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Try the new Bookmyne iPhone app, available in iTunes.
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On Tuesday, May 8, Maurice Sendak, beloved children’s author and illustrator passed away at the age of 83. Although Where the Wild Things Are, Sendak’s most beloved book, was never a favorite of mine as a child (I preferred the rhyming stylings of Dr. Seuss and the collage art of Eric Carle), I do have fond memories of Max and the wild things. I’m sure most of us can probably recall a favorite book or character from either our own childhood or from reading out loud to a child.Picture books are an integral part of childhood. They introduce concepts and themes, visually stimulate the eye, and invite interaction between adult and child. It is not surprising that many of them have been the inspiration for films. A number of these picture books, like Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny and Don Freeman’s Corduroy, have been made into short films released through Scholastic Storybook Treasures and similar companies. Some, however, have been given the red carpet treatment and released in theaters. Either way, there is something magical about seeing a beloved picture book re-imagined on screen.
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When I was growing up, musicals were an important part of my movie education. I adored Mary Poppins, cried over Fiddler on the Roof, and spent many an afternoon daydreaming about a pair of ruby slippers. Then, during my teenage years, I discovered Singin’ in the Rain and fell in love. I watched that movie every single day for an entire week. There was just something so winsome and happy about it. Could life really be all that dreadful when people were bursting into song and dance numbers during a rainstorm?
When Moulin Rouge hit the silver screen in 2001, it reinvigorated a fading genre and ushered in a new age of movie musicals. Musicals over the past decade have been an eclectic mix of charming, timeless, quirky and irreverent, but each one draws its essence from the classic movie musicals of the mid-1900’s. The runaway success of a recent string of Disney musicals and hit TV shows like Glee and Smash means that the movie and TV musical has a new generation of eager viewers.
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In my last post, I wrote about HBO’s stunning high fantasy series Game of Thrones. I adore Game of Thrones and would firmly classify it as one of a kind, but I also have a long standing appreciation for supernatural television dramas. Filled with vampires, werewolves, magic, apparitions and other fantastical beings, supernatural dramas often create stories out of folklore, myth and urban legend. Television that falls within this genre can be whimsical, romantic, serious, or scary, but most all of them feature forces for good battling against evil.
If you’re in the mood for a supernatural TV series, browse the HCPL catalog and request a season today!
Kimberly’s Supernatural TV Picks:
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Stop by the library and create a paper butterfly! All butterflies will be donated to the Holocaust Museum Houston for an upcoming special exhibit honoring the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust. Craft stations with an assortment of supplies will be set up all day Thursday, April 12 outside the Children's area. All ages are invited to participate and donate a butterfly.For more information, call (832) 559-4200.
Flickr CC: catherine swan butterflies Photo by: ohh_food
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Last year, HBO premiered Game of Thrones, a new television series based on George R. R. Martin’s high fantasy series A Song of Fire and Ice. After a slow start, the show swept the fantasy world, garnering praise from critics and fans alike. This Sunday, Game of Thrones returns with its highly anticipated second season. I, for one, have been counting down for months, excited to see where the series leads. (I know, I know. If I had read the novels in the break between seasons, I wouldn’t be so anxious about what’s in store for the characters I love and loathe.
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St. Patrick’s Day, the day when everyone is just a little bit Irish, is just around the corner! Last year for St. Patrick’s Day, I blogged about movies produced, directed, written or acted by Irish citizens that showcase Ireland as it really is. This year I decided to take a more whimsical approach to the holiday: Movies with green in the title. Most of these movies have nothing to do with Ireland, but St. Patrick’s Day can always use an extra bit of green!
If you’re in the mood for a movie with a green title this St. Patrick’s Day, browse the HCPL catalog and request one. And don’t forget to wear green tomorrow!
Kimberly’s Movie Picks:
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Like many movie, fashion, and awards show fans, I spent last Sunday evening watching the Oscars. Voted on by the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscars are the crowning moment in a hotly contested awards season. Every year, I join a group of friends, fill out my ballot, cross my fingers and hope my favorites win. There is oohing and aahing over the dapper men and elegant women on the red carpet (and the inevitable gasps of horror when someone makes a fashion misstep), cheering when a favorite wins and frustration when they don’t. Last Sunday was no exception.
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Awards season is almost over! In my continuing coverage of the Academy Awards, this week’s post focuses on the actresses nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. So far this awards season, Supporting Actress has been dominated by crowd favorite Octavia Spencer, and Best Actress is shaping up to be a showdown between Viola Davis and the indomitable Meryl Streep. It will be interesting to see who ends up taking home the Oscar!
Best Actress
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With only one significant awards show left before the Academy Awards (the BAFTA Awards, which take place Sunday, February 12th), awards season is coming to a head. In my continuing coverage of the Academy Awards, this week’s post focuses on the actors nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. So far this awards season, Supporting Actor has been dominated by the seemingly unbeatable Christopher Plummer, and Best Actor is shaping up to be a showdown between crowd favorite George Clooney and newcomer Jean Dujardin. It will be interesting to see who ends up taking home the Oscar!Best Actor:
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It’s a new year: A time for new beginnings, big changes and the traditional New Year’s resolutions. The most common resolutions often involve creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether your goal is to get moving, lose weight, improve your health or enhance your quality of life, staying active is the key to success. But if you’re like me and find visiting the gym a time-consuming and slightly onerous experience, sticking to a work-out routine seems intimidating. Fortunately, there are DVD’s available for at-home use that cover nearly every form of exercise out there. From walking and dancing, to pilates and yoga, and everything in between, there is a DVD workout to suit almost anyone.If you’re looking for a new workout, browse the HCPL catalog and request a DVD today!
Biggest Loser
Biggest Loser: The Workout – 30-Day Jump Start
Biggest Loser: The Workout – At-Home Challenge
Biggest Loser: The Workout – Cardio Max