Jeopardy! America’s Favorite Quiz Show March 29, 2012
Posted by Emma in Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
Created by Merv Griffin, the “thinking person’s” show Jeopardy premiered on March 30, 1964. Griffin also composed the show’s theme song “Think” originally as a lullaby for his son. Jeopardy was on the air from 1964-1975 and again from 1978-1979. The show returned in 1984. Over the years dollar amounts have changed; the amount of money a contestant can win has changed; and the number of times an individual may appear on the show has changed, but the basic premise of the show has never changed. Players given answers must come up with questions in the form of a question.
If you decide to try and become a contestant on Jeopardy, the library is a great place to check out materials to help you prepare for the online test. At my house watching the show has been a favorite past time for many years, and we’re all pretty good players as long as it’s in the comfort of our living room.
~Emma
Tuesday at the Movies March 20, 2012
Posted by Dori in Fiction, Movies, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
Well, it wasn’t much of a movie watching week folks; the weather has been too beautiful, I’ve been a little too tired to stay up, and of course, there was some Irish heritage to celebrate! Last weekend we watched a movie that was well worth propping my eyes open for: Hugo. Based on Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret, it was a treat -visually awesome, magical, an ode to movies and moviemaking. If you haven’t read the book that inspired it, rush to the library! I also saw Beginners. I liked it, liked the introspection and wistfulness of it, and Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer were great, but it was just a bit too precious. Oh - and let’s not forget the very cute Jack Russell named Arthur in it (and what is with the cute Jack Russell appearances in movies lately?). If you liked Beginners, you may want to check out Thumbsucker, director Mike Mills’ first feature film.
It’s hard not to talk about movies without mentioning the gigantic movie event coming this Friday: the release of The Hunger Games, based on the first of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. I admit it - I’m excited!
Onto the new releases:
3/13:
The Three Musketeers: swashbuckling fun.
Melancholia: Lars von Trier’s latest film starring Kirsten Dunst that takes place during a marriage ceremony as a planet is hurdling towards Earth. Weird? Yes, but intriguing as well…
The Descendents: A Best Picture nominee about a man dealing with the death of his wife, his relationship with his children and his family inheritance.
My Week with Marilyn: The perspective of a 23 year old assistant on the set of the Marilyn Monroe and Sir Laurence Olivier movie The Prince and the Showgirl.
The Adventures of Tintin: Based on the comics of Belgian artist Herge, this family film follows the adventures of reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy.
Young Adult: Penned by Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody, this effort stars Charlize Theron as a woman returning to her home town to relive her glory days and win back her high school sweetheart who’s already married.
Neverland: a TV miniseries based on the Peter Pan stories.
3/20:
The Muppets: What’s not to look forward to about this one – Muppets!
J. Edgar: a film biopic about Hoover of the FBI starring Leonardo Dicaprio.
The Sitter: a silly film about a suspended college student who ends up babysitting – mayhem! off-color jokes!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: the American film based on the bestselling book – it’ll be interesting to compare with the Swedish version.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Based on the novel by John LeCarre about British intelligence – lots of good actors, including Colin Firth and Gary Oldman.
Hop: this one comes out on Saturday, just in time for the Easter holidays.
Roadie: a roadie fired by Blue Oyster Cult returns home to see his mom.
Carnage: based on a well-regarded play and starring a great group of actors, this one’s about two pairs of parents facing off over a tiff between their small children.
Little Girl: an Italian film about a 2 year old girl who’s taken in by a hard luck family of circus performers.
Gainsbourg: a French movie biopic about French singer Serge Gainsbourg.
One Lucky Elephant: a documentary about a circus elephant looking for a good home.
Louder than a Bomb: a documentary that tells the story of four Chicago high school poetry teams as the prepare to compete in the world’s largest youth slam.
Happy Watching!
~Dori
Barbie’s debut… March 9, 2012
Posted by Emma in Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment Barbie’s debut – March 9, 1959
Christmas morning 1959, there she was a special present for me. The gift was a blonde No. 1 Barbie original wearing a black and white striped swimsuit, with the two pronged posing stand, gold hoop earrings, booklet and shoes. According to the library database Prices4Antiques, an original doll in perfect condition recently sold at auction for $4,600.00. Unfortunately my Barbie is long gone, given away many years ago. Who knew?
The Prices4Antiques database available at http://www.rrpl.org/ under “Research Resources” along with a variety of collectible and antique price guide books may help you discover a hidden treasure in your attic or basement. Good Luck!
~Emma
Tuesday at the Movies March 6, 2012
Posted by Dori in Movies, Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
Welcome back movie fans. Here’s a wrap-up of the odd mix of movies I watched this weekend:
Hanna – lots of action, jittery filming, scary Cate Blanchett, weird moments of humanity – but ultimately unsatisfying – I want to know what happens to Hanna after the end!!! (not to worry, I won’t ruin the movie by revealing more.)
Real Steel – okay, this was mostly for my son and I only saw bits and pieces while making dinner. It’s basically about a neglectful father who comes back into the life of his son and they reunite by finding a joint hobby – fighting robots! My son liked it.
The Ides of March – this was an interesting, thoughtful political film - plus Ryan Gosling and George Clooney, ‘nuf said.
Have you seen the book 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die? I took it home and it’s drawn the attention of my teenage daughter – she requested Fargo, Four Weddings and a Funeral and No Country For Old Men last night – (quite the gamut). It’s fun when your children start wanting to watch older movies – I’m going to get to revisit some favorites.
On to what’s coming out this week at the library:
Footloose – a remake of the Kevin Bacon classic
Jack and Jill – Adam Sandler plays a man and his sister – I wonder what he’ll think of next.
Senna – an award-winning documentary about a Formula One champion.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas – celebrate an irreverant Christmas in March!
Like Crazy – a movie about first love
Immortals – action packed movie set in the world of the ancient Greek gods.
London River – an indie film about two strangers who come together to deal with the fate of their children after the 2005 terrorist attacks on London.
The Egg and I – Fred Macmurray and Claudette Colbert star in this 1947 film based on Betty MacDonald’s book about a couple who decide to purchase a chicken farm. It’s a funny, heartwarming book, so I’m hoping the movie is the same.
Game of Thrones – 1st Season – many have anticipated it and here it is! Based on the first book of George R.R. Martin’s series, it promises to enthrall and shock you!
MI-5: Volume 10 - the final season of the British spy drama.
Happy Watching!
~ Dori
Grammy’s anyone? February 15, 2012
Posted by Steve in Music, Musically Inclined, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
So what did you all think of the Grammy’s? I have to admit, I am not a big awards show viewer by any means, but I did watch most of Sunday’s show, although I began to doze off near the end. I don’t think I missed much though, maybe that crazy performance with Nicki Minaj. And am I the only one who is annoyed with Taylor Swift’s “surprised look” response to an audience’s appreciation. She always has this look like, “oh my, are they clapping for me?” I’m not saying she doesn’t have talent, it’s just she has a tendency to irritate in that regard. And what about the singer from The Civil Wars, I had to do a double-take, he looks just like Johnny Depp, well maybe a poor man’s version of Depp. Enough of my complaining, check out our selection of Grammy artists from our cd collection. One of my recommendations would be Foster the People’s Torches album. It includes the infectious “Pumped Up Kicks,” as well as a slew of other great songs. Or maybe grab an oldie and kick back with some Beach Boys after seeing their reunion performance at the Grammys.
– Steve
The Best Month(?) February 8, 2012
Posted by Julie in Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
That’s the title of John Gladden’s ”My Ohio” column in the February 2012 edition of Ohio Magazine. Except for the question mark, I added that. But c’mon, calling February in Ohio “the best” – I don’t think anyone could convince me. However, I found myself being swayed by his words and I think you can consider me converted! For example, after making it out of your warm bed into the bitter cold:
It’s work just driving around. But you do it. You make it. You get back home and you feel a lift, a sense of accomplishment. Walking through the door of your own house never feels as sweet as it does in February.
And then, his discussion of one of my favorite things, soup:
With soup, you bring you face to the food. You bend. You hunker. You hunch. You supplicate. You souplicate. You breathe the steam and it warms you inside and out. You browse the latest seed catalog while you eat, gazing at alluring pictures of Swiss chard and golden sweet corn. You feel better.
Check out the rest of his musings on February in the article in the current issue (available to read in the library), or treat yourself to some of his earlier articles for Ohio Magazine online.
— Julie
Tuesday at the Movies January 24, 2012
Posted by Dori in Movies, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
This weekend my family and I watched two movies about aliens that couldn’t have been more different. One, Cowboys and Aliens, a Hollywood blockbuster, was completely lackluster – yawn, snooze- no fun whatsover. I like a good alien movie as much as the next guy (see my post about the Alien movie film festival at my house), but this one just didn’t do it for me. And so much promise in the concept and so many good actors! (I love me some Sam Rockwell).
The other, Attack the Block, a low-budget English production, was great fun- a little scary, a lot funny, super edgy and high energy, with a bit of social commentary thrown in. Its premise: a gang of young toughs from South London are attacked by aliens and have to defend their turf. Initially, their English accents (not as posh as Downton Abbey I’m afraid) were a little hard to understand, but I got the hang of it after a while.
On to this week’s (January 24th) new releases:
50/50: An autobiographical tale of two best friends, one of whom is diagnosed with cancer, and how their lives change as a result.
Real Steel: Hugh Jackman, fighting robots – a preteen boy movie I think.
Final Destination 5: They’ve made a 5th one?
The Whistleblower: Inspired by actual events – this one is about a U.N. Peacekeeper in Bosnia who discovers a sex-trafficking ring – lots of great actors.
Beware the Gonzo: “The Gonzo” is an underground high school newspaper which gives voice to the misfits.
Another Happy Day: A family gathers at the wedding of an estranged son.
Punished: A Chinese thriller with Maggie Cheung.
Godzilla: The classic 1954 Japanese monster movie – rereleased by Criterion.
Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us: A documentary about the disappearance of bees.
Happy Watching!
~ Dori
Checking Out Titles December 27, 2011
Posted by Chris in Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
There’s nothing like a good title that tempts me to take down a book from the shelf, scan it, and consider taking it home. What makes a title good? To me, it’s one that makes me wonder. Looking around now, I see a number that do/did just that: Chango’s Beads and Two-Tone Shoes, Edge, Bed, A Visit from the Goon Squad, The Buddha in the Attic, Baking Cakes in Kigali, Sing You Home, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. A few of them I’ve reached for in the past, read, and felt that they’ve lived up to their titles; some not so much. One title that doesn’t stand a chance with me is one with a pun. I’ve heard authors talk about slaving over the perfect title; heard others mention that their editors came up with it; and one even said that he narrowed his options by flipping coins. So there you have it. And if we’re not familiar with the author, that’s all we have to go on. Unless you’re into arresting graphics.
─Chris
Mona & Steve December 22, 2011
Posted by Chris in Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
I knew of Mona Simpson long before I knew of her long-lost brother Steve Jobs. I was reading her first novel, Anywhere but Here in ’86 along with my friends and we were very excited about her work. Not only did she have a novel out at 26 years of age, but she was working at The Paris Review. Cool. Mona went on to write, and we went on to read, A Regular Guy, Off Keck Road, and most recently, My Hollywood.
During the time she went from being a struggling writer to an award-winning one, she was also developing a close relationship with her computer-genius brother, Steve Jobs. How lucky for them to connect in 1985 and befriend each other, even if it was only for 26 years.
I think of what their biological mother must feel having given up her son for adoption at birth only to find out later that he had become Steve Jobs. His biological father never found out; Mona met him when she was an adult. Yet, they were the natural parents of two extraordinarily gifted people. Now there’s a story.
─Chris
Ann Patchett’s bookstore December 22, 2011
Posted by Ann in Thoughtful Ramblings.Tags: Book news, Bookstores
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There is still hope for brick and mortar bookstores, and Ann Patchett, author of the best-selling, State of Wonder, believes that is true. She has opened an independent bookstore in her native Nashville, Tennessee. Calling it Parnassus Books, Patchett feels that people still want bookstores, and many prefer to visit smaller stores. Read and listen to the story here. NPR’s story about Patchett’s bookstore
~Ann
