Movies & Screenings
A Friday Matinee? Yes! We're Taking a Stand!
Written by Barbara T. on 04/20/2011
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.
Wednesday Matinees in April
Written by Barbara T. on 03/25/2011
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.
Friday Night Films in April
Written by Barbara T. on 03/25/2011
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" at the Library
Written by Barbara T. on 03/01/2011
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)
March Matinees
Written by Barbara T. on 02/23/2011
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.
Friday Night Films in March
Written by Barbara T. on 02/23/2011
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)
Red Carpet Saturday
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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)
While We're Waiting for Oscar...Red Carpet Saturday
Written by Barbara T. on 02/03/2011
No matter which side of the velvet rope we're on on Oscar night, right now, we're all on the same side -- the side of not knowing. So, we're left to guess who the winners will be. We're passionately for. We're passionately against. We're moved. We're unmoved. We're on the fence. We lurch toward Oscar night (Sunday, February 27th), sealing our own envelopes with our hopes for winners of Best, Best, BEST! The time is approaching.
It's difficult, if not impossible, to see all of the nominated films and nominated performances, however, 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'll be showing Toy Story 3, nominated for Best Picture and Best Animated Feature, The Social Network, nominated for Best Picture, and Exit Through the Gift Shop, nominated for Best Documentary.
Here's a link to the Oscars site so that you can create your own score card for the night of the show.
Here's our schedule of films for Saturday, February 26th:
9:30 a.m. - TOY STORY 3 (2010) Animated Feature; Voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Michael Keaton; Rated G; 103 minutes
Toy Story 3 welcomes back Woody, Buzz and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in …daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the Great Escape get underway. A few new faces join the adventure, including Barbie’s counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o-Huggin’ Bear.
For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.
12 p.m. - THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010) Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Rashida Jones; Rated PG-13; 120 minutes
This film tells the story of the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook. Adapted from Ben Mezrich’s book "The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal." You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies!
To watch the trailer, please click here.
3 p.m. - EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (2010) Documentary feature; Rated R; 87 minutes
Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. This film tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader, and man of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls, and in interview.
Click here to learn more and to watch the trailer.
Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s)
"Iron Jawed Angels" Film Screening
Written by Barbara T. on 02/01/2011
On Sunday, February 13st at 2 p.m., Darien Library, in co-sponsorship with the League of Women Voters, will present the film Iron Jawed Angels.
The film, from 2004, stars Hilary Swank, Anjelica Huston, Frances O’Connor, and Julia Ormond.
Iron Jawed Angels is the story of two important women in the history of suffrage in the United States. Alice Paul and Lucy Burns began a more radical branch of women fighting for the right to vote. They found themselves up against powerful men, an atmosphere of chauvinism, an unconcerned President (Woodrow Wilson) and even their own more conservative counterparts. These women risk their lives and loves to fight for what they believe in. (This film is not rated. Running time is 124 minutes.)
"Iron Jawed Angels” is an important history lesson told in a fresh, and blazing fashion. Two thumbs up!” – Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper
“Iron Jawed Angels tells that story in a robust, well-produced film that entertains well beyond its most basic goal. [...] German director Katja von Garnier enlivens this important story with innovative film technique, including quick cuts, offbeat camera placement and a truly unique shift of camera shutter speed within scenes. The action is also supported with modern music that works surprisingly well.” – Jack Garner, Gannett News Service
To watch the trailer, click on the image or click here.
This film screening is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen’s).
Wednesday Matinees in February
Written by Barbara T. on 01/28/2011
Wednesday, February 2 at 2 p.m. NOWHERE BOY (2010) Starring Aaron Johnson, Anne-Marie Duff, Kristin Scott Thomas; Rated R; 98 minutes
Imagine... John Lennon's childhood. Liverpool 1955: a smart and troubled fifteen-year-old is hungry for experience. In a family full of secrets, two incredible women clash over John: Mimi, the buttoned-up Aunt who raised him, and Julia, the prodigal mother. Yearning for a normal family, John escapes into the new and exciting world of rock n' roll where his fledgling genius finds a kindred spirit in the teenage Paul McCartney. Just as John begins his new life, tragedy strikes. But a resilient young man finds his voice - and an icon explodes into the world.
Click here to learn more and watch the trailer.
Wednesday, February 9 at 2 p.m. TOP SECRET ROSIES (2010) Documentary feature; Not rated; 60 minutes
In 1942 a secret US military program was launched to recruit women to the war effort. But unlike the efforts to recruit Rosie to the factory, this search targeted female mathematicians who would become human 'computers' for the Army. From the bombing of Axis Europe to the assaults on Japanese strongholds, women worked round-the-clock shifts creating ballistics tables for every weapon in the US arsenal. Rosie made the weapons, but the female computers made them accurate. When the first electronic computer (ENIAC) was developed to aid the Army's calculation efforts, six of these women were tapped to become its first programmers. While the work of these human computers proved crucial to allied victory, it also carried a moral weight - how to square the larger issue of ending a world war against the personal recognition that their mathematical computations made every Allied bomb and gun more deadly.
For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.
Wednesday, February 16 at 2 p.m. AMREEKA (2009) Rated PG-13; 96 minutes
Muna Farah, a Palestinian single mom, struggles to maintain her optimistic spirit in the daily grind of intimidating West Bank checkpoints, the constant nagging of a controlling mother, and the haunting shadows of a failed marriage. Everything changes one day when she receives a letter informing her that her family has been granted a U.S. green card.
Click here to watch the trailer.
Wednesday, February 23 at 2 p.m. YOU AGAIN (2010) Starring Betty White, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristen Bell,and Sigourney Weaver; Rated PG; 105 minutes
When a young woman realizes her brother is about to marry the girl who bullied her in high school, she sets out to expose the fiancée's true colors in this comedy.
For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.
Please join us every Wednesday at 2 p.m. for our Wednesday Matinee Film Series.
Admission is free.
Darien Library, 1441 Post Road, Darien, Connecticut, 06820-5419 · 203-655-1234Directions and Contact Information. Twitter: darienlibrary. AIM & Y!M: deweydarien.