13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Thirteen!

Happy Halloween!

And since it's Halloween, we're offering 13 movie recommendations!

1. Saw
2. House of 1000 Corpses
3. Dawn of the Dead
4. Friday the 13th
5. Hellraiser
6. The Omen
7. Killer Clowns from Outer Space
8. The Monster Squad
9. Bride of Frankenstein
10. The Abominable Dr. Phibes
    
11. Alien
12. The Thing (John Carpenter's remake)
13. Drag Me To Hell

Look for these, and all your favorite movies at the library.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Twelve

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

If you loved the old Universal horror movies with Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester, then you'll love Mel Brooks' affectionate spoof of those of films. Shot in black in white, the film faithfully recreates the sets and style of Universal's classic horror movies. Young Frankenstein boasts a brilliant comedic cast, and includes a cameo by Gene Hackman.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Eleven

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Tim Burton's wonderfully original animated film has become a classic, for both Halloween and Christmas. Enter Jack Skellington's bizarre and humorous world as he tries to take over a more ... friendly holiday.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by B.F. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Ten

RINGU

As the video cover says, The Ring was a Hollywood remake of this Asian horror movie, and its success spawned a host of remakes and English language films directed by Asian directors. This movie is slower and not as effect laden as it's remake, but Ringu has a much higher creepy factor and disturbs on many more levels. You'll be jumpy, but not for typical horror movie reasons. And watch it with the subtitles, not dubbing. As always the acting really shines in the original language.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Nine

30 DAYS OF NIGHT

If you liked Twilight, and pretty vampires, then you probably won't care for today's selection. These vampires are messy eaters, to say the least, and decidedly inhuman. But the special effects that make them so are subtle and disturbing. And Ben Foster's performance as The Stranger, his reactions to the vampires' pending arrival, adds another layer of uneasiness to the creatures.

Barrow, Alaska, where a winter night lasts 30 days, serves as the 'haunted house' our heroes are trapped in. While the vampires stalk them like any iconic boogey man and provide the adrenaline startled jumps.

30 Days of Night is based on a graphic novel by the same name by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by B.F. and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Eight

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

This is another movie that you shouldn't see alone. Not because it's full of frightening moments, but because watching it has become a social event where audience participation is required! And while Rocky Horror Picture Show gained its cult status and its interactive ritual with weekend midnight showings, it also has been a perennial favorite of Halloween parties and theater showings.

Theaters like The Alabama in downtown Birmingham. They'll be showing it on Thursday night, October 29. Plus, they'll have a contest for best Rocky Horror Picture Show costume before the movie. For more information visit the Alabama Theatre website.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by K.B. and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Seven

SLEEPY HOLLOW

Today's pick might not be full of scares, but this modern retelling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is certainly appropriate for Halloween. Like all of Tim Burton's movies, Sleepy Hollow is visually beautiful with his signature mix of quirky and macabre. From the lovely leads, Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, to the headless horseman, to the mysterious woods inhabited by spooky trees and crones, you'll find plenty to capture your attention. If that isn't enough, there's an all star cast that includes Christopher Walken, Christopher Lee, Jeffery Jones, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, and Ian McDiarmid, amongst others. And Burton's long time music collaborator, Danny Elfman, adds that final bit of magic with his fantastic score.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Six

28 DAYS LATER

Horror takes a slightly SF flavor in today's recommendation. But Director Danny Boyle is only replacing a supernatural explanation with a science fiction explanation. The scary parts are still based off our fears. The fear of viruses, of being alone, of losing those we love, of authoritative government, and of the terrible transformation engendered by anger. The last, of course, are the once human creatures who provide all the adrenaline scares of relentless chases and ambushes in the dark.

28 Days Later is also visually haunting. The image of a busy metropolis like London with completely empty streets is eerie and memorable. and Cillian Murphy, with his wide blue eyes, perfectly reflects the loneliness and confusion of a Rip Van Winkle, thrust into a post apocalyptic world. This isn't the type of horror movie that has you checking under the bed, but it does leave you thinking about other more real horrors.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by B.F. and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Five

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

And we are back with another iconic bogeyman -- Freddy Krueger, played with great zest by Robert Englund. And featuring Johnny Depp in his first movie role.

Like all successful horror movies, Nightmare on Elm Street plays on our primal fears. In this case, nightmares and dying in our sleep. Director Wes Craven took full advantage of all the terrible impossibilities that occur in our dreams, to deliver a imaginative and visceral film. But he also filled it with plenty of gotcha moments that made you jump ... and scream! Definitely a movie you do NOT want to watch in the dark or alone.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by E.E. in Adult and R.B. in Circulation
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Four

SHAUN OF THE DEAD

In a change of pace, today's recommendation mixes a bit of humor with the scares. Actually, this British import is much more funny than scary -- unless you are terrified of zombies!

Bill Nighy, playing Shaun's hated step father, as usual, tries to steal every scene he is in. But the heart of the movie is Simon Pegg, playing Shaun, an everyday bloke who is just trying to rescue his ex-girlfriend and prove his love... in the midst of a city wide zombie attack. Shaun is joined on this quest by his slacker best friend, Ed, whose help is somewhat questionable, but sincere.

Shaun of the Dead is a fun satirical commentary on friendship, love, and society AND a good old fashion zombie movie. You can't beat that with ... a cricket bat.

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by H.M. in Adult and S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Three

THE EXORCIST

No list of horror movies would be complete without this disturbing film. When it was first released, it was a true original, and nothing like it had been seen before. It scared some people right out of the theater and off of horror movies entirely. And even today, the movie still scares! Besides the physical horror of what happens to young Regan, played by Linda Blair, the audience is treated to a host of dark psychological and spiritual terrors. Or as one viewer said, "It's just freaky!"

The Exorcist was the first Oscar winning horror movie (for the screenplay), and also won the Golden Globes for Best Picture as well as acting awards. And it had a great cast and crew with Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, Linda Blair and director William Friedkin. And who could ever forget Mike Oldfield's creepy Tubular Bells playing when the supernatural reared it's head?

And remember, you can find all your favorite horror movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by M.H. and D.G. in Circulation.
Reserve your copy here or here or here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day Two

THE SHINING

Apparently, there's alot of love for classic horror movies here at HPL. And why not? With creative talent like Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Stanley Kubrick, and based on a book by horror master Stephen King, there's lots to love! And while not as closely connected to the holiday, as yesterday's recommendation, The Shining is also set at the end of the year, when the nights are long ... and the chills aren't all caused by the cold weather!

So grab a blanky and some hot cocoa, and cuddle up on the couch with your dog and revisit the Torrance family as they spend the winter in a haunted hotel. Just make sure you know where your hubby is. Especially if his name is Jack!

And remember, you can find all your favorite scary movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Recommended by O.N. in Administration and K.B. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

13 Days of Halloween Horror -- Day One

HALLOWEEN

It's that time of year when the leaves are turning, if not falling, and the weather is starting to cool, and pumpkins start appearing on people's doorsteps. Yes, Halloween is around the corner, and you can find all your scary movies at the library! Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite horror movies.

Of course, you can't talk about horror movies or Halloween without talking about John Carpenter's original Halloween. Staring Jamie Lee Curtis as the terrorized Laurie Strode, it made the white mask wearing Michael Myers into a movie icon. It's a classic, that made you jump in your seat when you first saw it years ago, and still does the same now. And unlike many movies today, it relies more on the psychological tension than the gore. And don't forget the score music also by John Carpenter that just ramps up the nerve wracking suspense even more.

Recommended by D.E. in Security and J.R. in Circulation.
Reserve your copy here.

Grace Will Lead Me Home by Katherine Valentine

Dorsetville is home to a variety of characters. It is a small town where people know one another, genuinely care about each other and help when there is need. Father James and Father Dennis are part of the community and people love them. But their housekeeper, Mrs. Norris, has had enough of their sloppy habits around the house. She quit suddenly and the search began for a new housekeeper for the rectory. The women who took the job were certainly unique and nothing like Mrs. Norris. Deputy Hill is well intentioned and wants to be a good lawman but he just has a way of making situations worse instead of better. What will he do next that the sheriff will need to fix? When an ex-convict moves into the rectory he is given another chance at life. The people in Dorsetville are much like the people in Jan Karon's Mitford. They are just folks living life as best they can while being themselves. Often things go better with God's grace.

THE SOLOIST DVD Review

I'll admit up front, that I picked up this movie for Robert Downey Jr. Yes, I'm one of those old school movie watchers who will follow actors into some really bad movies, because I enjoy watching them work. Fortunately, this was not a really bad movie -- far from it. The Soloist was different from what I expected, more of a message movie, but it still engaged me and held my interest for 117 minutes. Of course, this was mainly due to the two leads, Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Fox.

Robert Downey Jr. was a bit restrained here, playing a real person (LA Times reporter Steve Lopez) in a real situation (dealing with loneliness and his own fears), but with his usual mesmerizing energy. Jamie Fox continues to be a revelation, as he exercised his chameleon abilities to sink entirely and believably into the role of homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers. And both actors play beautifully off each other in this story of a reporter looking for a story and finding a person, damaged, but demanding to be seen as a human being. It's a story where most of the action is interior, within the characters -- as they both work toward regaining contact with the people around them and each other. The movie isn't escapist fare. There's nothing entertaining about a schizophrenic gifted musician surviving among the 60,000 homeless in Los Angeles. Nor does it have the usual neatly tied up happy ending. In the movie, friendship and compassion do not conquer all, but instead are celebrated for their existence in such an enervating environment. And yet it is not a depressing movie, just one that makes you think, feel and appreciate a bit more.

Reserve your copy of the DVD.
Reserve your copy of the book by Steve Lopez this movie is based upon
Reserve your copy of the audio book by Steve Lopez this movie is based upon

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft has just released a free antivirus/malware package for Windows users called Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/.

Also visit the Microsoft Malware Protection Center for definition info, security news, and safety tips at http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/.

--kb

The Digital Photography Book 1: The step-by-step secrets for how to make your photos look like the pros’! by Scott Kelby

   

As a new owner of a Nikon D90, I’m very anxious to learn everything I can about photography and my new camera. I’ve messed around a little bit with photography and a lot with Photoshop and think I have a pretty good eye for composition. But, now comes the hard part, this camera has so many buttons and settings and I haven’t a clue for what many of them are used. The Digital Photography Book 1: The step-by-step secrets for how to make your photos look like the pros’! by Scott Kelby along with another book that I’m now reading, Nikon D90: Digital Field Guide, by J. Dennis Thomas (that’s another review), are bringing everything to life for me.

Scott Kelby is who I’d call an expert in the digital photography field and phenomenal Photoshop user. He has authored several books, and serves as Editor-in-Chief for a couple of magazines, is President of a professional association, and co-host of a TV video podcast. The way he lays out this book is different. It is not full of concepts, theory and technical jargon, but, it is a book of recipes, which I totally love! He tells you, if you want to get this particular shot, then you push that button or change this setting, which really starts you on the road to taking great photos, FAST. And the humor he injects is a pleasant surprise, although sometimes I think he might rattle on a tad too much when I’m really getting into what he’s saying and have to wait because he stops to tell a dumb story, especially at the beginning of the book.

So if you’re a beginner dSLR user/photographer like me and want to know which aperture to use for a portrait, why you would ever use a flash outdoors, the trick for shooting waterfalls, how to avoid the dreaded “blinkies”, and what shutter speed to use when shooting sports, then this is the book for you. I can’t wait to see what Scott has to say in Books 2 and 3.

Well, darn it, I don’t find Book 1 in our catalog, but I do find: The Digital Photography Book 2: The step-by-step secrets for how to make your photos look like the pros’! by Scott Kelby and The Digital Photography Book 3: The step-by-step secrets for how to make your photos look like the pros’! by Scott Kelby in the catalog. So go for it!

You can find The Digital Photography Book 1: The step-by-step secrets for how to make your photos look like the pros’! by Scott Kelby at Amazon if you would like to purchase it. You can even purchase a boxed set of all three books.

Computer Classes

FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER

E-Mail	2 – 4 pm	Thursday	October 8
Intro to Power Point 2007 - I	2 – 4 pm	Tuesday	October 13
Copy & Paste	2 – 4 pm	Thursday	October 15
Intro to Power Point 2007 - II	2 – 4 pm	Tuesday	October 20
Intro to Computers - I	2 – 4 pm	Thursday	October 22
Intro to Excel 2007 - I	2 – 4 pm	Tuesday	October 27
Intro to Excel 2007 - II	2 – 4 pm	Tuesday	November 3
Intro to Computers - II	2 – 4 pm	Thursday	November 5
Intro to Word 2007 - I	2 – 4 pm	Tuesday	November 10
Internet	2 – 4 pm	Thursday	November 12
Intro to Word 2007 - II	2 – 4 pm	Tuesday	November 17
E-Mail	2 – 4 pm	Thursday	November 19

• Computer Classes offered at Homewood Public Library are free of charge.

• Classes are limited to eight students.

• Register by phone (332-6632) or e-mail (sswindle@bham.lib.al.us).