14 Actors I'd Like to See on TCM Summer Under The Stars

Turner Classic Movie channel airs classic films from the inception of cinema to the early 1980s - uncut and commercial free. In August every day is dedicated to a unique movie star with a 24-hour marathon. August 1st may center around Vivien Leigh, August 2nd Elvis Presley, and so on.

My mother raised me with Classic Hollywood film, but mainstream entertainment is a passion too. It's nearly impossible to divide which era of Hollywood is favorable or better because I "live" in both worlds. This often brings up the question: which actors from today, or near-today's, film generation may be featured in the future.

Currently, TCM's selection of films revolves around old Hollywood with varying degrees of recent movies that earned recognition at the Academy Awards. As I grow older, I hope their collection expands including modern films which still upholds what it means to be a time-honored classic and is worthy enough to be on their programming. Tons of favorite actors I wish could be included on this list but that would make it miles long. To start off: here are 14 modern actors I'd like to see featured on a future TCM's Summer Under the Stars.

Scott Pilgrim VS the World (2010)

Scott Pilgrim piggybacks off of his roommate Wallace (Kiernan Cullen) while dating Knives (Ellen Wong), a young seventeen year old girl. Jobless, he sorta has one goal in life as a bassist for Sex Bo-ombs, which struggles landing a record deal let alone fans (except for Knives). Inconsiderate and a bit selfish, his limited dreams change when he meets an elusive and intriguing Ramona Flowers (Mary-Elizabeth Winstead) at a party.

Like all dream girls there's something more to Flowers than meets the eye. She's had a rough past falling in love with all the wrong people. No one has moved through life without carrying a little emotional baggage. No matter how much we think we may have moved on from an ex, some part of history boils onto the next chapter of our lives. Every character in this world deals with rejection at some point. The major problem here is that Flowers' exes return to haunt her and challenge any guy who steps up to the plate.

Only their brawls aren't down and dirty back-alley fist fights. Instead, video games serves as the unique backdrop of their duels. Player One is Scott Pilgrim. And, Player Two, is one of Ramona's exes. Each one has special super-heroic abilities. To name a few, Matthew Patel (Satya Bhabha) has the ability to levitate and throw fireballs, and Lucas Lee (Chris Evans) is a mega action movie star with super strength. Each smackdown is more epic than the last, dueling each other until the other one is defeated. Pilgrim must defeat them all in order to win over Ramona - that's a given. A surprise twist to the blockbuster physicality is that his wins also brings Flowers and Pilgrim face to face with their own paths as a couple and individualky.

Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim versus the World delivers an epic mash-up of comedy, action, and romance. Director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) tremendously lays out the comic book with absolute tenacity. Working on the script for five years, his passion for the story pays off. For a film filled with so much technical intensity and pop culture nerdiness, he packs it with action, emotional sincerity, and humor. The video games styled assaults are massively entertaining. Sex Bo-ombs music may not be popular but the movie's soundtrack kicks ass. There's a little bit of everything, and the story stays balanced and well-choreographed. With the exception of few other graphic novel adaptations, I've never quite seen a "young adult" movie with so much firepower and creativity. 

A dramatic dose of flash with the video game sequences and killer soundtrack ups the style of the film, which is visually stunning. But the films' energetic style of each duel also grounds as endearing backdrops to the characters - each are dealing with insecurities. With the right cast behind Wright, Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and a host of equally-deserved-of being named supporting players, endear their characters as they explore the complications of being and falling in love.

In 2010, when the film originally was released into theaters, it became an underground online hit among movie bloggers. Those who didn't see the movie was doing powerful, original small budget productions a huge disservice. Stepping up to watch it five years later, my thoughts are a no-brainer: this one's a knock-out.

Love, Rosie (2014)

Photo Credit: Love Rosie / Lionsgate

When have you missed the perfect moment to tell someone that you love them? It could be a once in a lifetime or every day opportunity. For inseparable best friends Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Claflin), their true feelings take a backseat to fear and juvenile naivete. During their escape out of London to pursue college in America, Rosie gets pregnant as Alex (who is NOT the father) chases his dreams across the pond. As they grow up, the distance between them becomes a hindrance and ally.

Love, Rosie, like many romantic comedies, explores when two people are a perfect fit but can't or won't admit how much they love each other. Over the span of twelve years from teenage-dom to adulthood, something always tarnishes that little amount of courage that rises to the occasion. Rather than delving down the dramatic route, the film is a surprising upbeat and tender procrastinator of happy-ever-after. Balancing the timeline between ages and locations, the characters and conflicts bounce off of each other with humor and charm.

With a few credits to his name, director Christian Ditter adapts Cecilia Ahern's novel to the best of his ability. (I haven't read the original book yet.) From the beginning it's obvious boy and girl love each other. Instead of selling us the ending we know will happen eventually, his direction allows the tension of when-will-they flow with ease. A great credit of the films' light-hearted atmosphere also goes to Christian Rein. He does a beautiful job with the handheld cinematography, capturing the characters as they muscle through triumphs and heartbreak.

Where the film truly succeeds is the connection between Collins and Claflin. Together, they gel so well - at some points, I didn't know if I was shipping the actors or the characters. They are not on the screen long before we believe how close their connection is. As much as the film is about the duo, more attention lies on Rosie whose dreams change as she becomes a single-mother. Collins offers a charming performance grounding Rosie with integrity and sincerity. Having starred in several films so far, her modest work is something I look forward to. As well, Claflin is heart-warming, and honestly, delicious. Let's just have more of him, please! They are both on the cusp of great work ahead, as they have the on-screen charisma and talent to take them far.

Who isn't in the mood for a fluffy love story? This film not perfect, but it's a surprisingly enjoyable experience that summons the feels if you allow them to arrive. Being in the midst of a Finnick O'Dair mode helped my enthusiasm to take a chance on. Now, I'm in full Claflin and Collins mode, and, ready to watch again. But first, I couldn't just let this movie go by without sharing how much I liked it. Okay, loved.

Rating: ★★★
Have you seen Love Rosie? What did you think?

The Fandom Struggle is Real with The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games symbol

Franchises can be universally loved, hated, or a mix of in-between. No series wins the hearts of absolutely everyone. After the monumental success of Harry Potter, Hollywood started its crusade of the Next Big Young Adult Phenomenons. Many a teenage flick has tried to fill the void left by the Boy Who Lived. Only one has been the most successful: The Hunger Games.

A part of me is truly excited for the epic conclusion with Mockingjay Part 2. A three year journey will end. Another part is not so happy. It doesn't feel like the revolution I signed up for. My inner fangirl has a major love and hate relationship with this series.

I was nominated for a Liebster Award

This past week welcomed a wonderful surprise when I was nominated for a Liebster award by both Katie at Ever So Ethically Confused and Rebecca at Almost Ginger. I was reminded how fast time flies - it's been three years since starting this blog and I can't believe I missed celebrating a blogaversary. Now seems like the best time - thank you Rebecca and Katie!

This Is How I Work Blogathon

Fellow blogger Mariah at a A Space Blogdessey changed things up a bit by starting a blogathon about her process and asking us some questions about ours. Inspired by other bloggers, she asked us to join in a challenge to show us how we work. Thank you to Mariah for hosting this blogathon. Enjoy the look behind the scenes about how this blog survives staying active every month.

What apps can my not live without? Netflix seems like a pretty obvious one to give a shout-out to. I also really love WPS Office, which allows me to write and edit documents. Sometimes writing is much easier on my tablet punching in every letter one by one rather than facing my keyboard and a blank screen. Google Keep is also easy for creating small notes and ideas in one place.

On We Go! Dream Vacation Blog Challenge

If I could trek to any place in film universe, where would I go? who would come along with me? This kickstarted an idea for a dream vacation blogathon I started earlier this summer. Moving between homes delayed me from answering this a little later than I would have liked, but the time away delivered some awesome inspiration.

No adventure would be complete without some inclusion of Harry Potter for me. So that's where my vacation would kick-off. Having received my letter to attend Hogwarts as an honorary Muggle, I would tour and explore the grounds of Hogwarts.

To share this momentous occasion, Mia Thermopolis is my tag-along gal and also honorary Muggle. She seems like the perfect enthusiastic buddy to stop by Diagon Alley for a few pre-travel treats and ride on the Hogwarts Express with. We are greeted by Hagrid at the Hogsmeade Station. Our stay is only a stone's throw away at the Three Broomsticks Inn and our arrival is a magical boat ride across the lake where we gaze up at the castle glowing in the distance. Let's not put a time limit on this part of the vacation - perhaps a week or two to sit on some of the courses and Quidditch matches and stock up on candy from Honeydukes.

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Upon my exploration of the grounds and despite all warnings not to go into the Forbidden Forest, it's just something I can't ignore. But Mia is not a fan of this idea, so she stays behind (sorry Mia but I have to go!).

During my walk into the dangerous woodlands, I don't find the bewitched Ford Anglia but a Tardis. (Yes, not film related but it's a dream right?) Looking a bit tarnished, it's not long before I remove some of the vines and moss blocking my way from nudging the door open. Who should be inside but the Tenth Doctor! Despite the appearance of the Tardis, it seems he just landed and is obviously in need of a new companion.

He asks me where I want to go. Giving it some thought, the mad boy and girl in a box whirls through time and space to....

the Emerald City. Going back to 1939, we land at MGM studios right on the lot where the movie is in production. Only something is amidst on the set. Crossing over from another dimension, the poppies are actually making everyone fall into a deep sleep. No one can explain why or how this is happening. Studio head Louis B. Mayer shuts down the production temporarily claiming a change in directors while he entrusts me and the Doctor to figure out what's going on.

When we're done and things have calmed down for a bit, the Doctor uses his psychic paper to help me visit some of the other sets and meet some of my favorite movie stars like James Stewart, Bette Davis, and Clark Gable. We also try to befriend Judy Garland to overcome some invisible monsters similar to the Krafayis. But as we know, some moments in time cannot be re-written.

When I finally must depart from the Doctor, he drops me off back home at Pittsburgh. But, there's something strange and not-so-ordinary about my childhood town....

Bane has taken over "Gotham"! The bridges are down and nobody can escape the city. Of course, never giving up on hope and Batman, Commissioner Gordon and John Blake need all the help they can get. I do my best to give supplies to the police men trapped under the city and help them make markers of the tank containing the nuclear bomb.

Thankfully, during my escapades with the Doctor, I missed most of the battle between former League of Shadows member and the Caped Crusader. It isn't long before Bruce Wayne is able to dispose of the nuclear bomb by dropping it into the ocean. The apparent loss of our Dark Knight is nearly impossible but he sacrificed himself for the citizens of Gotham, and that is how they are able to move forward.

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This has been one heck of an adventure, so it's time for things to be taken down a notch. My last stop is good ol' New York City to go sight-seeing.

Visiting the New York Public Library, I overhear a conversation between two people who don't belong to each other just yet.

There's a lot of uproar on the streets about a few paranormal exterminators.

At FAO Schwartz, two men playing Chopsticks on a grand piano are a huge hit.

Stopping by Riverside Park to enjoy a delicious lunch, a golden retriever on the loose seemingly named Brinkley brings together a shop girl and a fox.

Overall, it's not a bad trip - if I do say so myself.