Movies
A Movie Boon for May and June
Written by Barbara T. on 04/29/2010
For the first time ever, our Friday Film Series will not end when April ends. We've got films planned straight through* May and June (and beyond)! During May and June, our selections include several Oscar-nominated performances, beginning with Crazy Heart, for which Jeff Bridges won the Best Actor Oscar. Music, humor, history, bravery, tenacity, and wisdom infuse and inspire our spring lineup and our spring. Please join us on Friday nights at 7:30 for our Friday Night Films.
May 7 at 7:30 p.m.– CRAZY HEART
(2009) Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Robert Duvall; Rated R; 111minutes
The powerful story of a country music star’s rocky road to redemption. Bad Blake is a boozy, broken-down singer who reaches for salvation with the help of Jean, a journalist who discovers the real man behind the music. Will Bad Blake’s hard living and crazy heart cost him his last chance at a comeback?
May 14 at 7:30 p.m. – THE YOUNG VICTORIA–(2009) Emily Blunt, Miranda Richardson, James Broadbent; Rated PG; 105 minutes This dramatization covers the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria’s rule and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. At the age of 17, Victoria was already the object of a royal power struggle as she was in line for the throne and everyone is vying to win her favor.
May 21 – SPECIAL MOVIE EVENT – Meet the Author, Kevin Coupe, co-author of “The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies” Author presentation and book signing to begin at 7:30. Film screening of BOTTLE SHOCK to begin at 8:30 p.m. For more information, please click here.
May 28 at 7:30 p.m. – IT’S COMPLICATED – (2009) Meryl Street, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, Rita Wilson; Rated R; 120 minutes Jane is the mother of three grown kids, has a thriving business and an amicable relationship with her ex-husband Jake. But when an innocent meal turns into an affair, Jane finds herself as the other woman. When an architect falls for Jane, he soon realizes he’s become part of a love triangle as things get very complicated.
June 4 at 7:30 p.m. – INVICTUS – (2009) Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Scott Eastwood; Rated PG-13; 133 minutes The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. Believing he can bring his racially and economically divided country together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies his underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.
*June 11 – NO FILM – Please join us for a musical concert by ACABELLA, an all-female vocal group (pictured, right) featuring 14 women from lower Fairfield County. This gifted and committed auditioned group is popular for its talent and wide-ranging repertoire, which ranges from big band tunes to Broadway hits to disco and pop music. (7:30 p.m.) For more details, please click here.
June 18 at 7:30 p.m. – OWL AND THE SPARROW – (2007) Cat Ly, The Lu Le, Han Thi Pham; Rated PG; 98 minutes; In Vietnamese with English subtitles On the bustling streets of Saigon, three very different people are seeking connection are about to collide. A beautiful flight attendant looking for love. A zookeeper hiding within his animal kingdom to nurse a broken heart. And the young flower-selling runaway who brings them together. But to avoid the authorities and a strict uncle tracking her down, she will need all of her cleverness and determination if she is going to grab any chance at lasting happiness.
June 25 at 7:30 p.m. – EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES – (2009) Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Russell; Rated PG; 105 minutes Inspired by the true story of John Crowley, a man who defied conventional wisdom and great odds, and risked his family’s future to pursue a cure for his children’s life-threatening disease. He teams with Dr. Stonehill, a brilliant, but unappreciated and unconventional scientist who helps him find the cure.
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).
Friday's Film - "Pirate Radio"
Written by Barbara T. on 04/23/2010
Our Friday Film Series rocks week in and week out and this Friday, we'll revel in the best soundtrack in ages as we watch the next film in our Friday Film Series, Pirate Radio.
April 30 at 7:30 p.m.
PIRATE RADIO (2009) Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifams; Rated R; 135 minutes
Celebrated filmmaker Richard Curtis brings audiences his most personal comedy to date. Writing and directing the story of a band of rogue deejays who captivated British radio listeners in the ’60s, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that, incomprehensibly, preferred jazz, Curtis welcomes us aboard The Boat That Rocked.
This film comes from the creator of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Love Actually, which actually, predisposed me to liking this movie. Also, it's marketing was great. Not actually using the words "based on a true story," we read things such as "inspired by true events" and "a period comedy." No matter, everyone is having a great time and I appreciate the opportunity to be allowed in on the fun!
Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
(Our Friday Films will continue! For the lineup of upcoming films in May and June, please click here.)
Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).
Wednesday Matinee - "The Truth About Cats & Dogs"
Written by Barbara T. on 04/22/2010
We've been on a truth-finding mission during our Wednesday Matinee Series throughout April. Our final Wednesday movie of the month continues the trend.
Wednesday, April 28 at 2 p.m.
THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS & DOGS (1996) Starring Janeane Garofalo and Uma Thurman; Rated PG-13; 99 minutes
After a radio talk show host falls for a caller, she has someone else pose as her because of her fear that he'll think she's ugly.
"Ms. Garofalo, in a lovely, winning performance, gives Abby lots of heart while also making defensive snappishness a big part of her charm." -- Janet Maslin, The New York Times
"Janeane Garofalo in this movie... is so likable, so sympathetic, so revealing of her character's doubts and desires, that she carries us headlong into the story." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Friday's Film - "No Impact Man"
Written by Barbara T. on 04/21/2010
Our Friday Film Series continues on April 23 at 7 p.m. with a One Book, One Community Event - a special screening of the documentary film No Impact Man.
PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY SCREENING TIME OF 7 P.M. FOR THIS FILM EVENT
NO IMPACT MAN: A DOCUMENTARY (2008) Not rated; 93 minutes
Colin Beavan, a New York City writer and self-proclaimed liberal, has big plans for his new book. He decides on a grand experiment: to live one year with as little impact on the environment as possible. The problem is, the project requires his wife Michelle, an espresso-guzzling, Prada-worshipping business writer, and their young daughter to be fully on board. The family embarks on a year of no electricity, television, cars, toilet paper, elevators, or newspapers.
"The movie is a hilarious, riveting must-see about a family as it breaks down almost all the way and then reinvents itself." --Salon.com
Refreshments will be served.
Admission is free.
Wednesday Matinee - "The Awful Truth"
Written by Barbara T. on 04/17/2010
Our Wednesday Matinee Series continues with one of my favorite screwball comedies. Sophisticated is not a word typically used when describing a screwball comedy, but this one deserves it. It's smart and fun and will have you laughing out loud.
Wednesday, April 21 at 2 p.m.
THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937) Starring Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, and Ralph Bellamy; Not rated; 93 minutes
A classic sophisticated comedy with Dunne and Grant as a couple who can't make up their minds about divorce. Anything one or the other does in an attempt to restore the marriage only complicates the original misunderstanding, but love conquers all in the end.
Please join us Wednesday (and every Wednesday) at 2 p.m.
Tonight's Film - "The Stoning of Soraya M."
Written by Barbara T. on 04/11/2010
Our Friday Film Series will continue tonight with a sobering true story, The Stoning of Soraya M.
April 16 at 7:30
THE STONING OF SORAYA M. (2009) Starring Shoreh Aghdashloo, James Caviezel; Rated R; 116 minutes
A world of secrecy, corruption and injustice lies at the heart of the emotionally charged experience of this film. Based on an incredible true story, this powerful tale of an Iranian village’s persecution of an innocent woman becomes both a daring act of witness and a compelling parable about mob rule. When Soraya’s husband brings false charges that end in tragedy, her aunt Zahra tells a reporter to try to get word to the outside world to fight injustice against women in her country.
Click here to view the film's trailer.
"Emotionally explosive, profoundly compelling." -- USA Today
"A magnificent movie." -- Chip Hanlon - The Huffington Post
Admission is free.
Refreshments will be served.
Friday's Film - "An Education"
Written by Barbara T. on 04/05/2010
When it comes to our Friday Film Series, you are about to get an education. Literally! An Education.
We are so pleased to announce that showing April 9 at 7:30 p.m. -------
AN EDUCATION (2009) Starring Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina; Rated PG-13; 100 minutes
In the early 1960s, 16-year-old Jenny Mellor lives with her parents in a London suburb. She is smart, pretty, and working toward her goal of being accepted into Oxford. Her life will take a big turn when she meets David, a man twice her age. Now she must decide if she will pursue an education at Oxford, or if she will choose to learn all that a charismatic, older man can teach her.
"This is a performance, and a film, to cherish for this year and always." -- The Los Angeles Times
"Through stellar performances, clever writing and exquisite cinematography, the story is fresh and thoroughly captivating." -- USA Today
"Topped by a fine cast, a first-rate script by Nick Hornby and tight direction by Lone Scherfig, the film is a smart, moving but not inaccessible entry in the coming-of-age canon. -- The Hollywood Reporter
For more information about our Friday Film Series, click here. Please join us on Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be served.
Admission is free.
Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).
Truth-talking - Wednesday Matinees Continue in April!
We are so pleased to continue to offer our Wednesday Matinee Film Series to the Darien Library community! In April, we'll be all about the truth. Two of our films, The Blind Side and Hachi: A Dog's Tale, are based on true stories. Both, seemingly unbelievable, and both, unbelievably heartwarming. The other two, The Awful Truth and The Truth About Cats & Dogs assert to represent a "truth." We are truly excited. Please join us on Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 7 at 2 p.m.
THE BLIND SIDE (2009) Starring Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates, Tim McGraw; Rated PG-13; 128 minutes
This film is the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home. Michael was taken in by a wealthy white family who helped him fulfill his potential as a person and as an athlete. He worked hard on the field and in the classroom and became an All-American in college and was picked in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, changing his life and the lives of the loving family who were there to watch him succeed.
To learn more about the film and to view the trailer, click here.
Wednesday, April 14 at 2 p.m.
HACHI: A DOG'S TALE (2009) Starring Richard Gere and Joan Allen; Rated G; 93 minutes
This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale abouta loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly, his master departs one day, passes away, and never returns to the station. Hachiko faithfully returns every day to the station and his visits touch the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion, and above all, unyielding loyalty.
Wednesday, April 21 at 2 p.m.
THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937) Starring Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, and Ralph Bellamy; Not rated; 93 minutes
A classic sophisticated comedy with Dunne and Grant as a couple who can't make up their minds about divorce. Anything one or the other does in an attempt to restore the marriage only complicates the original misunderstanding, but love conquers all in the end.
Wednesday, April 28 at 2 p.m.
THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS & DOGS (1996) Starring Janeane Garofalo and Uma Thurman; Rated PG-13; 99 minutes
After a radio talk show host falls for a caller, she has someone else pose as her because of her fear that he'll think she's ugly.
Tonight's Film - "Sherlock Holmes"
Written by Barbara T. on 04/02/2010
Our Friday Film Series continues to continue. We'll be here again on Friday, April 2nd at 7:30 p.m. for one of the most interesting and interesting-looking films from 2009.
SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009) Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams; Rated PG-13; 128 minutes
In a dynamic new portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, Holmes and Watson are sent on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.
"It’s a good-looking film that is fun and comic, with fine performances from Law, Downey and, especially, Strong." -- Sunday Times (U.K.)
"By now we’ve seen so many good, bad, and indifferent Sherlocks that it’s almost a relief to get something different, however wrongheaded. And there’s no such thing as too much Downey." -- New York Magazine
One of the taglines for this film when it released in theaters was "Nothing escapes them." Nothing escapes our audience either; the popularity of our Friday Film Series is no mystery. Please join us on Fridays at 7:30 p.m.!
Refreshments will be served.
Admission is free.
Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).
Repeat Performance of a Top Performer
We were expecting a crowd for our Friday night screening of The Blind Side -- in fact, we set up our Conference Room on the Mezzanine as a screening room to handle the overflow from our Community Room As it turned out, unfortunately, we still had to turn people away. (We had a crowd of 243 people!)
If you missed the film, do not despair. Please join us for a matinee screening on Wednesday, April 7 at 2 p.m.
To learn more about the film and to view the trailer, click here.
To learn more about our Wednesday Matinee Film Series, click here.
Darien Library, 1441 Post Road, Darien, Connecticut, 06820-5419 · 203-655-1234Directions and Contact Information. Twitter: darienlibrary. AIM & Y!M: deweydarien.