Classic Hollywood Movies!

We have recently added a slew of classic movies to our collection. With legendary Hollywood icons such as Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Cable, Joan Crawford, and  Marlon Brando how could you possibly go wrong with any of these titles? Click on the image below to place your hold on one of these new additions today! Enjoy!

Crazy, Stupid, Love

    Recently, I have been in a movie slump. I haven’t watched anything absolutely wonderful, so when I ran across Crazy, Stupid, Love I didn’t think much about it. I have seen this movie check out like crazy so I thought I would give it a try. This romantic comedy stars Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, and Kevin Bacon. The movie opens with Cal (Carell) and Emily (Moore) at dinner, when Emily decides to drop the bomb that she has had an affair and wants a divorce.  Cal, who is completely devastated, is thrown back into the single life and he is pretty much sinking when playboy Jacob (Gosling) saves him. Jacob teaches Cal the wicked ways of manipulating women into getting what he wants from them. But soon, heartthrob Jacob has meets his match in the enchanting Hannah (played by a delightful Stone). If you think this is going to turn out to be a predictable romance comedy, well think again. There are other stories thrown in that make the movie wonderful. There are also lots of connections and twists that will keep you on your toes. The main message of this movie is love and it is definitely the starring character. So if you are looking for a great movie that will leave you with a positive feeling and lots of laughs, then I cannot recommend Crazy, Stupid, Love enough to you.

Christmas Book Review for December 15th

Here is Ms. Mollie's pick for December 15th

If You Take A Mouse To The Movies by Laura Numeroff



“If you take a mouse to the movies, he’ll ask you for some popcorn. When you give him popcorn, he’ll want to string it all together. Then he’ll want to hang it on a Christmas tree.” In this holiday version of the classic If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, the mouse experiences all joys of Christmas and lots of holiday fun.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS DVD Review

Many people enjoy spending time with family on Thanksgiving, but those aren't the people in this movie. Claudia Larson (Holy Hunter), a middle aged art restorer, is fired right before her trip home for Thanksgiving. More and more bad news and annoyances pile on Claudia before she arrives coatless at her parents' home in Baltimore. Her spinster aunt has moved from dotty to delusional. Her mother tries to set her up with a sad schoolmate who had a crush on her. Her judgmental sister with the perfect life arrives. And of course, the Thanksgiving dinner is ... lively. The bright spot of the weekend is when her favorite, bohemian witty brother, Tommy (Robert Downey Jr.), shows up with a handsome friend, Leo Fish (Dylan McDermott), in tow.

Home For the Holidays is directed by Jodi Foster and features some excellent subtle performances, like Holly Hunter's Claudia, and some excellent not so subtle performances, like Robert Downey Jr.'s Tommy, but this is not a typical feel good holiday movie. There are a few scenes of family discord, some bittersweet moments of realization, all sprinkled with familiar bits of humor. But if you are one of those people that don't enjoy going home for the holidays, this movie offers sympathetic insight, and in the spirit of the holiday, reveals reasons to be thankful for family.

Reserve your copy of Home For the Holidays.

THE BIG BANG THEORY DVD Review

The Big Bang Theory is one of those rarities on TV these days -- a funny sitcom with heart. Penny (Kaley Cuoco), a waitress / actress, moves into the apartment across the hall from Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) -- who are both scientists and geeks. Leonard is immediately smitten, as are his two friends, Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) -- likewise scientists and geeks. All three go to great lengths to spend time with Penny. Raj and Howard have two completely opposite approaches to this endevour, as Raj can't speak to women unless he's intoxicated, and Howard uses every possible smarmy, bad line in the book. Sheldon, Leonard's roommate, is an analytical, obsessive compulsive who doesn't fall prey to Penny's charms, but who more often than not is dragged along on Leonard's quest. The four of them are a geek squad that unabashedly enjoy their non-mainstream interests, while pursuing decidedly mainstream interests, like relationships. IOW, not that much different than Penny, who drifts into one shallow relationship after another, while pursuing an acting career. But as they each interact more and more, they find the best relationship is their developing, odd friendship.

I had avoided the show for years because the premise of sounded full of ugly stereotypes. But appropriately enough, I caught an episode at my local comic book shop (Kingdom Comics) and laughed myself silly. Yes, all the characters exhibit some typical traits of their respective roles, but the actors make them real people, not stereotypes. Yes, much of the humor is a result of the culture clash between the geeks and the actress, but both sides reveal their foibles and learn from each other. And there are a lot of foibles, especially with Sheldon.

Each episode is about 21 minutes long, and self contained, so it's easy to fit them into a busy schedule or zip through an entire disc if you are looking for an evening of entertainment. You don't have to be a geek to enjoy the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, you just have to enjoy stories about friendship ... and dealing with difficult people.

Reserve your copy of The Big Bang Theory Season 1.
Reserve your copy of The Big Bang Theory Season 2.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Twelve

Merry Christmas!

And since it's Christmas, we're offering 12 more movie recommendations!

1. Greatest Story Ever Told
2. Nightmare Before Christmas
3. Scrooged
4. The Bishop's Wife
   
5. Love Actually
6. Polar Express
7. Home Alone
8. The Ref
9. Charlie Brown Christmas
10. Home For the Holidays
11. The Christmas Letter
12. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

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

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Eleven

JOYEUX NOEL

Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, this French film relates one of the Christmas Truces of World War I. Joyeux Noel is a reminder of the hopes and joys people everywhere hold in common, and to take a moment to remember those that serve far away from home this Christmas Eve.

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

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

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Ten

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

This Rankin / Bass production was one of several animated puppet Christmas shows that played on TV in the 1960s and 1970s, and became a well loved classic. The Little Drummer Boy still holds up well, enchanting new generations of children with the wonderful puppets and beautiful message. Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas with this heartwarming video.

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

Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Nine

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION

While not to everyone's taste, if you enjoy the silly, or the antics of Chevy Chase, then this is probably the DVD you reach for this season. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation reunites the Griswolds, and hits all the disasters that can happen when relatives gather for the holidays.

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

Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Eight

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL

Take Charles Dickens' classic and give it an update, Muppet style! Add Michael Caine to the mix, playing Scrooge, and The Muppet Christmas Carol is sure to please all ages.

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

Recommended by D.W. Intern
Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Seven

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

You can't watch TV this time of year without seeing this Christmas classic playing. It's a Wonderful Life takes this holiday to remind us of what's important in life.

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

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

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Six

DIEHARD

Looking for something a little different in your Christmas movies? Well, Diehard certainly fits the bill. An action movie that takes place at Christmas, it made John McClaine reconsider the holiday trip, even to be with family.

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

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

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Five

A CHRISTMAS STORY

This wonderful movie was made in 1983, but is a child's eye view of Christmas in the 1940s -- told with a child's blunt honesty. A Christmas Story was written by humorist Jean Sheperd, and he even narrates the story, as an adult looking back fondly, but clearly, at cherished events that every one can relate to. Your dad may never have won a "special prize," but I'll bet you've heard something like, "you'll shoot your eye out, kid."

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

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

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Four

DR. SEUSS'
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

With less than a week left, the Christmas Eve deadline is staring everyone in the face, and Present Buying Panic is starting to creep into lives everywhere. Before you get grumpy take a couple of hours and watch the Christmas classic, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas to give you a little perspective on the more commercial side of Christmas.

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

Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Three

WHITE CHRISTMAS

A big part of Christmas is the caroling, and today's recommendation will definitely get you in the mood for singing. White Christmas is a light hearted classic and you just can't go wrong with names like Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Irving Berlin and Michael Curtiz!

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

Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Two

ELF

Before Jon Favreau directed Iron Man, he hit box office gold with Will Farrell and Buddy the Elf. With an all star cast that includes James Caan, Bob Newhart, and Ed Asner, as well as Andy Richter, Amy Sedaris, and Zooey Deschanel, the whole family can enjoy this humorous take on Christmas elves and family.

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

Recommended by L.J. in Circulation
Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day One

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Christmas is coming! And we'll be counting down the days with our favorite holiday videos. Starting with a classic favorite, Miracle on 34th Street. That question all children and parents face at some point is answered wonderfully in this timeless movie. It's been remade a couple of times, but nothing beats the 1947 original. It features one of Natalie Wood's first performances, and she shines as the little girl who wants to believe in Santa Claus. Maureen O'Hara plays her mother perfectly, and for generations Edmund Gwenn WAS Santa.

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

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

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.