightful character actors. This is one of my favorites and I've watched it over and over and over. It, too is in technicolor and full of great songs and dances including "Slue-Foot", "Dream", and "Somethin's Gotta Give"--not to mention the brilliant ballets that showcase miss Caron so wonderfully. One of my favorite parts is the ballet in which Leslie imagines Fred as a Texas millionare, an international playboy, and her guardian angel (pictured above). This is also full of laughs and romance supreme.

Fred stars as Jervis Pendleton, III, who has loads of money and a fondness for Jazz beats (Astaire does his own drumming). While on an economic envoy in France, Jervis runs into one Julie Andre (Caron), an 18-year old orphan with 'a gift for life.' Not bearing to see her cooped up in an orphanage for the rest of her life, Jervis anonymously adopts Julie, sending her to college in Massachusetts and furnishing her with everything she might need--including a set of tres chic clothes. She excells in her studies, all the while wondering who her mysterious guardian is. After reading her letters, Jervis decides to visit Julie and of course, she cannot resist the charm of Fred Astaire's gentle crooning and dancing feet. She falls for Jervis, never knowing that he is the man that she owes so much to--even her heart.

Clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuXFrUEFzfA , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWCYl4WGxEw&feature=related , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4lX6KH8Bpg&feature=related