Movies & Screenings
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.
Friday's Film ~ "Up in the Air"
Written by Barbara T. on 03/10/2010
We are not up-in-the-air (or undecided, uncertain, wishy-washy, or ambivalent) IN THE LEAST with our Friday Film Series selection for this Friday! We know that you will enjoy every moment of this excellent Oscar-nominated film with its Oscar-nominated cast.
March 12 at 7:30 p.m.
UP IN THE AIR (2009) Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman; Rated R; 109 minutes
Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles. Leading an empty life lived out of a suitcase he thinks he may have finally met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams in this quirky comedy.
"A smart, alert, supremely entertaining movie." -- The Washington Post
"One-word reaction: bravo." -- Rolling Stone
"Timeliness can be tricky to pull off convincingly in movies. It's tough to capture an era while it's still happening, yet Up in the Air does so brilliantly, with wit and humanity." -- USA Today
...and my favorite review...from The Philadelphia Inquirer...well, um, just because...
"Ryan may not be admirable, but Clooney makes him relatable. It's his deepest and nakedest performance."
Please join us. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Wednesday Matinee ~ The Grapes of Wrath
Written by Barbara T. on 03/08/2010
Wednesday Matinees continue with a special film screening!
Wednesday, March 10 at 2 p.m. - A One Book, One Community Event
THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940) - Starring Henry Fonda and John Carradine; Not rated; 129 minutes
A poor Midwestern family is forced off their land and travels to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression. (Wow. Get a load of this early film trailer!)
"The Grapes of Wrath is just about as good as any picture has a right to be; if it were any better, we just wouldn't believe our eyes." - Frank S. Nugent - The New York Times
"There is a rigorous purity in [Ford's] visual style that serves the subject well. The Grapes of Wrath contains not a single shot that seems careless or routine." - Roger Ebert
To learn more about our One Book, One Community town-wide read, please click here.
Oscar-worthy March!
Written by Barbara T. on 02/26/2010
Our Friday Film Series continues throughout March with these fun, interesting, and thought-provoking films. Two are nominated for Oscars. Up in the Air and The Blind Side are both up for Best Picture, George Clooney is up for Best Actor, and Sandra Bullock may take home the Oscar for Best Actress. The Oscars will be presented on March 7th, so by the time we show these movies...we'll KNOW the truth (according to Oscar). The real truth is, we're looking forward to this entire series...week by week...month by month. Welcome to March's Movies! To view the trailers from the selected films, please click on the images. To see the lineup for our entire Friday Film Series, please click here.
March 5 at 7:30 p.m.
THE INFORMANT! (2009) Starring Matt Damon, Scott Bakula; Rated R; 108 minutes
In this drama based on a true story, a high-ranking executive, Mark Whitacre, at Archer Daniels Midland joins forces with the FBI to bring down both his company and the entire food industry. He uncovers a large price-fixing scam and decides to become an informant but ends up doing more jail time than his corrupt bosses.
March 12 at 7:30 p.m.
UP IN THE AIR (2009) Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman; Rated R; 109 minutes
Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles. Leading an empty life lived out of a suitcase he thinks he may have finally met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams in this quirky comedy.
March 19 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.
March 26 at 7:30 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.
All films are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
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