The library is always adding new “old” movies to the collection. In case you missed them, be sure to check out:

The Fly (1986)
Starring a young Jeff Goldblum, this remake of the 1958 original is about an ambitious yet eccentric scientist that has an unfortunate incident involving a fly. This film is sure to please fans of 80's horror films as well as those looking for a good Halloween flick.

Pecker (1999)
Edward Furlong and Christina Ricci costar in this romp from Baltimore to Manhattan as an amateur photographer receives surprising attention from the metropolitan art scene. This John Waters gem covers everything from eating too much candy to exploitation of the homeless. (This is also one of my favorite movies.)

Alex Karras, a Detroit Lion for twelve seasons and an actor for many years, died today in Los Angeles.

In 1958, Karras was a first round draft pick for the Lions. He was a member of the Lions' Fearsome Foursome (a term used in pro football to describe the frontline defense. The other Lions players were Roger Brown, Darris McCord, and Sam Williams. Karras was suspended in 1963 for one year when he was caught placing bets on NFL teams. He returned to the team in 1964 and played for seven more years.

In the mid-1970s, he called the plays, with Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell, on ABC's Monday Night Football.

His most memorable Hollywood role was in the the 1974 hit western satire, Blazing Saddles in which he played the Mondo.

He and his real-life wife, Susan Clark, who survives, starred in the TV sitcom, Webster (1983-1987) (the first season is on order), along with Emmanuel Lewis. Karras and Clark played the adoptive parents of the orphaned son of a pro football player.

Karras, who was 77, died from complications due to cancer and dementia.

In my attempt to find a sitcom that appeals to me and to my 7 year old daughter I revisited The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Remember that show? Mary was the woman who could turn the world on with her smile, she could take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile, as her theme show song so whimsically tells us. The Mary Tyler Moore Show premiered on CBS in September 1970, and during its seven-year run became one of the most acclaimed television programs ever produced. In the 1970s it stepped away from how woman were traditionally portrayed on television. Mary was a woman who was striking it on her own after a failed two year relationship. In the first episode we find out that Mary is a 30 year old woman who has been living with her boyfriend while putting him through medical school. Shortly after her boyfriend completes medical school Mary leaves the relationship because he refuses to marry her. However, Mary Richards doesn't let this rain on her parade. She packs it up and moves to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she gets a job as an associate producer of a second-rate news show. In addition to touching on the subject of a single woman working for a living, it also touched on controversial subjects like homosexuality, marital problems, divorce and equal pay for women. This show is funny, touching and a whole lot of other things. I find myself laughing out loud with my daughter over some of the great material creators and writers James. L. Brooks and Allan Burns pumped out. I remember as a child looking up to Mary and being in awe of her fantastic hair, studio apartment and Evan-Picone wardrobe. I'm still in awe of Mary, and now some 30+ years later so is my daughter.

It's the most wonderful time of the year: Halloween season!

There is something fun for everyone to do in the next four weeks leading up to The Big Day, whether you're headed to a haunted attraction, watching the leaves change color, or seeing a spooky movie or two. But no matter what, be sure to fit in a viewing of It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown before the month is up! The library carries it on DVD and Blu-Ray.

On November 16, 2012 Lionsgate will release the final chapter of the Cullen legacy to theaters with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, where Bella and Edward prepare for battle against the Volturi in order to protect their family. Fans have the next month to revisit their favorite vampire drama in The Twilight Series, including Breaking Dawn the book, as well as Breaking Dawn Part 1 on DVD and Blu-Ray, all of which are available in the AADL collection.

Another smashingly successful teen book that's getting the Hollywood treatment is The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is currently being filmed in Hawaii. In this sequel, sharpshooting Katniss once again takes on the oppressive Capitol District, this time with a rebellion brewing around her. Fans have a bit more time to catch up on the action with the book versions of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, as well as the film version of The Hunger Games on DVD and Blu-Ray, for the film sequel isn't expected for release until November 2013. The third book in the trilogy, Mockingjay, now has a confirmed screenwriter, Danny Strong, who will be adapting the book into a Part 1 and a Part 2 to finish the film series.

Johnny Lewis, best known for his role as Kip "Half-Sack" Epps in the first two seasons of Sons of Anarchy, the FX Network motorcycle series that premiered in 2008, died last night at the scene of a shocking crime in Los Feliz, CA.

A spokesman for the LAPD said it appears that Lewis murdered his landlady, Katherine Davis, 81, and her cat on Wednesday. Witnesses say he then attacked a couple of neighbors before heading back to the house and jumping or falling off the roof, landing in her driveway which killed him.

Those close to Lewis, who once dated Katy Perry, were not surprised by his violent end. He had been released from jail six days ago, after pleading no contest in August to burglary and assault with a deadly weapon.

The troubled actor, who also acted in several TV series, including Criminal Minds and The O.C., was 28.

Local speaker and fitness coach Pete Thomas, just released a book entititled, 'Lose It Fast, Lose It Forever: A 4-Step Permanent Weight Loss Plan from the Most Successful "Biggest Loser" of All Time'. As a contestant in Season 2 of NBC's The Biggest Loser, Pete lost 185 pounds and won the $100,000 at home prize. Watch our videos of Pete @ AADL: GOOD HEALTH Makes Life Worth Living With Pete Thomas (2011) and Pete Thomas And UM Experts Discuss Overcoming Obesity And Winning At Health (2009).

Want to work out with Pete? Go to Ann Arbor Recreation and Education to register for the Slim U Boot Camp.

The library has a new children's language learning database called Muzzy. Currently there are 8 different languages to choose from: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian. You can use it at home or at the library. The Muzzy animated story and games are a captivating way for kids to learn another language. It was originally a BBC program so those from Europe may recognize it. Learn more about this database here. We also offer the Muzzy multilingual series (it includes a choice of learning English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish) and the separate traditional Chinese language learning version for checkout.

A comedy-drama, We Bought A Zoo is a true story based on Benjamin Mee’s 2008 memoir of the same name. In the film, Matt Damon portrays Mee, who has recently lost his wife, and is struggling with moving on, as well as helping his two children cope with the loss of their mother. Set in Southern California, the adventurous Mee decides the family is in need of a change and buys a house in the country that also happens to be a no-longer-running zoo. A stipulation of buying the house is getting the zoo back up and running, which means Mee has to learn how to run a zoo and care for animals, which leaves for some definite animal-human hijinx as he learns the tricks of the trade.

Mee’s young daughter is more than thrilled at living at a zoo, but his teenage son is not. Mee works them through it and also deals with the zoo’s staff that comes along with the property, including the head zoo keeper played by head-turner Scarlett Johansson. While adjusting to all the changes, everyone’s goal is to get the zoo back in order and ready for inspection in order to open for the summer season.

It’s a feel good film, and a great one for the family. It definitely pulled at my heart strings. One thing I took away from the film is Mee’s idea of 20 seconds of insane courage. If you give yourself just 20 seconds to be courageous, think of what you could do. I mean, why not?

Stephen Dunham, who has starred in several limited-run TV series, and had supporting roles in several movies, died last Friday in Burbank, California.

Dunham, born Stephen Dunham Bowers, had roles in such TV series as Hot Properties (ABC), Oh, Grow Up and DAG (both on NBC), The Bill Engvall Show (TBS) and What I Like About You (WB).

Some of his movie roles included Catch Me if You Can (2002), Traffic (2000) and Monster-in-Law (2005).

In October, he will appear posthumously in Paranormal Activity 4, as husband to his real-life wife, actress Alexondra Lee, who survives.

Dunham, who was just 48, died several days after suffering a heart attack.