New DVDs: Feature Length Films and TV Series – March 2008

March 5, 2008November 29, 2022Richelle

The Bostonians
Olive, a militant suffragette, takes on the education of Verena, a brilliantly gifted but naive young girl. Olive wants to mold and use this gift for the feminist cause. But Verena is also loved by Basil Ransom, an impecunious young lawyer with views strenuously opposed to the Boston feminists. This 1984 production features Christopher Reeve, Vanessa Redgrave, Madeleine Potter, Jessica Tandy, Nancy Marchand, and Linda Hunt. Based on the novel by Henry James.

Buffalo Girls
Calamity Jane romances Wild Bill Hickok, befriends madam, and joins Wild West show in sprawling mini-series featuring Anjelica Houston, Melanie Griffith, Gabriel Byrne and Sam Elliott.
Comanche Moon
Texas Rangers Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call are now young men dealing with the ever increasing tensions of adult life– Gus with his great love, Clara, and Call with Maggie, the young prostitute who is in love with him. McCrae and Call join a Ranger troop in pursuit of three outlaws: Comanche Chief Buffalo Hump, Comanche horse thief Kicking Wolf and Ahumado, the deadly Mexican bandit king with a penchant for slow torture. Together, they struggle to protect an advancing western frontier against the defiant Comanches who are determined to defend their territory and their way of life. Based on the novel by Larry McMurtry. Originally broadcast as a television mini-series in 2008. A prequel to the mini-series Lonesome Dove. Cast: Val Kilmer, Steve Zahn, Karl Urban, Linda Cardellini, Elizabeth Banks, Adam Beach, Rachel Griffiths, Wes Studi, Jonathan Joss, Sal Lopez.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Sixth Season
The sixth season of critical darling HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm delivers the same Larry David and his life of absurd self-sabotage that has entertained viewers for nearly a decade. Cast: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Wanda Sykes, Susie Essman, Richard Lewis, Viveca A. Fox. Originally broadcast as individual episodes of the television program in 2007. Rating: TV-MA.

Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle
In 1878, when Mr. Doyle meets the brilliant teacher, Dr. Bell, the young medical student is drawn into a new world of crime investigation. As he assists Bell in solving gruesome police cases, Doyle becomes fascinated with his tutor’s uncanny talent for outwitting the most clever criminals. But, one particularly vicious cat-and-mouse game has a different ending. Doyle finds his life completely changed … and even Dr. Bell’s agile mind cannot predict the outcome. Cast: Ian Richardson, Sean Wightman, Robin Laing, Dolly Wells, Charles Dance, Ralph Riach, Aly Bain, Andrew John Tait. Originally released as a motion picture in 2000. MPAA rating: Not rated.

14 Hours
A young man, morally destroyed by his parents not loving him and by the fear of not being capable to make his girlfriend happy, keeps police at bay for fourteen hours while attempting suicide. Cast: Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barbara Bel Geddes, Debra Paget, Grace Kelly, Agnes Moorehead, Robert Keith. Originally released as a motion picture in 1951. Based on a true story written by Joel Sayre in the New Yorker. Not Rated.

Jericho of Scotland Yard 2
Inspector Michael Jericho (Robert Lindsay) is a brilliant detective and a darling of the media. However he is haunted by the memories of his father a policeman whose murder Jericho witnessed as a boy. Never married and alone since his childhood sweetheart left him for another during WWII Jericho is obsessed with his work at Scotland Yard. Yet he finds himself drawn to his beautiful French neighbor Juliette (Aurelie Bargeme)- a prostitute with a tortured past. Set amidst the social upheaval of post-war 1950s London Jericho unravels headline-grabbing mysteries. His diligent team includes faithful friend and colleague Detective Sergeant Clive Harvey (David Troughton) and the ambitious young Detective Constable John Caldicott (Ciaran McMenamin) Originally produced for Mystery! PBS television program in 2005.

Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes
The story of the relationship between the young Arthur Conan Doyle and his real-life mentor and noted forensic scientist, Dr. Joseph Bell, as they unite to solve the most baffling murder cases in Victorian Scotland. A 2001 BBC TV production featuring Charles Edwards and Ian Richardson.

The New Adventures of Old Christine: Season 1
Single working mom Christine Campbell has just learned that her ex is dating a much younger woman with the same first name. To avoid any confusion, the new girlfriend is dubbed New Christine, which leaves her with the unfortunate nickname Old Christine. Christine struggles to hold it together as she adjusts to her new nickname, confronts the meanie moms at her son’s private school, jumps back in the dating pool– and gets laughs every misstep of the way. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Clark Gregg, Hamish Linklater, Trevor Gagnon, Emily Rutherford, Tricia O’Kelley, Alex Kapp Horner. Originally broadcast on television in 2006. Contains all 13 episodes from the first season.

Peter and Paul
This 1981 television drama examines the development of the early Christian church and the roles of the apostles Peter and Paul. Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Robert Foxworth, Eddie Albert, Raymond Burr, Jose Ferrer, John Finch.Summary

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
When a beautiful woman claims that her dear husband has disappeared the investigation takes Sherlock Holmes (Robert Stephens) and Dr. Watson (Colin Blakely) to Scotland where – to their surprise – they uncover a plot involving a clandestine society Her Majesty’s Secret Service… and the Loch Ness Monster! But before he can deduce matters to the elementary. Holmes makes an error that may jeopardize the national safety of Britain… and ruin his reputation! Cast: Robert Stephens, Colin Blakely, Geneviève Page, Christopher Lee. MPAA rating: PG13.

Speed
An L.A.P.D. SWAT team specialist is sent to diffuse a bomb that a revenge-driven extortionist has planted on a bus. Until he does, he and a female passenger must keep the bus speeding through the streets of Los Angeles at more than 50 miles per hour or the bomb will explode. Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, Jeff Daniels. Rated R

Speed 2
A young woman and her boyfriend set out on a luxurious Caribbean cruise liner, but their trip to paradise turns deadly when a lunatic computer genius takes over the boat and sets it on a course for destruction. Cast: Sandra Bullock, Jason Patric, Willem Dafoe, Temuera Morrison, Glenn Plummer. Rated PG-13

Tin Man
Dorothy Gale, a.k.a. DG, is all grown up and bored. She mopes around working as a waitress and goes to school part time. Before she knows it, she’s back in OZ and on the run from the evil sorceress Azkadellia, her storm troopers and clumsy bats. Along the way she falls in with some strange characters including the brainless Glitches; Raw, a cowardly and psychic lion-man hybrid; and, Wyatt Cain, a cowboy cop from Central City called a ‘tin man’ because of his tin badge. Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Alan Cumming, Neal McDonough, Kathleen Robertson, Raoul Trujillo, Callum Keith Rennie, Anna Galvin, Ted Whittall, Richard Dreyfuss. Originally broadcast on the Science Fiction Channel Dec. 2-4, 2007.

Tommy & Tuppence Partners in Crime. Set 1
Tommy & Tuppence Partners in Crime. Set 2
Agatha Christie ‘s husband-and-wife sleuthing team (Francesca Annis and James Warwick) take on a series of short whodunits.

A Touch of Frost Season 6
Award-winning British actor, David Jason, is Jack Frost, a no-nonsense detective whose unorthodox methods fuel the tension between him and his superiors. Based on the novels of R.D. Wingfield.

Barbara Taylor Bradford’s A Woman of Substance Trilogy
The story of Emma Harte, a bright and ambitious servant girl who overcomes her impoverished Yorkshire beginnings in her quest to become an international retailing magnate and one of the richest women in the world comes full circle when Emma’s granddaughter must struggle against powerful enemies to keep the family’s retail empire from collapsing. Cast: Jenny Seagrove, Liam Neeson, Deborah Kerr, Barry Bostwick, Stephen Collins, James Brolin, Lindsay Wagner, Anthony Hopkins, Stephanie Beacham, Christopher Cazenove.

Everything You Want
When Abby meets Quinn on campus, she faces an awesome dilemma: choose between her oh-so-perfect, but imaginary, boyfriend and this flesh-and-blood reality. Cast: Nick Zano, Shrir Appleby, Alexandra Holden, Orlando Seale, Edie McClurg, Will Friedle. TVPG.

New Mysteries – March 2008

March 4, 2008November 29, 2022Lynne

The Anatomy of Deception Lawrence Goldstone – A forensic thriller from 1889 Philadelphia features Dr. Carroll as he grapples with the principles of the scientific process to track a daring killer.

The Apostate’s Tale Margaret Frazer – In the spring of 1452, Dame Frevisse is reunited with a lost soul she never expected to see again. This is the latest title in a popular series.

As the World Churns Tamar Myers – Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder may be newly married, but she is still faced with a new mystery at the Hernia Holstein Competition.

Blue Heaven C.J. Box – A ticking-clock plot finds rancher Jess Rawlins hoping to protect two children who were unintended witnesses to murder, from the author of the Joe Pickett novels.

The Book of Old Houses Sarah Graves – Jacobia Tiptree discovers a mysterious book during the course of her renovation of an 1823 house in a quaint seaside town in Maine.

The Chameleon’s Shadow Minette Walters – When British lieutenant Charles Acland returns from Iraq with a serious head injury, his personality is changed, but would he be capable of murder?

Death of a Gentle Lady M.C. Beaton – The elderly Mrs. Gentle may not be all that she appeared, especially after she is found murdered.

Down Into Darkness David Lawrence – London Detective Stella Mooney is faced with a series of gruesome murders that are connected, but how?

Extracurricular Activities Maggie Barbieri – Alison Bergeron, English professor, is involved in cozy murder replete with romance, humor and suspense.

The Eye of Jade Diane Wei Liang – Mei Wang is a modern, independent woman in today’s Beijing. She is also the city’s first successful female private investigator.

Gas City Loren D. Estleman – The black heart of Gas City is exposed in this tale of lust, power, revenge and madness.

Hand of Evil J. A. Jance – Ali Reynolds becomes involved in a series of grisly murders committed by a killer who is crisscrossing the Southwest.

The Mortal Groove Ellen Hart – Jane Lawless, restaurateur and amateur sleuth is celebrating New Year’s Eve when her party takes a different turn.

Of Blood and Sorrow Valerie Wilson Wesley – Private investigator, Tamara Hayle discovers how the ties that bind can also become a noose.

A Pale Horse Charles Todd – Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge is searching for a missing man, but the result is a shocking killing spree.

Person of Interest Theresa Schwegel – Leslie McHugh is married to an undercover cop, who has more secrets that even she is willing to ignore.

Plum Lucky Janet Evanovich – Stephanie Plum is back with a between-the-numbers, off-the-wall mystery caper.

Prayer of the Dragon Eliot Pattison – Former Beijing investigator, Shan Tao Yun is on parole from a Tibetan work camp when his skills are needed after two men are murdered in a remote village.

The Purrfect Murder Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown – Is Mrs. Murphy and her associate Mary Minor a match for a killer who has made everyone in Crozet, Virginia a suspect?

Saturday’s Child Ray Banks – A hard-boiled British mystery that features Cal Innes who is fresh out of prison, by a writer who has been compared to Ian Rankin.

The Seduction of the Crimson Rose Lauren Willig – Another episode from the Pink Carnation series featuring Lord Vaughn who is a British spy during the Napoleonic era.

The Serpent’s Daughter Suzanne Arruda – Adventure and suspense abound as American adventuress Jade del Cameron faces murder and a kidnapping in 1920’s Tangier.

Stranger in Paradise Robert B. Parker – Police Chief Jesse Stone faces his most fearsome adversary in this latest book by the author of the famed Spenser novels.

T is for Trespass Sue Grafton – The latest Kinsey Millhone adventure may be her most unsettling to date.

Three Shirt Deal Stephen J. Cannell – LAPD detective Shane Scully fights to save a man railroaded for murder.

Touchstone Laurie R. King – Intrigue, terrorism and explosive passions ignite after a visit to a remote cottage in Cornwall and a meeting with the man code-named Touchstone.

Voices Arnaldur Indriđason – The author of Silence of the Grave, the Gold Dagger award-winner, returns with another Icelandic mystery featuring Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson.

Watchman Ian Rankin – Miles Flint, government spy, has been making some serious mistakes, but something else is wrong at the agency that has nothing to do with his errors.

Documentaries and Nonfiction DVDs – March 2008

March 2, 2008November 29, 2022Richelle

Ancient Rome
This program highlights the Roman Empire’s history, civilization and architecture, including the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon. Featuring graphics, computer animation, and location footage.

Andrew Carnegie and the Age of Steel
This History Channel program examines the development of the steel industry and the part Andrew Carnegie played in it.

Anthony Bourdain No Reservations
Anthony Bourdain No Reservations Collection 2
Chef and author Anthony Bourdain travels the world sampling local foods and culture.

Art Across the Ages
In this 4 part set from The Teaching Company, Professor Ori Z. Soltes has crafted a course in Western visual art that serves as both a mind-broadening survey and an essential introduction. It is designed to give anyone interested in Western art a firm familiarity with its basics, acquainting you with major artists and styles in various media and providing a broad foundation for deeper exploration.

Black Gold: The Story of Oil
Originally produced as an episode of the television program Empires of industry on the History Channel, a fascinating history of the petroleum industry in the U.S. DVD 665.5 BLA 2005

Egypt’s Golden Empire
This episode of PBS’s Empires series examines 500 years of Egyptian history, from 1567 B.C. to 1085 B.C., via the preserved letters and personal accounts of pharaohs and ordinary citizens.

Empires in the Americas
This fascinating program highlights the amazing parallels between the two great American societies of the Aztecs and the Incas — two nations doomed to violent destruction.

The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition
Presents the story of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 expedition to Antarctica, in which 27 men found themselves stranded in the ice for 635 days.

Europe to the Max: Alpine Secrets
Several episodes of Rudy Maxa’s populat video travel program: includes: Bologna and Emilia Romagna, Italy’s Veneto and Dolomites, Switzerland and the Alps, and Alpine Christmas.

Europe to the Max: Great Cities of Europe
Several episodes of Rudy Maxa’s popular video travel program: features many different cities in Europe, including: Barcelona and Costa Brava, Madrid, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.

Europe to the Max: Mysteries of Greece and Rome
Selections from Rudy Maxa’s popular video travel program: including: Athens and Delphi, the Greek Islands, and more.

Europe to the Max: Romantic Germany and Beyond
Selections from Rudy Maxa’s popular video travel program: features Germany’s Romantic Road, Rhine and Mosel River, Prague and Budapest, and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast.

Europe to the Max: Splendors of France
Selections from Rudy Maxa’s popular video travel program: features France’s Champagne Region, Normandy, Carcassonne, the Pyrenees, and more.

Europe to the Max: Treasures Outside London
Selections from Rudy Maxa’s popular video travel program: features Dublin and Beyond, Ireland’s West Coast, Bath, South Wales, Edinburgh and Scotland.

Fat to Firm Fitness Ball Workout for Dummies
This workour DVD offers step-by-step instructions of 15 exercises that work the entire body. It also ten rules for healthy living, an excerpt from the book Dieting for dummies.

15-Minute Workouts for Dummies
Step-by-step instructions for 26 toning and shaping exercises

The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
This episode of the PBS series, Empires, charts the rise, glory, demise, and legacy of ancient Greece, focusing on prominent figures of the times including Cleisthenes, Themistocles, Pericles, and Socrates. Includes comments from scholars.

The James Bond Story
This documentary looks at the different characterizations each actor has bought to the role of James Bond. It also traces the character back to its origin, the Bond novels by Ian Fleming. Features interviews and film clips.

Jeff Dunham Arguing with Myself
A recorded live performance of ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, portrays a comedian whose revival of an old-fashioned art has made ventriloquism more relevant to modern societal concerns. Starring his six main characters, from Bubba Jay, a Nascar-obsessed hick, to Peanut, a flamboyant gay monkey.

Jeff Dunham Spark of Insanity
Ventriloquist Dunham welcomes two never-before-seen partners “Achmed the Dead Terrorist,” and “Melvin the Superhero.” Long-time favorites “Peanut,” “Walter” and Jose Jalapeno are back in an entirely original show taped at the historic Warner Theater in Washington D.C.

Live to Tell about It: Self Defense Techniques
Learn simple self-defense techniques to help prevent sexual assault, assault at gunpoint, assault at knifepoint, domestic violence and more. Taught by a woman for women.

The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
This episode of the PBS series, Empires, tells the tale of one family’s ambition and of Europe’s struggle to emerge from the ravages of the Dark Ages. The Medici used charm, skill and ruthlessness to garner unparalleled wealth and power, ruling Europe for more than 300 years.

Monarchy Set 2
David Starkey continues his multi-part examination of the English throne, with five episodes covering nearly 250 years, from Charles II to Victoria. Replete with infidelities, betrayals, and rivalries, English history emerges as a compelling family saga.

My Favorite Universe
The Great Courses series pesents lectures by Professor Neil deGrasse Tyson based on essays written by him for Natural History magazine.

No End in Sight
An insider’s look at the decisions that led to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq and the handling of the occupation. Based on over 200 hours of footage, the film provides a candid retelling of the events following the fall of Baghdad in 2003 by high ranking officials, as well as Iraqi civilians, American soldiers and prominent analysts. Examines the manner in which the principal errors of U.S. policy helped to create the insurgency and chaos that Iraq faces today.

Operation Homecoming
Operation Homecoming is a unique documentary that explores the firsthand accounts of American troops through their written words. Interviews and dramatic readings by such actors as Robert Duvall, Josh Lucas, Beau Bridges, Blair Underwood, Justin Kirk, Aaron Eckhart, Chris Gorham, and John Krasinski, transform selections from this collection of writing into a deep examination of life on the front lines. At the same time the film provides depth and context to these experiences through a broader look at the universal themes of war literature. The writing in Operation Homecoming covers: poetry, fiction, memoirs, letters, journals, and essays. Originally broadcast as a segment of the PBS television series, America at a Crossroads.

The Roman Empire in the First Century
This episode of the PBS series, Empires, tells the story of the emperors, slaves, poets, and peasants who wrested order from chaos, built the most cosmopolitan society the world had ever seen, and shaped the Roman Empire in the First Century. DVD 937 ROM 2005

Rome and Pompeii
Imagine being among the bloodthirsty thousands at a gladiator bout in the Colosseum, or at the chariot races in the Circus Maximus. Think of yourself among the decadent few in the ancient baths, theatres, temples, or palaces. Be an eyewitness to the burning of Nero’s Rome. See the devastation caused by Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii. Meet the ancients, experience their daily customs, and visit the imperial cities of Rome and Pompeii as they appeared 2,000 years ago. This program makes it all possible through computer recreations and a renowned team of Italian archeologists and historians

Secrets of Lost Empires: Inca
Uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations as NOVA journeys to an archaeological site where teams of experts use traditional techniques to test their hypotheses. Explore the magnificent mountainside citadels – and marvel as villagers create a 150-foot suspension bridge using nothing but grass.

Secrets of Lost Empires: Pyramid, Obelisk
Uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations as NOVA journeys to an archaeological site where teams of experts use traditional techniques to test their hypotheses. Face the challenge of quarrying, chieseling, hauling, and mounting an obelisk – using stones, ropes, logs and dirt.

Secrets of Lost Empires: Stonehenge; Colosseum
Uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations as NOVA journeys to two archaeological sites where teams of experts use traditional techniques to test their hypotheses. Watch a band of experts move, raise, and cap a structure like the mysterious Stonehenge – armed with Stone Age tools.

Shaping Up with Weights for Dummies
Demonstrates how to perform twelve dumbbell exercises for toning the upper and lower body as well as burning calories.

Superstring Theory: The DNA of Reality
From the Teaching Company, twenty-four lectures delivered by Professor S. James Gates, Jr., University of Maryland at College Park.

True Life Adventures. Volume 4. Nature’s Mysteries
Disney’s acclaimed, groundbreaking nature series captures the wonder of animals and nature.

War Planes of World War II
During World War II, many men and women worked to build war planes for the military. Some companies which changed from commercial to military aircraft were Boeing, Lockheed, and McDonnell Douglas.

Feature Length Films – February 2008

February 28, 2008November 29, 2022Richelle

Agony and the Ecstacy
Michelangelo and Pope Julius II Charleton Heston and Rex Harrison) have many disagreements in interpreting Biblical stories while the creative genius paints the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Based on the novel by Irving Stone. Not Rated

City Slickers
Three friends going through various degrees of midlife crisis sign up for a two-week cattle drive in an effort to set their lives back on course. Cast: Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby, Patricia Wettig, Helen Slater, Jack Palance. Rated PG-13

City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold
Two best friends and a third friend’s brother revisit the wild west, encountering the nasty brother of their dead friend Curly, who recruits them on a treasure hunt. Cast: Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Jon Lovitz, Jack Palance. Rated PG-13

Clear and Present Danger
CIA official Jack Ryan Harrison Ford) finds himself in the middle of a South American drug revolution, covertly backed by the White House. Based on the novel by Tom Clancy. Rated PG-13

Diamonds Are Forever
A power-hungry villain organizes a diamond smuggling operation to equip his deadly space satellite. The unflappable British agent (Sean Connery) foils the bad guy. Rated PG

Disclosure
A businessman (Michael Douglas) finds himself in an awkward position when his ex-girlfriend (Demi Moore) becomes his superior. Rated R

Dr No
Agent 007 Sean Connery) is sent to Jamaica to investigate the murder of a fellow spy. Rated PG

Dreamcatcher
Four boys gain telepathic powers after performing a heroic act. Decades later, they reunite for a hunting trip in the Maine woods, but find themselves in a blizzard, fighting an evil force. Based on a Stephen King novel. Rated R

The Europeans
A sophisticated European brother and sister turn up unexpectedly on the doorstep of their staid American cousins. The fortune-hunting Eugenia and her high-spirited brother Felix turn this Puritan world upside down. This 1979 Merchant Ivory Production is based on the novel by Henry James and features: Lee Remick, Robin Ellis, Tim Woodward, Wesley Addy, Lisa Eichhorn, Norman Snow. Not Rated

A Few Good Men
A slick young navy lawyer investigates the death of two marines. Cast: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore. Rated R

For Your Eyes Only
James Bond (Roger Moore) must recover a super-secret electronic decoder from a sunken British spy ship. He is joined by a Greek skin-diving beauty who is after her parents’ killers. Rated PG

The Front Page
This filmversion of the Broadway play finds a burned-out journalist writing one last story at the behest of his cynical editor. What begins as a simple tale soon becomes a slapstick farce as the writer and editor uncover corruption in the judicial system. Cast: Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Rated PG

GoldenEye
James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) travels to St. Petersburg to recover Goldeneye, a space weapon which destroys everything electronic in its path. Rated PG-13

The Grifters
An experienced con artist (Angelica Houston) comes back into the life of her estranged son (John Cusack) only to find that he has taken up with a woman very much like herself. Rated R

Grumpier Old Men
Two crotchety old friends feud while their kids prepare to get married. Cast: Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Rated PG-13

Heat and Dust
A young woman, investigating her great aunt’s love affair with an Indian prince, travels to India herself and, likewise, falls in love with a native man. A Merchant Ivory Production, featuring Julie Christie and Greta Scacchi. Rated R

Hoosiers
A small town Indiana basketball coach (Gene Hackman) with a questionable background and unconventional methods tries to redeem himself by leading a losing high school team to victory. Rated PG

How Stella Got Her Groove Back
A divorced, middle-aged woman (Angela Bassett) surprises herself, as well as her family and friends, when she has an affair with a man (Taye Diggs) half her age. Rated R

Jurassic Park Adventure Pack
The Jurassic Park Trilogy includes: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park: The Lost World; and Jurassic Park III. Rated PG-13

The King of California
An unstable dad (Michael Douglas) who after getting out of a mental institution tries to convince his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) that there’s gold buried under suburbia. Rated PG-13

Licence to Kill
James Bond’s (Timothy Dalton) license to kill is revoked, but this does not deter him from avenging a brutal attack on his CIA friend by a Latin drug lord. Rated PG-13

The Little Prince
A French pilot crashes his airplane in the middle of the Sahara Desert and comes upon a young prince from another planet. The little prince tells the pilot that he is inspecting the universe and stays in the desert long enough to convey to the pilot his impression of the earth and stories of other planets he has visited. This 1974 film is based on the story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and features Richard Kiley, Bob Fosse, Stanley Warner, Gene Wilder. Rated G

Live and Let Die
James Bond (Roger Moore) finds action in the U.S. as he seeks out a heroin operation that menaces the American economy. Rated PG

The Madness of King George
The 18th-century King of England (Nigel Hawthorne) begins to display a sort of dementia, victimizing the Queen (Helen Mirren) and the entire court. Rated PG-13

Magnolia
Residents of the San Fernando Valley endure the ups and downs of familial obligations and romantic relationships. Cast: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Alfred Molina, Julianne Moore, Jason Robards. Rated R

The Man with the Golden Gun
James Bond (Roger Moore) takes on an assassin whose trademark is a golden gun. As usual, Bond uses skill and gadgetry to stop the villain. Rated PG

Mogambo
Vic, a tough-as-nails, lady-killing safari leader, who makes a living capturing animals for American zoos, is no match for two untamed creatures: a tough New York woman and the fetching wife of a dorky anthropologist. John Ford directed this 1953 film featuring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly. Not Rated

Moonraker
James Bond (Roger Moore) searches for a missing space shuttle. Fully loaded with fancy gadgets, action-packed suspense, a killer score, delicious eye-candy, and much-acclaimed special effects. Oh, and martinis. Rated PG-13

Never Say Never Again
In this 1983 installment of the Bond series, 007 (Sean Connery) battles an arch-villain who hijacks two cruise missiles and holds the world hostage. Rated PG

Octopussy
James Bond (Roger Moore) struggles with a Soviet general who attempts to start WWIII between the superpowers. Rated PG

Regarding Henry
A selfish, successful attorney (Harrison Ford) must rediscover his identity, family and career when he is afflicted with amnesia. Rated PG-13

Sleeper
A hapless nerd (Woody Allen) is revived 200 years after being placed in suspended animation and finds himself in a strange world of robots and giant vegetables. Rated PG

Snow Falling on Cedars
In a Pacific Northwest community of the 1950s, a fisherman is on trial for murder. The treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II becomes an integral part of the case. Based on the novel by David Guterson. Rated PG-13

Soul Food
Three sisters (Vanessa Williams, Vivica Fox and Nia Long)attempt to keep the family tradition of Sunday dinner alive when their mother becomes ill. Rated R

The Spy Who Loved Me
James Bond (Roger Moore) teams up with a female Russian agent to squash a villain’s plan to use captured British and Soviet atomic submarines to destroy the world. Rated PG-13

3:10 to Yuma
Van Heflin and Glann Ford star in the 1957 original version of this gripping, critically acclaimed Western about penniless farmer hired to guard killer until train-bound deputies arrive. Not Rated

Thunderball
A NATO bomber with a nuclear payload is hijacked to the Bahamas and secreted under water. British agent 007 (Sean Connery) and U.S. aquanauts do battle with SPECTRE’s forces. Rated PG

Tomorrow Never Dies
British secret agent James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) races to prevent WWIII at the hands of a power-hungry media mogul. Rated PG-13

2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick’s highly influential mind-bending tale of space travel, mysterious monoliths, and too-smart computers. Plus lots of special effects and an old-school sci-fi look. Not to mention a sinister, passive-aggressive computer named Hal. Rated G

View to a Kill
James Bond (Roger Moore) travels to the United States to stop an evil industrialist from destroying California’s Silicon Valley. Rated PG

Where Angels Fear to Tread
Repressed sexuality and social snobbery of the British upper-class are undone when a widow on vacation dallies with a handsome, young Italian. Relatives and friends hurry from England to “save” her. Cast: Helena Bonham-Carter, Judy Davis, Rupert Graves, Giovanni Guidelli, Barbara Jefford, Helen Mirren. Rated PG

You Only Live Twice
James Bond (Sean Connery) travels to Japan to take on arch-nemesis Blofeld who has been capturing Russian and American spacecraft in an attempt to start WWIII. Rated PG

New Fiction – February 2008

February 27, 2008November 29, 2022Lynne

The Air Between Us Deborah Johnson – A complex story about friendship and honor in a small racially divided Mississippi town during the sixties.

The Appeal John Grisham – A jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court in this legal thriller.

At the City’s Edge Marcus Sakey – Jason Palmer, soldier, and Elena Cruz, a Chicago cop, find themselves thrown together as they fight to protect Jason’s young nephew who had seen his father murdered.

Beaufort Ron Leshem – The recipient of the Israel’s top literary prize, this novel illuminates the lives of a handful of Israeli soldiers who occupy the ancient crusader fortress, Beaufort.

Beverly Hills Dead Stuart Woods – Murder, political intrigue and betrayal set in 1940’s Hollywood.

Capitol Conspiracy William Bernhardt – Oklahoma defense attorney Ben Kincaid finds himself in a campaign of terror against key government officials in the nation’s capital.

The Commoner John Burnham Schwartz – In 1959, Haruko marries the Crown Prince of Japan and enters the rarified, controlled world of the Japanese monarchy. Starred reviews.

De Niro’s Game Rawi Hage – A cinematic portrait of life in war-torn Beirut from the perspective of two friends, Bassam and George.

Duma Key Stephen King – Recuperating from a construction accident, Edgar Freemantle’s life takes a supernatural turn as he recuperates on Duma Key.

Fanon John Edgar Wideman – A fictional interpretation of philosopher and political activist, Frantz Fanon, by the well-known Pittsburgh native.

The Heroines Eileen Favorite – Heroines of classic literature seem to find the Homestead Bed-and-Breakfast a favorite destination.

His Illegal Self Peter Carey – A young seven year old, Che, dreams of reuniting with his radical sixties parents, and escapes his grandmother in the hope of finding his mother.

Ice Trap Kitty Sewell – Dafydd Woodruff, a surgeon in present-day Cardiff, Wales, receives a letter from a 13-year-old girl claiming to be his daughter and to have a twin brother. This shattering news sends him to the far reaches of Canada.

Kyra Carol Gilligan – Kyra, an architect, is involved with the design of a new city when she meets Andreas, and faces far-reaching consequences.

L.A. Outlaws T. Jefferson Parker – A celebrity obsessed modern-day Jesse James with the name of Allison Murietta, creates a frenzy in Los Angeles.

Life Class Pat Barker – During the spring of 1914, three young people are part of a love triangle, but the devastation of World War I will change their lives and love.

Light of the Moon Luanne Rice – Susannah Connolly travels to France to fulfill her mother’s dying wish to find a mysterious saint linked to her family’s history.

Like You’d Understand Anyway Jim Shepard – A notable collection of stories that is a finalist for the National Book Award.

Miscarriage of Justice Kip Gayden – Based on actual events, Anna Dotson is a passionate modern woman of the 1900’s who finds herself stifled by the lingering outdated rules of Victorian society.

Monsters of Templeton Lauren Groff – Willie Upton returns to her home in Templeton, New York, and learns how one town holds the secrets of her family.

The Opposite of Love Julie Buxbaum – Manhattan attorney Emily Haxby ends a happy relationship just as her boyfriend is on the verge of proposing.

TV Series – February 2008

February 27, 2008November 29, 2022Richelle

Alias: the Complete Season 2
Double agent Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) faces the greatest challenge of her life when her mother, an enemy long thought dead, turns herself in to the CIA.

Alias: the Complete Season 3
The third season of Alias found super spy Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) waking up in Hong Kong with a monster hangover and many unanswered questions.

Boston Legal: Season One
Boston Legal: Season Two
Boston Legal: Season Three
The professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. James Spader, William Shatner, Denny Crane, Candice Bergen.

The Closer: Season 1
The Closer: Season 2
A tough-as-nails detective (Kyra Sedgwick) moves from Atlanta to LA to head up the LAPD’s Priority Murder Squad

Conagher
Evie Teale (Katherine Ross) struggles to raise her two children and run a remote stagecoach station. Conn Conagher (Sam Elliott) is an honest, hardworking cowboy. Their lives are intertwined as they fight the elements, Indians, outlaws, and loneliness. Based on the novel by Louis L’Amour

Crossfire Trail
A wanderer (Tom Selleck) heads for Wyoming to fulfill a promise to protect a dying friend’s widow (Virginia Madsen) and ranch. Based on the novel by Louis L’Amour

Dead Man’s Walk
The prequel to Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove finds Gus and Call on a deadly trail to Santa Fe facing outlaws, bandits, and the notorious Buffalo Hump, a vicious warrior. Cast: David Arquette, F. Murray Abraham, Keith Carradine, Brian Dennehy.

Dirt: The Complete First Season Rated TV-MA
As editor-in-chief of Hollywood’s most influential gossip rag, Lucy Spiller (Courtney Cox) can make or break a celebrity, but her obsession with outing the darker side of the glamorous life unleashes the demons of her own past and makes her a victim of the machine she has created.

Fortunes of War
A BBC-TV mini-series that chronicles the lives of an English couple (Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson) living in Bucharest when WWII breaks out. Features . Based on the novels by Olivia Manning.

Hetty Wainthrop Investigates: Complete 4th Series
The BBC’s beloved matron of mystery (Patricia Rutledge) returns to tackle her most challenging cases yet.

The History of Mr. Polly
The legendary H.G. Wells created this fanciful Victorian tale of Alfred Polly, an ordinary man who, rather than pursuing his dreams, follows a conventional path in life and finds himself desperately unhappy.

House M.D.: Season 3
Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) still has the most unapologetically prickly bedside manner ever, but his genius for solving the medical mysteries other practitioners can’t has earned him the respect of his team.

Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Set 5
Detective Inspector Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) and Detective Sergeant Havers (Sharon Small), Elizabeth George s crime-cracking duo from opposite sides of the track, are back in four intriguing new mysteries.

Ivanhoe
Set in 12th century England, this sweeping saga follows the noble Saxon knight, Wilfred of Ivanhoe and his bloody battles with the scheming Prince John as he attempts to restore Richard The Lion-Hearted to the throne. A BBC-TV production of Sir Walter Scott’s classic novel.

Longitude
The story of John Harrison, whose forty-year obsession with building his perfect timekeeper is interwoven with that of naval officer Rupert Gould who, two hundred years later, stumbles across Harrison’s inventions. Cast: Michael Gambon, Jeremy Irons, Ian Hart. Based on the book by Dava Sobel.

Mansfield Park
Masterpiece Theatre’s most recent production of Jane Austen’s classic novel. Fanny Price goes to live with prosperous relatives at Mansfield Park and must navigate a labyrinth of intrigues and affairs among the occupants of the house.

Most Mysterious Murder
This BBC series is hosted by Julian Fellowes, a British character actor and screenwriter. Each episode follows the tale of a real, unsolved English murder, occurring between the 1870s and 1940s, acted out with smashing period detail and dialogue. Fellowes narrates, helps spotlight possible suspects, and in the end makes his own case for who he thinks the murderer was.

Northanger Abbey
In this gentle parody of gothic fiction, young Catherine Morland (Felicity Jones) is invited to a medieval country house that appeals to her most lurid fantasies. Andrew Davies adapted this new Masterpiece Theater production of Jane Austen’s classic novel.

Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show
Garry Shandling wraps up the run of his groundbreaking HBO comedy series with 23 of what he felt were the best episodes of the show’s run (from 1992-98) along eight hours of newly produced material, including a feature-length “making of” documentary, cast and star interviews, deleted scenes, commentaries, and footage of Shandling on personal visits with stars like Alec Baldwin, Jon Stewart, and Jerry Seinfeld.

The Pallisers: Set One
This sprawling BBC saga of wealth, passion, power, intrigue and scandal is set in the palatial country houses and grand Mayfair salons of mid-Victorian England. Based on the six “political” novels by Anthony Trollope.

Persuasion
Masterpiece Theatre’s most recent adaptation of Jane Austen’s romantic novel tells the story of Anne Elliot who eight years prior, at the age of 19, fell deeply in love with the handsome young naval officer Frederick Wentworth. But with neither fortune nor rank to recommend him, Anne was persuaded to break off her engagement. When he returns from sea with a fortune and rank, she watches as the eligible young women in the district fall at his feet.

Piece of Cake
This British TV series features the adventures, heartaches and rites of passage of the fighter pilots of RAF Hornet Squadron during World War II.

Poirot: Set 11
Three episodes of the impeccably turned-out diminutive Belgian sleuth (David Suchet) created by Agatha Christie.

Prison Break: Season 2
Most men would do anything to get out of jail, but Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) will do anything to get in.

Alex Haley’s Queen
Author Alex Haley’s story of the paternal side of his family. One of his ancestor’s, Queen (Halle Berry), is the daughter of a slave and a plantation owner during the turbulent decades of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and beyond. Cast includes: Ann-Margret, Patricia Clarkson, Tim Daly, Ossie Davis, Danny Glover, Jasmine Guy, Jane Krakowski, Martin Sheen, Paul Winfield.

The Riches: Season One
Wayne and Dahlia Malloy (Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver) are travelers–a kind of American gypsies–who get in trouble with their clan and have to hit the road with their three kids. When a confrontation with other travelers causes a deadly car accident, the Malloys assume the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Rich. Rated TV-MA

The Scarlet Pimpernel
A&E’s acclaimed adaptation of Baroness Orczy’s classic tales of love and adventure during the French Revolution. This multi-disc set includes all three adventures in the series and features Richard Grant and Elizabeth McGovern.

Shackleton
A&E TV’s true story of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic adventures. Bound for Antarctica in 1914, Shackleton’s (Kenneth Branagh) ship, the Endurance, was trapped in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII
This BBC TV series from 1970 chronicles England’s turbulent years of the early 16th century, recounting the life and times of the vibrant and lusty King Henry VIII in a cycle of six plays.

A Slight Case of Murder
Laura Penney accidentally fell in her apartment and died. Or perhaps she was pushed. Just a little. Either way, on-air film critic Terry Thorpe figures he’s Suspect #1 because he was there. But maybe he’s seen enough crime movies to bamboozle the cops. Cast: William H. Macy, Adam Arkin, Felicity Huffman, James Cromwell.

Streets of Laredo
This sequel to Larry McMurtry’s western classic Lonesome Dove pits legendary Texas Ranger Woodrow Call against his deadliest adversary ever. Cast: James Garner, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Randy Quaid, Ned Beatty, George Carlin, Sonia Braga.

Tom Jones
This BBC production follows the rollicking adventures of Tom Jones as he romps across 18th century England, from bedrooms to rural inns to London’s dangerous streets. Cast out from his home and forbidden his true love, Tom must overcome the charms of an older seductress and the sinister plot of a nefarious rival to win his lover’s heart. Based on the novel by Henry Fielding.

A Touch of Frost: Season 5
A Touch of Frost: Seasons 7 & 8
A Touch of Frost: Seasons 9 & 10
A Touch of Frost: Seasons 11 & 12
Award-winning British actor David Jason is Jack Frost, a no-nonsense detective whose unorthodox methods fuel the tension between him and his superiors. Based on the novels of R.D. Wingfield.

The Tudors: The Complete First Season
King Henry VIII: young, sexy and the most powerful man in the world (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The throne and the entire world became his at age 19. This Showtime television series reveals the early years of the passionate, vibrant and scandalous man who forever changed the course of history. Rated TV-MA

Victoria & Albert
The moving romantic story of two lovers who create an intimate private world amidst the pomp and politics of the court of St. James. This miniseries shows us a Victoria that we have never seen before–not the staid and stately old matron cloaked in black–but a young, passonate, sensual Victoria who takes command of the throne and falls head over heels in love with the dashing German prince

A Year in Provence
Based on Peter Mayle’s international best seller, this is the hilarious autobiographical account of the Mayles’ move from London to rural southern France. This twelve-episode miniseries was originally shown on PBS and features Lindsay Duncan and John Thaw.

Young Ivanhoe
In this pre-quell to Sir Walter Scott’s novel, the Black Knight helps the Saxon hero of Sir Walter Scott’s novel thwart a plot by the greedy Count De Bourget. Cast: Stacy Keach, Margot Kidder, Nick Mancuso & Rachel Blanchard.

New DVD Releases – February 2008

February 27, 2008November 29, 2022Richelle

Across the Universe
Moving from the dockyards of Liverpool to the creative psychedelia of Greenwich Village and beyond, the film follows the story of star-crossed lovers Jude and Lucy. Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson. Rated PG-13

American Gangster
A NYC detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, who is smuggling the herion into the country in the coffins of dead soldiers returning from Vietnam. Featuring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Josh Brolin, Ted Levine, Armand Assante, John Ortiz, John Hawkes, RZA. Rated R

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Robert Ford joins Jesse James’s gang, only to become resentful of the legendary outlaw and hatch a plan to kill the fastest gun in the West. Cast: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker, Paul Schneider, Jeremy Renner, Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell. Rated R

Becoming Jane
The true and surprising story of Jane Austen’s early years Her own experiences in love and romance shape the stories she writes later in life. Cast: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith. Rated PG

Beowulf
The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel, and later, Grendel’s mother, who begins killing out of revenge for her son. Cast: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman, Angelina Jolie. Rated PG-13

The Brave One
A woman struggles to recover from a brutal attack by setting out on a mission for revenge. Cast: Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Nicky Katt, Mary Steenburgen. Rated R

Daddy Day Camp
When the pair of fathers/pals, Charlie Hinton and Phil Ryerson, expand their childcare magic to Camp Driftwood — serving up sports, crafts and teaching the kids a thing or two about nature, they discover the camp has everything it needs except a plan to put the bullies of rival Camp Canola to shame. With some quick thinking, teamwork, a secret weapon and some off-the-wall crazy antics, the dads and kids soon become united to remedy the situation. Cast: Cuba Gooding, Jr., Lochlyn Munro, Richard Gant, Tamala Jones, Paul Rae, Brian Doyle-Murray. Rated PG

The Darjeeling Limited
Three brothers trying to bond and find themselves on a trip through India end up stranded and alone in the desert. Cast: Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Anjelica Huston. Rated R

The Dog Problem
After a year in therapy, a down-on-his-luck writer (Giovanni Ribisi) buys a dog in an effort to cheer himself up. But his four-legged friend brings him nothing but trouble. Then the dog goes missing and a comedy of errors ensues. Rated R

Eastern Promises
The film follows the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai, who is tied to one of London’s most notorious organized crime families. Cast: Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts. Rated R

Elizabeth: the Golden Age
An exploration of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and the adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh. Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Rhys Ifans, Jordi Molla, Abbie Cornish, Samantha Morton. Rated PG-13

Eye of the Dolphin
After the death of her mother, Alyssa moves to the Bahamas with her father, where she learns she can talk to the dolphins. When her father’s research facility is in danger of closing, it is up to Alyssa and her gift to save it. Rated PG-13

Feast of Love
A meditation on love and its various incarnations, set within a community of friends in Oregon. Cast: Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear, Radha Mitchell, Billy Burke, Selma Blair, Toby Hemingway, Jane Alexander, Fred Ward. Rated R

Game Plan
A professional football player (The Rock) discovers he has a seven-year-old daughter. Cast: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Madison Pettis, Kyra Sedgwick, Morris Chestnut. Rated PG

Gone Baby Gone
The kidnapping of a four-year-old girl draws two private investigators into the seedy underbelly of Boston. Cast: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, John Ashton, Amy Ryan, Amy Madigan, Titus Welliver. Rated R

The Heartbreak Kid
A newlywed man who believes he’s just married the perfect woman encounters another lady on his honeymoon. Cast: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman, Jerry Stiller, Rob Corddry, Carlos Mencia, Scott Wilson, Danny McBride. Rated R

The Hunting Party
A young American journalist, cameraman and a discredited journalist go to the Balkans in search of a notorious war criminal in Bosnia. Cast: Richard Gere, Terrence Howard. Rated R

In the Valley of Elah
A couple work with a police detective to uncover the truth behind their son’s disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq. Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jason Patric, Susan Sarandon, Josh Brolin. Rated R

The Jane Austen Book Club
Six people start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships resemble 21st century versions of her novels. Cast: Kathy Baker, Maria Bello, Marc Blucas, Emily Blunt, Amy Brenneman, Hugh Dancy, Maggie Grace, Jimmy Smits, Kevin Zegers, Lynn Redgrave. Rated PG-13

The Kingdom
A team of elite FBI agents are sent to Saudi Arabia to solve a brutal mass murder and find a killer before he strikes again. Cast: Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven, Danny Huston, Richard Jenkins. Rated R

The Martian Child
David is a widowed science fiction writer who adopts Dennis, a young boy who claims to be a Martian. David believes the child acts strangely in order to process the difficulty he has had in his young life, but soon both David and his sister, Liz, begin to wonder if the boy might be telling the truth. Cast: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Joan Cusack. Rated PG

Michael Clayton
Burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture, and mounting debt have left Michael Clayton inextricably tied to his job. Cast: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Michael O’Keefe. Rated R

The Nanny Diaries
A New York University student becomes a nanny to a family who turns out to be the family from hell. Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Alicia Keys, Chris Evans, Donna Murphy, Paul Giamatti. Rated PG

No Reservations
The life of a master chef changes when she becomes the guardian of her young niece and gains a new sous chef in her kitchen. Based on the German film Mostly Martha. Cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin, Patricia Clarkson. Rated PG

Offside
As citizens of Iran, female sports fans are barred from attending public sports matches. This comedy-drama follows the struggles of a group of young women and girls who dress in drag to get into stadiums and watch their favorite teams play. In Persian, English subtitles. Rated PG

Paris, je taime
The world’s top directors and some of America’s top stars create a panoramic portrait of Paris. Find yourself transported by these sexy, romantic, haunting, dramatic, and beautiful stories. Rated R

Rendition
When an Egyptian terror suspect goes missing on his way to Washington, D.C., his American wife and a CIA analyst find themselves struggling to secure his release. Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep. Rated R

Silk
Herve Joncour’s (Michael Pitt) devotion to his beautiful bride (Keira Knightley) is tested by dangerous trade missions in search of silkworms for his town’s survival. In the Far East he becomes torn by the temptation of a local warlord’s sensuous concubine and his love for Helene. Rated R

Snow Buddies
The talking puppies are back, and this time they venture to the frosty arctic and team up with new friends in an exciting dogsled race across Alaska. Rated G

Solstice
Following a setup lifted from every slasher film, five students head off to celebrate “Senior Week” at a spooky old house in the Louisiana woods. Rated PG-13

Sydney White
A retelling of Snow White featuring college freshman (Amanda Bynes) as she makes her way through the Greek system. Rated PG-13

Two Days in Paris
A couple tries to rekindle their relationship with a visit to Paris, home to many of her ex-boyfriends. Cast: Julie Delpy, Adam Goldberg, Daniel Brühl, Marie Pillet, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Adam Jodorowsky, Alex Nahon. In English and French, with English & Spanish subtitles. Rated R

We Own the Night
A New York nightclub manager tries to save his brother and father from Russian mafia hit men. Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Robert Duvall. Rated R

New Books on CD – February 2008

February 7, 2008November 29, 2022Richelle

The Almost Moon Alice Sebold – The author of The Lovely Bones presents a portrait of a mother-daughter bond that descends into murder.

Away Amy Bloom – When her family is destroyed in a Russian pogrom, Lillian Leyb comes to America alone, but then she learns that her daughter, Sophie, may still be alive.

Book of the Dead Patricia Cornwell – The “Book of the Dead” is the morgue log. For Kay Scarpetta, however, it is about to acquire a new meaning.

Bridge of Sighs Richard Russo – The author of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Empire Falls, returns with a story of a small-town family confronted with the experiences of a friend who now lives in Italy.

Clapton: The Autobiography Eric Clapton – The prominent rock star tells the story of his eventful life.

A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted Will Bowen – Learn how to form the positive habit of not complaining, criticizing or gossiping.

The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944 Rick Atkinson – The harrowing story of the Allies’ campaign to liberate Italy.

Double Cross James Patterson – Alex Cross rejoins the police force to face the most diabolical villain he has ever encountered–a serial killer who aspires to be a celebrity.

Education of an Accidental CEO: Lessons Learned from the Trailer Park to the Corner Office David Novak – The chairman of the world’s largest restaurant company explains his street-smart wisdom.

Free Fall Fern Michaels – Sooner or later, the Sisterhood always gets their man.

Gentlemen of the Road Michael Chabon – The noted literary stylist presents a riff on the legendary adventure novels, with a tale of two 9th century men of fortune.

Hog Pilots, Blue Water Grunts: The American Military in the Air, at Sea, and on the Ground Robert D. Kaplan – A firsthand account of the work of American military personnel throughout the world.

New Nonfiction – January 2008

January 31, 2008November 29, 2022Lynne

Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) Cathie Black – Insights and fascinating stories from the president of Hearst Magazines that can help you move ahead.

Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting: Real Talk for When There’s Nowhere to Go But Up Terrie M. Williams – The author deals with the problem and solutions to depression as experienced by African-Americans.

Blooding at Great Meadows: Young George Washington and the Battle that Shaped the Man Alan Axelrod – As a 22-year-old, Washington led 400 American militiamen against an experienced French army.

The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, Enhance Attention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms, and Boost Mental Energy Larry McCleary – Ways to improve the overall health of your brain.

Coal River Michael Shnayerson – Dramatic environmental battles are being fought in the mountains of West Virginia, especially against mountain top removal.

Chic: The Guide to Life as It Should Be Colin Cowie – The noted event planner explains how to live a gracious life on any budget.

Come to Think of It: Notes on the Turn of the Millennium Daniel Schorr – The author’s observations on politics and American life over the years from 1990 to the present by the well known commentator.

Details Men’s Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You Daniel Peres – A well-illustrated guide to the apropos in men’s fashion.

Discover Your Inner Wisdom: Using Intuition, Logic, and Common Sense to Make Your Best Choices Char Margolis – How to make wise choices by tapping in to your own intuition.

Discovering God: The Origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief Rodney Stark – The origins and development of the great religions from the Stone Age to modern times is discussed in this extensive examination.

Get Rich, Stay Rich, Pass It On: The Wealth Accumulation Secrets of America’s Richest Families Catherine S. McBreen and George H. Walper, Jr. – The authors state that there may be many ways to get rich, but only two ways to ensure perpetual wealth.

Grow Your Money! 101 Easy Tips to Plan, Save, and Invest Jonathan D. Pond – Financial advice from a well-know advisor.

Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out Marci Shimoff – The author explains how to be a happier person regardless of one’s circumstances.

How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Way to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better Charla Krupp – Another look at an age-old problem.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto Michael Pollan – The author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma states that what we should eat comes down to: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

In Pursuit of Excellence: How to Win in Sport and Life Through Mental Training Terry Orlick – The author, a noted sports psychologist, provides a plan to enhance excellence in life as well as sports.

Isn’t It Their Turn to Pick Up The Check? Dealing with All of the Trickiest Money Problems Between Family and Friends—from Serial Borrowers to Serious Cheapskates Jeanne Fleming and Leonard Schwarz – A look at the embarrassing, annoying, and often emotionally charged money-related dilemmas that everyone faces.

Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich (Make Your Kids Even Richer) James J. Cramer with Cliff Mason – Lifetime investing for readers of any age from the TV guru.

Living Your Unlived Life: Coping with Unrealized Dreams and Fulfilling Your Purpose in the Second Half of Life Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl – Realizing the unmet dreams and hopes from earlier years can provide peace and wholeness in later years of life.

My Answer Is No…If That’s Okay with You: How Women Can Say NO and (Still) Feel Good About It Nanette Gartrell – How to set limits without jeopardizing important relationships.

Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body Jennifer Ackerman – An exploration of the human body that reveals the importance of synchronizing our actions with our biological rhythms.

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain John J. Ratey and Eric Haterman – The latest research shows that for your brain to function at its peak, your body needs to move.

Strong at the Broken Places: Voices of Illness, A Chorus of Hope Richard M. Cohen – The author spent three years chronicling the lives of five “citizens of sickness” and examines the situations of the chronically ill.

Surrender Is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations and Abroad John Bolton – The former secretary to the United Nations takes a behind-the scenes look at his work there and outlines his vision for a realistic global security arrangement.

Terra: Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem—and the Threats That Now Put It at Risk Michael Novacek – The author’s synthesis of evolutionary biology, paleontology, and modern environmental science provides an explanation of the current state of the planet.

Truth and Consequences: Special Comments on the Bush Administration’s War on American Values Keith Olbermann – Commentary from the host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC.

Vermeer’s Hat: The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World Timothy Brook – A look at how rapidly the world was changing as illuminated through the paintings of Vermeer.

Winning Nice: How to Succeed in Business and Life Without Waging War Dawna Stone – How to be yourself and also have success in life.

New Fiction – January 2008

January 24, 2008November 29, 2022Lynne

After Image Kathleen George – Pittsburgh homicide detective, Richard Christie, faces two mysterious murders during a hot and humid summer.

Antony and Cleopatra Colleen McCullough – The author of The Thorn Birds turns to the immortal story of two star-crossed lovers.

Beginner’s Greek James Collins – A comedy of manners featuring a love-at-first-sight meeting between Peter and Holly.

Blasphemy Douglas Preston – The world’s biggest supercollider probes what happened at the very moment of creation — what is discovered must be hidden from the world at all costs.

Bleeding Kansas Sara Paretsky – Two Kansas families are linked by their pioneer pasts, but are threatened by the dark family secrets that may tear them apart.

Blood Dreams Kay Hooper – A psychopath who seems to have stepped out of a living nightmare confronts Bishop and his FBI Special Crimes Unit.

The Crazy School Cornelia Read – The bizarre underside of an elite private school is revealed in a mystery featuring ex-debutante Madeline Dare.

Day A.L. Kennedy – Five years after World War II, Alfie Day, RAF airman and former POW, revisits those years by working as an extra on a POW film.

Diablerie Walter Mosley – Ben Dibbuk enjoys an uneventful life until he is accused by an unknown woman as being a stalker and then finds that his wife is having him investigated.

Diary of a Bad Year J. M Coetzee – The Nobel Prize winning author returns with the writings of Señor C. who has been asked to write his thoughts on the state of the world.

The Elephanta Suite Paul Theroux – Three novellas tell the stories of Westerners transformed by their sojourns in India.

Harriet and Isabella Patricia O’Brien – Harriet, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Isabella, a prominent suffragist, are the sisters of Henry Ward Beecher who become bitterly divided during his trial for adultery in 1875.

The Hearts of Horses Molly Gloss – A heartwarming story of a determined young woman with a gift for “gentling” wild horses.

Hide and Seek Fern Michaels – The women of the Sisterhood are now fugitives with a price on their heads.

The House of Lanyon Valerie Anand – A bitter feud between two families in fifteenth century England has extended ramifications.

Last Call James Grippando – Criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck learns that the sins of the past never die, especially in Miami.

Maynard & Jennica Rudolph Delson – A highly original tale of romance and narrative fancy.

Night Train to Lisbon Pascal Mercier – Raimund Gregorius teaches classical languages at a Swiss lycée, but a chance encounter with an enigmatic Portuguese woman changes his life. A European bestseller.

The Painter of Battles Arturo Pérez-Reverte – Andres Faulques, a famous war photographer, has retired on the coast of Spain, when the man featured in a long-ago photograph appears with the intention of killing him.

People of the Book Geraldine Brooks – An intellectual adventure recounts the dramatic stories surrounding an ancient manuscript that originated in 15th century Seville, Spain.

The Senator’s Wife Sue Miller – The author of While I Was Gone returns with the story of two women and a portrait of two marriages.

Shadow Music Julie Garwood – Love, murder, adventure and mystery are found in medieval Scotland.

Signed Mata Hari Yannick Murphy – Margaretha Zelle, better known as Mata Hari, tells the story of her past life during her time in a Parisian prison.

Souls of Angels Thomas Eidson – Isadora Lugo, who has been serving as Sister Ria in India, returns to the Los Angeles of the 1880’s when she learns that her father has been convicted of murder.

There’s No Place Like Here Cecelia Ahern – Sandy Shortt is obsessed with finding lost things, including finding people who have vanished from their loved ones.

The Venetian Betrayal Steve Berry – Cotton Malone, former U.S. Justice Department agent and now a rare-book dealer, is drawn into an intense geopolitical chess game over the quest for the grave of Alexander the Great.

The Worst Thing I’ve Done Ursula Hegi – Three friends are caught in tumultuous relationships when Annie decides to raise her infant sister when her parents are killed on her wedding day.

Zugzwang Ronan Bennett – Zugzwang is a term in chess used to describe the position in which a player is reduced to utter helplessness — describing the position of the Dr. Spethmann in this literary thriller.

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