Tag Archives: DVDs

Books into Movies

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I love reading a good movie, or is it watching a good book? Either way you prefer to phrase it, I’m always excited, anxious and nervous when one of my favorite books is made into a movie. I usually start out hopeful that the story will come to life on screen, exactly as I have envisioned it. The next step is to carefully scrutinize the cast, and start making my wish list of which actors I think would have been better in each role. Then, I tell myself that I will give the film a chance to live up to my expectations (all while hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst). Finally, I grab the family and some popcorn, and am thrilled to see beloved characters and locations brought to life.

This spring, catch these movies, based on books:

Marvel’s The Avengers, out May 4th – Marvel comic books, including the characters Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow come alive.

Read “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” before seeing it onscreen this May, starring Dame Judi Dench. The story is about British retirees relocating to India. They find the Marigold Hotel less than the advertisements promised.

Since its original publication date in the 1980’s, women have been consulting this pregnancy guide (now in its 4th edition). Starting May 18th, you can watch an all-star cast in What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron star in Snow White and the Huntsman, starting June 1st. This film is described as an epic action-adventure based on the Snow White fairytales.

Movie Bonus: Okay, this wasn’t really a book, but it was so delightfully campy that I felt I couldn’t possibly mention spring movie releases without including it. Dark Shadows! Yes, kids, we had vampires before Edward and Stefan. Don’t believe me? Check out Dark Shadows on dvd, the popular late 60’s and early 70’s gothic soap opera. Johnny Depp stars as Barnabas Collins in the big-screen remake hitting theaters May 11th.

What We’re Listening to/Watching – April 2012

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cds and dvdsA sampling of what we’re listening to and watching:

Laura E.  – I’m watching Community and loving it! This is a totally under-appreciated comedy gem. And I’ve been listening to Fur and Gold by Bat for Lashes, pretty alterna music.

Amy V. – I’m watching The Big Bang Theory. (Bazinga!).

Sarah – I am watching Buffy for the first time. (I know, for SHAME that it’s taken me so long!).  I am listening to a zillion things, though–  Wrecking Ball–Bruce Springsteen, Sigh No More–Mumford and Sons, The King is Dead–The Decemberists.

Emily – The Way – Tom (Martin Sheen) journeys to France to collect the remains of his son (Emilio Estevez) who was killed while hiking the Camino de Santiago.  Instead of returning home, Tom completes the traditional journey in his son’s place, interacting with other pilgrims and locals encountered along the way.

McKenzie – I just discovered All the Roadrunning, a CD collaboration between Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler and it’s pretty much been on repeat since I downloaded it. It’s this fun hybrid between bluegrass, rock and country that really works so well with their unique voices and instruments.

And as for a DVD, Like Crazy is pretty new and it’s really great. Don’t watch it if you’re not into ambiguous endings, but do if you enjoy a young love story, de-mystified.

Laura S. – Before my sister left for Morocco we started rewatching all the past episodes of How I Met Your Mother. I’m about halfway through. They are, if it’s even possible, funnier than the first time I saw them.

I’ve been listening to the The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond Soundtrack. It’s like they looked at my most played artist on Spotify and then asked them to makes songs just for me. Neko Case, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Civil Wars, The Decemberists; their choices are spot on for the tone of the book and movie.

Eric – I am listening to Robert Johnson-King of the Delta Blues and Etta James- Her Best. I am watching Justified season two and Regular Show Slack Pack (for me but also with my children)

Spring Fever

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Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and somewhere the crack of the bat can be heard. With each puff of smoke from the mitt optimism for the upcoming baseball season abounds.

Around here, the Cincinnati Reds opening day may as well be declared a holiday. This is the time of year when any team can win the pennant, at least in the eyes of their fans. For me its a time to break out the sunflower seeds.  There is nothing better than sitting in the dugout or bullpen with a couple dozen sunflowers in your mouth while the salty taste permeates as you shuck each one and separate the tasty insides from the outer shell.   But for those of you who don’t get nostalgic for the taste of seeds and the competition of spitting the shells into a cup, here are my top 5 baseball movies that are available here at the Clermont County Public Library in chronological order.

1942-The Pride of the Yankees-because of the iconic speech…”Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

1976-Bad News Bears-because every team should have a girl for a pitcher…”and just wait til next year.”

1984-The Natural-because who doesn’t want to hit the ball into the scoreboard and cause a giant epic explosion while rounding the bases triumphantly?

1989-Field of Dreams-because now we know that “if you build it, he will come,” and every kid wants to connect with their dad.

1992-A League of Their Own-because woman can make great baseball players too and “THERE’S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!”

1993-The Sandlot-because the whole neighborhood played baseball and we all knew that the neighbor’s dog would eventually get our ball…game over.

2005-Fever Pitch-because there is more to life than just baseball and even the Red Sox can win the Pennant (take note Cubs fans).

So before the games starts get some sunflower seeds, and break out some of your favorite baseball movies, then watch them all so you will be ready for this year’s baseball season.

 

 

Live Concerts on DVD

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I haven’t been to a real concert in years.  It’s not that I don’t want to get out and see live music, it’s just not an option. If you’re like me you might just be lacking in the time and funds it takes to see amazing acts live in concert.

BUT! I’ve discovered the most amazing library material ever! We have DVDs of live concerts. Just imagine No fighting the crowds, no seeing past the guy with the weird hat. No nosebleed seats or getting rained on. Just perfect sound and a perfect view.

We have some amazing new concerts that have shown up in our New and Forthcoming DVD List recently.

Adele Live at the Royal Albert Hall- Filmed on September 22, 2011 at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall, Adele’s bestselling hits from both of her albums, 19 and 21, are featured as well as several behind the scenes features. Since Adele swept the Grammys I expect there to be a high demand on this one, check out now before everyone figures it out!

The Best of Bluegrass Underground- Taped 333 feet below ground within the labyrinth of Tennessee’s Cumberland Caverns, contained is a compilation of the best of the twelve-part ‘musical adventure’ series. Featuring the top established and emerging artists within the booming genres  of bluegrass, Neo-Folk, gospel, roots, and Americana genres.

Looking for some other cool concerts to watch? Try these:

Join the “Community”

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communityIf you are going through “Community” withdrawal like I am, then find the library and check out first and second seasons of the always hilarious show. “Where is the library?” you say. Well these lyrics might explain where the library is located.

Donde esta la biblioteca. Me llamo T-Bone La Arana discoteca. Discoteca, muneca, La biblioteca Esta en bigtes grande, el perro, manteca. Manteca bigotes, gigante, pequeno, la cabeza es nieve, cervaza es bueno. Buenos dias, me gusta paps frias, los bigotes de la cabra Es Cameron Diaz

Translated to English…Where is the Library? My name is T-Bone the disco spider. disco, doll, the library is in the big mustache, dog, lard, Lard mustache, huge, little head is snow, beer is good, Good day. I like cold potatoes the goats mustache is Cameron Diaz.

Okay that might not help at all, but the Clermont County Public Library can, just visit one of our ten branches and get your “Community” fix.

 

Horror DVDs for Halloween

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the boxThe Halloween season is upon us, but don’t wait until the last minute to go trick-or-treating through the DVD section looking for a spook! Movies like Frankenstein and the Poltergeist trilogy probably come to mind, but I’ve highlighted a few I found while browsing the collection.

Vincent Price stars in the 1953 film House of Wax about an insane sculptor that builds a wax museum out of things that used to be alive.

Based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, 1408, follows renowned horror novelist Mike Enslin and paranormal skeptic. Defying the warnings of the hotel manager, the author is the first person in years to stay in the reputedly haunted suite 1408 of the notorious Dolphin Hotel. Will Enslin go from skeptic to true believer, all while trying to survive the night?

The Box will bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. But, by pressing this button it will simultaneously cause the death of another person somewhere in the world, someone the owner doesn’t know.

In The Eye Sydney is a blind violinist who is given the chance to see for the first time since childhood through a miraculous corneal transplant. As she adjusts, she is haunted by frightening visions of death. Terrorized and on the brink of insanity, Sydney is convinced that her anonymous eye donor has opened the door to a terrifying world only she can see.

The Haunting in Connecticut is based on the true story of one family and their new house, which was once a funeral parlor where some of the most heinous acts took place. Now their son is being used as a messenger for the evil spirits that still lurk in the house.

Have you checked the children? How are the children? Those are some of the harassing questions by a prank caller to a high school babysitter in the 2006 remake of When a Stranger Calls.

These are just a few of the horror films in the library’s collection. What horror film thrills and chills you?

Hugo Award Winners

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hugo awardThis year’s Hugo Awards were announced at Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention, in Reno, Nevada.

This year’s winners are:

Best Novel: Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis (Ballantine Spectra)

Best Novella: The Lifecycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang (Subterranean)

Best Novelette: “The Emperor of Mars” by Allen M. Steele (Asimov’s Science Fiction, June 2010)

Best Short Story: “For Want of a Nail” by Mary Robinette Kowal (Asimov’s Science Fiction, September 2010)

Best Related Work: Chicks Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the Women Who Love It edited by Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O’Shea (Mad Norwegian)

Best Graphic Story: Girl Genius, Volume 10: Agatha Heterodyne and the Guardian Muse written by Phil and Kaja Foglio; art by Phil Foglio; colors by Cheyenne Wright (Airship Entertainment)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Inception written and directed by Christopher Nolan (Warner)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor Who: “The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang” written by Steven Moffat; directed by Toby Haynes (BBC Wales)

Best Editor, Short Form: Sheila Williams

Best Editor, Long Form: Lou Anders

Best Professional Artist: Shaun Tan

Best Semiprozine: Clarkesworld edited by Neil Clarke, Cheryl Morgan, Sean Wallace; podcast directed by Kate Baker

Best Fanzine: The Drink Tank edited by Christopher J Garcia and James Bacon

Best Fan Writer: Claire Brialey

Best Fan Artist: Brad W. Foster

The John W. Campbell Award for Best New SF Writer: Lev Grossman

Space Flight Anniversary

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Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space on April 12, 1961.

From Funk & Wagnalls -
After graduating from technical and vocational schools, he enrolled at the Soviet air force cadet training center at Orenburg, graduating as a pilot in 1957. On April 12, 1961, Gagarin, then a major in the air force, became the first man to travel in space when he rode aboard the earth satellite Vostok (later referred to as Vostok 1) on a 27,400 km/hr (17,000 mph) single orbit of the earth. The flight lasted 1 hr 48 min, on an elliptical course having an apogee of 327 km (203 mi) and a perigee of 180 km (112 mi). He was killed in the crash of a test airplane.

Read more about the history of manned space flight.