Blockbusters Free Film Series
MARCH 1—THE COVE (2009) – In a sleepy lagoon off the coast of Japan, behind a wall of barbed wire and “Keep Out” signs, lies a shocking secret. It is here, under cover of night, that the fishermen of Taiji engage in an unseen, horrifying hunt for thousands of dolphins. But when an elite team of activists, filmmakers and free-divers embark on a covert mission to penetrate the cove, they discover the terrible atrocities they find there are just the tip of the iceberg. This acclaimed documentary is nominated for this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Directed by Louie Psihoyos. (PG-13, 92 min.)
MARCH 8—DISTRICT 9 (2009) – From producer Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp comes this startlingly original science fiction thriller that was nominated for an Academy Award as the Best Picture of 2009! With stunning special effects and gritty realism, the film plunges us into a world where the aliens have landed... only to be exiled to a slum on the fringes of Johannesburg. Now, one lone human (Sharlto Copley) discovers the mysterious secret of the extraterrestrial weapon technology. Hunted and hounded through the bizarre back alleys of an alien shantytown, he will discover what it means to be the ultimate outsider on your own planet. (R, 112 min.)
MARCH 15—G-FORCE (2009) – In this hilarious animated feature, a team of trained secret agent guinea pigs work for an elite government agency. For their toughest assignment, they are asked to prevent a diabolical billionaire from taking over the world! Funny, exciting
and action-packed. Directed by Hoyt Yeatman. Featuring the voices of Kelli Garner, Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz. (PG, 88 min.)
MARCH 22—THE INFORMANT! (2009) – Based on a tattle-tale. Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon), a high-ranking executive at an agri-business giant, becomes a whistleblower when he realizes his company is guilty of price-fixing. Things don’t go as planned in this fascinating, if unexpected, human comedy. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. (R, 108 min.)
MARCH 29—DAMES (1934) – This definitive Busby Berkeley musical can not be beat for sheer entertainment. The plot entails a multi-millionaire (Warren Baxter) waging a public decency campaign against Broadway, but what’s most important are the dazzling musical numbers including “I Only Have Eyes For You.” Starring Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and Joan Blondell. (Not rated, 90 min.)
APRIL 5—WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (2009) – Based on Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, the film tells the story of Max, a frustrated 9-year old boy who runs away from home only to be magically transported to a distant land where large, furry monsters inhabit the forest. Max must then decide whether to stay with the wild things or return home where he must learn to keep his aggressive “wildness” in check. A visually astounding and poignant realization of the trials and tribulations of childhood. Directed by Spike Jonze and starring Max Records and Catherine Keener. (PG, 101 min.)
APRIL 12 – 2012 (2009) – We’re all doomed! The ancient Mayan calendar predicts the end of civilization in the year 2012, and ominous changes on Earth suggest they may be right. Massive earthquakes, floods and volcano eruptions around the world lead the human race to implement a secret plan for the survival of the mankind - but will it be too late? Jaw-dropping special effects on a massive scale highlight this throwback to the disaster B-movies of the past. Starring John Cusack and directed by Roland Emmerich. (PG-13, 158 min.)
APRIL 19—THE BLIND SIDE (2009) – This uplifting film tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2009. Starring Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron. Directed by John Lee Hancock. (PG-13, 128 min.)
APRIL 26—THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (2009) – Set in New Orleans’ French Quarter, this return to hand-drawn animation is a modern twist on a classic tale. A beautiful girl named Tina finds a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again. With a fateful kiss he leads them on a fanciful adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. High-spirited entertainment for all. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. Voices by Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos and Terrence Howard. (G, 97 min.)
MAY 3—UP IN THE AIR (2009) - Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is perfectly happy with his lonely job as a corporate “downsizing expert,” flying around the country and accumulating frequent-flyer miles. However, when he begins training a young upstart (Anna Kendrick) and embarks on a relationship with the equally-lonely Alex (Vera Farmiga), Bingham’s life begins to take many unexpected turns. At turns hilarious and poignant, the film was nominated for an Oscar as Best Picture of 2009. Directed by Jason Reitman. (R, 109 min.)
MAY 10—PONYO (2009) - 5-year old Sosuke lives a quiet life on an oceanside cliff with his mother. One fateful day, he finds a beautiful goldfish trapped in a bottle on the beach and upon rescuing her, names her Ponyo. The daughter of a masterful wizard and a sea goddess, Ponyo uses her father's magic to transform herself into a young girl and quickly falls in love with Sosuke, but the use of such powerful sorcery causes a dangerous imbalance in the world. The two children then embark on the adventure of a lifetime to save the world and fulfill Ponyo's dreams of becoming human. Directed by the master of Japanese animation, Hayao Miyazaki. (G, 101 min.)
MAY 17—AN EDUCATION (2009) - A quietly remarkable coming-of-age story set in pre-Beatles suburban London. Carey Mulligan earned an Oscar nomination for her luminous portrayal of Jenny, a 16-year old school girl pursuing acceptance at Oxford but yearning for sophistication and glamour. Peter Sarsgaard is also memorable as the charming David, a smooth operator first spotting Jenny at a bus stop in the rain. He is more than willing to provide her with a different sort of education. Directed by Lone Scherfig. (PG-13, 95 min.)
MAY 24—THE HURT LOCKER (2009) - William James (Jeremy Renner) is the newly-assigned leader of an elite bomb disposal team in Iraq. His new partners, Sanborn and Eldridge, are wary of the seemingly reckless nature of their new leader. As their missions become more dangerous and unpredictable, James and his team encounter situations requiring them to make decisions that will change their lives. Unrelentingly suspenseful and intense, the film was nominated for nine Academy Awards. Also starring Anthony Mackie and Guy Pearce. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow. (R, 131 min.)
MAY 31—NO PROGRAM—LIBRARY CLOSED—MEMORIAL DAY
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