Wow! What a dissicated desert the DVD world has been! We have opened walls and moved shelves at the library, creating a whole new world for our patrons, and we haven't watched many movies since early summer, but it has been no great loss.
Finally, our movie club has offered some interesting titles, and I've also gone out to a large store (whose name shall remain unrecorded) to find something you might enjoy. You can see the results in our December movie list.
Meanwhile, the old favorite Christmas flicks are going how like hot chicks: White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Scrooge, A Christmas Story... The best can only get better. Let's hope the next few months show an improvement in choices. The State Aid money is coming and we've earmarked some of that for movies this year. Stay tuned!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Yes, There Will Be More Movies Coming...
We haven't forgotten you. There will be new titles coming soon. Promise!
It has been summer around the library all July and we have had YA volunteer camp, the summer program for kids, a magician, a master story-teller, pizza parties, Nancy Drew book club meetings, a mystery to solve, and not much time or money left over for movies. Real world trumps the flick.
But, now it's August, the kids are getting ready for school, there's a little cash in the till and I'm looking with interest at the new releases on DVD. Watch for the rest of the new titles on the AFI list soon, and then we are commited to picking up the latest Pirates of the C movie as soon as it's released, and this summer's Harry Potter. As always at your library, you can let us know what's hot and available, and we'll count our pennys and try to get it in. Meanwhile, check out the new old movies we added from the new AFI 100 Years 100 Movies.
Stay tuned in!
It has been summer around the library all July and we have had YA volunteer camp, the summer program for kids, a magician, a master story-teller, pizza parties, Nancy Drew book club meetings, a mystery to solve, and not much time or money left over for movies. Real world trumps the flick.
But, now it's August, the kids are getting ready for school, there's a little cash in the till and I'm looking with interest at the new releases on DVD. Watch for the rest of the new titles on the AFI list soon, and then we are commited to picking up the latest Pirates of the C movie as soon as it's released, and this summer's Harry Potter. As always at your library, you can let us know what's hot and available, and we'll count our pennys and try to get it in. Meanwhile, check out the new old movies we added from the new AFI 100 Years 100 Movies.
Stay tuned in!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Singing Slugs? Yech...
Flushed Away. Who in their right minds would watch a movie about a mouse flushed down the toilet? I certainly didn't plan to. I saw the trailers and thought, Yuk! This one isn't taking up library space. Then a much younger co-worker insisted that I watch it and even brought her copy of the DVD to make sure that I would. What can I say? It's cute.
Maybe it's the affected British accent of the protaganist (He's no Mickey M) or the slight resemblance to my sister that I saw in the heroine--this little flick caught me and I enjoyed almost every minute of nonstop fun. Animation isn't just for kids anymore, so watch this one with your youngsters--the whole family has something fun waiting for them here.
The movie is great for teaching the value of friendship above Things and the importance of social interaction. Great as a vehicle to say that we should unabashedly be who we are. Great when it makes the point that all living beings have value.
Not so great when it comes to Slugs Are People Too. Ick.
Maybe it's the affected British accent of the protaganist (He's no Mickey M) or the slight resemblance to my sister that I saw in the heroine--this little flick caught me and I enjoyed almost every minute of nonstop fun. Animation isn't just for kids anymore, so watch this one with your youngsters--the whole family has something fun waiting for them here.
The movie is great for teaching the value of friendship above Things and the importance of social interaction. Great as a vehicle to say that we should unabashedly be who we are. Great when it makes the point that all living beings have value.
Not so great when it comes to Slugs Are People Too. Ick.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The Queen
I was not sure what to expect when I watched the movie. I did not see a lot of trailers for this movie, I thought that it was going to be about how The Queen became the ruler of England. Even though that was not what it was about, I was not disappointed.
This movie is how the royal family handled the death of Princess Diana. The movie starts within days of the wreck in the Paris tunnel to the end of the summer with the Queen meeting with Tony Blair. The movie shows how the relationship with the newly elected Prime Minister grows with the Queen.
If you like British History or anything to do with royalty, then you will like this movie.
This movie is how the royal family handled the death of Princess Diana. The movie starts within days of the wreck in the Paris tunnel to the end of the summer with the Queen meeting with Tony Blair. The movie shows how the relationship with the newly elected Prime Minister grows with the Queen.
If you like British History or anything to do with royalty, then you will like this movie.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Lake House--Some Do...
Some do...some don't. Sleepless in Seattle does; You've Got Mail doesn't. When Harry Met Sally definitely does and so does The Lake House. Those wonderful boy-misses-girl-misses- boy-meets-girl-meets-boy movies that we know just have to come right in the end fascinate us and renew our faith in the power of fate.
Sandra Bullock, who is usually just a little too waif-like for me, is on the mark in this film, balancing her lonely, mildly depressed characterization with likeability. I just want things to come out OK for her. And Keanu Reeves makes the love-struck male plausible.
Plausibility, however, is a real problem in this film. You don't want to analyze the nuts and bolts too closely, but if you are willing to suspend belief and just drop into the love story, you (I'm talkin' to you, girls) will have a satisfying chick-flick to get those tear glands going.
Sandra Bullock, who is usually just a little too waif-like for me, is on the mark in this film, balancing her lonely, mildly depressed characterization with likeability. I just want things to come out OK for her. And Keanu Reeves makes the love-struck male plausible.
Plausibility, however, is a real problem in this film. You don't want to analyze the nuts and bolts too closely, but if you are willing to suspend belief and just drop into the love story, you (I'm talkin' to you, girls) will have a satisfying chick-flick to get those tear glands going.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Night at the Museum
What if...
Isn't that every kid's preface to a great adventure? What if the museum comes to life each night? What if dinosaurs roam and lions prowl and the great battles of history are fought again and again and again? And what if a 21st century skeptical adult finds himself not just a witness to but a protaganist in this great saga?
Showcase the performances of three legendary comic actors and What If? becomes magic. Not only do Andy Rooney and Dick Van Dyke have a little fun, but we get to go along for the ride.
However, the best part of the movie is not these two old pros in their surprisingly evil roles, but the subdued and on-the-dime performance of Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt. Who else could play that multi-faceted sky-rocket of a president? The treat here is that Williams plays the man rather than the caricature and the result is a stunning vignette leaving the Roosevelt fans wishing for more.
What if you miss this movie? The sun will come up, birds will sing, the wind will blow, but you will have missed a roaring good time!
Isn't that every kid's preface to a great adventure? What if the museum comes to life each night? What if dinosaurs roam and lions prowl and the great battles of history are fought again and again and again? And what if a 21st century skeptical adult finds himself not just a witness to but a protaganist in this great saga?
Showcase the performances of three legendary comic actors and What If? becomes magic. Not only do Andy Rooney and Dick Van Dyke have a little fun, but we get to go along for the ride.
However, the best part of the movie is not these two old pros in their surprisingly evil roles, but the subdued and on-the-dime performance of Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt. Who else could play that multi-faceted sky-rocket of a president? The treat here is that Williams plays the man rather than the caricature and the result is a stunning vignette leaving the Roosevelt fans wishing for more.
What if you miss this movie? The sun will come up, birds will sing, the wind will blow, but you will have missed a roaring good time!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
DEPARTED (Rated R)
This is a warning to anyone with children under 13 who may want to watch "The Departed". Send the kids to Grandma's or watch it while they are in school. The language in this movie is worse than "Scarface". This movie contains too much blood and violence for pre-teens.
Jack Nicholson plays a totally evil mob boss you'll just love to hate. The rest of the characters are difficult to define as good or bad. Don't go for a sandwich, or you'll be lost when you come back.
Jack Nicholson plays a totally evil mob boss you'll just love to hate. The rest of the characters are difficult to define as good or bad. Don't go for a sandwich, or you'll be lost when you come back.
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Illusionist
Can the magician make himself disappear? Can he bring his lost love back from the dead? The expected and unexpected blend into mystery and romance as the Illusionist creates his final and finest trick. Excellent acting.
Don't miss the interviews afterwards. You will be shocked at how ordinary the actors and actresses seem after their extraordinary screen presense. 'Tis the nature of the craft!
Don't miss the interviews afterwards. You will be shocked at how ordinary the actors and actresses seem after their extraordinary screen presense. 'Tis the nature of the craft!
Moulin Rouge
Just in! Nothing like the older version of Moulin Rouge, the 2002 view of Alexandre Dumas' steamy, seamy nightclub life is lush and romantic and tragic. The cinematography is like fine velvet, reflecting mood, light, and shadow and drawing the viewer deeper into its folds until the everyday is gone and the world of courtesan and lover breathes in its place. Don't miss this one.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Happy With Happy Feet!
Wow! If you want to see the animated technological wonder of the year, you must not miss this movie.
The obvious scene to amaze and astound is the one in which the entire community of penguins tap dance in sync with one another while retaining each and every individual characteristic with which they have been endowed by their creators. But, beyond that, there is an eerie moment when Mumbles, the hero, meets human beings and, first, we see Us through his eyes and then, we see him through ours. What is animation and what is not? At that moment, it is really hard to tell, and the effect goes beyond techno-pop and into that realm of The Other.
Parents, beware!
If you have little ones who take nightmares away from scary movies, there are scenes of peril for the little penguin that are uncomfortably real. The teeth are so sharp and the menace so keen, that I feel it, even as an adult who understands the difference between animation and life.
The obvious scene to amaze and astound is the one in which the entire community of penguins tap dance in sync with one another while retaining each and every individual characteristic with which they have been endowed by their creators. But, beyond that, there is an eerie moment when Mumbles, the hero, meets human beings and, first, we see Us through his eyes and then, we see him through ours. What is animation and what is not? At that moment, it is really hard to tell, and the effect goes beyond techno-pop and into that realm of The Other.
Parents, beware!
If you have little ones who take nightmares away from scary movies, there are scenes of peril for the little penguin that are uncomfortably real. The teeth are so sharp and the menace so keen, that I feel it, even as an adult who understands the difference between animation and life.
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