Earth Day Films 2012

Erin Brockovich (1999) Rated R

Erin Brockovich is a feisty young mother who convinces attorney Ed Masry to hire her and promptly stumbles upon a momumental law case against a giant corporation. Erin’s determined to take on this powerful adversary even though no law firm has dared to do it before. The two begin an incredible and sometimes hilarious fight that will bring a small town to its feet and a huge company to its knees. Based on a true story.

FernGully (1992) Rated G

Magic and adventure await in FernGully, a spectacular rainforest where a bat named Batty, whose radar has gone haywire, joins together with Crysta, Pips, and the Beetle Boys to save their marvelous world from the evil Hexxus.

An Inconvenient Truth (2006) Rated PG

A passionate and inspiring look at former Vice President Al Gore’s campaign to expose the myths and misconceptions of global warming, and to create public awareness on the subject.

March of the Penguins (2005) Rated G

In the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family. This courtship will begin with a long journey–a journey that will take them hundreds of miles across the continent by foot, one by one in a single file. They will endure freezing temperatures, in brittle, icy winds and through deep, treacherous waters. They will risk starvation and attack by dangerous predators, under the harshest conditions on earth, all to find true love.

Wall-E (2008) Rated G

After hundreds of lonely years, a waste management robot finds a new purpose in life. With only a cockroach for a friend, he finds true love in another robot sent on a mission to Earth to see if it is safe for human life.

Playing God in Films

January 9th was playing God day. Here’s some films for your enjoyment.

Bruce Almighty (2003) Rated PG-13

Bruce Nolan is a discontented TV reporter who believes the entire universe is stacked against him. After a bad day, Bruce flies into a rage and blames God for making his life so miserable. God responds by endowing Bruce with all of His divine powers and challenges him to take on “The Big Job” to see if he can do it any better.

Evan Almighty  (2007) Rated PG

Sequel to Bruce Almighty

Newly elected to Congress, Evan Baxter has left Buffalo, New York in pursuit of a greater calling. But that calling isn’t serving in the illustrious ranks of America’s politics, but being summoned by the Almighty himself, who has handed Evan the task of building a new ark. With time passing by and his family belittled by Evan’s newfound realization, Evan will have to do the work that God has given him in what promises to be an unusual adventure for a man who just wanted to serve his country. But, Evan might actually be serving all of humanity instead.

Dogma (1999) Rated R

Two banished angels find a loophole that would get them back into heaven. The only snag? They’ll be destroying existence in the process. In an effort to stop them, the overworked voice of God  taps cynical mortal Bethany to save the world by preventing the angels from reaching their unholy destination.

God is Brazilian (2002) Rated NR

God is stressed and needs a break from the endless toil of minding the Earth and the troublesome human race. But before he can go on vacation, he must find a temporary replacement. To track down the person best suited for the job, God heads to Brazil, a country that, despite being very religious, has never had an official saint. Joined by a conniving fisherman and a soul-searching young woman, he embarks on a spirited road trip in search of his ideal stand-in.

Oh, God! (1977) Rated PG

God picks a supermarket manager to carry His message to all mankind.

Oh God! Book II (VHS)* (1980) Rated PG

Sequel to Oh, God

God asks a young girl to help spread his word and influence with a slogan. -IMDB

Oh God! You Devil! (1984) Rated PG

Third in the Oh, God series.

 The Devil turns talent agent to transform struggling musician Billy Shelton into a superstar rock idol. Naturally, their contract involves possession of the latter’s soul. A deal’s a deal in the eternal scheme of things–unless, of course, God intervenes.

*If you would like a DVD of Oh, God! Book II, please contact the library.

The Tree of Life (2011)

The content and opinions expressed in this review do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by the Rice Lake Public Library.

Independence Day Films

Here’s a list of films to help celebrate our Nation:

Dave  (1993) Rated PG-13

Dave Kovic is an ordinary guy with a striking resemblance to the president, recruited by the Secret Service to act as a decoy during a public appearance. But when the president suffers a massive stroke, Dave is asked to take President Mitchell’s place until he recovers.

Frost/Nixon (2008) Rated R

Richard Nixon is the disgraced president with a legacy to save. David Frost is a jet-setting television personality with a name to make. This is the legendary battle between the two men and the historic encounter that changed both their lives. For three years after resigning from office, Nixon remained silent. But in the summer of 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Everyone is surprised that Nixon would select Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans (as well as a $600,000 fee). Likewise, Frost’s team harbors doubts that their boss with be able to hold his own. But as cameras roll, a charged battle of wits results.

Independence Day (1996) Rated PG-13

Massive spaceships appear in Earth’s skies and wonder turns to terror as the ships blast destructive beams of fire down on cities all over the planet. The world’s only hope lies with a determined band of survivors.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Rated NR

Washington’s youngest senator exposes corruption in high places, almost at the cost of his career.

National Treasure (2004) Rated PG

Since his childhood, Benjamin Franklin Gates has known that he is a descendant of a long line of people whose job it has been to guard a treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers. They hid clues to its whereabouts in the country’s currency and on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Now, Ben has learned of a plot to steal the Declaration, and has only one option: he has to steal it himself. Even if he pulls off this monumental task, keeping the treasure safe is still going to be incredibly hard, especially since the FBI now knows of his plans.

Books To Film

Looking to read a good book but don’t have the time. Here’s a list of books that were made into films.

Father of the Bride by Edward Streeter (1950/1991) Rated NR/PG

Chaos reigns when the beautiful daughter of a family casually announces her plans to marry. What follows is a warmly humorous story, with wedding preparations, ruffled egos and the unavoidable meeting with the prospective in-laws.

Field of Dreams (1989) Rated PG based on Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella

Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella is inspired by a voice he can’t ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Supported by his wife, Annie, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true.

Goodfellas (1990) Rated R based on Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family by Nicholas Pileggi

Details the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a Brooklyn kid who grows up idolizing the “wise guys” from his neighborhood. He begins hanging around the mobsters and doing odd jobs until he gains the notice of local chieftain Paulie Cicero. In his teens, Hill distinguishes himself as a “stand-up guy” by choosing jail time over ratting on his accomplices. From that moment on, he is a part of the family. Along with his partner Tommy, he rises through the ranks to become Paulie’s lieutenant. Soon he finds himself the target of both the feds and the mobsters.

*I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (2011) Rated PG-13

In rural Ohio, friendships and a beautiful girl prove distracting to a fifteen-year-old who has hidden on Earth for ten years waiting to develop the Legacies, or powers, he will need to rejoin the other six surviving Garde members and fight the Mogadorians who destroyed their planet, Lorien.

*In Theaters Now.

Not Easily Broken by T.D. Jakes (2009) Rated PG-13

After years of disagreement concerning what true happiness, success, and love really are, Dave and Clarice Johnson have finally reached a breaking point in their marriage. Clarice is hurt in a car accident and the obvious truth is that more than just her injuries need immediate attention. Their odds of making it are worsen as Clarice begins to see a physical therapist. Dave develops a friendship with Julie and her teenage son Bryson. The acceptance and comfort he finds in them stirs his longing for a family and a passionate partner. Temptation tugs at Dave. Clarice pulls farther away. Now, they must confront whether their vows are easily broken.