Attention Anglophiles! If you loved the movie “The King’s Speech”, the book of the same name, written by Mark Logue, grandson of Lionel Logue, will add to your enjoyment. Letters, photos and diaries that are in the grandson’s possession were shared with filmmakers and became the basis for this book. Details of Logue’s ancestry and life in Australia are included, as well as comments about speech therapy over the years. When I watched the movie, I never got a true sense of the timeline of events, as none of the characters aged visibly. The movie covers the years spanning from 1926 through 1939. Logue was summoned to the Palace often when the King was due to give a speech. He spent many Christmas days with the Royal family so that he was present for the annual Christmas Day message from the King that was broadcast live. Their friendship continued beyond the point where the King felt enough confidence to speak in public without Logue at his side and lasted till the King’s death in 1952. The fabulous Mozart and Beethoven pieces that are part of the soundtrack are wonderful to listen to also. Enjoy! -Rita
January 4, 2012
The Inside Scoop: You Saw the Film – Now Read the Book!
July 11, 2011
Weird and Wonderful World Cinema
I’m a fan of both the “keep Portland weird” ideal and international cinema. So in that spirit, I bring you a trio of the quirkiest movies I’ve seen in recent years at the Portland International Film Festival. Now on dvds at your library!
A Town Called Panic (Belgium)
Stop-motion animation always wows me, but it was a treat to find that this movie was hilarious to boot. The zany antics of Cowboy and his friend Indian (enacted by little plastic toys) had me laughing non-stop. When the friends try to find a birthday present for their friend Horse, things go wrong and hijinks and random side trips naturally ensue. So appealing, they’ll have you forgetting you’re even reading subtitles.
Rubber (France, but what dialogue there is is in English)
Not for the faint of heart, Rubber is told from the point of view of the most unique movie star you’ll ever see – an abandoned tire. Who blows stuff up with his mind. And an on-screen audience is thrown in, who actively critiques the movie as it’s happening. Just as bizarre and funny (and bloody) as it sounds.
The Good, the Bad, the Weird (Korea)
Like any good kung fu western, the plot (in this case, three misfits racing for a treasure map) is less important than the count of jaw-dropping scenes. And The Good, the Bad, the Weird does not disappoint. In addition of scores of stunning fight scenes, it boasts the biggest brawling mess of a “high” speed chase scene I’ve ever seen, with horses vs motorcycle vs train vs tanks. It has to be seen to be believed.
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did! -Laura T.
April 22, 2011
Cataloger’s Corner: One good story- three ways to enjoy it
If you love wine, the south of France, and romantic comedies, infused with dreamy, sepia flashbacks of special family times, you will LOVE the DVD “A Good Year”. Based on Peter Mayle’s book A Good Year, the movie adds more to the romance storyline and less on the wine mystery. The library also has the soundtrack CD from the movie, which just adds to the whole endearing trio. Settle back & enjoy with a glass of red wine.
March 16, 2010
Blu-ray DVDs have arrived!
Our new Blu-ray movie collection is ready to hit the shelves today. The boxes for these movies are located near the new book shelves at the main Cedar Mill Community Library. You will need to take the boxes to our Disc Xpress machine in order to check them out. This disc dispensing machine also contains recently released new DVDs and our Juvenile and Teen Video Game collections. So come on by and pick up a Blu-Ray. All Blu-Ray movies are currently non-holdable.
February 17, 2009
The local dead can be heard again!
Dearly Departed: True Lies in Song from the Lone Fir Cemetery is a great new benefit CD from various local musicians. The Lone Fir Cemetery is the inspiration for songs about doctors, ax murderers, poets and prostitutes who have passed on and now reside in this historic local cemetery. The money raised will go towards restoration projects at the cemetery. Frankly, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the music. This is truly an inspired project and I may have to venture out to see some of these local artists. Place a hold here.
