Saturday, October 22, 2011

Warner Bros. delaying DVD releases to libraries

Warner Bros. announced last week that they will not distribute their theatrical DVD titles to libraries until 28 days after their release dates. Additionally, the copies sent to libraries will not have any extras or bonus features. Read more about these changes at Library Journal.

Here are upcoming DVDs that will be affected by this policy:

Crazy, Stupid, Love: November 1 DVD release date; available to libraries November 28.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: November 11 DVD release date; available to libraries December 9.
The Hangover Part II: December 6 DVD release date; available to libraries January 3.

Angry? Upset? Confused? Contact Warner Home Video:
Phone: 888-383-9483
Online: Warner Customer Service

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Voice-over Theory

I have a running discussion with a friend that many television shows we like are voiced-over. So, we've developed this completely unscientific theory that television shows with voice-overs are usually good (note that I said "usually"). I find that they add something useful to the show and they can be integral to the story. For example, Arrested Development relies heavily on Ron Howard's voice-over because quite a bit of the story is told through it and it's funny. Other times the voice-over adds to the viewers understanding of the character's psychology such as Dead Like Me, Dexter and Veronica Mars. Burn Notice does a bit of psychology mixed in with how-tos: Michael details how to make a bomb MacGuyver-style or how he will coax a villain out of hiding (you never know when this stuff might come in handy...).

This list isn't exhaustive, but what I could remember having memorable voice-overs. Please let me know in the comments of other shows that you'd put in this category.
Arrested Development Find it in the catalog!
Burn Notice Find it in the catalog!
Dead Like Me Find it in the catalog!
Dexter Find it in the catalog!
Veronica Mars Find it in the catalog!
Wonderfalls Find it in the catalog!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Dress up as your favorite pop culture character this Halloween

Glee
Puck, Sue Slyvester or a Cherrio from Walmart

True Blood
Sookie Stackhouse: Merlotte's waitress uniform from hbo.com

Jason Stackhouse: Bon Temps football t-shirt from hbo.com

Eastbound & Down
Kenny Powers: mullet hat from hbo.com

The Hunger Games
bellasugar gives advice on creating your Katniss Everdeen costume. And Hunger Games fansite The Hob suggests possibilities for Katniss' "girl on fire" outfit. The Hob also includes posts on costumes for other characters, including the Tributes, Effie Trinket, and President Snow.

The Office
Dunder Mifflin warehouse employee costume and more at nbc.com.


Harry Potter
Find Harry Potter costumes for adults or Harry Potter costumes for kids at buyharrypottercostumes.com. Choose to be a character from the series, like Luna Lovegood (below), or be a Hogwarts student. You can check out Gryffindor/Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw/Slytherin house sweaters, ties, and accessories too.
The Simpsons
Homer, Marge, and Bart from Walmart
30 Rock
Liz Lemon: TGS hoodie from nbc.com.

Friday Night Lights
Panther Football or East Dillon Lions apparel from nbc.com.

Drive
Steady Clothing Inc. is producing replicas of the awesome scorpion jacket worn by Driver (Ryan Gosling) in the film, but they will not be available until November 11. You can always make your own... don't forget leather driving gloves and a toothpick for the corner of your mouth to complete your costume!

These are just a few fun costume ideas I found on the web. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Monday, October 17, 2011

Catch a movie at the library this week

This week we are showing two movies at the Dundee Public Library. Watch the hilarious comedy Bridesmaids (R) this Wednesday, October 19 at 6 PM. Co-written by and starring Kristen Wiig of Saturday Night Live, Bridesmaids also stars Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd, and scene stealer Melissa McCarthy.

And on Saturday, October 22 at 2 PM you can see the 1944 film National Velvet (G). National Velvet stars Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney, and is part of our series Film Classics: Starring Elizabeth Taylor.

Both films are shown in the downstairs Meeting Room, which opens 30 minutes prior to showtime. Free popcorn and refreshments are also available at all movies.