Staff Picks Movies/TV

April 2020

London Kills: Series 1

A murder squad, consisting of two detectives and two constables, is the focus of this London based series. Actress Sharon Small (a familiar face from the Inspector Lynley mystery series) as DI Cole takes the forefront of various investigations while her boss, DI Bradford, is conspicuously missing in action. This five-episode season relies on quick solve cases while also including snippets of other investigations. It is a slow build-up to the final episode which seemed so much better than all the previous episodes in pace as well as the content. You must watch them in order which isn’t hard to do since they are each less than an hour in length. This is a good police procedural series that seems realistic and not Hollywood dramatized. Fans of Midsomer Murders or the VERA television series might like to try this one. Also available on Hoopla.

Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver

Posted in: Movies/TV

The Food That Built America: Season 1

Many foods that we take for granted today, such as breakfast cereal, ketchup, milk chocolate, and Coke did not exist a little over one hundred years ago. This show tells the fascinating stories of the people like Henry Heinz, Milton Hershey, John & Will Kellogg, Clarence Birdseye, and the McDonald brothers, who created the foods that we know and love today. It documents their imagination, drive, risks, trials & errors, and hard work – changing the American diet (for better & worse), while building cities, developing new technologies, fostering social & cultural change, and creating multimillion-dollar empires along the way. Available on Hoopla.

Recommended by: Dawn Gowgiel, Adult Services Shelver

Posted in: Documentary

March 2020

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice

Linda Ronstadt’s original voice was enjoyed by many beginning in the 1970s. Her performances, throughout many years, became a highlight of theater, pop and folk music. This biographical film features interviews with Ronstadt’s friends and fellow artists, as well as wonderful concert footage. An extra bonus is a very personal (and very moving) interview with Ronstadt near the films’ conclusion. There is a lot of great music in this DVD, so much that you might even find yourself humming her songs for days after. If you love music, this is the film for you.

Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver

Posted in: Documentary

Baristas

This movie follows four baristas as they practice and then travel to South Korea for an intense coffee competition. It is not all about your basic cup of coffee in this film as competitors race against a clock during presentations while also trying to inform judges about a new style of coffee that they have personally tried to develop. If you have any interest in what baristas do, or just love your coffee, then this is the film for you.

Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver

Posted in: Documentary

January 2020

Chernobyl : a 5-part miniseries

In 1986, the Soviet Union experienced one of the most severe nuclear disasters in the history of the world. This miniseries follows the events that led up to the disaster, the response by the Soviet government to uncover as well as hide the truth, and the gruesome effects that are still being felt today. Despite knowing that they manage to control the radiation by the fact that Eastern Europe is not a nuclear wasteland, this show will keep you hooked to find out exactly what happened. With only five episodes, Chernobyl is by perfect binge-worthy show. Winner of the Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy.

Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager

Posted in: Movies/TV

December 2019

A Star Is Born

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s chemistry, musical prowess and undeniable talent are unparalleled. The original soundtrack is knockout and the script is brilliant. A completely raw and sincere experience from start to finish.