Random Month (2025) – Musicals

Yes, you read that right. This month I watched musicals. In the spirit of full disclosure, musicals are also kind of a secret indulgence of mine. A good musical is hard to dislike and even harder not to sing along to. If you’re into that kind of thing. I realize they may not be everyone’s cup of tea. One of the things I enjoy about most modern musicals is learning about all the actors who can actually sing. I’m delighted with the selections I made, and you can see them below, including the bonus movies I fit in this month.

• Chicago (2002)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
• Doctor Dolittle (1967)
• Moulin Rouge! (2001)
• A Star Is Born (2018)
• The Producers (2005)
• Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
• Bonus/Special Event Movies

Chicago (2002)

Directed by: Rob Marshall
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere
My Rating:

IMDB plot description: Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer’s attention.

This movie won six Oscars in 2003, including Best Picture, and it’s well deserved. I’ve actually listened to the soundtrack a few times for this movie. In my opinion, the surprise vocal talent in this movie was John C. Reilly. While he doesn’t really belt anything out, his solo, Mr. Cellophane, is easily one of my favorite songs from this musical.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Directed by: Ken Hughes
Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries
My Rating:

IMDB plot description: A down-on-his-luck inventor (Dick Van Dyke) turns a broken-down Grand Prix car into a fancy vehicle for his children, and then they go off on a magical fantasy adventure to save their grandfather in a far-off land.

This is another one of those movies I grew up watching; it invokes so much nostalgia. I think a lot of us GenX kids grew up watching this movie. Most of us will remember Dick Van Dyke not only for his role as Bert in Mary Poppins but also as Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This movie has quite a few bangers that will get stuck in your head, but the main theme is the ultimate earworm.

Even Ace Ventura can’t help himself.

Doctor Dolittle (1967)

Directed by: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley
My Rating:

IMDB plot description: After the animal communicating veterinarian goes too far for his clientele, he and his friends escape their hometown to the sea in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.

Before Eddie Murphy, there was Rex Harrison, and yes, it was a musical first. I’m sure many will argue that this is the better film. This is another classic film I grew up watching. It’s probably my second favorite Rex Harrison film (the first being My Fair Lady). If you’ve watched the Eddie Murphy versions but not this one, then you need to correct that. It is a little longer with a runtime around 2 1/2 hours, but it’s a really fun movie.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor
My Rating:

IMDB plot description: A poor Bohemian poet in 1890s Paris falls for a beautiful courtesan and nightclub star coveted by a jealous duke.

If someone were to ask me what my favorite musical is, I would almost pick this movie. I know quite a bit of the songs, and Ewan McGregor is one of my favorite actors. This is one of those movies where the actors’ vocal talents will surprise you. I still get chills when Ewan belts out “My gift is my song”. This is a fantastic movie with an amazing cast and a Best Picture nominee.

A Star is Born (2018)

Directed by: Bradley Cooper
Starring: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott
My Rating:

IMDB plot description: A hard-drinking country music star falls in love with a singer whose career quickly takes off.

This is a really good movie, and you do not have to be a fan of Lady Gaga to appreciate it. I’ve wanted to watch this movie for a while, and I thought musicals would be a good opportunity. However, this movie is probably less of a musical and more of a movie about music. There are songs because we are all familiar with the song “Shallow,” but instead of the musical numbers telling the story, they are simply part of the plot.

Be that as it may, I am not mad that I put this movie on the list. Bradley Cooper is phenomenal and Lady Gaga is fantastic. I definitely recommend giving it a go.

The Producers (2005)

Directed by: Susan Stroman
Starring: Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman
My Rating:

IMDB plot description: After putting together another Broadway flop, timid accountant Leo Bloom teams up with down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock in a get-rich-quick scheme to put on the world’s worst show.

When asked, this is the musical I would likely claim as my favorite. It’s funny, the songs easily get stuck in your head; I could watch it all day. I have not seen the 1967 version of the film with Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom, nor have I seen it on stage. However, I’d love to see a stage production assuming it’s a decent cast.

Singin’ In The Rain (1952)

Directed by: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds
My Rating:

IMDB plot description: A silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.

This is the iconic musical. When someone says “musical”, this is the kind of movie I think of. It has fantastic dance routines, great musical numbers, and amazing actors. Where else will you get a chance to see Carrie Fisher’s mom sing and dance? Oh, right, there’s a little film she did called The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Anyway, if you enjoy musicals, this should be at the top of your must-see list.

Bonus and Special Event Movies

This was a really active month, which is unusual for November. Not only did I watch all of the above films, but I had two bonus movies (which also happen to be musicals) as well as the special event movies. I finally watched Wicked, not that I’ve been avoiding it; I just never got around to it. Honestly, it wasn’t on this month’s list (which is why it’s not in the list above). However, my daughter really wanted to see the second one. So I watched Wicked in the morning, and then we saw Wicked For Good in the afternoon (click the link to see my review).

Finally, the special event movies. November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day, on which I watched V for Vendetta. November 17th is Life Day, which is when I watched the Star Wars Holiday Special. If you’ve never seen it, you’re not missing much. It’s pretty terrible, but I still watch it anyway because I’m a glutton for punishment. And, as I found out last year, there is a great Thanksgiving movie to watch and that is Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

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