Spooky Movies!

As we inch closer and closer to Halloween the sun starts to go down sooner and the ghouls start to come out earlier. And as is the trend at many libraries around the country this is when horror movies start to rise in checkouts. So the staff here wanted to share with you some of our absolute favorites for the spooky movie season.

The Babadook (Chris' pick)

Amelia lives a strained lifestyle after losing her husband the day she gave birth to her son. He is troubled by imaginary monsters and behavioral outbursts that get him removed from school. One evening he has Amelia read him a haunting children's story book about Mr. Babadook, which ultimately consumes his fear. She denies it's real, but slowly is forced to question that and confront the dark entity from the story as it presses the limits of her sanity.

This film has a rough start because of some exceptional emotional acting from the two main characters, but it's incredible use of silence and darkness pushes the tension in this film so fiercely that I was literally at the edge of my seat for nearly the entirety of the film. To cause legitimate horror without jump scares is a rare feat these days and from one pivotal point a 3rd of the way into the movie, I was completely locked in and glued to the screen. Easily one of the scariest films I've seen in a number of years.

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (Jane's pick)

Ok, so I'm not a big scary movie or book person. In fact I don't read Stephen King novels and I haven't watched a horror movie in years. The last scary book I read on purpose was The Amityville Horror when it was first published.  That said, the very first, and probably last, scary movie I saw was The Ghost and Mr. Chicken which came out in the late 1960s. It’s really more comedy than horror, but at the time I thought it was very scary.

Don Knotts stars. His character works as a typesetter at a small-town newspaper and wants to be a full-fledged reporter. So he takes on the task of spending the night in the town’s haunted house. The situation allows many opportunities for Knotts to react to sight gags with the special brand of eye-popping nervousness that made him a star. This one is suitable for the whole family! Of course, there's a love interest and in the end Knotts solves the mystery of the haunted house and gets the girl!.Oh man, when that cobwebby, creepy organ started playing by itself I about jumped out of my skin! You would too!

The Omen (Chad's pick)

A secret cabal of Satanists strives to protect the Antichrist from being detected and their plans thwarted.  The Antichrist, Damien, is the adopted son of the American Ambassador to Great Britain, Robert Thorn.  At first Thorn refuses to believe his son is anything more than a little boy.  After several strange, ghastly deaths and mounting evidence, Thorn travels to Israel to meet with an expert on the Antichrist.  The tension in the final scenes escalates as the Satanists will do anything it takes to make sure no harm comes to Damien.

This movie is my one consistent go to after all these years.  There are many things about this that still makes it creepy.  Firstly, the soundtrack with its eerie sounding chant music sets the tone throughout.  The rest of the time the music is subdued enough to add a general air of impending horror.  The scene, which occurs within the first fifteen minutes of the movie, with the nanny at the birthday party, still sends shivers up my spine.  If you don’t know which one I’m talking about just watch the movie and you’ll never forget.

Storm of the Century (Gina's pick)

My favorite horror movie is actually a TV mini-series, Storm of the Century. Written by Stephen King, it is set in a small village in his home state of Maine during a major snowstorm. While all the townspeople are frantically scrambling for food and supplies to prepare for the storm, a stranger appears. 

He knows all the darkest secrets of the inhabitants, making them increasingly paranoid, and keeps repeating, "Give me what I want, and I'll go away." The suspense builds as the storm gets more intense and we all try to figure out what he wants, and if he will get it. The conclusion is shocking and quite disturbing.




Psycho (Maria's pick)

I'm not a huge of fan of horror, but I do love good suspense/thriller movies. I've recently become a Hitchcock fan, and I'm recommending the movie Psycho since it's the closest movie of his that could be considered horror. It's about a young secretary who steals $40,000 from her boss and runs away to meet up with her boyfriend. Trying to avoid the police, she travels on back roads and stops for the night at the Bates Motel and meets the polite but odd proprietor, Norman Bates.

I wouldn't say it's my favorite of the Hitchcock's films, but it's definitely the one that sticks with me and will never forget. So if you like a good classic and are in the mood to watch a good psychological thriller, this is perfect for you. And if you've never seen it, this is definitely a movie that everyone should watch at least once in their lifetime.

Arsenic and Old Lace (Patti's pick)

I also am not a big fan of horror films, but an all time favorite of mine is Arsenic and Old Lace. Cary Grant plays a drama critic who falls in love with his next door neighbor, played by Priscilla Lane. 

His eccentric but lovable and also very scary relatives keep him running and thinking everyone is nuts and he might be next. This movie will make you laugh and be memorable for years. This could be called a comedy/thriller also starring Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre. CHARGE!

The Village (Mary's pick)

One of my favorite thriller movies is M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village.

This director uses the viewer’s photographic approach, thus enabling increased viewer participation.  As characters played by Joaquin Phoenix, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, Adrien Brody and Bryce Dallas Howard move forward, the viewer takes on that journey.

The Village is a psychological thriller set in a closed society whereupon the community abides by fixed behavioral rules. To outward appearances this setting is nirvana whereby family life, respect, and kindness prevail.  Soon we realize that all of this has fear as the supreme motivator.  Boundaries are created not only in thinking, but also physical travel. Somewhat like the theme music from Jaws, a bell sounds when there are any transgressions.  Evidence of a cruel “of that we cannot speak” curtails any considerations of breaking the law. As beliefs are questioned, the unexpected backgrounds of all players are revealed in a twisted ending.  The adage of “The end justifying the means,” unfolds the terrifying truth.

Books into Movies: Coming soon!

Here are five books you should read before they hit the big screen.

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  Sixteen-year-old Hazel is a stage IV thyroid cancer patient who has accepted her terminal diagnosis until she meets fellow cancer survivor Augustus Waters and the two fall in love, despite their inevitable fate.  This story is both hilarious and heart-wrenching.  Coming to the big screen on June 6, 2014 and starring Shailene Woodley.

The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais.     When tragedy pushes Hassan and his family out of India, they eat their way around the world, settling in Lumière, a small town in the French Alps. The family opens an Indian restaurant that becomes wildly popular among the residents, infuriating their French rival Madame Mallory. After she wages a culinary war with the family, Mallory finally agrees to mentor Hassan, leading him to Paris and the launch of his own restaurant. The hundred foot distance between a new Indian kitchen and a traditional French one can represent the gulf between different cultures and desires.  Opening August  8^th and starring Helen Mirren; produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.

 The Giver by Lowis Lowry.  In this classic young adult novel everything is perfect:  diseases have been eradicated, everyone is equal and society is under control.  Each person is assigned a position in the Community and 12-year old Jonas has been named “Receiver of Memories.”  He becomes the receiver of memories shared by one other, “The Giver”, in the community and discovers the terrible truth about the Community.  Stars Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, and Taylor Swift and will be released on August 15^th.

  Dark Places by Gillian Flynn.   When Libby Day was 7 years old, her mother and sisters were murdered in what was called The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.  After Libby’s testimony her brother Ben was sent to prison for the crime.   Twenty-five years later and needing money, Libby starts selling off family artifacts causing her to re-examine her memories of the crime.   The movie debuts on September 1^st and stars Charlize Theron and Christina Hendricks.  Flynn also authored Gone Girl which will be released as a movie in October, 2014.

 This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.   Judd Foxman’s father has died and his wife is having an affair with his boss, a radio shockjock.  Now Judd must spend seven days and nights sitting shiva with the entire dysfunctional Foxman family, facing the loss of his father, his wife, and dealing with family confrontations and longstanding  grudges.  The book is a very funny and emotionally raw description of love, marriage, divorce, family and the ties that bind whether we like it or not.  Starring Jason Bateman and Tina Fey, this movie will be released on September 12^th.

Books Into Movies: Holiday 2013 Edition

'Tis the season for holiday films. . .based on books

The Invisible Woman tells the story of the 13-year affair between Charles Dickens and Nelly Ternan, an actress 27 years younger than him. Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in the film, based on the biography The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens by Claire Tomalin.

Homefront, based on the novel by Chuck Logan, stars Jason Statham as Phil Broker, a recently widowed, former DEA agent who moves to a small town with his young daughter, hoping for a quiet life. However, the town they choose is run by a violent drug dealer, played by James Franco, and it’s up to Broker to save them all.

Labor Day stars Kate Winslet as Adele, a reclusive single mother who is coerced into taking an escaped convict, Frank, into her home. Although Adele and her son are at first frightened of Frank, he quickly becomes part of the family over the long Labor Day weekend. Will the police catch up to him, or will they all live happily ever after? Based on the novel by Joyce Maynard.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the second part of a 3-part adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s classic fantasy novel. Set in Middle-Earth, 60 years before The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, this film continues the adventure of Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit) on his quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett, and Orlando Bloom.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is based on the short story of the same name by James Thurber. The film, directed by and starring Ben Stiller, depicts the rich fantasy life of the of the otherwise quiet, mild-mannered magazine editor, Walter. But when his job is threatened, he goes on a real-life adventure that surpasses anything in his imagination.

Remember, it's always better to read the book before you see the movie, so come in and check one out!

From Book to Movie...

Coming in November 2013

Some of the best movies started out as books. 

Check these out now, before the movies are released!

As I Lay Dying

James Franco will direct and star in the movie adaptation of William Faulkner's classic. The matriarch of the Bundren family has died and her final request was to be buried in a town 40 miles away from the family farm. This is the story of the family's journey to her final resting place, and the challenges they face along the way.

 

Ender's Game

Ender Wiggin, child genius, has been chosen by the military to save the human race from alien invasion. He is placed in a Battle School located on a ship in the Earth's orbit to train. This science fiction classic is Orson Scott Card's best-known work. The film stars Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin, and Harrison Ford.

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street is the true story of Jordan Belfort, a multimillionaire stockbroker who had it all, then lost it all after getting caught cheating investors out of $200 million. The movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, follows his rise and fall during the decade of the 1990's.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Part 2 of The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire picks up the story after Katniss and Peeta have won The Hunger Games, ensuring a lifetime of wealth and safety for them and their families. But the country is rebelling against them, protesting the methods they used to win, in another action-packed tale of survival. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth.

The Book Thief

Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, The Book Thief tells the story of a foster child named Liesel who turns to books in order to escape the horrors of her surroundings. The movie version stars Sophie Nelisse, Geoffrey Rush, and Emily Watson.

The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men tells the true story of a group of men and women who were assigned the task of saving the art of Europe from Nazi destruction during World War II. George Clooney directs and stars in the movie adaptation, with Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett.

Which do you think is better -- the book or the movie?  Tell us!