New Fiction – December 2007

Lynne

The Abduction  Mark Gimenez – The kidnapping of his ten-year-old granddaughter Gracie, brings Ben Brice, a veteran drowning his memories of Vietnam with alcohol, back from the New Mexico wilderness to help save her, but dark family secrets could threaten the child’s survival.

The Abstinence Teacher Tom Perrotta – Teaching human sexuality from a perspective that information and pleasure are top priorities, divorced mom Ruth Ramsey butts heads with the local soccer coach, a divorced former addict who became an evangelical Christian after hitting rock bottom.

The Almost Moon Alice Sebold – Having set aside her own life in her support of her parents, husband, and children, Helen Knightly confronts the realities of the choices that were imposed upon her during a harrowing twenty-four-hour period of death and revelation.

Breakfast with Buddha Roland Merullo – At the behest of his sister, Otto Ringling finds himself reluctantly accompanying her guru, an enigmatic Mongolian monk, on a trip through Middle America to their childhood home, introducing his passenger to some American “fun” along the way.

Broken Colors Michele Zackheim – Life and art intersect in the colorful life of Sophie Marks.

The Descendants Kaui Hart Hemmings – A descendant of royalty and one of the largest landowners in Hawaii, Matthew King struggles to deal with his out-of-control daughters–ten-year-old Scottie and seventeen-year-old Alex–as well as his comatose wife, whom they are about to remove from lifesupport.

Caspian Rain Gina B. Nahai – In the decade before the Islamic Revolution, 12-year-old Yaas navigates family and social life in Tehran.

The Chase  Clive Cussler – The author’s latest adventure features a steam locomotive found in a Montana lake that holds the remains of three people who died 44 years before.

Cheating at Canasta  William Trevor – A collection of stories featuring themes of missed opportunities and the inevitability of change.

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.

A Free Life Ha Jin – In the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the Wu family sets out on a journey through America in search of a sense of belonging.

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.

The Ghost  Robert Harris – Power, politics, corruption and murder combine in a thriller which features a ghostwriter who winds up dead.

The Heir  Barbara Taylor Bradford – Family drama features Edward Deravenel as he tries to keep a family and a business together during the influenza pandemic of 1918.

Home to Holly Springs Jan Karon – After thirty-eight years, Father Tim Kavanagh returns to his childhood home of Holly Springs, Mississippi.

In a Pickle: A Family Farm Story Jerry Apps – The small Midwestern town of Link Lake is confronted with change and upheaval with the arrival of H. H. Harlow Pickle Company.

The Long Walk Home Will North – Set in a small mountain town in Wales, backpacker Alec Hudson and Fiona Edwards, owner of a bed-and-breakfast, find that their lives will be changed forever.

Mr. Knightley’s Diary: A Novel Amanda Grange – A retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma from the wonderful Mr. Knightley’s point of view.

Not Yet Drown’d Peg Kingman – Catherine MacDonald travels to India to look for her brother, who had been reported drowned in the monsoon floods of 1821.

Pirate Freedom Gene Wolfe – In a tale of time travel, Father Christopher becomes a pirate captain hundreds of year before his birth.

Protect and Defend Vince Flynn – The author’s latest political thriller features Iran and the consequences of a preemptive strike by Israel.

The Quiet Girl Peter Høeg – A famous circus clown, Kasper Krone, is recruited by an order of nuns who ask him to safeguard group of children with mystical capablities.

The Race Richard North Patterson – Corey Grace, a senator from Ohio, will discover if an honest man can become president.

Third Degree Greg Iles – A marriage implodes during the course of a day with devastating consequences.

Tipperary Frank Delaney – The fascinating period of Irish history of the early 20th century is illuminated through the lives of Charles O’Brien and April Burke.

Stone Cold David Baldacci – Revenge, conspiracy, and murder bring the Camel Club face-to-face with their greatest threat.

Swan Island Elizabeth Gill – Ella’s happy childhood in Swan Island is abruptly ended when her father dies, leaving the family bankrupt.

The Way Life Should Be Christina Baker Kline – Angelo Russo impulsively moves to Maine to meet an online date and a new life.

World Without End Ken Follett – Two centuries after the completion of the gothic cathedral in Kingsbridge, as depicted in Pillars of the Earth, the priory and cathedral are again the center of this novel of the 14th century.

New DVDs – January 2008

Richelle

The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard
This BBC-TV story follows Ros Pritchard (Jane Horrocks), a supermarket manager who tries to improve her world in small ways. Just to prove that she could do better than the established politicians, she runs for a seat in Parliament. No one is more surprised than she when she wins the General Election and becomes the next Prime Minister. Not Rated

American President
The widowed President of the US (Michael Douglas) courts an attractive environmental lobbyist (Annette Bening). His opponent in the upcoming election takes advantage of the situation, playing up the role of “the President’s Mistress.” Rated PG-13

Angel in the Family
An ailing widowed father and his two estranged daughters experience a miracle when their late matriarch returns to spend Christmas with them. Cast: Tracey Needham, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Ronny Cox, Meredith Baxter. Not Rated

The Apocalypse
When the Roman Emperor unleashed a virulent campaign against the Christians in 90 A.D., the apostle John (Richard Harris) struggles to break free of imprisonment and save Christianity from extinction. Not Rated

Beverly Hills Cop
Beverly Hills Cop II
Beverly Hills Cop III
A street-smart Detroit cop (Eddie Murphy) is transplanted in California. All Rated R

 

The Bible Collection:

Abraham
Abraham (Richard Harris) leaves the pagan land of Ur for the promised land of Canaan. Not Rated

David
The story of a simple shepherd boy chosen to be the king of Israel. Not Rated

Jacob
Matthew Modine and Laura Flynn Boyle star in one of the greatest love stories from the Bible. Not Rated

Joseph
Cast into a pit by his jealous brothers, young Joseph pleads for mercy but is sold into slavery in Egypt. Not Rated

Moses
The story of reluctant leader Moses leading the Jews out of bondage in Egypt. Not Rated

Samson and Delilah
A bewitching Philistine betrays the shepherd she loves out of loyalty to her people. Not Rated

 

A Big Hand for a Little Lady
This wonderfully wild western comedy from 1966 features Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards, and Burgess Meredith. Not Rated

Body & Soul
This miniseries from 1993 is t moving story of a young nun (Kristen Scott Thomas) in a family crisis who is forced to choose between two conflicting worlds, and the very different values they represent. Not Rated

Brideshead Revisited
In this classic adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s novel, the life of the British nobility is seen through the eyes of a young Oxford student who befriends the son of aristocrats and becomes one of the family. Cast: Jeremy Irons, Anthony Andrews, Laurence Olivier, Claire Bloom, John Gielgud. Not Rated

The Crown Prince
After entering into an unhappy marriage of convenience, Archduke Rudolf, the young heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne begins a fateful affair with the Baroness Mary Vetsera. cast that includes Klaus Maria Brandauer, Christian Clavier and Omar Sharif. Not Rated

The Crusades: Crescent and the Cross
Using CGI-enhanced visuals and dramatic reenactments, The History Channel brings the key battles of the Crusades to life. See rare locations, including a vast chain of Crusader castles and get a feel of what day-to-day life was like. Not Rated

A Dance to the Music of Time
This miniseries chronicles a half century of British upper-class life through the eyes of protagonist Nicholas Jenkins. Based on the novels by Anthony Powell. Not Rated

The Dark Ages: The Fall of Civilization, The Rise of a New World Orderm DVD 940.1 DAR 2006
Between the Fall of Rome and the dawn of the Renaissance, Europe plunged into a dark night of constant war, splintered sovereignties, marauding pagans, and more. This History Channel production covers the chaos that threatened to cause the demise of European society, as well as other brave souls who fought for peace and enlightenment.

Dial M for Murder
A man plots to murder his wife for her money. The wife manages to stab the would-be attacker, and the husband is forced to change plans. Alfred Hitchcock directed this 1954 suspense classic featuring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. Not Rated

The Dresden Files
Harry Dresden is a private detective who also happens to be a real wizard. Harry finds himself helping the Chicago police solve crimes and battle dark in the city streets. Not Rated

Elizabeth
Palace intrigue mixes with historical drama to tell the life story of Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen who ruled England in the 16th century. Featuring Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush. Rated R

15 Minutes
A crime thriller about a hot-shot homicide detective who teams with a fire marshal to find a pair of media-hungry serial killers. In the meantime, a sensationalist TV-talk-show host courts both sides of the law. Cast: Robert De Niro, Edward Burns, Kelsey Grammer, Avery Brooks. Rated R

Figure Skating: Ladies’ & Pairs DVD 796.912 FIG 2006
Highlights of the Pairs & Ladies’ figureskating at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.

Figure Skating: Men’s & Ice Dancing DVD 796.912 FIG 2006
Highlights from the men’s figure skating and ice dancing at the 2006 Torino Olympic Winter Games.

The Golden Door
Salvatore, a very poor farmer and widower, decides to emigrate to U.S. with his entire family. Italian dialogue, English subtitles. Rated PG-13

Grosse Pointe Blank
A comedy about a hit man, a high school reunion, and the girl he left behind. Cast: John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Alan Arkin. Rated R

High Fidelity
Rob Gordon’s record store is semi-failing, and his long-time girlfriend has just walked out on him. In order to figure out where things went wrong, he examines his past relationships with other women. Cast: John Cusack, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Joelle Carter, Joan Cusack, Sara Gilbert. Rated R

The In-Laws
A mild-mannered doctor meets his new in-laws for the first time right before his daughter’s wedding. Things get wild when he discovers they’re CIA operatives. Cast: Michael Douglas, Albert Brooks, Candice Bergen. Rated PG-13

Istanbul DVD 914.961 IST 2004
This episode from the Globe Trekker series features an exploration of the Topkapi palace, sightseeing at Gallipoli, the site of an infamous World War I battlefield, as well as a tour of Istanbul, with visits to the opulent Pera Palace Hotel, the Grand Bazaar, and the Blue Mosque.

The Last Legion
As invading Goths besiege the crumbling Roman empire, a daring general, a powerful wizard and a master warrior attempt to lead one last legion of faithful soldiers to victory against all odds. Cast: Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai, Peter Mullan, Kevin McKidd, John Hannah, Iain Glen, Thomas Sangster. Rated PG-13

Love’s Unending Legacy
Unable to work the land on her own, Missie LaHaye and her young son move back to her father’s ranch hoping to put the past behind her. Based on the books by Janet Oke, the fifth film in the series directed by Michael Landon, Jr. Not Rated

Mary, Queen of Scots
Vanessa Redgrave was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Mary, the ill-fated Catholic Queen of Scotland. The sharp-edged Glenda Jackson portrays her jealous cousin, Queen Elizabeth I in this critically acclaimed drama from 1971. Not Rated

The Meaning of Food DVD 394012 MEA 2005
This PBS special explores the variety of cultural significance of food among various walks of life in the United States. Topics covered in these three programs include: Italian weddings; Bengali fertility feast; last meals; fasting.

Monarchy with David Starkey DVD 923.1 MON 2006
This British television production features vivid descriptions and analysis of historical personalities with costumed actors, historical locations, and portraits to visually enliven the story of the English crown from the fall of Rome to the 1660s.

Mr. Deeds
When a small town man (Adam Sandler) inherits controlling interest in a media empire, he attempts to use his newfound power to transmit positive messages. Rated PG-13

Mr. Mom
When a Detroit auto engineer (Michael Keaton) loses his job, his wife (Teri Garr) takes up a career in advertising while he takes over running the household. Rated PG

Once upon a Time When We Were Colored
The changes experienced by a rural town in Mississppi are witnessed by a boy coming-of-age in the era of racial segregation and civil rights in the South. Rated PG

The Paper Chase
A moving story of a first-year Harvard Law School student who comes to terms with his dreams in America’s most competitive school. Cast: Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner, John Houseman, Edward Herrmann, James Naughton. Rated PG

Passion of Mind
A woman (Demi Moore) seems to be living parallel lives — one as a single New Yorker and the other as a widowed mother of two. Rated PG-13

Prime Suspect 7 The Final Act
Academy-award winner, Helen Mirren, is featured as Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison in this joint production by Granada television and WGBH Boston. Not Rated

The Quick and the Dead
When a homestead family is threatened by a gunslinging gang, a mysterious stranger (Sam Elliott) rides to their safety. Not Rated

Rome: Season 2
In this HBO drama, the year is 44 B.C. Julius Caesar has been assassinated and civil war threatens to destroy the Republic. Cast: Polly Walker, Ray Stevenson, James Purefoy, Lindsay Duncan, Kevin Mckidd, Ray Stevenson. Rated TV-MA

Ruth Rendell Mystereis: Set 2
This six tales of suspense examines the jealousy, betrayals, and resentments that lead to tragedy. Not Rated

Sleepless in Seattle
A widower’s son calls a talk show about his father’s conviction that love happens only once in a lifetime. Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Rob Reiner and Rosie O’Donnell. Rated PG

The Song of Bernadette
In 1858 a peasant girl sees a vision of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes and incurs local wrath because of her experience. Jennifer Jones starred in the academy award-winning film. Not Rated

These Foolish Things
In 1930s England, a struggling young actress, a fledgling director and an ambitious playwright become embroiled in an emotional love triangle as they strive for recognition, fame and fortune in a world on the brink of World War II. Cast: Joss Ackland, Lauren Bacall, Anjelica Huston, and Terence Stamp. Not Rated

3:10 to Yuma
A small-time rancher agrees to hold a captured outlaw who’s awaiting a train to go to court in Yuma. Cast: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Ben Foster, Dallas Roberts, Alan Tudyk, Vinessa Shaw, Logan Lerman. Rated R

To Catch a Thief
A reformed thief on vacation in the South of France becomes the prime suspect in a series of robberies. But what he’s really interested in stealing is time with a beautiful American on vacation with her rich mother. Afred Hitchcok directed this thriller featuring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Not Rated

24: Season 6
Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has been released after two years in a Chinese prison, but only so he can be handed over to a particularly nasty villain who proposes to trade Jack’s life for the location of the mastermind behind the current reign of terror. That’s only the beginning, of course. Not Rated

Uncovered
An art restorer (Kate Beckinsale) discovers an unresolved murder from centuries ago and realizes that her work triggered a new wave of murders. Rated R

Underground Pittsburgh DVD 974.886 UND 2007
WQED’s Rick Sebak embarks on a tour around the Pittsburgh area to show us what’s hidden underground.

Victor Victoria
An unsuccessful female nightclub vocalist (Julie Andrews) is recast as a man performing as a woman. The trick works, but things get strange when a macho male (James Garner) finds himself attracted to the singer in drag. Rated PG

The Vikings DVD 948 VIK 2006
This PBS NOVA special investigates a new image of the Vikings that goes far deeper than their savage stereotype as raiding marauders. They were expert shipbuilders, superb artisans, canny merchants, and bold colonizers.

Working Girl
A secretary works to advance herself, only to have her best idea appropriated by her boss. Feeling cheated and undervalued, she decides to engineer a big brokerage deal by herself. Cast: Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Melanie Griffith, Alec Baldwin, Joan Cusack. Rated R

New Books on CD – January 2008

Richelle

The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World Alan Greenspan – The former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board explores the possiblities and challenges of the global economy.

The Attractor Factor: 5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or Anything Else) from the Inside Out Joe Vitale – A how-to manual for living both in and out of business.

Bad Luck and Trouble Lee Child – Jack Reacher reunites with his old military team.

Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day Joel Osteen – The well-known pastor examines principles for improvement.

The Blood of Flowers Anita Amirrezvani – A young woman in 17th century Persia is passionate about designing beautiful carpets.

Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients that You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling Michael Port – Marketing and sales advice for service businesses.

The Broken Shore Peter Temple – Detective Joe Cashin is posted to a quiet town on the South Australian coast.

The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War David Halberstam – The noted historian provides a sweeping overview as well as the individual stories of soldiers of the Korean War.

Critical Robin Cook – Dr. Angela Dawson is confronted with drug-resistant staph infections in this medical thriller.

Free Fire C.J. Box – A lawyer kills four environmental activists in Yellowstone National Park in the “free fire” zone.

Fresh Disasters Stuart Woods – Stone Barrington’s latest adventure sends him into the heart of New York’s mafia.

Here if You Need Me: A True Story Kate Braestrup – Following her husband’s death, the author pursued his dream of becoming a minister.

How to Overcome Fear and Live Life to the Fullest Marcos Witt – The things we fear may seem insurmountable — a positive message to living a fuller life.

I Gave You My Heart, But You Sold It Online Dixie Cash – A west Texas mystery starring the Domestic Equalizers.

Jim Cramer’s Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World James J. Cramer – The television financial guru tells you what you need to know to make money in the stock market.

Life’s Missing Instruction Manual: The Guidebook You Should Have Been Give at Birth Joe Vitale – With humor and anecdotes, a guide with practical steps to help you take control of your life.

Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu Laurence Bergreen – Marco Polo’s odyssey–along the Silk Road and through all the circumstances of his life–is chronicled in illuminating detail.

Power Play Joseph Finder – The top officers of Hammond Aerospace Corporation are taken hostage at a remote mountain retreat.

Run Ann Patchett – The author of Bel Canto weaves a tale of family and extended relationships in contemporary Boston.

The Seventh Sacrament David Hewson – Back in Rome, Detectives Costa, Peroni and Falcone are faced with a mysterious murder involving the ancient cult of Mithras.

Shoot Him if He Runs Stuart Woods – Stone Barrington and Holly Barker find themselves on the island of St. Marks searching for a fugitive who may be in plain sight.

Simple-ology: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want Mark Joyner – The five laws that can help you succeed.

Songs Without Words Ann Packer  – The author of The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, returns with a tale of a lifelong friendship pushed to the breaking point.

Stone Cold David Baldacci – Revenge, conspiracy, and murder bring the Camel Club face-to-face with their greatest threat.

Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself Alan Alda – Meditations on questions great and small by the well known performer.

Ultimate Weapon Chris Ryan – Nick and Jed fight their way through a war-ravaged Iraq to find the woman they love and to unlock the secret of the Ultimate Weapon.

The War: An Intimate History 1941-1945 Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns – The individuals featured in this audiobook are the ordinary men and women who experienced and helped to win the most devastating war in history.

What on Earth Have I Done? Stories, Observations and Affirmations Robert Fulghum – The author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten presents new essays about the mysteries of being alive.

The Wheel of Darkness Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child – A luxury ocean liner, an ancient Tibetan box, and an FBI agent are involved in this new thriller.

You’ve Been Warned James Patterson and Howard Roughan – Photographer and nanny Kristin Burns searches for the truth through the lens of her camera.

New Nonfiction – January 2008

Lynne

Ad Infinitum: A Biography of Latin Nicholas Ostler – An examination of the one constant in the cultural history of the west for over two thousand years.

America 1908: The Dawn of Flight, the Race to the Pole, The Invention of the Model T and the Making of a Modern Nation Jim Rasenberger – Life in America a century ago.

American Crescent: A Muslim Cleric on the Power of His Faith, and the Struggle against Prejudice, and the Future of Islam and America Hassan Qazwini – The author reviews the tenets of Islam and defends it as a faith of peace and diversity.

Boom! Voices of the Sixties: Personal Reflections on the ‘60’s and Today Tom Brokaw – The author of The Greatest Generation gives us another portrait of a defining era in American history.

Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship David Fleming – The author recounts the story of how the Pottsville Maroons, a semi-pro football team from the heart of Pennsylvania coal country, was stripped of its championship title.

Children at Play: An American History Howard P. Churdacoff – A fascinating study of the changes throughout American history of children at play and what it tells us about ourselves.

Copernicus’ Secret: How the Scientific Revolution Began Jack Repcheck – The story behind the publication of Copernicus’ masterwork that changed humanity’s view of the cosmos.

Day of Reckoning: How Hubris, Ideology, and Greed Are Tearing America Apart Patrick J. Buchanan – The author asks the question as to whether the America we know will be able to survive.

The Discovery of France: A Historical Geography from the Revolution to the First World War Graham Robb – The story of the remarkable country of France during a tumultuous century.

The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman Nancy Marie Brown – Five hundred years before Columbus, a Viking woman named Gudrid sailed off the edge of the known world.

The Ghost Mountain Boys: Their Epic March and the Terrifying Battle for New Guinea—The Forgotten War of the South Pacific James Campbell – In 1942, the 32nd Division’s Ghost Mountain Boys were assigned the most grueling mission of the entire Pacific campaign.

Girls Gone Mild: Young Women Reclaim Self-Respect and Find It’s Not Bad to Be Good Wendy Shalit – The author reports on the young women who are rebelling against the current state of teen fashion.

It’s Not About the Hair: And Other Certainties of Life and Cancer Debra Jarvis – An illuminating look at surviving adversity and living through illness and life.

Heroes: From Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar to Churchill and De Gaulle Paul Johnson – An intriguing examination of heroes throughout the centuries that include not only Abraham Lincoln and Joan of Arc, but also Marilyn Monroe and Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Independents Day: Awakening the American Spirit Lou Dobbs – What has happened to America?

Leading Ladies: American Trailblazers Kay Bailey Hutchison – Sixty-three pioneers in many fields of endeavor are illuminated by the first woman senator elected from the state of Texas.

The Living Cosmos: Our Search for Life in the Universe Chris Impey – The fast growing field of astrobiology is depicted in this study that looks at where it’s going, and what it’s likely to find.

Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible Douglas Farah and Stephen Braun – Who is the immensely wealthy and powerful arms dealer who has flooded Africa and Southeast Asia with weapons of war?

The Power of Body Language: How to Succeed in Every Business and Social Encounter Tonya Reiman – Learn what others are saying to you without using words.

The Secret History of the War on Cancer Devra Davis – The official war on cancer has focused on treatment rather than concentrating on the preventable aspects of cancer. Written by a leading researcher from the University of Pittsburgh.

See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America Logan Ward – The author and his wife travel back in time to live the life of a farming family in rural Virginia, 1900.

Shadow Warriors: The Untold Story of Traitors, Saboteurs, and the Party of Surrender Kenneth R. Timmerman – What happens behind the scenes of governmental agencies such as the CIA and the State Department?

Soldier’s Heart: Reading Literature Through Peace and War at West Point Elizabeth D. Samet – What does literature mean to cadets who are preparing to fight a war? The author’s former students also relate what books and movies are meaningful to them after returning from Iraq.

The Terror Dream: Fear and Fantasy in Post- 9/11 America Susan Faludi – An examination of the country’s psychological response to assault of 9/11.

The Ultimate Battle: Okinawa 1945—The Last Epic Struggle of World War II Bill Sloan – The story of the last great clash of World War II which resulted in the deaths of at least 115,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen from both the United States and Japan.

What’s the Matter with California: Cultural Rumbles from the Golden State and Why the Rest of Us Should Be Shaking Jack Cashill – An intriguing look at the cultural landscape of California.

New Mysteries – January 2008

Lynne

All Shots: A Dog Lover’s Mystery Susan Conant – Another episode in a “tail-wagger” mystery series.

The Art Thief Noah Charney – A literary mystery sweeps through three of the world’s most art-filled cities: London, Paris and Rome.

Blonde Faith Walter Mosley – Easy Rawlins can find more trouble on his doorstep in a day than most men encounter in a lifetime.

The Bloody Tower Carola Dunn – Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher trips over a murder victim in the Tower of London in 1925.

The Bone Garden Tess Gerristsen – Julia Hamill makes a horrifying discovery at her new home in Massachusetts: a skull buried in the rocky soil.

Book of the Dead Patricia Cornwell – The “book of the dead” is the morgue log, but for Kay Scarpetta it is about to take on a new meaning.

The Burnt House Faye Kellerman – A commuter plane carrying 47 passengers crashes into an apartment building in Granada Hills, California and ensnares L.A.P.D. Detective Peter Decker.

The Chicago Way Michael Harvey – Publisher’s Weekly reports that this is “a fast-paced thrill ride through Chicago’s seedy underbelly.”

Dead Heat Dick Francis and Felix Francis – Once again, death comes to the horse races in another mystery by one of Britain’s best mystery authors.

Flawed Jo Bannister – Brodie Farrell’s one woman detective agency is confronted with surprising and dangerous discoveries.

Fools Rush In Ed Gorman – The seventh outing for Sam McCain finds him with a racially charged murder case in Iowa, 1963.

Grounds for Murder Sandra Balzo – Coffee house owner Maggy Thorsen discovers a body under the table at a coffee trade show.

Hard Row Margaret Maron – Judge Deborah Knott and her new husband, Sheriff Deputy Dwight Bryant, delve into the world of undocumented farm workers in their search for a brutal killer.

Hidden Moon James Church – Inspector O returns to his office in Pyongyang, North Korea to be confronted with a bank robbery case, the first ever in the city.

Hitman Parnell Hall – Unconventional private eye, Stanley Hastings, is hired by a hitman who is trying to retire.

An Ice Cold Grave Charlaine Harris – After a lightning strike when she was fifteen, Harper Connelly has been able to locate corpses.

Interred With Their Bones Jennifer Lee Carrell – Shakespeare scholar, Kate Stanley, finds herself on the trail of a 400-year old mystery with secrets, codes and curses.

A Killer’s Kiss William Lashner – Reminiscent of Chandler or Hammett, the author’s take on Philadelphia DA Victor Carl’s involvement with a femme fatale is vintage noir.

Kilt Dead Kaitlyn Dunnett – A first mystery, set in Maine, with a Scottish twist and a surprise ending.

Last Known Victim Erica Spindler – Captain Patti O’Shay has horrific murders to solve in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.

Love Kills Edna Buchanan – Britt Montero joins forces with the Cold Case Squad to solve the mystery of the Honeymoon Killer.

Murder on K Street Margaret Truman – Big-time political lobbying is featured in this latest Washington, D.C. mystery.

Now & Then Robert B. Parker – When a simple case turns into a treacherous and politically charged investigation, Spenser faces his most difficult challenge yet.

The Pale Blue Eye Louis Bayard -Murder and revenge featuring a retired New York City detective and a young Edgar Allan Poe.

The Pure in Heart Susan Hill – Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler is on vacation in Venice when a telephone call summons him home to Lafferton, England.

Scots on the Rocks Mary Daheim – While vacationing in Scotland, Judith Flynn investigates a murder when an explosion rocks Grimloch Castle. Mirth and mayhem.

The Silent Assassin Lori Andrews – A complicated mystery of high-stakes international financial intrigue confronts Dr. Alexandra Blake of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Sweet Revenge Diane Mott Davidson – Colorado caterer Goldy Schulz finds a new mystery as she sets up a breakfast feast for the staff of the Aspen Meadow Library.

The Tale of Hawthorn House: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter Susan Wittig Albert – Miss Potter faces a mystery in the form of Baby Flora who is left at Hill Top Farm.

A Wrongful Death Kate Wilhelm – Being a Good Samaritan involves Barbara Holloway in her biggest challenge ever.

New Biographies – January 2008

Lynne

Beyond the White House: Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope Jimmy Carter – The former president reviews his accomplishments during his post-presidential years.

Blue Skies, No Fences: A Memoir of Childhood and Family Lynne Cheney – The author recounts her childhood in the small town of Caspar, Wyoming.

Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life James Blake – The well-known tennis star recounts a tumultuous year in his life and the perseverance that helped him through it.

The Case of Abraham Lincoln: A Story of Adultery, Murder, and the Making of a Great President Julie M. Fenster – The story of Lincoln’s rise to the head of the new Republican Party in Illinois, against the backdrop of one of his most important legal cases.

Cheney: The Untold Story of America’s Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President Stephen F. Hayes – A view of the life of the enigmatic and influential vice president.

Clapton: The Autobiography Eric Clapton – The personal and professional journey of the noted rock star.

Come Be My Light Mother Teresa – A collection of writings that reveal the inner spiritual life of an important religious figure.

The Confidante: Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy Glenn Kessler – A portrait of the Secretary of State and her important role in United States foreign relations.

Crisis, Pursued by Disaster, Followed Closely by Catastrophe: A Memoir of Life on the Run Mike O’Connor – The author didn’t discover the mystery behind his family’s bizarre life until he became an investigative reporter.

Don’t Bet Against Me: Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer and in Life Deanna Favre – The wife of the Packers quarterback examines her life as a breast cancer survivor and activist.

Elizabeth & Leicester Sarah Gristwood – What was the truth about the relationship between Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley?

First Class Citizenship: The Civil Rights Letters of Jackie Robinson Michael G. Long, ed. – His letters show Robinson as a fearless advocate for racial justice at the highest levels of American politics.

How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else Michael Gates Gill – After losing almost everything, a former ad agency executive learns about life as a barista.

Journals: 1952-2000 Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. – Observations on a half-century of public life from a noted historian.

The Last Mazurka: A Family’s Tale of War, Passion, and Loss Andrew Tarnowski – The lost world of pre-war Poland is mirrored in this tale of a once powerful family.

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s John Elder Robison – Being told, at the age of 40, that he had Asperger’s Syndrome transformed the way the author saw himself—and the world.

Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu Laurence Bergreen – Marco Polo’s odyssey–along the Silk Road and through all the adentures of his life–is chronicled in illuminating detail.

Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far Amy Grant – Reminiscences and inspiration from a popular gospel and country singer.

My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir Clarence Thomas – The Supreme Court justice relates the journey of his life, from rural Georgia to Washington, D.C.

One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life—A Story of Race and Family Secrets Bliss Broyard – Shortly before his death, literary critic Anatole Broyard revealed to his grown children that he was black and that his parents had resorted to “passing” in order to get work.

Out of the Frying Pan: A Chef’s Memoir of Hot Kitchens, Single Motherhood, and the Family Meal Gillian Clark – A memoir of a chef’s rise from beginner to a top chef, replete with recipes.

The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy – No one has ever been in a position to see the presidents, and the presidency, so intimately, over so many years as the well known evangelist.

Sage-ing While Age-ing Shirley MacLaine – The noted actress reviews her life and sees the powerful force of synchronicity at work around her.

Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography David Michaelis – The first biography of the brilliant, unseen man behind Peanuts.

A Skating Life Dorothy Hamill – The Olympic gold medal winner reviews her life on and of the ice.

Song Without Words: The Photographs & Diaries of Countess Sophia Tolstoy Leah Bendavid-Val – A collection of photographs and diary entries from a remarkable woman and the wife of Leo Tolstoy.

Touch and Go: A Memoir Studs Terkel – At the age of 95, the writer who has written about so many other people, reviews the highlights of his own life.

Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me Pattie Boyd – The rock and roll muse to two exceptionally famous rock stars tells her side of the story.

More New DVDs – December 2007

Richelle

Absolute Power
A professional thief witnesses a murder that puts his life in jeopardy when his existence becomes known. Cast: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris. Rated R

An Affair to Remember
A shipboard romance conflicts with prior engagements. The lovers (Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr) postpone their affair and plan to meet later under different circumstances. Rated PG

Batman and Robin
Super heroes Batman and Robin are joined by Batgirl in their fight to save the human race from destruction at the hands of Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy. Cast: George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris O’Donnell, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone, Elle MacPherson. Rated PG-13

Batman Forever
Batman befriends an acrobat whose family is killed in a tragic circus accident. The young man joins Gotham City’s crime fighter as Robin and together they do battle against Two Face and The Riddler. Cast: Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O’Donnell. Rated PG-13

The Bible: Esther
A dramatization of the story of Esther, Queen of Persia. Cast: Louise Lombard, F. Murray Abraham, Jurgen Prochnow, Thomas Kretschmann. Not Rated

The Bible: Genesis
A dramatization of the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Noah and the flood. Not Rated

The Bible: Jeremiah
A dramatization of the story of the Biblical prophet Jeremiah. Cast: Patrick Dempsey, Klaus Maria Barndauer. Not Rated

The Bible: Solomon
A dramatization of the story of Solomon, King of Israel. Cast: Ben Cross, Vivica A. Fox, David Suchet, G.W. Bailey, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Anouk Aimee, Max Von Sydow. Not Rated

The Camden 28
In Camden, New Jersey, a group of 28 Vietnam War protesters plan to break into a local draft board office and destroy records during the summer of 1971. Little do they know that a mole has been planted in their group. Not Rated

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
This film presents an authentic account of the Vietnam War taken from the letters of the men and women who served over there. This film includes newsreel and home-movie footage shot by the servicemen themselves. Rated PG-13

Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower
In this docudrama the Pilgrims story is explored including: their self-imposed exile in Holland, their crossing of the Atlantic, their first year in the new world and how they came to live and prosper in an unfamiliar land.

The Devil’s Advocate
Hotshot attorney Kevin Lomax’s 64-0 case record has brought him a tempting offer from an elite New York firm. But the job Lomax accepts isn’t what it seems. Cast: Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Judith Ivey. Rated R

Dexter: The First Season
Dexter Morgan is a Miami police forensics expert who moonlights as a serial killer of criminals who he believes have escaped justice. From Showtime and based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. Not Rated

Die Hard
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Die Hard with a Vengeance
Bruce Willis stars as New York cop, John McClane in this series of action films. All Rated R

The French Revolution
This History Channel documentary uses a combination of reenactment, commentary from scholars, and narration, to explores the turbulent years of the French Revolution. Not Rated

The Good The Bad and The Ugly
A bounty hunter, a crook, and an Army sergeant scramble to find a fortune in gold hidden in a coffin. Their uneasy alliance is tested by the vicissitudes of war. Cast: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffre. Rated R

High Society
In this sophisticated musical comedy, the society wedding of the beautiful Tracy Lord is being arranged in Newport, R.I. Her ex-husband arrives to try to win her back. Cast: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, Louis Armstrong and his Band. Not Rated

I Claudius
The BBC award-winning dramatization of Robert Graves’ version of the times of the Roman Empire from Augustus to Claudius told through the dying Claudius (Derek Jacobi) as he sets down the history of his family. Not Rated

Lilies
In this BBC TV production, Iris, May, and Ruby are sisters living in post-WWi Liverpool, struggling through poverty, passions, and profound disappointments. Not Rated

Man From Earth
John Billingsley, William Katt, Ellen Crawford and Tony Todd co-star in this provocative final work by Jerome Bixby, renowned as one of the greatest science-fiction authors of all time. Not Rated

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
A small town tuba player (Gary Cooper) inherits a fortune. When he wants to give it to the needy, a pack of greedy relatives and lawyers attempts to have him declared insane. Not Rated

My Best Friend’s Wedding
When her best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) announces he’s getting married, Julianne (Julia Roberts) realizes she loves him, and plots to stop the wedding. Rated PG-13

Night Shift
A wimpy morgue attendant (Henry Winkler) is drawn into the wild schemes of his co-worker (Michael Keaton). The pair turn the morgue into a nighttime brothel. Rated R

Prime Suspect: The Last Witness
In the sixth installment of the series, Tennison (Helen Mirren) is ripe for retirement in the eyes of some, but is still up for a fight, and she’ll need all the energy she can muster when she takes on the British government in search of a sadistic killer with a guilty past. Not Rated

Project Runway: The Complete Third Season
International supermodel Heidi Klum returns as hostess with a glamorous panel of celebrities and fashion icons in search of the next great fashion designer. Rated TV-14

Rome: The Complete First Season
This HBO saga is set during the last years of Julius Caesar’s reign, and centered on two Roman soldiers and their families. Cast: Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kenneth Cranham, Ciaran Hinds. Rated TV-MA

Sabrina
A remake of the classic romance about two wealthy brothers — one a playboy, the other a solid, hard working businessman — who both fall in love with the chauffeur’s daughter. Cast: Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond, Greg Kinnear, John Wood, Nancy Marchand, Richard Crenna, Angie Dickinson, Lauren Holly. Rated PG

The Sacketts
Louis L’Amour’s epic western saga of brothers who blazed a name across the untamed post-Civil War New Mexico frontier. Cast: Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Glenn Ford, Jack Elam, Slim Pickens. Not Rated

The Simpsons Movie
Homer must save the world from a catastrophe he himself created. Rated PG-13

Smart Travels Europe with Rudy Maxa Switzerland and the Alps, Christmas in Switzerland.
American Public Television’s travel host Rudy Maxa takes a video journey to this beautiful and mountainous country.

The Sopranos: the Complete First Season
HBO’s modern day morality tale about New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfino), as he deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life. Rated TV-MA

Stardust
In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. An all star cast features: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Rupert Everett, Peter O’Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro. Rated PG-13

Superbad
Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry. Rated R

Trading Places
Two wealthy investors pit heredity against environment when they switch the roles of a young preppie floor trader and an uneducated street hustler. Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Jamie Lee Curtis. Rated R

Undeclared: The Complete Series
College life as seen through the eyes of Steven Karp, a freshman determined to reinvent himself at a new school. Not Rated

While You Were Sleeping
A young woman saves the life of a stranger she has fallen in love with from afar and then meets and falls in love with her make-believe lover’s brother. Cast: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden. Rated PG

WKRP in Cincinnati: The Complete First Season
Join WKRP’s hilarious staff–both on and off the air as they take their floundering station from hard times to hard rock. Not Rated

New DVDs – December 2007

Richelle

Alias: The Complete Fourth Season
When Sydney (Jennifer Garner) leaves the CIA to join a powerful new Black Ops unit, she has no idea of the reunion in store for her.

Alias: The Complete Fifth Season
Secret agent Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) returns to settle the score once and for all.

Amazing Grace
Based on the life of William Wilberforce and his perseverance to pass a law ending the slave trade in the late 18th century and the people who pushed him to pursue it to the end. Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Ciaran Hinds, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, Albert Finney. Rated PG

Book of Stars
A story about the relationship between two sisters, Mary, a terminally ill but resilient 16-year old and Penny, a jaded ex-poet who doesn’t believe in her sister’s magical vision of life. It’s up to Mary to believe for both of them. Cast: Mary Stuart Masterson, Jena Malone, Karl Geary, D.B. Sweeney, Delroy Lindo. Not Rated

The Bourne Ultimatum
Bourne (Matt Damon) races to discover the final mysteries of his past while a government agent tries to track him down after a shootout in Moscow. Rated PG-13

The Christmas Blessing
A young doctor (Neil Patrick Harris) encounters romance and deals with his past when he returns to his hometown during the holidays. Not Rated

A Christmas Memory
In this adaptation of Truman Capote’s short story, a young boy who was abandoned by his parents is raised by some older unmarried cousins. Cast: Patty Duke, Piper Laurie, Jeffrey Demunn, Anita Gilette, Eric Lloyd. Not Rated

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
The widow McDowell and her seven-year-old son Thomas ask the gruff Jonathan Toomey, the best wood-carver in the valley, to carve the figures for a Christmas creche. Not Rated

The Christmas Shoes
A workaholic attorney (Rob Lowe) crosses paths with a young boy on Christmas Eve and rediscovers the true meaning of love, life, and the holiday season. Not Rated

Criminal Minds: The First Season
Join an elite team of FBI profilers as they analyze the country’s most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they can strike again. Cast: Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Lola Glaudini, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler. Not Rated

Deck the Halls
Two neighbors (Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito) go to war when one of them decides to decorate his house with so many Christmas lights that they are visible from space. Rated PG

Grey’s Anatomy: Season Three
A drama centered on the personal and professional lives of surgical interns and their supervisors at Seattle Grace Hospital.

Hairspray
A plump teenager girl teaches 1960s Baltimore about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. Cast: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden. Rated PG

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Young Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) turns 15, and along with adolescence come changes, including his first major crush. Rated PG-13

Hidden Blessings
A female detective investigates the murder of the wife of a prominent architect. Even though the husband is the prime suspect of this seemingly open and shut case, the detective finds herself hopelessly falling in love with him. Not Rated

High School Musical 2 Extended Edition
During the summer vacations a talent show is organized in a local country club and Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad and Taylor take part in it. Rated TV G

The House Without a Christmas Tree
A young Nebraskan girl named Addie wants nothing more for the holidays than a Christmas tree. Her bitter, widowed father (Jason Robards) refuses, but slowly learns the spirit of the season. Not Rated

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Two Brooklyn firefighters (Kevin James & Adam Sandler) pretend to be gay so that they can receive domestic partner benefits. Rated PG-13

In the Land of Women
Heartbroken and depressed, Carter (Adam Brody) escapes L.A. to suburban Michigan to care for his sick grandmother. Rated PG-13

J.K. Rowling & the Birth of Harry Potter
This biographical film offers an insight into the author’s “rags to riches” story, exploring Rowling’s meteoric rise to fame as well as the people and places that shaped her as an author.  Not Rated

Jack Frost
A dead man’s spirit returns to his family in the form of a snowman. Cast: Michael Keaton and Kelly Preston. Rated PG

Live Free or Die Hard
John McClane (Bruce Willis) is back to take on an Internet-based terrorist organization who is systematically shutting down the United States. Rated PG-13

Lonely Hearts
A murderous couple finds their victims by answering personals ads in the newspaper. Resourceful detectives attempt to track them down. Cast: John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Scott Caan, Alice Krige, Laura Dern. Rated R

Lord of the Flies
Adaptation of William Golding’s novel about a group of English boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island. Without adult control, the boys regress to savagery. Rated R

Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon
Tom Hanks narrates this IMAX film that transports you to the lunar surface, where you can walk alongside the 12 extraordinary astronauts who have been there, experiencing what they saw, heard, and felt. Not Rated

Mr Bean’s Holiday: Disaster is Just a Small Step Away
Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) wins a trip to Cannes where he unwittingly separates a young boy from his father and must help the two come back together. Rated PG

Midsomer Murders: Set 9
The cozy villages of Midsomer County reveal their most sinister secrets in these British mysteries based on the novels of Caroline Graham and originally broadcast on A&E TV. Not Rated

The Namesake
The son of Indian immigrants born in America wants to fit in with fellow New Yorkers, but his family is unwilling to let go of their traditional ways. Based on the book by Jhumpa Lahiri. Rated PG-13

Neverwas
A psychiatrist (Aaron Eckhart) leaves an academic career behind to work at an institution where his novelist father lived before writing a renowned children’s book. Acclimating to his position, he befriends a schizophrenic man who helps him discover the book’s secrets. Rated PG-13

Ocean’s Thirteen
Danny Ocean and his band of thieves return, this time teaming up with their old nemesis, Terry Benedict. Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, Bernie Mac, Al Pacino, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Ellen Barkin, Andy Garcia. Rated PG-13

Pathfinder
A Viking boy is raised by Native Americans and becomes a hero when his tribe fights the Norsemen. Rated R

The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
A demented doctor kidnaps an opera singer so that he can turn her into a mechanical nightingale. Not Rated

Pirates of the Caribbean at World’s End
Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann and Captain Barbossa must sail off the edge of the map, navigate treachery and betrayal, and make their final alliances for one last decisive battle.
Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgård, Bill Nighy, Chow Yun-Fat, Geoffrey Rush. Rated PG-13

Pittsburgh
Actor Jeff Goldblum stars in this fly-on-the-wall mockumentary in which he plays himself taking a career hit by playing Harold Hill in a regional theatre production of The Music Man. Not Rated

Planet Earth: the Complete Series
This BBC production presents footage from diverse parts of the earth, showing a variety of creatures in their natural habitats. Narrated by David Attenborough. Not Rated

Ratatouille
In this animated feature, a rodent with a fondness for good food moves to Paris in order to pursue his dream of becoming a great chef. Rated G

Rescue Dawn
Director Werner Herzog’s film about Dieter Dengler, a German pilot (Christian Bale) who joins the U.S. military, fights in Vietnam, and is captured by Vietcong guerillas. Based upon his documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Rated PG-13

Russian Bride
Natasha finds a new life through an Internet marriage agency, but her dreams are shattered in an abusive household. Rated R

Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Santa (Tim Allen) tries to juggle his family life with stopping Jack Frost, a cold foe who wants to put an end to Christmas. Rated G

The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton
The BBC-TV production based on the life of Isabella Beeton, author of Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management and the most famous cookbook author in British history. Isabella was an accomplished business woman who couldn’t cook but ended up producing the world’s most famous recipe book. Not Rated

Severance
A team-building weekend in the mountains of Eastern Europe goes horribly wrong for the sales division of a multinational arms manufacturer. Rated R

Shrek The Third
King Shrek? Not if he can help it. When his father-in-law dies, Shrek does everything he can to stay out of the castle and stay in the swamp. Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz reprise their roles in this animated feature. Rated PG

Sicko
Filmmaker Michael Moore is back with a comedy about the state of the health care system the U.S. Rated PG-13

Slow Burn
A district attorney (Ray Liotta) is involved in a 24-hour showdown with a gang leader (LL Cool J) and is, at the same time, being manipulated by an attractive assistant district attorney (Jolene Blalock) and a cryptic stranger. Rated R

Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Four men, dressed in identical garb, separate a car from a subway train and demand that New York City pay them one million dollars in ransom. Cast: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo. Rated R

Tara Road
Two women (Andie MacDowell and Brenda Fricker), one American and one Irish, agree to a two-month house exchange in order to find healing and strength through new surroundings and the kindness of others. Rated PG

To Market To Market To Buy a Fat Pig
A celebration of market houses, market places, and farmers’ markets across the United States. Rick Sebak checks out crab cakes in Baltimore’s Lexington market, shops with a chef in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty Farmers’ Market, and more. Not Rated

Transformers
Dueling alien races, the Autobots and the Decepticons, bring their battle to Earth, leaving the future of humankind hanging in the balance. Rated PG-13

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
Set during the Great Depression, a 12-year-old girl is sent to live with her Aunt in the country where she enlists the town’s dogs into a colorful holiday pageant that reminds the inhabitants that even the hard times can’t ruin the magical spirit of Christmas. Rated G

The Up Series
A series of six films that, every seven years, visits fourteen individuals from different parts of England to examine the current state of their lives. The first film shows them at age 7; the sixth revisits twelve of the original at 42 in 1998. Not Rated

Vacancy
A couple (Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale) stranded at an isolated motel realize they are in the middle of horror film. Rated R

Waitress
When Jenna, a waitress in a cheery southern diner, discovers that she’s pregnant, she doesn’t exactly jump for joy. Cast: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelly, Eddie Jemison, Jeremy Sisto, Andy Griffith. Rated PG-13

The War: A Ken Burns Film
Tells the story of ordinary people in four quintessentially American towns – Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California; and Luverne, Minnesota – and examines the ways in which the Second World War touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America. Not Rated

You Kill Me
A hit-man (Ben Kingsley) trying to turn his life around gets a job in a mortuary, where he meets a woman who is a relative of one his hits. Rated R