October 2008 - Posts
for November 3rd 2008
Lars and the Real Girl Fiction
How can a movie about a socially unskilled, desperately lonely man who buys a life size doll to be his companion not be tawdry? The answer is a family filled with unconditional love and townspeople willing to help a fellow human being with his personal struggle. This theme could so easily have been mocking yet this story takes the high road, and never once strays off course. It is sweet without being saccharine, it is whimsical without being ludicrous--- and above all it is charming.
Origin of AIDS Non fiction
More than 20 years after the first appearance of AIDS, controversy still rages as to its origins. This 2004 award winning documentary explores the hypothesis that there may be a connection between AIDS and the race to develop a polio vaccine in the late 50's. A National Film Board of Canada Release.
MI-5 Series
MI-5 is the British counter intelligence agency responsible for controlling internal threats to national security (James Bond is MI-6 and takes care of those pesky international problems). The stories are hard hitting, relevant, sometimes depressing, but highly watchable. The series has been running for 7 seasons in Britain, and CPL currently has the first 5.
Spoiler alert-- don't get too attached to any of the characters. Unlike American television there is no miraculous awakening from comas, the countdown clock doesn't always stop at 00.01 and don't expect the cavalry to arrive in the nick of time. This is a really excellent series-British drama at its best-with 6 to 10 one hour episodes per season. It's worth the effort to watch them in order.
Are you in need of a good scare this Halloween? Check out these titles available at your local CPL branch.
The Host -Directed by Joon-ho Bong [South Korea, 2006]
From the murky depths of Seoul's Han River a creature emerges to feast on the locals. This spine tingling feature follows the lives of a dysfunctional family as they attempt to band together in the chaos. The Host is well blended mix of horror, comedy, adventure and political commentary.
Murder by Decree - Directed by Bob Clark [Canada, 1978]
Sherlock Holmes (Christoper Plummer) aided by his loyal Dr Watson (James Mason) investigate London's most infamous case, Jack the Ripper. Holmes and Watson uncover a rich conspiracy involving Freemason lore, corrupt officials and anti-monarchists. This multiple Genie Award winning film features fantastic camera work, strong performances and a wonderfully suspenseful atmosphere.
Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte - Directed by Robert Aldrich [USA, 1965]
A Southern belle is driven insane over the murder of her married lover, 37 years after his death. Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorehead star in this captivating Gothic Thriller.
Here are some more Halloween worthy titles available through your local CPL branch:
- Dracula - Directed by Francis Ford Coppola [USA, 1992]
- Gin gwai 10 (Eye 10) - Directed by Danny Pang [Hong Kong, 2005]
- Misery - Directed by Rob Reiner [USA, 1990]
- Psycho - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock [USA, 1960]
All parents have done it--sat through something that either bores us to tears or makes us squirm at how inappropriate it is. When looking for something that the whole family can watch we typically gravitate to Disney--particularly the Classics. While Disney is almost without exception a safe bet, try one of these for something a little different. Don't let the early release dates fool you--they stand up well.
Big Fat Liar - 2002
Starring Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the middle),Amanda Bynes (Hairspray) and Paul Giamatti (Sideways).
A young boy (Muniz) writes a story for a school project that ends up in the hands of an unscrupulous Hollywood Director(Giamatti). When no one believes the story is really his, he and his best friend head to California to try to set things right. This is a fun movie with engaging characters, a manic but non-threatening bad guy, and one scene that gave me one of the best belly laughs I've had in ages.
The Iron Giant - Animated 1999
This engaging story about a 9 year old boy that befriends an alien machine that has fallen to earth is both tender and meaningful. The young outcast boy and this misunderstood giant robot strike up a friendship based on trust and kindness. Watch for government agents who try to commandeer the robot for their own use. This has a very poignant ending.
Baby's Day Out -1994
Written and directed by John Hughes of Ferris Bueller and Home Alone fame, this is the delightful story of Baby Bink, who thanks to some bungling kidnappers ends up on a crawling adventure through New York City. Baby Bink is adorable, the villains are funny rather that frightening, and all ends well after some really funny misadventures.
October Sky -1999
Based on the book Rocket Boys:a memoir, this tells the true story of Homer Hickman Jr., a brilliant young boy growing up in a West Virginia coal mining town in the 50's. Determined to escape the drudgery of the mines, he and three friends embark on a scientific journey that eventually leads to NASA. Homer, played by Jake Gyllenhaal (Rendition Brokeback Mountain), struggles to overcome the conflict between him and his father (Chris Cooper- Lonesome Dove, Bourne Identity) to live the life that he dreams of.
The Borrowers - 1997
Based on the popular series of the same name by Mary Norton. This is a charming movie about the 4 inch high people who live in our homes behind our walls. They are the ones really responsible for all those strange occurrences- like missing socks, or where did the sewing needle go. When Ocious P Potter (John Goodman- Roseanne, O Brother Where art thou) tries to tear down the house, the Borrowers come to the rescue of the full sized humans who live there. Also featuring Tom Felton of the Harry Potter series (Draco Malfoy).
Mouse Hunt -1997
Nathan Lane (The Producers) and Lee Evans (Dinoptopia) star as the loveable, bungling Smuntz brothers. They inherit an old mansion that they believe will be their ticket to the easy life. However, it comes with an unwanted guest-a mouse that proves more than a challenge for the two. Christopher Walken makes a cameo appearance that is truly off the wall (and literally through the wall) funny.
Even if you are not a fan of westerns, you will love Paul Newman in Hombre (DVD FIC HOM). Newman plays a loner who, having been raised by Native Americans, disdains the corruption and prejudice of local pioneer immigrants. He inherits a hotel and, as a result, is thrown together with the very folk he despises in a stagecoach headed for trouble. Hombre explores what various characters will do when they find themselves in a desperate situation, one that Newman's character vows is none of his concern.
Have your own film festival...Other Paul Newman movies in the library's collection are The Sting (1973), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Elizabeth Taylor (1958), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Our Town (1940), Road to Perdition, Hustler, Message in a Bottle , From the Terrace, The Long Hot Summer, and Hitchcock's Torn Curtain.
CPL also features Newman biographies. Browse call number "791.43028 NEW" in your local branch, or ask for assistance at the reference desk. Titles include Paul Newman, Superstar by Lionel Godfrey, Paul Newman by Elena Oumano (also in Large Print and Talking Book formats), No Tricks in My Pocket: Paul Newman directs by Stewart Stern, Paul Newman by Eric Lax, Paul Newman by Lawrence Quirk, Paul Newman by Daniel O'Brien, Paul Newman by J.C. Landry, and Paul Newman: a life in Pictures.
Entrepreneurs and fans of Newman's Own salad dressing may want to read his account of starting a business in his book, entitled Shameless Exploitation in the Pursuit of the Common Good.