Tales of Three Chrises

February 1, 2017December 23, 2016 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

While looking at upcoming films, I watched the newest trailer for the Wonder Woman movie (due June 2, 2017, and it looks fantastic), and was surprised to see actor Chris Pine in the role of Steve Trevor – I had no idea he was in the film. I like Chris Pine, he’s a worthy actor, and I think he’ll do a wonderful job in the role. But I can’t help but notice, he’s been cropping up in an awful lot of films lately.

Sometimes Hollywood gets hooked on a new actor and they become “hot” – in high demand because they seem to pull in audiences and thus make a lot of money, worthy or not. They may hang around a while, then fade off into obscurity when it’s realized they have no real talent, only to reappear on a C-grade cable network show pushing designer socks. Sometimes actors let their popularity run for a few years, make their money, and then get out altogether, to pursue directing, theater, music, or sometimes even a college degree.

But lately the name Chris seems to be the favorite in Hollywood – Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, and the other blockbuster, Chris Hemsworth. All are fine actors who have taken on roles that shot them to stardom, yet all have solid resumes of good films behind them even if you’ve never heard of them.

Chris Pine comes from an acting family – his dad was Robert Pine, Sgt. Getraer from CHiPs, and he’s one of those well-rounded actors with actual talent. Although currently best known for taking on the iconic role of Captain James Kirk in the Star Trek reboot, he’s done an array of very worthy films, from action hero in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, to wine maker in Bottleshock (a very underrated movie with an excellent cast), to Coast Guard skipper in The Finest Hours. If you doubt his acting talent, listen to his singing voice as he belts out the tune “Agony” in Into the Woods. If he runs out of films, he can switch easily to Broadway. If you’re of a certain age, or have daughters of a different age, you may remember him from Princess Diaries 2. He’s not just taking on any role to make a buck.

On the other end, you have Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who gained thirty pounds of pure muscle to take on the role of powerful comic book hero Thor in the multitude of Marvel films. But Hemsworth is not just eyecandy. His latest film was a comic role in the Ghostbusters reboot (okay, not exactly a great film, but not Thor either), but he’s popped up regularly in Snow White and the Huntsman, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, chasing Moby Dick in In The Heart of the Sea, racing cars in Rush, and escaping computer espionage in Black Hat, a worthwhile thriller though not of the same caliber of a Marvel film. He may look like he fell off the cover of a romance novel, but you can’t say he’s allowed himself to be typecast. He, too, was in the Star Trek reboot, as George Kirk, James T.’s father – a role he will be reprising in the next Star Trek film, which has not yet entered production (even though he’s three years younger than Chris Pine). If you really want entertainment, listen to him speak with his native Australian accent – you realize just how impressive his American accent is.

Chris Pratt landed two franchises – starring in the latest Jurassic Park flick, Jurassic World, as well as the lead of Peter Quill in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (and the upcoming GG2, due out May 5 of 2017, and the next Jurassic, in pre-production, and reprising his Peter Quill role in the Avengers Infinity War, currently filming – talk about busy!). AND he starred with Jennifer Lawrence in December’s new release, Passengers. Before taking over the action-hero trade, he appeared in such varied films as Zero Dark Thirty, Moneyball, and the recent star-studded western, The Magnificent Seven. Of the three, he’s also done extensive television, with recurring roles on Parks and Recreation, The O.C., and Everwood. He’s earned the right to be exhausted!

So while the weather is less than delightful, make it a weekend of high entertainment and Chris-cross some of these films off your list. No matter what your style of movie – westerns, intrigue, racing, science fiction, comic heroes, fairy tales, covert wars, musicals or more, one of these men has the perfect film for you.

The Doctor Is In

January 17, 2017December 29, 2016 / Kaitlin / Leave a comment

Everyone has heard of Doctor Strange, which is currently in theaters. However, let’s not forget about the other famous doctors that are out there.

Doctor Who: The Complete Ninth Series
One of the most famous doctors of all time is the Doctor of Doctor Who. This is the ninth series with Peter Capaldi as the doctor, but our library has many of the other doctors as well, including Chris Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith. Watch them all!

Doctor Zhivago
This classic film is based on a book of the same name. This story is about a romance occurring during the time before World War I all the way through to the Russian Civil War.

Doctor Dolittle
This is the original story of the doctor who can speak with animals. He uses his abilities to communicate with them in order to heal them. This is a good story for the whole family.

Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
This is the popular musical story of a villain named Doctor Horrible who is trying to join the Evil League of Evil so he can become a super-villain. He is also trying to speak to his crush, Penny, but the superhero Captain Hammer keeps thwarting him at every turn.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
This movie is a comedy about the tensions of the Cold War. One man tries to start a war with the Soviet Union while the President and several politicians and generals, including Dr. Strangelove, try to prevent this from happening.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
This is the classic story of a man known as Dr. Jekyll who creates a formula that turns him into an evil man known as Mr. Hyde. As time goes on, the formula he used to switch back begins to weaken.

Motley Crue: Greate$t Hit$
This CD from the heavy metal band Motley Crue contains a very popular song called Dr. Feelgood. This music is perfect for when you want to jam out with your friends.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
This is the classic story of Dr. Frankenstein. This is the man who was determined to create life but ended up creating a monster in the process.

Back to the Future
Don’t forget about Doc Brown! He’s the one who invented the time-traveling DeLorean that sends Marty back in time to the 1950s when his parents were in high school. Marty, along with a younger Doc Brown, have to make sure that his parents become a couple so that Marty and his siblings don’t get erased from existence!

The Complete Sherlock Holmes
Dr. Watson is another classic doctor. He is the companion to the great detective known as Sherlock Holmes. Check out this book to read about the adventures that these men have had.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
To round out this list is the cult classic with Dr. Frank N. Furter. The plot is tricky to describe, but it involves transexual transvestite aliens who create a man. And throw dinner parties. And sing and dance. And other things. Watch this to complete your education.

The X Factor

January 11, 2017January 3, 2017 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom created an uproar in the movie industry. While it didn’t meet the criteria for an R rating, the intensity of the violence and its unrelenting action and danger freaked out so many kids and parents and caused so many complaints that the PG-13 rating was born – probably the same people that brought their six year old grandchildren to see Deadpool and didn’t think twice. Before that, there were just four ratings by the Motion Picture Association of America: G (general audience), PG (parental guidance suggested), R (no one under 17 without guardian), and X (now NC-17, meaning No One Under 17 Admitted, no way, no how, this will scar you for life).

Of course, as a kid, you can’t help but wonder, what’s in an X movie? What could be more violent than people beating each other up? What could be grosser than people naked? How many more swear words are there? And then the internet was born and we’ve never wondered since.

Surprisingly, though, some of our favorite movies DID have an X rating at the start. Film makers want to be cutting-edge and push envelopes, but an X/NC17 rating can sink an otherwise profitable film because it cuts out the teen crowd that hangs out at theaters every week and also makes some adult film-goers leery. After repeated trips back to the editing room, most of the movies do achieve their golden R rating.

Some, however, never do. Three movies were nominated for Oscars despite their X rating: Midnight Cowboy, A Clockwork Orange, and Last Tango in Paris. Midnight Cowboy actually won the Best Picture Oscar for 1970. When rereleased in 1971, it carried only an R rating, even though not a single edit had been made. It had been given the X rating for “homosexual suggestions,” and that was no longer a criteria. Times were already changing.

Two things are usually to blame for an X rating: extreme violence/gore, or explicit nudity/sexual content. It’s hard to believe, but for all the outcry against The Exorcist (some viewers were taken away by ambulance), it only garnered an R rating. (So, in 1969, homosexuality would get you a deadly X rating, but by 1973, demonic possession, gore, blasphemy, and violent sexual situations involving children would not. Go figure.) Sometimes the fix was something so banal as toning down the brightness of the blood (Taxi Driver), which makes you wonder who is actually doing the judging and rating of the films. Others, like Cliffhanger, needed adjustments to almost every single scene. Although Casino cranks in at more than 420 utterances of the Fornication word (that’s almost 2.5 for every minute of film), it was the violence that created its problems.

Here is a list of popular films you’ve probably heard of, and probably have seen, that were originally rated X before being edited yet again (American Pie needed four tries) to win the magic R. Some of these are very good films that just happen to be a little more graphic than others. Some of them you knew were headed for trouble just by the title (Freddy Got Fingered), but others, especially twenty years later when there sometimes doesn’t seem to be a limit on sex or violence in movies or on television (Boogie Nights drew trouble for a 10-second shot of a prosthetic penis, yet Life of Brian and Trainspotting didn’t for showing a real one), make you scratch your head at what the fuss was.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in January?

December 29, 2016December 19, 2016 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Happy New Year! We’ve got some programs to help you start the year off right, whether it’s getting healthier, spending quality family time together, or figuring out that new technology you got over the holidays… check out our January calendar for the full roster of programs this month, including:

Tuesday Movie Matinees

Tuesdays, Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 1:00 PM

Jan 3: Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)
Jan 10: Money Monster (2016)
Jan 17: Sully (2016)
Jan 24: All the Way (2016)

Family Game Night

Wednesday Jan 4, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Enjoy a fun-filled, family-friendly evening at Family Game Night! We’ll bring out a mix of classic and new tabletop games, as well as video games for Wii. Use the library’s games, or feel free to bring your own! Best for families with children ages 3 and up, registration required.

Cheshire Board Game Club

Thursday Jan 5, 2017, 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Cheshire Board Game Club is a table top gaming group welcoming all skill levels and gaming abilities. We have a ton of games, so come on by, play games and nibble snacks with us! Grades 7—12, no registration required.

Little Movers: Indoor Obstacle Course

Saturday Jan 7, 2017, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Baby, it’s cold outside! Come in from the cold and join us for an indoor obstacle course that’s just right for kids under 6. Healthy snacks will be served. No registration required.

The Karkowska Sisters Duo

Sunday Jan 8, 2017, 2:00 PM

60 Minutes Around the World will take the audience on a breathtaking journey/adventure around the world with unforgettable stories, a healthy dose of humor, and an amazing program of the most beloved classical music. Free to the public, no registration required.

Drop-In Tech Help

Mondays Jan 9, 23, 30 and Saturday Jan 21, 1:00 PM

Do you have questions about your computer, smartphone, or iPad? Do you need help navigating Facebook or downloading an ebook? Bring your technology-related questions and problems to Cheshire Public Library’s Drop-in Tech Help. NOTE: Please be sure your device is fully charged beforehand. In the event your question or issue is more involved, we may ask you to schedule an appointment to come back for one-on-one help. Tech help is available on a first come first served basis.

Cookbook Club: Good and Good FOR You

Wednesday Jan 11, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Let’s explore recipes that not only keep up healthy and fit, but that also taste great! Are you like us, and looking to get back on track after the holidays? Then this Cookbook Club is for you. Check out a cookbook from the library, bring a sample dish, and discuss healthy and delicious food with some great people. Don’t forget to bring copies of your recipe to share with the group. Bon Appetit! Registration is required.

Introduction to iPad

Thursday Jan 12, 2017, 6:30 PM

Do you have an iPad or are you thinking of getting one? Then this class is for you! Get the lowdown on apps, music, settings and more. Please bring your fully charged iPad, apple user name/password and your e-mail user name/password if applicable. Registration is required.

Pilates

Saturday Jan 14, 2017, 2:30 – 4:00 PM

Pilates is a highly effective exercise that can be practiced by all ages and abilities to help you build strength, flexibility and overall well-being. Pilates is designed to help you improve muscles, strength, breathing, posture, balance and more. Come improve core strength mobility and stability with Pilates instructor Nadine Phillips. Registration is required.

Healing Power of Nature

Wednesday Jan 18, 2017, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Join Dr. Lynnette M. Guida, a Naturopathic Physician and Licensed Acupuncturist, as she explains principles and benefits of naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. Registration is required.

Introduction to Kindle Fire

Thursday Jan 19, 2017, 6:30 PM

Join us as we discuss the fundamentals of the Amazon Fire HDX. We will look at apps, setting, how to connect your device to the internet and more. Please bring your fully charged Amazon Fire HDX and your Amazon user name/ password. Registration is required.

Live a Happier More Fulfilling Life

Wednesday Jan 25, 2017, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Join Lynn Healy as she shares her own personal stories for overcoming fear and limiting beliefs around self-worth and happiness. She’ll provide tips and tools you can put into your life today to help you find your happiness. Talk includes meditation designed to help you bust through the blocks that are holding you back. Previous meditation experience is not necessary. This meditation will help spiritual gurus and newbies, alike. Registration is required.

Making Healthy Chocolate Treats

Saturday Jan 28, 2017, 2:00 PM

With the holidays over, we naturally begin to focus on healthy eating and exercise but we still want our chocolate! Can chocolate really be part of a healthy diet? Long time chef and chocolate expert Maria Brandriff will demonstrate that it can. The program will feature information about the health benefits of chocolate as well demonstrations of some healthy and easy-to-make recipes. Ample samples and recipes will be available. Registration is required.

4K is Coming

December 14, 2016November 4, 2016 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

blu-ray-disc Technology changes faster than most of us can keep up. Almost all of us are familiar with regular DVD technology even if we can’t set the clock on it. Blu Ray, the next step up in DVD technology, is now thirteen years old, and not enough people have moved along with it. But you should, especially with Blu-Ray players, fully decked out, costing as little as $49. If you don’t have one, this should be on your Holiday list.

I already have a DVD player. There’s nothing wrong with it. Why would I need a Blu-Ray? I’m not replacing all my DVDs.

Honestly, I never saw a need either, until I got one. I had just upgraded my extensive VCR collection to DVDs, and I didn’t want to start again either. If you grew up with the old hump-backed TVs and now have an HDTV (the flat kind), if you remember those wiggly VCR pictures, the picture quality of a blu-ray will astound you. But remember: technology often works backward. Your Blu-ray player DOES still play all your regular DVDs, doubling what you can view. It won’t make them miraculously clear like a blu-ray disc, but it will play them just fine. You won’t have to upgrade that DVD of Aunt Bertha’s third wedding.

Thing is, a blu-ray player is SO much more than a lowly DVD player, which is slowly dying away. Not only is the picture clarity far superior, but with the right equipment (cameras, wifi, high-speed cables) you can Skype through it (make video phone calls), surf the internet (yes, order from Amazon right off your TV), access Netflix and other video programs, play music CDs, and flip items from your iPad or phone right onto your Smart TV for large-screen viewing. The downfall: your TV must already accommodate this. If you still have a hump-backed 100-lb picture-tube TV, you’re out of luck for almost everything.

To make it even fancier, there are blu-ray players that can play in 3-D. If you have a 3-D blu-ray player, AND a 3-D TV (AND a 3-D blu-ray movie), yes, you can watch 3-D movies just like in the theater, BUT YOU MUST HAVE ALL THREE. I can’t emphasize that enough. If you don’t have the matching 3-D TV and player, 3-D will not work. But yes, a regular blu-ray disc WILL work in a 3-D blu-ray player; it just won’t be in 3-D. If you think you may ever want to watch a 3-D video, and you have a 3-D capable TV, then get the 3-D blu-ray player. It will play your regular DVDs, your regular blu-rays, AND those fancy 3-D discs.

Now, blu-ray is a double-edged sword. Should you be using it? Yes, if you’re the least bit progressive. The prices are low enough to be a steal, and there’s less of a waiting list for the library’s blu-rays. However, if you’re totally tech and can’t wait for the latest impossible upgrades, 4K Ultra technology is here, and if you’re not building a personal theater room, it’s absolutely affordable.

And the groans begin. What? 4K what? What the daylights is that?

lg-curved-4k-tv-790x4441 4K Ultra is the next step in television and DVD technology. 4K Ultra-High-Def (UHD) is mind-blowingly clear television – clearer than looking out your window. If you thought your high-definition TV was amazing, imagine something twice as fantastic – because it truly is working with twice the capacity (1080 pixels for the standard HDTV vs. 2160 for 4K). The picture is mind-blowing, and allows for monstrously larger screen sizes without losing clarity. Next time you’re out shopping, stop by Costco or Best Buy and take a look. If you thought blu-ray was amazing, just wait.

Although your DVD player and your blu-ray DVD player (that one you just went out and index bought) cannot play the 4K DVDs, a 4K DVD machine will play your regular blu-ray discs (no, they can’t play them as clear as 4K because the discs aren’t coded that way, but they can upscale them so it’s very close). They are absolutely affordable (you can pick up a 3-D 4K UHD disc player with wifi capacity for as little as $119; a 43” TV goes for as little as $379).

Remember though – nothing works in a vacuum. 4K is fabulous, but if you don’t have all the parts, you’re not going to get the right picture. You must have the 4K TV, the 4K DVD player, AND high-speed 2.0 USB cables connecting the two to get the super-quality picture, otherwise it will just revert to regular HD quality. If your cable company isn’t broadcasting in Ultra High Def, you won’t get the super picture on your TV programs. More importantly, 4K DVDs are already available for purchase, so be careful with what you buy. If you buy a DVD that says 4K, and you don’t have a 4K DVD player, it will not be able to read the disc (I’ve tried it, just as a test).

The holiday season often has good sales on TVs and DVD players; this is the perfect time to make that upgrade. While the library isn’t currently offering 4K discs, we’re getting ready for the eventual upgrade. Will you be ready?