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30th Anniversary Films! Hello 1987!

by manz

This summer marks the 30th anniversary of some of your favorite classic films, including such 80s gems as The Lost Boys, Spaceballs, and Dirty Dancing.

In 1987 the hair was still high, as were the waistlines on those acid wash jeans. We were sporting Keds, neon everything, and a little bit of Jane Fonda spandex, as we listened to Whitney Houston, Madonna, and U2. If you really want to go back to 1987, here’s an article with some images that will get you back to the people, places, and events that defined that time.

But onto the films…
In June we were graced with the oddball sci-fi comedy Spaceballs, starring John Candy, Rick Moranis, and Bill Pullman. The film spoofs sci-fi classics like Star Wars and Star Trek. It takes place in a galaxy far away and features a dark lord, a princess, a half-man/half-dog, a rescue mission, and plenty of laughs.

In June we got darker and were raided by vampires in The Lost Boys. In the horror-comedy two brothers move to a new town in California with their single mom and soon encounter vampires. With young Sam and his new friends leading the way, they have to escape the vampires and stay alive. The film stars Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman (THE COREYS!), and Dianne Wiest, in a most glorious display of brooding 80s music and fashion. Any film with Kiefer as a bad guy is good by me!

Last but not least, in August of 1987 things got dirty, thanks to Patrick Swayze and Dirty Dancing. "Baby" spends the summer in the Catskills at a resort with her parents, where she soon meets and falls for a dance instructor. It’s a campy romantic comedy featuring an iconic dance scene, and Patrick Swayze doing his thing. Also starring Jennifer Gray.

And there we go -- three of many that came out in 1987. Which one do you gravitate to the most? For me it’s definitely The Lost Boys.

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Blog Post

"Bonnie and Clyde" Turns 50

by katrina.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of “Bonnie and Clyde,” a film that introduced a new generation's sensibility to Hollywood and influenced generations of filmmakers to come. “Bonnie and Clyde,” based on a real life couple, follows waitress Bonnie and ex-con Clyde as they road trip across America robbing banks. The film’s success, including a nomination for Best Picture, helped pivot Hollywood from musicals and more family friendly fare, to increasingly experimental and French New Wave inspired filmmaking that captured the tension of the time period.

You can check out Bonnie and Clyde on DVD, or Blu-Ray.

If you want to learn about the making of the film and how it changed American cinema you can read Mark Harris’ ”Pictures at a revolution : five movies and the birth of the new Hollywood.”

Or if you want to know more about the real life Bonnie and Clyde you can check out “Go down together : the true, untold story of Bonnie and Clyde,” “Bonnie and Clyde : the lives behind the legend,” or “The strange history of Bonnie and Clyde.”

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Lynch After Dark at The Michigan Theater

by manz

As a tribute to David Lynch and to celebrate the return of Twin Peaks, the Michigan Theater is showing several of Lynch's films on Thursday nights during the month of August for its Lynch After Dark series. It all starts tonight with Eraserhead. Then continues on 8/10 with Dune, on 8/17 with Blue Velvet, on 8/24 with Wild At Heart, and ends on 8/31 with Lost Highway. How cool is that?! The theater has done some really great series over the years, and I'm really excited that they've decided to embrace a little Lynch this summer. His films are even better on the big screen, so check out the line-up with film descriptions and be ready for weird.

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50th Anniversary of The Outsiders

by manz

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the novel The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, which she started to write at the age of 15. Fifty years, and never out of print, the book is still relevant and read today, touching many generations.

It’s a coming of age tale narrated by Ponyboy, a teen living in small town Oklahoma with his two brothers. Living on the poor side of town and known as Greasers, they and their friends face daily run-ins with the kids from the other side of town – the Socs.

In 1983 a film version of The Outsiders directed by Francis Ford Coppola was released, starring many up and coming young actors who got their break in the film. In 2005 a new version of the film was released, which includes additional scenes that add to the story. The intense behind-the-scenes casting process also included is priceless.

Reading and watching as a kid in the 80s, it was one of the first films and books that had a profound effect on me.

Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold.

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Happy Birthday Gustav Klimt!

by PhoebeH

Today is artist Gustav Klimt’s 155th birthday! What better way to celebrate, than to appreciate some of his incredible work. We have a selection of his paintings in our art print collection available to check out, including my favorite, and one of his most popular pieces, The Kiss. The Kiss is a glowing portrait of two lovers in a tight embrace, painted using oil paints and layers of gold leaf - actual gold that has been hammered down into thin, delicate sheets used for gilding.

Also available for check out is The Woman in Gold, a 2014 film starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds, that tells the story of Klimt’s famous Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which was stolen by Nazi’s during the second World War, and Adele's niece, Maria Altmann's decade long fight to reclaim the precious artwork. To read more about the true story, you can check out The Lady in Gold, or for a fictionalized version, be sure to read the novel Stolen Beauty.

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Blog Post

A Plastic Ocean

by ballybeg

No water, no life. No blue, no green. Sylvia Earle

Scientists used to think that the oceans are so large that we could never entirely pollute them. How could we possibly fill two thirds of the entire planet’s surface with garbage and toxic waste?

Well, it is happening. You might say it has happened. The documentary, A Plastic Ocean, brings together an international team of scientists, researchers and filmmakers, to reveal a situation that is urgent and heart-breaking, but is not too late to change. The film is beautiful and horrifying at the same time.

Plastic never breaks down; you probably realize this. The ultraviolet rays of the sun, however, break it up. The oceans are filling with small pieces of plastic which are everywhere, even in the cleanest waters left on the planet, which are around the island of Tasmania. Scientists estimate there are 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the oceans. These tiny pieces of plastic are confusing seabirds and sea mammals alike, and they are eating them. You can imagine what happens next. If you can’t imagine it, the documentary makes it clear.

Not every community puts out their plastic on the curb every week to be picked up and recycled. Only a small amount of waste plastic is recycled at all. Island communities in the south Pacific, and poor communities in the Philippines and other Asian countries, are awash with discarded plastic garbage, which fills the beaches and rivers and is carried out into the oceans. Five countries create more plastic waste in the ocean than the rest of the world together. Something can be done about this.

A Plastic Ocean reveals the problem, but also suggests solutions. Ultimately, solutions depend upon the cooperation, support, and sacrifice of everyone. The first thing is to inform ourselves, and understand the nature and extent of the problem, and this film is a good place to start. Then, we have to make different choices.

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PreK Bits - "N" is for NEIGHBORHOOD

by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel told neighborhood stories in Preschool Storytime.
The BIG ORANGE SPLOT is a classic by Daniel Pinkwater about how folks feel about their houses.
GOLLY GUMP SWALLOWED A FLY by Joanna Cole must be borrowed through MelCat. It is a silly fantastical story about a rural boy who keeps swallowing things in his neighborhood, which is his farm.
A similar story is I KNOW AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY. Then there is the song “I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” which is sung on the
DVD The WHEELS ON The BUS: And More Singalong favorites and on the
CD TOM GLAZER SINGS HONK-HISS-TWEET-GGGGGG and Other Children’s Favorites.
For clapping action and rhyme we did “Dr. Knickerbocker” and got the rhythm going in different parts of the body. You can find versions of this rhyme on the
CD SINGING ALL The WAY HOME and the
CD LITTLE PEOPLE COUNTING SONGS.

For more NEIGHBORHOOD stories try these favorites:
SUGAR HILL: Harlem’s Historic Neighborhood … an historic neighborhood.
MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL: How Art Transformed A Neighborhood
A GOOD NIGHT WALK … around the neighborhood at dusk.
KNUFFLE BUNNY: A Cautionary Tale … of loss and reunion.
SOMETHING ABOUT HENSLEY’S … the neighborhood shop.
GREEN IS A CHILI PEPPER: A Book Of Colors ... through an hispanic neighborhood.
CHESTER’S WAY … a story about old friends and new friends in the neighborhood.

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Blog Post

Wonder Woman!!!

by PizzaPuppy

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The new Wonder Woman movie hits theaters today! This demigoddess, superhero and warrior princess has been delighting audiences since 1941 and has had a huge cultural impact across the globe. We have TONS of Wonder Woman materials for all age groups here at AADL to help you celebrate Princess Diana of Themyscira's first feature length movie.

The Secret History of Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman Unbound both give us an in-depth look at the history of Wonder Woman and her impact on popular culture throughout the years.

Although this is her first foray into the world of feature films, Wonder Woman has previously graced the screen in many different TV shows and movies. There are several animated movies, including the 2017 Wonder Woman film and the 2008 Wonder Woman film. The Wonder Woman TV series ran for three years (Seasons 2 and 3 are available here at AADL as well). Wonder Woman has also been featured in many Justice League and Super Friends films and television shows, as well as her cameo in the recent Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice movie (played by Gal Gadot in the cameo as well as in the newly released movie).

We have tons of Wonder Woman materials for kids! There is a lengthy Wonder Woman chapter book series, with titles like The Fruit of All Evil, Creature of Chaos, and Trial of the Amazons, and a graphic novel called DC Super Hero Girls: Hits and Myths. We have stand-alone chapter books like Amazon Warrior and Wonder Woman vs. Circe. Younger readers may enjoy the Readers Wonder Woman to the Rescue and Warrior for Justice, while babies may enjoy the DC Super Friends Lift-the-Flap book. The DC Super Hero Girls movie: Hero of the Year features Wonder Woman as well.

Teens will want to take a look at the Superman/Wonder Woman series (with Vol 2, Vol 3 and Vol 4). Our most recent additions include The Legend of Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League America Vol. 1, Wonder Woman by Mike Deodato, and Wonder Woman Vol. 1 by Greg Rucka. Other teen titles include The Hiketeia, The True Amazon, Down to Earth, The Circle, and Bitter Rivals.

Adults have plenty to choose from as well, with many of the titles released recently, such as Wonder Woman: Vol 1 The Lies and Wonder Woman, Earth One Vol 1. We have the full series by Brian Azzarello, comprised of Vol 1: Blood, Vol 2: Guts, Vol 3: Iron, Vol 4: War, Vol 5: Flesh, and Vol 6: Bones. Older series on hand at AADL include Wonder Woman: Odyssey Vol 1 and Love and Murder.

For more awesome Wonder Woman materials, take a look at this public list.

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Blog Post

Life in the Extreme North

by Lucy S

Warner Herzog’s 2013 Happy people: a year in the Taiga is “a stunning documentary about the life of indigenous people living in the heart of the Siberian Taiga. Deep in the wilderness, far away from civilization, 300 people inhabit the small village of Bakhtia at the river Yenisei. There are only two ways to reach this outpost: by helicopter or boat. There's no telephone, running water or medical aid. The locals, whose daily routines have barely changed over the last centuries, live according to their own values and cultural traditions.” (from Music Box Films)

For the people inhabiting the village of Bakhtia in the boreal forest, The Taiga, life has been much the same for centuries. The customs, rituals, and rules followed today have scarcely changed. Industry is the driving force here in this vast expanse of Siberia, where most of the men are trappers. This documentary follows one of these trappers, Gennady, through an entire year to show us how each moment of his hours and days is filled with tasks that build upon each other to create a very simple, but very busy life. Herzog narrates this journey, but the footage used is from a series created for Russian television by Dmitry Vasyukov. It is Herzog, through his narration, who ascribes to the trappers the title of “happy people,” as he reflects on their time spent in almost complete solitude during the trapping season in the Siberian winter. But in hearing Gennady, who says, “You enjoy the beauty of nature, and you do your job at the same time. That’s why they all end up being hunters because hunting brings you closer to the taiga than anything else,” we realize that for these men, a life hewing this close to the natural order of the world does indeed bring happiness.

We hear frequently from Gennady throughout this film as he imparts much wisdom on the life of a trapper in the Taiga, detailing the solitude, the importance of a good hunting dog, interspersed with grim stories of survival. We are taught how integral to the seasons this way of life is, and how methods for trapping have not changed because they don’t have to. The best traps are the same primitive, yet sophisticated traps that have been used for generations, and will likely be used for generations to come. Herzog and Vasyukov have created something modest yet beautiful with this collaboration, a reflection of people of the Taiga, and well worth watching.

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Blog Post

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie!

by PizzaPuppy

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie hits theaters tomorrow, marking another entry in a long series spanning 20 years. The movie follows the plot of the first book, in which 4th grade pranksters Harold and George accidentally hypnotize their mean principal Mr. Krupp into thinking he is the hero of their hand drawn comic books: Captain Underpants. As the new Captain Underpants rushes around town fighting crime, the boys follow him hoping to revert him back to his previous self and finding hilarious adventures along the way.

The Captain Underpants book series includes the original Captain Underpants (now in color!), as well as 11 sequels, including Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets, Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman, Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers, and the latest in the series: Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot. The entire Captain Underpants book series can be found here.

With the new movie coming out, AADL has added several new books to the collection, including the Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Official Handbook and Wacky Word Wedgies and Flushable Fill-Ins.

There are several Captain Underpants activity books available through MeLCat, including the Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book of Fun and The All New Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book of Fun 2.

The Captain Underpants series has also inspired several spin-offs, all said to be written by the main characters of the Captain Underpants books: Harold and George. These include The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby (available through MeLCat), The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, and Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers. More recently, author Dav Pilkey has created the Dog Man series (based on more of Harold and George's comics), starting with Dog Man and continuing with Dog Man Unleashed and Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (due to be released on August 29th, 2017).

Dav Pilkey is also the author of a series of similarly styled books that do not share the Captain Underpants universe. His Ricky Ricotta series follows the adventures of a mouse and his giant robot, beginning with Ricky Ricotta's Giant Robot: An Adventure Novel and continuing with 8 sequels, including Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Naughty Nightcrawlers from Neptune and Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Unpleasant Penguins from Pluto. A public list of the books in the Ricky Ricotta series is available here.

If you've already exhausted all of these titles, take a look at this public list for more fun suggestions.