Blog Post
Eraserhead Turns 40!
by manz
It’s an epic year for anniversaries in film, so why not celebrate Eraserhead, which is epic in itself.
Released in March 1977, Eraserhead was David Lynch’s first length feature film. Briefly, Henry Spencer (played by the late, great Jack Nance – who was a Lynch favorite) and a woman live together with their infant child, who is an alien-lizard-like creature that won’t stop screaming. Enter the Lady in the Radiator, the Man in the Planet, and the Beautiful Girl Across the Hall…. And well, you’ve got full on Lynch madness happening in the greatest, most disturbing way.
The film is bizarre, creepy, dark, surreal, dreamlike, and horrifying, and definitely leaves something in your stomach after viewing. Upon release, the film wasn’t all that, but it has since proven its cultural significance and is an important film in the history of cinema. Plus, David Lynch!
Blog Post
Academy Awards!
by manz
Last night at the 89th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, Oscar winners were announced for the best in film for the past year. While Kimmel has hosted the Emmys, this was his first time hosting the Oscars. After La La Land sweeping up at the Golden Globes, with fourteen Oscar nominations it was speculated they would sweep here as well. The film went home with six Oscars. They were also part of the big talk of the night, after giving an acceptance speech for “winning” Best Picture, when moments later it was announced that there was an error with the envelopes and that Moonlight was the actual winner.
Top film honors went to Moonlight for Best Picture, Zootopia for Best Animated Feature, O.J.: Made In America for Best Documentary Feature, and The Salesman for Best Foreign Language Film.
Individual Oscars went to Damien Chazelle for Best Director for La La Land, Casey Affleck for Leading Actor in Manchester By the Sea, and Emma Stone for Leading Actress in La La Land .
Supporting actor nods went to Mahershala Ali for Moonlight and Viola Davis in Fences.
Be sure to check out the complete list of winners in all categories! Film editing! Costume design! Cinematography!
Blog Post
My Family and Other Animals
by manz
Last year marked the 60th anniversary of My Family and Other Animals by naturalist Gerald Durrell. This book was the first in a trilogy, followed by Birds, Beasts, and Relatives (1969) and Fauna and Family, AKA The Garden of the Gods, (1978). In the books Durrell tells of the period during his childhood where he and his widowed mother and siblings briefly left England and lived on the rustic island of Corfu off Greece between 1935 and 1939. Gerald found himself surrounded by beautiful creatures and pretty soon the house and surrounding areas are encapsulated by his birds and reptiles.
The memoirs are delightful and the family is a fierce and quirky bunch that makes these books a pleasure to read. Gerald grew up to be a naturalist, conservationist and author of many books.
There have been a few adaptations of the books for television. Notably was the 2005 series My Family and Other Animals, which centers on 12 year old Gerald and his animal adventures, namely from book one. The acting is superb, with Imelda Staunton (Professor Umbridge!) leading the charge as Mrs. Durrell, tyring to rein in her 4 children, while wondering how on earth they turned out the way they did. Larry is a writer, Margo is a teen discovering herself, Larry love his guns, and then there's Gerry and his traveling zoo. There are 3 episodes and I loved it so much I watched them all twice.
Last year came a newer, longer adaptation that involved stories from all three books. This first season of The Durrells in Corfu features 6 episodes, and more emphasis is placed on the mother in this one. As with books and film adaptations, things were changed from the books a bit, but the wonderfulness of Gerald and his family remains. This show was also a pure delight to dive into with the Durrells. Season 2 is in the works.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 1
by manz
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. Here are more new-to-AADL series:
Versailles, Season 1
In 1667, the powerful king of France, Louis XIV, is but 28 years old when he decides to build Versailles, the greatest palace in the world. After draining the budget, affairs and political intrigues complicate things.
Scream Queens, Season 1
A mysterious Red Devil killer wreaks havoc at Wallace University's Kappa Kappa Tau sorority, putting every pledge on edge! Tension mounts as it becomes clear that anyone could be the murderer, or the next victim! Get all thirteen outrageous season one episodes, along with more killer moments and special features that grant the watcher exclusive sorority access into Kappa house.
Fuller House, Season 1
In a continuation of the original 1980s Full House series, D.J. Fuller is a mother of three young boys and is a recent widow. D.J.'s sister Stephanie, her best friend Kimmy and Kimmy's teenage daughter all move in to help raise her sons. (Sounds familiar, eh?)
The Librarians, Seasons 1 & 2
The show centers on an ancient organization hidden beneath the Metropolitan Public Library dedicated to protecting an unknowing world from the secret, magical reality hidden all around. This group solves impossible mysteries, fights supernatural threats, and recovers powerful artifacts, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Spear of Destiny, and Excalibur.
Graves, Season 1
President Richard Graves, a former two-term POTUS, embarks on a Don Quixote-like quest to right the wrongs of his administration and reclaim his legacy 25 years after leaving the White House. With topics ranging from immigration to gay rights, foreign policy to public funding for arts and sciences, Graves holds nothing sacred as he unspools some of his administration's proudest victories.
The Quarry, Season 1
Quarry, a disillusioned Vietnam War vet, returns home to Memphis in 1972 only to find rejection and scrutiny at every step. A mysterious man known only as The Broker gives him an offer he can't refuse - to work for him as a hitman.
Hap and Leonard, Season 1
Based on the novels by Joe R. Lansdale, the six-hour series event follows Hap Collins, an East Texas white boy with a weakness for Southern women, and Leonard Pine, a gay, black Vietnam vet with a hot temper. When Hap's seductive ex-wife Trudy resurfaces with a deal they can't refuse, a simple get-rich-quick scheme snowballs into bloody mayhem.
Blog Post
The Golden Globes!
by manz
Last night the 74th Golden Globe Award winners were announced in top categories for motion pictures and television from the past year. It’s always fun to see the winners and speculate who will also win at the Oscars. It was a quite a year for entertainment on the big and small screen! The big winner of the night was La La Land with 7 wins. And can I just say the cold-open a-la La La Land was pretty cool!
Best Motion Picture – Drama went to Moonlight, Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy went to La La Land, which also won Best Performance by an Actress, Best Performance by an Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song. Best Motion Picture – Animated went to Zootopia, and Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language went to Elle.
As for television, Best Television Series – Drama went to The Crown, Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy went to Atlanta, and Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television went to The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
Many are too new to be owned by AADL yet, or are still in theaters, so check back when items are released on DVD! Also, be sure to check out the full list of winners and nominees to see who won in the many categories.
Blog Post
Sing Street
by manz
A delightful film! Set in 1985 Dublin, the coming-of-age Sing Street is ripe with adolescence and dreaming big. Fourteen year old Conor is sent to a new school due to family money problems, and he encounters a slew of new woes himself, from a mean head-master to bullying. Enter the beautiful Raphina. One look at her and Conor’s heart is done with. He quickly needs to form a band to impress her. With a misfit crew of new band-mates, an older brother who schools him in the finest 80s Duran Duran, The Cure and Hall and Oates, Conor is on his way to self-discovery and fulfilling newfound dreams. The film is a pleasure to watch, and the band’s songs are a hit.
The film has been on many year-end best-of lists for 2016, and is nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Togetherness
by manz
Togetherness was created by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass and Steve Zissis, and is a tragically hilarious look at family life in Los Angeles. To my surprise the dark comedy was an absolute joy to watch and I can’t wait to watch season 2.
Brett and Michelle are married with two young children and are trying to find the long lost spark in their relationship. Brett’s actor friend Alex is down and out after getting evicted while jobless, so he ends up staying at Brett’s house for a while. Around the same time Michelle’s sister Tina is suffering from a break up and needs a change of scenery and joins the rest of the clan at Brett and Michelle’s house. With the four adults under one roof struggling to make sense of their lives, friendships and relationships, it makes for plenty of mishaps, antics, laughter, and tears.
The HBO show was cancelled after two seasons, and I'm thinking 16 episodes is just not enough.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 3
by manz
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. So many new shows have hit the catalog so far in September! Here are more new-to-AADL series:
Feed the Beast, Season 1
For Tommy and Dion, two friends on the brink of losing everything, a dusty pipe dream of opening an upscale restaurant in their hometown of the Bronx is all they have left to turn their lives around. Together, Tommy and Dion take on the insanity of the New York restaurant world, navigating its underbelly of petty criminals, corrupt officials, and violent gangsters.
Salem, Season 1 & 2
Witchcraft, the witch trials and the supernatural are at the center of this fictional story set in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts.
You, Me & Them, Series 1
This sparkling British comedy follows a May-December romance between free spirit Lauren and young-at-heart divorced grandfather Ed. The age gap isn't Lauren and Ed's only challenge: they face the disapproval of Lauren's parents, who are practically Ed's contemporaries, and her envious older sister, who's got a chaotic family of her own. On the other side, they endure Ed's down-on-his-luck, live-in brother; his irresponsible grandson; and most vexing of all, his narcissistic, delusional ex-wife.
Limitless, Season 1
After an old friend introduces him to a dangerous new pill called NZT-48, aimless twenty-something Brian Finch is able to use every part of his brain, making him the smartest person alive when he is on the drug. Utilizing his enhanced abilities, Brian helps FBI agent Rebecca Harris with her caseload, as well as attempting to track down the deadly drug’s manufacturer and figure out why Brian is the only person immune to its fatal side effects.
Outsiders, Season 1
A struggle for power and control set in the mysterious hills of modern-day Appalachia centers on the Farrells family, who behave as though they are above the law and are prepared to use any means necessary to protect their off-the-grid way of life in rural Kentucky.
Chicago Med, Season 1
The doctors, nurses and staff of the city's most cutting-edge trauma center take on critical medical cases and their ethical dilemmas. Woven into this high-intensity environment are engrossing personal dramas where life or death is always on the line.
Billions, Season 1
U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades goes after hedge fund king, Bobby "Axe" Axelrod in a battle between two powerful New York figures.
Jericho
Annie Quaintain is a widowed mother of two who is forced to start a new life in the remote town of Jericho in rugged 1870s Yorkshire. To make ends meet, she takes in lodgers who work on the local railroad. When handsome worker Johnny Jackson shows up at her door, he brings with him a load of trouble that could threaten Annie's new life.
Thirteen
Thirteen years after her abduction, 26-year-old Ivy Moxam flees the cellar that has held her captive for half her life. But escape is just the beginning of Ivy's story. Just as she's picking up the pieces of the life she was forced to leave behind, a startling discovery leaves everyone scrambling: her former captor has found his next victim. Forced to confront the truth of what happened in that cellar, Ivy's story leaves the detectives with one question: can Ivy be trusted?
Fore more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 2
by manz
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 Catch, Season 1
Meet Alice Vaughan: Strong, smart and tough-as-nails, she specializes in foiling world-class criminals with her elite team at Anderson/Vaughan Investigations, so she's devastated after losing her heart, and her life savings, to dashing, international conman Benjamin Jones. Desperate to extract some serious payback, Ali embarks on a secret quest to nab her ex-fiancée.
Into the Badlands, Season 1
Sunny, the most deadly Clipper in the Badlands, rescues a boy, M.K., from a deadly ambush. As Sunny and M.K. try to uncover the secret behind M.K.'s dark power, a new baron threatens a start a war between the rival lands.
Cop Rock, The Complete Series
It attempted to combine police procedural with musical theatre. The series centered on the LAPD and featured an ensemble cast that mixed musical numbers and choreography throughout storylines.
Quantico, Season 1
Alex Parrish is one of a diverse group of young recruits at the FBI Quantico Base. Despite intriguing personal secrets and complicated pasts, Alex and her fellow "NATs" (New Agents In Training) are the best, brightest, most thoroughly vetted candidates in the U.S., so it seems impossible that one of them could be a traitor.
The Night Manager
Jonathan Pine is working as the night manager of a Cairo hotel. He gets involved with a local woman who is the girlfriend of a local gangster. Through her relationship with the gangster she has acquired information linking illegal international arms sales with an English billionaire. Based on the best-selling novel by John Le Carre.
Legends, Season 1
Follows FBI Deep Cover Operations agent Martin Odum as he navigates living a lie for his job and delving into the mystery surrounding his real identity.
Angie Tribeca, Season 1
Angie Tribeca is a ten-year veteran of LAPD'S RHCU: Really Heinous Crimes Unit. The show is a hilarious spoof of police procedurals in the spirit of The Naked Gun.
Fore more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows. There are a bunch of NEW seasons of shows we already own!!
Blog Post
68th Primetime Emmy Awards Winners
by manz
Last night the winners of the 68th Emmy Awards were announced in a red carpet star-studded event hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The awards recognize excellence within various areas of television and emerging media.
Game of Thrones has now broken the record for the highest number of Emmy Awards won by any fictional series. The show’s total awards stand at 38, ousting Frasier, which held the record with 37. That’s a lot of Emmys! With winners announced, it's time to see what's going on in TV land. Here are the winners in major categories:
Drama Series – Game of Thrones
Comedy Series – Veep
Television Movie – Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Miniseries or Movie – The People v OJ Simpson
Variety Talk Series – Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Reality Competition Series – The Voice
Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Rami Malek (Mr Robot)
Lead Actress in a Dama Series – Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Louie Anderson (Baskets)
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Ben Mendelsohn (Bloodline)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Dame Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Be sure to check the Emmys website for a full list of winners and for behind the scenes action and fun at how the show went down!