Niles Library Buzz

When looking back throughout the history of cinema, there are years that standout: 1941 (Citizen Kane, The Maltese Falcon, Sergeant York, How Green Was My Valley, Ball of Fire, The Lady Eve and Sullivan’s Travels (both from Preston Sturges) and Joan Fontaine’s Oscar-winning performance in Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion), 1951 (The African Queen, A Streetcar Named Desire, An American in Paris, A Place in the Sun), 1969, (Midnight Cowboy, Easy Rider, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Wild Bunch) and 1974 (Chinatown, The Conversation, The Godfather, Part II, A Woman Under the Influence and Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (both by Mel Brooks)) are all good film years. But, 1939 stands alone as the film year to beat all other film years.

Here’s a list of noted films that were released 75 years ago in 1939:

Babes in Arms

Beau Geste

Dark Victory (Best Picture (Outstanding Production) nominee)

Destry Rides Again

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Libraries are all about information, and we are proud to announce that we became the first library in Illinois to receive The Sunshine Award. It’s given to organizations that score 80 out of 100 points for making their governance and spending completely available to the public. You can see the checklist on the Illinois Policy Institute’s site. The library staff and Board are committed to making our work as transparent as possible, following the Illinois Open Meetings Act, so that the public can view the workings of the Board and their decision-making process.

Our information is available on every page of our website in the footer under Open Books Project. Want to see when the Board is meeting? It’s there. Want to see the library’s budget? It’s there, too. So is a goldmine of other facts and figures. Everyone is welcome to come take a look!

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Most remembered for playing hard-boiled characters in classic westerns The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and The Magnificent Seven, Wallach was much more than just a gritty character actor. He could play sensitive, as well as tough, sweet and compassionate, as well was strong and fearless. In later years, he turned to television and prize smaller roles in films such as The Godfather, Part III, The Holiday and, most recently, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. Surprisingly, he was never nominated for an Oscar, so the Academy rectified that in in 2010 when they gave Wallach an honorary Oscar “for a lifetime’s worth of indelible screen characters.”

Check out these Eli Wallach movies at the Niles Public Library:

The Associate

Baby Doll

The Brain

The Executioner’s Song

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It’s hard to believe that Michael Jackson, The King of Pop, passed away 5 years ago today.

I remember being shell-shocked when I read the breaking news online. He was an amazing performer who had many fans around the world. One of the best ways to keep his legacy alive is by listening to his music. If I had to choose one favorite Michael Jackson album it would be Thriller. Everything from the iconic music videos to the amazing songs on the album make it one for the books.

What’s your favorite Michael Jackson album? Can’t choose one? Maybe we can help below…

Check out these Michael Jackson albums at the Niles Public Library:

Xscape (2014)

Bad 25 (2012)

Michael (2010)

This Is It (2009)

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To read or to watch? That is the question!

There’s a constant battle between book-lovers and movie-lovers about whether a book is better than the movie or vice versa. Personally, I prefer to watch the movie over reading the book (don’t tell any of my co-workers) because I’m more attracted to visuals instead of just reading about the story.

The listicle below is Part 1 of 2 about books you didn’t realize were actually movies, too. The great part is the Niles Public Library has many formats of the title for you to enjoy.

Check out these books, DVDs, Blu-rays, and Audiobooks at the Niles Public Library:

The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith (Babe): Book | DVD | Blu-ray

127 Hours by Aron Ralston: Book | DVD

The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings: Book | Blu-ray

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick: Book | DVD | Blu-ray

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Looking for your next great read? I would highly recommend The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard! It’s emotional, well-plotted, engaging, well-constructed and suspenseful without being a thriller. What more can you ask for from a good novel? And it’s a debut novel, at that!

Most of the story takes place 16-17 years before the epilogue, which is set in 2011. So, we head back to 1994 and there we meet Kirsten Hammarstrom, 10, and her family, all of whom live on a rural Wisconsin farm. Grandpa (dad’s father’s) lives in the smaller of the two houses on the farm and Aunt Julia living just down the road. An idyllic, tranquil, laid back life. Until 18-year-old brother Johnny falls for the wrong girl and then the wrong girl goes missing, with Johnny as the prime (and only) suspect.

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Set in the near future (specific year unnamed), Theodore is a sad sack. His marriage just broke up, he does not want to go out or do things, like hang out with friends, and his day job is writing personal letters (love letters, thank you letters, etc.) for other people who are just as pathetic as he is. So, what does he do to try to change things up some in his life: he buys a new computer with a personal, talking, interactive, emotive operating system (OS). And this OS changes his life.

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In light of our beloved reigning champ Chicago Blackhawks being knocked out of the nail-biting Stanley Cup Western Conference Semi-Final two weeks ago and the crowning of the current Stanley Cup champs LA Kings awarded last weekend, hockey season is officially over.

Still depressed about what could’ve been? You’re not alone.

After the devastating loss in Game 7 of our series against the seemingly indomitable LA Kings, I was recently told that it’s “just a game”. But is it? Like so many sports, we watch it because of our passion for the sport. Like baseball, it’s a national past time that has grown through generations. It rallies people together and brings them closer than ever. It’s a chance to bring unprecedented revenue to a city crowned undisputed champion for that year or season if you will. Finally, it brings an unlimited amount of tourism to our city. And who wouldn’t want that?

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Father’s Day is only a couple of days away.

Whether you’re a son or daughter wanting to buy your father a gift or you’re a father looking for a good read this weekend, we have a great list for you!

This list has a little bit of everything. Celebs writing about fatherhood. Check! A Guy Fieri cookbook. Check! How to become the coolest dad around. Check!

All the titles are linked back to our catalog for more information, availability, or to place a hold. Happy Father’s Day!

A Father First: How My Life Became Bigger Than Basketball by Dwyane Wade

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenberg

Be the Coolest Dad on the Block: All of the Tricks, Games, Puzzles, and Jokes You Need to Impress your Kids (and Keep Them Entertained for Years to Come!) by Steve Caplin

Big Daddy’s Rules: Raising Daughters Is Tougher Than I Look by Steven R. Schirripa

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Known for her ground-breaking activism during the Civil Rights era, as well as her equally radical acting career, Ruby Dee died at the age of 91. She was one of the first black actresses to make her mark on Hollywood, along side her husband of over 55 years, Ozzie Davis. In the beginning of her career, as well as working with Davis, she often worked with Sidney Poitier, and later in life, she worked twice with Spike Lee and received her only Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actor, in 2007′s American Gangster, directed by Ridley Scott.

Check out these Ruby Dee movies at the Niles Public Library:

America

American Gangster (also on Blu-ray)

Betty and Coretta

Decoration Day

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Celebrating 1939 in Cinema: A 75th Anniversary Retrospective

Our Sunshine Award

In Memory of Eli Wallach: 1915-2014

10 Albums Remembering The King of Pop

15 Books You Didn’t Realize Were Movies: Part 1

Book Review: The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard

DVD Review: Her

It’s Only a Game…

11 Best Books for Dads

In Memory of Ruby Dee: 1922-2014

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