Welcome to Blogmas 2025, folks! For those new to The Confusing Middle, Blogmas is my annual tradition of posting holiday-themed content every single day from December 1st through Christmas Day. It's ambitious, it's exhausting, and by December 15th I usually question all my life choices—but here we are again. This year, I decided to shake … Continue reading The One Christmas Movie That Gets Me Every Single Time
Frank Capra
69 – Arsenic and Old Lace
Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s … Continue reading 69 – Arsenic and Old Lace
My Favorite Movies #25 – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939 Directed by Frank Capra Quick synopsis... When idealistic junior senator Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) arrives in Washington, D.C., he's full of plans and dazzled by his surroundings -- qualities he retains despite widespread corruption among his cynical colleagues. Jean Arthur puts in a sharp performance as Smith's streetwise secretary, who … Continue reading My Favorite Movies #25 – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
AFI #20 – It’s a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life 1946 Directed by Frank Capra Netflix says... It's a wonderful film. Frank Capra's inverted take on A Christmas Carol stars Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a good man who's spent a lifetime giving up on his dreams in order to keep life in his small town humming. When a guardian angel … Continue reading AFI #20 – It’s a Wonderful Life
AFI #26 – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939 Directed by Frank Capra Netflix says... When idealistic junior senator Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) arrives in Washington, D.C., he's full of plans and dazzled by his surroundings--qualities he retains despite widespread corruption among his cynical colleagues. Jean Arthur puts in a sharp performance as Smith's streetwise secretary, who helps … Continue reading AFI #26 – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
AFI #46 – It Happened One Night
It Happened One Night 1934 Directed by Frank Capra Netflix says... Runaway socialite Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) is en route to the Big Apple to elope with a fortune-hunting flyboy. Along the way she meets a crusty newspaperman (Clark Gable), who's just been sacked and--unbeknownst to Ellie--plans to sell her story to get his job … Continue reading AFI #46 – It Happened One Night