Haunted Media

What film do you think of when you hear the following:

1) A film by Peter Jackson
2) Shot on location in New Zealand
3) The film is full of excellent effects

I am sure the first thing that comes to mind is the 1996 film, “The Frighteners”, right?? (or maybe you thought of that trilogy that he also directed). If you did think of “The Frighteners” than good for you! This is a wonderfully spooky and at times, scary film that was pretty much overlooked when it was originally released. It is directed by Peter Jackson, produced by Robert Zemekis and it stars Michael J Fox, Hugh Laurie, John Astin and Jake Busey (son of Gary). With all these elements, you would think it would have been a hit. Well, it is in my eyes! It is one of my favorite horror films and is now available at HBPL.

Of course, our Media Department has many other horror films to offer. Whether your taste runs to the classics like the Hammer Films “Curse of Frankenstein”, “Horror of Dracula”, “Dracula Has Risen from the Grave” or to more contemporary horror treats like “Sleepy Hollow” , “The Grudge” or “1408”. All can be found in our Media department!!
Although to find your favorite horror films is reason enough to visit, right now there is another event that will compel you to come in! Until the end of October, Media is having a half price sale on a selection of media items. DVD’s, VHS, CD’s and AudioBooks are part of the sale but are being gobbled up at a frightening rate! So be sure to stop by before the 31st and take advantage of this spook-tacular sale!

TIFF Revisited / AFI Fest 2007

The 2007 Toronto Film Festival is gone but not forgotten! I have heard from friends who were there about several films that they particularly enjoyed. One is a film that is based on the novel, Jar City (Myrin) by Arnaldur Indridason (available at HBPL). This is a police mystery about a worn-down cop who works to piece together the recent murder of a little girl to a similar case from over 30 years ago. The story is set in Reykjavik, Iceland and was shot on location. That alone may be worth the price of admission.
Another film that sounded particularly intriguing was a documentary called Operation Filmmaker. Soon after the fall of Baghdad in 2003; film student, Muthana Mohmed, stands in the rubble of the city's film school and explains to an American television audience that his dream of becoming a filmmaker has been destroyed. This documentary chronicles what happens to this young man when actor/director Liev Schreiber invites him to Prague to intern on Schreiber’s film, Everything is Illuminated.

Next month festival films come to Los Angeles when the AFI Fest comes to town. It will be November 1st – 11th and happens at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood. As of right now, the film title list hasn’t been announced but it should be available shortly. Hopefully these films will be included as part of the festival. One film that has been announced is this years Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner Four Months, Three Weeks and Two Days by Romanian director Cristian Mungiu. This is one that you might want to make the trip to Hollywood to see!!