4) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Ah, to get a little personal for a moment. This is my favorite musical ever and the most fun. Howard Kiel stars as the oldest brother of a bunch of “scruffy backwoodsmen” and he’s decided he needs a wife. And once he does, and brings her home to meet his brothers, all hell breaks loose. The brother’s too want wives and head to town on a mission of kidnapping. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers shows dancing at its athletic best, singing even better and characters as good as any in film. And Howard Kiel, in my never humble opinion, is the greatest of all Broadway and Hollywood musical comedy performers.

Furthermore, if anyone ever says my love of musicals is “unmanly,” I point to the Brothers and they invariably shut right up. It also stars some of the best dancers who’ve ever been on stage or screen like: Russ Tamblyn and Tommy Rall. Then there’s Jane Powell and Julie Newmar, what can I say that hasn’t been said about them…a lot, but I’ll restrain myself. A great plot, a great story, great actors and amazing dancing and singing, do you need anymore convincing?

I’ve always been surprised that they haven’t tried to redo the film, but then, how could they. Take a look at this dance sequence and try and tell me it doesn’t make your blood race!

Join us once again in the Magical world of Movie Madness for out new Mini-Review episode. Today the guys take a quick look at Terminator Genisys, Minions and Self/less and tell you not only what we think, but whether you should check out the films at the theater or at home!

It’s always a bunch of fun for us and we hope you too! As always we want you to challenge us, agree with us, or completely ignore us and tell us what you think at: moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail # 260-573-0015 or post them to Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks community on Google+

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Please everyone, let us know what you think of this one. I’m reserving judgment (I saw Watchmen and Mystery Men after all), but this one is up in the air for me, your Movie Maniac. Let us know at: moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail # 260-573-0015 or post them to Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks community on Google+

Hey everyone, we’re back once again with another great episode! Reboots and remakes are a constant annoyance. Usually we end up end up with Rollerball, The Karate Kid and Arthur, but some times Hollywood gets it right! Imagine movie history without The Departed or The Magnificent Seven.

We decided to take a look at the few, the proud, the amazing, “Top 5 Movie Reboots and Remakes.” We did ourselves up right this time with one of the best episodes ever! You cannot miss this one. Doug and Jeremy outdid themselves with their picks and the Maniac came up with a couple of surprising doozies.

And message us at: moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail # 260-573-0015 or post them to Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks community on Google+ to tell us or your own favorite reboots and remakes!

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5. West Side Story (1961)

At number five, is West Side Story, one of the greatest love stories of all time re-created on the mean streets of New York City. Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet to speak to us all and West Side Story does just that.Though the names are different, the tale is the same, but set to one of the best scores ever.

On the gang ridden streets of New York, the Sharks and Jets are at war, not over money, or power, not even over territory. The gangs are at war for pride. Just like the original play where the feud is over pride, pride over the names Capulet and Montague.

In both the phenomenal play and incredible film it’s impossible not to sympathize with both sides. It’s the magic of the Broadway musical and Hollywood film (and Shakespeare) the audience wants the impossible to be possible: everyone to live and be happy. It doesn’t always work out that way.

6. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The greatest of the great icons of film and music, The Wizard of Oz is one because, because, because, because of the wonderful things it does: gladdening the heart, taking us back to childhood and bringing families together. What could be better and how many times have I heard “the first time I watched The Wizard of Oz I was with my grandparents, parents, uncles and/or aunts. It was so with me and my children. Watch it again…as much as any on the list it will delight you as much will the next pick.

Hey guys…join us as Craig gives a quick review of Ted 2. He’ll tell you why you should (or not) see the second furry little *BLEEP’S* movie. Yes, he did it again and how can we stop him? Ted is back with his big thunder buddy making us crazy and, rudely insulting everyone and everything.  Yes, he’s still funny, and he’s “coming” to a theater near you!

After you get a chance to see the new Ted lets us know what you think at: moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail # 260-573-0015 or post them to Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks community on Google+

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Hey everybody, we did it again! The Movie Madness Podcast gang got caught up in life. The bad news: we are way behind in letting you know what we think, “sigh.” The great news: you guys get a whole load of terrific mini-reviews to “catch up on” while we get to tell you what we think. Right or wrong, you gotta admit, all of us, Craig, Doug and Jeremy have lots of opinions and we stick to ’em (that is till Doug has to admit defeat). The good news: Craig and Jeremy are right there to give Doug a big hug and comfort him. It’s all warm fuzzies guys! And yes, we are prone to hyperbole (particularly Craig)!

Before we leave you and still on the subject, Craig, our Movie Maniac, was invited to join the guys at one of our favorite podcasts at In Session Film. He had a great time and we think he did us proud! Just click and check out the San Andreas, Top 3 Disaster Movies and WALL-E episode: episode 119.

As always, you can let us know what you think about any of our episodes, the movies we review or give us your Top 5s, 10s or 25s at: moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail # 260-573-0015 or post them to Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks community on Google+

And please let Craig know what you think too about episode 119. He was a basket case after.

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7. Mary Poppins (1964)

Yes, the film is for children, children three to 103. The music is incredibly contagious, the story a blast and the plot a lesson for every age and generation. This film too, should be seen at least once with your children, at least once with your grandchildren and God willing with your great grandchildren. Julie Andrews was at the absolute top of her craft for this best of all babysitting films and unmatched in fun and frolic, well maybe except Dick Van Dyke, her co-star, without whom Mary Poppins would have just been incredible.

8. The Sound of Music (1965)

WWII was not a happy time and Austria not a fun place when Germans decided it belonged to them, the setting for The Sound of Music. That doesn’t stop the film from being one of the brightest and most inspiring movies ever. And when Maria (Julie Andrews) meets Captain Georg Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), the horror of Nazism, just for a while, seems to fade. I fell in love with Julie Andrews during the film and the feeling has never faded. Certainly one of the best musicals ever, and one of the best films, it’s easy to watch The Sound of Music as many times as you like and never get tired.