The Studio

If you’ve been in the Music, Movies, and More area lately, you’ve probably noticed a few empty spaces on the shelves. If you think we’re shrinking our collections, fear not. We’re actually expanding some of our display space, and attempting to make better use of the shelving in the main area.

To that end, a few collections are moving. When it’s all said and done, you’ll see the following changes:

• All DVDs will be on the west side of the department, and all CDs will be on the east side. The shelves that are currently empty will allow us to expand the space devoted to music.
• Blu-Ray discs have moved to the alcove, along with Anime & Animation, Nonfiction, and Television DVDs.
• The Teen- and Adult-rated video games now reside next to the AV desk, by the New CDs.

We’ll continue to make improvements in order to make the best use of the space. Please pardon our dust in the meantime.

[Note: A version of this was originally published in the AV Newsletter, available every other month at the Music, Movies & More desk. For samples of each artist, check out our July playlist on Grooveshark.]

Meet the new boss ... same as the old boss

It was 45 years ago that The Who’s Roger Daltrey first sang “I hope I die before I get old.” For some reason, he chose to omit that song from his set list during his band’s Super Bowl medley earlier this year. This isn’t to say that great music is the exclusive domain of the young. This month’s crop of CDs proves that you can trust people over 30 – at least as far as their sonic output is concerned.

For your exhibit A, we have electronic musician James Murphy, otherwise known as LCD Soundsystem. Formerly part of the production collective The DFA, Murphy has pretty much trademarked the arch, minimalist tone that 21st-century dance-punk is known for, and helped to bridge the gap between New York’s early No Wave scene (including Talking Heads, The Contortions, and Blondie) to the contemporary sound of bands like The Rapture, Hot Chip, and Cut Copy. Now facing the other side of 40, the album This is Happening finds Murphy slightly more wistful, but with tongue just as firmly in cheek and feet firmly planted on the dance floor.

The National has been churning out solid, moody rock’n'roll for nearly a decade. While their past few albums called to mind a somewhat aimless life in the city, the lyrics on High Violet call to mind a more grown-up life. Characters have traded apartments for backyards, and flings for families. The album reflects this grudging maturity with a feel that’s less J.D. Salinger and more Richard Yates. Throughout it all, it’s still a National album, filled with their trademark complex, interlocking guitar work and Matt Berninger’s distinctive baritone.

Lest you think it’s all introspection and doubt, we have the power-pop tsunami that is The New Pornographers. This Canadian supergroup has always been known for its relentless melodies, sugary harmonizing, and complex time signatures. On Together, the tempo is letting up a bit, but the songcraft (and Neko Case’s voice) is just as powerful. Lest you think they’ve softened up completely, there’s a song like “Your Hands, Together,” which is a strong a statement the band has ever made. If you liked any of the Big Star hear-a-likes from the previous installment of Can’t Miss Music, definitely check these guys out.

MySpace… totally dead, right?  Perhaps Facebook has taken over the online social scene, but MySpace has found a niche that may help it survive. That niche is music.

MySpace Music is surprisingly good, mostly because lots of bands are using it as a defacto website.  It has videos, playlists, news, charts, and much more.

Would I use instead of Last.fm, Pandora, Songza, or Grooveshark?  Not likely.  It is still Myspace and all the garish advertisements are just as annoying but it isn’t bad.  Check it out, perhaps you will like it.

Sharon and Terry are back, talking about movies! This time we focus on the award-winning movie Crazy Heart (available on DVD and Blu-ray).

Skokie Public Library Studio Podcast

View-a-likes for Crazy Heart:

Coal Miner’s Daughter

Tender Mercies

The Thing Called Love

Walk the Line

Other movies starring Jeff Bridges:

The Big Lebowski

The Contender

The Fabulous Baker Boys

The Fisher King

The Last Picture Show

Starman

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

Movie soundtracks  mentioned in this podcast:

Cold Mountain

Crazy Heart

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

PBS Great Performances airing on Wednesday, April 28

Hamlet. 2009 – David Tennant (as Hamlet) and Patrick Stewart (as Claudius/ghost)

Hamlet. 2001 – Campbell Scott

Hamlet. 2000 – Ethan Hawke

Hamlet. 1996 – Kenneth Branagh (and available on VHS)

Hamlet. 1990 – Mel Gibson

Hamlet. 1990 – Kevin Kline

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. 1980 – Derek Jacobi (and available on VHS)

Hamlet. 1964 – Richard Burton

Hamlet. 1964 – I. Smoktunovskiĭ  (in Russian, with English subtitles)

Hamlet. 1948 – Laurence Olivier

(DVD unless otherwise noted)

I’m back with more viewing suggestions!

Skokie Public Library Studio Podcast

Titles featured in this podcast:

Everlasting Moments

The Young Victoria (also on Blu-ray)

Mrs. Brown

The Black Balloon

[Note: This was originally published in the AV Newsletter, available every other month at the Music, Movies & More desk.]

The music world suffered a devastating loss on March 17th, when Alex Chilton died of a heart attack at the age of 59. Starting out as a member of the Box Tops, Chilton went on to form Big Star, as well as releasing a number of albums under his own name. Chilton may have never been a superstar, but his legacy runs deep. Hundreds of bands now cite him as an influence, and even if you don’t recognize the name, you most likely recognize his shambling, jangly power-pop sound. In this installment of the column, we’ll take a look at Chilton’s sonic descendants.

We’ll start with a look at some of the biggest names to have followed in Big Star’s footsteps. Perhaps the most significant group is R.E.M., the Athens, Georgia foursome (later a trio) who shot to multiplatinum alternative stardom in the late 80’s. Michael Stipe’s poetic, enigmatic lyrics blended with Peter Buck’s melodically haphazard guitar work helps to further the sound that Chilton made his own. Start with Document, and work your way through their entire catalog.

For a more rootsy version of the Big Star sound, look no farther than Wilco, who mixes the Chilton musical recipe with a world-weary tone and country overtones. They’ve been a Chicago favorite for some time now, so you’d be well-suited to check them out. Fans of the Chiltonesque pop-n-roll genre would be well suited to give Summerteeth a spin. If you like that one, try out the slightly less pop-influenced Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

It may seem to the casual observer that this genre is a men’s game. While the gender distribution does favor the Y-chromosome, there are a number of notable talents cranking out high-quality power pop, most notably Anna Waronker. The daughter of record producer Lenny Waronker, she’s certainly made her own mark, first with That Dog. and lately on her solo album Anna. Featuring crunchy power chords, and insanely catchy melodies, Waronker brings to mind artists like The Bangles or Matthew Sweet.

And we’ve only scratched the surface! From Sloan to Dr. Dog to Pavement, the Library has your jangly guitar-pop bases covered. If you’d like to hear samples of each artist, check out our Guitar-Pop Essentials Playlist on Grooveshark!

Who are your favorite guitar-pop groups? Let us know in the comments!

Storm focuses on the trial of an accused war criminal, the former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army. The lead prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague is Hannah Maynard. Things start to unravel when the testimony from the lead witness does not ring true and he commits suicide. Hannah still wants to pursue the case and travels to Sarajevo for the funeral, hoping to uncover new evidence. There, she meets the witness’ sister Mira, and soon realizes that Mira has deep secrets.

Released 2009 – 103 Minutes – Not Rated

In English, German, Bosnian, and Serbian, with English subtitles

Monday, April 5 at 7pm in the Petty Auditorium

DVD

Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizer. He travels around the country and fires people. He likes his job and is comfortable with his isolated lifestyle. Also, Ryan is close to logging ten million frequent flyer miles, a personal goal. Everything changes when a new employee promotes an economical business plan and Ryan will soon be grounded. Based on the book. Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick.

Released 2009 – 109 minutes – R for language and some sexual content

Friday, April 9 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium
Monday, April 26 at 7pm in the Petty Auditorium (Encore Screening)

DVD | Blu-Ray | CD Soundtrack | Book | CD Audiobook | Book Review

Friday, April 9 at 7pm in the Petty Auditorium

The Blind Side

Based on the nonfiction book by Michael Lewis. The story follows Michael Oher (now a successful football player in the NFL) from his impoverished childhood living on the streets through his adoption by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy and eventually becoming a hot prospect in college football. While the Tuohys helped Oher achieve his potential, Oher brought immeasurable richness to their lives. Sandra Bullock won the Academy Award for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. Also starring Tim Mcgraw, Quinton Aaron, and Kathy Bates.

Released 2009 – 128 minutes – PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug, and sexual references

Friday, April 16 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium
Friday, April 30 at 6:30pm in the Petty Auditorium (Encore Screening)

DVD | Blu-Ray | Book | CD Audiobook | eAudiobook

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

Tired of their cramped Manhattan apartment, an advertising executive and his family move into a fixer-upper in Connecticut. Unfortunately, the house is structurally unsound, and they have no choice but to tear it down and build from the ground up. Nothing goes smoothly; it’s one problem after another, and the bills keep mounting up. Based on the novel. Starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy.

Released 1948 – 94 minutes – Not rated

Tuesday, April 20 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

DVD | Movie Review | Book

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

A soon-to-be-divorced New York power couple, Paul and Meryl Morgan, witness a murder and find themselves temporarily relocated to a small town in Wyoming. Without their Blackberrys, the Morgans are forced to lay low and slow down. They just might reconnect with each other. Starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Released 2009 – 103 minutes – PG-13 for some sexual references and momentary violence

Friday, April 23 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

DVD | Blu-Ray

The Adventures of Robin Hood

Robin Hood steals from the rich, gives to the poor, supports King Richard over Prince John, fights the evil Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and earns the love of Maid Marion. This is swashbuckling at its best. Starring Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland.

Released 1939 – 102 minutes – PG for adventure violence

Friday, April 30 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

DVD | VHS | CD Soundtrack | Other Robin Hood Materials

Perhaps you’ve experienced what I like to call Embarrassment of Riches Paralysis. You know the feeling: You get to the library knowing that there’s something among the shelves that you’d love to take home. Perhaps you’ve even made a list of things to look out for. But when you get there and see such an overwhelming collection of items in front of you, that mental list vanishes and you’re left struggling to come up with anything.

We can help with that. In addition to our desk staff being able to provide recommendations, we are also constantly writing reviews of films and TV shows both new and old. In fact, we just crossed the 700 review threshold! Here are a few of the newest annotations:

• Adam
• The Blind Side
• The Damned United
• Everybody’s Fine
• Taking Woodstock

If you’re looking for ideas for movies to check out, try the annotations database for new suggestions.

The next movie in the World Film Fest series at the Library is Storm, to be screened on Monday, April 5 at 7pm.

In the movie a courageous lawyer pursues a case in order to bring justice to a situation involving war crimes in Sarajevo (committed years earlier). This film is truthful and compelling, IMO. The lawyer and the star witness in the highly publicized case confront corruption and personal violence. Despite the horrific war crimes at the heart of the story, this movie does not show a lot of violence. The war crimes are revealed via narrative and fuzzy flashbacks. In fact, I think that a big strength of the movie is the narrative style. Also, the actors turn in top-notch performances.

This movie is distributed by Film Movement, a distributor of  independent movies on DVD. If you like courtroom dramas, world politics and independent film making, this is a movie that should be on your radar! Just my two cents.

If you can’t join us for the screening, check out the movie from the collection.