The Magnificent Seven

Apparently today (07-07-07) is thought to be incredibly lucky by both gamblers and romantics. Also, everyone and their Aunt Nancy has chosen to get married today, including some famous people that I don't really care about. Not only is today considered lucky by the secular, today is also considered blessed in religious circles, I assume based on Biblical number symbolism. Since I am not a gambler and definitely not getting married today, I thought I would get into the spirit of the day by focusing on seven favorites from the FBL.

John Krasinski

Regular readers are well aware of my obsession with The Office and how said obsession is 75% about the character of Jim Halpert, who is portrayed with perfection by Mr. Krasinski. I have initiated several friends and family members into The Office cult and I think all of you should rent, borrow, or buy (don't steal because it is wrong and also because these actors are nice people and deserve to get paid!) the DVDs for Seasons 1 and 2. See if you don't fall in love with the show too. Also, Mr. Krasinski is in a movie in the theaters right now, License to Wed which I plan on seeing this afternoon. I'll let you all know what I think of it since it hasn't gotten great reviews. Luckily, the reviews have positive things to say about Mr. Krasinski. Not so much about Robin Williams.

Gerard Butler

Mr. Butler was last seen in 300 as King Leonidas, which I did not see because a) it is rated R and b) I don't like movies in which all the heros die. Honestly, I don't see the point. But I would recommend you all watch Mr. Butler in the following: Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life in which he is delightfully naughty and gets to use his own voice and Scottish accent. Phantom of the Opera in which he sings delightfully and made me root for the murderous Phantom over the other guy whose name I can't even remember now. Dear Frankie which is a lovely Scottish film that I love and really need to own. Mr. Butler is quite endearing as The Stranger. If you don't love it, I'll reimburse you for your rental fee. The Game of Their Lives/The Miracle Match (for some reason the film is known by both names) which is about the US soccer team beating the first seed English team in their opening game in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. It is a sweet little movie and Mr. Butler plays the American goalie, complete with a St. Louis accent. As an added bonus, Gavin Rossdale plays a pompous British player and is quite good at it.

Matthew Perry

I know Mr. Perry has had his issues, but I loved him as Chandler Bing on Friends. He always made me laugh. His new series Studio 60 on Sunset Strip didn't make it past the first season, but I don't think it had anything to do with him, but rather the intense pontificating the writers put the charaters through. Hopefully he won't be out of the spotlight for long. If you have cable, his movie with Salma Hayek, Fools Rush In, is on nearly every weekend. Also, check out The Ron Clark Story which is based on the life of Ron Clark, a teacher who turned around a class in an impoverished public school in New York City. It is heart-warming and rather delightful.

Hugh Jackman

I have never been a huge fan of any movie franchise based on a comic book outside of Batman and Superman, but when I saw Mr. Jackman as Wolverine in X-Men, I was hooked. Not only does he make a great superhero, he also sings and dances. He got his start in Australian theater and worked as Gaston in the stage produciton of Beauty and the Beast and you can get the DVD of the West End production of Oklahoma! in which he plays Curly. I would highly recommend it, even if you just watch the highlights, not the whole musical. Mr. Jackman is also fun to watch in Van Helsing and The Prestige. If you are really dedicated to Mr. Jackman, check out Someone Like You.

Jensen Ackles

Mr. Ackles is best known for roles on a couple of cult TV shows. Right now he plays the delectable Dean Winchester on Supernatural which airs on the CW. He previously had a role in Dark Angel which aired on FOX several years ago. I suggest you check out the Season 1 DVDs of Supernatural and the Season 2 DVDs of Dark Angel. He is excellent at playing bad boys with deeply-buried hearts of gold. To which I am extremely partial.

George Clooney

Most people I know are well aware that I am completely and totally obsessed with George Clooney. He is practically perfect in every way and I'm sure most of you are sick of hearing me talk and/or write about him. So I'll just list my suggestions for films and leave it at that. Ocean's 11, 12, and 13, O Brother Where Art Thou, One Fine Day, Intolerable Cruelty, and (if you are feeling extraordinarily adventurous) Solaris.

Cary Grant

I have loved Cary Grant for time immemorial and I think part of my obsession with George Clooney stems from the fact that he resembles a modern-day Cary Grant more everyday. Cary Grant had style and a presence that made him endlessly watchable. I've only made it two-thirds of the way through his oeuvre, but here are my recommendations thus far. Watch them, enjoy them, and thank me later. Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, The Philadelphia Story, Arsenic and Old Lace, Notorious, To Catch a Thief, Indiscreet, North by Northwest, Charade, and Father Goose.

Hope today is a lucky day for all of you and that you get to spend it doing all your favorite things. If you have an hour or two to spare, check out some of my favorite guys.