Category Archives: Jez

Hidden Figures (2016) PG

Jez,

Inspired by the true story of the amazing women who helped launch Americans into space, Hidden Figures follows the lives of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae). Facing more than their fair share of discrimination and opposition, these three African-American women prove themselves the most capable mathematicians and human “computers” by taking on the law, learning how to code the new IBM machines, and calculating trajectories with math that doesn’t even exist yet.

Check out our list of other movies about space.

Wonder Woman (2017) PG-13

Jez, ,

Superhero films are nothing new, but Wonder Woman brings more than a little something special to the table. Set in WWII, pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash-lands on Themyscira, an island inhabited entirely by warrior women. Among them is Diana (Gal Gadot), who believes the world of men and its battles holds the key to defeating the war god Ares. She follows Trevor to England and later leads his men into battle in some of the most impressive fight scenes we’ve seen in a long time. Action-packed, but balanced with humor and tender moments, Wonder Woman is sure to become a favorite of viewers and inspire a new generation of strong female heroes.

In your 20s or 30s? Join us for our Popcorn & Pop Culture night on Friday, December 15 at 6:30pm. Register here.

Wonderful, Wonderful by The Killers (2017)

Jez,

After a four-year break, The Killers are finally back with a new album. A good listener will be able to pick out some themes that build upon previous albums Battle Born (2012) and Direct Hits (2013). The upbeat single “The Man” being reminiscent of popular songs like “Spaceman” and “Mr. Brightside,” while slower, world-weary commentary similar to “All These Things I’ve Done” makes an appearance in the title song “Wonderful Wonderful.”

With a lot more bass and an ever-present synth overlay, Wonderful, Wonderful isn’t quite the breakout album Killers fans were hoping for—feeling more like a sophomore album than a fifth release—but it should not be ignored by fans old or new. As lead singer Brandon Flowers pleads in “Rut,” this is not the time to give up on him or The Killers. The new music shows a lot of growth from the band and sixteen years after their first release, they’re still capable of beautiful lyrics and catchy tunes, even as they find a new direction.

Queen of Katwe (2016) PG

Jez,

Based on a true story, Queen of Katwe follows the journey of Phiona (Madina Nalwanga), a young girl living in Katwe, an impoverished area of the Ugandan capital. At age 10, Phiona and her brother Brian discover the Pioneers, a missionary program where Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) teaches underprivileged children the game of chess. Very quickly, Phiona proves herself a chess mastermind, and it is her talent, along with that of some of her classmates, which prompts Katende to push that the children be allowed to compete in African and international chess championships, even though the children have never attended school and many cannot read or write.

The inspiring aspect of this story lies less in Phiona’s rise to become a Woman Candidate Master, and more in the struggles of her family and the sacrifices they must make for the game. Phiona’s mother Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o) especially makes hard choices for the sake of her family and there are no shortage of obstacles for this young, single mother, but she, like her daughter, is a champion, bringing heart and a happy ending to this biographical film.

The West Wing. Season 1 (1999-2000) TV-14

Jez,

Since its premiere in 1999, The West Wing has become a modern classic among TV dramas. Focusing on the senior staff of the White House under (fictional) President Bartlett (Martin Sheen), the show tackles policy and public relations issues alike. The staff, made up of the chief and deputy chief of staff, two communications directors, the press secretary, and their assistants, prove themselves to be both intelligent and funny and really gel as a team as their presidential term and the season continue. Have season 2 ready to go because the first season ends with a cliffhanger that’s not to be missed!

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Season 1 (2015)

Jez, ,

Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) went to a great school, got a great job, and is about to be named partner of her law firm…so why doesn’t she feel happy? As she’s having a nervous breakdown over this, she runs into Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III), her childhood boyfriend from camp, who’s giving up on the New York life to move back to his hometown, West Covina, CA. Realizing being with Josh was the last time she felt good about herself, Rebecca quits her job, ends her lease, and immediately moves to California to be with him. Only, there’s a catch: Josh has a girlfriend.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a hilarious and quirky TV musical, where each song is a very specific parody of a popular artist or genre. Between its songs and lovable cast, its positive messages regarding mental health and friendship, there’s no way to go wrong with this off-beat comedy.

Moonlight (2016) R

Jez, ,

Following the life of Chiron from childhood to adulthood, Moonlight tackles his mother’s drug addiction, his father figure’s shady business, bullies, and growing up gay in a world that hates you for being different. Every scene is beautifully shot and phenomenally acted, with memorable performances from Mahershala Ali, Naomi Harris, and all three actors who play Chiron: Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhoades. This film won three Oscars at the 2017 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali).

Join us on Friday, June 2nd at 7pm for a showing of this movie at Out@theLibrary, our new LGBTQIA program series. We will show the movie and serve popcorn, and afterwards, discuss of the film and LGBTQIA issues.

A Series of Unfortunate Events. Season 1 (2017) TV-PG

Jez,

Based on the first four books of the popular young adult book series by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler), A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the Beaudelaire orphans as they are shuffled from one guardian to the next after the death of their parents. Inventive Violet (Malina Weissman), bookish Klaus (Louis Hynes), and bitter Sunny (Presley Smith) must team up to stay alive and stay out of the clutches of the evil Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris), who is intent on stealing their fortune any way he can. Dryly narrated with witty wordplay and humor by Lemony Snicket (Patrick Warburton), this new series is cleverly written and beautifully shot, providing many heartwarming moments despite its depressing premise.

Check out our adult roku today for one week of free access to Netflix to watch this show!

The Crown. Season 1 (2016) TV-MA

Jez,

Golden Globe winner The Crown stars Claire Foy as a young Elizabeth Windsor from the time of her marriage to Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh (Matt Smith) to her ascension to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. After King George VI’s death, Elizabeth enters a world run by ministers, counselors, and advisers who all believe they know best. As she starts to learn how to run a country and prove herself to Prime Minister Winston Churchill (John Lithgow) and his cabinet, Elizabeth also struggles with her family—especially her sister Margaret (Vanessa Kirby)—and her marriage with Phillip, who feels useless in the palace. Full of political intrigue, yet balanced by deeply personal moments, this is a show for fans of Downton Abbey, The Tudors, and The West Wing.

Check out our adult roku today for one week of free access to Netflix to watch this show!

Want more about the Windsors? Try Wallis & Edward about King Edward’s abdication; The King’s Speech, about King George VI’s overcoming a speech impediment and unexpectedly becoming king; and Victoria, a television show about another young queen: Queen Victoria.

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) R

Jez,

popstar2The Lonely Island, perhaps known best for their SNL music videos and digital shorts, hit a home run with this musical mockumentary. Parodying documentary style films of popstars like Justin Bieber, this film focuses on star Connor4real (Andy Samberg), a former boy band member turned international sensation, whose sophomore album has just dramatically flopped. Connor struggles to figure out who he is when he isn’t being adored by millions of fans and is forced to confront the fallout with his former best friend when he quit the boy band of which they were once part.

Popstar is full of laughs, inside jokes, and pop culture references, and is positively littered with comedy and musical stars, including Usher, Adam Levine, Sarah Silverman, Joan Cusack, Jimmy Fallon, and Chelsea Peretti, just to name a few.