Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert has been writing about movies since 1967. He’s described by Forbes as “the most powerful pundit in America” and is the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. Check out his books, his fascinating memoir Life Itself, and his reviews online.
Sail the seven seas on the HMS Surprise with Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and Doctor Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany). Nominated for ten Academy Awards, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, based on Patrick O’Brian’s naval series, will supply enough thrills for even the most adventurous viewers.
With talks stalled and a NHL lockout looming, the only hockey we might see for a while is on DVD. Remember Patrick Kane’s brilliant overtime goal? Relive the glory of the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup victory with the five disc set Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 Stanley Cup Champions.
1993 Hong Kong Film Awards Best Picture, the tearjerker C’est la Vie, Mon Chéri (Xīn bù liǎo qíng), tells the story of vivacious Min (Anita Yuen), and the life-affirming lessons of love, friendship, and joy she teaches to embittered jazz musician Kit (Lau Ching-Wan).
Diane of Fiction/AV/Teen Services recommends the delightfully clever works of Georgette Heyer:
Georgette Heyer is credited with inventing the historical romance subgenre known as the Regency romance. Her books, set in England during the early 19th century Regency era, are admired to this day for their meticulous research, sparkling wit, authentic colloquialisms, and inventive plots which include arranged marriages, cross-dressing, and the aristocracy. Heyer’s light comedy-of-manners romances set the tone for this entire genre.
When asked about her books, Heyer commented, “I think myself I ought to be shot for writing such nonsense…but it’s unquestionably good escapist literature, and I think I should rather like it if I were sitting in an air-raid shelter or recovering from flu.”
“I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m not coming back…till I know what trouble is.” Join director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), as he discovers that laughter is what people want. Also starring Veronica Lake, Sullivan’s Travels is one of AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
“I already know an awful lot of people. Until one of them dies, I couldn’t possibly meet anyone else,” says Audrey Hepburn to Cary Grant in Charade. Sparkling dialogue, a clever plot and two of the most charming and sophisticated stars in film history make this romantic thriller a classic.
“Now you listen to me, I’m an advertising man, not a red herring. I’ve got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don’t intend to disappoint them all by getting myself ‘slightly’ killed.” Nobody says it like Cary Grant in Hitchcock’s thriller, North by Northwest!
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steely Dan’s jazz-influenced sound, memorable pop hooks, cryptic lyrics and ironic humor have made the band, comprised of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, enduringly popular for the past forty-five years. Their website has the band’s history, song lyrics and tour dates.
“You musn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.” Christopher Nolan’s ambitious, mind-bending, gravity-defying, science-fiction thriller, Inception, definitely dreams as big as it gets. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, the talented cast is note-perfect as dreamers within a dream…within a dream…within a dream…
