Read the book, then see the movie in 2013!

Lincoln [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Lincoln [videorecording]

Starring:  Sally Field, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jackie Earle Haley, John Hawkes, Jared Harris, David Strathairn

Collection:  Movies

A revealing drama that focuses on the 16th president’s tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country, and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.

Based on the book “Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin and nominated for numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Actor for Daniel Day Lewis, Lincoln is a wonderful film detailing the character and intelligence of a man who changed the course of human history in America.  Steven Spielberg creates a nice balance in telling the story of the political genius of Lincoln as well as representing who the president was as a husband, father, and friend.  Performances by Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field are worthy of their critical acclaim.  The film made me want to delve into learning more about Abraham Lincoln.

Red dawn [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Red dawn [videorecording]

Starring:  Josh Hutcherson, Josh Peck, Chris Hemsworth, Isabel Lucas, Adrianne Palicki

Collection:  Movies

The unsuspecting citizens of Spokane, Washington, wake up one morning to the shocking sight of foreign paratroopers dropping from the sky in a surprise attack on the United States. Soon the entire city is under enemy control, but a group of courageous teenagers has decided to fight back, waging an all-out war against the invaders, to take back their town and their freedom!

A remake of the 1984 cult classic, this new Red Dawn is brought on by North Korea (with help).  The headlines leading up to the invasion are haunting, and lay a foundation to make the whole thing seem believable.  Just as some people loved or hated the original in the 80s, the same will be true here.  I liked the film and would recommend it.

Rise of the guardians [videorecording]

  Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Rise of the guardians [videorecording]

Voices:  Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Chris Pine, Isla Fisher

Collection:  Movies

When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs, and imagination of children all over the world.

From the makers of Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon, Rise of the Guardians is a fantastic new animated film that everyone in the family will enjoy.  Funny, touching, and smart, some of the scenes of the film are downright beautiful to watch.

2013 Golden Globe® Nominee, Best Animated Feature Film
10 Annie Award Nominations, including Best Animated Feature

Argo [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Argo [videorecording]

Starring:  Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Victor Garber, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Scoot McNairy, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Kerry Bishé, Kyle Chandler, Chris Messina

Collection:  Movies

On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and captured dozens of American hostages, sparking a 444-day ordeal. There’s a little-known footnote to the crisis: six Americans escaped and a mid level agent named Antonio Mendez devised an ingenious yet incredibly risky plan to rescue them.

It seems impossible.  How could the American government possibly rescue six people who escaped from capture when the American Embassy in Iran was overrun?  The six are hiding in the Canadian Embassy, the climate in Tehran is dangerous and deadly, and airport security is extreme.  Enter Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) who has the best of the bad ideas–pretend to be a Canadian group of filmmakers scouting out sites for the making of the next Star Wars-like sci-fi movie.  Aided by a respected yet washed up film producer (Alan Arkin) and an expert make-up artist (John Goodman), Mendez creates movie magic and buzz about the new film.  But will it be enough?  Argo is the 2012 Winner of the Oscar for Best Picture.

 

Fever pitch [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Fever pitch [videorecording]

Starring:  Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Jason Spevack, Jack Kehler, Scott H. Severance, Jessamy R. Finet, Maureen Keiller, Lenny Clarke, Ione Skye, KaDee Strickland

Collection:  Movies

According to Red Sox super-fan Ben Wrightman, finding romance is about as likely as his beloved team winning the World Series. But when Ben scores a beautiful new girlfriend, suddenly anything is possible. Now the two passions in his life have a chance to go all the way… if he doesn’t strike out first.

It’s Spring and that means the start of a new baseball season.  This is the perfect time of the year to watch a fun baseball-related movie starring Drew Barrymore (Lindsey) and Jimmy Fallon (Ben), who have to be two of the most likeable people in the world.   Lindsey is a ambitious workaholic and Ben is a fun schoolteacher.  They meet.  They have one of the THE best first dates in history   They fall in love, and everything is going great until the start of baseball season.  That’s when Lindsey discovers a whole other side to Ben.  What happens next is not to be missed.

 

Wreck-It Ralph [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Wreck-It Ralph [videorecording]

Voices:  John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Mindy Kaling, Ed O’Neill, Jack McBrayer

Collection:  Movies

For decades, Ralph has played the bad guy in his popular video game. In a bold move, he embarks on an action-packed adventure and sets out to prove to everyone that he is a true hero with a big heart. As he explores exciting new worlds, he teams up with some unlikely new friends including feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz. Then, when an evil army threatens their world, Ralph realizes he holds the fate of the entire arcade in his massive hands.

Pacman, Joust, DigDug, Centipede, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, and yes, Q*bert….as a child of the 1980s, I spent many a quarter in the arcades!  Watching Wreck-It Ralph was nostalgic, imaginative and fun.  If you are looking to get away from the plethora of animated films that have no originality or character, this film is worth playing.

Skyfall [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Skyfall  [videorecording]

Starring:  Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench, Albert Finney

Collection:  Movies

When Bond’s latest assignment goes gravely wrong and agents around the world are exposed, MI6 is attacked forcing M to relocate the agency. These events cause her authority and position to be challenged by Mallory, the new Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. With MI6 now compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust – Bond. 007 aided only by field agent Eve, follows a trail that leads to Silva, whose motives have yet to reveal themselves.

What a way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bond franchise in films!  Daniel Craig returns as 007, playing the role in this third outing in a way that humanizes Bond.  This Bond gets hurt, physically and emotionally,  creating a vulnerability and complexity that transports the well-known character to a new level of relatability for the audience.  The story is a roller-coaster of a tale, with twists and turns that will keep you not only engaged, but on the edge of your seat.  Hopefully, we will not need to wait as long for the next installment of the James Bond series, rumored to be coming in 2014.

 

Dragons, riders of Berk [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Dragons, riders of Berk [videorecording]

Voices: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, TJ Miller, Tim Conway, Chris Edgerly, Julie Marcus, Nolan North, Zack Pearlman, Stephen Root, Tom Wilson.

Collection:  Movies

Buckle up for more high-flying action and fire-breathing fun with this thrilling debut of the animated TV series based on the Academy Award-nominated hit movie How To Train Your Dragon! The epic story of Hiccup, Toothless, and his fearless friends continues with 4 explosive episodes filled with all-new adventures and exciting, never-before-seen dragons.

Based on the series of books by Cressida Cowel, How to Train Your Dragon is one of my favorite animated films.  If you have not yet seen the motion picture, you should start with it first to get to know the characters featured in these 4 new tales.  The best part?  The quality of storytelling and visually stunning animation have not lost a beat in the translation from big screen to small.  Excellent and sure to please all ages.

Downton Abbey. Season 3 [videorecording]

    Review by:  Lisa

Title:  Downton Abbey. Season 3 [videorecording]

Starring:  Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Siobhan Finneran, Joanne Froggatt, Rob James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Matt Milne, Lesley Nicol, Amy Nuttall, Maggie Smith, Dan Stevens, Penelope Wilton, Shirley MacLaine

Collection:  Movies

The War is over and a long-awaited engagement is on, but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues, and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate for a third thrilling season. In the wake of World War I, Robert, Earl of Grantham, sticks to his duty to maintain Downton more firmly than ever.

It is difficult to write about the new season of Downton Abbey without revealing too much and spoiling the surprises that seem to permeate each episode from Season 3.  The ensemble cast continues to delight us through the intrigue, excitement and perils both upstairs and downstairs provide.  If you have not watched the series, do start with season 1 and 2.  In a word:  Downton is fabulous.