Six Degrees of Recomendation: August

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from the library system; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

1) Alana:  The Returned (2014)  A French mini-series set in a beautiful, isolated town.  The dead return home, wanting to live their lives normally - much emotional turmoil ensues!  2) Jessica:  The Others (2001)  A woman who lives in a darkened old house with her two photosensitive children becomes convinced that her home is haunted. 3) Kate: The Inception (2010)  A battle to save a hauntingly beautiful woman with a risk of being trapped in the subconscious.  4) Kerste:  The Fog (1980)  A fishing town in Northern CA built over a leper colony is surround by a killer fog and zombie ghosts seeking revenge for their deaths.  5) Ike:  Freaky Friday (with Jamie Lee Curtis)  Thanks to a magic fortune cookie, a mother and teenage daughter switch bodies - complications and fun ensue. 6) Gwen:  North and South (1985)  Two friends, one northern and one southern, struggle to maintain their friendship as events build towards the American Civil War.  Erica Grimpel has a small part in this as she does in Freaky Friday 7) Megan:  North and South (2005, BBC miniseries)  Margaret Hale's formerly privleged family is uprooted and moves to Northern England where she meets mill-owner John Thornton.  Pride and Prejudice plus union tensions equals this movie.  8) Anonymous staff member: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)  Richard Armitage plays Thorin Oakenshield, a dwarf that works alongside Gandalf the Grey and Bilbo Baggins on an epic quest throughout Middle Earth. 
9) Jacob: Sherlock (2010) A modern adaptation of Sir Arthur C. Doyle's popular character by the BBC. Martin Freeman stars as Sherlock's side-kick, Dr. Watson.

Six Degrees of Recommendation: July 2014

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from the library system; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

1) Alana : Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)  A master sushi chef grooms his son to take his place when he retires (documentary). 2) Kayla.: The Pruitt-Igoe Myth (2011) A thoughtful documentary on the mystery between the rise and fall of Saint Louis' biggest housing project failure (documentary). 3) Sam: Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) In the year before the 1904 St Louis World's Fair, four sisters learn lessons of life and love, as they prepare for a move to New York. 4) Kersti.: In America (2004) An Irish family moves to NYC for a better life, leaving their past behind them  5)  Gerry : Braveheart (1995); A Scottish commoner leads revolt against the English tyrant who controls Scotland.  6)  Zach: Chicken Run (2000)  To avoid certain death on a chicken farm, Rocky the rooster and Ginger the Chicken rebel against the farm's owners, Mr and Ms Tweedy; stars Mel Gibson.  7) Evan: Wallace & Grommit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)  Created by the same animators as Chicken Run.  Wallace and Grommit set out to discover teh mystery behind the garden sabbotage that plagues their village.  8) Megan: Coraline (2009)  A young girl walks through a secret door that she has found in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life (stop motion film)  9) Karen: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)  Loosely based on a short story by James Thurber, a day dreamer lives a double life in his imagination until love brings dreams to life.

Six Degrees of Recommendation - Audiobooks for June 2014

Posted by Staff

Usually, the staff use the Six Degrees format to recommend DVDs.  Because June is National Audiobook month, we're diverging a bit and recommending a list of audiobooks.  The rules of our game are simple ONE-  any audio format, TWO- the item must be available from Illinois Heartland or Overdrive Audio and,THREE - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous title.  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

1) Alana T.: City of A Thousand Dolls by Miriam Foster (Overdrive Audio).  Semi-alternate Chinese history with a bit of magic.  Because of a one child rule, unwanted girls are raised in a special city where they learn special skills.  One by one, girls start dying and the main character must find out why.  2) Amanda E.:  Alanna (Young Adult audio CD)  The first adventure by Tamora Pierce.  Similar feminist themes, unappreciated girls and magical fantasy elements.  3) Hope K.:  The Host (Overdrive Audio)  Similar fantasy feel, about a girl hijacked by an alien soul and the two personalities merging and remaining separate.  Love story.  4) Cary H.:  Die Trying by Lee Child (Playaway).  Jack Reacher series; this story is early enough the series that Jack is still a bit vulnerable and emotional as he is paired up with a female FBI agent and their two personalities clash withing a puzzling, chaotic mystery.  5) Gwen B.: The Divide by Nicholas Evans (Playaway).  A great mystery about the body of a young woman found in the ice of a remote mountain creek.  6) Judy T.: Snobbery With Violence by Marion Chesney (Overdrive Audio)  A classic cozy British mystery.  This is narrated by Davina Porter who is absolutely perfect for all of the voices in this Edwardian 'who done it.'  7) Anne W.:  The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler (audio CDs)  Written by a British author, these charming books tell the story of a young half-mermaid girl and her adventures throughout the deep sea.  8) Allyson  : The Islands of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer (audio CD)  This is the third book in the sea of trolls series.  Rick has to deal with an undead sea creature and eventually his journey takes him to the Islands of the Blessed.  9) Ike D.:  Escape From the Deep: The Epic Story of a Legendary Submarine and her Courageous Crew by Alex Kershaw.  (audio CD) Ocean theme - story of the legendary submarine "TANG"  and the crew  captured and held by the Japanese in WWII.

Six Degrees of Recommendation: April 2014

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

1) Alana T.: The Recipe (2010)  A Korean movie about a TV reporter who searches out a woman who makes a stew with reportedly magical properties.  2) Jacob D.: Babette's Feast (1987) Two sisters take Babette into their home.  They know nothing of her past- they just know she was a refugee  in war torn Paris.  When Babette prepares an extravagant meal for the sisters, they suspect her of witchcraft and learn her true past.  3) Jill S.: Midnight in Paris (2011)  While on a trip to Paris with his fiancé's family, a screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back into the 1920's every midnight.  4) Katherine R.: Blue Jasmine (2013) Also written and directed by Woody Allen.  A New York socialite, deeply troubled and in denial, moves to San Francisco to impose upon her sister.  She looks like a million, but isn't bringing in money, peace or love.  5)  Allyson G.: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)  Cate Blanchett also stars in this movie where a man starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.  6)  Anne W.: Interview With A Vampire (1994)  Set in New Orleans and featuring Brad Pitt, this film is based on Anne Rice's popular novels.  It tells the story of how the vampire Lestat lured a young aristocrat into the immortality of the dammed.  7) Cary H.: Supernatural (TV series, ongoing)  If you like vampires and all things supernatural, not to mention cute guys and an awesome car, this long-running series is for you!  8) Gwen B.: Person of Interest (TV series, ongoing)  A former CIA operative is recruited  by an enigmatic billionaire to prevent violent crimes.  Sterling Brown, a native of St. Louis plays a character in Supernatural and this series as well.  9)  Kristen R.: The House on Haunted Hill (1959) This classic horror film stars Vincent Price, also a native of St. Louis, as a millionaire who offers $10K to five hand-picked guests if they stay the night locked in a haunted mansion.  The spooks, plot twists and outdated visual effects will prove to entertain at any movie night!

Six Degrees of Recommendation: January 2014

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Alana T.: The Complete Cadfael Collection (1994)  A fantastic BBC series based on the mysteries of Ellis Peters.  Stars Derek Jacobi as a wise, but tough monk living in a 12th century monestery. (2) Judy T.:  Foyle's War (2002-present)  Another great British DVD series Set along the coast of England during WWII, these episodes, written by Anthony Horowitz, are a wonderful blend of history and mystery  (3) Jacob D.: The Train (1964)  Also set during WWII, Burt Lancaster stars as a French resistance header charged with stopping the Nazis from leaving France with a train full of stolen artwork. (4) Cary H.: Das Boot (1981)  In keeping with the tension and great characters of the previous choices, watch the gripping action unfold on a German U-boat during WWII patrols while stalking the British Navy.  A classic. (5) Melissa G.: The Tempest (2010)  A movie adaptation of Shadespeare's play, Prospera (portrayed as a female) and her daughter are stranded on an island by her brother. Twelve years later, Prospera gets her revenge by causing a storm on the sea where the brother is sailing with the King of Naples. (6) Gwen B.: Nim's Island (2008)  I wanted to stay with the island theme.  Nim Rusoe lives on an isolated island with her father; when he goes missing, the adventure begins. (7) Allyson G.: Castaway (2002)  I like the island theme and instantly thought of this movie.  Chuck is in a plane crash and is stranded on an island and makes friends with a volleyball. (8) Kayla S.: The Shining (1980)  The isolation theme continues! A man and his family are isolated in a cursed hotel over a six month winter. (9) Jacob V.:  The Road (2009)  Keeping the isolation them alive!  After an unspecified cataclysmic event all but wipes out the human race, a father and son embark on a journey to the coast eluding cannibals and struggling to retain their humanity.  Based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy

Six Degrees of Recomendation: November

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Alana T.: The Complete Black Books (2000-2004).  An eccentric BBC comedy series about an antisocial bookshop owner in London.  (2)  Cary H.: Agata and the Storm (2005)  When beautiful and middle aged Agata get wooed at her bookstore by a man half her age, sparks fly.  This foreign film is full of life in more ways than one!  (3) Zach H.: The Pagemaster (1994)  A young, cowardly kid seeks refuge from a storm in a library where he is transformed by the Pagemaster.  Starring Macaluly Culkin and the voice talents of Christopher Lloyd, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy & Whoopi Goldberg.  (4)  Pam O.: The Impossible (2012)  A family seeking refuge after the 2004 tsunami in Thailand.  The family is separated and endures injury and turmoil while seeking each other.  Starring Ewan McGreagor and Naomi Watts.  Based on a true story!  (5) Lisa E. Hereafter (2010)  Each of the main characters of the three storylines have a connection to the hereafter, including a journalist who has a near death experience in a tsunami. (6)  Keegan G.:  Bourne Identity (2004)  This fast paced action packed adventure featuring Matt Damon starts out on a fishing boat and a man with amnesia.  (7) Katherine R.: Adjustment Bureau (2011).  Also starring Matt Damon.  A romantic thriller about a politician separated from his love by mysterious forces. (8) Kate K.: The Whistleblower (2010)  Rachel Weisz plays an american police officer fighting political corruption and sex trafficking in Bosnia. (9) Sarah Coventry: Cars 2 (2011) Vanessa Redgrave, costarring in The Whistleblower, provides the voice for Mama Topolino, one of the characters in this animated film.

Six Degrees of Recommendation: September

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Jacob D.: Moon (2009)  Smarter than most sci-fi flicks.  One man is isolated on a space station.  It develops into a story of a man questioning his own identity and the meaning of his existence. (2) Mason S.:  Silent Running (1972)  More deep space isolation (and a direct inspiration for Moon), plus some great 1970s practical effects from the team that made 2001 and Andromeda Strain.  (3) Evan E.: Dark City (1998)  A man fights to regain the memories of his past in a world, including space, controlled by a nefarious being with psychic powers. (4) Cary H.: Memento (2001)  A man with short-term memory loss uses tattoos and notes to reconstruct the murder of his wife.  Interesting twists, interesting plot. (5) Ike D.: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)  Same director Christopher Nolan.  Once again, Batman rises to protect Gotham City. (6) Allyson: X-Men (2000)  Mutants (superheros) use their powers to fight off evil. (7)  Kayla: Looper (2012)  Joe tries to use his special powers to save himself from the bad guys and in the process finds the truth and something to fight for. (8) Zach H.: 12 Monkeys (1995)  A convict in the future is sent back in time to learn more about the man-made virus that wipes out most of the world.  Also stars Bruce Willis. (9) Riley W.:  Contagion (2011)  The CDC races against time to develop a vaccine against an extremely lethal virus and save the human race.

Six Degress of Recommendation: August DVD Picks

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Alana T.: Firefly: The Complete Series (2003).  A small collection of misfits, a grundgy & mercenary society and spaceships make for an entertaining TV show.  This an under-appreciated series and not just for sci-fi fans!  (2) Amanda E.: Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008).  Also written by Joss Whedon.  An aspiring evil genius tries to juggle crushing his nemesis with impressing the young woman he likes. (3) Evan E.: A Cabin In the Woods (2012).  Also, also written by Joss Whedon.  In this satirical horror movie, a group of twenty somethings find out that their getaway to a friend's cabin is part of a sinister plot.  (4) Katie S.: The Blair Witch Project (1999).  This is also a film that takes place in the woods.  Three film students go missing in the woods while filming a documentary about a local legend and things go terribly wrong and become terrifying!  (5) Zach H.: The Wicker Man (2006).  When a young girl goes missing on a small island, Nicholas Cage is sent in to solve the mystery.  (6) Jacob D.: The Last Picture Show (1971).  Also stars Ellen Burstyn.  This classic film shows the lives of two high school seniors in a small Texas town.  The characters and the town itself are on the verge of big changes, away from the simple life.  (7) Anne W.: True Grit (2010).  Also stars Jeff Bridges who plays a tough U.S. Marshall helping a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer.  (8) Cary H.: Jagged Edge (1985). To see a darker side of Jeff Bridges, watch this still edgy thriller full of psychological twists.  (9) Alana T.:  Return Of The Jedi (1983)  Directed by Richard Marquand, definitely the best of all the Star Wars movies.  It's always time to watch it again.

Six Degrees of Recommendation: June

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Susan C.: The Life of Pi (2012).  Best adaptation of a book to movie ever.  Animal characters are portrayed and developed as fully as human characters.  Time between reality and imagination is questioned heavily; final answer in some viewers minds?  Perhaps.  (2) Lifeboat (1944).  Another powerful disaster at sea movie.  Director Alfred Hitchcock stages all of the action in one tiny boat adrift in the North Atlantic during WWII. Woven in with the story are questions about nationalism, morality and how people react under extraordinary circumstances.  (3) Gwen B.: Casablanca (1942). This was Humphrey Bogart's 1st attempt oft a romantic leading role.  He was pretty stiff, but Ingrid Bergman was great as his romantic interest.  The film's soundtrack was arranged by Hugo Friedhofer who arranged for LifeBoat.  (4) Jennifer C.: White Christmas (1954).  Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, this is the story of two WWII veterans becoming famous in the music industry.  Along their journey they find love, success, and the tru meaning of Christmas and friendship.  (5) Cary H.: South Pacific (1958).  Another musical with a WWII romance, this time in the tropics rather than snow! (6)  Jurassic Park (1993).  Set on a tropical island populated by dinosaur clones - it doesn't take long to realize it's a bad idea.  (7)  Emily B.: The Avengers (2012).  Another film with Samuel L. Jackson that brings the best Marvel heroes together for an action-packed good time.  (8) Jessica W.: Sherlock Holmes (2009).  Robert Downey Jr. stars as the brilliant Sherlock Holmes in the witty, fast-paced mystery with some interesting twists. (9) Alana T.: Help!  Also set in London, the Beatles star in this wacky adventure, trying to outsmart a bunch of cult members who want to sacrifice Ringo.  

Six Degrees of Recomendation: May

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1)  Alana T.: Dae Jang Geum Season 1 (2003). A South Korean mini-series based on the true story of the first woman to become both the head of the royal kitchens and the King's personal physician.  The food is amazing!  (2) Zach H.: Oldboy (2003), also South Korean, this movie follows Daesu, a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years.  After his is released, he goes in search of his abductors. (3) Amanda E. Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003).  Also released in 2003 and like Oldboy has a scene in which a man's tongue receives major damage.  (4)  Sara S.: Get Low (2009).  Robert Duvall as an eccentric hermit who stages his own funeral.  The movie is driven by the life story of Felix that has flash back and revelations of love, death and violence. (5)  Gwen B.: Seven Days in Utopia (2011).  The move stars Robert Duvall and Lucas Black who are in Get Low.  Black plays a young golfer trying to find himself and runs into Duvall, the eccentric rancher. (6) Karen K.: The Ring (2002).  Naomi Watts has seven days, but they are far from Utopian.  After watching a strange video, she receives a phone message stating "seven days."  She must solve a mystery to prevent dying at the end of those seven days. (7) Jacob V.: From the director of the The Ring, we bring you... Mousehunt (1997).  Directing his first feature length film, Gregor Verginski relays a delightful tale about two goofy men who inherit an antique house with a rodent 'problem'.  They'll soon find out that it may be more difficult to get rid of this stubborn mouse than they had bargained for!  (8)  Keegan G.: The Widow's Might (2009) is the first feature length film by the teenaged director John Moore.  this family friendly movie is about standing up for the right thing.  (9) Deanne H.: The Trip to Bountiful (1986).  Widow Carrie Watts (Geraldine Page) is stuck in a small apartment with her wimpy son and shrewish daughter-in-law.  This is the story of her escape to Bountiful, her girlhood home.  Page won an Academy Award for her role.

Six Degrees of Recomendation: April 2013

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Denise T.: Zathura ( 2005) A great adventure movie about brothers; (2) Zach H.: Four Brothers (2005) Four adopted brothers seek to avenge the murder of the mother in what seems at first to be a robbery gone wrong; (3) Melissa G.: The Brothers Grimm (2005) Two brothers journey through a world composed of the original Grimm fairy tales; (4) Jacob D.: True Grit (2011) Also featuring Matt Damon, the Coen brothers remake and improve on a John Wayne western. If the Duke won't abide, the Dude will; (5) The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) Great story featuring Michelle Pfieffer and starring real life brother Jeff and Beau Bridges; (6) Cary H.: Dark Shadows (2012) One of the best things about this movie was the reappearance of the fantastically-"barely"-aging Michelle Pfieffer; (7) Judy T.: The King's Speech (2010) Helena Bonham Carter starred in Dark Shadows and played the wife of King George VI in The King's Speech. George got to be king because his brother abdicated; (8) The Young Victoria (2010) Following along the lines of English royal families, this follows the early life and marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert! Wonderful story!; (9) Alana T.: The Woman In White (1997) Based upon a novel, this Victorian tale follows two sisters through a gothic mystery!

Six Degrees of Recommendation - February

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Ike D.: Victor/Victoria (1982) A comedy film starring Jule Andrews, James Garner and Robert Preston; (2) Denise T.: Young Victoria (2009) A film chronicling the life and times of Queen Victoria starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend; (3) Katherine R.:  Sunshine Cleaning (2008) In Order to raise the tuition to send her young son to private school, a mom starts an unusual business - a biohazard removal/crime scene service with her unreliable sister, stars Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin; (4) Zach H.: Anvil (2008) The documentary follow two friends who made one of the most influential heavy metal bands in 1978 and yet failed commercially; (5) Jacob D.: This is Spinal Tap (1984) One of the funniest films of all time, this mockumentary gives a satirical look at a hair metal band much like Anvil; (6) Karen K.: Hard Day's Night (1964) Flashback 20 years and watch a real band deal with Beatlemania - feel free to sing along!; (7) Sara S.: Easy Rider (1969) Going from 'Hard' to 'Easy' within the same decade with classic rock and traditional music, the story down, dirty and dark, follows the mood of the latter years of the decade; (8) Cary H.: The Big Easy (1987) Another 'Easy' title, this is an atmospheric crime drama with great chemistry between conflicted, corrupt cop Dennis Quaid and uptight, by-the-book, district attorney Ellen Barkin; (9) Jacob V.: Barton Fink (1991) John Goodman (DeSoto in The Big Easy) plays Charlie, offering insight into the life of the common man to his new playwright neighbor, Barton Fink (John Turturro).

Six Degrees of Recommendation - December

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

Jacob V.: Frost/Nixon (2008).  Insightful and well done, the film tells the story of the famous post-Watergate TV interviews; teaches younger generations, entertains and has Kevin Bacon.....(2) Karen K.: All the Presidents Men (1978).  More Watergate, less Nixon; also can't go wrong with Redford and Hoffman playing Woodward and Bernstein as they uncover the Watergate scandal.....(3) Evan E.: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007).  More Hoffman, less Watergate & Nixon;  A whimsical tale about a magical store..... (4) Leslie A.: Leon: the Professional (1994) Featured Natalie Portman who was Molly of the Wonder Emporium, as a gangly young girl who gets caught up in terror and violence.  She is brefriended and protechetd by Leon, a professional hitman; tender and enigmatic..... (5) Zach H.: In Bruges (2008) Another movie with hitmen starring Colin Farell and Brendon Gleason; full of entertainment and plenty of dark humor.....(6) Amanda E.: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasses (2009) Also with Colin Farrell, very fantastical and surreal about choices between good and evil.....(7) Mary M.: The Brothers Grimm (2005) also directed by Terry Gilliam and stars Heath Ledger.  This film is based on the lives of the legendary fairytale storytellers.....(8) Gwen B.: Everybody's Fine (2009) Robert DeNiro stars as a widower trying to connect with his grown chlidren after his wife's death.  Music for the film was composed by Dario Marianelli who also did original music for Brothers Grimm.....(9) Judy T.: The Sound of Music (1965) Christopher Plummer also stars as a widower trying to connect with the children.  That situation improves greatly once Julie Andrews arrives on the scene

Six Degrees of Recommendation - October

Posted by Staff

The staff is flexing their filmography muscles to find new ways to explore our fabulous DVD collection and make recommendations.  The rules of our game were simple: ONE - only DVDs from Edwardsville; TWO - each selection must be based on something, anything from the previous DVD; and THREE - only 48 hours per choice (get that list moving!).  The results are explained below.  Links between selections are highlighted in purple.

(1) Emily B.: (500) Days of Summer (2009).  Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel star in the perfect break-up movie........(2) Sara S.: A Summer in Genoa (2011). This summer movie explores emotions and various love themes in an excellently written and acted family drama with a realistic conclusion.......(3) Karen K.: The King's Speech (2010) also stars Colin Firth who was awarded an oscar for best performance in a leading role in 2010.......(4) Zach H.: Legend of the Guardians:The Owls of Ga'Houle (2010) stars the voice of Geoffrey Rush - the speech therapist in the King's Speech- as the voice of a grizzled old screech owl in the beautifully animated story.......(5) Jacob D.: Public Enemies (2009) also features David Wenham. Turn up the volume for this Johnny Dillenger biopic because it was directed by Michael Mann, the master of gunfights....... (6) Deanne H.: Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps (2010) also features Carey Mulligan; nobody does vulnerable with a strong resolve better........ (7) Gwen B.: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) Shia LeBeouf is Sam Witwicky and was Jame Moore in Wall Street.  His is fun to watch....... (8) Amanda E.: WALL*E (2008)  A robot movie that will tug on your heart strings....... (9) Jacob V.: American Beauty (2000). Original scores for both WALL-E and American Beauty were composed by Thomas Newman.  19 of Newman's tracks from this score were compiled into an album that won the Grammy in 2001 for 'Best Score Soundtrack Album.