Friday, March 6, 2009
Book vs. Movie: City of Ember
Even though this book was written for kids, adults should not hesitate to give it a read. It was had a fast moving and engaging story line that pulled me further in with every chapter. For over 200 year the people of Ember have lived in harmony, but that peaceful existence is coming to an end. The city’s light is not provided by a natural source but hundreds of lights that are strung high above the city, powered by the city’s huge and ancient generator. But the generator and the city are in decay, the city’s once well stocked store rooms are bare, and the Mayor appears to be corrupt and out of touch. It is up to 2 teens to follow the clues and find the way out of Ember.
Over all, the Movie was very faithful to the book with only short deviations that did not feel harmful to the plot of the book or movie. I was really taken with the detail of the movie, there was truly was that feeling that people have been living in a confined city for 2 centuries. Everything was worn, things were used and reused over and over, or repurposed in some way.
I loved both the book and the movie. I think they can be enjoyed together or separately, but if I had the chance I would have read the book first.
Cross Posted to GoodReads & Movie, Music, & More Blog.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Independent Spirit Awards
| BEST ACTRESS: MELISSA LEO Frozen River By Hunt, Courtney 2009/02 - Sony Pictures BL10879DVD Check Our Catalog On a Mohawk reservation on the Canadian border, Ray teams with widowed tribe member Lila to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. Although the work provides the women with much-needed money, each trip puts them in danger. ...More |
| BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Man on Wire By Marsh, James 2008/12 - Magnolia BL01092DVD Check Our Catalog Philippe Petit captured the world's attention in 1974 when he successfully walked across a high wire between New York's Twin Towers. This documentary explores the preparations that went into the stunt as well as the event and its aftermath. Obsessed with the towers even before they were fully constructed, Petit sneaked into the buildings several times to determine the equipment he needed to accomplish his daring feat. ...More |
| BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: JAMES FRANCO BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY: DUSTIN LANCE BLACK Milk By Van Sant, Gus 2009/03 - Focus BL04090DVD Check Our Catalog Sean Penn stars in this fact-based drama about Harvey Milk, the openly gay activist and San Francisco politician who was murdered along with mayor George Moscone by disgruntled city employee Dan White in 1978. ...More |
| BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM Synecdoche, New York By Kaufman, Charlie 2009/03 - Sony Pictures BL06877DVD Check Our Catalog After his painter wife leaves him and takes their daughter to Berlin, theater director Caden Cotard stages a new autobiographical play in a massive warehouse amid a life-size replica of Manhattan. ...More |
| BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: PENELOPE CRUZ BEST SCREENPLAY: WOODY ALLEN Vicky Cristina Barcelona By Allen, Woody 2008/11 - Weinstein Company BL13161DVD Check Our Catalog Academy Award winner Javier Bardem stars in the latest effort from legendary filmmaker Woody Allen as a flamboyant painter who finds himself in the middle of a unique relationship with Vicky and Christina, a pair of American tourists. ...More |
| BEST DIRECTOR: THOMAS MCCARTHY The Visitor By McCarthy, Thomas 2008/10 - Overture Films BL10088DVD Check Our Catalog Widowed professor Walter Vale discovers an immigrant couple, Tarek and Zainab, squatting in his Manhattan flat and becomes wrapped up in their lives when Tarek is thrown into a detention center. ...More |
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
2009 Grammy Winners
SONG OF THE YEAR
"Viva La Vida", Coldplay
BEST NEW ARTIST
Adele
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
New Quick Flicks for the Week of 03/03/09
| Australia By Luhrmann, Baz 2009/03 - 20th Century Fox BL04095DVD Check Our Catalog In the days leading up to World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley inherits a sprawling cattle ranch in northern Australia. Threatened by land barons, she reluctantly joins her farmhand as he drives 2,000 head of cattle across the outback. While on the grueling trek, they witness the Japanese bombing of Darwin, which heralds Australia's entry into the war. ...More |
| Beverly Hills Chihuahua By Gosnell, Raja 2009/03 - Walt Disney Pictures BL03098DVD Check Our Catalog Chloe is a privileged Chihuahua from Beverly Hills who rides in style in her owner's purse -- until she gets lost on a Mexican vacation, and must find her way home with the help of her new found Latin canine friends. ...More |
Amexicano
When blue-collar Italian-American Bruno loses his job, he finds himself working alongside illegal aliens in the landscaping business. After befriending Ignacio and his wife Gabriela, he develops a respect and admiration for them as they work to improve their lives.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Now Showing at the Gail Borden Library: Meet Me in St. Louis
Monday, March 9, 2009, 11:00 AM
A St. Louis lawyer's family stays in town for the 1904 World's Fair. Directed by Vincente Minnelli.