Yeah, yeah… I know! Movie Mondays are usually reserved for, well…. movies! This I know. However, I recently discovered one can watch (for free!) seasons 1-3 of The Mary Tyler Moore show online! So you can probably guess what I've been doing with my down time.

I seriously cannot underestimate the influence 1970s television shows had one my personal style as a kiddo. These are the sitcoms I grew up watching on Nick and Nite and TV Land with my family. Makes it a little strange to think about this show being as old then as Full House is now…. Oh my. Will my future children be influenced by the primary colored room of the Tanner girls, as well as their asymettrical pony-tails? Here's hoping they'll be just as interested in the wholesome humor of 1970's Mary Tyler Moore.

Rewatching this favorite show not only brought a gush of gooey nostalgia, but also made me wonder if I underestimate the influence of Mary Richards's apartment on my own decor decisions. I mean, remove the shag carpet, change the "M" on the wall to an "A," switch up the fabric colors a little, and holy moly, it's a dream studio apartment! Alright, so I'd probably make a few more changes. But seriously, kids, it's a cool pad, am I right?

There's really just too much to say about this show. I love all of the characters, Mary's fun dreses and kooky belts, the dynamics at her office, the relatability of Mary's character, the step back in time to kitschy decor and polyester suits… What's there not to love?

I'm sure most of you remember this show fondly, and for those of you who have never seen it- well, what are you waiting for? I think you'll enjoy this mother-of-30-Rock sit com just as much as me. Now go forth, and watch!

Do you like ganster movies? They are a faaaavorite guilty pleasure of mine! I hate violence in real life, and I know these movies depict actual villains who did really terrible things. Maybe it’s because I know those tommy gun toting stool pigeons have since been vanquished, but I have no problem at all watching all of their craziness unfold onscreen. In fact… I love, love, love it. And what if they all looked like Warren Beatty? That woud be even better, eh? So if you like gangster movies, and since I like gangster movies, let’s talk about one I just watched for the first time. Bugsy.

Bugsy is a meandering look at the personality of Ben Siegel (Warren Beatty), otherwise known as Bugsy. The movie begins by introducing Ben as a shameless mob member, who also happens to be a good ol’ American boy who hates communists, liars, thieves, and cheats. He’s got a nice wife with two kids, works hard to bring home the bacon, and justifies his extra marital affairs because, eh, he loves his wife, right?

Okay, okay, so he works for the mob. People learn to look the other way. And they learn to never call him Bugsy. He has the attitude of the neuveau riche– no concept of his money ever running out, of someone telling him no, or of not getting exactly what he wants when he wants it. And that’s how he falls in love with the strong-willed, hot headed Virginia Hill (Annette Bening), who begins to shape the rest of his extravagant life.

I enjoyed watching this movie that intimately follows only a short period of Ben Siegel’s life. All of the actors seemed to do a phenomenal job channeling their characters. Of course, I don’t know how accurate the biographical aspect is, but Mr. Siegel seems to have been a pretty crazy fellow. And crazy people tend to make good subjects for biographical films, in my opinion. There really wasn’t much mob action, which could be a disappointment to viewers who want to see violent shootings and U.S. Marshal chases. This movie is really a character study of one guy alone. Just don’t call him Bugsy. He may beat your face off.

Whenever I wonder what the world’s coming to these days, I remind myself that Doris Day isn’t starring in technicolor movies any more. Of course, if she still was, everyone would be happily tapping their toes, grinning at strangers who pass by, and (let’s not forget!) falling in love. Right? Well, others might rather punch kitties in the face after listening to Ms. Day sing too many renditions of Tea for Two, but I feel positively wonderful. Peace, love, and musicals for everyone!

Tea for Two is not only a ridiculously easy song to incorporate into every day life (Ahem, you can take my word for it if you must.), but it’s also a delightful romantic comedy featuring the classic musical-within-a-musical format which was oh so popular in the 1940s and 1950s. You know, sort of like those box-within-a-box Christmas gift gags (which are possibly as annoying to some people as Doris Day on repeat.). In fact, the story even begins in a nice frame format as the children of Nanette Carter (Doris Day) are told the story of how their parents fell in love back in 1929. (Cue the flashback.)

Nanette is the wealthy ward of her loving, and foolishly generous Uncle Max who just discovers he is losing his fortune in the Stock Market crash of ’29. Unaware of the money situation, Nanette promises a load of cash to a shiesty broadway producer who promises her the lead role for her investment. Not wanting to say no to his niece, Uncle Max makes a deal with her that if she says “yes” at any time in the next 48 hours, he doesn’t owe her a dime of the money she promised to the show. Stubborn Nanette vows she will only say no, but to her dismay, she’s forced into all sorts of predicaments where all she wants to do is say yes! (Cue the frustrating love scene.)

Of course, the storyline is a little (okay, a lot) preposterous, and the acting is on par with what you might expect from a fluffy ’50s musical, but boy howdy if it’s not an entertainingly nostalgic movie to watch! The dancing is loads of fun, and of course the music is nice, but my favorite part is drooling over the costumes and making clever musical connections that are awfully hilarious inside my own head. (Okay, if you must know, I thought it was fun that the two leading men from Oklahoma play major parts in a movie that is all about saying no. Ado Annie, anyone? Girl can’t say no. It’s funny! …It’s funny, right…?)

Bottom line? If you like Doris Day, you’ll love this movie. But if you love Doris Day, you’ve probably seen it already. So… go watch it again. It’s available instantly on Netflix!