Top Ten Musicals

Posted on August 29, 2026 by erictaveren

It’s been a while since I posted one of these. Summer got the best of me and I forgot. My bad. Today’s category though… Musicals. The genre where people express their deepest emotions through song, and everyone else around them just goes with it. No one questions why the entire room suddenly knows the choreography. Expect Patrick Dempsey.

I grew up on musicals. School productions, soundtracks on repeat, memorizing lyrics, and normalizing the idea of feline criminal masterminds and scarred secret admirers. Musicals are comfort. They’re joy. They’re heartbreak. They’re also one of the purest forms of storytelling because when words aren’t enough, you sing. And sometimes tap dance.

As always, these are not ranked.

Places, everyone.

The Producers (Broderick and Lane)
The Greatest Showman
Spirited
Rent
Wicked Part 1
Tick, Tick… Boom!
Moulin Rouge
La La Land
Singin’ in the Rain
Pitch Perfect

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

The Producers (Broderick and Lane)

This is pure chaos in the best way. Mel Brooks humor meets Broadway spectacle. Nathan Lane is a force of nature, and the energy never drops. This was one of the first musicals that made me realize how funny and outrageous the genre could be. Also, that to MapTap, I only now realized that Bialystock was named after a Polish town.

The Greatest Showman

I know it’s historically… flexible. I don’t care. I initially balked at the obvious music overlay, but after listening to the soundtrack a few times I was hooked. The music is incredible, the performances are electric, and it’s endlessly rewatchable. Also, “From Now On” is a top-tier musical number. I wreck my throat to it often in the car.

Spirited

This one surprised me. Funny, heartfelt, and genuinely clever. Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell work incredibly well together, and the songs are better really hit. That part shouldn’t have been surprising, since they’re the same people behind Greatest Showman and La La Land. I know it’s a Christmas movie, but I’ll both listen to and watch it anytime in the year.

Rent

This musical shaped a generation, and even though I only discovered it in college, it feels formative. The themes of love, loss, and community are timeless. My only real criticism is “Over the Moon”. If that’s even what it’s called. I deleted it from my playlist. :)

Wicked Part 1

I’ve been hooked on Wicked since it first came out on Broadway. I was a freshman in college and we read the book in class and (unfortunately only) listened to the soundtrack. Every song is unique and purposeful, and the movie (Part 1, definitely not Part 2) capture so much of that magic.

Tick, Tick… Boom!

I was interested in this as a fan of RENT, and was incredibly surprised by the joy and the anguish and in Andrew Garfield. I already liked him, but I was not expecting this. Fantastic. And Vanessa Hudgens makes everything better.

Moulin Rouge

Yes, it’s also on my romance list. It belongs here too. I still remember how awkward I felt when I watched Satine “seduce” Christian. If I’m being honest, it still makes me feel awkward. But “Elephant Love Medley“ and “Tango de Roxanne” will always be essential musical singalongs for me.

La La Land

Like Greatest Showman, I didn’t like this one at first. I like happy endings. But it grew and grew on me and now I use the opening number to entertain the kids (and hope they don’t try to jump on our cars). I now have a bucket list item of playing/singing ”City of Stars” with someone as a duet.

Singin’ in the Rain

The gold standard. Classic. Timeless, joyful, and technically brilliant. The choreography, the humor, the energy, and of course… you gotta make ‘em laugh.

Pitch Perfect

Pure fun. Anna Kendrick was/is adorable, and the rest of the cast brought the whole thing together. The irreverent humor mixed with great singing, not to mention a love story (which always hooks me), make this a perfect musical, especially with the aim of bringing in non-musical watchers.

What musicals would you add? Which ones did I leave off that you think are essential? Let me know. I didn’t have such a hard time narrowing this down, so I’m curious to see if there are others people like more.

End of Summer Update

Posted on August 26, 2026 by erictaveren

The end of summer is here, and for me that means back to school and the chaos that entails. My plan during the summer had been to get a lot of writing done. I guess there’s a reason a million best laid plans idioms exist.

Positives:

Last school year I wrote a short middle grade STEM focused novel and pitched it early this summer. I got a full manuscript request and am now in the waiting patiently phase.
I’ve fully plotted out a different middle grade math focused novel and everyone I’ve talked about it with has been super receptive and excited.
I’ve starting editing Grounded (tentative title), a novel I wrote three years ago.

Negatives:

My goal had been to finish A Pair of Jacks, the fantasy/mystery novel that began as my MFA thesis. That didn’t happen. I did get past a major hump, but still have 25% or so left.
I can’t write music. More on that later.

Crazy hair day at summer school. I didn’t have any hair, so one of the kids brought me a wig.

Normally summer breaks for teachers are relaxing, but between summer school and a nearly two week family reunion, I had a surprisingly limited amount of time. Nevertheless, I still wanted to get stuff done. Then I got Final Fantasy VII Remake. Yeah… I remember Jimmy Carr saying he didn’t like video games because they were too good. They were so good they sucked all your time. So, so true.

Even with that reduced time, I still manage to get some stuff done. I mapped out that middle grade book. I’m doing editing on the other novel. And… I tried to write some songs.

What I learned was that while writing words is relatively straightforward for me, writing music isn’t. I’ve played piano, cello, and clarinet, but being able to play is not the same thing as being able to create. So, and I recognize this will probably garner some hate, I tried out an AI music generator.

First note: I did not do this with the goal of making money or capitalizing on it. I was more curious as to how my words would sound. Some of them turned out not so great. Some of them were very fun. My kid has completely memorized a few of them, and for a few weeks I kept waking up with the song in my head.

But school has officially started, so I’ll have reduced time and mental capacity with which to work. My new goal is to get the novel edited in the next couple of months, and maybe work on the middle grade novel if there’s time.

Between kids (mine and my students), home life, and just life in general, it’s hard to get writing done. Fingers crossed I’ll make good progress, and fingers crossed I’ll hear some good news for the manuscript currently in review.

Top Ten Superhero Movies

Posted on May 6, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Superhero. The genre that somehow went from niche comic-book weirdness to the dominant force in modern movies. When I was growing up, superhero films were hit-or-miss. Now they’re a full-blown cinematic ecosystem, complete with phases, timelines, and a way too complicated watch order.

What I love about this genre is that, at its best, it isn’t really about powers. It’s about identity, responsibility, sacrifice, and the question of what kind of person you choose to be when you can do something. Also, let’s be honest, sometimes the happiest you can feel in a day is simply watching someone pick up a hammer.

As always, these are not ranked. Suit up.

Thor
Iron Man
Captain America: The First Avenger
Wonder Woman
Black Panther
Deadpool
Logan
X-Men: First Class
Mystery Men
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Thor

The first Thor movie leans hard into fantasy and myth, which is probably why I love it so much. The family drama, the Shakespearean tone, and the idea of earning worthiness make it stand out. And the cup smashing bit will always be funny.

Iron Man

This movie changed the landscape. It kicked off the modern superhero era and somehow balanced humor, character, and spectacle perfectly. Also, Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. That casting was lightning in a bottle.

Captain America: The First Avenger

I’m realizing I’m a sucker for a good origin story. Steve’s story is about heart and integrity. He doesn’t become a hero because he’s strong. He becomes strong because he’s already a hero. Whether he’s jumping on a grenade or downing a plane, you can always count on him to do the right thing.

Wonder Woman

The No Man’s Land scene alone earns its place here. It’s powerful, inspiring, and shows what superhero movies can be when they lean into hope and compassion. I’m generally not a Gal Gadot fan, but her as Wonder Woman is about as perfect as you can get.

Black Panther

This movie expanded what superhero stories could be. The world-building, the cultural impact, and the depth of the conflict make it unforgettable. Also, Killmonger is one of the best villains in the genre. Every time I see this it makes me happy and sad. Chadwick was amazing.

Deadpool

Proof that superhero movies can be self-aware and still work. The humor, the meta-commentary, and the heart underneath it all make this one endlessly rewatchable. I wanted to quote a line or moment, but there are just too many. Okay, maybe one. “This guy’s got the right idea. He wore the brown pants.” Classic.

Logan

This is superhero storytelling at its most raw. It’s about aging, regret, and legacy. It’s brutal and emotional and feels more like a western than a comic book movie. I think this was the first superhero movie I cried at. And if you didn’t, you’re probably dead inside.

X-Men: First Class

The original two X-Men movies were great, then they kind of went off the rails. This not only righted the ship, but was an excellent movie in its own right. Centering on Professor X and Magneto was the right decision because so often that’s what X-Men is. This feels the most like an X-Men movie, as opposed to a superhero movie.

Mystery Men

This was the original star-studded superhero ensemble. It’s incredibly funny and is fully aware of its place among superhero films and film in general. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched the scene where The Spleen takes out the diner. Silent but deadly.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Visually groundbreaking, emotionally powerful, and full of heart. It captures the essence of Spider-Man better than almost anything else. And it proves that anyone can wear the mask.

What superhero movies would you add? Which ones do you think I left off? Let me know.

Top Ten Sci-Fi Movies

Posted on May 3, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Sci-Fi. The genre where we explore the future, question humanity, and occasionally solve problems by blowing up alien spaceships.

Science fiction has always been one of my favorite spaces to live in. It asks big questions. What does it mean to be human? How far should science go? What if? And also, how cool would it be to fly a spaceship? It’s the genre that mixes imagination, philosophy, action, and wonder better than almost anything else. It’s also the genre most likely to make me immediately start a conversation that begins with, “Okay, but what if…”

As always, these are not ranked. Prepare for lasers, existential dread, and at least one heroic sacrifice.

Serenity
Rogue One
The Empire Strikes Back
Spaceballs
District 9
The Martian
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Attack the Block
Men in Black
Independence Day

Honorable Mention: Project Hail Mary

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Serenity

This movie is pure found-family storytelling wrapped in space adventure. It balances humor, action, heartbreak, and character like a leaf on the wind. It was my introduction to the Firefly universe as well as Chiwetel Ejiofor. There are so many great lines and moments and has a reason to be on everyone’s best sci-fi lists.

Rogue One

Maybe the best Star Wars movie? It shows us the gritty reality of living in the Empire and in such a short time emotionally bonds us to all the characters so their fates are so much more compelling. There’s a reason it got its own spin-off series. Which is also fantastic, btw.

The Empire Strikes Back

Maybe the best Star Wars movie? It expands the universe while also delivering one of the most iconic twists in movie history. Sometimes the bad guy wins. Sometimes heroes don’t live happily ever after. There is where the characters breaks out in the original trilogy. Also, what a neat way to incorporate Mark Hamill’s car accident.

Spaceballs

Maybe the best Star Wars movie? Mel Brooks perfectly skewers the genre while clearly loving it. The casting is fantastic and the jokes are delivered with just the right amount of camp. There aren’t any other movies quite like this because no one can ever compete.

District 9

Raw, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking. The world-building is incredible, and the social commentary is powerful without being preachy. It’s one of the most original sci-fi films of the last few decades. Also it tickles me that it’s set in South Africa.

The Martian

When I read the book I remember being impressed with the science. I was concerned the movie wouldn’t hit that as hard. It totally did. This was like space MacGyver and had us feeling lost and alone right along with Matt Damon.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Sometimes when you finish a movie, you know exactly what you think of it. Sometimes you don’t. This was both. My initial thought was a simple acknowledgment that this was a phenomenal movie. My next was what the hell did I just watch, and how the hell did that work? It was serious and ridiculous and heartfelt and just plan fun, all at the same time.

Attack the Block

Fresh, energetic, and full of personality. It localized the concept of alien invasion movies into a very small, urban area. Of course survival was key, but community became more important. Not your cookie cutter invasion story.

Men in Black

There are so many perfect moments in this movie. Will Smith only shooting the child. Tommy Lee Jones’ casual marksmanship. Vincent D’Onofrio in every moment he’s on screen. This was cool, fun, crazy sci-fi for my childhood brain, and to this day it one of the more entertaining genres films out there.

Independence Day

Peak blockbuster sci-fi. There’s enough Will Smith humor to keep it from being too serious, and that presidential speech is one of the most iconic an all cinema. Also, Jeff Goldblum just makes everything better.

Honorable Mention: Project Hail Mary

I’m adding this here because I watched it after making this list. It was amazing? Does it belong in the top ten? Maybe. Probably. Is recency bias affecting my judgment? Maybe. Long and short of it: this movie was great.

What sci-fi movies would you add? Which ones do you think I left off that should absolutely be here? Let me know.

Top Ten Action Movies

Posted on April 29, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Action. The genre where subtlety goes to die and bad one liners make or break a film.

Action movies are comfort food. Sometimes you want nuance and layered character arcs. Other times you want slow-motion punches, impossible stunts, and someone walking away from an explosion without looking back. If you’re lucky, you get both. This is the category that makes you want to work out, learn martial arts, or think, “yeah, I could totally do a roundhouse kick.”

As always, these are not ranked. Prepare for chaos, choreography, and questionable physics.

Gladiator
The Matrix
Casino Royale (Daniel Craig)
John Wick
Speed
Con Air
Unleashed
Shanghai Noon
300
True Lies

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Gladiator

“Are you not entertained?” Yes. Yes, I am. This movie is epic in every sense of the word. The music, the performances, the revenge arc—it all works. It says something as to why this was the first movie that came to mind when I thought “action”. This rose above mindless spectacle and gave us a real reason to root for Maximus.

The Matrix

This movie changed everything. The action, the philosophy, the slow-motion bullet dodging—it rewired what audiences expected from the genre. It mainstreamed the idea of action and thought provocation going hand in hand. And I’ll never hate Joe Pantoliano whenever I see him.

Casino Royale (Daniel Craig)

This is the Bond reboot done right. Gritty, grounded, and emotionally layered. The parkour chase scene, the dramatic poker games, the actual emotional connection between Bond and Vespa. This is probably the best Bond film ever. Also, crying blood? If that doesn’t say “bad guy” I don’t know what does.

John Wick

Action choreography perfection. The simplicity of the premise is proves that you can make an action movie out of anything. One of the coolest part of the movie is the authenticity. Keanu Reeves did his research and it shows.

Speed

The third Keanu Reeves movie on the list, and somehow more absurd than living in a computer simulation. Not the situation, but perhaps the bus jumping that giant gap. Speed solidified Reeves as a leading action star, and it also put Sandra Bullock on the map. Plus, it will always feel satisfying as they unload the passengers all sneaky-like.

Con Air

This movie is ridiculous in the best way. Nicolas Cage with that accent. The stacked cast. The over-the-top villainy. It’s peak 90s action and I love it for exactly that. Is it a cinematic masterpiece? No. Is it wonderful action? Definitely.

Unleashed

Of all the movies on here, the is the one that comes the closest to emotional manipulation. Jet Li is known for his crazy action roles, but the drama that he manages to bring, especially with Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins as scene partners, elevates this to something more. Simply a wonderful movie.

Shanghai Noon

I knew I had to get Jackie Chan on here somewhere. He’s my childhood’s epitome of action. It’s hard to say where he perfected his martial arts comedy bit, but this is definitely up there. Martial arts in the Wild West is how you strike gold.

300

Stylized, hyper-violent, and visually striking. This movie, like the Matrix, showed up a new way to view action. It may have also contributed to a fair amount of masculine body dysmorphia, but dang was it awesome to watch.

True Lies

This movie is pure spectacle. Action, comedy, espionage, and one of the most memorable helicopter sequences ever. Arnold and action are pretty much synonymous, and the is the first movie I think of when I think of him. Well, after Jingle All the Way, but beating up Sinbad doesn’t make something an action movie. :)

What action movies would you add? Which ones do you think I committed a crime by leaving off? Let me know.