The new Tron: Legacy movie opens this weekend, and I'm not ashamed to admit that it's the first movie in ages that I've actually wanted to see in the theater opening weekend. So, why do I want to brave the loud and crazy crowds, sticky floors, and expensive tickets?

First, I am of the Tron generation! I was 5 when the original Tron came out and can still remember images from the film and the idea of being inside a computer network.  Maybe that's one reason why I got into tech!  The idea of a Tron sequel makes me happy.  If you want to experience the original before seeing the new movie, you can check out a copy of Tron on DVD from the library.

Another reason this movie rocks is that the soundtrack is to die for! Disney hired the electronica band Daft Punk (*fan girl squeal*) to compose and perform the entire soundtrack.  Fan girl-ness aside, this soundtrack is Academy-award-nomination-worthy.  You can see the music video for the song "Derezzed" on YouTube (which already has 2 million views).  The Library has copies of the soundtrack almost ready to check out (still being processed) and we have three other Daft Punk albums available for check-out too.  You can also follow Daft Punk on Facebook.

Want to learn more about the new movie?  Get more info on Tron: Legacy at the Internet Movie Database, read its always-changing Wikipedia entry, and read reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.  And, but of course, below is the official trailer. To quote the original movie, "This is the key to a new order. This code disk means freedom."  They were right.  Code is freedom in its purest form.

Splice (2009) is a movie that will forever change the way I view bald men and women. Amazingly, this movie falls into the category of sci-fi, horror, and comedy. Splice is one of those movies where it is so terrible that it actually becomes great.

Elsa (Sarah Polley) and Clive (Adrien Brody) are scientist and a brilliant couple who have figured out how to combine different animal DNA into a single creature. They are told by their employer to halt any further experiments, but decide to continue anyway. Only this time, they decide to replicate human DNA. This human-animal hybrid turns out to be more human than they expect and what they create is Dren, a female creature that grows at an accelerated rate and eventually gets out of control.

The couple makes poor decisions after poor decision on what to do with Dren, even after it is clear that Dren is wild and unstable. The couple becomes frustratingly annoying that it gets to the point where you personally want to punch this couple in their faces for their stupidity, which is ironic since they are considered “brilliant scientists”. The movie takes a turn of events that force the couple to grow apart due to their differences on what to do with Dren. Elsa begins to treat Dren as her daughter while Clive considers the moral implications of their decisions.

I do not want to spoil the rest of the movie for you, but let’s just say between Dren and the couple, one becomes attracted to another and they decide combine their DNA if you know what I mean. The final moments of the movie are so shocking and disturbing that the only thing you can do is laugh and sing Usher’s song, “Oh My God!” because your brain simply can not process what the heck just happened. This scene will be drilled into your brain for the rest of your life.

Overall, I recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in some crazy sci-fi movie.  

Currently low key in theaters is the movie 127 Hours which is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who gets trapped under a boulder for five days before refelcting on his life and gaining enough courage to take the necessary actions to free himself.

Before you go check out the movie, come visit your local library to check out the book (Between a Rock and a Hard Place) so you are in the loop!

The book may give you more depth into what he must have been thinking during his ordeal that could not thoroughly be portrayed.  Maybe it will help you reflect on your own life! Or inspire you to embark on your own adventure! After all, what doesn't kill you will makes you stronger! Happy holidays!

We have recently received a large number of new Telegu movies at the Evergreen Library. One of the titles is Magadheera. It had received great reviews everywhere but I was really skeptical. How good could it be? A story set in 1609 is just an excuse for the main characters to jump around in skimpy clothes. The first 30 minutes were just as I expected. The acting was uninspiring, the jokes were insipid, the dialogues seemed very trite and Chiranjeevi was wasted in his cameo appearance. But, the story started to pick up around the half way point starting with the flashback. The reincarnation theme has been done to death in Indian movies but I was pleasantly surprised with Magadheera.  This movie requires a true suspension of disbelief but it is an enjoyable movie with some great production values, interesting camera angles (especially during the fight sequences) and well-designed costumes.

If you enjoyed watching Magadheera, you might also like Arundhati which has a similar theme of reincarnation and revenge.

If you are a regular at Willow Glen Library, you're probably familiar with the cafe. While the library doesn't currently feature a coffee vendor, all one has to do is take a walk down the avenue, a short ways to Downtown Willow Glen. There are a few great options right at the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota for all your caffeinated needs!

While on the subject of coffee, SJPL has a wonderful assortment of materials on just that! One feature film to look out for at your local library is Coffee and Cigarettes, a series of shorts revolving around your favorite caffeinated beverage!

If you miss out on the Leonard Cohen concert on Dec. 5^th in Oakland, not to worry. We’ve got plenty of cds to fill your ears with his sonorous voice and high quality songwriting. His career as a musician and poet has spanned several decades, and is still as vibrant as ever.

1. The Essential Leonard Cohen
2. Live in London

We also have the documentary on his life and music, which have inspired many other performers: I'm Your Man.

Personal favorites of mine are the songs “A Thousand Kisses Deep,” “Closing Time,” and “Hallelujah” (which has been covered by many other musicians, most notably Jeff Buckley on his debut CD Grace.