As technology changes the library tries to keep up with new types of media.  We are curious to know what technology our patrons are using to watch movies.  Please take our 5 question survey to let us know if you prefer VHS, DVD, or Blu-ray for your movie viewing at home.

The survey is available here.

The inspiring film based on a true story, Invictus tells of the tale of a fractured country brought together by the love of a sport.  Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandella and Matt Damon plays Francois Pienaar, the captain of the South African national rugby team.  The hosts for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, South Africa faces many changes as they recover from years of apartheid.  Newly-elected President Mandela forms a plan to  change the all-white rugby team to fully represent the people of the country; and in doing so, galvanize their spirits and encourage South Africans to unite.  This heartwarming film will appeal to all sports fans  and anyone who appreciates a good story played by very talented actors. Invictus will be released on DVD on Tuesday, May 18.

What happens when you put the most world’s most beautiful and talented actresses together in one movie?  You get a fantastic eye-popping extravaganza!  Nine is based on the Tony-award winning musical which, in turn, was based on Fellini’s classic autobiographical film 8 1/2 .  With an all-star cast featuring Daniel Day Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman,  Sophia Loren, and Judi Dench.this film is sure to please any musical theater fan.  The story features the character of a filmmaker who is trying to complete his latest movie while balancing his relationships with his mother, wife, mistress, and muse.

Nine will be released on DVD on May 4th and the soundtrack is already available here at the library.

Ladies and gentlemen, step right up for your chance to see a whimsical, wonderful, and strange movie.  The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame, stars acting giants Christopher Plummer, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell.  The titular Dr. Parnassus is over a thousand years old because he made a deal with the devil (played wonderfully by Tom Waits).  Living life on the fringe of society, the Doctor plays the lead role in a sideshow caravan along with his daughter, a dwarf, and an earnest young actor.  A deadline approaches and a hanging man is found, forming events that send the troupe into an unusual adventure.  The DVD will be released on Tuesday, April 27^th.

Academy Award-winning film, The Young Victoria, stars Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The story begins in the years prior to Victoria taking the throne, at an age we rarely picture this historic character.  Raised in a gilded cage, Victoria leads a lonely life until she meets her politically-arranged suitor, Prince Albert of Belgium.  Despite the formality of the scripted first meeting, the two fall and love and the rest is…history.  The Young Victoria comes out on DVD on Tuesday, April 20.

Jeff Bridges won the hearts of the nation as well as the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role of Bad Blake in Crazy Heart.  This film tells the story of a down and out country music star who tries to have a new beginning with a younger woman.  Maggie Gyllenthal co-stars, along with Robert Duvall and Colin Farrell in this well-acted, well-directed, and all around good movie.  The DVD will be released on Tuesday, April 20th.

The Blind Side comes out on DVD today!  Everyone who has seen this movie enthusiastically recommends it.  Starring Sandra Bullock, who won an Academy Award for her role, this feel-good movie will make you cry from start to finish.  The movie,  based on actual events, tells the story of a homeless teen who was taken in by an affluent suburban family.  With the help of the family, the hopeless young man flourished into a talented football player.  Sports fan and drama fans alike will fall for this touchdown of a movie!

Coco Before Chanel was released on DVD this week.  Starring Audrey Tatou (of Amelie fame), this film details the life of Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel beginning with her childhood in an orphanage.  First skirting society by being a singer in a nightclub, Coco later developed relationships with wealthy friends and lovers.  This fascinating film reveals the origins of Coco’s fashion sense as a young woman and how her personal style changed the way women dressed.  This film is in French with English subtitles.

Well folks, the 82nd Annual Academy Award nominations are in!  For a full list check out the official Oscar website.  Of course the library owns all of the titles nominated for Best Picture that are available on DVD such as:

District 9

The Hurt Locker

Inglorious Basterds

Up

Many of you have been asking if we will hold an Oscar Ballot contest again this year.  Of course we are!  We are currently preparing the ballot sheets and dusting off the ballot box.  The contest will be set up by the Circulation Desk by the end of the week.  Good luck selecting the winners!

Last week, YouTube announced a partnership with Sundance Film Festival.  For the duration of the festival (January 22 to Jan 31) customers can rent five of the films featured at the festival for $3.99 and watch them online through YouTube.  Here is a quick demo video produced by YouTube about how the process works.

Downloading movies seems to be the way of the future and may eventually replace the production of physical copies of movies.   But until we reach that point, the library will carry DVDs of films featured at the Sundance Film Festival.