April DVD Spotlight: Library Staff Picks

We're changing it up for this month's DVD Spotlight.  Instead of the usual theme of a certain genre or national cinema, we're featuring favorites and recommendations of the Reeves Memorial Library staff, chosen from our extensive collection of DVDs and Blu-rays.  As you might expect, our picks are just as varied as the staff members who chose them, spanning the new and the old, the popular and the obscure, and just about every genre you can think of.

From our hearts to your screens, here are some of our selections:

Dirty Dancing (1987)

"When I first saw Dirty Dancing in high school, I was horrified that "Baby" fell for the much-older Johnny the Dance Instructor.  But that wasn't icky enough to keep me from in turn falling for the flick.  How can this classic have only 6.9 stars on IMDB.com?"

            -- Kelly Clever, Public Services Librarian

The Exorcist (1973)

"This is the most spine-chilling, terrifying movie ever made.  I was 12 years old when the movie debuted, the same age as Regan."

            -- Helene Ciarochi, Library Technician

Hamlet (1948)

"This classic film, directed by and starring Sir Laurence Olivier, won several Academy Awards in 1949--Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Black and White), and Best Costume Design (Black and White).  Olivier's interpretation and editing of the text was not without controversy, but the film is a showcase for this great actor at the height of his powers.  He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director, but did not win."

            -- Judith Koveleskie, Serials Librarian

Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)

"Our family's all-time, watch-over-and-over-again, feel-good film!  Richard Dreyfuss portrays a composer-turned-teacher, over the course of decades.  His life journey (along with his students' and family's) is inspiring.  The soundtrack is great, too!"

            -- Michelle Frye, Circulation Assistant

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

"This grand, operatic epic is a favorite of mine in more ways than one.  It's my all-time favorite western, it has my favorite musical score of any film (by the great Ennio Morricone), and it has my favorite opening scene in all of cinema.  Plus, it's got Henry Fonda cast against type as one of the all-time great movie villains."

            -- Adam Pellman, Cataloging/Acquisitions Librarian

Taxi Driver (1976)

"Try to imagine a time before Uber."

            -- David Stanley, Library Director

Stop by and check some out today, and maybe our favorites will become your favorites, too!