Here's a list of a few of our upcoming films. For those seeking horror, look no further than Dream House starring Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz or Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, an update version of the cult classic, starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce.

In the mood for a thriller? Place a hold on Ides of March, Margin Call or Whistleblower.

For family fun, we have Puss in Boots and Johnny English Reborn!

In 1994, a group of three cave explorers in southern France made one of the most astonishing discoveries of our time: a series of caves that contains some of the oldest artwork ever created by humans. A landslide had obscured entrance to the caves and protected them from the elements until the cave explorers made their discovery. Radiocarbon dating tells us that bones, footprints, ash, and the artwork on the cave walls date from 30 to 35,000 years ago, a timeframe nearly incomprehensible for us today.

Director Werner Herzog obtained permission in recent years to enter the caves, under special circumstances and for very limited times. His camera crew was not allowed to touch anything nor stray from walkways designed to protect the cave's fragile environment. The result is a mesmerizing documentary with slow, sweeping sequences of the breath-taking art and contemplative narration (and of course, a typically Herzog-ian non-sequitur ending). You may never look at the excesses of our modern world the same way after taking the journey underground in Cave of Forgotten Dreams...don't miss one of the best documentaries of 2011!

Here's a list of some of our new and upcoming films.

We've got you covered!  We also have Comedy, Drama, Musicals, Sci-Fi, Series and Foreign films!  We have just completed our DVD reorganization project and now all of our DVDs are in genres and shelved alphabetically by title.  We are really pleased by how easy it is to find things now and we think you will be too!
 

Spielberg: the name alone evokes summer blockbusters and instant classics: Jaws, E.T., the Indiana Jones series, Back to the Future, and many more. It's easy to forget that among those many cinematic jewels were a few...less-than-successful titles. Anyone remember "Young Sherlock Holmes" or "Used Cars"?

Last summer, Spielberg collaborated with director J.J. Abrams on Super 8, which got great reviews but disappeared from theaters quickly. Is it a "sleeper," a film that gets a lukewarm initial response from viewers but is more appreciated as time goes by? Super 8 combines elements from successful films like E.T. and Stand By Me, but grows increasingly dark and doesn't quite measure up to the real classics. However, if you're looking for a Saturday matinee with popcorn-kind film, Super 8 might just hit the spot. We have regular one-week copies and overnight DVDs here at Darien Library -- stop by and see what you think!

Coming to DVD in September

This September may not see much physical weight added to our DVD shelves, but the offerings this month will continue to add great depth to our robust collection. During the month, visitors can expect to find audience favorites such as X-Men: First Class, Thor, and Bridesmaids, but there are also many titles arriving  which may have escaped previous notice.

Expected this month:

• Everything Must Go (Pictured, left)
• Diana Rigg at the BBC
• Meek's Cutoff
• Bill Cunningham New York
• The Colors of the Mountain
• Wishful Drinking
• Today's Specials

Coming to DVD on August 23rd.

August is a winning month for movie buffs! Many have been waiting for Win Win, one of the year's sleepers, which will arrive on August 23rd. "It's just about perfect." Rolling Stone declared. Win Win is written and directed by Thomas (Tom) McCarthy. McCarthy has written and directed two other viewer favorites, The Station Agent, and The Visitor. (He was also one of the writers for Up!) There's a real humanity to his films, and he manages to do it without getting overly sentimental. In doing so, he pays respect to his audiences and his characters. His films introduce us to fully-developed characters and plunge us into lives and troubles that are, somehow, both familiar and foreign.

During the month, we'll also welcome the arrival of the new remake of Jane Eyre. This is, by last count (counting film and televsion) Jane Eyre #27....and some critics hail it as the best. Mel Gibson also attempts a sort of remake of his own with the The Beaver, the story of a man who hits rock bottom and his unusual way of emerging from his depression. (Will problems in Gibson's personal life doom his career?)

If it's family entertainment you're looking for, follow the adventures of a boy who stows away on a spaceship to rescue his nabbed mom from Mars (Mars Needs Moms), and/or join a flighless macaw and more kidnap adventure in Rio (Rio).

 There are some interesting documentaries, independent, and foreign films on their way, too. (Shouldn't August be all about about adventure?)

The summer season is usually nature's signal to seek rest and relaxation. Funny. The DVD world is sending a different signal. Intensity alert! June's movies range from a mild "country mouse goes to the city" theme, to tales of revenge, dishonesty, bombs and mobsters, identity theft, sudden joblessness, anguish, struggles for freedom, and the fight for one's destiny. No matter how intense or tense these films of June may be, we will be comforted by the company of our any-time-of-year favorites, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon (twice!), Josh Brolin, Ed Helms, Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Emily Blunt,  Liam Neeson, Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, and one of my all-time favorites, Tommy Lee Jones.

Turn up the AC. We hope that you enjoy the movie-heat of June!

Cute, slick, and charming describe Hearbreaker's main character, Alex. Cute, slick, and charming also describe the film.

Discouraged by the dearth of rom-com out there right now? Rom-com stands for romantic-comedy and you have to admit, that area has been pretty dry and drizzly for quite some time. We have the solution right here with Heartbreaker, the story of a handsome cad who ruins relationships for a living. What happens when he falls for his target? Great casting seal the deal in one of my favorites from this year.

Please don't let the fact that there are subtitles discourage you from watching this fun romantic comedy! It's one of the best romantic comedies to come along in a long time...AND, it's got a positively unforgettable dance scene! You will smile every time you think about it.

The weather in May is about as A+ as it gets.  That said, we're going to take it beyond the A+ and alert you to a few "B" movies...as in beginning-with-the-letter-B.

Biutiful is a story of Uxbal...a desperate man on the wrong side of the law in Barcelona.  Connected with the afterlife and on the road to redemption, he is a tragic hero and father of two who's sensing the danger of death. Starring Javier Bardem, who won the Best Supporting Actor in 2007 for his role in No Country for Old Men, it should be noted that Bardem's performance in Biutiful marks the first time that a performance entirely in the Spanish Language has been nominated for an Academy Award Best Actor Oscar. Rolling Stone says of Biutiful, "Bravo, Bardem!"

Thought-provoking documentaries are also on the May horizon. Bhutto is about Benazir Bhutto, the first Muslim woman elected to lead an Islamic nation (Pakistan). She is considered to have been one of the most complex and fascinating figures in modern history. Budros, with the tag line, "It takes a village to unite the most divided people on earth," follows a Palestinian leader who unites Fatah, Hamas and Israelis in an unarmed movement to save his village from destruction. Success eludes them until his 15-year-old daughter jumps into the fray.

Also coming in May, here's a sample of snippets from critic reviews for the May-release films shown below. *deep breath*..."as weird as it sounds;" "a dash of dark wit and a dose of madness;" "insane, bordering on gloriously insane;" "fresh and satisfying;" "honest silliness;" "acidly brilliant performance;" "difficult to watch;" "spectacularly good;" "funny, exciting and intentionally goofy";" great verve and unflagging finesse;" "nowhere near hot-blooded enough"..and "an off-key train wreck." Oh. And let's not forget the use of the term, "method balding." True. True. All true. (Which film required the "method balding"? Click here to find out.)