September 21st discussion : The Motorcycle Diaries

Register for this discussion starting September 4th.

Pick up your copy of the DVD starting September 15th.

Director – Walter Salles

Screenplay – Jose Rivera, adapted from the memoir Notas de viaje by Ernesto Guevara, and the biography Con el Che por America Latina by Alberto Granado

Stars – Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna

Plot: Ernesto Guevara and his friend Alberto are medical students on the verge of graduation. They head out on a life-changing motorcycle trip across South America in 1952, a trip that alters their views of privilege and poverty.

Review links:
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times
Peter Travers Rolling Stone

Read more reviews:
IMDB
Metacritic

June 29th discussion : The Dying Gaul

Register for this discussion starting June 2nd.

Pick up your copy of the DVD starting June 2nd.

Director – Craig Lucas

Screenplay – Craig Lucas

Stars – Peter Sarsgaard, Campbell Scott, Patricia Clarkson

Plot: A powerful and seductive Hollywood mogul convinces an impoverished West Hollywood writer, whose lover has recently died of AIDS, to sell his autobiographical screenplay for big bucks. The writer, Robert, knows he'll have to make major changes in the script (like changing the sex of the dying lover). During the rewrite, the producer, Jeffrey, takes Robert under his wing, introducing him to his wife Elaine, herself a closet screenwriter. Jeffrey approaches Robert for sex and Elaine approaches Robert out of curiosity about his sex life in grief. The entangled triangle of relationships threatens more than the completion of a film script. Plot synopsis from amazon.com

Review links:
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times
David Edelstein Slate

Read more reviews:
IMDB
Metacritic

June 22nd discussion : Capote

Register for this discussion starting June 2nd.

Pick up your copy of the DVD starting June 2nd.

Director – Bennett Miller

Screenplay – Dan Futterman (adapted from the book by Gerald Clarke)

Stars – Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr., Chris Cooper

“In November, 1959, the shocking murder of a smalltown Kansas family captures the imagination of Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman), famed author of Breakfast at Tiffany's. With his childhood friend Harper Lee (Catherine Keener), writer of the soon-to-be published To Kill a Mockingbird, Capote sets out to investigate, winning over the locals despite his flamboyant appearance and style. When he forms a bond with the killers and their execution date nears, the writing of "In Cold Blood," a book that will change the course of American literature, takes a drastic toll on Capote, changing him in ways he never imagined.” Product description via amazon.com

Review links:
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times
David Edelstein Slate

Read more reviews:
IMDB
Metacritic

June 15th discussion : TransAmerica

Register for this discussion starting June 2nd.

Pick up your copy of the DVD starting June 8th.

Director: Duncan Tucker

Screenplay: Duncan Tucker

Stars: Felicity Huffman, Kevin Zegars, Fionnula Flanagan, Burt Young, Graham Greene

Plot: “Huffman plays Bree Osbourne, a conservative transsexual woman, who learns she is the parent of a long-lost 17-year-old son (Kevin Zegers). The wheels of fortune take Bree and son on a cross-country adventure, including a memorable visit with Bree’s parents, that will change both of their lives. A funny, touching, completely original look at the modern American family” Product description via amazon.com

Review links:

Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times

David Edelstein Slate

Read more reviews:
IMDB
Metacritic

Thanks are in order...

...to Liz B. at Pop Goes the Library for talking up the DVD Discussion Group here. As a result, both PGtL and this very blog have gotten mentions in two cool places: Superpatron and Scrappy Librarian. Check them all out!

Another "thanks" goes out to Homewood Public Library Film Group for the inspiration to blog the OCL group. When I did a Google search, theirs was the only library group I found blogging. They also create beautiful brochures containing supporting information for film viewers. Kudos!

June 8th discussion : Brokeback Mountain

Can't make it to the discussion group meeting? Click on the Comments link at the bottom of this post and tell us what you think about this film!

Director: Ang Lee

Screenplay: Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana; based on the short story by Annie Proulx

Stars: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, Randy Quaid

Plot: “An epic love story set against the sweeping vistas of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, Brokeback Mountain tells the story of two young men - a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy - who meet in the summer of 1963, and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection, one whose complications, joys and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love.” Focus Features plot summary via imdb.com

Review links:

Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times

David Edelstein Slate

Lisa Anne Cockrel Christianity Today

Read more reviews:

IMDB

Metacritic

Join the Discussion at the Stafford Library!

When people see a movie, they talk about it. Whether they loved it or hated it, whether it moved them or left them cold, whether they identified with a particular character, how they felt about the hero's victory or the villain's defeat.

The best movies have the ability to make us see things from a new perspective. They give us insight into our own lives and the lives of others. With this in mind, join us to share your views on some current movies that have stimulated conversations among viewers and critics alike.

We've chosen four films from the past year that have attracted widespread media attention, critical praise and film award consideration: Brokeback Mountain (discussion on 6/8), Transamerica (6/15), Capote (6/22) and The Dying Gaul (6/29). You can choose which films you'd like to see and discuss, or sign up for the whole series. Call the Stafford Branch at 609-597-3381 to sign up for any DVD discussion or to get more information.

Come in and check out your specially reserved dvds to view at home. Join us at the Thursday night discussions to share your thoughts and opinions with other folks, or let us know what you think about the films by posting a comment here on the blog.

This DVD discussion series is part of Ocean County Library's celebration of Gay Pride Month during June, 2006. Please check out our other Gay Pride Month Events and our June 2006 Calendar.