Dig Into History with Time Team Documentaries: Available Now

Three Time Team documentaries now available on DVD!  For those Anglophiles out there (like me), you may have already come across the Time Team series while perusing Acorn or BritBox streaming channels.  This long-lived British documentary television series aired from 1994 to 2014.   

Each episode features a team of professional archaeologists carrying out digs over a period of three days, with British actor and presenter Tony Robinson explaining the process in layman’s terms along the way.  The sites excavated ranged in date from the Paleolithic to the Second World War.  What I enjoy about this series is the first-hand detail you get about how professional digs are handled – from the latest radar technology to the excavation of test strips of land to determine if “treasure” might be found.  Everything from the walls, streets, and structures of buried Roman cities beneath British soil, to weapons, pottery, and jewelry – not to mention the occasional “hoard” of gold and silver coins!   A Bonus:  “Time Team America” – The Brits cross the pond to investigate and uncover some of America’s historical locations and treasures! 


Time Team: Unearthing the Roman Invasion  
Time Team: The Team's Favorite Digs
Time Team America 

Sneak Peek DVDs: Take a Look at What We Just Added

A new delivery of DVDs has arrived which are now available.  What a great selection!  Here are a few highlights:  

 FICTION

“The Way Home” -  An Amazon reviewer says, “when your students want to borrow your DVD to show their parents and other family members, you have a winner.”  This award-winning South Korean film tells the story of a spoiled city grandson and his unsophisticated rural, mute grandmother.  Despite being defiant and unappreciative of his grandmother’s humble life, her unconditional love finally touches him before it’s too late. Beautiful and poignant. 

“The Party” is a dark comedy which unfolds during an evening dinner celebration between friends which begins as a “sophisticated soiree” that might just end in gunplay.  A talented British cast dissect “London’s personal and political angst” spot on.

“Freak Show” – Billy Bloom has absolutely no desire to be like anyone else.  In this high school comedy, being provoked by his peers only motivates him to widen the gap further.  When he runs for homecoming queen, we enter into the “transgressive space of pop culture” somewhere in between David Bowie and Lady Gaga. 

“Man in an Orange Shirt” is a PBS Masterpiece series movingly exploring two love stories set sixty years apart.  Vanessa Redgrave stars in this “heart-rending” drama charting the changes and challenges in gay lives in England.  The Los Angeles Times says the series is “refreshingly provocative in [portraying] the ordinariness of gay life.”

“In Search of Fellini” – Young dreamers rejoice in this coming-of-age adventure that unabashedly pays homage to Federico Fellini’s films in a magical trip through Italy.

NON-FICTION

“Frontline: Weinstein” – From PBS, “Frontline investigates how Harvey Weinstein allegedly sexually harassed and abused dozens of women over four decades. With allegations going back to Weinstein’s early years, the film examines the elaborate ways he and those around him tried to silence his accusers.”  Timely and revealing.

“Real Story: Braveheart” – From Smithsonian Channel, “Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" won five Oscars and made William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior, an unforgettable Hollywood character. But how historically accurate is the film? Was the real-life William Wallace a heroic freedom fighter or a common criminal turned terrorist? We examine new archeological evidence, reveal recently deciphered ancient manuscripts and conduct forensic experiments to uncover the true story of this legendary warrior.”  The Library also owns Real Story: True Grit.

“Tales of Mexico” – Eight of Mexico’s rising star directors create a colorful dramatic portrait of a century of upheaval and change in this omnibus film.  A room in a turn-of-the-century mansion gives up its ghosts in eight separate episodes unfolding over a hundred years.  Okay, I’m hooked.

 

Sneak Peek DVDs

A new delivery of DVDs has arrived which will be on our shelves soon. What a great selection!  Here are a few highlights:  

FICTION

“Unforgotten” seasons 1 & 2 is the latest installment from PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery!  A cold case with four unlikely suspects: a lawyer, a nurse, a schoolteacher, and a police officer.  The Brits really know how to do Crime – this series does not disappoint.

“Winchester” is an atmospheric must-see starring the wonderful Helen Mirren.  Based on “true events,” this historical American gothic explores what happens to the heiress of the Winchester firearm fortune when she starts seeing ghosts.

“Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool” is another biopic, featuring Annette Bening at her best portraying the “legendary femme fatale” Gloria Grahame.  Grahame became famous in 1946 playing Violet Bick in It’s a Wonderful Life.  By the late 70s, she had been married and divorced 4 times and was living in Liverpool with a much younger man. 

“Manifesto” is a visual experiment using 13 vignettes to explore 20^th century art movements.  Two-time academy award winner Cate Blanchett stars in these “stunning” manifestos.

NON-FICTION

“Earth – One Amazing Day” is a “cinematic triumph” the whole family can enjoy together.  Fantastic breakthroughs in filmmaking technology provide the clearest lens to showcase every corner of the planet.

“The Work” is set inside Folsom Prison, where inmates unite with men from the “outside” to participate in a four-day group therapy session.  “Raw and revealing,” what transpires transcends expectations on both sides.  Critics call this documentary “riveting, remarkable, and extraordinary.” 

“Quest” is an award-winning documentary which illuminates class, race, family, and healing hope in Obama-era America.  One of the year’s best.

“Divine Divas” delves into the lives of the first generation of Brazilian transvestite artists in the 1960s.  “Vibrant and revolutionary.”

Classic Romance Movies: Jake's Top 5

Posted by Jake S.

I have always been a firm believer in romance and true love. I have seen many romances from many genres across many decades. From romantic comedies like You've Got Mail to tragic romances like Titanic. Of all of the ones I have seen these are the ones that stand out most in my mind. They stand out because they show many varied aspects of love but each showcase it beautifully.

Casablanca (1942) The quintessential movie romance. It's themes of love, loss, and dedication to a higher cause affirm this film's preeminent position.

 



Somewhere in Time (1980) A relatively unknown classic this film starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour is moving beyond words.

 

 

Now, Voyager (1942) This classic melodrama starring the immortal Bette Davis was Davis's highest grossing film and remains one of her most iconic roles.

 

 

An Affair To Remember (1957) Starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr this romance combines both wonderful comedy and gut wrenching drama.

 




The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) A rather unique film that shouldn't work but somehow does.

Don't Miss TV!

Posted by Cary H. 

I love finding a new TV series that I can binge watch – especially during these long winter evenings. I love British mysteries because they have more believable characters than most US shows, and, as most British actors cross over between movies and television all the time (unlike the US), the quality of acting in British TV is really great. Also, I always love a good documentary, and I was so pleasantly surprised to come across California Typewriter. Based on the reviews, I think many folks agree. Finally, with Grace and Frankie, you have to be willing to watch over the top characters in order to delve into very timely and topical subjects that have not been featured in TV before. Enjoy!

 

 

California Typewriter (documentary)*

“California Typewriter” is the name of a long-established typewriter repair shop in Berkley, CA. This documentary illuminates the growing interest in typewriter collections and usage all over the country, as well as this store’s slow comeback in the internet age that saves them from closing its doors. Actors Tom Hanks (who owns more than 200 typewriters!) and Sam Shepard, along with authors David McCullough and musician John Mayer, share their love and enthusiasm for this iconic machine in all its models and colors – especially how manual typing enhances the creative process. Also, an artist uses every piece of these machines to create lively, organically inspired art. Even if you don’t plan to rush out and buy a vintage typewriter (like I did), the story is very inspirational and reminds us of the beauty of the “mechanical” (100% on Rotten Tomatoes).

 

 

Grace & Frankie (dramedy series)

What do two wives do when their 70-year-old spouses announce that they are gay and are marrying each other? Watch the amazing Lily Tomlin (the 60s throwback) and Jane Fonda (the uptight country clubber) survive and thrive in these changing times. Funny, over-the-top, and poignant, this series also includes veteran actors Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston like you’ve never seen them before!

 






 

 

 

 

Vera (mystery series - police procedural)

Excellent British series based on the acclaimed book series by Ann Cleeves. Gritty and emotional with a strong female lead played by the excellent Brenda Blethyn.

 




 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Endeavour (mystery series – cerebral)

For lovers of Inspector Morse, this series travels back in time to when Morse first started his career (his first name is Endeavour, didn’t you know?). With excellent acting and set in the 1960s, follow our young detective as he battles criminals and his own demons in his unique, erudite way.
 

 

 

 

Father Brown (mystery series – cozy, remake)

I’m not typically a fan of cozy mysteries (except Agatha Christie), and I would give the original Father Brown series from the 70s a 5 out of 10 rating. But, this remake with Mark Williams in the title role (Harry Potter’s Mr. Weasley) is charming and exudes period atmosphere. Just the right touch of intriguing mystery and loveable characters combine to make this show a star.

Eclipse Mania

Posted by Staff

With the solar eclipse fast approaching, we've been thinking a lot about it and about books/movies that feature eclipses. Here's a few that we've come up, let us know if you think of others!

Devin G.
Little Shop of Horrors! A clumsy young man nurtures a plant and discovers that it's carnivorous, forcing him to kill to feed it. The main character finds the carnivorous plant during a total eclipse. It’s a classic and I love it!

 



Allie B.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Into Pitch Black



 



Jake S.
There is an important scene about an eclipse in the book The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I loved it and would highly recommend it to others. It is a version of the King Arthur legend done from the point of view of the women involved in the story
 



 
Zach H.
The book The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and the movie Little Shop of Horrors

 



Lisa E.
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
Apocalypto



 




Katherine R.
Nightfall by Isaac Asimov 

Our All-Time Favorite Films

Posted by Staff

Joyce - One favorite is the 1962 version of the Miracle Worker directed by Arthur Penn, Anne Bancroft as Teacher and Patty Duke as Helen



Mason – Plan 9 From Outer Space

 

 

Cary - Favorite movies: Romance trio – Room with a View / Moonstruck / Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightly). I watch these three movies once a year!

 
Katherine – Princess Bride 



Jake - I have a lot of favorite movies but the one I always come back to is The Fountain from 2006 starring Hugh Jackman & Rachael Weisz. I have seen a lot of movies before & since but I have never seen one like it. It blows your mind and breaks your heart at the same time. It is impossible to describe. It can only be experienced.

 
Vani - The Godfather



 Tirzah and Gwen - The Sound of Music


Lisa – Jeremiah Johnson

 

 

Kathleen - The Hunt for Red October. My favorite moment of the movie is at the beginning when the screen is dark and written is a statement that according to the United States and the Soviet Union, what you are about to see never happened. Also, this is the first "old" movie that my dad and I watched and both enjoyed, so it has some sentimental value as well.


Jill - Inglorious Bastards and Sound of Music 

 

Gerry - One of my favorite movies has to be Interstellar. It's a brilliant science-fiction film directed by the amazing Christopher Nolan, and is also complimented with a excellent cast led by Matthew McConaughey. If you want to be blown away-WATCH THIS MOVIE! 


Amanda -  Shaun of the Dead
 

 
Sally - Little Shop Around the Corner is one of my favs. Jimmy Stewart - can't go wrong. It is the film on which You've Got mail is based.



Devin – Howl’s Moving Castle 



 

Kristen - Dan in Real Life



  
Susan – Love Actually. Not from a book but it is such a feel good movie. Sad but everyone finds happiness. And of course, Hugh Grant at his prime. Who wouldn't like that!  


Mary B. - I don't think I can pick a favorite movie, but I just saw (after reading the book) the movie The Zookeeper's Wife, about life in Poland during WWII and the way one family hides Jewish refugees from the Nazi's. The movie was good, but the book was better!!

Have You Seen Our Binge Boxes?

Posted by Staff

With summer upon us, we'd like to remind you about our binge boxes. These themed boxes each contain 6 DVDs and can be checked out for 3 weeks.  Right now we have 4 boxes that can be checked out by any IHLS library card holder but they must be returned inside of our building. The next time you're in the mood for a movie marathon, come and check one out. You'll find them near our Blu-ray DVDs in the adult library.

Comedy Rewind

Quintessential 80's

 

 

Classic Romance

Classic Horror

Our Favorite Holiday Movies

Posted by Staff

Kathleen M.
Miracle on 34th Street - This is my Mom's favorite movie, so it has a lot of sentimental value to me.
The Santa Clause Series - This is so hilarious that it compliments my sad favorite Christmas music so well. Tim Allen is a great actor from these movies to Toy Story to Home Improvement.

Zach H.
My favorite holiday movie is Scrooged. It’s a clever adaptation of Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol with an amazing cast.

Joyce D.
Favorite holiday movie is The Bells of St. Mary's (1945). Everything and everyone comes together to show the spirit and joy of Christmas. The nativity pageant the young children put on at the school is wonderful.

Sam O.
It's so hard to pick a favorite holiday movie because I love so many of them, but if I have to pin it down to one, I would have to say that The 1994 version of Miracle on 34th St. is my ultimate favorite. First of all, the casting is great, because Mara Wilson is adorable, and also I think that Richard Attenborough does a great job of embodying the spirit of Santa Clause in the movie. I also love that it is both genuinely funny at times and also genuinely heartfelt, and, to me, it just captures the spirit of the holiday season in the most perfect way.

Sally A.
The Bishops' Wife starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven is one of my all time favorite movies. This movie is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and make you feel all warm and happy. And--you get to watch Cary Grant!
 
Megan J.
Christmas in Connecticut
This movie is actually one of my mom's favorite holiday movies, and has consequently become one of my favorites as well. The movie stars Barbara Stanwyck as a columnist who writes about her husband, baby, and family farm located in Connecticut. Her editor arranges for her to host a Christmas dinner for a returning war hero who reads and admires all of her articles. The only problem? The husband, baby, and Connecticut farm are all made up. Shenanigans and hilarity therefore ensue. I personally love the dynamic between Stanwyck's character and the chef friend that she enlists to help her pull of her scheme-- he steals pretty much every scene he is in.

Jocie D.
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, The Home Alone collection, Die Hard (not really Christmas but set at a Christmas party), and A Christmas Story.  

Kristen R.
I love to watch A Tree Grows in Brooklyn during the holidays. It breaks your heart and then warms it back up again! 

Jake S.
My favorite holiday movie has to be the original Miracle on 34th Street. To me it is the perfect holiday film. It is so heartwarming and touching in all the right places. Unlike some other holiday movies which tend to be a bit heavy handed in the delivery of their message Miracle offers a lighthearted and almost whimsical approach to it's message. The casting is just about perfect and each role seems tailor made for those actors. The film's message is also rather wonderful in that it doesn't talk about one religion's views or another. It is a simple message that says it is just important to have faith which can be appreciated by anyone regardless of their religious affiliation. it's about having faith in your fellow man, having faith that things can get better, and just having faith that miracles can & do happen. It's a wonderful film with a wonderful message that anyone can appreciate. 

Devin G.
My favorite holiday movie would be Elf. Will Ferrell as one of Santa’s elves is too funny! It’s got a lot of heart and humor, which is exactly what I like during the holidays!

Lisa E.
One of my family's favorite holiday movies has always been the 1966 animated version (narrated by Boris Karloff) of Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I love it because the Whos in Whoville still have joy in their hearts even when the material things are gone. That message never gets old. I also love the wonderful Dr. Seuss rhymes.

Stephanie M.
My all-time favorite Christmas movie is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We watch it every year. It brings back lots of childhood memories for me because I used to watch it with my family every Christmas growing up.

Spooktacular Halloween Movies for the Kid in Everyone!

Posted by Kelcey H.

These seven Halloween movies are classics that I’ve grown up watching and still watch every year. Even though my brother and I are grown, my family still makes a point to come together every year and watch a least one of these together with our popcorn balls and candy corn. You can’t go wrong by choosing one of these for your own family movie night!

Hocus Pocus

Does this even need an intro? You're in for a devil of a time when three outlandishly wild witches return from 17th-century Salem after they're accidentally conjured up by some unsuspecting pranksters! It's a night full of zany fun and comic chaos once the tricky 300-year-old trio sets out to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth -- but first they must get their act together and outwit three kids and a talking cat!

Hotel Transylvania

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed.

Nightmare Before Christmas

Can Christmas be saved? Bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine, Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, longs to spread the joy of Christmas. But his merry mission puts Santa in jeopardy and creates a nightmare for good little boys and girls everywhere!

ParaNorman

Norman must use his ability to see and speak with the dead to save his town from a centuries-old curse. In addition to spooky zombies, he’ll also have to take on mysterious ghosts, wily witches and, worst, of all, clueless grown-ups.

Addams Family Values

A comical Gothic family tries to rescue their beloved uncle from his gold-digging new love.

Halloweentown

On her 13th birthday, Marnie learns she's a witch, discovers a secret portal and is transported to HALLOWEENTOWN -- a magical place where ghosts and ghouls, witches and werewolves live apart from the human world. But she soon finds herself battling wicked warlocks, evil curses and endless surprises.

Corpse Bride

A young man mistakenly weds a corpse while on a two-day trek to the village of his real bride-to-be. It is up to the groom's flesh-and-blood fiancée, who has been pining for the arrival of her intended, to face her wraith-like rival and make peace with her by promising to live her dreams for her and by vowing to remember her always. Only then is the living bride and groom free to precede with their own wedding ceremony.

(Originally posted October 20, 2015)