Tag: home use

Happy Friday the 13th!

We’re not superstitious, but we’ll take any excuse to watch some creepy movies! We do have Friday the 13th (HU DVD 859) if you’re feeling on the nose about it, but here are five very different alternate suggestions for your viewing pleasure this unlucky evening. Stoker (streaming): More tense than horrifying, Stoker is a stylish, unsettling, … Continue reading “Happy Friday the 13th!”

We’re not superstitious, but we’ll take any excuse to watch some creepy movies! We do have Friday the 13th (HU DVD 859) if you’re feeling on the nose about it, but here are five very different alternate suggestions for your viewing pleasure this unlucky evening.

  • Stoker (streaming): More tense than horrifying, Stoker is a stylish, unsettling, and has no vampires in it.
  • Eyes Without a Face (HU DVD 9701): Plastic surgery is always creepy.
  • Audition (HU DVD 397): This movie is too gory for humans. Don’t watch it.
  • The Thing (HU DVD 1410): Weirdly, I mostly remember the dog.
  • Get Out (HU DVD 14595): Yes, yes, everyone but me loved this movie. We have it. You’re welcome.

For a blast from the past, check out our 2010 suggestions for Friday the 13th here! All still good. Especially The Orphanage (HU DVD 639).

Happy viewing!

Ghibli In My Home State!!!

Were you carried away with a desire to visit Oregon after seeing the Only Slightly Exaggerated campaign? You should totally go! In the meantime, check out some of these awesome anime movies we have that are just as magical: Princess Mononoke (HU DVD 1206) and Spirited Away (HU DVD 586) are usually thought of as the … Continue reading “Ghibli In My Home State!!!”

Were you carried away with a desire to visit Oregon after seeing the Only Slightly Exaggerated campaign?

You should totally go! In the meantime, check out some of these awesome anime movies we have that are just as magical:

Princess Mononoke (HU DVD 1206) and Spirited Away (HU DVD 586) are usually thought of as the most magically magical of the Ghibli movies. We have (I think literally) all of them. Take your pick.

Patema Inverted (streaming) is just weird. It’s like a scifi kind of magical, if you’re into that. I’m basically just still reeling from the fact that it’s not based on a video game.

Paprika (HU DVD 3440) has the most magical match cuts ever. Obligatory Every Frame a Painting primer available here.

Letter to Momo (streaming) is pretty whimsical and magical but with some real sad mixed in there.

And no, we still don’t have Your Name. We’re working on it. Sheesh.

Movies At Random: Obit.

Welcome to another Monday. Today’s Movie At Random is the 2016 documentary Obit. : an inside look at life on the New York Times obituaries desk (HU DVD 14789). Not as depressing as it sounds! Vanessa Gould won much praise with the origami documentary Between the Folds in 2008, and Obit was well regarded as well. Here’s … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Obit.”

Welcome to another Monday. Today’s Movie At Random is the 2016 documentary Obit. : an inside look at life on the New York Times obituaries desk (HU DVD 14789). Not as depressing as it sounds! Vanessa Gould won much praise with the origami documentary Between the Folds in 2008, and Obit was well regarded as well.

Here’s our summary:

At a time when the free press is under threat, OBIT. takes a rare look inside one of the United States’ foremost journalistic institutions, The New York Times. The steadfast writers of the paper’s Obituaries section approach their work with journalistic rigor and narrative flair, each day depositing the details of a handful of extraordinary lives into the cultural memory. Going beyond the byline and into the minds of those chronicling the recently deceased, OBIT. is ultimately a celebration of life that conveys the central role journalism plays in capturing and reporting vital pieces of our history.

And here’s the trailer:

Happy viewing!

Stanford Prison Experiment

This article on Medium, “The Lifespan of a Lie,” is worth a read if you missed it. We have a lot of documentaries on this available streaming (go for the keyword search! you can do it!), and the recent film Stanford Prison Experiment (HU DVD 12867), if you’re looking for a dramatic take. You can … Continue reading “Stanford Prison Experiment”

This article on Medium, “The Lifespan of a Lie,” is worth a read if you missed it. We have a lot of documentaries on this available streaming (go for the keyword search! you can do it!), and the recent film Stanford Prison Experiment (HU DVD 12867), if you’re looking for a dramatic take. You can also check out our psychology filmography if you really get interested.

And just because I love Crash Course, here’s the episode of Crash Course Psychology that addresses the Stanford Prison Experiment.

Movies At Random: La Cage Aux Folles

Happy Monday! Today’s Movie At Random is HU DVD 1603, La Cage Aux Folles. You might be familiar with the fantastic American remake with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, The Birdcage (HU DVD 667), which is also an amazing movie but not what the Google Random Number Generator ordered. Here’s our summary: Renato and Albin are … Continue reading “Movies At Random: La Cage Aux Folles”

Happy Monday! Today’s Movie At Random is HU DVD 1603, La Cage Aux Folles. You might be familiar with the fantastic American remake with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, The Birdcage (HU DVD 667), which is also an amazing movie but not what the Google Random Number Generator ordered.

Here’s our summary:

Renato and Albin are a middle-aged couple, who are the managers and star performers at a glitzy drag club in St. Tropez, agree to hide their sexual identities, along with their flamboyant personalities and home decor, when the parents of Renato’s son’s fiancě come for a visit. But with its hilarious performances and ahead-of-its-time social message, there’s nothing like the audacious, dazzling original movie.

And here’s is the completely ridiculous trailer:

Happy viewing!

Epics in Our Epic Collection

Epic is such an overused word. I mean, we basically use it to mean “awesome” now which is kind of sad. In film, it means, “A long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an extended period of time.” So, obviously, the Lord of the Rings trilogy (HU DVD 808 … Continue reading “Epics in Our Epic Collection”

Epic is such an overused word. I mean, we basically use it to mean “awesome” now which is kind of sad. In film, it means, “A long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an extended period of time.” So, obviously, the Lord of the Rings trilogy (HU DVD 808 – 810) is an epic. Lawrence of Arabia (HU DVD 3935) is an epic. But Raiders of the Lost Ark (HU DVD 3251)? Is that an epic? It’s definitely an awesome. I’m not sure it’s an epic.

One of the problem with epics is that they’re defined in different ways. Do they have to represent the past? How about a fantasy past? What counts as an extended period of time? Do the characters have to go on a journey? Does there have to be fighting? They tend to be episodic, but is that just a natural consequence of them also being long? And there are considerations beyond that of plot. One of the features of film epics that I’m not sure is really crucial but that I personally really appreciate is that they often feature the landscape so heavily, possibly because the characters are often on a journey. But is that a required feature, or is it incidental?

Sometimes long films done on a huge scale, like Titanic (HU DVD 2290), are called epics. By the above definition that sounds correct, but I definitely think that’s wrong. Titanic is a romance film, and an action film, but it’s not an epic in the same way that Ben-Hur (HU DVD 3857) is an epic. And the fact that it’s a long movie doesn’t automatically make it an epic. I think we’re mixing definitions of epic.

Apparently the original film epic is called Cabiria (HU DVD 180). It’s a 1914 silent film, and it sounds amazing.

We have tons more epics and arguable epics in our collection, of course. What’s your favorite?

Movies At Random: Pour Le Mérite

Happy Monday! Today’s Movie At Random is HU DVD DVD 15045: Pour Le Mérite. This movie is of historical interest rather than enjoyment. It’s a Nazi propaganda film directed by Karl Ritter, described on container as “the most irresponsible and dangerous filmmaker of the Third Reich.” The DVD container includes the following summary: “The film traces … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Pour Le Mérite”

Happy Monday! Today’s Movie At Random is HU DVD DVD 15045: Pour Le Mérite. This movie is of historical interest rather than enjoyment. It’s a Nazi propaganda film directed by Karl Ritter, described on container as “the most irresponsible and dangerous filmmaker of the Third Reich.”

The DVD container includes the following summary:

“The film traces the fate of the returning pilots from the last, bitter days of the [First World War] through their disillusionment and sense of betrayal by the inflation-ridden, debauched Weimar democracy, the rise of Hitler’s Reich, Germany’s insurrection, and the triumphant rebirth of Göring’s Luftwaffe.”

An interesting part of our collection, especially for anyone interested in history.

Movies At Random: Lady and the Tramp

Happy Monday! Did you know that Media Services has a ton of family movies on Home Use? Well, today’s random movie is a childhood favorite, Lady and the Tramp (HU DVD 10062)! This movie is especially notable for the vocal talents of Peggy Lee, and for featuring a truly iconic kiss that has been parodied … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Lady and the Tramp”

Happy Monday! Did you know that Media Services has a ton of family movies on Home Use? Well, today’s random movie is a childhood favorite, Lady and the Tramp (HU DVD 10062)! This movie is especially notable for the vocal talents of Peggy Lee, and for featuring a truly iconic kiss that has been parodied into the ground.

Here’s our summary:

Experience the thrilling adventures of Lady, a lovingly pampered cocker spaniel, and Tramp, a freewheeling mutt with a heart of gold. This heartwarming tale now charms a new generation of families and fans with its exquisite animation, unforgettable songs, and one of the greatest love stories of all time.

And here’s the trailer!

Happy viewing!

 

Movies At Random: Paloma De Papel

Welcome back to my personal favorite feature, Movies At Random! If you haven’t heard, Media Services is operating out of the Information Desk for the summer, which means I can’t close my eyes, wander down the gemtrac, and pull out the weirdest looking DVD. No, instead, we’re letting the Google Random Number Generator determine our … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Paloma De Papel”

Welcome back to my personal favorite feature, Movies At Random! If you haven’t heard, Media Services is operating out of the Information Desk for the summer, which means I can’t close my eyes, wander down the gemtrac, and pull out the weirdest looking DVD. No, instead, we’re letting the Google Random Number Generator determine our summer picks.

Today’s google-generated random movie is Paloma De Papel (HU DVD 4061), a Peruvian coming of age film.

Here’s our summary:

Paloma de Papel recounts the harrowing coming-of-age story of Juan as he struggles to survive poverty, corruption, and violence when Shining Path guerrillas sweep through and force the helpless youngster into their ranks.

There’s not really a great trailer for this one, so you’ll have to content yourself with this still:

Looks interesting.