Remembering Terry Jones

Today we honor Terry Jones, immortal member of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a tv program which truly needs no introduction. Jones was a founding Python, establishing the troupe along with Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin. When Monty Python’s Flying Circus premiered in the UK in 1969, the troupe presented … Continue reading “Remembering Terry Jones”

Today we honor Terry Jones, immortal member of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a tv program which truly needs no introduction. Jones was a founding Python, establishing the troupe along with Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, and Michael Palin. When Monty Python’s Flying Circus premiered in the UK in 1969, the troupe presented a zany, silly, and irreverent sketch comedy show that was both smart… and absolutely ridiculous. There had never been anything like it before, and the show was a hit in the UK and abroad.

Jones is credited as the man responsible for Flying Circus’ surrealist comedy and pacing. Instead of punch lines ending a sketch, Jones often appeared as a naked organist, or he had Graham Chapman barge in dressed in military regalia and declare a sketch “too silly.” Jones also wrote the famous ‘Spam’ sketch.

Even though Flying Circus only aired until 1974, Jones and the rest of the troupe reunited to film several movies. Jones co-directed or directed most of the Python movies, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Meaning of Life and The Life of Brian. After honing his directing skills on these films, he went on to direct other movies, including Erik the Viking and several documentary series. Some of these documentaries were based on his own scholarly works, as Jones also found time to publish monographs on Chaucer. He also wrote over a dozen children’s books.

It’s hard to capture the amazing life of this man in a simple blog post. I grew up watching (selected) Flying Circus sketches, and I can’t count the number of times Jones has made me laugh as Sir Bedivere or Mandy Cohen. He’d also probably hate this obituary, so I’ll just leave you with this:

New Acquisition!

Media Services’ first new acquisition of 2020 is…. The Farewell, directed by Lulu Wang! This movie (BLU 16732) was snubbed by the Academy, but Awkwafina made history at the Golden Globes when she became the first woman of Asian descent to win in a leading actress film category. Yes, it took until 2020 for that … Continue reading “New Acquisition!”

Media Services’ first new acquisition of 2020 is…. The Farewell, directed by Lulu Wang! This movie (BLU 16732) was snubbed by the Academy, but Awkwafina made history at the Golden Globes when she became the first woman of Asian descent to win in a leading actress film category. Yes, it took until 2020 for that to happen.

So how about showing the love the Academy denied for this movie? We don’t need them to tell us what’s worth honoring.

Film Neu Festival

Looking for something to do this month? How about a festival screening the best new German language films from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland? You can find a full film list and a call for volunteers at www.filmneu.com All the screenings take place at E Street Cinema.

Looking for something to do this month? How about a festival screening the best new German language films from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland?

You can find a full film list and a call for volunteers at www.filmneu.com All the screenings take place at E Street Cinema.

Midterms Got You Down?

Then check out these movies, which feature all kinds of limbo and liminal stages before (and after) death.

Then check out these movies, which feature all kinds of limbo and liminal stages before (and after) death.

Random Movie Monday

Happy Monday, dear readers! This week’s random movie is not a movie, but a tv show. Season Six of Oz, to be exact– DVD 15153. Here’s our summary. In this final season of Oz, Schillinger has revenge on his mind, Cyril is facing execution, Beecher is hoping for parole, and McManus is finding solace in … Continue reading “Random Movie Monday”

Happy Monday, dear readers! This week’s random movie is not a movie, but a tv show. Season Six of Oz, to be exact– DVD 15153. Here’s our summary.

In this final season of Oz, Schillinger has revenge on his mind, Cyril is facing execution, Beecher is hoping for parole, and McManus is finding solace in a meditative maze. The Oz players rehearse for their presentation of Macbeth and the final act.

The series itself is about inmates in “Oz,” a fictional state prison. It aired from 1997 to 2003.

In the Executioner’s Shadow: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

AU’s very own Richard Stack, in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States is pleased to present a screening of In the Executioner’s Shadow, in recognition of World and and Europe Against the Death Penalty Day. The screening will take place Thursday, October 10th, 2019, from 3:00 pm-5:15 pm at … Continue reading “In the Executioner’s Shadow: Film Screening and Panel Discussion”

AU’s very own Richard Stack, in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States is pleased to present a screening of In the Executioner’s Shadow, in recognition of World and and Europe Against the Death Penalty Day.

The screening will take place Thursday, October 10th, 2019, from 3:00 pm-5:15 pm at the Kay Spiritual Life Center. There will be a reception following the screening.

You can register for the screening and panel discussion here.

Random Movie Monday

Today’s random movie is a miniseries — 2013’s Bonnie & Clyde (DVD 11487). Here’s our summary: Based on the true story of Clyde Barrow, a charismatic convicted armed robber who sweeps Bonnie Parker, an impressionable, petite, small-town waitress, off her feet. The two embark on one of the most infamous bank-robbing sprees in history. The … Continue reading “Random Movie Monday”

Today’s random movie is a miniseries — 2013’s Bonnie & Clyde (DVD 11487). Here’s our summary:

Based on the true story of Clyde Barrow, a charismatic convicted armed robber who sweeps Bonnie Parker, an impressionable, petite, small-town waitress, off her feet. The two embark on one of the most infamous bank-robbing sprees in history.

The miniseries wasn’t super popular with watchers or critics, but color me intrigued by all the fun hats Holliday Granger gets to wear.

Random Movie Monday

And we’re back! We’re reaching way back in cinema history for today’s random movie, The Winning of Barbara Worth(DVD 7504). Here’s our summary: Gorgeous young Barbara Worth wants one thing– to help her adopted father turn their dusty desert town into farmland. But when a wealthy land developer is hired to build a dam and … Continue reading “Random Movie Monday”

And we’re back! We’re reaching way back in cinema history for today’s random movie, The Winning of Barbara Worth(DVD 7504). Here’s our summary:

Gorgeous young Barbara Worth wants one thing– to help her adopted father turn their dusty desert town into farmland. But when a wealthy land developer is hired to build a dam and tap the Colorado River, Barbara finds herself the object of a rivalry between her close friend and the developer’s son. As the rivalry builds, the trio discovers that the town has been swindled and the new dam isn’t reinforced, forcing the warring suitors to settle their differences in order to rescue the townspeople from a coming deluge.


This 1926 silent film also stars a very young Gary Cooper, plus some intense intense flapper eyeliner and crimped hair.

New Acquisitions

We now own the complete series of Masters of Sex! If you’re looking to ignore homework, then this tv series is an excellent way to do it. Masters of Sex Season 1 (DVD 16473) Masters of Sex Season 2 (DVD 16474) Masters of Sex Season 3 (DVD 16475) Masters of Sex Season 4 (DVD 16476)

We now own the complete series of Masters of Sex! If you’re looking to ignore homework, then this tv series is an excellent way to do it.

Masters of Sex Season 1 (DVD 16473)

Masters of Sex Season 2 (DVD 16474)

Masters of Sex Season 3 (DVD 16475)

Masters of Sex Season 4 (DVD 16476)