For her birthday, my sister recently received The Rocketeer on DVD. It's one of her favorite movies and one of mine, too. I was still in high school when it premiered.

I remember first being drawn to the art deco poster. Then I saw the trailer on television and the musical score caught my attention. James Horner was the composer and the film's theme has been reused in a number of subsequent movie trailers. Secondhand Lions being the latest. My sister still has the soundtrack on cassette. Due to the movie, I attempted to learn Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" on the piano.

After seeing it the first time, I had a crush on Jennifer Connelly. Seeing it now reminded me why I liked Billy Campbell so much. He plays the affable hero who takes as many punches as he throws. Watching him also made me nostalgic for Once and Again, but let's not go there.

Overall, it's simply a fun film that makes me smile and brings back good memories.