Movies & Screenings
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.
Special Film Event - "The Color of Fear"
Written by Barbara T. on 03/27/2010
We invite you to join us tonight for a special Stand Against Racism* event, co-sponsored by the YWCA Darien/Norwalk.
Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m.
THE COLOR OF FEAR
The Color of Fear is an insightful, groundbreaking film about the state of race relations in America as seen through the eyes of eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African descent. In a series of intelligent, emotional and dramatic confrontations the men reveal the pain and scars that racism has caused them. What emerges is a deeper sense of understanding and trust. This is the dialogue most of us fear, but hope will happen sometime in our lifetime. (Running time: 90 minutes)
"What is presented to me as an American does not look like me. Does not think like me, does not smell like me, does not cry like me."-- Mexican-American participant featured in the film
"I won't trust you until you're as affected by my experience as I am everyday by yours." -- African-American participant featured in the film.
To view the trailer, click here.
*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 30, 2010,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.
Please join us for this important film event.
Wednesday Matinee Forecast - "Storm" at 2 p.m.
Written by Barbara T. on 03/27/2010
Our Wednesday Matinee Series continues on Wednesday, March 31 at 2 p.m. with an international thriller.
STORM (2009) Starring Anamaria Marinca and Kerry Fox; Not rated; 105 minutes (In English, German, Bosnian, and Serbian with English subtitles.)
Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army who is accused of the deportation and later killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, it looks like the case will unravel, however Hannah refuses to give in.
Hoping to uncover new findings, she travels to the witness' burial in Sarajevo and meets his sister Mira who she senses has much more to say than she is willing to admit. Despite threats of violence, Mira reluctantly agrees to testify at The Hague. However, she and Hannah must both risk life and limb to make it to the court, only to discover that there are traitors among their own ranks.
This an an edge-of-your-seat thriller, with a great story and wonderful performances. Click here to learn more and to watch the trailer.
Friday's Film - "The Blind Side"
Written by Barbara T. on 03/20/2010
This Friday, March 26th at 7:30 p.m., we are pleased to present The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron. Sandra Bullock won the Oscar and the Golden Globe for her performance in this film. The Oscar-nominated film has won a place in many hearts and memories. Please join us as our Friday Film Series continues.
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 view the trailer, click here.
This film is rated PG-13. Running time is 128 minutes.
Refreshments will be served.
Admission is free.
For more information about our Friday Film Series, please click here.
Friday's Film ~ "Serious Moonlight"
Written by Barbara T. on 03/17/2010
Our Friday Film Series continues with a dark (very dark) comedy starring Meg Ryan. We hope that you'll join us at 7:30 p.m. on Friday...and every Friday.
Friday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m.
SERIOUS MOONLIGHT (2009) Starring Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Juston Long; Rated R; 84 minutes
A high-powered female attorney learns that her husband is about to leave her for a much younger woman. Consumed by a dangerous romantic cocktail of love and desperation, she holds him captive until he “promises to stay with her and love her forever.” However, the wife’s plan becomes complicated when the couple’s home is overtaken by a robber.
"Amusing black comedy about an avenging wife features a strong cast directed by Cheryl Hines." -- Hollywood Reporter
Click on the image at left to watch the trailer.
Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.
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