Staff Picks Movies/TV

Instant Family

by Sean Anders

More like instant happiness! “Instant Family” handles foster care adoption with passion and care. This inclusive flick is the perfect combo of heartwarming and hilarious, with a smoothly paced plot to tout. This movie falls into that sweet spot – clearly not made with award season in mind, but just as clearly a step above a typical blockbuster. I was not expecting such endearing performances from the cast, but each character feels fully-realized and fleshed out.

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual material, language and some drug references.

Recommended by: Lisa Stemmons, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Movies/TV

Happy Death Day

by Christopher Landon

The sound of clock tower bells, a geeky guy’s friendly greeting, and 9:01 am on her cell phone marks the beginning of Tree’s birthday in Happy Death Day. Unfortunately for Tree, she walks this day again and again, groundhog day style, until her death at days’ end. The list of suspects grows as the movie progresses and Tree tries to figure out what is happening on the last and most special day of her life. Can she figure out who her murderer is or will she live the day over and over? I would recommend this movie for fans of the Scream franchise or even the TV series Scream Queens. It has a witty, sarcastic script, a decent cast of characters, and is not gory like most in the horror genre. Happy Death Day 2U has recently been released as well.

Rated PG-13 for violence/terror, crude sexual content, language, some drug material and partial nudity.

Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver

Posted in: Movies/TV

Glass

by M. Night Shyamalan

I recommend seeing Unbreakable and Split prior to watching Glass, as the trilogy is severely underrated and deserves more love. It’s a smart action movie full of twists and turns, and Shyamalan includes just the right amount of subdued details to remain true to the genre. This easily could have been a bland, stream-lined superhuman story, but he bends your mind just as much as he makes your heart pump, all the while effectively submersing you in his world without the theatrics required by big-budget superhero franchises.

Rated PG-13 for violence including some bloody images, thematic elements, and language.

Recommended by: Lisa Stemmons, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Movies/TV

Agatha Raisin

I have read many in this mystery series by MC Beaton and was delighted when British television made it a show. Those who enjoy mysteries on PBS/BBC such as Father Brown or Death in Paradise, will also find this an enjoyable series to watch. The main character, Agatha, in this nine episode DVD set, has recently retired to the English countryside but soon finds herself lonely and bored. In the first episode, Agatha enters a quiche cooking contest; there is a murder and Agatha becomes a suspect. In order to clear herself, she becomes an amateur sleuth and finds that she is quite good at it. This is a quick paced series with picturesque views of England that are so lovely that you will want to travel there.

Not Rated

Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver

Posted in: Movies/TV

Fighting With My Family

by Stephen Merchant

Based on the true story of WWE Women’s Superstar Paige and her family, this movie was not only funny, but it “wrestled”  with deeper themes that were thoughtfully crafted throughout. Even with all of its predictability, the film still felt uniquely itself and kept me engaged with the authentic nature of the protagonist and the complexity of their family dynamic. Vince Vaughn also continues to shine in more authoritative roles, giving a realistic portrayal of the coach.

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual material, language throughout, some violence and drug content.

Recommended by: Lisa Stemmons, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Movies/TV

Saving Mr. Banks

by John Lee Hancock

The story of how Walt Disney convinced difficult and uncooperative author PL Travers to allow him to bring her character, Mary Poppins, to the big screen. This is my go-to film when a patron asks me for a suggestion. It has a little something for everyone; a darker, more serious story about how Ms. Travers grew up, witty and humorous exchanges between Ms. Travers and the staff at Disney as they all navigate how to successfully create a Mary Poppins film, and a fascinating look behind the scenes at how one of the most beloved children’s films of all time was created.

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including some unsettling images.

Recommended by: Ian Lashbrook, Digital Services Manager

Posted in: Movies/TV