Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie

Mon, 06/18/2007 - 9:55am by joy k

If 51 episodes of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime tv series weren’t enough for you, you won’t want to miss the movie sequel: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa. Although the anime is originally based on the manga by Hiromu Arakawa, the storylines diverge after a certain point, so the movie represents an entirely new adventure of the Elric brothers—with all the steampunk action that you loved from the tv series and manga. Don’t miss it!

DVD Bits - Ballykissangel

Wed, 06/13/2007 - 4:03pm by ryanikoglu

Ballykissangel. Catholic. Northern Ireland. Priest, Veteranarian, farmer, land developer, teacher, guard and the Pub. BBC Northern Ireland produced this 5 season series based on a small rural town in Ireland, and you probably never heard of it. If you liked Northern Exposure try this. The series is one hour segments of characters in the community and we have all five seasons of the series in the Library. Hollywood video can't even brag this.

Paradise Kiss

Tue, 06/12/2007 - 5:42pm by joy k

Fashionistas won’t want to miss Paradise Kiss, one of the new series in the library’s anime collection. Adapted from the popular manga of the same name by Ai Yazawa, it’s the story of Yukari, a high school student focuses on preparing for her college entrance exams. By chance she meets a group of teens studying fashion design at an art high school. And when they ask her to be the model for their label, Paradise Kiss, in their school competition, Yukari has to decide what her priorities are-—and what she really wants to do with her future.

Paul Gauguin

Thu, 06/07/2007 - 4:41pm by Maxine

French Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin was born on June 7, 1848 in Paris, France. Originally a stockbroker, Gauguin renounced his profession in middle age to become an artist and moved to Tahiti a few years later. Gauguin was also known as a mentor and companion of Vincent Van Gogh although their relationship was also stormy and often destructive. Best known for his earthy palette and broad strokes in depicting Tahitian women, Gauguin was known as one of the prime artists of French Impressionism.

Oasis

Mon, 06/04/2007 - 3:31pm by french_film_grl

Oasis is a Korean film made in 2004 by director Chang-dong Lee. It is an unconventional love story set in modern day Korea. I can truly say this movie contains some of the best acting I have ever seen. Kyung-gu Sol, who plays Hong-Jong Du as the main character, and Moon So-ri, who plays his love interest, are two of the most convincing and captivating characters ever to grace the big screen. This wonderful film is definitely worth watching for the performances alone. However, if that isn't enough to convince you to commit an evening to this film, the storyline should be. Can a social misfit, and a handicapped young woman create a lasting relationship in this world? Will the people around them allow them to explore, experience, and cultivate their relationship even if they don't approve of or understand it? This movie explores these poignant issues regarding love and life. The official FFG rating of this movie is a 10.

Tsubasa @ Animanga Club, Tuesday, June 5th

Wed, 05/30/2007 - 7:15pm by joy k

Join us this Tuesday @ the Northeast Branch from 7:00 to 8:30 for the June meeting of the AADL’s Animanga club. We'll be watching episodes of the newly released Tsubasa anime, courtesy of Funimation, and doing a trivia quiz and a craft. If you’ve liked any manga series by CLAMP, you won’t want to miss this event, because Tsubasa features crossovers from all of CLAMP’s other series: even its main characters, Sakura and Syaoran, are new versions of characters from Cardcaptor Sakura. Learn more about the anime at its official website.

Not familiar with the series? Come anyway! You can talk about ANYTHING relating to anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture. Snacks and drinks will also be served.

Get 2 bonus points on your trivia quiz by commenting here with your results from this quiz: Which Tsubasa character are you? Apparently I’m Kurogane; I didn’t think I was that grumpy!

How do you spell "misspell?"

Wed, 05/30/2007 - 4:33pm by Maxine

Believe it or not, the word "misspell" is one of the 100 most commonly misspelled words. Try your luck with many more challenging words as you watch the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals. You know the spelling bee has made it big when it's broadcast on ESPN. The finals are happening today and tomorrow in Washington, D.C. Newspapers around the country send up to 250 young people who with sweat beaded lips and heads that barely reach the microphone compete. If you can't make it to the competition, you can do the next best thing and watch Spellbound, an engaging movie that puts a human face on the "bee" culture. Also, to find out everything you ever wanted to know about spelling, check out the Library's resources.

The Play Ground

Tue, 05/29/2007 - 10:44am by Albert

Summer is as good a time for a tearjerker as any and Redbud Productions has a doozy for you. Steel Magnolias is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of southern women in northwest Louisiana. Although the main storyline involves Shelby, her mother, and Shelby's medical battles, the underlying group-friendship among all six women is prominent throughout the play. And at Truvy's beauty salon all the ladies who are anybody come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager but clumsy new assistant, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice. May 31 - June 3 Riverside Arts Center, 76 North Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 734-663-7167.

Pan's Labyrinth

Thu, 05/24/2007 - 3:39pm by french_film_grl

Pan's Labyrinth is now available at AADL. Although not a children's movie, the "fairy tale" part of this movie could be cauterized, fed, and made into a movie all its own. If the director had chosen that route, this would be a wonderful cinematic experience for children as well as adults. The fairy tale aspect of this movie is wonderful, beautiful, and imaginative. There just wasn't enough of it for my liking. Instead of more magic and labyrinth adventure, Director Guillermo Del Toro gives us graphic details about the 1940's fascist movement in Spain. His choice to share insights into the fascist torture methods popular during that time period, which include the trifecta of pinchers, poker, and hammer, make this movie non-family friendly. The official FFG rating for this movie is 7.

Read it/See it

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 3:03pm by anonymous

During its opening weekend in theaters, Shrek the Third surpassed box office expectations. This installment continues the story of Shrek, Princess Fiona, and Donkey started in Shrek and Shrek 2, and it explores who will rule the kingdom, Far, Far Away. But, did you know the character of Shrek originated in a story written by William Steig, author of such books as Doctor DeSoto and Sylvester and the Magic Pebble? If you decide to check it out, look for Shrek! in the youth section and enjoy the humorous tale of an ogre thrown out of his home by his parents!