Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 1
by manz
We're thinking television because Emmy Nominations were announced today!! With SO many good TV shows out there how can we possible keep up?
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. Here are some new-to-AADL series:
The Magicians, Season 1
Based on Lev Grossman's New York Times best seller, this centers on Quentin, a brilliant grad student chosen to attend Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic. He and his twenty something friends soon discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real, and poses a grave danger to humanity.
The Shannara Chronicles, Season 1
The epic story of an Elvin princess, a bandit and a half-Elf tasked with stopping the end of the world. Based on the book series by Terry Brooks.
Underground, Season 1
The show follows a group of slaves who plan a daring escape from a Georgia plantation to cross 600 miles to freedom.
Moone Boy, The Complete Series
The hilarious, semi-autobiographical tale of Martin Moone, the youngest boy in a loud, large Irish family, and his imaginary friend Sean Murphy. Between Martin's unique view on life and Sean's not always helpful advice, the pair find themselves thrown into one ridiculous scheme after another.
11.22.63
On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was killed in Dallas and the world changed forever. But what if it could be changed back? James Franco stars as Jake Epping, an English teacher who accepts the monumental mission of trying to prevent the assassination of JFK. Based upon the bestselling novel by Stephen King.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Season 1
When heroes alone are not enough, the world needs legends. Having seen the future, traveling rogue Rip Hunter assembles a disparate group of both heroes and villains to confront the unstoppable threat of the immortal Vandal Savage, a threat which not only puts the planet at stake, but all of time itself.
The Tunnel, Season 1
When a prominent French politician is found dead on the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck and Elise Wassermann are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership.
Ash vs. Evil Dead, Season 1
Ash is the stock boy, who is an aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons; personal and literal.
Lucifer, Season 1
Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer has resigned his throne and retired to the City of Angels, where he is indulging in wine, women, and song. When a beautiful pop star is brutally murdered before his eyes, he feels something awaken deep within him, for the first time in ten billion years. Is he actually capable of feelings for a human being?
For more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows.
Blog Post
Kid Bits - 10 NEW themes in STORIES To GO collection for 2016 !!
by ryanikoglu
ATTENTION Parents, Teachers, and Child Care Providers !
NEW sets are ready for YOU !
STORIES To GO are themed sets of materials ... especially designed for use with Preschool and young Elementary children ages 2-7.
Each set includes 6-10 books, 1-2 DVDs, and an Activity Folder with suggested finger plays, songs, crafts, etc. related to the theme.
Just grab a theme and go.
10 NEW Themes for 2016 are available NOW. Here they are:
ANN ARBOR for introducing and exploring our community.
FAIRIES for those who enjoy the local fairy doors.
BIG MACHINES for those with a passion for wheels and work.
SIZE and MEASUREMENT: Math Readiness.
OUTER SPACE for those who like to explore the universe.
BABY SIGNS for people learning signing with their babies.
FEELINGS for exploring different types of young drama.
LIBRARIES ... and sharing.
SEEDS To PLANTS for early science discovery.
MONSTERS for those who want to explore Monsters!
You can browse the rest of the themes in STORIES To GO
HERE
Blog Post
On your mark, get set, RACE.
by manz
The film Race tells the story of 4 time gold medal Olympic track star Jesse Owens. It chronicles his time at Ohio State and leading up to his appearance at the 1936 Olympics, where he became a legend.
Owens (1913-1980) remains one of the greatest athletes of all time, shattering records as though he were just batting an eyelash. He wowed the world at the Big Ten Track and Field Championships right here in Ann Arbor, Michigan by tying the world record in the 100-yard dash and then setting the world record in the long jump, the 220-yard dash and the 220 low hurdles. Some call it the greatest 45 minutes in sports.
In 1936, at the nearly boycotted Olympics in Nazi Germany, he went on to win gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters, the long jump and the 4x100 relay.
The film does a great job of focusing on his big races and captures the spirit of Owens’ greatness and the challenges he faced dealing with racism and segregation in 1930s America.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Silicon Valley
by manz
The award-winning comedy series ">Silicon Valley follows a group of young men, living together in a single house, who try to create and then maintain a start up company in Silicon Valley. With a stellar cast, including Martin Starr and Kumail Nanjiani, the show is hilarious to say the least.
Created by Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head, King of the Hill, Office Space), John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, the HBO show is partially based on Judge’s own experiences working in Silicon Valley in the 80s.
Season 1 and 2 are available on DVD, Season 3 is airing now on HBO, and it’s been renewed for a fourth season. Highly recommended if you enjoy absurd humor.
Blog Post
Emerald & Orange: Prison Life
by manz
It is that time of year once again…. Not only does AADL’s Summer Game launch on Friday, June 17, but Orange is the New Black’s 4th season premieres on Netflix as well! Are you caught up? Are you ready?
When thinking of television shows set in prison one cannot forget Oz. Yes, we are talking about a show that premiered in 1997, but it has totally stood the test of time.
Some think The Sopranos put HBO hour-long dramas on the map, when in was in fact Oz. It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by HBO. The show aired from 1997-2003 and featured many actors from your favorite shows that came after Oz. (So many actors that went onto The Wire!)
Set in Oswald State Correctional Facility, better known as Oz, the show chronicles inmates in “Emerald City,” an experimental unit within Oz that has strict rules and is focused on prisoner rehabilitation. Through six seasons there is amazing character development as we watch the men in "Em City" come and go.
While Orange is the New Black has its sad moments, it also has plenty of comedic bits. Oz does not. (Well, the show's narrator does add his humor to the episodes.) Oz is dark, violent, intense, gripping, and worth a viewing if those are things you can stomach in a television show.
Blog Post
New Kids Movies!
by manz
Many new TV shows and movies for kids (okay, adults, too!) are popping up in the catalog! Just in time for summer movie nights. Here are a few new big movies on their way to AADL, a few with characters you've already met in previous films.
Zootopia
Zootopia is a city like no other that is comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it's a melting pot where animals from every environment live together. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn't so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde.
Hero Quest
A fairy tale about a grand life journey of ten-year old boy Savva, devoted to helping his mom and fellow village people to break free from the vicious hyenas.
Kung Fu Panda 3
Living large and loving life, Po realizes that he has a lot to learn if he's going to fulfill the next challenge from his beloved instructor. After reuniting with his long-lost father, Po must transition from student to teacher and train a group of fun-loving, clumsy pandas to become martial-arts fighters. Together, the kung-fu brethren unite to take on the evil Kai, a supernatural warrior who becomes stronger with each battle.
Open Season, Scared Silly
After hearing a story by the campfire, domesticated Boog is terrified by the story and decides to 'chicken out' of their annual summer camping trip until he knows the werewolf is gone. Determined to help Boog overcome his fears, Elliot and their woodland friends band together to scare the fear out of Boog and uncover the mystery of the Wailing Wampus Werewolf.
Blog Post
A Whit Stillman Trilogy
by manz
The films in this new Criterion Collection box set are not new. In fact, they are from the 1990s.
The collector's set trilogy includes Metropolitan (1990), Barcelona (1994), and The Last Days of Disco (1998) -- all from writer-director Whit Stillman. Set during the 1980s the films feature sets of sour, quick-witted, upper class twenty-somethings sharing wordy conversation as they explore the Manhattan party scene and beyond. The films do not have to be watched in order, they are simply three films with a similar look and feel. If you don’t think you can watch the trilogy in one week, they can also be checked out individually.
The director-approved three-DVD special edition collector’s set features restored versions of the three films, outtakes, alternate scenes, deleted scenes, new video essays about the trilogy, featurettes on the making of some of the films, appearances by Stillman on talk shows, and much more.
After making the three comedies of manners he took a break from indie comedy before returning to the field to make a fourth film, Damsels in Distress (2012). Stillman's newest film, Love & Friendship, will be released in mid-May. It is based on Jane Austen's short novel Lady Susan, and is not related to his previous four films.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
by manz
Kimmy Schmidt is a mole woman. She and three other women were rescued from a doomsday cult in Indiana after 15 years underground. Upon rescue they are pretty clueless as to what’s been going on in the world above ground. (i.e. What’s a selfie?)
Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) decides to start her new life in New York City! There she quickly lands a place to live with a struggling actor roommate (Tituss Burgess), a sassy landlady (Carol Kane), and a job as a nanny for a socialite (Jane Krakowski). The colorfully-clad Kimmy is a cartwheeling ball of positivity diving into every new experience she can – with many dashes of wacky naiveté. It's not my favorite new sitcom, but it was fun to have on while working on projects around the house.
Season 1 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is available on DVD now, and Season 2 will be available for viewing on Netflix starting Friday! (Yes, I totally watched this show because it was co-created by Tina Fey.)
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Aquarius
by manz
Aquarius had an interesting premise regarding Charles Manson and I wasn’t sure I’d be into it, but as a fan of detective shows (and David Duchovny!) I had to give it a try, and I’m glad I did.
Set in Los Angeles in 1967, the story follows fictional detective Sam Hodiak (Duchovny). He starts to investigate the disappearance of an old girlfriend’s daughter, and he ends up teaming up with an undercover cop, and the investigation eventually leads to Charles Manson and his followers.
While inspired by real people and events, the bulk of the show, characters, and storyline are fictional.
The NBC show has been renewed for a second season, and creators would like to run it for five seasons, as they have content already mapped out leading up to the infamous Tate-Labianca murders in 1969.
Blog Post
Concussion on DVD & Blu-ray
by manz
The dramatic film ">Concussion is based on the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a brilliant forensic neuropathologist who first discovered CTE, football-related brain trauma, in pro players. He ends up head to head with the NFL fighting for them to admit this is a problem, while players continue to die due to side effects of long term football-related head trauma.
Will Smith wonderfully portrays Omalu with one of his best performances yet, and Alec Baldwin and Albert Brooks offer amazing supporting roles. I’m not so much into football or football films but I really enjoyed the story and the look and feel of this powerful film. It really makes you think of how as humans we can make such a difference in the lives of others. There is also a movie tie-in book with the same title.