Everything is Awesome!

Would you like to see an outright silly, but lighthearted movie this weekend? If so, why not come in to the Warsaw Community Public Library and grab the LEGO Movie! This movie is geared for all family members. It's loaded with enough juvenile humor to satisfy any child and packed with sufficient amount of pop culture references to attract older audiences. On top of the great cast, everything on the audio visual side of things is charming and awe-inspiring in equal amounts. Many of the high profile characters LEGO has licensed over the years make appearances, Batman, Superman, Spaceman, etc. The only one with a significant role is Batman, who, in my opinion, made the movie and is voiced uproariously by Will Arnett.

I won't give too much of the movie away but I will give you a short synopsis. The story centers on Emmet(Chris Pratt), an ordinary construction worker who lives an anonymous life in a bustling metropolis where everyone watches the same TV show, listens to the same "awesome' song, buys the same overpriced coffee and has their every move monitored by a city wide surveillance system. One day Emmet accidentally happens upon a mythical "Piece of Resistance." Thus begins an adventure of a life time.

The central theme if this imaginative, heartfelt movie is the battle between order and chaos. By the end of the movie we come to realize there is an inherent order in chaos if one looks for it. This is a movie that I feel almost anybody could enjoy. The only thing you have to worry about is the annoyance you'll begin to experience from having the "Everything is Awesome" song stuck in your head!( Just about as annoying as Frozen's "Let it go").

So if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the real world, march yourself in the Warsaw Community Public Library and pick up the recently released LEGO Movie, or if your child would like to experience the world of LEGO then bring them into our LEGO Club or Summer LEGO program, which is on July 5th and July 11th from 11AM-12:30PM. We also have a plethora of LEGO themed materials just waiting to be checked out! The library's hours are Monday-Tuesday 9AM-8PM, Wednesday-Friday 9AM-6PM, and Saturday 10AM-2PM. We are looking forward to seeing you!

The Most Dangerous Animal of All

I must admit I wasn't surprised when I heard early last week that a man has come forward claiming to know the identity of the infamous Zodiac Killer. Every few years someone comes forward with information on the identity of this boogeyman who terrorized San Francisco during the late 1960's early 1970's. Most claim the Zodiac Killer is their father!(Imagine how bad a childhood one must have had to even toy with this idea) Gary Stewart is no different than the other sleuths in naming his father, Earl Van Best, Jr. as well, however there is a slight difference in what Stewart claims as versus what others have claimed; he has quite a bit of substantial proof as to the identity of the Zodiac Killer and has documented his findings in a book entitled "The Most Dangerous Animal of All."

I am a true crime fan and the Zodiac case has always haunted me. I have read several books by people claiming some connection to this serial killer and generally have been unimpressed with their efforts in naming this elusive character that has escaped detection for more than 40 years. Gary Stewart's book is quite impressive. It is well written, professional and has a national publisher, HarperCollins, attached to it. (Anyone who has ever tried to get something published with a reputable publishing company know it is not an easy task).

Gary Stewart's story is compelling and it held my interest so much so that I couldn't put it down. The evidence that is laid out in the book comes down to a few key pieces that might be only circumstantial to some, nevertheless, it is worth taking a second look by the San Francisco Police Dept. Mr. Stewart has even gone as far as submitting a DNA sample to be compared to the DNA sample of the Zodiac Killer.

Mr. Stewart does take some liberties inserting his father's name in the historical narrative, even so, the documented evidence he provides is quite persuasive. I am normally a skeptic, and after finishing this true crime novel, I believe this text to be the most credible and believable account of the Zodiac Killer's identity, and this book will probably be as close as we will ever come to learning the true identity of the most fascinating case in the ledgers of unsolved crime. I recommend
giving it a shot! I dare say you will be thinking about it for a while after finishing the book.

Saving Mr. Banks

When Walt Disney's daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P. L. Travers' "Mary Poppins", he made them a promise, little did he know it would take 20 years to keep. Saving Mr. Banks is the story of how one of the most beloved films in movie history was made. However, the film's storyline isn't only about the wooing and securing of the Mary Poppins film rights it is also the story and the defining moment of P. L. Travers' childhood, which tells why Poppins was so near and dear to her.

Tom Hanks, who portrays, Walt Disney, is incredible, as always. His interpretation of Disney is said by those who knew the late Hollywood heavyweight to be spot-on, even down to his little mannerisms, which is awe inspiring due to the fact that is the first time Walt Disney has ever been portrayed on the big screen. Emma Thompson is sensational as the brittle, snobbish, control freak, P. L. Travers.(You can catch an audio glimpse of the real Mrs. Travers in action during the end credits of the movie) Collin Farrell's portrayal of Travers' troubled father will rip your heart out and leave it beating on the street!

Saving Mr. Banks is a fairly accurate, wholesomely square film about a wholesomely square film about a wholesomely square film. It is an old-fashioned feel-good live-action Disney movie for the modern age. Some cynics might say that it is entirely too sweet with an inaccurate storyline. I do agree that Mrs. Travers, for example, would probably hate this film, but I, on the other hand, think that a little bit of sugar mixed with fantasy helps the medicine go down and it clearly works! The film is an ode to the importance of good storytelling to readers and authors alike and a reminder that sometimes the past is best left in the past.

For those with a soft spot of Mary Poppins, however, it's a "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" treasure in its own right. So if you're feeling a little sweet why not come in to the Warsaw Community Public Library and check out Saving Mr. Banks, or if you're feeling a little nostalgic you might try Mary Poppins. Better yet why not grab P. L. Travers' "Mary Poppins" along with the Sherman brothers original music soundtrack of Mary Poppins and settle in for a weekend of reading!

It's All "About Time"

There seems to be a lack of feel good movies these days, don't you agree? Are you in the mood to forget about winter and sit back with friends and family and enjoy watching a unique fun film? Yes? Well have I got a film for you!

About Time is a rare movie that defies normal classifications. It is a romance mixed with a bit of fantasy, mixed with a dose of Sci-Fi with the end result being magical! It is a comedy about love and time travel. Tim is a young man who inherits a family trait that allows him to replay key moments in time and change them to his advantage. He can't change history, but he can change what happens and has happened in his own life. So armed with this information, Tim sets out to make his world a better place. As the movie progresses, Tim learns some important lessons in life. He learns that no matter how hard you try you can't make someone love you and that the time you spend with the people you love are the most cherished moments in life. By the end of the film he has also come to understand that the real troubles in life are the things that never cross your mind and that also sometimes, terrible things must happen in order for life to change for the better.

Not all movies come with a message and if you are like me, you are pleasantly surprised when you come across a movie like this. The message in About Time is that you should always value your life, family and friends. And even though at times we find ourselves wishing we could go back and change a moment in our life the truth is the moment you are currently in is the most important, most significant in your life. Keep your eye on the present and enjoy every minute of every day as if it were your last...because it could very well be.

So if you are looking for a sweet, feel good thought-provoking movie that makes you want to be a better human, then rush right in to the Warsaw Community Public Library and pick up this little gem of a movie or another title that might pique your interest. It's free and where else could you get a better deal?

Winter Blahs? Make it a movie night!

Is the winter cold getting you down? Feel like you are stuck in the house with nothing to do? Why not come to the Warsaw Community Public Library and see the new collection of movies that have arrived at the library. In the mood for an independent film? The Spectacular Now is a wonderful honest portrayal coming of age film that deals with life, love, family and school. Miles Teller is incredibly genuine as the popular senior Sutter who lives in the moment, life of the party kind of guy who meets Aimee, played by Shailene Woodley, a good girl who assists him on getting his life and future on track.

Maybe you want an evening with the family and prefer a kid friendly film? We have those too. Despicable Me 2 and Monsters University are two sequels that I feel are just as good if  not better than their originals.

If you are looking for an Oscar worthy film, we definitely have what you need. The Butler tells the story of the White House butler who served eight presidents over three decades and how the dramatic changes that swept America affected his life and family. We also have Captain Phillips, a film about a 2009 incident where a group of Somali pirates boarded an American cargo freighter and after failing to gain control of the ship, took it's captain hostage. The captain is played by the ever talented Tom Hanks. Both of these films are phenomenal!

Perhaps, like me, you are a fan of Johnny Depp. We have a new film of his as well, The Lone Ranger. This film received quite a few negative reviews from critics but I have to disagree and say that I truly enjoyed this film. Johnny Depp was once again wonderful in his portrayal of Tonto. His comedic and dramatic timing was right on target, and his interpretation of Tonto was spectacular. Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger was also outstanding and believable. By the end of the film his character had evolved into the Lone Ranger we all knew and loved as kids.

So what are you waiting for? Shovel your way out and head to the Warsaw Community Public Library to pick up these or other great films. Why not spend the evening tucked in warmly with family and friends courtesy of the Warsaw Community Public Library?