Blog Post
Quirky new picture book: Pug Man's 3 Wishes
by eapearce
The delightful new picture book Pug Man’s 3 Wishes, by Sebastian Meschenmoser, is described as a “misanthropic gem of a story” by Publishers Weekly and “the antidote to every cute fairy book.” The quirky story features Pug Man, a bipedal pug dog who is having a very bad day. He slept late, there’s nothing to eat for breakfast, and a morning rain has made his newspaper soggy. He’s feeling very sorry for himself when a brightly colored fairy appears out of nowhere and grants him three wishes. Children (and adults, for that matter) might think that they know what he’ll wish for, but everyone—including the fairy!—is in for a surprise. Readers will be touched by Pug Man’s modest wishes, and tickled by his obstreperous third wish in particular.
German author Meschenmoser adds to the book by depicting Pug Man’s bleak life in all black and white until the fairy appears, bringing bursts of color and fantastical beings with her. The unusual story is not for everyone, but certainly will appeal to those tired of fairies coming along to save the day… and to anyone who’s felt a little cranky when they wake up in the morning.
Blog Post
Eccentric Author Writes Brilliant, Odd Short Stories
by mansii
Fair warning: Joy Williams is a quirky personality. Known for eccentricities such as wearing sunglasses at all hours of the day, both inside and out, for not using e-mail, and for driving across a huge chunk of the US just to pick up some giveaway pews and hull them back across the states in her creaky truck--it's no wonder her stories are deliciously odd too.
Her recently released collection: Ninety-Nine Stories of God is full of snippet-length accounts that hit you in the gut with their understated significance and piercing satire. You'll do a double take and then a triple, hanging on every word. Williams' previous works have been nominated for both the Pulitzer and the National Book award and have been appropriately called Kafkaesque. Those who like a good puzzle will meet their match, as well as those who like to be hit with the weight of a story without needing to understand why. The title proposes that the common theme of this collection is God, but it will be up to you to find him in many of these stories. Williams takes every opportunity to poke at what we think we know with her sense of the comedic element in this finite world.
I will leave you with this short story appropriate for the spooky end of October:
"A woman who adored her mother, and had mourned her death every day for years now, came across some postcards in a store that sold antiques and various other bric-a-brac. The postcards were of unexceptional scenes, but she was drawn to them and purchased several of wild beaches and forest roads. When she got home, she experienced an overwhelming need to send a card to her mother.
What she wrote was not important. It was the need that was important.
She put the card in an envelope and sent it to her mother's last earthly address, a modest farmhouse that had long since been sold and probably sold again.
Within a week she received a letter, the writing on the envelope unmistakably her mother's. Even the green ink her mother had favored was the same.
The woman never opened the letter, nor did she send any other postcards to that address.
The letter, in time, though only rumored to be, caused her children, though grown, much worry."
Blog Post
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
by manz
Directed by Taika Waititi, the critically acclaimed Hunt for the Wilderpeople may just be my favorite film so far this year as I was sweetly surprised by everything about it.
Fourteen year old foster child Ricky Baker is dropped off at his next placement, which is the home of Bella and Hec, who live off the land on a remote farm next to the bush in New Zealand. Tender Aunty Bella and curmudgeonly Uncle Hec end up being not so bad after all. But after tragedy strikes, Ricky is given the news that he’s headed back to child services. This is unacceptable, so he runs away into the bush, soon to be joined by Hec. The fellas are at odds and end up on the run and subject to a nationwide man hunt.
It may seem like the typical wisecracking teen vs. the grumpy old man, but with both characters being so flawed and interesting, it’s hard not to root for them and giggle at their follies. I was reminded of the comedic whimsy of Wes Anderson films while watching this one – which was delightful!
The comedy adventure drama is both hilarious and touching and has become the highest grossing New Zealand film. It is quite majestical, as Hec would say. I also highly recommend the film Boy, which is directed by Waititi and set in New Zealand as well.
Waititi helped found the sketch troupe "So You're a Man" with two of his cast-mates, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie. This is the comedic company he keeps, if that says anything about his film writing. Interestingly, he is currently directing Thor: Ragnarok. Here’s a really good recent interview with the man if you’re intrigued.
Blog Post
Who Ya Gonna Call?
by manz
By now you’ve either seen or heard about the new Ghostbusters film that came out this past summer. It’s now on DVD and Bluray for your viewing pleasure, and just in time for the slimy Halloween season.
The original Ghostbusters film came out in 1984, and I saw it at the theater. To this day I get excited when I hear Ray Parker Jr.’s "Ghostbusters" theme song, and yes, I still own the 7” inch record I owned as a child.
Ghostbusters 2 arrived in 1989 with a new story and mixed reviews. But come on, it’s the Ghostbusters!! 2016 brings us up to date with a whole new crew of Ghostbusters, this time all female Ghostbusters. This new film basically retells the original Ghostbusters with new ‘busters and a bit of a new storyline, but still including four characters being called to duty as they don on that jumpsuit in order to save New York from the paranormal.
This new film also had mixed reviews, some loving it, some hating it, but I found it thoroughly enjoyable – and the four women portraying a new generation of Ghostbusters did a super laugh-out-loud job. I cant wait to see little ones dressed up as Holtzmann for Halloween! (That’s one name you’re not going to forget after watching this.) The ladies are portayed by some of the funniest actors around: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. You'll also find some fantastic cameos from the original Ghostbuster crew.
With this new film also comes new kids Ghostbusters books to check out, as well as a snazzy new soundtrack.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Togetherness
by manz
Togetherness was created by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass and Steve Zissis, and is a tragically hilarious look at family life in Los Angeles. To my surprise the dark comedy was an absolute joy to watch and I can’t wait to watch season 2.
Brett and Michelle are married with two young children and are trying to find the long lost spark in their relationship. Brett’s actor friend Alex is down and out after getting evicted while jobless, so he ends up staying at Brett’s house for a while. Around the same time Michelle’s sister Tina is suffering from a break up and needs a change of scenery and joins the rest of the clan at Brett and Michelle’s house. With the four adults under one roof struggling to make sense of their lives, friendships and relationships, it makes for plenty of mishaps, antics, laughter, and tears.
The HBO show was cancelled after two seasons, and I'm thinking 16 episodes is just not enough.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 3
by manz
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. So many new shows have hit the catalog so far in September! Here are more new-to-AADL series:
Feed the Beast, Season 1
For Tommy and Dion, two friends on the brink of losing everything, a dusty pipe dream of opening an upscale restaurant in their hometown of the Bronx is all they have left to turn their lives around. Together, Tommy and Dion take on the insanity of the New York restaurant world, navigating its underbelly of petty criminals, corrupt officials, and violent gangsters.
Salem, Season 1 & 2
Witchcraft, the witch trials and the supernatural are at the center of this fictional story set in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts.
You, Me & Them, Series 1
This sparkling British comedy follows a May-December romance between free spirit Lauren and young-at-heart divorced grandfather Ed. The age gap isn't Lauren and Ed's only challenge: they face the disapproval of Lauren's parents, who are practically Ed's contemporaries, and her envious older sister, who's got a chaotic family of her own. On the other side, they endure Ed's down-on-his-luck, live-in brother; his irresponsible grandson; and most vexing of all, his narcissistic, delusional ex-wife.
Limitless, Season 1
After an old friend introduces him to a dangerous new pill called NZT-48, aimless twenty-something Brian Finch is able to use every part of his brain, making him the smartest person alive when he is on the drug. Utilizing his enhanced abilities, Brian helps FBI agent Rebecca Harris with her caseload, as well as attempting to track down the deadly drug’s manufacturer and figure out why Brian is the only person immune to its fatal side effects.
Outsiders, Season 1
A struggle for power and control set in the mysterious hills of modern-day Appalachia centers on the Farrells family, who behave as though they are above the law and are prepared to use any means necessary to protect their off-the-grid way of life in rural Kentucky.
Chicago Med, Season 1
The doctors, nurses and staff of the city's most cutting-edge trauma center take on critical medical cases and their ethical dilemmas. Woven into this high-intensity environment are engrossing personal dramas where life or death is always on the line.
Billions, Season 1
U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades goes after hedge fund king, Bobby "Axe" Axelrod in a battle between two powerful New York figures.
Jericho
Annie Quaintain is a widowed mother of two who is forced to start a new life in the remote town of Jericho in rugged 1870s Yorkshire. To make ends meet, she takes in lodgers who work on the local railroad. When handsome worker Johnny Jackson shows up at her door, he brings with him a load of trouble that could threaten Annie's new life.
Thirteen
Thirteen years after her abduction, 26-year-old Ivy Moxam flees the cellar that has held her captive for half her life. But escape is just the beginning of Ivy's story. Just as she's picking up the pieces of the life she was forced to leave behind, a startling discovery leaves everyone scrambling: her former captor has found his next victim. Forced to confront the truth of what happened in that cellar, Ivy's story leaves the detectives with one question: can Ivy be trusted?
Fore more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows.
Blog Post
TV Spotlight: Moone Boy
by manz
What a great show! I happened upon this little gem as I decided after watching Family Tree that I needed to see more things with Chris O’Dowd in it, and BOOM! Enter Moone Boy, which happens to star him and is also semi-autobiographical of his own childhood in Boyle. Magical, right? He not only co-stars in it, but also created it and co-wrote it. I needed this TV show in my life.
Set in Ireland in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Martin Moone is 12 years old and the youngest sibling in a house with a large, Irish family and far too many sisters. O’Dowd portrays his imaginary friend Sean Murphy, who is constantly supporting Martin’s ideas and offering not-so-great advice that Martin just eats up.
The ridiculous scenes, the fun childhood adventures, Sean’s bad advice, and a never ending supply of loud and wacky family antics will keep you laughing. I loved the odd humor in the show, namely the banter between Sean and Martin. I also really enjoyed the scenes with Martin's best friend Padraic, who has his own imaginary friend, Crunchie Danger Haystacks. Think Malcolm in the Middle written by a sleep deprived Roddy Doyle.
The show is also filled with a great soundtrack that fits the place and time of the show – there are so many good songs! The show is delightful, endearing, wacky, and wonderful. There are three 6-episode seasons that are all in this DVD set.
Blog Post
New TV Shows @ AADL, Pt. 2
by manz
The library is always acquiring additional TV shows and new seasons of them, be they hot and new, or oldies but goodies. Here are some new-to-AADL series:
The Catch, Season 1
Meet Alice Vaughan: Strong, smart and tough-as-nails, she specializes in foiling world-class criminals with her elite team at Anderson/Vaughan Investigations, so she's devastated after losing her heart, and her life savings, to dashing, international conman Benjamin Jones. Desperate to extract some serious payback, Ali embarks on a secret quest to nab her ex-fiancée.
Into the Badlands, Season 1
Sunny, the most deadly Clipper in the Badlands, rescues a boy, M.K., from a deadly ambush. As Sunny and M.K. try to uncover the secret behind M.K.'s dark power, a new baron threatens a start a war between the rival lands.
Cop Rock, The Complete Series
It attempted to combine police procedural with musical theatre. The series centered on the LAPD and featured an ensemble cast that mixed musical numbers and choreography throughout storylines.
Quantico, Season 1
Alex Parrish is one of a diverse group of young recruits at the FBI Quantico Base. Despite intriguing personal secrets and complicated pasts, Alex and her fellow "NATs" (New Agents In Training) are the best, brightest, most thoroughly vetted candidates in the U.S., so it seems impossible that one of them could be a traitor.
The Night Manager
Jonathan Pine is working as the night manager of a Cairo hotel. He gets involved with a local woman who is the girlfriend of a local gangster. Through her relationship with the gangster she has acquired information linking illegal international arms sales with an English billionaire. Based on the best-selling novel by John Le Carre.
Legends, Season 1
Follows FBI Deep Cover Operations agent Martin Odum as he navigates living a lie for his job and delving into the mystery surrounding his real identity.
Angie Tribeca, Season 1
Angie Tribeca is a ten-year veteran of LAPD'S RHCU: Really Heinous Crimes Unit. The show is a hilarious spoof of police procedurals in the spirit of The Naked Gun.
Fore more TV shows, be sure to check out AADL’s lists for HOT TV shows, as well as NEW TV shows. There are a bunch of NEW seasons of shows we already own!!
Blog Post
68th Primetime Emmy Awards Winners
by manz
Last night the winners of the 68th Emmy Awards were announced in a red carpet star-studded event hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The awards recognize excellence within various areas of television and emerging media.
Game of Thrones has now broken the record for the highest number of Emmy Awards won by any fictional series. The show’s total awards stand at 38, ousting Frasier, which held the record with 37. That’s a lot of Emmys! With winners announced, it's time to see what's going on in TV land. Here are the winners in major categories:
Drama Series – Game of Thrones
Comedy Series – Veep
Television Movie – Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Miniseries or Movie – The People v OJ Simpson
Variety Talk Series – Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Reality Competition Series – The Voice
Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Rami Malek (Mr Robot)
Lead Actress in a Dama Series – Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Louie Anderson (Baskets)
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Ben Mendelsohn (Bloodline)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Dame Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Be sure to check the Emmys website for a full list of winners and for behind the scenes action and fun at how the show went down!
Blog Post
Chuck Klosterman's latest: But What If We're Wrong?
by eapearce
Chuck Klosterman is a prolific writer and reporter whose quick wit and unique perspective have made his work—usually on some aspect of the entertainment industry—beloved by fans for several decades. Klosterman’s latest book, But What If We’re Wrong? takes a step away from the musicians, actors and other famous figures that he usually writes about and instead takes a look at the present day as if it were the past. Through simple questions (for example, how sure are we about gravity?), Klosterman drives home the point that people have been “sure” about things for centuries, but then are proven wrong through further scientific discovery or a simple shift in belief systems. He doesn’t just focus on science; he also explores how we really have no idea what ideas and works from our time period will survive into the future, who will be remembered, or how our actions will effect the way that the world of the early 21st century is viewed hundreds of years into the future. He urges readers to “think about the present as if it were the past,” which is, of course, an entirely difficult thing to do, although it’s made slightly easier with Klosterman’s aid. Through interviews with various scientists, artists and thinkers, Klosterman uses his signature humor and twisted analysis to present to readers a fun, eye-opening and vaguely mind-bending series of concepts about how we live today, once today is yesterday.
Klosterman’s other works include his road trip story, Killing Yourself To Live, in which he travels around the nation visiting sites where famous rock stars have died, seeking some sort of greater meaning in it all, Chuck Klosterman IV, his book of essays and interviews on pop culture, and Eating the Dinosaur, which analyzes modern day expectation versus reality. He has also written several novels.