New UnLibrarian Pathfinder: Til Depp do us Part

UnLibrarian Pathfinders:
Great tools for Librarians and Patrons!

What is a pathfinder? Pathfinders can be approached in many ways. The basic idea is to lead a patron in the right direction and give them resources on a single topic. They are generally pretty basic and they expect you (the user) to need no prior knowledge of a topic. In the UnLibrarian's case a pathfinder is meant not only to give you resources but it is meant as entertainment as much as it is an infophile's feast! So dig in and ENJOY!

A Clockwork Pathfinder: Have a thing for a time way back when that never existed? Wanna invent new gadgets like something out of an H.G. Wells book? Hoping to run out into Victorian London in your petticoat and goggles and jump into your steampower vessel in a time that never existed? Wondering what the heck I am talking about?


Visit The Escape Artist a pathfinder into all things steam: http://theunlibrarians-steampunk-pathfinder.blogspot.com/


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Johnny Depp & Tim Burton

Who are two people we can't seem to get enough of? From Edward Scissorhands to Alice in Wonderland this pathfinder is the perfect tool to the set you off in the right direction into the truly magical and bizarre world of Tim Burton & his films in collaboration with Johnny Depp.

Til Depp do us Part http://deppandburton-unlibrarian-pathfinder.blogspot.com/



More surely to come, so keep checking back on the UnLibrarian Blog!

S. Darko, Directed By: Chris Fisher

• Director: Chris Fisher
  
• Writers: Nathan Atkins, Richard Kelly
• Producers: Adam Fields, Ash R. Shah, Jennifer Lane Connolly, Jim Busfield, Kent Beyda
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: May 12, 2009
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• ASIN: B001RP975G
  
• 
  
• Reader's Annotation: S. Darko follows the Youngest Darko sister 7 years after her brother Donnie Darko meets his fate in the original Richard Kelly masterpiece film. Samantha Darko & her wild best friend flee the mess left behind only to find their own bizarre Darko-esque reality.

Courtney's Opinion: I am going to try to be kind here. Oh, who am I kidding. No, I am not. Here's the deal. Girls: Yes, Jackson Rathbone a.k.a. Jasper "Twilight" Cullen and Ed Westwick a.k.a. Charles Bartholomew "Chuck" Bass of Gossip Girl are in this film. Breathe. Release. Guys: Yes, Daveigh Chase (apparently the Gyllenhaal are capable of morphing into child model hotness) & Elizabeth Berkley of Showgirls and Saved by the Bell (Well, some of us remember this one...) are indeed in this film. So, what do you get when you combine a Vampire who can crack a ball like a god, an upper east side brat you love to hate, a mother-i'd-like-to-hug stripper, & model girl-child? Um, nothing. No nothing is a compliment. It's in the negative. And here is why.We've seen these guys and gals doing fine work here and there. We even LOVE some of them. And we all loved Donnie Darko (for me, it's one of my favorite films of all time). Sadly, something happened to all of the above and it goes by the name of Chris Fisher. (I Don't wanna leave out the writer, Nathan Atkins for writing such stunning, dialogue as: Corey: Only two more good mornings. Sam: Only one more day. Corey: We're so perfect. Sam: Immaculate. Yea...well, you get the idea...) So here's the thing. If you haven't seen Donnie Darko, please do. And if I were you I would see it in place of this. But, if you must get your Rathbone-Daveigh-Westwick-Berkley fix so be it. But don't say I didn't warn you. This is by far the worst film. Ever. I think I brushed my teeth 8 times just to kill the time until it was over. 

Stars: 1 (And only for two reasons. 25% goes to Rathbone for being pretty, 25% goes to Westwick for rolling cigarettes in his sleeve and keeping a straight face, 25% goes to the zexy guy i watched it with just for being hot and distracting me from the atrocity in front of me (yea, j...your quarter surely spillz into another star; but alas, i just couldn't give it to the film), and the last 25% goes to the sheer laughs we got from watching it. Minus 4 stars for sullying the perfection of Donnie Darko-Which I refuse to acknowledge ever happened as I plan to travel back in time to retrieve every minute I wasted watching this thus making things as they should be. 

Notes: This movie is rated R. Parental supervision is strongly suggested. Artistically inclined parents & their multi-talented children may want to consider discussing artistic integrity and other issues with their children after or before viewing this film. Or throughout the entire film as a means of drowning out the dialogue. 

An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

Richard Kelly (and the original team) did NOT endorse or work on this film at all. In fact Kelly publicly denounced S. Darko.

Donnie Darko Link: http://www.donniedarkofilm.com/

Donnie Darko imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246578/

Donnie Darko Trailer:

 

Official S. Darko Link: http://www.sdarko.com/ 

I have to say, the website and trailer far surpass the film itself.

S. Darko imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1231277/

Official S. Darko trailer:

 

Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1209496/

Just Because I feel so bad for them, here are some incarnations of a better them: Daveigh Cook in Big Love, Jackson Rathbone in Twilight, Ed Westwick in Gossip Girl, & of course: Elizabeth Berkeley in Saved by the Bell.

Marie Antoinette (Film), By: Sofia Coppola

Written & Directed By: Sofia Coppola
Publisher: Columbia Pictures
Publish Date: 2006

Rating: PG-13

Length: 1 hour 85 minutes
Classification: Drama, Indie Film
Genre: Historical Drama
Age Level: 13 and Up with Parental Consent
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Royalty, Execution, French History, Indie Films

Reader's Annotation: In a world of royalty where you can have everything your heart desires, what happens when you can't have anything? Even your own life?

Synopsis: "Let Them Eat Cake" ~Marie Antoinette

Did this infamous child Queen ever actually say those words? Whether or not she did, one thing is historically true: Marie Antoinette lost her head for it. In time just before the French Revolution, indulgence and intrigue ran rife in the the court. Marie Antoinette is given in marriage at a young age to King Louis XVI and sent to live as France's Queen at the Palace of Versailles. Sofia Coppola sets out to show the rock star status and the sensual life of The Queen whose life so tragically ended. A stunning soundtrack and otherworldly costumes and sets, the film looses its magic in the writing. It also fails to stay true to the accuracy of history. Then again, history is in the eyes of the writer isn't it?

Notes: Parental Advisory for Sexual Content, Partial Nudity, & Innuendo. VERY loosely based on on the beloved book "Marie Antoinette: Journey By Antonia-Fraser." Do not watch this film in place of your French history homework. Do watch this film to make your French history homework more visually stimulating. Order cake after watching this film.

Stars: 3 (1 for writing, 2 for sublime visuals & an awesome soundtrack)

Awards:

Oscar, Best Achievement in Costume Design Milena Canonero

Cannes Film Festival-Cinema Prize of the French National Education System

Extras: IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422720/

Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WjsqVwWyrI

Wikipedia Marie Antoinette http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Antoinette

Marie Antoinette Online http://www.marie-antoinette.org/Welcome.html

OMFG: The Gossip Girl of French History

Juno, By Jason Reitman, Written By Diablo Cody

Directed By: Jason Reitman

Original Screenplay By: Diablo Cody
Company: Fox Searchlight
Publish Date: 2007

Length: 96 minutes
Classification: Non-Fiction
Genre: Dark Comedy
Age Level: PG-13 Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Teen Pregnancy, Growing Up, Adoption

Tag Line: "A comedy about growing up... and the bumps along the way."

Annotation: A smart and quirky young girl has an awkward sexual moment that turns into an awkward nine months.

Synopsis: I am sure that a semi-large group of people may have missed the subtle reference to Goddess Juno (who reigned over fertility), but that wouldn't have gotten by Juno. Juno is a clever, teen girl who has a sexual experience with a geeky boy who likes to run a lot. Although a truly likable character, Juno doesn't consider him to be her boyfriend, and even if she did the world that Juno lives is doesn't want a baby. She considers abortion but ends up finding a seemingly perfect couple who can't have children to adopt her baby. Over the next nine months the baby within her isn't the only things the grows and transform. Juno begins to see her life differently, the boy with the sperm differently, and even the perfect family she chose to adopt her child. This is not only a comedy about teen pregnancy, but a comedy that explores growing up, family, and harsh realities. Juno does all this with a laugh through its witty writing and genuinely enchanting cast. 

Notes: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content and language.

It has been received with mixed reviews from the conservative side due to it's laissez faire attitude about sex and teen pregnancy, but at the same time it explores options other abortion. 

Without an R rating, it is acceptable for older teens to watch, and may even spark some healthy dialogue about pregnancy, sex, and family.

Stars: 5

Awards: 1 Oscar Win, Diablo Cody, for Best Original Screenplay

Extras: Movie Site http://www.foxsearchlight.com/juno/

Trailer: 

INDIE GIRL: From Starting a Band to Launching a Fashion Company, Nine Ways to Turn Your Creative Talent In, By Arne Johnson & Karen Macklin

By: Arne Johnson & Karen Macklin
Publisher: Zest Books
Publish Date: 2008
ISBN: 0979017335
Page #: 136
Classification: Non-Fiction, Arts
Genre: Arts
Age Level: Teen, Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Performing Arts, Journaling, Art

Reader's Annotation: A "how-to" field guide for teen girls to all things creative.

Synopsis: From filmmaking to poetry, Indie Girl lays it all out for any girl who wants to express herself. It's simple without being too simple and lays the creative process out in a way that is within reach for teens at any age. Though its titled and directed to girls, this book doesn't exclude boys in that clearly some of the tips are completely general. I doubt very few boys are going to buy a book called "Indie Girl" but non-the-less, boys collaborating with creative girls will no doubt benefit from the artistic sage wisdom (complete with checklists and websites) that most adults find out only after spending twenty grand on film school or a hundred grad at the FIDM institute in Los Angeles. Please don't misunderstand me, this book in no way replaces a college education, but it could be argued that the best artists are the ones who take matters into their own hands: aka the: indie girl. At the very least Indie Girl may just be the antidote to getting through another day of bad classes and boring chores. 

Notes: The authors are both accomplished artists living in the Bay Area. Arne Johnson is a film journalist and filmmaker, Karen Macklin is a writer who hold a MFA from from San Francisco State, and Micheal Wertz (illustrator of Indie Girl) is a commercial artist.

Stars: 5

Extras: Publisher's Website  http://www.zestbooks.net

Arne Johnson's Documentary Girl's Rock http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/

Karen Macklin http://www.kmacklin.com/

Trailer for GIRLS ROCK:

17 Again, Zac Efron

Directed By: Burr Steers

Actors: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin
Producer: Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot
Cinema: New Line Cinema's Offspring Productions
Release Date: April 17th, 2009

Classification: Comedy
Genre: Comedy/Romance a.k.a. RomCom
Age Level: Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: High School, Romance, Teens, Fantasy, Marriage, Sci-Fi Geeks

Tag Line: What would you do if you got a second shot at life? 

Synopsis: A graduate from high school in the 1980's, Mike O'Donnell was the star on the high school basketball team with a college scout in the  bleachers and a successful future ahead of him. But instead, he give up his dreams to support his pregnant teen girlfriend Scarlet (Scar for short). Almost two decades later, Mike's carefree high schools days, where he was on top of the world, are behind him. His marriage to Scar has ended, he lost his promotion at work, his teenage kids aren't so keen on him, and he has been leveled down to living with his nerdy high school best friend (who is now a techno-made zillionaire) Ned.

But Mike is given another go at it when he is magically transformed back to the age of 17. While at first he things he's being given a chance to choose a better path, he soon realizes he's been sent back to his younger body for a completely different reason. 

Though not a huge Efron fan, this film changed my mind. Expecting to see a "Big" knockoff and not so great writing, the film itself proved to be hysterical, mostly due to Thomas Lennon and his hilarious ways. He makes me laugh on Reno 911 and the role of Sci-Fi geek saves this film from the impending doom of the same old stupid movie that makes money just because Efron is über hot, which he is.

Notes: A good film for teens and parents can enjoy it as well! 

Stars: 4

Extras: http://17againmovie.com/

Trailer:


Posted by Coco at 11:31 PM 0 comments
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Zombie Honeymoon (Film), Directed By David Grebroe

• Director: David Gebroe
  
• Writer: David Gebroe
• Producers: David Gebroe, Bret Harrison, Christina Reilly, Josh Blumenfeld, Larry Fessenden
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Showtime Ent.
• DVD Release Date: February 14, 2006
• Run Time: 83 minutes

Reader's Annotation: Madly in love, Danny and Denise get married and head off into the sunset to the beachy honeymoon. But after being attacked by a Zombie their honeymoon turns into a nightmare. How far will Denise go to stand by her new undead Husband?

Synopsis: Denise and Danny have the perfect love. They get married and head off to a perfect honeymoon on the beach. Out of nowhere a zombie rises out of the ocean and attacks Danny, only to drop "dead" minutes after. Free of the threat it soon becomes clear that Danny is dying! Denise rushes him into the ER where he flatlines and dies. Denise devastated by her sudden and unexplainable loss is stunned when minutes after being dead, Danny opens his eyes and is back in her arms. They head home feeling blessed with a second chance at young love. But not soon after she begins to see changes in her true love. Will she be able to deal with the truth that Danny is permanently changed? What's more can either of them survive it?

Notes: Despite it apparent lack of rating, neither being categorized as teen or adult, director Greboe delivers what is the most un-offensive horror movie ever made. One part romance, the other Zombie-Comedy, this B-Movie Indie flick is what teens and adults alike will have to admit is a pre-curser to the Twilight Phenomenon.  Dedicated to his sister's late husband who passed away in a surfing accident weeks after they were married, this movie is a heartbreaking yet funny twist on the traditional zombie genre. It is a diamond in the rough, and not to be missed. 

Warning: Light sexual acts (they are newlyweds after all) and horror scenes are in the film (although mostly funny), but upon parental approval, I think this is the least offensive "non-rated" film that both parents and older teens will get a kick out of!

Extras: http://www.zombiehoneymoon.com/

A Second Honeymoon? I can hope! Even though the trend of making zombie films is getting more tired than pretty much any other sub-genre in the history of horror, it still doesn’t dampen my desire to see some of the ones that sound like they may either do something different or, at the very least, be a good time. Zombie Honeymoon (review) was a decent example of the latter, so news on a possible sequel piqued my interest.

“I’ve been in talks with the lead actress, Tracy Coogan, about reprising her role of Denise, and we’re excited about the prospect of working together again,” director David Gebroe told Fangoria in a recent interview. ”I just need financing, and we’re ready to go. I always figured I wouldn’t bother working on a sequel unless the first one was successful enough to warrant it. Well, Zombie Honeymoon definitely was, so there’s certainly an audience for a follow-up.”

So how to follow up the massive slaughter that ended the first film? Gebroe’s being tight-lipped about it but did say that the concept is ”fresh and unpredictable enough over the course of a second installment.”

Gebroe’s working on other projects as well, including one that may be produced by An American Werewolf in London director John Landis if all goes according to plan. No more details were available for that one either, but we’ll keep our ears open...

Who's Watching the Watchmen?

Free-Style Review for a fine Graphic Novel Adaptation:

OK, I am gonna try really, really hard to stay focused here and not make this an ode to Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

But, it's gonna be hard. Because he was on fire. His character's depth along side Jeffrey Dean Morgan's acting was like an explosion of intransigent coolness. Already a fan of Morgan, I fell apart with excitement that he would be staring as The Comedian, in such a staggering adaptation. Whether or not you have already read The Watchmen doesn't matter at this point. Do not, NOT see this film in the theater because you want to read it first. And don't walk out saying the book was so much better, because we already know that. And in this case, redundancy is just plain offensive, because the film is absolutely beautiful. In a league of its own now. In fact, it's the shortest three hours you'll spend, unless you hate having to think. If this is the case, don't go. Cause this movie is intended to make to think. You WILL be cursing your liquid intake for having to miss a second. The intro to title scene is seamless and it could almost stand alone. And the music is soft and lovely (take this with a grain of salt and when you see it you will know what I mean) against the brutality of the the unfolding events.

I am not going to get into the grit of what makes this movie tick, pardon the pun, but I will say if you hadn't read the Hugo award winning comic first (like me, so don't feel bad-I have worked with books for over tens years now and sometimes things just get by) you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you are going to have the unique opportunity to watch the Watchmen unfold without knowing what's gonna happen. That, together with the exceptional film making of Zack Snyder, the cast, the special effects, and the genius of Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons, you get one brutally smart, imposing film. It's weak parts were a mediocre movie's best day. And if you have read the comic, the you won't be disappointed. Unless you are one of those people who are chronically disappointed. If you can't help it you'll probably not be happy unless you are complaining anyway. If this is the case, and you are one of those peeps, maybe you are just such a mess that you need someone to save you from yourself. Enter you know who.

Expect violence. And sex. And Blue nudity. And by the way: Maybe Watchmen really means...the whole era of naked women as the only acceptable full frontal is over. And we are entering the age of the watch. men. Literally. Speaking from a woman's perspective, it's been a long time coming!




Directed by Zack Snyder, Produced by Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Deborah Snyder; Written by, Screenplay: David Hayter, Alex Tse;

Comic Book: Dave Gibbons, Alan Moore

Starring:

Malin Åkerman

Malin Akerman ... Laurie Jupiter / Silk Spectre II

Billy Crudup ... Dr. Manhattan / Jon Osterman

Matthew Goode ... Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias

Jackie Earle Haley ... Walter Kovacs / Rorschach

Jeffrey Dean Morgan ... Edward Blake / The Comedian

Patrick Wilson ... Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl II

Carla Gugino ... Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre



Music by: Tyler Bates
Cinematography: Larry Fong
Editing by: William Hoy

Studio: Legendary Pictures DC Comics

Distributed by North America:
Warner Bros.
International:
Paramount Pictures
Release date
March 6, 2009

Budget: $120 million[1]
Gross revenue:
Domestic:
$59,099,598
Foreign:
$26,632,667
Worldwide:
$85,732,265