New to the library

Bring it on
Made in 2000 and starring Kirsten Dunst this cheerleading comedy is full of “Backstabbing. Spotlight-grabbing. Secret-blabbing.”

Marley & Me
Based on the book of the same title Marley & Me is the story of the world’s worst dog. Starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.

Seven Pounds
Will Smith stars as an IRS agent haunted by a secret. He looks desperately for redemption by radically transforming the lives of seven people he doesn't know. Once his plan is set, nothing will be able to stop him. At least that's what he thinks.

Slumdog Millionaire
In Mumbai, the eighteen year-old orphan from the slums Jamal Malik is tortured by the policemen in a precinct accused of cheating a game show. Jamal, who has no education and works in a call center serving tea, is close to wining twenty million rupees in the show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" hosted by Prem Kumar, giving precise answers to the questions and raising suspicion of fraud. The police inspector shows the videotape and after each question, Jamal tells parts of his childhood with his brother Salim, his crush for Latika and their fight to survive on the streets to justify each correct answer, guided by his common sense and past experience, and prove his innocence. Winner of the Best Picture Oscar.

Tell No One
This excellent French film is based on the novel by Harlan Coben. The pediatrician Alexandre Beck misses his beloved wife Margot Beck, who was brutally murdered eight years ago when he was the prime suspect. When two bodies are found near where the corpse of Margot was dumped, the police reopen the case and Alex becomes suspect again. The mystery increases when Alex receives an e-mail showing Margot older and alive.

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson, the journalist and author of such books as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, was as wacky in real life as he is in his writing. This biographical film is narrated by Thompson portrayer and fan Johnny Depp.

West Side Story
This 1961 musical with music by Leonard Bernstein is one of the greatest musical films of all time. The music is tremendous. The story, the dancing, the romance are all wonderful. If you haven’t seen it in awhile it’s time to watch it again.

Encounters at the End of the World
Werner Herzog takes his camera to Antarctica where we meet the odd men and women who have dedicated their lives to furthering the cause of science in treacherous conditions.

The Lucky Ones
The story revolves around three soldiers -- Colee, TK and Cheever -- who return from the Iraq War after suffering injuries and learn that life has moved on without them.

Flame Trees of Thika
Elspeth and her unconventional parents decide to settle down in Kenya and begin a coffee plantation. This is a time of discovery for Elspeth, as she encounters the incredible beauty and cruelty of nature, and new friendships with both Africans and British expatriates. This is one of the better TV mini-series. Made in 1981 starring Hayley Mills.

What I've been watching: Changeling and What Just Happened

Changeling
1928. Los Angeles. A young boy goes missing. Instead of finding the boy, the corrupt police dept. finds a suitable replacement then insists that the mother doesn’t recognize her own son. Based on a true story this is an engrossing and heartbreaking film.

What Just Happened
Based on the memoirs of a veteran producer, this film shows a week in the life of a Hollywood producer. The movie industry is not so glamorous as one might think. A real eye-opener.

What I've bee watching: Body of Lies, Frozen River and Man on Wire

Body of Lies
This is an edge of your seat spy thriller! Leo’s the man on the ground giving information in the Near East while Crowe is the man back in D.C. giving the orders. Lots of action—very exciting!

Frozen River
This takes place in the frozen north of Massena, NY where a mother is driven to despair by her financial needs & gets involved in smuggling illegal aliens over the border. Gripping & suspenseful!

Man on Wire
This is a beautifully made documentary about Philippe Petit—the man who walked a wire between the twin towers. Oscar winner for best documentary.

New to the library this week:

Australia
Australia, 1940s. An English aristocrat inherits a large ranch. English cattle barons plot to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover to protect her ranch. Together they experience four life-altering years, a love affair and the bombing of Darwin during World War II.

I’ve Loved You So Long
A shell-shocked Juliette is released from prison after serving 15 years for murdering her young son. As life has moved on, she must relearn certain basics. After being banished from her family, she is now reunited with her younger sister, Lea. Hopefully, Juliette will learn to forgive herself in the process. In French.

Sex Drive
Ian Lafferty can not seem to catch a break. He's taunted by his cocksure older brother Rex, shown up in the romance department by his 14-year-old younger brother and humiliated by his job at a mall donut shop. But Ian's biggest problem is that he's about to start college as a virgin. Now, Ian decides to set out on a cross country drive with his best friends Lance and Felicia in order to lose his virginity to a red-hot babe he met on the Internet. Getting nowhere with the girl of his dreams, Ian resorts to Internet dating. He soon hooks up with Ms. Tasty, a flaming hot blonde who can't wait to get busy. He has to drive 500 miles from Chicago to Knoxville to consummate the deal.

What I've been watching : Blindness, The Children of Huang Shi, and Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Blindness
When everyone in the world goes blind except 1 person... Director Meirelles does some interesting things with the visuals allowing the viewer to feel the frustration of the characters. This is interesting but a very unpleasant view of the human species.

The Children of Huang Shi
This film is based on the life of journalist George Hogg who, during the Japanese invasion of China, led a group of orphans 75 km through the mountains of China to safety. This is a heroic tale about a remarkable man.

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
This is a sweet high school romance. Michael Cera is just the boy I would want to date my daughter if I had one! Beware: there is some sex and what they do with a piece of gum is beyond disgusting! But I enjoyed it anyway.