THE WAY BACK - Showing Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. -- MAO'S LAST DANCER (2010) Starring Bruce Greenwood, Kyle Maclachlan, Chi Cao, and Joan Chen; Rated PG; 117 minutes

Based on an inspiring true story, this emotionally powerful crowd-pleaser emerged as one of the year's most talked about independent films. It's the fascinating and epic tale of Li Cunxin, a peasant boy from rural China who beats impossible odds to become a world-renowned ballet dancer. Through breathtaking talent and sheer determination, Li makes his way to the United States; but when he falls in love with an American woman, he must risk everything to remain in the land of the free.

Click here to watch the film's trailer.

Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. THE WAY BACK (Pictured, far left)  (2010) Starring Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, and Saoirse Ronan; Rated PG-13; 133 minutes          
Inspired by an incredible true story, THE WAY BACK begins in 1940 when seven prisoners attempt the impossible: escape from a brutal Siberian gulag. Thus begins a treacherous 4,500-mile trek to freedom across the world's most merciless landscapes. They have little food and few supplies. They don't know or trust each other. But together, they must withstand nature at is most extreme. Their humanity is further tested when they meet a teenage runaway who begs to join them on their quest.

Click here to watch the film's trailer.

Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. A SMALL ACT (2010) Documentary feature; Not rated; 88 minutes
When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it. She never imagined her quarterly donation of $15 would pave the way for Chris Mburu's journey to Harvard Law School. Years later, Chris has become a United Nations human rights lawyer working to combat genocide and discrimination. He decides to seek out the stranger who dramatically transformed his life and is astonished to learn his benefactor, Hilde, is a Holocaust survivor.

To watch the film's trailer, please click here.

Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE SCHEDULE CHANGE*) -- Cairo Time (2010) Starring Patricia Clarkson and Tom McCamus; Rated PG; 89 minutes

An award-winning audience pleaser at the Toronto and Tribeca Film Festivals, Ruba Nadda’s CAIRO TIME is both a love letter to a city and a sweeping romantic drama in the tradition of such films as BRIEF ENCOUNTER and LOST IN TRANSLATION. Oscar®-nominee Patricia Clarkson stars as a beautiful American abroad in Egypt, who finds herself enamored by more than the sun-swept vistas of Cairo.

Juliette (Clarkson), a fashion magazine editor in her 40s, travels to Cairo to meet her husband for a three week vacation. When he is unavoidably delayed, he sends his trusted friend Tareq Alexander Siddig) to keep her company. As he guides her through the sights, sounds and unique customs of the exotic city, unexpected feelings emerge leading to an awakening of emotion that takes Juliette by surprise.

Click here to watch the film's trailer.

*The Green Hornet was originally schedule to be shown on May 27. We apologize for any inconvenience. We do have the DVD available to check out/reserve (click here).

All films are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).

Showing Wednesday, May 18 at 2 p.m.

 Wednesday May 4 at 2 p.m. – THE KING’S SPEECH(2010) Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter; Rated R; 118 minutes          

Based on the true story of the Queen of England’s father and his remarkable friendship with maverick Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. Colin Firth plays King George VI who unexpectedly becomes King when his brother Edward abdicates the throne. Logue is the man who helps the King find a voice with which to lead the nation into war.

 To watch the trailer and learn more about the film, click here.

Wednesday, May 11 at 2 p.m. -- THE DILEMMA (2011) Starring Kevin James, Vince Vaughn, and Channing Tatum; Rated PG-13; 111minutes
          
This all-star comedy is about a man who finds out that what you don't say to a friend is just as important as what you do. Since college, confirmed bachelor Ronny and happily married Nick have been through thick and thin. Now partners in an auto design firm, the two pals are vying to land a dream project that would launch their company. But Ronny's world is turned upside down when he inadvertently sees Nick’s wife out with another man and makes it his mission to get answers. His amateur investigation dissolves his world into comic mayhem

 For more information and to watch the film's trailer, please click here.

Wednesday, May 18 at 2 p.m. -- BACK WHEN WE WERE GROWNUPS (Pictured at left) (2004) (Starring Blythe Danner, Faye Dunaway, Peter Fonda, Jack Palace, and Peter Riegert; Not rated; 110 minutes

Rebecca Davitch has always rolled with the punches, even those that were particularly hard-hitting. But suddenly, the genial 53-year-old widowed grandmother is having an uncharacteristic mid-life crisis. After all these years, Rebecca can't help but feel that she somehow turned into the wrong person. This is a beguiling film about second chances, the sanctuary of family, and the life choices that make us infinitely wiser than we ever dreamed we were or thought we could be.

Wednesday, May 25 at 2 p.m. -- COUNTRY STRONG (2010) Starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Leighton Meester, Tim McGraw; Rated PG-13; 112 minutes
          
A drama centered on a rising country-music songwriter who sparks with a fallen star. Together, they mount his ascent and her comeback, which leads to romantic complications involving her husband/manager and a beauty queen-turned-singer.

All films are free and open to the public.

Join us every Wednesday at 2 p.m. for our Wednesday Matinee Film Series.

Showing Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m.

Welcome to another special Stand Against Racism* film screening.

Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. – A CLASS DIVIDED (1986) Documentary feature; Not rated; 60 minutes
In 1970, an innovative teacher attempted a daring experiment in her elementary school classroom. To evaluate how racial stereotypes affect young children, Jane Elliott divided her class between those with blue eyes and those with brown and gave blue-eyed children preferential treatment. This classic program presents the long-term effects of racial stereotyping in schools and suggests how new approaches can make a positive difference with students and teachers. Discussion to follow film screening.

Co-sponsored by the YWCA Darien/Norwalk.

Click here for a schedule of Darien Library events in support of the Stand Against Racism.

Click here for more information about Stand Against Racism.

*The Stand Against Racism is a movement of the YWCA with the goal of bringing people together from all walks of life -- across the country -- to raise awareness that racism still exists. “Stand Against Racism” Day is Friday, April 29, 2011. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk, along with 60 YWCA’s and approximately 1,500 organizations, will celebrate diversity and raise awareness that racism still exists and should not be tolerated.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).

Showing Friday, April 29th at 2 p.m.

We are pleased to announce a special Stand Against Racism film screening.

Friday, April 29 at 2 p.m. – HAIRSPRAY (2007) Starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Allison Janney, Nikki Blonsky, Christopher Walken, and Michelle Pfeiffer; Rated PG; 113 minutes

In this screen version of the Broadway play, Tracy Turnblad is a heavyweight teenager with huge hair who is obsessed with Link Larken on the Corny Collins Show. She sings and dances her way into his heart and onto the show. However, she decides that the segregation of the show is not fair so she and her friends fight to integrate the show.

"What it offers isn't really a nostalgic look at a "more innocent time" so much as a saucy wink at a casually vicious time that is constantly being sold to us as innocent." -- Carina Chocano, The Los Angeles Times

"Movie magic." -- Mick LaSalle, The San Francisco Chronicle

"When Hairspray is twisting and shouting and swiveling its hips, you can even dare to believe a great society is waiting in the wings." -- The Washington Post

To watch a trailer of the film, please click here.

Stand Against Racism Day is Friday, April 29, 2011. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk, along with 60 YWCA’s and approximately 1,500 organizations, will celebrate diversity and raise awareness that racism still exists and should not be tolerated.

This film screening is the first of two special Stand Against Racism film screenings at the Library. On Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m., we will be showing A CLASS DIVIDED, followed by a discussion. Click here for more information.

Click here for a schedule of Darien Library events in support of the Stand Against Racism.

Click here for more information about Stand Against Racism.

*The Stand Against Racism is a movement of the YWCA with the goal of bringing people together from all walks of life -- across the country -- to raise awareness that racism still exists. “Stand Against Racism” Day is Friday, April 29, 2011. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk, along with 60 YWCA’s and approximately 1,500 organizations, will celebrate diversity and raise awareness that racism still exists and should not be tolerated.

Little Fockers - Showing Wednesday, April 6 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 6 at 2 p.m. - LITTLE FOCKERS (2010) Starring Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, and Owen Wilson; Rated PG-13; 98 minutes    

     
It has taken 10 years, two little Fockers and countless hurdles for Greg to finally get in with his tightly wound father-in-law, Jack. After the cash-strapped dad takes a job moonlighting for a drug company, Jack's suspicions about his favorite male nurse come roaring back. When Greg and Pam's entire clan descends for the twins' birthday party, he must prove to the skeptical Jack that he's fully capable as the man of the house. But with all the misunderstandings, spying and covert missions, will Greg pass Jack's final test and become the family's next patriarch...or will the circle of trust be broken for good?

To learn more about the film and to watch the trailer, click here.

Wednesday, April 13 at 2 p.m. - BLAST FROM THE PAST(1999) Starring Brendan Fraser, Alicia Silverstone, Christopher Walken, and Sissy Specek; Rated PG-13; 112 minutes

Adam Webber, born and raised in a bomb shelter with his father and mother, is now emerging to a bewildering new world where he meets a modern L.A. woman and falls in love. This is a One Book, One Community special film screening.

To watch the film's trailer, click here.

Wednesday, March 20 at 2 p.m. - SABRINA (1954) Starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, and William Holden; Not rated; 113 minutes

Based on the stage play, Audrey Hepburn stars as and received an Academy Award© nomination for her role as Sabrina, an impressionable chauffeur's daughter. Sabrina is mad about David Larabee (William Holden), a notorious playboy, but is whisked away to France by her father only to return a sophisticated lady of fashion. When she returns, David's head is suddenly turned towards her. David's brother Linus (Humphrey Bogart), however, seeks to enhance the family's wealth by marrying him off to an heiress and begins to pursue Sabrina himself to divert her from David's intentions. A charming Cinderella story that garnered six Academy Award© nominations in 1954.

Click here to watch the film's trailer.

Wednesday, April 27 at 2 p.m. - THE SWITCH (2010) Starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, and Patrick Wilson; Rated PG-13; 112 minutes       

In this offbeat comedy, Kassie, a smart, fun-loving single woman who, despite her neurotic best friend Wally's objections, decides it's time to have a baby-even if it means doing it by herself ... with a little help from a charming sperm donor. But, unbeknownst to her, Kassie's plans go awry because of a last-minute switch that isn't discovered until seven years later when Wally finally gets acquainted with Kassie's cute, though slightly neurotic, son.

To watch the film's trailer, click here.

All films are free and open to the public.

Join us every Wednesday at 2 p.m. for our Wednesday Matinee Film Series.

Showing Friday, April 29th at 7:30 p.m.

April is a movie month to embrace here at the Library. We'll be showing a couple of films selected to coincide with and, yes, embrace our One Book, One Community Program. We'll embrace the beginning of baseball season, and we'll be embracing two embraceable tales from across the pond.  Okay, okay...we'll just come right out and say it...the schedule-news you really want to know... we will be showing THE KING'S SPEECH later in the month. We know you're looking forward to it, but let's not be in any great hurry. There will be lots of Friday film fun throughout the month. Let's embrace it.

Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. PETE SEEGER: THE POWER OF SONG (2007) Documentary Feature; Rated PG-13; 93 minutes (This is a One Book, One Community Event)          
This movie comprehensively outlines the major events in folk singer Pete Seeger's life and career with archive footage, home movies and narration from Seeger himself. From his early days at folk festivals, to the rise and fall of his band The Weavers, to his famous protest songs to his 62 year marriage to his wife Toshi, Seeger always believed that music could be a force for good.

Click here to watch the film's trailer.

Friday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. – MADE IN DAGENHAM (2010) Starring Sally Hawkins, Andrea Riseborough, Jaime Winstone, Lorraine Stanley; Rated R; 113 minutes
In 1968, the female workers at the Ford Dagenham car plant walked out in protest against sexual discrimination. Their actions played a major role in the battle for equal pay, both nationally and internationally.

To learn more about the film and to watch the trailer, please click here.

 Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. – FLIPPED (2010) Starring Penelope Ann Miller, Aidan Quinn, Rebecca DeMorney; Rated PG; 90 minutes (This is a One Book, One Community Event)    
Juli Baker believes in three things: the sanctity of trees, the wholesomeness of the eggs she collects from her backyard flock of chickens and that someday she will kiss Bryce Loski. She has been smitten with Bryce ever since second grade but he thinks she is weird. Then, in eighth grade, Bryce begins to see that Juli's unusual interests and pride in her family are kind of cool. And Juli starts to think that maybe Bryce's brilliant blue eyes are as empty as the rest of him seems to be. A perfect introduction to the adolescent war between the sexes.

To learn more about the film and to watch the trailer, click here.

*Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. CONVICTION (2010) Starring Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, and Peter Gallagher; Rated R; 103 minutes

Betty Anne Waters is a young woman whose world is shattered when her beloved brother Kenny is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Steadfastly convinced of his innocence, Betty Anne embarks on an 18-year journey to set Kenny free, using state-of-the-art forensic technology. The unshakable bond between a brother and sister at the heart of this real-life drama stirs emotions and inspires.

To visit the film's website and to watch the trailer, please click here.

*Please note, the film originally scheduled,  GAME 6,  will not be shown. Due to circumstances beyone our control, we needed to alter our Friday Film Series schedule for April. (We apologize for any inconvenience.)

Friday, April 29 – THE KING'S SPEECH (Pictured above)

(2010) Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter; Rated R; 118 minutes          
Based on the true story of the Queen of England’s father and his remarkable friendship with maverick Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. Colin Firth plays King George VI who unexpectedly becomes King when his brother Edward abdicates the throne. Logue is the man who helps the King find a voice with which to lead the nation into war.

To visit the film's website and watch the trailer, please click here.

All films are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).

"Bag It," showing Sunday, March 6th at 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m., we will present, in an event co-sponsored by Choose to Reuse in Darien, a special screening of the documentary film Bag It.

Choose to Reuse in Darien promotes the use of reusable bags in every aspect of everyday life and seeks to eliminate disposable bags in Darien.

BAG IT – Documentary feature; Not rated; 65 minutes
Jeb Berrier is an average American guy who is admittedly not a “tree hugger.” He makes a pledge to stop using plastic bags. This simple action gets Jeb thinking about all kinds of plastic as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. When Jeb’s journey takes a personal twist, we see how our crazy-for-plastic world has finally caught up to us and what we can do about it. Today. Right now.
“Bag It” is a film that examines our society’s use and abuse of plastic. The film focuses on plastic as it relates to our society’s throwaway mentality, our culture of convenience, our over consumption of unnecessary, disposable products and packaging – things that we use one time and then, without another thought, throw them away. Where is AWAY?? “Away” is overflowing landfills, clogged rivers, islands of trash in our oceans, and even our very own toxic bodies. Jeb travels the globe on a fact-finding mission – not realizing that after his simple resolution, plastic will never look the same again!

To learn more about the film and to watch the trailer, please click here.

A wine and cheese reception will follow the screening.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s)

Showing Wednesday, March 2 at 2 p.m.

Our Wednesday Matinee Series continues in March with some classic films and some performances destined to become classics. 

Wednesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. - FREAKONOMICS (2010) Documentary Feature; Rated PG-13; 85 minutes          
Some of the world's most innovative documentary filmmakers will explore the hidden side of everything. The directors follow the basic path of the famous book and take on such issues as ethnic and class stereotypes, a Sumo wrestling cheating scandal in Japan, abortion rate vs the crime rate and "incentivizing" students to improve grades.

For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.

Wednesday, March 9 at 2 p.m. - INHERIT THE WIND (1960) Starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, and Gene Kelly; Not rated, 117 minutes
INHERIT THE WIND is a fictionalization of the real-life trial of John T. Scopes in the hot summer of 1925. The trial pitted Darwin’s evolutionary theories against the accepted text of religion. The film is a masterpiece of casting with Spencer Tracy as Clarence Darrow and Fredric March as William Jennings Bryan.

To watch the trailer, click here.

Wednesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. - SMALL ISLAND  (2010) Starring Naomie Harris, David Oyelowo; Not rated; 180 minutes
SMALL ISLAND explores the lives of two couples, one Jamaican and the other English, whose worlds intertwine in post-World War II Britain, at a turning point in the long relationship between the two countries. It is a story of tender emotion and sparkling wit, of crossings taken and passages lost, of shattering compassion and of reckless optimism in the face of insurmountable barriers.

To read more about the film, click here.

Wednesday, March 23 at 2 p.m. - KING LEAR (2009) Starring Ian McKellen; Not rated; 173 minutes
This telecast marks Sir Ian McKellen's return to the Royal Shakespeare Company that has resulted in a tour-de-force performance as King Lear, who decides to abdicate and divide his kingdom between his three daughters.

Wednesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. - DR. STRANGELOVE or; HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYNG AND LOVE THE BOMB (1964) Starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden; Rated PG; 93 minutes
General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) plummets into madness and sends a bomber wing to destroy the U.S.S.R. He suspects that communists are trying to rob Americans of their precious body fluids. The U.S. president meets with his advisers, where the Soviet ambassador tells him that if the U.S.S.R. is hit by nuclear weapons, it will trigger a "Doomsday Device" which will destroy the U.S. with buried bombs. (This is a One Book, One Community event.)

Click here to watch the film's trailer.

Please join us every Wednesday at 2 p.m. for our Wednesday Matinee Films.

Admission is free.

Showing Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Our Friday Night Film Series shows no signs of slowing down and we're roaring into March with plenty more film energy aimed at you!  March may be one of the longest and most unpredictable months of the year, but we predict that you'll enjoy our Friday screen selections!

Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. -- UNSTOPPABLE (2010) Starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Suplee, Kevin Dunn; Rated PG-13; 98 minutes
A runaway train, transporting deadly, toxic chemicals, is barreling down on Scranton, Pennsylvania, and only two men can stop it: a veteran engineer and a young conductor. Thousands of lives hang in the balance as these ordinary heroes attempt to chase down one million tons of hurtling steel and prevent an epic disaster.

Click here to watch the trailer.

Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. -- MORNING GLORY (2010) Starring Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, Patrick Wilson; Rated PG-13; 102 minutes    
When hard-working TV producer Becky Fuller is fired from a local news program, her career begins to look as bleak as her hapless love life. Stumbling into a job at "Daybreak", Becky decides to revitalize the show by bringing on legendary TV anchor Mike Pomeroy. Unfortunately, Pomeroy refuses to cover morning show staples like celebrity gossip, weather, fashion and crafts - let alone work with his new co-host, Colleen Peck. As Mike and Colleen clash, Becky's blossoming love affair with fellow producer, Adam Bennett, begins to unravel - and soon Becky is struggling to save her relationship, her reputation and her job.

For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.

Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. -- HEREAFTER (2010) Starring Matt Damon, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jay Mohr; Rated PG-13; 129 minutes      
The film tells three parallel stories that eventually intersect – about a French TV journalist, played by Cecile de France, who suffers a near-death experience during the Asian tsunami of 2004, a drug-addicted English single mother who loses one of her twin 10-year-old sons in a car accident, and a man who can talk to the dead, but prefers not to.

Click here for more information and to watch the trailer.

Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. -- THE LOST VALENTINE (2011) Betty White, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sean Faris; Rated PG; 100 minutes      
In THE LOST VALENTINE, Caroline Thomas loses her beloved husband Neil in World War II. Every year on the anniversary of the day they said goodbye forever (Valentine’s Day), she makes a pilgrimage to Union Station to salute the memory of the magical time they enjoyed together. Decades later, a television journalist investigates the circumstances of Neil’s death – and falls in love herself, with the couple’s grandson, Lucas.

Click here for more information about this film.

All films are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s)

It's almost time! On Sunday night, Academy action rewards "Lights! Camera! Action!" It's the Oscars! We have found that it's been difficult, if not impossible, to see all of the nominated films and nominated performances in this year's heated race. Therefore, we decided to offer a pre-Oscar screening day here at the Library, featuring three critically-acclaimed contenders in this year's race. On Saturday, February 26th, we will host RED CARPET SATURDAY! Here's the schedule:

9:30 a.m.--  TOY STORY 3

12 p.m. -- THE SOCIAL NETWORK

3 p.m. -- EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP

Please click here for all the details. All films are free and open to the public.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s)